Valori Wells’ new collection is used in Jenny’s latest tutorial, the Roadmap Quilt. This collection is perfect for the spring/summer seasons and just absolutely beautiful. With so many stunning collections under her belt, we got curious about the inspiration behind Valori’s lastest designs.
Here’s what she had to say about getting her start in fabric design and working her way to her latest collection, Murmur.
“Murmur is my 41st collection of fabric, I have been designing for twenty-one years. My first collection released in 1998 and the fabric was inspired by my black and white photography. Over the years, I have grown as an artist and a fabric designer. I truly didn’t have a clue when I started just out of college with a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Photography. I have worked in a variety of different styles and techniques and about four years ago, I decided to mix it up… The first block printed collection was called Marks, designed with my mom, Jean Wells. I haven’t turned back since. I love creating blocks and panels of layered color and design, then interpreting the work into fabric design.”
“Murmur started with the hummingbirds that visit my garden every year. I stand on my chair patiently with my camera, capturing all their glory. By the end of the summer, I tend to have a bazillion images and definitely something magical. Among the hummingbirds, my kids and I plant over 300 sunflowers in our backyard and in pots on the deck. My camera ends up being filled with happy flowers and magical little birds!…”
“When I set out to carve my blocks, I found myself just creating without any fear or demands. I never know what I am going to get. I carve and print and print some more until things start appearing and coming together.”
“… My colors are inspired by nature, mixed with Pantone Home and Fashion colors, and my obsession with indigo and turquoise.”
Happy Birthday Jenny and to all of you who share in the summer birthday season! Start planning your next party as Jenny shares her favorite birthday foods along with some fun, summer recipes from our Missouri Star employees! Find quick and easy sewing projects to decorate your party, and don’t forget to download some of our printable photo booth props to make your summer celebration a blast! Grab your friends and let’s party!
Jenny’s Favorite Summer Recipes!
Jenny’s absolute favorite is a Strawberry Pie that she makes on her birthday year after year to treat herself to something yummy!
Here’s how she makes it:
1 9″ frozen pie crust, baked
1 cup of sugar
1 1/2 cups of water
1/4 cup of cornstarch
1 lb of sliced strawberries
1 (3oz) package of strawberry jello
Bake pie crust according to package directions, remove and then let cool.
While the crust is in the oven, add sugar and water to a large saucepan over medium heat, whisk the cornstarch in slowly and make sure there are no leftover lumps. Stir continuously for about 4-5 minutes until the mixture is thickened and turns a little clear.
Remove from heat and whisk in the strawberry jello mix until completely dissolved. Let this mixture cool to room temperature.
Once cooled, toss in the strawberries and make sure they are evenly distributed. Pour into pie crust.
Place in the refrigerator to set for about 2-3 hours and then serve! (Add whipped cream if desired!)
Jenny loves a good summer barbecue and for her, the must-have at any BBQ is the beans! Cowboy Beans is her go-to and here’s how it’s done:
1 lb hamburger
1/2 onion, chopped
5-6 cans of beans, drained (red, black, and pinto) mix em’ up!
1 green pepper, chopped
1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cans chopped tomatoes, drained
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
Brown the hamburger and cook the onions, then mix it all together in a crock-pot and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours!
Captain Dwayne’s Jambalaya
3 pounds peeled shrimp
1 pound crab meat
1 dozen oysters
1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
3 cups rice
1 small can tomato sauce
1 large onion, chopped
2/3 cup chopped parsley
2/3 cup chopped shallots (cross between onion and garlic)
2/3 cup bell pepper chopped
2/3 cup cooking oil
1/2 tbsp garlic powder salt, black pepper and red pepper
3 cups water
4oz. Tabasco
Set the rice to cook and set aside. Sauté the onion over medium low heat in oil until almost brown. Add shallots and bell pepper, garlic powder and sauté for 10 minutes. Add smoked sausage and tomato sauce cooking for another 10 minutes. Add 3 cups water and cook for 30 minutes over medium heat. Add parsley, shrimp, oysters and crab meat and cook for 15 minutes. Mixture should have a creamy texture and not to watery. Add the salt and pepper to taste. Add rice a little at a time, stirring until all the rice is mixed in. Heat over medium heat for 15 minutes stirring occasionally. -Dwayne Stice
Pink Lemonade Pie
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (16 oz.) can pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip, thawed
2 (6 oz.) prepared graham cracker crusts
In a large mixing bowl, mix together pink lemonade concentrate and sweetened condensed milk. Fold in Cool Whip. Pour mixture into graham cracker crusts. Put in the freezer for 6 hours or until stiff. – Lauren Dalton
Make a 3D Pinwheel Table Runner! A three dimensional table piece helps to create the a fun/creative environment that all birthday parties deserve!
Fabriflair Centerpiece These joyful centerpieces really bring the party to life! Make several colors or mix and match to go with any theme!
Micro-safe Hot Holders 2 (8 ounce) packages of softened cream cheese, 2 jars of pineapple cheese and 2 jars of old English cheese all mixed together makes the perfect dip for any gathering! *Recipe by Tammy Baker Make this yummy dip using stylish hot holders!
Printable Photo Booth Props!
Download the props, print them, cut them out, and then come back here to post all your fun pictures so we can see!
Do you have a June or summer birthday? What is your favorite way to celebrate?
The Diamond Pavers quilt was made for pretty prints. The blocks are so big and simple, patterns have plenty of space to breathe!
For this quilt, Jenny used Honey Run 10” Stackers by Jill Finley for Penny Rose Designs. It’s an adorable collection filled with bees, florals, and delicate geometrics. (Don’t miss the machine quilting on this one! It’s a bee-utiful honey bee stitch!)
While spring may be nearing an end, it is always springtime in our Florals Shop, where once inside you will feel as if you have been taken to a lush garden full of beautiful floral prints!
When designing the shop, no detail was left out! From the light fixtures, to the checkout counter, and all of the floral themed decor, you truly get an immersive shopping experience!
Before our Florals Shop was what you see today, it was originally a bowling alley in the 1940’s and then later sold and converted into a Creamery Station in the 50’s.
Our acrylic tumbler templates are a huge hit in the quilting community! Made in three different sizes, you can find a template for projects using 10″ squares, one for 5″ squares, and even a tiny one to use with mini squares and 2.5″ strips! Each of them are easy to use and the shape helps to reduce fabric waste!
Can’t decide which one to get? Pst! We have an exclusive bundle that includes all three! You will even save $3.90 compared to buying each template individually!
To learn all the different ways you can use your new templates, go to our YouTube channel for fun tumbler tutorials!
