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

A bit of news:  LUCKY magazine, the seasonal LUCKY KIDS insert to be exact, featured my blog in their best blog round up!

Wow. That was fun to see!

And what made me smile, is that the thumbnail image is my son’s head. He has a cute head. But he’s 5, and I don’t know if I’ll show him that his profile is shared with Jessica Simpson. Not just yet at least. Don’t want him to get any ideas, you know?

No, really…I’m really so flattered that they’d choose my blog as “The Best Blogs” in their Winter issue! Wow. Really. Wow. Thanks so much Lucky!

As part of the feature, I’ll be GUEST BLOGGING this week at LUCKY KIDS with a daily round up of handmade, creative, and great finds for the holidays. I used to blog more about my favorite things…but now thanks to twitter, pinterest, etc. I can post things like that there. So this was fun to put together! Come say hi!

And as promised, I can’t finish a post with out a sketch from my current sketchbook.

I’ve been thinking about cold bunnies lately. You?

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!

Confession: I don’t draw very much. Well, for how much I really should be pulling out pencil and paper as an illustrator, I just don’t.

I can think of a few good reasons:

3 busy children. Laundry. Cooking. School Lunches. Sleep. Studio deadlines. Email. Homework. Driving. Errands. Phone calls. Church service. Dishes. Playing with kids. Cleaning.

Well, all that said, I really wish I had more time to just draw what I was thinking. Cause that’s how I think. In pictures and words.

But at the same time, as an illustrator, I need to be working at it every day if I ever want to get where I want to be.

I’ve tried to think of a motivation for a long time…but I finally found a way give myself the motivation to sketch every day.

I really like blogging. It takes time. I’m fast at it now, but it still takes time. I’m not willing to give up blogging to make more time to create, so I’ve decided to do what my blog actually says: “Illustrate Childhood.”

I hereby commit to having an illustration in every single blog post from here on out!

There. I said it.

Ha ha. Just watch…I won’t blog as much now:)

No…this is just what I need.   I need be sketching every day, and I’m telling the universe so that I can’t slack off. And if anything…this place will get a lot more interesting:)

I’ll still have photos…but I’m always going to have some art.

Deal? Deal.

And speaking of the lack of time I have to illustrate, here’s what my darling sweet 2 1/2 year old looks like when she is supposed to be napping: She comes out of her room, tip-toes oh so daintily down the hallway, and freezes in this very pose as soon as she sees me.   And then she stands there..arms out, tongue out, avoiding my glance…completely frozen in place until I pick her up.

You know when you want to laugh so hard, but you can’t … so you turn your face away and hold it? But the tears are coming and your stomach hurts?

That happens to me about 1:30 p.m. every afternoon in the family room. Just me and her.

Right now, she’s winning. I mean, how can you get upset? It stinks to have cute kids.

The holiday items are all up in the shop!

(I know…I’m still in denial that it’s not August any more!)

First, I have to tell you how excited I am about this new Nutcracker embroidery pattern! I have high hopes to get another Christmas design in the shop very soon…but while I’m working, you can get started on this new stitching design!

This is a PDF Download only, and it features Clara, the Nutcracker, the first melodic line of the Nutcracker Mini-Overture, and the handwritten title. Can you hear the music? “Dun–da da da dat dun– da da da da da dunnnn- dunnn ” Ahhh….I ‘m getting excited for Christmas already!

And new this year, Holiday Greeting Cards!

In years past, I’ve always had postcards of my holiday images. Now there are folded holiday greeting cards! yay!

Gift tags: both Adhesive and hanging tags! I asked on facebook and twitter a while back, which you’d prefer, and you guys on twitter said hang tags, and all you on facebook said adhesive tags. What’s going on with that? It was really funny. So I got both! Easy peasy lemon squeesy.

And…in addition…

even PDF printable tags for all you last minute people:)

Bookplates are here too! 

These signed bookplates will come directly from me, if you want a signed Christmas Goodnight Book. I am not able to sell my book in my shop, so this was the closest I could get! Wish I could write a message on all your books, but I designed this little stick on bookplate to look beautiful next to the title page for you:) I’m happy to write a little message too!

And…dun dun dun…

The CALENDAR!

This year’s calendar is So bright and cheery. It’s all my new prints including a few super new ones I’ll be showing later!

And saving the best for last,  a new holiday print called, “For Unto You”. In addition to the Santa Maria.

This print, if you’ve read A Christmas Goodnight, really goes a long just perfectly.The boy look a little different, but the lamb and baby Jesus are the same.

Have you ever thought about that scripture said so often at Christmas? When you think about it, those two emphasized words really speak the meaning of Christmas. It’s ultimately about You and Him.

So Christmas is here, folks! There are more items to see over in the holiday section, so hop on over. I just can’t get enough of the holidays myself. I love all of it.

Signing off w/ holiday hugs,

sarah j.