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

This week on Project Run and Play, the theme is BOYS!!! And you can go and vote for your favorite BOY outfits. I am a little biases, and I’m voting for these Children at Play patterns. Talk about amazing! Those flannel PJ’s I am SURE are going to be just as cute on my husband…I mean really? I want some too!

So go and vote soon! Loving it all you guys…I am getting inspired to make more fabric by just watching what you all make every day. Love you all!

xo

sarah

I’ve seen some pretty darn cute birthday Parties out there on pinterest, and blogs and the online land of endless ideas. But I have yet to see a Birthday party inspired by a print of Fabric.

I saw this post this morning, and I just had to share!

Maggie of Smashed Peas and Carrots designed her littler girl’s birthday party around the “Just Stay Little” print of fabric, complete with cutting out all the little dresses and making the cutest decorations! You can see more pictures here.

Just stay little…please? Just last night I noticed how big my babies are in their beds. Oh dear. Does it really happen? Do they really grow up? Don’t answer that question.

Sorry if you are bored with seeing other people’s creations with this fabric. To be honest, it  has become a wonderful fulfillment of a dream of mine. As a designer and illustrator, I’ve had many opportunities to choose where I contract my work. And as i’ve contemplated the products and the people I work with, my vision has always been to let the end product inspire more creativity out of the consumer. Seeing photos like this make me feel like it’s all worth it. Art on the wall is nice, but I love seeing pictures of your puppet theaters, fabric creations and so many other things you’ve shown me.

Thanks for inspiring me!!

And also, are you going to The Creative Connection? Can’t wait to see you there!

xo

sarah

Did you know that Children at Play has a flannel line?

When I made this Racer Stripe fabric, I was thinking “pajamas” all the way. Good old “Leave it to Beaver” button up PJ’s. Aren’t they perfect? My husband say’s he’s next in line for some.

I wasn’t exactly sure when the flannels would be ready for sale, so getting a package in the mail a couple weeks ago was quite the treat!

The Flannels are in the Over the Fence colorway…so lots of orange, blue and cream.

We’ve been getting ready for school to start (so many mixed feelings!) and since Addie and Ian will both be going full day (in contrast to last year, when they were only gone from me some days and for 1/2 day, this is a big transition!) Right now, their school clothes are laid out of their first day tomorrow, I have made my VERY FIRST set of school lunches (I feel like  real mom now!) and I even had some new pajamas made for them to celebrate. These two were both for Ian, but Addie’s nightgown isn’t done yet, and she likes them just as much!

EDIT: This pattern is a ‘New Look’ Pattern (subcompany of Simplicity) #6746

But did you see? Oliver & S just came out with a great PJ pattern for their fall release in Sept.

We are ready for school to start! Although, I really do wish we had more lazy mornings!

And in case you think my children pose for me perfectly every time, here’s proof that photoshoots take all morning.

Happy Monday!

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