CPBB'S

As you know that this is not a food blog and I am ssssoooooo not a foodie. But I do have a blog and I'm going to use it to remember how I did my annual Rice Krispies Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls this year. So here goes! 

My kids and I hate the way the peanut butter mush feels on our hands when we roll it into balls but we love these yummy treats to much to not make them!! The sticky sensory thing we have results in peanut butter blobs and not balls. So this year I started use two spoons to divide up the peanut butter mixture into same sized (nearly) portions. I tried using a scoop but it was just too sticky.  

 

Once I had that all sorted out we covered our hands and parchment paper with powdered sugar and rolled the dough into balls and then plopped them into paper cups. Next, chill them for few minutes while the chocolate melts.

Okay no let's talk about the chocolate. Humph! For years I've avoided adding in pectin or Crisco to my melting chocolate but this year I finally gave it a try. I did so because my improved PB balls looked like round brown globs. (Refer back to the first sentence to this post).

Ta dah!!! I think that result speaks for speak for themselves. Pretty and appetizing! 

I am off to pack these up for our neighbors!!

Holiday Cheer!

This is the first time we've ever made gingerbread houses. My very cute boy insisted that we start this tradition. Every day for about two weeks he's been asking when I was going to go and buy the kits. Friday was Maddie's birthday and she desided that would be a fun way to spend the day. I couldn't agree more!!

 YummO!

 Kits and Candy

 Momma to the rescue. Aidan's frosting just wasn't setting up.

Christmas in a construction zone!

 Aidan's house was a joint effort. That perfectionism kinda gets in a boys way.

 Maddie's! Made with love and then forgot since it was her 14th B-day and she wanted to go shopping!!! Those gift cards from the grandparents were burning a hole in pocketbook!!

Do like my new punch bowl set? I have a terrific hubby!

Christmas Cookies!

I wish I could give each and everyone of you a package of cookies, because you all deserve it!

Merry Christmas!!

Recycled Spool Wreath

Well it took me about 8 months to make this fun wreath but I finally did it! Last winter I asked my in-studio stitcher Nicole to start collecting all the empty thread spools; I didn't tell her what I planned to use them for because I wanted it to be a surprise for her and my other studio working Junies. My staff and I spend a lot of time in "the cave" during the holidays and I wanted to make a pretty place for us all to create within.

Supplies:
75 recycled spools of different shapes and sizes.
12" wire wreath form
2-3 packages of fabric covered wire
elastic thread (not pictured)
Spool of Ribbon (not pictured)

Cost: $9.00

1) Start off by removing the stickers on the thread spools and cut all the long pieces of wire in half.
Hind Sight Note: If I could do it all again, I would spray paint the form white! Seeing the green form between the cracks is driving me mad.

2) Tie on larger spools at the 6 cross points and then fill in the spools, in between. I started off only using the wire but I found that using the elastic tread was better for layering on the spools and filling in the cracks. The elastic allows you to adjust the spools till you get them in just the right spot. Keep layering on thread spools until you have filled in the wreath.

3) Lastly, tie on a pretty bow and enjoy!

I've got some more holiday decorations for the Modern June Studios, some come back tomorrow! 

Decking the Halls

It finally happened I found my Christmas Spirit!  What do you think?  I just love the white garland and I still regret not buying lots and lots of it, what was I thinking?  I have lots of the Red Lace Chalk Cloth Table Runners in stock and ready for shipping, grab them up while they  last!!!    Happy Holidays!

Christmas Stockings

set of five, originally uploaded by ModernJune.

Our five new oilcloth stockings for the Christmas Holiday.
For a very Merry Retro Christmas!

My Christmas Table

Hi all, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that Santa was good to you! I wanted to share my holiday table with you (no, the photo above is not it). For DAYS I let this photo linger in my email--I had it open on it's own page, back behind everything, so I could think on it both consciously and subconsciously. What I love about the photo is the linen--tablecloth (or fabric) is to die for! I'm a sucker for candy stripes.

As we went out doing our last minute shopping, I looked everywhere for a great new tablecloth. Yeah, I know I make tablecloths but not like the one in the picture, plus I used all the red lace oilcloth on my orders so my original idea went right out the window.


I borrowed a lovely white linen tablecloth from my MIL but it was way too short, not to mention oval. So, at the last minute I simply cut a length of the red oilcloth polka dots, the only red and white oilcloth I had left, (the tree skirts were very popular). I curved off the corners to make it look less thrown together. I would have loved to have made a proper Oilcloth Tablecloth, but at 6 PM on the Eve of Christmas you got to do what you got to do! I layered the table with some inexpensive ribbon that I picked up at the craft store earlier this week--I picked it with the "Martha" table in mind. I had planned to layer the ribbon with some grosgrain dots and stripes--that would have really brought in those candy stripes, but unfortunately, I didn't have enough on hand! URG, maybe next year!!!


The place cards turned out nicely. Maddie and I made Martha's ribbon candy ornaments to use as place card stands. This also fulfilled our annual "make a handmade ornament" tradition, everyone got to take one home! Don whipped out a super cute name tag for us, and we were set!


Check out these cool red glass trees, my daughter got them for me for Christmas--she found them at our neighborhood's new up-scale thrift store (name and link coming later). Everyone loves them, they aren't vintage but who can tell, right?

In hindsight I wish I had looked at the photo one more time, I would have gathered all my pillar candles and adorned them with the left over ribbon--I'll have to whip those up for the Richmond Craft Mafia Holiday Party that is coming up on New Years Day. I'm doing that right now! It's still so pretty, why not keep going, right?

I hope you all had a lovely holiday. If you have photos of your holiday feast please share a link with us in the comment section!

Merry Christmas and lots of love, Kelly

candlelight and childhood ornaments

My wonderful Mother sent me a HUGH box of her ornaments, the ornaments of my childhood. The ornaments she coveted and would not let little hands touch. They are all mine now! I am thrilled to take the afternoon and hang them up on my mantle.

An old iron gate and a ironing cabinet door make up the mantle display this year. My alley is killer for funky-junk finds. I love my hood, I love my Mommy and I almost love Christmas! Give me a couple of days to get the house straight I too will be "christmas sick" as my sweet little dude says.

The Oilcloth Ornament Collection by Modern June

It doesn't get more retro that this... oilcloth, vintage ornaments and good old crafty goodness. Modern June is taking oilcloth to an exciting new level. Appliqué! The ornament is made up of coordinating oilcloths and applied to the red polka dot oilcloth. The collection features red and aqua polka dots. Perfect for that cool retro Christmas!

Aren't they pretty? I am so in love with this collection! I really think it is something special. They are lots of hard work but totally worth it! The elves and I are up to the job!

Christmas is coming!

I have started listing Christmas items up on my Etsy shop. Check it out, so far I have re-listed all the great items that I designed last year. Like the FABULOUS RED TREE SKIRT! Oh-oh-oh I love this tree skirt. It is full lined which makes it a bear to make but worth every minute cuz it looks so good under the tree!

We are in full production mode for new 2008 line! I don't want to give any secrets away! I have learned the hard way that I need to list my goodies before I chat about them on my blog or I find them for sale elsewhere first! Isn't that horrible, I mean really!

Christmas 2007

What a crazy Christmas! Let's start off back before Thanksgiving... I have never ever been that swamped with work since my days on the movie sets doing wardrobe. Yikes, 12 hour days 7 days a week. I estimate that I constructed at least 89 aprons in less that 25 days. Man oh man, can you say burn out? But I am not complaining just amazed and tired still.


Just after I sent my last Modern June packages out in the mail, finally got the house completely decorated for the holidays and made my very first real family meal in weeks I received the call that my Grandma, My Grr, had passed away. Even though I knew this day was coming I still was overwhelmed with grief. I was not at all prepared for this. The woman that way always there for me and my family was gone. But trust me she still make us laugh. She was a very happy woman always smiling and laughing.

Friday before Christmas I hopped on a plane and made my way home to Missouri. But what a time to go. I would miss my dear sweet Maddies 10th birthday, going to see Santa and Christmas Eve.

Maddie and I were lucky to have 3 wonderful people to take part in making sure that Maddies birthday was in good hands. Janet posted a Happy 10th Birthday sign on our front window. And Don took good care of the the kids even though they were all having melt downs that day. That he was still sane is all I could ask for! But Christi was the best ever! Christi gave my birthday girl a wonderful dinner and play date. What a wonderful distraction for Maddie, Aidan and Don. Janet and Christi I can't thank you both enough! I owe ya big time : )


Meanwhile in Missouri I was thankful to be busy helping out with all the preparations for the services. My wonderful Aunt Peggy had things so well planned. I can't imagine all the things that she learned that week. All the little details that go into making such a wonderfully special memorial. She had the most wonderful idea of making memorial boards, photos of all the people that surrounded my Grr with love. I was to put my crafty-ness to work. I was just glad to have a hand in making sure everyone could see what a great life we were given thanks to Mary Moylan Lewis, my Grr.



I arrived back safe and sound in-spite terrible turbulence and icy runways. My plane got me home just before Santa arrived. I think I was home before 1:00 a.m. Desperately I tried to go to the grocery store and Walmart to try and get a Christmas dinner. I had not thought of this until I was changing planes in some very cold city up north. No Christmas ham for us!

When I arrived home Don and I stayed up and did all the wrapping, well I was not much help really. But I tried anyway. I did fret over all the little traditions that did not happen they way they should, about the nice dinner that we would not have. I went to bed all upset that this would not be the best Christmas ever.



Boy was I wrong, we had the most wonderful time. In our jammies all day long, napping or cuddled up reading and playing all day. And thanks to my m.i.l. I was able to make a diner version of a turkey dinner, Open face turkey dinner. Yummy! So all and all, as long as we have each other we can't go wrong!

Merry Late Christmas everyone.

My crazy trees!

My crazy trees!, originally uploaded by ModernJune.

Them are some cRRRaZy trees.

It was in the 70's yesterday and I was having a moment of health so Aidan and I went outside to share some green tea soda on the front step. The light were all out on the porch waiting and I just had to go for it. Cold or no cold this kind of Militia/Gorilla christmas light decoration is so fun and easy it's a no brainer. And since I have had recognizable brain since Friday night I was able to do something constructive.

I know you are asking... Kelly how in the world do I get my self some of those crazy a$$ trees in my yard? Well sit back and listen! Here is the secret that not even Janet knew, you plug you lights in and toss them in the tree that is it! I really mean it toss those lights up there and leave them be! How easy is that? Its a no brainer-cuz you have a really bad cold easy! I have found crape myrtle seem to work best because of their shape.

I went out late last night to make my third Mail drop of the day and WOW they look so good from down the street. I am lucky to have Janet's winter wonderland next door.

alright have fun and peace out!

OH FYI...3.5 shopping days left at Modern June! And if you are waiting on a package I apologize for my slow down of late. This cold is kicking my bohonkaus. Trust me no decorating today. Just starring at my to do list while I blow my nose and cough my head off. I just took a long nap that had red christmas tree skirts plaguing my dreams. YIKES! No dinner till that thing is done! love ya'll!

Peppermints!

Ok this set of pictures is a big tease! I don't have any of these to sell! If you have to have on I suggest checking them out at Feather Nesters! Go quick those ladies that shop there are serious about their aprons. Last year they were fighting over my aprons! That rocks! Like a NYC sample sale. Ok maybe not like that but fun to hear.

ric rac anyone?

12 Aunt Bea's
12 girlie girls
6 Aunt Dot's

It looks funny all laying in a heap! But it is progress!

Update...Ok crafty universe I need red bias tape with with polka dots and I need it NOW! I don't have time to make bias but I wish I did! So Wrights Trim Company, get on that!!!

Christmas chaos at Halloween

Ok this is weird, I am holiday confused. One minute I am working out last minute Holloween costumes issues and picking out the perfect pumpkin and the next I am surrounded in Xmas holiday fabric. I am so confused! : )

stuff!

One (well two) down and 50,000 to go!


I love this stocking!
It will be a one of a kind since there is no more fabric.
But there are lots more lovelies to come!

Christmas Fabrics for 2007

My creation, originally uploaded by ModernJune.

Here is your sneak peek of the fabrics that Modern June will be making goodies out of. Tree skirts, Stocking and APRONS of course!

look at this tree

I am all about fake Christmas trees! This makes my heart go pitter pat. I might have to go for the free issue just to get a better look at the pink tinsel beauty.

Blog Polls

Who knew? Check it out. Blogger has blog polls that you can add to your blog...here's how.
So tell me has anyone done one have a blog poll on their site yet? I want to vote!

Here is a question for you all, which Christmas fabric is you favorite? Leave me a comment to tell me which one is your favorite.

Peppermints

Ornaments

Merry Christmas Santa