Gift Envelope Tutorial

I posted this tutorial on the Modern June's blog yesterday, I thought you all would enjoy it too...

At Modern June, we offer free gift wrapping to all our customers. I just love taking the time to make a package pretty, special and reusable. I have a lot of pretty boxes and paper for just such occasions, but how can you get it to its destination, looking great without spending an arm and a leg on shipping? Enter my old assistant and friend Suzanne, from Silver Tree Art. She makes the most lovely, reusable, fabric gift bags from fabric scraps and trims. Having received several of these sweet gifts over the years, I soon realized that this was the perfect solution to gift giving and shipping!

I don't have a pattern, but I do have a method. To start with, I always use scrap fabric, usually oilcloth scraps, but cotton and paper would also be a fantastic alternative. Use what you have! If you like the look and sturdiness of the oilcloth, head on over to my other shop Oilcloth Addict for great selection.

Stuff you gotta have:

• your gift 
• sufficient fabric to createan  envelope and a flap. 
• trim, ribbon, ric rac, or buttons to use as a closure
• cutting tools
• sewing machine

You would think that as a professional pattern maker I would do this more methodically...

no way! This is a down and dirty project. D and D all they way!

  Simply lay your gift down and eyeball a bit of extra space around it.

Add a 1/2 inch seam allowance (S/A) while trimming off extra.

Angle cut your flap.

Flip your fabric so it's right sides out, match up your scallops and sew using a 1/2 SA.

Attach tie, in this case ric rac, leaving one end long enough to wrap around the back of the package once, then add 8 inches--the second tie will be an additional 8 inches.

Bar Tack your tie in place at the 8" mark.

This time I used red ric rac as a tie, but in the past I have sewn on a button and slit a hole to close up my envelopes. Either way, it's great fun and a good way to use up what's laying around.

Add your tags and load her up! I made a heart out of some oilcloth and used it as the tag. Just make a tiny slit and slip it on.

Adventures in Thrifting!

It was all about the embroidery in Lakeside, my go to place for kitschy-kitchen goods.

The two new milk glass pieces were found south of the river, there was a lot more but I have to picky at this point. If you need punch cups I have got the place for you, Good Samaritan in Southside Plaza. I have to find a use for punch cups, I just can't let those cuties sit there collecting dust! 

This was the find of a decade, vintage cookbooks. The exact same editions that I grew up with. Published in '67, a year before I was born.  My mother probably received them as graduation gifts. I have been looking for my own set for years and years. When I as young I used to flip through that Betty Crocker for hours, enjoying all the cool mid-century drawings of happy woman entertaining happy people. I have no doubt this helped start Modern June!!! It's all about making memories.

The Loot

The Loot, originally uploaded by larkstudio.

Here is the back of my van after a day of thirfting with the gals. We found fabric, cookbooks, games, records, vintage linens and so much more!

Mantel Junk

mantel display 19/365, originally uploaded by ModernJune.

Where does one get cool junk? This is my burning question every time I see a cool home on Apartment Therapy or Design Sponge. I just love junk! Today I will share just where I got my treasured loot from.

• The door is from on old ironing cabinet, and I rescued it from the alley. I stored it in the shed for years before I found a place for it. I love the worn paint and attached hardware
• The iron gate was found in the alley behind the same house but years later. I have had to rescue this from my own alley several times, my husband kept trying to get rid of it. Someday I want to have it sandblasted and use it for tissue paper/wrapping paper, just like a local store has done.
• I finally found the perfect way (for now) to display my Instant Roadtrip, 6 Postcard Set from Roadside Photographs. I found this Los Angles based photographer through Paper N' Stitch and Etsy, two great market places.
• The giant M came from Artful Vintage, ahhhhh, I could really spend some money in that Etsy Shop!
• My sweet green gnome was present from my cute hubby, we saw it in a Busch Gardens shop, he snuck back and bought it for me! How fun is he?
• I have no clue where I got the orange vase, maybe from a frequent trip to the Lakeside thrift shops.
• I saved the best for last... my cherished Irish Cottage that came from my Grr. When my Grandparents went to Ireland in the 80's they brought back tons of these, one for every child and grandchild. I received mine a few months after she passed. I love this music box so very much, it reminds me of winding up the old one that sat on her mantel through out my childhood.

I am sure it looks like junk to some, but to me it's a mantel loaded with memories!

Inspiration-Gift Wrap Centers!

I want a permeant and functional gift wrapping center!  Here is some inspiration that I have recently found...

I really love this, it's totally doable, check out the great tutorial from Centsational Girl!

Here's a  lovely Gift Wrapping Area found at Country Living. Wouldn't this be a great shipping center? Someday, when Modern June rents a space we will have room for this!

This one is the ultimate Gift Wrap Center.  Wow, it's dreamy, I mean super dreamy!! Real Simple also give you 3 low budget solutions!

So, I ask you, where do you keep your wrapping loot?  Are you all organized or are you like me with a broken wrapping paper box under the bed, over-flowing with wrinkled paper?  Share with us your solutions, we want to see it!

I found something else that I love, Paper+Cup Designs used the wider Grundtal shelves from Ikea.  She has left out several of the bars making room of rolls of ribbon and tissue.  Now that is totally doable and would work with my new look in the Modern June Studio! Check out more studio shots from Paper+Cup at Brooklyn Bride!

New Shop to carry Modern June

We happily welcome a new shop to the Modern June wholesale family, Madison and Mabel,  in Fredrick, Maryland. Look at the photos, I might have to deliver this order in person. A girl needs to shop!!!

je t'aime Etsy Treasury!

It's all about the banners.  Thank you Felicity Crew (great photos, by the way)  for the great shout out in such a pretty Etsy treasury.

Lux Baby Line

After a year of baby bib withdrawal we are back in the baby business. Our new baby bibs and splat mats are made from the new Lux Oilcloth/Laminated Cotton. They are safe for baby and easy on mom.  The waterproof mats are 56" square and offer great floor coverage. The Bib has a pocket to help keep baby clean and two snaps keep it fitting for month and months.  Buy the individually or in a gift set, the perfect baby shower gift. 

I don't know what is better, the pretty and bold prints or that the fabric is PVC and PHTHALATE free!!!  

Crafters Anonymous Craft Swap

Do you have a collection of craft store coupons? Do the folks at the art supply store know you by name? If so it may be time to admit your addiction, and we can help...

Join us for the 3rd annual Crafters Anonymous Craft Swap!

The Crafters Anonymous Craft Swap is an opportunity for artists and crafters of all types to get together in a fun, social environment and trade craft supplies.

This event is also a benefit to support Art 180 - a Richmond based non-profit organization that creates and provides art-related programs to young people living in challenging circumstances, encouraging personal and community change through self-expression. In addition, we will be supporting other local non-profits that utilize art/craft in their programs.

For details check out http://www.rvacraftswap.com

Studio Spruce Up

I spent the afternoon finishing up the Ikea rail system and added a cabinet under the cutting table!  I just love how small changes make such big differences. Getting my tools up on the wall gave me an extra 10-12 inches of workable table space.  This is great when cutting Oilcloth Addict yardage and Modern June Tablecloths, every inch counts.  The cabinet is a sanity saver, the cutting table is one of those fold up cheap-O's from Joann's and that thing used to wiggle and jiggle until I was in fits!  After propping the table up on some tin loaf pans it is good and sturdy.  The extra storage, isn't bad either!

I didn't have the cash flow to get all the special shelves and cups that goes with the Grundtal System so I had to improvise. I found the super cheap measuring cups for $1.99 instead of their cups for $5.99.  Not a bad trade off, my version is fun and functional.

I must admit, this didn't work out so well.  This morning in a act of desperation I snipped some of the mesh out of this Target bin so I could get the S hooks to through.  I hate the way it hangs, but it will be fine until my next pilgrimage to Ikea, when I buy a proper shelf for my pens and pins.

top secret!

top secret!, originally uploaded by ModernJune.

Don't tell anyone but Modern June is working on her spring line! On the docket, Cotton! Lots and lots of cotton!!!

What next?

So, as you may have heard already, Modern June has been working very hard on her first giant order.  The order for 200 Festive Oilcloth Pennants were delivered to Chick Picks by Hillary on Saturday--a very good day indeed!  Let me tell you that was an adventure into manufacturing, I learned more lessons than ever before.  Here are a few photos from the last few days of production.

About a week ago we had this mess going on...

After a day of fun we got to this point, 220 party banners all ready for strings!

After a week of stitching, Nicole and I got them to this stage!!!

The best stage of all, sewn, tagged and boxed!

  

But look what happened, my production shelves are nearly empty. How sad...

Never fear, we have fabric coming in, lots and lots! Here is a sneak peak at spring!  

Festive Oilcloth Pennants

It's Party time!!!  Modern June's festive Oilcloth Pennants made the "50 under $50" layout in the current Country Living Magazine.  The Special Bargain Issue, Feb. 2010.  I am so excited to be working with Chick Picks by Hillary and to share my fun and festive party banners!  Don't forget we have several banners to choose from. Oilcloth Party Pennants come in two sizes, small (11 flags) and large (22 flags). And the Chalk Cloth Buntings have 11 flags, enough to "celebrate" every special occasion with a personalized touch.

Wrapping up '09

I know that it is already the 4th of January, but I have been working like a maniac.  Today feels like New Years today.  As of yesterday I am able to see the light at the end of the tunnel on a HUGE order that is going to be delivered on Saturday--200 Party Banners for Chick Pick for Hillary!  (much more on that later)

Any way, today I am playing catch up and showing off and sharing all the things I was too busy to post last month.  Happy New Year!

Handmade Holiday booth, to see more photos click here.

At the show's blog you can read a little article about me!

Here's a sweet birdie that Aidan made!

My pretty Eva apron was in the Belle Gift Guide!

Like most of you, we had a ton of snow!

My little girl isn't so little any more.

I have always wanted a recipe book stand, no need any longer. While baking

Martha's sugar cookies I realized that a handy cloth pin would do the trick!

I have great a friend that helped me get away from it all with out getting out of the house!

When your really down in the dumps, you gotta love a girlfriend that will hunt you

down and hand you a box filled with all this!  I was back to normal the next day!

My son made these for me, they where all wrapped up and under the tree for me weeks in advance. He had been using the bead box to make ornaments, I didn't even know there were hooks in the box.  I was so surprised at his sneaky crafty goodness.

I received this wonderful necklace stand for Christmas, so I was very motived to clean up the dresser in my room!  A few new containers and a vintage table runner make it all nice and neat---even a week later!

The Holiday Village my cute Hubby grew up with!

My boys got crazy at our annual New Years Eve Bowling Party.

What 200 party banners look like before they get all strung out!

On a recent second hand shopping excursion with Dawn, I found this fab Dinette Set!

It was actually made here in Richmond VA, by  Dixie Dinette, Inc.

This will the lunch table for the future Modern June Studio, at 40 bucks---I couldn't resist!

I saved the best two for last!  Apartment Therapy of Los Angeles loved my thanksgiving table!

Modern June scored two spots in the Table Runner Round Up on Apartment Therapy!  Sweet!

Please forgive me, this post was very self indulgent! But I really wanted to share December with your all. Even when it was moving at the speed of light 2009 was a great year! I learned so much and I did so many great things with my family and friends as well as for Modern June. Here's to another banner year. Happy New Year!