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

We have bandit chickens at our house. 19 of them.

I’m drowning in deadlines at the moment ( the catchup after the holiday was a bit stark! Yes?) and the only thing that is keeping me from insanity (I get a little mad-scientist-ish when I’m working tight deadlines) is hearing that BAHK-BAHK-B-B-B-BAHK-ing from the chickens. They are the funniest creatures on the planet.

This afternoon, Ella and I had an afternoon nap on the front yard (the place the chickens aren’t supposed to get to when we let them roam…ahem) and I hear that familiar crinkling sound of the dried leaves (oh ya…did I mention that we live in Utah and it still hasn’t snowed? I don’t get it.)

Anyways.

Chickens: “Rustle, Rustle, click, clack. B-BAHK!”  Right in my face.

Translation: “Hi. I just jumped the fence and escaped and broke all the chicken laws. And now I’m going to tell you about it.”

Yes, escape. We have bandit chickens.

Have you ever seen a chicken jump? Aside from an awkward teenager doing the Mackarana, I can’t really give you a better idea of how histerically funny looking they are. We let the chickens have free reign in the yard, and while our fences are enclosed, there is one particular chicken, Snowflake (the only chicken that looks different than the rest) makes it a point to go as far as she can every time.  It’s become a game now. And besides the fact that she dug up our tulip bulbs in the front yard, it’s really pretty funny.

But we have pretty awesome chicken catchers. Yep. We start ‘em young.

It’s as close to sports as we get in our house.

If you need a good laugh this weekend, I recommend chasing a chicken. Or at least imagining yourself chase a chicken.

See? Gotcha.

Have an awesome friday.

I came across a poem in October that I haven’t been able to get out of my mind.

Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

~ W.B. Yeats

Do you know that one? I found it while watching videos of this brilliant man, and he referred to it in regards to eductation and what we are offering our children.

It makes me think about what children offer to the world, and how we, in the name of responsibility, sense, reason or just plan ignorance, often sweep it underfoot. Or, worse, step on it.  Sometimes twice. It makes me pause to think.

I am still a dreamer. And yet I am responsible for 3 little dreamers. I take that very seriously. Very.

I watched the Muppet Movie over Christmas holiday. I cried. Twice. And not just because I am a Muppet Fan. But because I believe in dreams. The basic good in people. The power of seeing something that doesn’t yet exist, but could. That’s what life is about really. Chasing the things that really matter, but might seem silly in the eyes of an ever changing world.

So this year, I’m resolving to do more than just lose weight, get our little home more organized,  journal our family’s life better, and be healthier (which was last year’s list. And the year before…oh dear.)

This year, I’m resolving to lose the stress and let the harsh world stay away a little bit more.

Laugh more

Dream more

Pay attention to silly ideas

Color my world brighter

Listen to those tiny whispers of an idea

Get on the floor and play more

You’d think that because I’m an artist for children that I spend my days in la-la land with pencils and crayons, creating mermaids and rockets with my kids all day. Ha! I wish.  On the contrary, I’m constantly in a battle between the stresses of motherhood and my own creativity.  It’s a balancing act that I fight for every day. Truly.

Like today, when I had a fantastic idea I wanted to illustrate on even just scrap paper or a napkin even…but we ended up doing dental work on one child, a spontaneous new school visit for another child, a no nap day for the other child….and pretty soon my mind is in a “can we afford this?…My kitchen is a mess!…how can we rearrange our schedule to make this work?…Ack! the library books are due….Ooops…I forgot to call so-and-so….Don’t forget to go sign the kid’s school papers….Turn around…you missed the exit….” and so on and so on.  Not to mention the hours and hours of work I do daily.

The Mommy Brain I call it. And while that is all part of being a parent, it challenges the space I have in my heart for the things that make life beautiful, or are too whimsical to make it to the top of the list. And oooooooh that list gets long. The stress of a parent is my biggest enemy.  I confess that I’ve become a worrier. Something a parent can only really understand.  You know what I mean?

Silly, really.

So this year….2012

I’m waking up more lighthearted. I’m believing in what’s in my gut. I’m listening to my children’s unfinished and messy ideas. I’m offering my heart and not my head. I’m letting go of the worry.

What about you? Are you re-evaluating the way you are seeing this year?

Me too.

xo

sarah

Oh! PS:

I almost forgot to tell you! I don’t think that I mentioned that the 2012 Calendar is 50% off now! There’s a limit on these ones…just so you are aware. And I while I made these last year, it sure seems to fit my feelings as of late:)

Available here and here.

This is Mary’s profile from from the book. I liked it so much, I wanted to repaint it.  So serene, silent and calm. I’m thinking of just that as I enter this Christmas Season.  Turning off the noise, and focus on Christmas.

It’s time to sign off for the year. Time to tune things down, celebrate and contemplate. I’m thinking of all my blessings. All the miracles of this year. All the struggles and the weights on my shoulders…and how they’ve made me stronger. All the ways in which the Lord has blessed our little family, as we’ve journeyed and adventured one more year together.

The reality is, that’s its all so wonderful.

My heart is just really full.

I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday Season and New Year!

I’ll see you all in 2012!

Love to you and yours,

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 have a fox in my kitchen. A really awesome-fun-to-be-around-fox. He’s a chef. And he cooks things. And while you never know what you are going to get, it’s always really really good.

Massaman Curry? Yum. Chocolate Torte with Raspberry? Yes please. Rustic European loaf with imported cheese? Love.

Today was cranberry apple bread and homemade turkey soup. Tomorrow will be something completely different.

But here’s the problem. He’s an artist in the kitchen. And like me, he’s hard to pin down. He is sneaky and mysterious and you never know what he will invent. Although, you never worry, because it’s always a.maz.ing.

The problem? I can’t get him to write a single thing down. Mostly because he is a busy father. But also, because he never makes the same thing twice. And really, that’s what it takes to write down your recipes. First time is the playing, and the second time is the recollecting.

So this is where I am putting on a little pressure. We all need a little, right?  I’ve been wanting to illustrate more food lately, and I’ve convinced him that I’d illustrate his recipes if he wrote a few down. How does that sound? Pretty wonderful. His mother will love us for it. He’s going to love me for it. And every one else who has been privileged to be at his table.

So, 2012…the year of some illustrated recipes? Maybe even prints? Hmmmm…..smells good;)

Ok. I am officially giddy over this post.

We’ve been up to a little something here in the studio…me and the elves  kids have been feverishly creating a little Nutcracker world, and we’re all a bunch of giddy little sugar plums over it.

I’ve been wanting to make these for a while, and I just couldn’t wait any longer. This weekend we were decorating gingerbread houses and watching the Maurice Sendak version of the Nutcracker with the Pacific Northwest Ballet. And the kids were glued. We’ve been acting it out ever since!

So we made this Puppet Theater set. I say “we” because it was really a joint effort. The kids would play, and I’d draw it out, and we’d imagine together what all the characters looked like.

Here’s a little video of us putting these together. It’s taken with my iphone (note to self…always hold the phone horizontal, not vertical when making movies!)

I’m getting a little obsessed with imovie. I used it for the first time last night making this…and um….I can see a lot more of these in my future. So super easy and fun!

So. This is what we’ve done. we’ve made the these PDF downloads (like the Peter and the Wolf Puppet Theater kit that has been so, so popular) and I’m including the story and music clips below so that you can act out the story right here! There are 13 characters…enough for literally hours of play.

*Disclaimers:

1) Not all characters were created. I had to stop somewhere!

2) These should be cut out by an adult. They do have tiny parts, and so give yourself some time to carefully cut

3) This is a DOWNLOAD only. Instructions are included in the download for printing, brads, etc.

You can purchase the PDF download here.

So…are you ready? Get out your dolls….and play along!

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THE NUTCRACKER SUITE

ACT I 

PARTY SCENE

The Overture

Clara’s family is having a Christmas party.  She and her little brother Fritz dance and decorate the tree.  Soon Clara’s mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer arrives and gives her a special toy nutcracker.  Fritz pretending to be a soldier, breaks the Nutcrackers jaw and the doll is broken.  As Clara cries, kind Drosselmeyer ties his scarf around the Nutcracker and fixes him.

CLARA DANCES WITH HER NUTCRACKER

Clara and the Nutcracker

Clara Dances with her Nutcracker.  Relieved her new toy is fixed, Clara dances with the Nutcracker and pretends he is really a hansom prince.

THE MOUSE KING AND NUTCRACKER FIGHT

The Battle

Clara falls asleep and shrinks to the size of the toys.  The Mouse King appears and the Nutcracker comes alive to defend Clara.  The Nutcracker fights bravely, but after a long battle the Mouse King knocks the Nutcracker to the ground.  Clara throws her shoe at the Mouse King and distracts him long enough for the Nutcracker to kill him.          

CLARA AND THE PRINCE DANCE

Pas de Deux

The Nutcracker becomes a hansom prince and dances with Clara.

TRAVEL THROUGH THE SNOWY WOOD

Waltz of the Snowflakes

The Nutcracker Prince and Clara travel through a snowy forest on the way to his Kingdom.  Snow fairies and the Snow Queen dance all around them.

ACT II: LAND OF THE SWEETS

Clara and the Nutcracker Prince arrive in the Land of Sweets.  Sweets from around the world come to dance in turn for Clara, and thank her for defeating the Mouse King.

ARABIAN DANCE

Arabian Dance

CHINESE DANCE

Chinese Dance

 RUSSIAN DANCE

Russian Dance

WALTZ OF THE FLOWERS

Waltz of the Flowers

SUGAR PLUM FAIRY

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

FINAL WALTZ

Drosselmeyer joins Clara and the Prince as everyone dances together.  Clara and the Prince are crowned rulers of the Land of Sweets.  (In some early versions Clara stays in the Land of Sweets and the ballet ends.  In others the prince takes her home, or she wakes up in bed with the doll in her arms realizing it was all a dream.  Pick the ending you like best.  I’ve never seen two identical productions. )

THE END

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Wasn’t that fun? I am feeling like I’m 7 again…all tingly and magical. Gosh, I love this music!

I had so much fun making this….I might even add more characters next year, but this, I think, is plenty! And look! They even can double as Christmas Ornaments when you are done. Or for practicing your ballet positions in your spare time!

YOU CAN PURCHASE THE PDF DOWNLOAD HERE.

Really. Paper Toys are so under rated. These kept my 5 year old boy busy all weekend. Gotta love paper dolls.

Merry Christmas!

xo

sarah jane