Girls Night Out Bag

I'm looking forward to a girls night out tonight with a bunch of the moms from Kolya's school. They are such a great eclectic group that have found a great balance between being moms and pursuing their own interests and dreams. So, I whipped up a little bag to go with my dress tonight. I wanted something fresh and summery and had this cute place mat among my fabric stash. I have really been trying to think outside the box when shopping and thrifting ... looking for items that are just begging to be re-purposed. I added some polka dotty fabric to the sides ... a bamboo handle hangs from hand-cut bias tape. I'm ready to step out tonight!

Nesting

Our neighbor rang us this afternoon to tell us about a bird's nest that had fallen into her yard. Thankfully it's feathery occupants had already moved out. Kolya and I padded over to her yard in our bare feet to inspect her find and she let us take it home! Kolya and I have plans of painting some rock "eggs" for out nest at the beach next week... In the meantime my new little embroidered bird sachet from Anthro might occupy it for a bit... (The place mat an birdie are a part of my birthday goodies from my dear friend Monica. Thank you M!)




















Another order of zippers arrived at my door today. I have bunches of zip pouches in the works for Artbeat in July and I can tell how quickly that date is going to sneak up on me. Make sure to mark July 19th in your calendars and come and pay us a visit. I will be sharing a booth with Zandra from Zeal and we both have some new goods to share! Sign up on the SimplyJune mailing list if you haven't already to make sure you receive a special postcard invite in the coming weeks...

Craft: Issue 07 Release Party - BOSTON

If you are local to the Boston area, check out this cool upcoming event hosted by Alison Gordon (The Sampler) and Simone Alpen (Greenward). Check out Craft Magazine's blog for updates and reviews of release parties in other cities. I'm planning to attend and am meeting up with Melissa from Yummy Goods. See you there!

Vinyl Wall Art

I've had my eye on this website for a while... check out Vinyl Wall Art when you get a chance. They offer an endless collection of clever decals for your walls. This is perfect if you rent or like to change up the look of your walls as often as I do! Now someone just needs to invent a paint that works like the paint bucket tool in Photoshop...

They are also offering a clever little giveaway on their blog right now, so spread the word!

Posie Locket

This idea has been floating around in my mind for quite a while and I finally sat down to create it this afternoon. I used a bullion stitch to create the posie. After endless struggling with cotton embroidery floss, I decided to try cotton pearle floss. It has enough of a sheen to slide the base thread through the wrapped portion. I attached my design to a vintage brass locket and added some modern findings. I think its the perfect summer accessory...don't you?





















Oh and if you haven't stumbled upon or heard about this new business... check out Spoonflower. They are a new service that allows you to print your own fabric designs! Oh the possibilities! I feel giddy just thinking about it. They are still in the beginning stages and appear to be at the "invitation only" stage right now, but you can register on their site to receive an invitation in the future. Check out their blog for some great previews of orders that have already been printed...
Brilliant idea!

Polka Dotty Zip Pouches

The school year is quickly coming to an end. Kolya has one more week of school, but his teacher is having a special moving up celebration on Friday. I'm such a sucker for little kids performing songs with hand motions. Anyway, I've been whipping up some goodies for his teachers including zipper pouch sets. (I promise there will be plenty at my next show for those of you who have been inquiring.)

The rain is coming down steady today...the perfect kind of day for embroidery and yo-yo making ... Alexi Murdoch in the background... dark cashmere incense burning... slipper sock mary janes covering my toes...

Polka Dotty Yo-Yo Flowers...All in a Row

I'm busy in the studio working on end-of-the-year teacher's gifts...goodies for my Etsy shop & even more goodies for an upcoming show - stay tuned for more on that!

I have been happily hand sewing fabric yo-yos with no particular project in mind. But, last night they were just begging to be flowers. This cute polka dotty garden dish cloth is in the Etsy shop!

June is definitely my month in more ways than one... Did I ever mention that my birthday falls on June 1st? It is also my middle name, but the two have nothing to do with each other. Now it is the name of my little cottage industry too and it seems to just suit me. Happy Tuesday!

Bug Expedition

Kolya and I headed out on a bug expedition this morning. With magnifying glass, bug catchers and bug jar in hand, we arrived at the Garden in the Woods ready to explore! Kolya has always been a bit timid with bugs. Especially for a child who is most happy when covered from head to toe in dirt. We had a four-legged winged creature in our car the other day who we named "Fred" and that seems to have made all the difference. Especially once he learned that Fred likes to eat lettuce instead of little boys. So, we packed up our gear this morning and headed for our adventure. I happily snapped pictures while Kolya chased after all types of bugs. I am NOT by any stretch of the imagination the outdoorsy type. This is not my comfort zone. I think I have mentioned this before, but I like my climate to be happily controlled by heaters and air conditioners. I don't like to swat at bugs, have dirty feet or that prickly sweaty feel. But, for the sake of my 3.5 year old son, who is ALL boy I will do it. (I did however wear a cute dress, pink Crocs and my favorite bug themed necklace.)

Here are some snapshots of our expedition...see if you can spot the hidden bug!

Unplanned Break...New Fabrics & other Goodies

I took an unplanned blogging break, but I'm still working in the studio and getting ready for some Summer and Fall shows... Stay tuned for some show updates on Simply June...

There are a lot of new fabrics and supplies arriving in the studio...a happy spool of baker's twine & scalloped fabric shears. (Can I tell you how far and wide I have searched for these? I think Fiskars must have stopped producing them and I wasn't able to find another source...with some help I finally bought a pair from a fairly obscure sewing supplier.) Check out the cute scalloped edge on the polka dotty oil cloth!




















I am so charmed by fair tales right now and couldn't resist these cute Little Red Riding hood fabrics and tape... the matching designs were actually purchased from two different sources... check out Talk to the Wind on Etsy when you get a chance. She is located in Japan and a great supplier of fabrics and Japanese craft books... she even sent some cute goodies along with my order!




















Oh, and how can one resist hedgehogs? This cute Matryoshka print is my favorite and I might have to squirrel a little away for myself...




















Promise I'll be back soon! Happy Thursday and a Happy Birthday to Lisa over at Artsy Fartsy!

3 Zip Pouches

This trio just showed up in the Simply June Etsy Shop... I recently ordered a bunch of oilcloth retro prints and couldn't wait to have some fun with them. I've made a set for myself to help organize my tote and I might whip up a few oilcloth totes for trips to the beach this summer... Keep an eye on the shop for those too!

Etsy Shop & Oven Mitts

I'm working on some new projects in the studio including this cute oven mitt. I love this leaf and ladybug fabric. It is a Japanese import and has almost a twill weight to it. The mitt is lined with pre-quilted Insul-brite . I made my own 1" seam binding with some bias cut polka dotty fabric and added a little tab as well. I have a few things I would change the next time around as the mitt is a bit wonky in areas. But, I know the changes I want to make and hopefully I will add a few to the shop soon. Speaking of the shop... It is really in need of a total overhaul and I think that might be on the plate for this evening. I have recently opened an Etsy Shop and am planning on linking that to my original site. I'd like to at least see how this works for me. I also plan on redesigning the look of the site...you know - in my spare time... :)

I really think I should break this pot holder in with cookies...

Anthro Tea Towel

Lookie what came in the mail for me!!!!!!!! My Oprah sent me this gorgeous tea towel from my beloved Anthropologie. I love every detail and color in it. When I opened it up, I happened to put it down on my table right next to a paint swatch I had been pondering over for the dining room and that wonderful antiqued, mustard yellow popped out at me. Check out that cute pom pom trim too! It reminds me of a little hobnail glass lamp from when I was a child. It had a white shade with pom pom trim and if I remember correctly sat in a guest room with green carpeting that reminded me of a bed of moss...

P.S. Thank you O!

My Black Apple Doll

I finally got a few minutes to whip up my Black Apple Doll last week... She is looking sweet in her polka dot duds and blue crocheted scarf. Emily Martin of the Black Apple shared this cutie pattern on Martha a few weeks back.

Happy Monday everyone! I'm in the studio this afternoon needle felting some flowers for Spring and sourcing purse handles for some Summer accessories...

Stitched Portfolio

I have been busy in the studio putting together my portfolio for an upcoming juried show deadline. I actually need to have it in the mail tomorrow and the show is not until November! I'm used to having to think ahead, but this one is really keeping me on my toes. I have been working on tear sheets for my portfolio that I can mix and match for different applications, but I wanted something unique to present my work in. Z came up with the idea of sewing a cover for my portfolio and then it sort of evolved from there. I love how it turned out and I think I might need to whip up a cute cover for my day planner now.

I have many other little projects in the works and I am so thankful to be back to sewing now. I also had the treat of getting to listen to an interview with my ultimate crafting icon over a Craft Sanity this week. It is so inspiring to listen to the thoughts of a like minded crafty soul...someone who really recognizes the NEED to make...to design...to create. Pop over for a listen if your so inclined...

Happy Gotcha Day Kolya!



















Kolya, Jason and I became a family two years ago today... Happy Gotcha Day Kolya! We are so happy that we get to experience life with you.

Ahhh, Back to my Creative Life...




















All of my time and creative energy has been going into the Multicultural Fair that I have been Co-Chairing this year. The event finally arrived this past Saturday! It was really a great day and we had a very nice turnout. So many of our friends came to celebrate too and that made the day even more special to me. I was able to try out a little of my gourmet creativity on Friday by baking for the fair. I made Vietnamese Almond Cookies, Chinese Egg Tarts, Russian Tea Cookies and Guatemalan Cookies featuring a creative mix of chocolate and cayenne pepper!

I have so many ideas for the coming months and hopefully some juried shows coming up this summer. I have been stockpiling new fabrics and ideas all anxiously waiting to be realized. Stay tuned for some fun needle felted flowers, appliqued dish towels and embroidered patchwork pouches!

I have have also been doing a little bit of painting to relax. I am not particularly good at it, but gosh do I really enjoy it and my little wonky "masterpieces." :)

Fabric Swap?

Looking to add some fabric to your stash? As I continue to purge my studio, I have been going through hundreds of yards of fabric ... sorting and refolding. I've put together two groups of give-aways so far and thought I'd offer them up to you! So, I propose a swap. I'd love to swap for just about anything... buttons, trim, other fabric, craft books, your designs/artwork... you name it.






































Upholstery Weight...

The first pile consists of all upholstery weight fabrics. These are all new fabrics. From left to right (top photo) ... Medium weight denim with an aged look and floral type design; Screen printed blue on creme toile (5th Avenue Designs for Covington); Laura Ashley English Country Print; Ralph Lauren Paisley (2 pieces); Laura Ashley English Country Print (2 pieces); "Paysannerie" by Thibault. These are all decent sized pieces...some up to 2 yards +/-. I can give exact measurements by request.






































Silks, etc...

The second pile consists a variety of silks and unique fabrics. These are all new fabrics. From left to right (top photo) ... Cranberry Red Nylon Lining Fabric (4 or 5 yds.); pale icy blue silk with creme embroidered dots; Sage Green silk with embroidered flowers; Not sure what type of fabric this is...gold and black embroidered leaves (4 +/- yds. ); Gold dupioni silk with basket weave embroidery; Pleated sage silk lined with complementary colored silk with stitched folds; Variegated silk with black and light sage threads; Not sure what type this is...copper and gold sheen changes color with movement...pieced diamond patter. Amounts of fabric vary. I can give exact measurements by request.

So, leave a comment or send me an e-mail info (at) simplyjune.com and lets swap!

Caps for Kids



















My studio purge is continuing... Yesterday I went through my yarn stash. It is really unbelievable the amount of yarn I have for someone who only occasionally crochets and knits - maybe that is the problem! So, I sorted through a couple of bins keeping only my favorite fibers. Now what to do with all of the yarn? I got in contact with a lovely woman who makes hats, scarves and mittens for Caps For Kids via Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. These items are then distributed to children in various schools, shelters and organizations throughout the Boston area. I'm so excited that I can contribute - even in a small way!

Sampler Party at Spark Crafts

A few weeks ago my friend Zandra (of Zeal) and I headed out to Cambridge to the Sampler: Boston launch party at Spark Crafts. It was so great to meat Alison as well as a bunch of other indie crafters! I'm definitely excited to contribute to future Samplers...but in the meantime, I think she still has a few Boston Samplers left in the shop - go check them out. If you live in the Boston area, a trip to Spark is also a must. The shop was huge and had all of the best supplies from yarn to craft books and beads. The shop is also very welcoming with the sun shining in the store front windows and a little sitting area to curl up and flip through some of their books.

At the party, we each got a cool goodie bag and contributors got a cute tote bag designed by Marissa Falco over at marissaland.

Alison has now added some new bloggers to her website too...can't wait to see what she thinks up next!

Craft Books & Studio Purge




















I have been purging my studio for the last few days. It is definitely a process of making it worse before it gets better... I literally have a mountain of stuff in one corner that I am trying to sift through and decide whether to keep, give away or throw out. We have been doing this process throughout our home in a quest for simpler living...a life of things we LOVE. I think as a visual person, I tend to keep things for sentimental reasons simply because they are visually familiar. I may have little or no real attachment to them, but I keep them for the comfort of familiarity. I have definitely grown as we have gone through the process and am actually finding it quite cathartic now. However, my studio is just a whole new prospect. I have an entire wall of shelving containing clear plastic bins. I'm not surprising a visual organizer. I like to be able to see what I have. I also like creating in the moment and being able to design based on the colors and textures around me. So, it is hard to know what items will bring such inspiration... what do I purge? On the other hand, if I have more than I can store effectively then I lose my creativity to chaos. So, I am trying to find that balance and I'm excited to get back to creating in my studio.

In the few quite moments that I have, I love to read craft books. I love getting inspiration and techniques from other crafters and designers. I am so lucky to have an amazing library system from which to borrow. I have the databases for all of the libraries in our network at my fingertips and am able to request books to be delivered to my local library...brilliant! So, here is a current stack I have been pouring over...