OK! Are you ready? Here we go! Introducing OUT TO SEA…..my latest collection with Michael Miller Fabrics.

Out to Sea has been on my mind for oh….maybe a year and a half now. I finally put it all together into 3 colorways, each telling a great story.

Golly! Where to start. I never know where to start…especially knowing this is your first introduction. Say hello!

Let’s start with pictures, shall we?

So, do you have a minute? There is so much I want to tell you and show you…and I have a feeling that I won’t be able to do it justice all in one post.

But I’ll try!

So….when I was designing this collection, I paid a lot of attention to the classic elements of Maritime Fancies….but also to how children imagine and play.

This map print is a good example of that…perfect for running fingers through the ship paths (the above picture is embroidered by the way….the real fabric has printed dashed lines:) So this collection really has a good mix of larger scale fabrics, and small….which is my way of encouraging lots and lots of variations in project making.

Every child dreams of adventures on the sea…and this collection is my offering to the whimsy of maritime travel.

What I love about this fabric, is that it’s considered quilting grade fabric, but the weave is a new quality called Cotton Couture, and is much, much softer and lighter than the traditional quilting grade. But….it’s not 100% apparel grade either! I’ve been sewing bedding and quilts all week, and it’s amazing to home dec, quilt and apparel with. My, my, my. I’m in love.

So wow! Here it all is!

As you are reading this, I’m standing in front of my Quilt Market booth with a high waisted skirt in the navy anchor fabric, and a sea flower peter pan collar. I adore that this collection is suitable enough for the older folk like me:)

I am running out of time, as my fingers are itching to finish up projects and get to Quilt Market! Can I show you more later? There is so much to play with, and I wish I had time for all my ideas!

So, wish me luck at Quilt Market!! I’ll be thinking of all of you back home seeing this for the first time! It’s always such a weird feeling to hit “Publish” on a post like this….hoping that a year’s worth of color and design that has been stewing in my head is something you can get to know and love too!

More to share soon! I want to dive in deep with you all and show you how much fun I’ve been having with this fabric.

Love and hugs!!

xoxo sarah jane

And PS: because I know you will ask, this fabric will be in stores come Aug 1. Scheduling fabric releases is a very huge process, and there is so much time involved. But I’m going to be sharing tours of ideas (more on this later) to help you get ideas for what you can do with this collection so you are ready when it is available!

It’s here! It’s finally here. Spring Quilt Market. We’re packing and painting, sewing and stitching….and we’re heading out in a pink and navy ship (I wish!) on Monday. Ouch. Monday? Lots to do until then…but I’m really looking forward to telling you all about this collection. To be fair to all the stores who are privy to first peeks, I’m going to be sharing it ALL with you the week of market…next week.

And I’m like doing the potty dance in excitement…ready to spill the beans.

(photo courtesy of April Rosenthal)

This time last year, I had no idea what I had gotten myself into! I was ready to launch Children at Play, and being so super excited about it, we just dove into the Quilt Market scene head first, ready to see how the fabric world would take on. And we were so excited. Kenneth and I both love working on projects together, and with his set building love, and my love for designing spaces, we might be having just as much…if not more fun than last year!

It’s really crazy what so many people put into making a booth at market. It’s rather addictive for Kenneth and I, and maybe it’s because we just love being able to tell a story behind the designs. Making a space that feels like home, and inspires childhood fancies. But oh the hours invested:) Going to bed at midnight feels like an early nighter. Yikes!

But our spirits are good…and our kids are so amazing, and have loved being part of “Mommy’s fabric.” I live for their excitement! And they really are my best taste-testers. I try out my ideas on them, and see how they take! Perfect little guinea pigs.

Gosh I love what I do.

It’s a quest to find all the right thrifted pieces to reuse, and make new again for the show. It’s so fun! Maybe cause it’s like designing a space where you are forced to do it fast, and inexpensively….but with a very strong theme around it. That sounds like an awesome HGTV show…maybe I’ll pitch a trailer.

So much of telling a fabric story is setting the feel, and this booth has honestly been so fun to put together. Late nights and all!

And with having fabric 2 weeks to put on a show, it’s of course necessary to get help…and I can’t wait to show you what I’ve created with the help of so many super-amazing talented people!

So, this is your LAST TEASER!

Next time I’m on here, you’re going to be seeing the REAL thing. I can’t even wait to show!! I feel a little like Willie Wonka, waiting to open the door to what’s been in my head the past few months. I really hope you like it. It’s going to be so much fun to see what you all create!

So, I’m coming back with lots to share…and I need some time to gather it all up and tell a very wonderful story.

Are you as excited as I am?

See you next week!

xo

sarah

Once again, I’m amazed at the projects you continue to come up with from Children at Play Fabric! I love seeing them over at the FLICKR group, and we talk a lot about them on my Facebook page, but sometimes I just need to share here on the blog. These pics are from the Amy Atlas Blog which  featured these designs by Ruby May Designs.

I am starting to think about my own toddler’s birthday coming soon, and this inspired me! And to think that the fabric is my own making…just goes to show how creative you all are and give me so many ideas. I just love it!  You all inspire me so much!

Ruby put this party together so sweetly. It’s the perfect mix of sweet but not too much!

I love how she used this panel On Parade fabric for the backdrop. I’m a big fan of panel prints,  and I can’t seem to get tired of them! So many uses!

Anyways, here’s some eye candy for your weekend, and maybe will inspire you with spring in the air!

Such a darling celebration Ruby May! Head on over to the FLICKR group to see more.

(Soon there will be another fabric collection to add to the mix! I’m hooked:)

Happy Friday! I’ve got LOTS planned to show you next week. Hee Hee:)

xo

sarah

Well, this blogging once a week thing is proving to be much better with my new schedule as of late. As I’ve been required to dig a little deeper into projects (which is always really hard to do in short spurts of free time) I find myself consolidating all over the place. The house is getting rearranged, my studio space and craft room is getting a make over, and I’m even rearranging our big hall closet. Spring is in the air I guess (eek! I love this time of year!) and I’m getting more aware of how to get more organized and how to make for more focused art time.

Although I still intend to endorse this quote from A. A. Milne.

“One of the advantages of being disorderly, is that one is constantly making new discoveries.”

Amen to that.

One of the projects I’ve been up to is writing up this template and pattern for the Michael Miller Blog this weekend. So fun! Mostly it was an excuse for me to FINALLY write up this pattern for a quilt I designed for Quilt Market a bajillion months ago (ok, 9 months ago). Quilt Market was such a buzz, and I needed so much help to put a booth together in one week (I’m still trying to block those days and nights out  of my memory!) and Amy Smart quilted this up for me. She is amazing, as you know. All I did was draw up a pattern (scribbled, really) and she made it happen. I’ve been asked for the template ever since, and I finally got around to it!

So hop on over to the Michael Miller Blog and check it out!

The downloadable Template is HERE and the instructions are on the blog HERE.

I’ve been getting back into sewing a bit more too. Something about spring coming. I haven’t really been sewing anything since market, but mostly because me sewing machine keeps breaking down, and my sewing room has been a perpetual mess.

Bleh. Time for a makeover! Can’t wait to get started. So many ideas!

Me and my sister in law’s have been working on this quilt for my newest nephew, and I’m about ready to have it quilted up. It turned out so well. His parents are both scientists, so the rocket theme was perfect!

Oh! And speaking of spaces, I finally got a couch in the studio! Finally a place for the kids to crash and hang out, and for me to snuggle up and sketch. It’s made our space so much more cozy. But now I have to figure out what to put on the walls! Ideas?

And to finish with something I’ve sketched/doodled, I’ve resurrected a very, very old piece. This was one of the original pieces in my shop that I pulled up from forever ago it seems.  Addie just started ballet again, and dance has been on my mind. It’s always a bit weird to go through really old files, and see how much I’ve changed in 4 years. Anyways, this was done 4 years ago, but it’s fun to bring back.

Have a super-duper week. And don’t forget to swing by the Michael Miller blog!

xo

sarah

Hello! I’m back home, barely unpacked, and SO ready for 2012. This is going to be a GREAT year, yes? I’m feeling it.

But before I dive into 2012, I wanted to post some things that made me smile this year for Christmas.

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So many of you have sent me pictures, or posted to the FLICKR group your luscious Christmas gifts you’ve slaved away on. And I wanted to share some here, but had to wait till after Christmas…(I didn’t want to spoil any surprises!). This is my first experience with seeing my work under other people’s Christmas Trees….well, YOUR work! Your creativity with my fabric. And I was just so humbled to be be a small part of those moments. I know this must be normal for some people. But it’s not for me. I feel like in some way that I get to travel to each one of you and give you a hug…in some e-hug sort of way. I hope to never get over that actually. It really does delight me to think of little children all over the world being connected somehow. I think a lot about those things.

OK. But really. So many of you went to awesome lengths. Like ABOVE: 6 pairs of Pajamas for 6 kids on Christmas Eve. These things tickle me!

And hello? That quilt? Another Christmas gift I would have died to get myself.

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But this one is my fav. These Oliver & S pajamas  pattern made it to the Polar Express…the North Pole and back…ahem….which makes me warm all over.

Can you get over the look on that little boy? Pure joy.

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I hope your Christmas was just that. Pure Magic. Joy. Delight and warm all over.

And I did I ever show you this nightgown made for Addie? It’s from an old McCall’s pattern from the 1970′s. She wears it every night.

{Did you know Children at Play had flannels? Yep.}

So. I’m back….getting back…in gear. I completely unplugged for 2 weeks, and wow. It felt good. I even went a few days there not really knowing where phone was. I kinda liked it. A lot. Trick is re-learning how to get on a schedule again:)

Happy New Year everyone!!

Cheers,

sarah

It started the other month while I was brushing her hair in the bathroom.

“Mom, if I had to choose between two things, I’d choose the different one.”

She surprises me all the time with these statements. So obvious , so profound.

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 It wasn’t always that way.

The first week of school was filled with:

“Ashley has glitter shoes, Mom! Can we go get some?”

“Everyone else has pink coats. Why can’t I have a pink coat?”

” Everyone in my class has bangs. When can I cut my bangs?”

I was sorta freaking out. I was not ready for this. Already? No. Please no.

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But Before school last week, she boldly announced that she doesn’t like Barbie’s any more.

“Good!”  I thought. I never liked them anyways, and the ones we have in the house migrated from neighbor’s houses or were gift’s from somewhere. And now that I think of it, she hasn’t played with them in months.

“How come?”

“They’re boring.  But mostly cause I’d rather play with something different.”

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Earlier this year, we went to the D.I. (thrift store) and I let the kids pick out a $1 toy. Addie chose a gorgeous African fabric doll in traditional African clothing. Later that day, after playing with her for a few hours, she came upstairs and said:

“Mom, isn’t it wonderfu! My doll looks just like me!”

(Translation: I chose the doll that was the most different of them all, and because I’m different, she’s just like me!)

I love that girl.

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I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the pressure out there to be up on what everyone else is loving these days. We “like” “tweet” “comment” “pin” so much that pretty soon that unique find at the flea market isn’t so unique any more. Indie bands go mainstream with enough you-tube hits that they aren’t even your special find any more.  You know?

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As a  commercial artist it’s something I’m rather aware of.  There is so much awareness out there, that it can so often take away our inner artist. It happens by accident really. I find myself always on guard.

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The Beauty of Different. I can’t claim that wonderful phrase. Karen has always been a hero of mine.

But, Pirate girls. Innocent, dainty and a little different.  You may or may not be seeing some fabric of the sorts come spring.

They’ve been on my mind.

xoxox

I like to put mood boards together. Inspiration boards. Story Boards. Whatever you call it, it’s really good for me to put my ideas in one place, and make little families.

My brain is always so full of information, it really helps to put bits and chunks in one place and see how they work together. Sometimes they are digital, sometimes they are on my wall in my studio…sometimes they are cut and paste, or printed out on paper. Pinterest is awesome for collecting ideas…you name form, and I have collected ideas there.

This one is for a top-secret mission and I can’t say anything about it.

Just kidding. I’m working on new fabric again (!) and this is a peek at just the ideas behind it. Too early to show anything just yet…but it’s rather fun to see how it all gets started. The conception of ideas usually starts with random bits of information in my head (information for me = sounds, colors, shapes, people, phrases, memories…) and plop them down on the table and then I start to see where and how they work together. I move the pieces around like it’s a puzzle, and eventually pieces shift, get thrown out, come to the front…and I have something to work with. The conception stage takes the longest for me. Like a really good, slow simmer!

But I’m liking it so far! I think the octopus is blushing…and it makes me smile to wonder at what! Cute little guy!

And PS: The Cyber Monday sale is still going on here and here! Read more here. Happy Holidays!!! Yipee!

So, I never really did talk about Quilt Market last week!

I don’t have a line coming out this fall, But I will this spring….and it was so great to go to market (booth free!) and visit, get inspired, and meet new people.

I have just loved the friendships I’ve made in the fabric industry. I can honestly say that it is so friendly, and warm and wonderful. I would assume that other tradeshows would have a more edgy feel of competition. But at Quilt Market? It’s like everyone supports eachother. It’s really amazing.

Pictured are:

1) Amy Butler’s wonderful as always pillows.

2) Moda Chair

3) Sandi Henderson recovered vintage umbrella

4) Michael Miller Vintage car

5) V & Co, Basic Grey and moi

6) Janean Morrison’s Amazingly creative booth

7) David Butler’s masculin Parson Gray

8)  Crazy Old Ladies awesome boy fabric

So much inspiration! I spent a whole lot of time visiting as well as taking advantage of the kid-free time to work on my next fabric line! Ohhhh…this might be my favorite yet. Ha! There is only one other, so it’s not hard choose:)

Cheers!

Sometimes, when I walk into my family room, I wonder if I have an amazing husband who likes having pink and turquoise pillows with embroidered pretties on them, or if I have an amazing husband who doesn’t voice his opinion about pink and turquoise pillows with embroidered pretties on them.

I don’t think I’ll ask him.

Either way, I think I’ve got it pretty good:)

Happy Weekend everybody!!

xoxo Sarah

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Ok. So have you been browsing over at the Children at Play Flickr Group?

Heavens to Betsy.

I just have to show you some of the complete wow-yummy-ness going on.

And this is just a taste…like a little sip of what’s over there.Actually, it’s just a taste of the girl stuff. There is just as much boy that I’m not showing you!

Need ideas for handmade girly Christmas presents? Click on over and get inspired.

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So please, go on over and have a look. Then go and give these wonderfully creative people (who aren’t me by the way! I’ve been asked about items on my blog that I didn’t sew…so…to be clear…these are from you!) a grand pat on the back. And then ask how you can buy or make stuff from the info they offer on their site.

And if you have been working on something from Children at Play, please come over and join the group here.

And honestly, there is so much more eye candy on the flickr site….take a peek.

Happy Friday everyone! xoxo