Hi you guys. I just came back from an awesome vacation. Well, STAY-cation. No work. No deadlines to worry about. No phone calls. Just home on a cold, cozy weekend with just the 5 of us. It was perfect.

We played, read, cooked, ate, roasted marshmallows, danced, sang, snuggled in blankets, and just enjoyed “being.” We didn’t even get in the car once. It was awesome.

Then I got on Pinterest, looking for ideas on how to “someday” finish the kitchen, and I got to thinking about all these “perfect” spaces that we are so used to seeing on blogs and all over the web.

Golly, sometimes I wish we could just see some jam on the floor in those designer room interiors! I mean, that would for sure give me a better inclination to see if that floor color would really “work” in my house.

And while I was getting ready to tidy up this weekend (singing along to the Weepies, and not really caring if I got to the bedrooms…this was a stay-cation after all!) I realized that this is home. I hate having a messy house. I really do. But I also know that I am REALLY going to miss it in 15+ years. Really miss it.

Toys on every floor in the house  means there are little people in my life who make me so ridiculously happy.

Crumbs on the floor means Kenneth made 2 loaves of fresh 5 grain bread, in which 1 was entirely devoured in 10 minutes. And what ever didn’t make into little mouths, ended up on the floor. With jam, of course.

My shoes all over the house means I have girls who really like really to play Mommy. Lint on the floor means I have a really lousy IKEA rug that sheds. There really isn’t anything too happy about that one, except that, well, we have rug.

Clothes that end up everywhere means I have really creative children who would rather  1) be naked or 2) be an impersonation of something besides themselves. Every. Single. Day.

Chalkboards  in most rooms mean I have chalk dust on my floors constantly. But I also get pretty pictures (and menus) all the time. Oh, and notice the french invitation to Addie’s Cafe. Completely illegible and spelled wrong, but she reads it in a very french accent and it makes me giggle.

Corn that never got picked (I don’t know if we just forgot, or never knew when the right time to pick it) means we have awesome fall decorations for our kitchen table now.

An overgrown side yard means there are magical pathways for exploring.

An un-weeded garden means that we spend most of our time picking and watering and preparing fresh veggies, rather than weeding.

And messy hair means I get great pictures out of my baby.

See? It’s not so bad. I’m starting a revolution.

**And speaking of messy, I’m in the process of redoing my blog and building a website…so expect some changes, which I’ll address very soon!**

Hello Friends!

Utah’s channel 5 did a sweet little interview with me in my home studio last night (on their We Are Utah segment), and I wanted to invite you into my studio to have a look! Steve Olpin came to my house last month, and was so fun to work with. Working with a freelance videographer versus a news show host made all the difference, and I felt so relaxed to just spend time in the studio and reflect on my perspective on being an artist. And while I HATE talking about myself and what I do, it was really nice to put a little cap on why I do what I do, and how I got to where I am!

So, enjoy…and take this as a little open house invitation into my small studio space! Without, unfortunately, the hot cocoa and cookies that I’d have out if you really did come over to hang out.

I know I know….

It’s not even Christmas, but I need to take your time this morning and say…..

MY  DEBUT PICTURE BOOK IS RELEASED TODAY!

There I said it. I’m done now.

Well, maybe not. I really do want to say a little bit more, but honestly, I get a little shy. Isn’t that silly? It’s like stage fright. My fabric line was such a whirlwind release, and the art I create in the shop is usually the same. There was no time to be nervous.

But books are slow. Created fast and with crazy deadlines, but then you wait. And wait. And wait.

And the waiting has made me a little timid. Like, I want to say, “Are you still there? Do you still care? I made this book for you over a year ago….do you still want to read it?”

(Insert pigeon toes and flushed cheeks here)

Regardless, today it’s happening. All pre-ordered books are being delivered by white and brown trucks all over the country today. They will be (oh so gently laid) onto little doorsteps where a man in uniform will place brown cardboard boxes filled with art that I made in my basement studio, while listening to Christmas Choir music in July. A book with magic in the text that had gave me goosebumps the moment my editor read it to me over the phone for the first time. A book about Jesus and the light He brings to all the world. A book that still has my children begging to read it, even though it’s not even Halloween. A book that I’ve placed little secrets into that no one but myself and my children really know.

A book that was illustrated while moving twice, pregnant, going on partial bed rest, having a baby, buying a house, wading through financial difficulties and struggling through post partum, all while trusting in God to pull us through. It was quite literally a miracle in and of itself to be patiently wading through the “stuff” life brings, and then to illustrate the Christmas Story at night. I don’t think there could have been a better release for those emotions…I needed God, and I got to draw my emotions on paper.  This was my place to put in my feelings of my Savior, the miracle of His birth, and all the relationships that were formed around that miracle.

And now you get to be a part of that.

I actually didn’t pre-order any. Looking back maybe I should have! But I will have the honor of hand delivering copies to some very special people. And that will make for quite the perfect day.

I won’t post about this any more until the air is a little crisper and colder…but I just had to share a special moment. A life goal. A day that won’t ever come again.

I think I’ll go kiss a little lamb:)

…Through the eyes of Instagram….

1. Signing my book along side “The Toymaker.” Both of us have Christmas Books coming out. If you haven’t seen her site, it’s a must!

2. I spoke on a panel with 3  new kindred spirits: Amy Turnsharp of Little Allouette, Andrea Badgely of Sacred Suds, Liv Lane of Choosing Beauty. Amazing women!

3. The first purchase of A Christmas Goodnight! Kim Christopherson and Kris Thurgood from the DIY DISH of course!

4. My first spotting of my book for sale!

5. Holly Becker from Decor8…lovely, lovey person.

6. So inspired by Christina Ferrare!

Wow. What a week. My first week traveling by myself, without my husband, with out my kids, turned out to be quiet the break I needed.

I was asked to speak at the Creative Connection event in St. Paul, and it was really a week of learning and introspection. I really like speaking. I love having the chance to talk about the things I’ve learned on this creative journey I’ve been on, because it actually makes me go and reflect to what I’ve learned. Without the motivation to speak and help others, sometimes I think it’s easy to breeze by and not recognize all the treasures of wisdom I’ve acquired. A great lesson of learning, for sure!

In attendance, were women from ALL spectrums of creative lifestyles. Designers, seamstresses, crafters, photographers, artists, bloggers, you name it. I think I had to say that I enjoyed the Keynote Speakers the best.

Holly Becker of Decor8, what a darling. She shared her personal story from her girlhood to how she got where she is today, with no shortage of trials, that’s for sure. And, her book is GORGEOUS! It sold out fast at TCC! She really is remarkable, and I love her even more now.

Cristina Farrere from Cristina Cooks on the Oprah Network: What a babe! She also shared her personal story from girlhood to where she is today. She too had the kind of hurdles that would shut any “normal” person down forever. But she has fire and faith and a lot of persistance. What a story!

Other keynote speakers, who have amazing products, talent and stories to share a long with it: Kelly Rae Roberts, Leigh Standley, Melody Ross, Susan Branch, Karen Walrond, Becky Higgins, Nora Abousteit, and Stacy Julien.

All these women have climbed their own mountains and faced their own hurdles to get where they are. And most of them created a business FROM the rubble. Even more inspiring!

Here’s an illustrated quote that Susan Branch shared at the end of her Keynote, which she shared on her blog:

I mostly took the chance to be introspective, meet other women who are crazy like me (the kind the ALSO don’t shower or do laundry for days when trying to meet deadlines) and it was so nice to be in the company of women who’s hearts beat with the same pulse. Who go through their challenges, rather than around, and use their creative gifts to answer life’s big questions. And they are all helping others a long the way.

It also reinspired me to try new paths, be more fearless with my own creativity and follow my dreams with more fire and haste. To be less swayed by outside opinions, and to create more truthfully.

I was also more determined to let creativity into my life more. Working, networking, and all the business aspects of what I do (not to mention mothering!) take up a lot of my energy.

I’ve made the pledge to be wake up each morning with Creative Living as my motive. I am sensing in my own self a season of change. A time of new realization and creative growth. And I’m really excited to discover it all!

Thank you to all the lovely new friends I made and the wonderful conversations I had that I will never forget. Why I didn’t get more pics of my newly formed friendships is beyone me! But Creative spirits connect. It just happens. Creative Connections. It’s a beautiful thing!

Good morning all!

Thanks so much for the great response to A Christmas Goodnight It’s always a bit nerve wracking to share even a little bit of something that I’ve been keeping a secret for so long. I have so much more I want to fill you in on, but until then enjoy these last few weeks of summer…I promise I won’t bug you about Christmas for at least another month:)

I wanted to share a few posts with you that are floating around the www today.

Ashley of Ashely Ann Photography (LOVE her blog and photography!) posted this great post of how she turned this free downloadable quote of mine into a canvas print which she embellished with hand stitching. Doesn’t it look amazing?

{All Photos, Ashley Ann Photography}

I have my print behind glass in my kitchen…always such a lovely reminder to wake up every day full of love and purpose.

I made this print several weeks ago, but it has meant even more to me the past 2 days after recovering from a could-have-been-fatal car wreck. I’ll spare you the horrific details, but let’s just say it involved a bouncing metal pipe coming towards me on the freeway while going 65 mph in morning rush hour traffic. My car was totaled, 3 other cars were involved, and after spinning across 3 lanes of traffic, I walked away unharmed. Needless to say, I’ve been recovering on all levels, as you never expect to go through something like that. But if ever there was a shake in my soul to live my life with no regrets, it’s been these past 48 hours. I can honestly say that I love my children every day like it will be my last, simply because I have always been so aware how fragile this life can be. But until you go through something like what I did Tuesday morning, am I shaken into living my life for God and my family with even more love than ever. The kind of purpose I didn’t even know was in me. But now I do.

So…ok…onto happier things, Ashely is hosting a giveaway to get one 16×20 canvas print which you can use to print out that same quote. Isn’t that great??

And other lovely things going on in blog land, We Love French Knots hosted this great interview with me on Tuesday. Interviews are fun, because I get to share things I don’t normally talk about here. Enjoy!

(Sorry I didn’t link to it earlier…I was rather busy tuesday!) Bari J, a fantastic fabric designer and embroidery designer, started this fantastic Stitching Blog and has been relentless in filling us all in on all things stitching. Check it out!

{Overall Baby}

And guess what else you are making? I had to share these gorgeous photos of more wonderful projects you are making with Children at Play from my Flickr Group. You are all so talented and inspiring!

{Girl. Inspired}

{Picolli Piselli}

{Overall Baby}

{Overall Baby}

{Stolen Moments Blog}

{Skirt as Top}

{Little Toot Creations}

{Overall Baby}

Love to you all! Hug your babies. Live your life on purpose. Make your home beautiful. Inspire someone else. Be creative. Thank God every day for all his mercy. And laugh a lot. Amen.

Oh, and don’t forget about the great giveaway over at Ashley Ann!

xo

sarah

What a week. What a day, really. Well, what a year! Ok, make that nearly 4 years.

Let me back up.

It all started in my little apartment. Kenneth and I were trying to figure out how to make ends meet. Things were looking pretty tight, and I had 2 babies in diapers. I had to do something, and to put a really long story in a nutshell, I got on my knees and prayed, then got to work. In 3 months time I had taught myself how to use photoshop, scan art into a printer and create digital prints. I even overnighted myself a fine art printer, and 2 days later I opened an ETSY shop. That was 1417 days ago. Last night, I sold my 10,000th sale on ETSY (to this lovely lady no less) and I find myself so incredibly sentimental. I’m just speechless. Really? I remember being so overwhelmed with the thought of leaving my babies to go work, when instead I was able to create this at home business where I have been able to stay at home. It’s such an incredible blessing. Thank you!

But with that blessing, has come many curses. Curse is a strong word. Let’s call them set backs. There are set backs to having work in your home, especially the management of orders, shipments, supplies, boxes (Oh! The boxes!) deadlines, no vacation time and just a lot of work to manage. I’d be lying if I said it was easy. I’ve had the most loyal help and most wonderful team through the years, all of which have turned out to be some of my dearest friends! But even with help, Sarah Jane Studios has grown to more than I can really handle at home: both in the physical sense and the emotional. So, why not just get more help? I tried going in that direction, and right now, getting more help = more people in my home to manage, oversee and think about. When really, I struggle with having enough space in my brain to get the trash on the curb on the right night (oh ya…Kenneth does that). I’ve played the game of Tetris all summer, with knowing where to put the least amount of effort for the maximum amount of reward: a business (and life!) philosophy I strongly believe in. And the answer is,  to hand all of my products over to companies who can handle things better than I can, and thus free up my time for more mothering, housekeeping and illustrating.

I’m starting to feel free just writing this!

Wow. But after some long, long weeks and months of trying to figure out how to move forward with what I started, and what I want for my family, I have decided to use 2 incredible small companies to fulfill, print and ship all our products. That may not seem like a big deal to you. And maybe you don’t really care, cause you will most likely not even notice a difference…well, except that my cute little hand written address label will be replaced with a digital one. Sorry. But it’s a big deal to me, because I’m handing over a baby really. Something that I started in the middle of a crisis that has grown too big for my arms to carry.

And to answer any questions, Ann and myself are still who you will hear from just as normal. All will be the same. The products the same, the only difference is that my basement and garage will be a lot less full, and my brain will be a lot less cluttered! Which ultimately means more fabric, books and art for you, and more REAL living for me!

Wow. Big load off my shoulders. Something inside of women, well at least me, thinks that we can just do it all. Well, we can’t. We should really be striving to do a few things really well. The important things. And managing a shop from home has come to the point of me not being able to be the kind of mom (or artist for that matter!) that I want to be. And while outsourcing isn’t for everyone (It’s not the best financial solution, that’s for sure!) it is the best for us. And I thought you should know, since you’ve been the fire behind the machine.

So. Back to where I was. Are you still reading this? Hi there, if you are. Last night I made my 10,000th sale, and I made the final decisions to send my inventory far away (in the USA by the way!) and I’ll be shipping it all off tomorrow!

So, what does that mean for the shop? By the end of the day today (August 11, 2011), all embroidery patterns and stationery will be unavailable for a week. Prints, posters and frames will run as normal.  So, if you need something before August 18th, today is your day.

I’m off to pack up my stuff! And I hope you know how awesome it’s been to share this journey with you. It’s a wonderful story, really. Lots of ups and downs, trial and error. Learning as I go. And this new transition is feeling great.

I’m off!

xoxo

sarah

PS: This picture is a favorite view of mine from where we live. I get the “big picture” reminder every day. So lucky!

Hello!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes it was a fantastic weekend. Wasn’t Harry Potter so satisfying? I love thinking that in 20 years I can remember how cool it was to see the  final  film’s opening night on my birthday. I’m sentimental like that.

So, there’s lots I want to say…. and if you know me, you’ll know that if I have lots to say, it takes forever and get all jumbled. So, I’m resorting to bullet points! (This might be better for all of us.)

• Fabric. Fabric. Fabric. I have mentioned on Facebook and twitter that Children at Play sold out of its first wave before it even shipped from the factories, but I don’t think I’ve mentioned it here. What that means is lots and lots of stores are getting it, but lots and lots of stores are still waiting. It also means that I’m getting email after email that certain stores even sold out of a lot of their stock within 24 hours of listing it this weekend! While that is really cool for me to hear, it’s also really aggravating since I know what it’s like when you are trying to get your hands on something, especially when deadlines are involved (like fun sewing dates with yourself:)

• Since I have decided NOT to sell my own fabric (that’s a conversation we’ll have later…it has a lot to wanting to keep other wonderfully dedicated store owners in business) I stayed up until the very wee hours of the night (eh-hem…morning) last night slaving over a super-giganto list  of stores that have currently purchased Children at Play. You can search by state, but there are also two lists that allow you to search online: both web exclusive stores as well as brick and mortar stores that offer online shopping as well. But here’s where I’d love to hear from you: I’m rather new to the community of fabric, and I think that a lot of stores were a little shocked with how fast they’ve been selling it. If you find a store that carries the fabric, but hasn’t posted it online, feel free to encourage them to post it so that we all can get our hands on it! You can also encourage your local store to carry it as well!

• I also need your help in the international community. The list that I made includes all the distributors that have been selling it, but not the actual stores. If you know of a particular store internationally that is carrying Children at Play, can you PLEASE let me know? I want so badly to help my friends over seas get their hands on it, and I wish that I could do more! But, if you call your favorite and local stores and inquire about it, it will help us all!

• Also, if you aren’t already following me on twitter or facebook, do. I’ll be sure to post and re-post any info I have about which stores are carrying it, and when.

• And speaking of things you’ve been waiting for: I have embroidery iron-on transfer patterns ready to ship! I’ll be showing them to you tomorrow. So come by!

• Oh. And you’ll want to come by every day this week actually. I know. Overkill. But there’s lots of stuff I want to show you!

• But I’ll give you a hint. It has a lot to do with the requests you all made during the survey I offered a while back. Stay tuned!

• And that picture above does fit into this post. Lot’s of changes have been going on in the studio (you’ll be getting bits and pieces in the next several days) and lots of changes have been happening on a personal level too. I’m officially gluten & lactose intolerant. And I have been for a while now…I just never knew it. If you saw me at quilt market, I was swollen and puffy and well, I am not usually swollen and puffy looking. It was all from being sick, and everyone around here is happy to know the reason.  And one way I am still clean inside is because I have a marvelous baker husband who hasn’t minded switching ingredients. You’d never guess that this gorgeous tart was made from rice flour. Life can be beautiful even when living without.

Well, I don’t know if bullet points helped keep all this straight, but just remember this:

• CHECK OUT this updated list of fabric stores carrying my fabric

• CONTACT ME if you know of international stores that will be carrying it.

• COME BACK TOMORROW to see the iron-on transfers

• COME BACK the next day to see more fun and wonderful things that I’ve been waiting years to show you!

• FOLLOW ME on twitter and facebook if you want updates when stores have orders ready to take

• WISH you were gluten intolerant so you could get tarts like this OK. Just kidding.

• HARRY POTTER has officially made for a great 14 year experience.

Love to you all!

xo

sarah

Hello!

Today is a special day. A day I share with Harry Potter’s Final Film (!!!) and one of my favorite Dutch artists, Rembrant. I’m feeling rather old fashioned to be honest. Old, being the key word.

Like the other day when my kids asked me about pens.

THEM: “What did people draw with  in the olden days if they didn’t have pens?”

ME: “Pencils.”

THEM: “What about before pencils? Like in the really olden days, Mom?”

ME:”Paint brushes.” I’m thinking that you can’t really go beyond that unless you start talking about rocks, right?

THEM: “Mom! In the really olden days, they used chicken feathers!”

Oh. Of course. I forgot that one.

We have chickens. And chickens shed feathers. And they are collected by my children in droves. And they make fantastic Quills. But…only if you tell them at in the Olden Days, everyone had to be patient. I mean, you couldn’t exactly send off a note in 10 seconds, because you had to redip your feather. Again, and again, and again. This might be the first time my children actually became a little impatient and quit their art projects rather early. It was rather comical.

“Wow, the people that used chicken feathers to draw must be really, really old now, Mom.”

Well, I guess so. And I am joining in the old club. At least I get breakfast in bed, sushi dinner and a trip to the movies. Go Harry!

But Pssst….I’m hosting a lot of birthday celebrations next week. All week. You won’t want to miss out, so came back bright and early on Monday morning, and share the love!

Cheers!

sarah jane

POST EDIT: Warning…this post might be rather jumbled and is a true stream of conscienceness. But the truth is, it’s something I don’t talk about much, and I need to. So. There you go.

With our new house, one of my priorities was to have lots of places to make together. As a working artist, you’d think that would be a simple and obvious request. But as a mother and with this little business of mine, I’m often surprised how hard it really is for me illustrate while my kids are making. I can embroider, sew, do crafts and draw bits and pieces of projects we do together, but I don’t usually get a chance to just have my own drawing time. Maybe it’s cause they are still so young. Maybe it’s because when we make together, I’m teaching and guiding (and cleaning up!) more than not. I think mostly it’s because now that I get paid for what I illustrate, I can easily fall into the mind-set that drawing is “work” and not “play.” And since most of the day is filled with playing, and lessons, and cooking, and cleaning….I often forget to let myself just PLAY!

Sitting down with my sketchbook to fill some pages while the kids create beside me, is usually followed by Addie wanting to color in my sketchbook instead of hers…which I love. So I let her. I get out another sketchbook for me (I have several that I float between for this very reason), and then Ian’s pencil breaks and I need to run downstairs to grab a sharpener. And then Ella wants to color on Ian’s paper, so he goes up in the cupboard to find some more. But in the mean time, he wants to sculpt. So we set up the table for clay. And then I open my sketchbook while the kids are playing, and water spills all over, and clean it up. But before I do, Addie wants to rip out her page in my sketchbook to hang on the wall. So I rip it out, and then Ella is hungry. And when I get her some raisins, the others want some too. And now it’s lunchtime. And I think I’ve maybe started drawing a small little head with shoulders, with a scribble of crayon next to it. And so it goes. It’s almost like “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.”

I absolutely love being creative the kids, but, I’ll be honest… I haven’t really found any solutions to getting real art work done except for when they are tucked soundly in their beds. I wish it weren’t so. But I’ve also come to the conclusion that making time isn’t about getting any particular project done…it’s just about making. Which, hello, is the fun of it, right? But even though I get to be creative at night, I’ve made it a point to be more creative and draw while they are. And even if I never get to turn a page in my sketchbook, I’ve seen how valuable it is to draw for myself while they are creating. Instead of only teaching, or giving ideas,etc. I am making more of a point this year to let them see me drawing.

Which actually brings me to another topic: often, since they know mom can “draw anything” …it’s actually a fine line I walk with drawing with them. Often when I do draw, they just ask me to draw for them. And when I stand off and let them come up with their own ideas, they can sit at the table for a really long time.

But, seeing mom draw and mess up is something we’re working on right now. Even last night’s bedtime story was about a time when I learned that all art is beautiful and mess-ups only lead to new ideas. It’s really amazing to create and teach my kids about creation…their needs are always changing, and so are mine. I love it.

So it’s funny…even though the house is filled with tape and scissors and glue, and there is a constant source of pencils & paper in any given place in the house….even though we make together all the time and do creative  projects together….sometimes I forget to just forget about my “projects” and just play just like my kids do. Silly, really.

So, I’m putting pressures of deadlines aside, and just playing more this year. It’s more important than I ever realized to say it out loud…kinda like losing weight or giving up caffein. So, there. I said. it. But truthfully, like any profession that you love…once it’s something you get paid for, it’s easy to forget to play. Something that a busy mommy can easily forget. Man! Why do we forget so easily? Being a responsible adult is nice and all, but isn’t playing what makes it all worth it? So. Playing. It’s good. And it needs to be given a bit more attention. I can just here the Goddess of Play now. She’s saying, “Thank you. It’s about time.”

Ok. You have to indulge me today. But this week is Ella’s birthday, and I just can’t get over how much I am in love with this girl.

She is my sunshine. And even though her favorite words right now are “NO!” and “I NOT!” she is one of those toddlers that is adorable even when having a fit.

She’s been a beauty ever since she first came. And I don’t just mean her darling face and smiling eyes. But her soul is pure sunshine. I just can’t get enough of her!

This week I’m rather sentimental. She’s my baby, but is she really 2 years old? I was in a really interesting place two years ago. We were between moves, I was between big illustration projects. I spent several months with post-partum depression…trying to work through a lot of emotions and life plans. But Ella, even when I was pregnant with her, has been my light. Just seeing that smile makes it all melt away. And now that I am in a much better place than I was 2 years ago, I realize even more how much that big person inside that little body is capable of. She’s my joy!