No, it isn’t my birthday….it is Sarah Jane Studios 1 year anniversary!! WOW! I still can’t believe the shop has been going for an entire year! And what an amazing journey it has been the past 365 days! I truly believe that what you feel most comfortable doing as a child, you will find yourself doing as an adult…or wish you were doing, which if that is the case listen to your inner wishes! That is what I did. If you asked me when I was 7 what I wanted to be when I grew up, it was to be an artist and a mom, and maybe even have a shop. And presto: 22 years later, that is what I am doing! No…It hasn’t been easy…but it has been SO rewarding on so many levels!

So, the actual anniversary of my shop opening was on Oct. 4 (but I have been sick as well as husbandless the past several days which means ZERO mommy time) But we can’t have a birthday without a celebration!!! I just feel so grateful for the past year…the friends I have met, the support you have given…it is truly overwhelming sometimes. Thank you!!

This year’s present…in honor of the 12 months that have transpired…I am giving away 4 of my new calendars from my “month by month” series.! Yes, they are finally completed! I think you will just love them. These calendars are really more like a piece of art for your wall, with a few numbers that happen to be on the bottom. Just darling!

They will be in the shop by tonight for only $24. They will make the perfect gift, or mini art peice for that empty wall next to your phone or desk. Each page measures 8.5×5.5 inches and is completed with green grosgrain ribbon perfect for hanging!

But for you, my dear friends: A free gift from me!

To win a calendar, all you need to do is:

• enter a comment below with a suggestion for something you would like to see in my shop for next year
• Your name and a way to contact you (email, or blog link)
• Comments will be closed on Oct 10th at Midnight EST
• Check back on October 11th at to see the 4 lucky winners!

Thank you so much for all your support over this past year! I have loved getting to know you, and if I haven’t met you yet, pop in and say hello! I am nice…I promise:) In the mean time…Happy commenting!

Ok, so I am about ready to start putting my seasonal prints and stationary up for sale…but before I do, I would love to know what you think about this one. I am trying out a couple new things in photoshop, and I thought it was perfect for a vintage-y halloween spookiness. Haven’t decided if I want to order these as postcards…what do you think?

Today I am featuring sites to find GREAT KIDS MUSIC.
What music do you AND your kids love: That is the question.
(it’s your house…you should love it too!)

I could list hundreds of songs: but this is a short list of what my kids are loving right now.
Disclaimer: Itunes links weren’t working, so most links are youtube…some videos are dumb. Links were chosen for music not video:)

The Real Old Stuff:
Some of the vintage classics are on itunes, but you can also get CD’s at the library. I thought my kids wouldn’t like the sound quality or how out of date these are. Quite the opposite! This genre deserves a whole blog post by itself,but here are two of their favorites:

Whose afraid of the big bad woolf?
Vintage record version
Popeye the sailor man
My kids fall over in histerics over popeye’s laugh
The worry Song:
Gene Kelly and Jerry mouse dancing from the movie “Anchors Away.” LOVE Gene Kelly.
Here is the video: Your kids will LOVE this!!! (Have I said ‘love’ enough?)

Muppets:
Ok, so not that old at all. But a staple in our home. Check out the album from the first season, as well as this FAVORITE video. I just can’t ever get enough.
Manamana

Folk:
The Littlest Bird: three good tanyas
Don’t you love this group? And to have a song about/for children…even better.

James Taylor:
You just can’t go wrong. His music will put your kids to sleep, but also get them dancing. So easy to listen to!
Sweet Baby James: James Taylor
How sweet it is: James Taylor

Jack Johnson:
You can’t go wrong. My kids love ALL of his albums. these are favorites:
Upside Down
3R’s: Reduce resuse recycle
Better together
Banana Pancakes

Classical:
Peter and the wolf
Perfect to play make believe and act out the story. This link has the narration.
The most relaxing classical music in the world ever
Perfect for getting them calmed down before bedtime, or provide ambiance

Raffi:
Ok, so some of you will say no to this, but his music is so great for kids. soothing voice, songs from every culture, the most “kid song-ish” I will go.
Baby Beluga
Baa Baa black sheep

My new favorite artist: Asheba
No more monkeys
If you only listen to one song on this post, listen to this. Kids classics with a Jamaican rhythm. This song gave me a library fine (my kids listen to it everyday!!)

African:
The lion sleeps tonight
Best authentic rendition I have come across. Remember Graceland by Paul Simon? This is THAT South African group. My kids love the african vibe, and love acting this out.

Paul Simon:
Speaking of him, anything Paul Simon is a good choice.
I know what I know: zimbabwe performance
Father and Daughter: This is Addie and Kenneth’s Signature song

My new favorite CD that has the two songs above, plus more that I can’t find right now: Putumayo
World music for kids! I love it! My kids don’t realize that they are learning other languages!

Other great music:
Anything Tracy Chapman
King singers Kid’s Stuff (anyone know where to buy this? It is out of stock on Amazon)
Martha Stewart Kids: Playtime
Michael Buble: Everything
…etc etc etc…

EDIT: I just received a comment with a link to this site. An ENTIRE blog dedicated to children’s music! Yahoo! Hear it, love it share it.

OK: so this was a lot longer than I originally planned it to be. But now it is open to you:

What music to you AND your kids love??? Please share!

I will try and put together a compilation we can all access.

Hello visitors, welcome to Open Studio! It’s been a fun night here drawing and painting. The work is finished, and it’s time for comments and critiques. Sit back, relax and have a look.

Now that you are visitors today, I am opening up the art studio for comments. I want to know which one you like the best. Or which one you would hang in your daughter’s room (or yours, or your sisters…) I am really interested, cause I just don’t know myself! All opinions welcome.

1) Blue

2) Chalkboard

3) artist paper color

4) green grass

Ok. Maybe you don’t like any of them, but this is open studio time, so if you don’t like any, tell me, but be nice. I want to make a few more prints to match, so which ever background you like will help me to draw up more little lammies. And please…even if I have never seen you around before…pipe up! All opinions welcome.

Thanks!