Magnet Tins are now in the SimplyJune Online Store

Check them out now in the SimplyJune Online Store. as these little sets go fast. These fun glass magnets are great for hanging those favorite photos or helpful reminders on the fridge. They have a heavy duty magnet and will hold your things in place. Each tin of 6 is unique. Designs are hand picked from all types of printed material. These make a great gift.

A set of 6 comes packaged in a SimplyJune tin and retails for $7.50.

We are keeping busy in the SimplyJune studio photographing products, working on custom orders and preparing for our next show - stay tuned for details especially if you are in the Connecticut area!

Nataliya Bags now up in the Simply June Online Store

The Nataliya Bag is named after our son Nikolai's favorite caretaker at his orphanage in Moscow. She took especially great care of our son and loved him dearly. Special people inspire creativity and I can't think of anyone more special than Nataliya.

Nataliya bags feature three interior pockets, triple stitched corner and handle seams for durability and a magnetic clasp. Bags measure 12"l x 6"h x 3"d; Strap measures 24"l x 1"w and retail for $50.00

Check them out in the Simply June Online Store...

* Shoulder Strap Tucked In Bag For Photograph

Petticoat Note Cards are Now in the Simply June Online Store

Our collection is growing and we are updating new items every day for the holidays! Take a look at all of the new goodies in the SimplyJune Online Store.

These adorable 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 I made. I then sit down with a pile of my vintage trims and bits and baubles and make each 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. Each card comes packaged in a cello sleeve with a coordinating envelope and the back of each card is stamped with our SimplyJune logo. A piece of mailing wrap is also included in the envelope to protect the card in the post. The cello bag is sealed with our SimplyJune sticker. They make a great note card for any occasion and are cute enough to frame!

Cards measure 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" and are priced at $5.50 per card.

Simply June Handbags Now Updated in the Online Shop

Stop by the SimplyJune Online Store to see many new bags. As I have mentioned before and as you can read on our website, there is a story behind how these stylish handbags came to be. In the summer of 2004, my husband Jason and I decided to grow our family through adoption and recently brought our son Nikolai home from Russia! These handbags were originally designed as a gift to thank all of the wonderful women working in our future child's orphanage. We have now had the honor of presenting them with these small tokens of our thankfulness for loving and caring for our son for the first 20 months of his life.

Flapper Hats are Now in the SimplyJune Online Store

I have now photographed the hats and they are available in our Online Shop. We are dealing with extremely rainy weather here in New England this week, so I'm not as pleased with my lighting as I would like to be. The first picture of three hats was taken at an earlier date and gives a much better representation of the Moss Green and Plum Peruvian Wool I have been using. The Turquoise, Slate and Chocolate hats are made from a super soft blend of Merino Wool, Microfiber and Cashmere. These are great cozy and stylish hats for this winter and also look great as an accessory to a cute outfit. I made a chocolate one with a pink and chocolate ribbon for myself!

Antique Textile Block Gift Cards are now in the SimplyJune Online Store

I was hoping to wait for some better weather and therefore better natural lighting, but the weather forecast calls for gloomy skies all week long (stress the long). So, I got a little creative with my lighting and now have the Antique Textile Block Gift Cards up in the SimplyJune Online Store.

These unique cards are hand stamped with an antique textile block making each card unique. Hand carved wooden textile blocks were traditionally used to print beautiful fabrics. Each set includes 6 gift cards with matching envelopes and "Antique Textile Block - www.simplyjune.com" is hand written on the back of each card. Cards measure 2 5/8" x 3 1/2". Each pack of six retails for $7.50. They make a wonderful stocking stuffer or hostess gift.

Open Studio - Holidays 2006

We had an incredible first Open Studio. My dear friends Karen and Monica as well as my husband Jason really helped me pull off this wonderful event off. (THANK YOU!) We had so much fun with old friends and new!

Here are a few photographs of SimplyJune Open Studio before everyone arrived!

If you missed Open Studio, don't worry! We are going to be photographing and adding many new products to the SimplyJune Online Store this week and in the coming weeks.

















Mailing List and Free Gifts for those who brought friends!
















Dishtowels, Petticoat Note cards, Antique Textile Block Note cards, Crocheted Hats and Embroidered Buttons






















Flapper Hats





















Simply June Handbags

















Please Inquire About Custom Orders for the Holidays
















Antique Textile Block Gift Cards





















Child's Oilcloth Aprons





















Glass Magnet Tins

























Glass Magnet Tins

Craft Revolution - Indie Business Profile

Check us out on the Craft Revolution website. They are currently featuring a profile about me and Simply June!

New Indie Business Profile: Simply June
Meet Karen Grant, the designer behind Simply June, an online boutique that offers lovely, handmade items from handbags to embroidered buttons and crocheted hats.

Open Studio on Saturday!

I am so excited that Open Studio is this Saturday, November 11th. If you are reading this and haven't received an invitation or did not receive an e-mail reminder with this photograph, please sign up on our Mailing List and we will send you all the details!

This photograph is just a taste of what you will see at our Simply June Open Studio. We have over 150 items ready for your holiday shopping! Including our original Simply June handbag, Nataliya Bags, Children's Oilcloth Aprons, Dish Towels, Magnet Tins, Petticoat Note Cards, Embroidered Buttons and Antique Print Block Gift Cards! We also have some great free gifts if you bring a friend along!

Just a payment option reminder, we will be accepting cash, personal checks and Paypal account payments during our Open Studio.

So, please join us. We look forward to seeing you!

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.

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!

"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...

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...

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!

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!

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...

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...

Black & White

These new Nataliya bags are going into the SimplyJune shop tomorrow. I love these fabrics and especially the fun contrast of the black on white and reverse white on black. The first bag features an awesome Art Deco alphabet print that I just adore. These prints are great for every season and versatile with just about any color in your wardrobe. I may just give one to myself...

The Fall arrives on Saturday, but that crisp air arrived today. I bundled Nikolai up in a cute sweater and blue jeans today and went into Lexington to get my hair styled. Nikolai had a play date with Jason and spent some time tearing around his office and banging away at the keyboard. I basked in my hour of luxury at the salon. Don't you just love that light airy feeling when you walk out of the salon? Even just a trim can put an extra bounce in your step.

I'm working away here in the studio and have some new hats that will be ready for the shop soon and some other surprises too!

Acorns, String and Other Things

This weekend we dropped by an Estate Sale run by a local Antique Shop. Estate Sales are usually held on both Saturday and Sunday and sometimes even start on Fridays. My favorite, Franklin Street Antiques, holds theirs on Saturday and Sunday and they mark their prices in half on Sunday afternoon. This of course is my favorite time to go. You have to be willing to go through the leftovers of the sale, but the prices are unbeatable and the crowds are gone. One of my favorite aspects of an estate sale is getting to see the inside of another house. Many of the houses in our area are quite old and I love all of the details and nooks waiting to be explored. Often these houses have been lived in for years and though they need work, many of the original details are there. Jason finds estate sales depressing - usually a life has ended and he finds it sad to sift through others' personal belongings. I see this side to it, but I also see the silver lining of goods recycled and a new person to love them.

My recent finds are this great string dispenser made from heavy iron. One bolts it to a wall and the cone of string is unraveled and dispensed through the ring on the end. I think this will likely go in my studio. The scale of this photograph I'm sure is quite confusing as the pan is just a miniature version perhaps for tea cakes and the Acorn Tea Steeper is one of the largest I have ever seen. I have a small collection of these now after see a Martha Stewart article suggesting they be filled with Lavender and Bath Salts and steeped in the tub. This one is the perfect size for that. The original use of course is for containing loose tea to be placed in either a teacup or probably in this case a teapot. Most have a metal chain and hook attached so that they can be pulled out when the tea is done. This one is missing its chain, but delightful non the less.

I promise there is much work going on at SimplyJune and I hope to upload more goodies to the site by the end of the week.