When I opened my shop, these two were my main inspiration. In fact. They were the first prints sold. I adore these guys.

And I adore them so much, that I haven’t added very many prints of them since.

That doesn’t make ANY sense.

But it will. Someday, I hope.

But I have had a lot of requests over the past while to flesh out the Seasonal prints with these two, and I have! Fall and Winter have been available for a long while. And now, Spring and Summer! These characters have really grown on me and evolved in my brain over the past few years, but these prints show such a tender and gentle side to their friendship. They really are the funniest, and feel like my very own friends sometimes.

Hug a friend today.

Enjoy!

ETSY & Online Shop

Sometimes I wonder what you guys all see from the outside.

In here, behind this little screen of yours, I’m dashing about from one project to the next, creating and making and coordinating lots of things at once. I’m probably also wearing a tutu and wings with glitter, dancing about and magically making it all happen. You just keep thinking that! That’s a happy thought.

But sometimes I wonder if it just seems kinda boring on the other side of the screen, your side, cause well, I’m not showing it all to you. And sometimes I just can’t. But I can open up the porthole just a crack, can’t I?

Yesterday I finally buckled down and got a housekeeper. Quilt Market is in 4 weeks, and I’m feeling the burn and so I had someone come in yesterday, and wow! What a difference. But it was funny, cause she hit everything like a whirlwind–all the rooms at once– and it was all such a mess before it got better. That’s kinda how things are here. There’s tons going on behind the scenes, and soon it’s all going to come together in this perfectly imperfect way…I love seeing how it all comes together. And it’s all in the coming days and weeks!

So, are you ready to stick with me?

I’m going to be trickling peeks in for you during the coming days and weeks….and it’s going to be a lot of fun…but it might feel like it’s all over the place until it all comes together. Like a good story really.

So this week, while I’m wrapping up the mess and to fill in the time, I’m going to be doing some awesome book giveaways. I have some giveaways lined up, and hopefully that will keep the attention off the stuff I’m not showing you just yet, and will buy me some time while I dash about in my glittery tutu.

Ready. Set……

Guess what I got in the mail on friday! I went to my door step to find one big box of my new fabric collection (more on that later…) and a box full of the book that I illustrated just a few months ago! Talk about good mail days lately:)

I’ve mentioned French Kids Eat Everything before, and now it’s finally time to introduce you to it. It will be your new best friend. Seriously. It’s Karen’s story of moving to her husband’s native France, in a small town, and adapting (albeit unwillingly) to the culture of food in relation to parents teaching children how to eat. It’s amazing. This is really aimed at parents and how to see family eating in an entirely new light. I got a copy of the manuscript for me to review, and I almost had to remind myself to stop reading and start drawing cause I loved it so much.

Here are some pics from the book that are my favorites.

It’s such a charming and witty story Karen has: adapting and learning how to change her parenting based on all the good she sees in children there, and the way they think about food.

Things like no snacking (it spoils your appetite for the main meal!)  No upsetting pressures to “eat all your food” at the dinner table. No bribing with food, and how to really enjoy a family meal…most nights of the week.

We’ve implemented most of the rules now for a while. The children are so much more aware of what they eat, how they eat and are so much more respectful of what they eat.

When the design team decided to put this inside illustration onto the back cover, I kinda freaked out. Only because this is exactly how I write things at home…my own list making handwriting. So it was a bit shocking to see my own “undesigned” handwriting on the back cover of a book. I don’t know…kinda like seeing yourself on TV or something….it just feels weird

I hope you enjoy reading it. I’d love to know your thoughts! Karen has a blog, and is very passionate about giving information to parents on how to make changes in the American culture that we live in.

And did I mention that there are recipes in the back?

Um. Yes. There are recipes. Simple, flavorful, perfect for kids, meant to be savored recipes.

(But I have to insert an EDIT HERE: The book very strongly encourages healthy, whole food eating for families. And while this recipe is a dessert, most of the recipes and information in the book suggest that the French eat a wide variety of foods and focus on quality ingredients. This recipe has 3 ingredients: Fresh eggs, semi-sweet chocolate pieces and orange zest. While it’s a treat, it’s served in very small quantities and is meant to represent the idea that even deserts use whole food ingredients, rather than processed and overly sweet. I must add this disclaimer, as I’m not going to review the entire book for you, and don’t want you to think that this is some kind of “eat what you want” book. Rather it’s meant to encourage real cooking and whole, unprocessed foods in schools and at home.)

The book is full of experiences and information about feeding your children “real” ingredients, real food, and how children learn to appreciate food and ingredients. And I have a certain new favorite recipe now.

Kenneth is always coming up with amazing food around here, and I’m rather spoiled. Like, as I’m writing this, he just came down to the studio with a slice of a new bread he tried out: his own variation of the Amish Friendship bread. But honestly…sorry Ken.  The Mousse au Chocolate recipe in the book that is honestly my favorite dessert now. Hands down.

The kids agree.

It takes maybe 10 minutes to make, so simple and outright sinful.

Anyways…I was so lucky to illustrate a book that I was completely in support of. I’d be writing about it even if I wasn’t ask to illustrate it…just not this early…cause it comes out next week.

(And I need to say too, that I don’t get a cent more if you buy it. I am just really happy to have come across this book!)

I’m just so grateful to have been part of this experience. I’m not always proud of things I do…I’m really critical of my work, and I take great thought into what I choose to spend my time on. So opening that box of printed pages on friday was a real treat. I really hope that this helps parents find new ways to have genuinely happy eating as a family.

Bon Appetite and Enjoy!!

I honestly wasn’t prepared for how excited you all were to see more inspirational/religious children’s art. I knew that I was excited about it, cause I needed some of my own! But it thrilled me to see your response. Yay for bright happy religious art! I don’t talk about my faith here, for no other reason than it’s just not part of this space, but my faith is an integral part of daily life, and it’s happy and joyful and bright! So, why not art to match!

My friend Meta, who you will be hearing more about because she is drop-dead amazingly talented at designing spaces, let me photograph these prints in her family room. She is helping me design my kids room, but while that’s happening, I might sneak in a few shots of my work in her Scandinavian inspired home. She is actually starting a children’s design blog any day now, and I couldn’t be more excited. More on that later.

But for now, just know that there are 5 new prints in the shop, ready and waiting for a new home.

1) I am a Child of God (Girl)

2) I am a child of God (Boy)

3) Peace, Be Still

4) Jesus loves me

5) I love to see the temple

Both I am a child of God and I love to see the temple have lots of color and language variations to choose from.

Available in the online shop and on ETSY

Can you tell I’m into yellow lately? Perfect for spring. Here comes the sun!

I’d also like to note, that this isn’t all! I wanted to release the religious art first, and the rest of my spring collection will be coming as soon as I can get them here.  But I want to keep these separate, as I know not everyone will appreciate and be interested in these. But honestly…I have a lot more that I want to create along these themes, just all in good time:)

In a perfect world, there will be new prints for the shop in about 2 weeks, as well as other goodies that I’ve been slaving away at. But for now, I really hope you enjoy these! I plan on adding more in the coming months, but I think this is a good start as to what I hope to be a better effort at happy religious art for children.  I hope you would spread the word, pin, facebook and share with friends. I know that I personally am enjoying having these in my home, and hope lots of children can enjoy these that want to.  Enjoy!!

So I got a bee in my bonnet a while ago, and it kept on buzzzing, buzzzzzing, buzzzzzzzzzzing…..

Until I got serious about (finally) painting and redoing the kids’ bedrooms.

The same bee went crazy 4 years ago when I decorated my toddler’s room, and I couldn’t find any illustrated, storybook-ish,  fresh and whimsical children’s art.

When I couldn’t find it, I just made my own. And so I opened an ETSY shop cause other people wanted some too.

This time, I’ve been looking for fresh, colorful, HAPPY, sophisticated Christian Children’s art. There are lots of awesome quotes and font art, but so far, I haven’t been able to find anything in the art category that I’d consider to fit my criteria.

So, I made my own.

And I’m wondering….since I know many of you are mothers who tend towards the same interests….if maybe you’d like to see some Sarah Jane inspirational/religious art for kids??

I’ve been trying to find scriptural, biblical, christian….anything! art for the walls, and so far it’s not really working (too dark, not childlike enough, too babyish, too serious….) and so I actually have like 12 more ideas in my sketchbook waiting to pop, but I wanted to ask first here if this is something you’d like too. Yay? Nay?

I know not all of you would be interested, so pardon me for asking. But if you are, I’d love it if you could spread the word, pin, facebook, etc. cause I’m really interested if other women have the same need I’ve had…..

Good Christian Children’s art.

Let me know, and I’ll get back to you about more ideas I’ve got up my sleeve.

xo

sarah

So, a few items of business.

Do you have your printable valentines yet?? I’m cutting mine today! (You’d think I’d be more prepared with having my very own this year, but alas…I still love to procrastinate!) Good thing it’s ready to go at least. And Did I mention that these will only be available through valentines? Yep. Then…the end.

And…

Tomorrow ONLY  20% off EVERYTHING in the shop

Yay! I love these little deals. 20% off with code: heart20   in both shops here and here.

And do you have a shop where you sell Sarah Jane fabric clothing items? I love watching the FLICKR group grow, but I’d love to feature more projects here on the blog too, so everyone can know where to get a hold of the goods. This one above is the new collection from Georgia Grace. Love it!

I hope you all have a wonderful Valentines day and don’t forget to come by for the sale tomorrow!

We bought these books for the kids for Valentines Day (they are all very kissy) Love!

Have a wonderful lovely Valentines!

xoxoxoxo

sarah

Ok. So there are 11 days until Valentines Day. I’m lucky if I have presents for Christmas 11 days before. Valentines day always sneaks up on me, and I’m never prepared. I’m always stuck getting something left over in the grocery store isle, and so this year, I’ve decided to beat the battle.

Printables! I can’t even tell you how much fun I had making these.

So this whole package includes 8 pages of printed goodness: 2 styles of printable envelopes, tags (2×3 inches), and cards (size 4×4 inches) and 2 sheets of printable paper (hearts and gingham) that you can use for extra card making, wrapping, cut outs, etc.

So, just as an FYI….these two friends were the inspiration for me when I started my ETSY shop! Remember this precious image, and this one? Well, I kinda have been busy illustrating other stuff, and they have been bugging me BIG TIME to get out more. So, I hope you enjoy Wellesley & Winslow for your Valentines Festivities!

So, these are PDF printables, and because of the file size, they are ONLY available on the website, not the ETSY shop. On the website, you will get an AUTOMATIC email notice with the download instructions once you purchase.

And….I’m only going to be offering this through Valentines Day!! 11 days only!!

So, hurry and get them now. I’m not sure that I’ll be putting these back up.

So cute! Even my 6 year old boy got excited about these. No joke. This might just inspire me to have a little Valentine Tea Party this year. Ooooh! I can’t wait:)

CLICK HERE for the printables.

Have fun!!

Hello! I feel like it’s been forever since I posted (ok…a week!) The trouble about blogging and working as I do,  is that most of what I do all day is stuff that I can’t talk about! It’s the nature of producing things that take  a long time to mature and get out the door. Books for instance take a ba-jillion years (well, it feels like it!) and that goes with fabric, products, etc.

But I want to give you a little sneak peek into what’s happening oh so soon….

Sneaky Peek #1:

CHILDREN AT PLAY PAPER LINE!

First let’s talk PAPER!

Making Memories was in touch with me earlier last year about turning the Children at Play fabric line into a children’s paper line. Um…ya! That was an exciting YES!! But I didn’t want it to be just ANY paper line. This one has the same feeling as the fabric…playful, and creative. Paper Pinwheel kits, banner kits…even…(eeek!) Paper dolls with clothing that sports the fabric design…etc. Oh! And not to mention paper, paper, paper! (For wallpapering dollhouses of course:)

I won’t go too much into detail now (there is so much more to show you!) because it won’t be available for another month or so….but I just had to give you a heads up.

You can see more images here on the website if you want! But stay tuned for better photos and DIY’s when it becomes more available!

Sneaky Peek #2:

MORE BOOKS!

A new Non-fiction I’ve been working on with Harper Collins…a Fantastic book! So lucky to have been a part of it.

FRENCH KIDS EAT EVERYTHING is such a fantastic book, I had to force myself to illustrate it because all I wanted to do was underline every other line and really read it slowly. It’s the story of a Super-Mom (Karen Le Billon) who moved to her husband’s native Northern France with her 2 small girls, and emerses herself into the foreign culture of French eating habits. Why do children there eat everything? They stay at the table for long hours! They don’t snack?! They aren’t afraid to eat new foods and their children are expected to eat it all?  Etc, etc. Principles my husband and I have tried to adopt since we started parenting, we found to be well and alive in the French culture.  And Karen Le Billion outlines how she turned her 2 incredibly picky eaters into food connoisseurs over her year of delving and applying the unspoken rules of French eating. A Brilliant read, and will really make you think about how you feed your family!!! I can’t say enough…so i’ll share more when it comes out in April. But you can pre-order here and hop on over to Karen’s blog here.

So…I highly recommend this book if:

1) You have desires to have a better eating experiences with your children (i.e. no food wars, healthy eating & overall happy experience)

2) If you are fascinated with the idea that there are other cultures in the world where cooking, eating, grocery shopping, and feeding your children are central (and very pleasurable) parts of the day

3) Love the growing trends of “slow food” and “real food” but don’t know how to bring that down to a family level

4) Want to know more about the WHY behind the often stereotypical French habits with food &  why they make for very happy, healthy children.

FRENCH KIDS EAT EVERYTHING is available for pre-order here.

So, I know none of these will be available until around March-ish….but I had to give you a little peek into what’s coming! I have more to share on both accounts, so stay tuned!

Eek! It feels like Christmas in February (February??? Already?) Maybe I’m the only one who’s excited here…but I’m just tickled to have been part of some really awesome projects. More soon!

Oh dear me! How is it we’re thinking of Valentines day already! Wow! Time just flies you guys!

I’m heading off to ALT Design Summit tonight and really look forward to getting dressed up and chatting with the ladies. There are just so many people I’m looking forward to hearing from! This amazing woman…and this one….and her and her….Ack! Where do I stop? The list goes on. If you are going, please say hello!

I just wanted to let you know I have some valentine’s appropriate goodies in the shop right now! Most are new from last year’s valentine’s collections as I have folded cards and book plates, necklaces and prints that might just do the trick for that special someone.

I’m having memories of my dad bringing me home a gift when he would come home from work on the night of Valentine’s Day. He’s kiss my mom, and then hand me a little something. Being in a family of all boys when I was a little girl, made that extra special.

Ok! Off to downtown…I’ll be sure to post about the great discussions at our panel.

Ta ta!

xo

sarah

* To keep my promise for 2011 I’m including artwork/doodles of mine in every post

I’m getting ready for ALT Design Summit next week, and I am really looking forward to it! It’s always so wonderful to meet and visit with creative movers and shakers…I always come away so inspired!

This year I’m speaking on a panel on Work : Life : Balance. Ha! As if I have it all figured out! I laughed out loud when they asked me to be on that panel.It’s the quest of my life.

But maybe that’s why I’m on the panel. It’s ALWAYS a work in progress. That’s the point. There is encouragement to be had in the mean time.

I’m wondering if any of you have any questions for me that I could bring up on the panel, address and write up here on the blog.

We’re all in this together. We’re all busy people trying to live beautiful lives. And though we are all at different stages, I think there are some great discussions to be had.

Like yesterday how I couldn’t participate in the long awaited planned for weeks conference call with my fellow panelists because I had a feverish flu bound 5 year old on my lap. Some things can just wait. Not the 5 year old, of course!

Anyways, If any of you have thoughts on work : life : creative: family balance that you want to open up here, I’d love to hear your thoughts, insights, questions, and advice!

And yes. It’s true. I have always wished I could pull off the wayfarer glasses look. It’s not flattering on everyone. Darn it all.

xoxo

sarah