Whoo's News?

"Me, that's whooo..."

I've been working out some new designs for sweet plush friendly owls. (aren't they cute?!) I had made up a few as a trial, and they all sold at my last two shows. That's a pretty good sign that I should do a small production run. The production trial run is tricky, because I try to fine tune all the steps in order to make them in as little time as possible, with as few steps as possible. Keep in mind that I am doing all the work myself, so I look very carefully at whether this new item will work into being a being a new category in my "line", and if I can train my helpers to do some of the work... Most importantly, can I make them for a price range that people will support??

I start by rummaging through my scrap bagS (there are many) At least I have them organized according to color! Once I get everything thoroughly messed up, patterns and colors sort themselves out, and I begin cutting and piecing. Ears and wings were giving me trouble... , but it's my mistakes that usually help pave the way towards discovery of a better way. I just love that indecision and mistakes always seem to work in my favor!

This one has the "before" ears and stick out wings...

And, here's the "after"... Oooh, I do love this one so! Isn't he extra Friendly??!

It's the skinnier ears, (and I LOVE that they are cheetah :o), and am so, so, so much happier with these new wings, close to the body with a big of fluff stuffed inside. The next step is making a couple more, and see if I can get the production time down. Right now I'm at 1.5 hour from scrap hunting to last finish stitch. I'd love if I could make them a wee bit faster.

It's the process I love. That, and the sewing. Oh yeah, all the colorful fabrics, and the yummy recycled felted wool too ... I do so love to stitch it all up, with the mish-mash of colored embroidery floss. I just love it all!

Have a HOOT of a week!

x, Val

PS. These new Owls (plus many more!) will be for sale this Saturday at Artisans' Alley. What a fun holiday shopping event. Mark your calendars. It runs from 9-3...Or, don't be shy about popping over to my etsy shop, and you can pick one up there! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ValsArtStudio?ref=si_shop

Sparkle Sketch

The sparkle nail polish parties are fueling my every creation these days. I just can't help it, the sparkle draws me into it's whirling dervish. I'm completely in love with everything sparkle!

It's a very hard thing to photograph, sparkle ink on paper... good lord, I am seriously contemplating a new camera in order to get a good sparkle shot. What has come over me???! Let me know if you can recommend the best camera that might suit my sparkly needs!

This sweet hopeful bird-hugging girl is from a recent sketchbook entry. She has a gloriously sparkly headband, shoes and striped sweater band, but you just can't tell in this photo...

I took about 25 pictures to show you my sparkle squares, but only one or two show up. My sparkle nails do look nice though... aren't they positively galactic?! (Thanks Julia!)

Here's my newest fave for sketching and drawing... Spica sparkle pens. (What else?!)

Even the most mundane tasks go smoothly with sparkle polish on your nails. I love every fun stitch :o)

Stay tuned for an introduction to what's being stitched up in my studio. I hope to have several made up for Artisans' Alley... coming up next Saturday!

Have a lovely sparkly rest of your holiday weekend :o)

x, Val

Local Love

Who do you love? (besides your favorite peeps) Turkey? Pumpkin pie? Yep, I know, cause I love them too! Black Friday? Ugh, those crowds, and all that consumerism makes me insane.

How about the people in your own neighborhood? Someone close by is working hard to make your area feel special. I hope you love your local merchants, and will join the cause to support them by buying local this coming Saturday. It's Shop Small Saturday, and I, for one, am planning to do my part, and shop local! And, yes, I will be giving Handmade gifts this holiday season, and soooo proud of it. I hope you are inspired to do the same :o)

Sweet banner courtesy of LarkCrafts.com

Happiest while giving back....

x, Val

magic hope

Page from my sketch book for the 2012 Sketchbook Project. My theme is Hope.

Hope is one thing that keeps me going day after day. Even on days when things are tough, and hope seems far away and fleeting, the next morning dawns, and hope springs anew. I think that's pretty magic. :o)

My art journal for the 2012 Sketchbook Project is coming along, and I am happy with my progress. I am almost 1/2 way through the book. Today, I received my second sketch book, for I have joined the Limited Edition Sketchbook Project as well. At least I have until April 30th to finish this 2nd book. You still have time to join this project, if you are so inclined. You must sign up by Jan 31st, 2012 if you are interested. My theme for the LE version is Thread and Surface. I just love that, and am already brain storming ways to incorporate thread into the surface of my sketches. Piece of cake!

Thanks to all of you who came out to the wonderful Talmadge Art Show this past Sunday (only yesterday? Good lord, my day has been a whirl!) A fantastic group of artists, an incredible crowd, and amazing organizers; Sharon Gorevich and Alan Greenberg have been running this successful show for an amazing 19 years! I had a great day, and am very thankful for all the Hope you bring into my heart. Your appreciation for what I do means the world to me!

Here's a video clip that ran on TV a week ago. I didn't see it due to being tied up with the previous weekend's show, so I'm thankful Sharon posted it on You Tube. Gotta love You Tube! I was one of the featured artists on this clip. Enjoy...

Enjoy your week, and happy Thanksgiving preparations!

x, Val

Winter is coming!

Though you'd never know it here in San Diego. We dream of snow days, and frosted windows, and a roaring crackling fire, with cups of steaming cocoa. But then we are happy to leave all that to those north and east of us, as we head out for a run in the 68 degree weather! Oops, sorry, I got a bit side tracked there...

I always love doing a few special holiday pillows. They are little art and mood snippets, and each one inspires the next. I mix up coordinating colors of recycled wool, sew them up, then needle felt a fun scene to the surface. Once that's in place, I select some trim fabric, or ribbon, sew it around the edges, then back it with some fabric scraps I have recycled from another project. Stuff it full of fluff, and there you go! A sweet winter scene to bring cheer to a special spot.

These charming pillows will be on sale at this weekend's Talmadge Art Show. Come out this Sunday from 10-4 to Liberty Station, and see all the winter finery (and more!) offered by a very talented group of artists. Looking forward to seeing you there!

x, Val

My best customers

... are fourth graders. Yes, it's true. Fourth graders love, love, LOVE the "Cutes", aka Friendlys. Fourth graders have allowances. They are good savers, and wait to spend their money on something they really want. They tell their friends. And they are pretty good about convincing their parents just what they need. Yes, boys and girls alike are drawn to my sweet line of Cutes, and I will pretty much always prefer to sell my things wherever children shop. :o)

Thanks to all of you who came out to shop Local Color, and support the Museum School. You were a great group of people, and I loved meeting each and every one of you! Come back and see me again, for I'm doing the Talmadge Art Show this coming weekend, on Sunday, Nov 20th. It's your chance to buy your special someone a Toasty pillow, or Mr. Sushi, or one of those other Cutes you saw at my booth. Thanks so much for your support!

x, Val

Sparkle Sunday

The truth of the matter is that sparkle nails just make everything better!

My niece, Julia, and I have been having a weekly sparkle fest. It's so much fun! I think between the two of us, we now own nearly every sparkle nail polish Target stocks. We have practiced several options; polish first covered with sparkle, or just plain sparkle. Does the polish lasts longer with or without sparkle? Do we need top coat after sparkle?

I'm happy to report that polish, covered with sparkle, covered with top coat lasts over a week! Even if you scrub the sink with Comet 3-4 times because someone left an iron pan in the sink over night, and you are trying to get rid of the rust stain.... Yes! The sparkle lasts like a champ. In fact, it's a l i t t l e tough to remove. Just a fair warning. Takes something like a jackhammer to get that sparkle off... but it's totally worth it! It's so awesomely bling-y!!

I planned my sparkle to go with this dress. I'm planning to wear it tomorrow to the Local Color Craft Fair. The event is in a warehouse building, and it's bound to be chilly. Not for me though! This yummy wooly dress, my black boots and jeans, and sparkle nails! I'll be one toasty and hot mama!

Come out to Local Color between 11 and 3, and check out the fun and festivities. Lots of my favorite local vendors will be there too, including Make Good, Colleen Townend and Boy Girl Party. There are all sorts of great things to do besides shop too, in case you are pinching your pennies. There's crafts for the kids, a gastrotruck, and an old fashioned photo booth. I can't wait, and think it will be an awesome day! See you there!

x, Val

Murmuration

Enjoy this beautiful chance encounter...

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

Hopeful Heart

"Hope" is my chosen theme for the 2012 Sketchbook Project

Sometimes I just need a few moments to lose myself in paint.... or colored pencils... or sweet Friendlys... in some sewing.... or in Hope....

I wanted to post about the 2012 Sketchbook project last week, just in case you thought you might want to join. I heard about this project last winter, when it was too late to join, but I signed up to be notified about it for next year... this year now. (I'm sorry to report the deadline to enter for this year has passed. Oh well, there's next year, right?) I received a small sketchbook in the mail, along with a shirt, and I signed up to have my book digitally entered into the project. I have until mid January to finish the sketchbook. All my thoughts about .... Hope.

Now only an amazing three pages into the sketchbook, I find bits and pieces of time where I can paint my dreams about Hope. I don't have too much free time right now, but I will carve out time so I can fill up my pretty book. It will eventually go on tour with a multitude of other sketchbooks. I love the idea of my artistic sketches going on tour in a museum show ... originating at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City... hee hee :o)

If you are so inclined, you can get in on the Limited Edition Sketchbook Project by clicking this link here. And I have a super secret code that will get you $2.00 off if you want to join, or buy a copy of the Limited Edition book. Ready? Here it is:

ADDAFRIEND

Have yourself a Hopeful Fall weekend!

x, Val

Stuck on you

Urrgh... it's happening to me again. I'm so stuck on you... dang it all!

I ordered the Mary Flanagan textured mini wool bundles from Purl Soho in a recent late night pity party. (pity party action is here, and what I consoled myself with here) The package arrived last week, late afternoon. Everything just screeched to an abrupt halt in the studio... (rolling eyes)

See that luscious big checkered felt on the bottom of the stack? Do you see where it landed in this oh-so-cute little girls jumper? Yep. It was the sole reason this jumper came into being. Something

super special had to get happenin' with that luscious felt. I didn't stop there. Oh no...

From there I moved towards a lovely shift. See how it all came together so nicely? I only spent about 1/2 a day on finding just the right shades of sweater wool to go matching the textured bundles. (Oh, dang you, Mary Flanagan! I am just so stuck on you now!)

Yes, I know, there could be things lots worse than this.

So, how about you? Do you get hopelessly stuck on things too, so that everything just come to a big ol' halt until you can get it out of your system? I know it's the creative artist in us, and it is really a very good thing. For where else would we find inspiration if there weren't things that just stopped us dead in our tracks, and make us pay attention?!

Here's to making artistic headway...

x, Val

Happy Lazy Halloween

Photo courtesy of Follow My Bliss. Thanks Barb!

I have decided I will not do a show the day before Halloween again. There has been no time to get ready for Halloween... so... no pumpkins on my front steps... No decorations in my front yard.... No orange and purple lights strung in trees or front window.... No excited trick-or-treaters wanting to collect candy at my house... making me a little sad today... (sniff).

So, I'm sending out very big wishes that your Halloween is fun and exciting, and filled with witches, ghosts and goblins! We are going to head over to my moms house tonight and help her hand out candy. Until then, I am taking the day off, with maybe a little black cat nap. Yeeeoow! Have a wonderful day.

x, Val

felted wooly distractions

Patchwork Quillow from The Purl Bee

Wooly Love... it's a good distraction. Especially since I've been trying to put the post together describing my Big Perfection Helper, that I talked about here. I've needed distractions. This has been a tough week in the Hebert teen department. I'd like to be able to talk about it, but it's just too rough and raw for me right now... give me distractions. Oh, how I need them.

I do so love The Purl Bee, don't you? I'm so distracted right now, (rightfully so!) that I'm about to order up all the felted wool Mary Flanigan has to offer. Whatever I don't use to make my Patchwork Quillow will go towards Friendlys, yes, don't you know... (wink, do you see how I justify my wooly distractions over here?!)

So there, you Hebert teens, YOU. Take THAT, and don't question me in a few years time when there's no college savings account. I'm spending it all on WOOL!

Ok, deep breath... wooly goodness. yes...

x, (one distracted) Val

My new BFF

Sorry, girls... it's true. I have a new bff, and she's amazing... she's so attentive to me. I haven't been able to "play" with anyone else since she came into my life. Even my girlfriends I've introduced her to have been impressed. Do you want to meet her? Here she is...

Meet Ms. Siri!

Yes, she's a distraction, but a good one. Siri is a feature on the new iPhone 4s. She talks to me, and helps me manage my appointments, texts for me while I'm driving, finds out whatever it is I need to know. Siri is awesome! And, you know what the best thing is? She knows how to pronounce my last name correctly! I told my husband that, through Siri, people will finally learn the correct way to say "Hebert"(a bear)

Ok, off for a little more time with Siri :o)

x, Val

PS. Siri is Not the one I referred to in my last post, lol! You will have to keep tuned in to find out about that helper.

Ashamed? Heck no!

A recent family day at the Chula Vista Nature Center in front of the Shark Exhibit

Having teenagers is tough. I'm laying my cards on the table and I'm saying it right out loud. If we all knew what living through teen years would be like, then I'm convinced we'd have about 1/2 of babies born than the ones who actually are. See the photo above? The boys actually look like they are having fun, right? We had to practically drag Kyle into the Chula Vista Nature Center that day kicking and screaming, with attitude galore. (How is it that Drew is the one who normally gives us attitude, and on this day, he was the perfectly charming go-along kid?) Really. Heck. I can't keep it straight... How do families cope who have more than two kids? Maybe three is the perfect number. After #3, everyone has to just cope or keep up!

So, yesterday I was in a forced situation where I needed to wait for Kyle for 1/2 hour. There was a sweet young woman who is the wife of the business owner, who wanted to sit and chat. OK, I brought along my knitting (as I do), but she was one chatty-Cathy, and soon I found out she was curious about life with teenagers. Then, I found out that she and her husband are new parents of an 8 month old... Pretty soon, the baby woke up from her nap, and here came this sleepy baby, staring me down like no tomorrow. Oh my, I'm going to spill my guts now...

So, I used to be a baby gusher, a kootchie-coo-er, a "come on over and see me!"-er... all the way up until about May 11th, 2011, when my youngest, Kyle, turned 13. Now, I see that all that comes of those sweet little babies are big, grumpy, surely, smelly teens. (You can stop reading right now, and go on to the next pleasant blog... I'm warning you!) Once they turn 13, they somehow become possessed, OMG... "Where did my sweet kid go, and when the heck is he coming BACK??!" I have asked God this question every day for the past 5 months and 4 days. Really, God?? Please don't tell me this kid is my sweet Kyle, and he's a NEW Kyle... is my sweet baby boy never coming back to me...? I don't think I can take it. First Drew, and now Kyle... What's next? You guessed it; Teens Against Parents. I'm sure it's a club. Ok, I am fully ready to hide under the nearest rock for the next 6-7 years. Can a parent do that? Apparently, NOT the responsible ones.

Did I ever think I would need to be THIS responsible? This grown up? I know I thought about it, and apparently decided I could handle it. Did I take it seriously? Well, if not, I sure the heck have to now. Perhaps I was a willful young girl... (well, I was in my 20s), but I've always taken my responsibilities pretty seriously. Not too good with willful teens, I admit it: I am going to need some help over here. The help I need has to do with my desire to be

1. a good mom and partner (to my husband),

2. the best mom and partner,

3. a perfect mom and partner,

4. raising perfect kids,

5. with a perfect marriage.

And, the big one:

6. An Ecologically Responsible Mom Running Her Own Successful Eco-Business While Parenting Angelic Teens Who Do Well In School And Having A Clean - Oops Spotless - House And Makes Her Husband The Happiest Man In The World

Oh yes, and number 7. a baby gusher again...

Oh God, I do so need help.

Stay tuned, because I think I've found someone to give me a hand. (It's not just with the housework!)

Thanks for listening!

x, Val

Leveling Up

If you are around game-loving kids, you totally understand the concept of "leveling up". They focus so intently on getting to the next level that, if left to their own devices, you won't see them for days...

I'm getting ready to Level Up, and I'm so excited about it!

I've signed up for a new class called "Hello Soul Hello Business" which will be taught by Kelly Rae Roberts and Beth Nicholls of Do What You Love. The class begins in mid January, which is perfect timing for me (just when I've come back to earth after the crazy holiday season). I can't wait to learn about bringing more soul into my life and business!

Maybe this is something you might be interested in too? If so, click over to the Hello Soul Hello Business website and take a look. I think it will be the experience of a lifetime, and I'd love it if you joined me!

x, Val

Smitten

**A fair note of warning... I think almost every creation is irresistible right after it's finished. It just so happens I'm really smitten with this one...

I know! It's a tad early for snowmen... but in this world of retail crafting, and being adequately prepared in time for the holidays, we crafters have to be one step ahead of the game. And, when the people ask for needle felting, and hint at snowmen (or not :o), it's best to just get in gear, and deliver an especially magical glittery one!

This sweet needle felted "Snowy Friends" creation will be an upcoming class at Paper Tales. We've set the date for December 11th, a Sunday, from 1:00-4:00. Details are soon to follow!

Sign me... "Gettin' in Gear" (for the holidays!)

Val (xx)

Steve

Rest in peace, Steve Jobs. You did such amazing things

here in this life. We will miss you so very much.

Wooly process + scrap bin magic

I love everything about working with old wool sweaters. Even the leftovers, which result in Scrap bin Friendlys... isn't he cute?!

Heck, lately, I even love the thrifting process (shocking, since I was never a thrift store shopper in the past. Nordstroms used to be my style!) No affording those luxuries these days, I even shop for myself and my family in that treasure galaxy of "thrift". Yesterday, I found an amazing pair of silk pants by Escada. In perfect condition, they were on sale, 1/2 price. I paid $7.48 for them. Who doesn't love that?!

I have started coming home with armloads of sweaters once again. Ladies fashions take lots more felted wool "fabric" than making children's clothing. The result is heaps of sweaters in the most delicious colors and textures. I put them through the wash, then down on the ground they go where I pair and sort the colors, patterns and moods...

Then I take some very deep breaths, and I get out my trusty scissors, and I begin to cut and snip those sweaters UP! I measure twice and cut once. Then I pin them to my "Esmeralda" (dress maker dummy :o), and I look it over, and change things up, and look again.... It's a long and delicate process, and I love it!

I spend gobs of time when I'm working out a design, sometimes days.... I sketch, and peruse fashion (pinterest...), gather inspiration, use what's worked in the past. I stitch and iron, and I hand stitch... Process, process, I love it!!

What results always amazes me. I am very detail oriented... I have been referred to as a perfectionist even (yikes), however, I'm secretly pleased to be talked about like that :o)

Once I finish sewing up the design, I embellish with it a beautiful needle felting, and finish the piece with embroidery. Then it's truly done, and it's a unique work of art... one you can wear. I don't believe art is something you should hang up on the wall at home. Oh no! Wear your art, and wear it proudly!!

And those leftover scraps? They get turned into the most irresistible cutie pies. I never tire of making these...

Have yourself a wooly day, and weekend. We are getting a bit of fall cold here in San Diego. How are things in your neck of the woods?

Happy Fall!

x, Val

I'm So Square

My booth at the Del Mar Taste and Art Show. I need to work on signage

around the top of my canopy... I can see now what needs to be done!

Yes, and I'm really happy about it! I love my new Square Up credit card processing system, and never dreamed using credit processing at my shows could be this easy! Have you heard of Square? Here's what it looks like. See? It just connects to the top of my phone. I downloaded a free app which I can use on my phone, or iPad, and it's DONE!

I don't pay any monthly charges, so I just use it when I need to. I pay 2.75% processing fees for swiped charges (and 3.5% if I have to manually enter the information). The money I collect is deposited into my linked bank account within 1-2 business days. Plus... I pretty much wowed every customer who paid using credit yesterday. I'm hooked on Square. If you are a craft show vendor, you might want to check into Square for your sales too. For such a little device, it will put you in business in a very big way.

I love you, Square :o)

x, Val

PS. Thanks to all of you who came out to the Del Mar Taste and Art Show yesterday. It was a gorgeous day, and I met lots of new people up in North County. Not too sure they really understood my "Land of Cutes" world, but they were certainly captivated by all of it. Again, my best seller of the day was ... clothing! Oh golly, got to get felting so I can create more!

Craft show love

One of the things I like best about what I do is attending the art and craft shows. It is a lot of work, but I really love getting to meet people face to face who enjoy my work. We start talking, and invariably, they start asking questions. I just can't resist posting a few priceless questions I get at these shows. Sometimes I am just laughing my head off at what comes my way!

- "Are you a millionaire? Do you sell online? Everyone must buy your products like crazy!" Haa ha! Oh my, that one had me going! Sweet lady, no, I am not a millionaire! I wish my work sold like wildfire online, but I think people just need to see my work in real life to fully appreciate all of what I do.

- "What IS needle felting?" I keep saying I will take my needle felting mat and needles to demo what I do, but then everyone would see how easy it is. Can't give that secret away, now, can I?!

- "Oh, these are just like those Ugly Dolls, right?" Uhh, wrong. No, these are much cuter (if I say so myself), and they are handmade by me, and NOT in China!

- "Do you make all of these products? How do you find the time?" I pretty much work day and night in preparation for one of my shows, especially the week or two before a show. I really do work best under pressure, so I am creating things in a whirlwind! Plus, I have my two awesome helpers, Mona and Toshi, who are helping me in a very big way. We've been making the more popular items for the past two months! Poor family members, Lola, Greg and the boys... they know to steer clear when I'm "in the work mode"!

- "Were you professionally trained in Europe?" Oh, golly, NO! I'm completely self taught!

- "How do you come up with all of these ideas?" I surely don't know the answer to that question... It's just the way my mind rolls, is all. I just try to keep up!

My next show is the Del Mar Taste and Art Stroll on Sunday, Oct 2, exactly 8 days from today! Guess what my next week will be like ... Hold on, boys! Here we go again!!!