Here is a great picture that was taken by our neighbor, Raygun Robyn, maker of kick ass t-shirts and other fun stuff! Check out her interview on the Crafty Bastard Blog -- now that is a shout out!!!! I was unable to take my own pictures at the show this go 'round, as I left without my camera battery.
Crafty Bastards was great, and we had a steady flow of peeps! We had great booth neighbors with loads of cool loot. Some of my favorites were...
These are just a few that I love-love-love! I will try and add more later, but I have got to crank out some aprons before the kid's Recycled Treasures class. Have a great one!
Craftapalooza is over! The sun can shine again as the Richmond Craft Mafia rain makers are ready to settle down for a nice quite month. Our group booth extravaganza was full of trying experiences. Somedays Mother Nature was not behaving, and the group faced monsoons, record high temperatures, horrible thunderstorms, as well as wicked sunburns. There were important items left safely at home in Virginia, keys locked in cars, people got lost in NYC for 3 hours, and let us not forget about bad Italian food. Let's just say we learned a lot, and now we are all home safe and sound.
The economy seems to showing itself this season. I too, have cut down on my retail therapy. But thanks to the good old fashion barter system, I have a new friend I'll show you later this week. For now, try to say out of the horrible heat.
Oilcloth is great. Don't get me wrong, but lately I have needed "the touch, the feel of cotton!" It's been a while since I have looked at a fabric and known exactly what I planned to do with it. I just pre-ordered some of the new Heather Bailey fabric that is due out in independent quilting shops this summer. I'll be making ruffled aprons with this FANTASTIC fabric. This fabric makes me happy! I want it now!
Ruffles have always been like zippers, on my "I don't do those" list (insert the "I don't do windows" tone of voice). Recently I received a ruffler from a new friend and I am dying to use it. My distain for the ruffle stems from my costuming days -- I can't tell you how many yards I have gathered in my life time. Can you say near permanent burn out?
Here are the four fabrics that I have chosen! I can't wait for get it!!!!
They did it all, those crazy, cute kids of mine. They caught the tadpoles, the took care of them, and they raised them. Maddie even collected rain water and helped change the tank. The tadpoles are gone, and we now have frogs. When I woke up this morning, and saw this little guy, I was so excited. There he was just hanging out on the surface. I am so proud of them, my little froggy lovers.
The deal was, that when they became frogs, the kids had to set them free at the creek where they came from. That way, the frogs could have a happy life, and have lots of little tadpoles for us to catch later. I really hope that this all goes okay -- if so, they can bring another round of tad poles home and start all over again.
This one is a bit younger. Just a few hours ago he had was completely immersed. I bet he will be out and about in less that 2 days. I would have never believed I would allow this in my house! I must be growing too.
Pile of Craft was a pile of fun! Adrien and Tasha were my road trip co-pilots and booth-mates for yesterdays Group Booth. Boy did we have some fun. In the morning, Adrian serenaded us with "Ode to the Chicken Biscuit" while we looked for Chick-fil-A. While we were lost (only a minor setback) we found an actual Medieval Times, like the one they talk about in the movie Garden State. Coincidentally, the soundtrack to Garden State was playing on the stereo, and conversation about movie was filling the minivan, when suddently, there was Medieval Times. Who would of thought? Heck, I didn't know they were even a real place.
The craftshow was nice, very well organized, and filled with really rockin' cool vendors. Check out the awesome venue. It is a old church and homeless shelter. The architecture was wonderful.
Tomorrow it is off to the ever cool Pile of Craft show. This is a fantastic show that Tasha and Erica go to all the time, and this time I get to go too! If you are in the area of Charm City this weekend, please come by our Richmond Craft Mafia group booth and say hi!!!
Charm City Craft Mafia is pleased to present the SECOND annual Pile of Craft held on Saturday, June 21st, 2008. The event, featuring 40+ crafty vendors, will be held indoors at St. John’s Church located at 2640 St. Paul St, Baltimore, MD 21218, from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM.
I love this logo! I noticed that in the flyer for the show the guy has this on his t-shirt. I really want one! Now that is punk! CRAFT PUNK! LOL
I have such wonderful crafty friends, several people that care about me so very much! Friends that worry about me and our family. I don't think I realized just how much they worry about until our year got really hard with the kids and school and they saw me falling apart at the seams. This year was a hard one, I won't lie! Through their concern and advise I have realized just how much I bitch and complain. I realized today that I never tell them the happy parts of my life.
I don't want to be that person, I don't want to be a Debbie Downer that is always in crisis. Enough drama already. Tonight I am going to start a doing a little weekly gratitude post.
Recently the highlight of our week has been the Wednesday mornings park day, we have been joining a great group of homeschoolers at the park for RECESS. During the "school" year the kids spent an hour participating in organized games. But for the summer we are just letting them run free.
Maddie has a couple of girls that she is growing increasingly fond of! And tadpoles to bring home and watch grow. Aidan has really been handling the outdoor play nicely and is playing with kids of all ages for the first time in a long while. I know these things seem simple and basic but they can be hard for Aidan to do with grace.
But for me it is the MOMMA'S! I have met a bunch of friends that are dealing with the trials and tribulations of homeschool life. It has been great to know that I am not alone in my struggles. It is really nice that there are several Mom's with girls that are going through the crazy Tween stuff too. We sit there and talk about it all! Which math program is working, to which child refuses to do anything with out attitude, to how our husbands drive us crazy. Basic girl talk!
So that is what I am grateful for today. That and the fact that I have friends that will risk really ticking me off by telling me that something has to change. That solutions are there for me to explore. I am grateful that I have something nice to share!
Did everyone get their Etsy Finds email yesterday? NO! You haven't signed up yet? Well stop reading this and sign up. It is the best part of my morning, well my oatmeal is really good to. Any how, check out the "Get the look" featuringCarrie Bradshaw. I totally loved it. Yes, I too want to look just like Carrie. Thank you GilBea for being so cool!
Also here is a happy 3rd birthday to Etsy! You have to love working for/with a company that puts cool ads in your favorite Magazine. Here is the full page at in the ever handmade friendly Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion. ESTY LUV!
Do you ever want to make something so great that your stunt the entire creative process? That is what happened to my sassy pink apron I wanted to make months ago. I made the first one and hated it. I made a second one just didn't like enough to photograph it. It was nice but not photo worthy it sits on my closet door waiting for a purpose. I had set out make a sexy apron. I wonder if I just can't do sexy apron.
A few weeks ago I cut it out again and it sat there half made and pinned together. Today I deconstructed it and remade it into something that I really like. Well I changed this thing so much that only the ruffle stays the same and maybe the pocket. I don't have the actual pocket pattern piece any longer so who knows. I think the problem was that I started off with a commercial pattern, it was not mine thus I couldn't love it. Well it is mine now! When only two original patten pieces remain and those have been altered considerably you can call it your own.
Any way here the version 3 for this apron I like it and I think it is very Modern June look and worthy of a photograph. Like it? It took only took me 6 months to make it.
It's the Northside Double Date! Come celebrate our Grand Opening on Friday June 20th. 4pm-6pm Nicola Flora and Northside Grille
The two locally owned and operated business are celebrating their first year in business with FREE Food and Flowers. Stop by and join the party. We Love our Neighbors!
Nicole owner of Nicola Flora and Shannon owner of the Northside Grille have helped make Bellevue even more wonderful that ever before. Please support these fabulous woman and their business often! The food is great and flower are pretty. What more could you ask for?
Isn't this amazing? Yesterday for fathers day we had a fun family day at Busch Gardens. We rode as many rides as as we could, we enjoyed the wolf show and eat yummy ice cream sundae's served in chocolate covered waffle cones. Then after our very long day we drove off into the sunset!
This week Modern June is being featured on one of my favorite blogs...Note from my nest! There you will find a give away for the green cupcake apron seen above. I love these little sweeties and I am pleased to give one away!
Earlier this month I was part of a Mommies United Mega Review. Each of the four lovely mommies were given a Modern June splat mat to use and review and there is what they had to say....
Modern June has a selection of chic splat mats made of oilcloth. These mats clean up easily and will last throughout the years. There are a variety of patterns and designs from which you can choose, and they are pretty enough to leave on the table after the messy painting projects are hanging to dry. This is a woman that knows messy backward and forwards. She is a mom of 6 children under the age of 7! OH Yeah, from time to time that has got to be messy.
Amanda from Mommy Mandy made me smile when she said the following!
I can not even begin to tell you how many times we have used it, for art projects and every day messy eating. I love that it is so easy to clean and it is large enough to cover the surface under the girls table and chair set.
Shanda from the ever fabulous Parents with style blog made my day when she said...
One of the most helpful products we use in our house everyday...is a SPLAT MAT from MODERN JUNE! LOVE IT!...You could give one of these to a child for their first birthday and know the parents will thank you
I can't thank these five fabulous women enough! This truly makes all the hard work worth it!
For days now I have been totally out of whack. My hormones are totally screwed up! AND it doesn't help that my tween is just as messed up! Could be go head to head more? Don't answer that.
I thought you all might enjoy my choice of therapy. Since chocolate is a controlled substance in my house (I am trying to get into shape) my normal M.O. is out. I have gone back therapy that got me through my teens, my twenties and OK my thirties too! MUSIC, really loud music! If I turn up the head phones enough it is almost like being in studio (house) alone. AND I dare anyone to tell me to sing!
Here is my play list...
LIVE- Mental Jewelry (twice) LIVE- Throwing Copper Pearl Jam- Vitalogy Garbage- Garbage Kelly Hogan The Cranberries- To the Faithfully Departed And last but not least one Alanis Morissette song-- the pile was just too jagged for even the worst hormonal disturbance.
I am sure I will regret this when I am fitted for my hearing aid! I really need to get some music made with in the last decade. I am becoming one of those people that really annoyed me, like my Mom that still listed to the oldies station. OMG, I am an oldie listener. How does this happen.
Check out the crafty goodness going on this weekend in Brooklyn. OH MAN! Will someone remind me why I can't go to Renegade? Oh yeah my dear family needs me! Plus I need to sew up all those fun orders I got yesterday. It was banner day here it June's place!
Well if you are lucky enough to go THE show go say hi to my Richmond Craft Mafia sista's. I hear we are in the shallow end this year. I am sending lots of oilcloth goodies, cupcake aprons and a few diner aprons! So please, if you can, check it out.
I am on proud splat mat maker today! Look at this site, Ashley York is live and it is drop dead gorgeous! You simply must go and check out all the lovely items that Tia has hand picked for her uniquely chic boutique!
The perfect place for people with more taste than time. We shop the world so you don’t have to. Here you’ll find the kind of uniquely chic, sometimes hand-crafted, products that will make your friends and family say “Where did you find that?”. Now you can browse an upscale boutique at any time of day or night. Celebrity style. Exclusively yours. Ashley York.
I tell you there is just never enough room in this house for Modern June. Here is proof. I just had to show you how amusing making tablecloths can be. Now this is about the largest oilcloth tablecloth I have made to date. You know it's big when it takes up two rooms of floor space! There was a round one that knocked my socks off but I think this one beat it. I tell you that industrial is paying for itself!
My knees are so sore from the 45 minutes it took to measure (twice) and cut (once). I have earned my keep today. I need knee pads! It is done and it is really pretty. Petra, mom of five, will be very happy to receive her new tablecloth. She tells me they are ruining her nice table. I think we can all relate to that!
My natives are restless so we are off to the play ground. Have a great day and try to stay cool!
Well some might say it is about time...we now have placemats. I have been wanting to make them for two years now. Yesterday someone sent me a Etsy convo requesting them. This was the 100th request for such a thing so I took it as a sign to actually get to making them! I made the prototype with in the hour, one would think I am a bit excited!
Oh man! I love the banners so very much. Ok, I just set this up for the product shots but dang it I want this to be like this every day. All I need is a pool and a margarita and I would be set! So just posted them up on Etsy this afternoon. I have a few of them already to go out! You better buy them quick before I leave them hanging up in my festive backyard!
Now I am off to read my new Martha magazine that came in todays mail. Where is that bartender?
I just updated my bio for Etsy I thought I would share it here as well. Here it goes...
Modern June… cool stuff for the hip housewife.
Hi I am Kelly McCants I have been sewing for 27 years. I would have to say that my career started against my will. It stared when my father would not let me take art class 7th grade, instead he took me to Sears and bought me my first sewing machine and insisted I take Home Ec. I am still so amused that got a D the sewing part of the class. I still can’t draw but I sure can sew. Later I started drafting my own patterns so I could make my funky 1980's wardrobe. I was in 10th grade and I could not afford to dress like Madonna.
I received a degree in Technical Theater and Fashion Merchandising and spent my twenties as a costumer for film and theatre. I enjoyed the fast pace of freelancing at some of the best regional theaters on the east coast. What I most enjoyed was being on a movie set. Doing wardrobe in that creative and chaotic environment was a blast. Times I will never forget.
Today I am a Stay at Home MOM of two great kids. I also homeschool our children. I strive everyday to create a balance between teaching, motherhood and my business. I have a great old home and a very cute husband.
Modern June started out as a simple creative outlet for a semi-desperate housewife. I had become anxious to do something that was just for me. I had also become obsessed with vintage aprons so I started selling my growing collection at the local farmers market. I could not bear to see them go so I drafted patterns of my favorite vintage aprons. By christmas of that year I was making tots and a few aprons but everyone wanted more Modern June. Those patterns went to work.
Modern June is now sold in over a dozen brick and mortar shops across America and Canada. As well a few online boutiques. The best place to find Modern June is on ETSY!
Although we have left the days of June Clever behind I believe there is a bit housewife all of us. Our homes ground us, it just sounds charming to have a nice house that we have lovingly decorated. To create wonderful meals for our happy family. This may not be our reality but we can dream.
Do you all remember those super cool banners that I made out of oilcloth last month? I made them for cupcake queen Courtney and her wonderful shop Sweet Lucinda's. Well check these pics out...she had a great cupcake party and Modern June was invited. Ok just the banners but I would totally go if it weren't 4 states away!
I am making another 4 banners for her courtyard today. Look at this pile of pendent pieces, I am hoping to have extra so I can get them up on Etsy this weekend.
I am tired! I have been going at full speed of late. My back is much better and I have been making up for lost time in the studio. But we have also had a bit of a social life. Momma needs a nap! Here are some really fun photos from Don's office picnic...
He is so proud of himself. When he was done he said he would never do it again. Of course on the way out he wanted on more turn at it.
"MAN, that has gotta hurt!" Yes it is his sister conking him, this time he liked it!
Look at my pretty little girl. I love those freckles! Aidan told me not to put sun screen on his nose so he could get some too.
The family that climbs together stays together?
Stand back girls he is all mine, pink balloon and all.
We all got tat's!
I couldn't help but show you all of these, they really make me smile.
