Monday, July 14, 2008

ArtBeat 08 - Somerville

















Our little family has been out and about this summer and things are finally settling down for a bit. We are ready to be homebodies for a while and catch up with friends and our home routine. Kolya is spending the week going to camp! He is such a little man... making new friends and hanging out with is favorite buddy "Q". As I was driving him to camp this morning, I was explaining that he would know "Q", but there would also be new kids there for him to meet. I think he confused "meet" with "meeting" and was VERY excited to be going to work like his Papa...

Well, the Simply June studio is looking a bit like a factory right now. I have piles of fabrics cut out and ready to be sewn and am going to have to put the pedal to the metal on my sewing machine for the rest of the week to get ready for this Saturday's show. Zandra (Zeal) and I will be at ArtBeat in Somerville hanging out along Elm or Holland Street along with 100 other amazing craft vendors! We can't wait to catch up with old friends and meet some new ones. The day is going to be filled with amazing music, performances and food... so be sure to stop by if you are in the Boston area!

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Swell...

I have had my eye on this new line called Swell for a while now. It is designed by Urban Chiks for Moda fabrics. The entire line is everything I daydream of and exactly what I would design for myself. I am so completely in love with its fresh retro feel...

The mini red polka dots are from another line, but I think it will mix well and I plan to use it for some handmade bias tape. I ordered the top bundle from The Calico Cottage Quilt Shop... owner Christine wrote a sweet note on my invoice and wrapped my bundle with some beautiful green satin ribbon and even added a fabric sample from another fabric in the Swell line! So sweet... Pop over to her site when you get a chance and pick up some beautiful fabrics!

So stay tuned for some new bags, ruffled aprons and some other surprises...






















Monday, June 30, 2008

Lazy Days of Summer
We've just returned from two very lazy weeks at the beach (with a little visit back for the Craft Magazine release party...but more on that later). I've probably blogged about this before, but our family owns a beach cottage right on the beach along the south shore. It was built in 1940...designed by my Great Aunt Mary and built by her father. She had grown up in Kingston, MA and they owned a large amount of land including a cranberry bog (now sadly the site of a shopping mall). Her father had lumber milled from trees on their land to build the cottage. The design features an exposed roof allowing you to lay in bed at night searching for creatures and designs marked out in the grains of the wood. My all-time favorite is a pig wearing a striped bandanna and an eye patch who watches over me as I sleep.
So, a couple of weeks ago we packed up and headed for the cottage. The town conveniently now has a commuter rail that allows Jason to commute easily from the beach. It is a longer commute, but the change of scenery and pace makes it worthwhile. Each morning Kolya and I crawled out of bed half asleep and rode with Jason to the train station...giving me that extra bit of time to awaken. It was sort of comforting to have a routine even in a new setting. We would wind our way through the beautiful back roads. Each morning we would pass the same man out for his morning walk. He was an old Indian man dressed in a turban and traditional Indian Kurta Pyjama. His face was earnest and worn with age. There was something careful about his presence and each morning I wondered where his destination lay. I was so disappointed to find on one morning that he had gotten an early start and learned that when he reached the end of his 2 mile long road... he turns around. He turns around! I was convinced he was on a daily trek to an Ashram or to commune with nature at the local wildlife sanctuary. I even had visions of that beautiful scene from The Little Princess where the kind Indian neighbor transforms over night the attic room of an orphaned girl into the suite of an Indian princess. Surely, this man could not have just been taking a walk...
Well, we enjoyed many relaxing days in the sun, on the beach, in the water, taking walks, enjoying thunder storms and then beautiful rainbows, digging in the sand, sleeping to the constant lull of the waves, blowing bubbles into the wind and just enjoying life. But, we are also so happy to be home. There really is no place like home...

Friday, June 13, 2008

Zeal Embroidery Basket

I have a favorite woven basket that I carry my embroidery and other small handwork around in. It is the perfect size for a small project, needle, thread and scissors... The lid was way too boring however and I knew exactly who could solve that problem ... my friend Zandra of Zeal. I knew she would know the perfect papers and colors to make it mine and was so excited when I saw the finished project. I can't wait to carry it down to the beach next week...

Zandra and I will be sharing a booth at Artbeat in July, so make sure to stop by and visit us!
























Thursday, June 12, 2008

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!





















Wednesday, June 11, 2008

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!

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

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!

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

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...

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

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!




















































































































































































Thursday, May 29, 2008

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!

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

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!







































Wednesday, April 16, 2008

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!





















Monday, April 14, 2008

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...

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

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...







































Thursday, April 03, 2008

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.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

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." :)