Monday, October 30, 2006

Fall Goodies / Simply June Online Store

I'm working away here like a little sewing elf - just two weeks until Open Studio! I will be sending out a newsletter and Open Studio reminder next weekend after we have transformed our Dining Room into a Studio Shop. There are tons of new products to see that won't appear in the Simply June Online Store until the following week. But, don't despair. If your are not local, there will be plenty of items available to you after the Open Studio, so keep visiting us. The Simply June Online Store will also be closed November 11th for our show.

Pumpkin bread, cooking magazine, spicy scented candles and harvest colored napkins make up a yummy bag of Fall Goodies from my dear friend Karen. I had a wonderful evening out with two of my dear friends at a favorite restaurant last week. If you live in Boston or the greater area check out the Aegean Restaurants in Watertown or Framingham. If you love traditional Greek foods as I do or just want a menu with a delicious selection and a beautiful, but relaxing atmosphere, you have to check them out. It is becoming somewhat of a tradition for our girls night out. If you go, the Stuffed Grape Leaves with Lemon Sauce are a must. Trust me. Yum. I literally have to restrain myself from licking my plate.

Friday, October 27, 2006


Gift Packaging Has Arrived

I placed an order last week for shopping bags, tissue and my new SimplyJune stickers at Nashville Wraps. They are a great company with a huge selection whether you are ordering for your business or your own personal wrapping needs. I ordered three sizes of the Kraft Paper bags for my Open Studio and the light blue tissue to keep with my colors. Don't these bags just make you want to take a peek inside? I designed the new Simply June stickers based on an antique textile block that I have and am pleased with how they turned out. Custom printed stickers are so expensive, so I had to settle for single color ink for now. All these little details are coming together and I can't wait to see all of you in just two weeks! I'd better get back to sewing!

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

"Miss" Cloche

One of the many reasons that I started this blog was as a form of creative accountability for myself. It is easy to jump from one project to the next and not finish things up. Who doesn't have that secret stash of partially knit sweaters, quilt fronts waiting to be quilted, patterns cut but never sewn. Okay, maybe you don't, but I forever do. This blog not only motivates me to finish up projects I have started, but for me to document them and tell you what I have been up to creatively. So, one would naturally think, while reading my blog lately that I have been in hiding and accomplishing nothing. But, I promise you, it has been just the opposite. I have been working like mad for my Open Studio and haven't had a speck of time to photograph or write. So, here is a little taste of what I have been up to. I have been crocheting "Miss" cloches until my arm screamed mercy. This photograph shows you a sample of some of the colors and ribbons. They are so cute and cozy to wear.

I am literally eating, sleeping and dreaming Open Studio right now. I can't wait. It will be so much fun to catch up with so many of you and to meet some of your friends. Please bring them, it is going to be a really special event that you won't want to miss out on. On the topic of dreaming...I have been having the worst time falling asleep. Does this happen to you? You have so many things running through your mind - things you need to do, things you want to create, crazy people you met during the day?... whatever it is. I lie awake just thinking of all the things I could be sewing and when I finally fall asleep I have bizarre dreams such as the one I had two nights ago. In it, I am auditioning for a movie. To set the scene...I am in a dance studio with folding chairs lined up along the wall. I'm sitting next to some kid from my high school hockey team (why would I randomly think of him? - I couldn't even tell you his name?) There are a line of people behind us ranging in ages. It is his turn to audition and he does some strange modern dance in khakis and sneakers. I couldn't tell you what I'm wearing... He finishes to great applause. I then watch a number of other auditions featuring all types of talents - what kind of movie is this? There are now two of us left - me and a boy about 8 years old. We have no talents listed on our applications. Ha,ha. However, bom bom bom, we both know how to tap dance! Conveniently, I'm wearing tap shoes! What a lucky coinkidink! I Shuffle Off to Buffalo and get my Screen Actors Guild card. I seriously need to get some uninterrupted sleep...

Friday, October 13, 2006

Happy 3rd Birthday Owen!

My dear friend's son is turning 3 tomorrow and I have been having fun with his favorite thing - trains! Kolya is also into trains and is a lucky boy as he has a train that goes right behind his house! Every time a train goes by (which is quite often), Kolya runs to the window and pulls his whistle - choo choo! Before, Kolya I had honestly gotten so used to the train that I didn't even hear it anymore, but now I have my little "conductor" to announce its arrival. Back to the birthday boy... Owen just started Pre-School this year, so I decided to pull from this theme too. In high school, I spent a summer living in Germany with a wonderful family, who really made my summer special and unique. My exchange was set up through an organization called Youth For Understanding. I hope that some day when Kolya is a bit older, we can welcome a student to our home. Anyway, while I was there one of the souvenirs I brought home was a Schultuete. This is given to each child in Germany by their families on the first day of school. Families fill the cones with sweets and school supplies and other goodies. I found this great Schultuete at The Magic Cabin. What a fun tradition. Owen's Schultuete is filled with a coloring pad, special homemade multi-color crayons, Train Bookplates and a train shirt. I made the crayons based on a project on Martha Stewart.com. They remind me of the Clowny crayons that were popular when I was young. I thought I might be the only one who actually remembered them, but I did a Google search and there seems to be somewhat of a "cult" Clowny following. The T-shirt uses some of my Michael Miller stash. I even utilized the "School Time" if you look closely. I on the other hand am much fonder of "Bed Time"... Ahh...Zzzzzz...





































Friday, October 06, 2006

Are you Indie Friendly?

SimplyJune was recently listed on IndieFriendly.com, a wonderful online directory of Indie Crafters designed as a guide to the best places to shop indie on the web. IndieFriendly is careful to list businesses that are personal and professional and sell high-quality items. SimplyJune is honored to be among them. So, check them out and visit and support some of the other wonderful Indie Crafters out there.

Not exactly sure what an Indie Crafter is?... Craft Revolution defines "Indie" as...

"What is the Definition of Indie?

According to the dictionary, 'indie' is an informal version of the word independent.

Although this definition is accurate, the word has come to mean more. It has come to symbolize originality and forward-thinking, especially in music and design.

By our definition, indie is any business or designer that is not associated with a large company. Indie can also define the indie shopper, who chooses to support small business rather than big-box stores."

Check out their other websites:

CraftRevolution.com
Crafters-United.com
IndieHolidays.com
IndieDesignAssociation.com

Have a great weekend!




Thursday, October 05, 2006

Petticoat Notecards

Can I tell you how much I am loving my new stash of wool felt? I am having fun creating these little Petticoat Notecards. The notecards themselves measure 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". The dresses are cut from a sketch I made after seeing a cute vintage dress in a magazine. The wool part of each dress is cut from the pattern and then I sit down with a pile of my vintage trims and bits and baubles and make that dress unique. All of the beads and trims are sewn on by hand and each wire hanger is shaped around a bead to coordinate with the dress. These cards are not yet available in our SimplyJune store, but will debut at our Open Studio on November 11th! Each will come in a cello sleeve with a coordinating envelope and the back of each card is stamped with our SimplyJune logo. They make a great notecard for any occasion and are cute enough to frame!






















































Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Newsletter

Well, the very first SimplyJune newsletter was just sent out via e-mail. If you did not receive a newsletter, take a minute to fill our Mailing List form on SimplyJune's website and we will get one right to you. Also, tell your friends, your family, your co-workers, etc. so they can join in on the updates, project ideas, freebies, etc.

I thought I would include a shot of the technical corner of my studio. One of my favorite parts of reading blogs, especially crafty ones is seeing photographs of people's homes, studios, etc. I love how everyone uses space and implements design so differently. I love those keyhole snapshots into people's environments. As you can see in the photo, I use a widescreen Dell laptop - a wonderful surprise birthday present in June from my dear Jason! When I am up in my studio, I hook up my mouse and keyboard to it as well as my flatscreen Dell monitor. What, might you ask, do I do with this second monitor? Jason set it up so that I have dual monitors and can move my mouse from one screen to the next, seamlessly. I usually keep my e-mail open on one screen, while working on the other. The technical aspects of how he did this are way beyond me, but let me just say - it is sooooo cool! I can't tell you how out of sorts I am when I bring my laptop elsewhere and keep looking off to my right to read me e-mail and its not there.

Anyway, another favorite part of this corner of my world is my Parsons style chair that I picked up at IKEA a while back. It is meant to be a dining room chair, but it looks great in my studio and is super comfortable. Also, note the nifty "K" mug. I have been loving the below version at Anthropologie (but then I love just about everything at that store). It is actually very reasonably priced at $6, but I stopped in at the Christmas Tree Shop this morning and found this one for $1.69 - wooo hoooo! Feeling pretty smug right now...

P.S. Those mini-marshmallows are so gone...yum...

Tuesday, October 03, 2006



















Fall Baking

One of my favorite times to bake is in the Fall. There is something about the crispness of the air that carries the spicy aroma of baked goods. I awoke this morning with thoughts of carrot and raisin muffins and spent my morning playing with Kolya and baking. Kolya is 2 and loves to imitate - making his own concoctions with his toys. He is a devoted snacker and spend hours finding new ways to eat. I thought there would be limited approaches to this task, but I was wrong... Today he was using one of the funky arms to his Mr. Potato head doll. At the end of the plastic arm is a cupped hand, just perfect for scooping Goldfish crackers. Ahh, the creative mind of a 2 year old...

The studio is bustling with projects. I am taking a short break this week from focusing on just SimplyJune projects and working on some birthday presents and other goodies for family and friends. There is still some SimplyJune work being done though and if you are on our mailing list, you will receive a newsletter by the end of the week. If you have not yet signed up for our Mailing List, stop by now...