Happy Site Friday: Bansky outdoors


Maybe you have seen these images floating around cyberspace, but regardless if these are new or not....don't they just make you happy?


I am attracted to people who strive to make the world a more beautiful place...who make a difference. And though it seems Bansky's efforts are in pointing to truth in Human behavior, something about painting on the walls of ghetto buildings makes me smile. I won't be showing my kids this site (mine would go recreate this on the bathroom wall with crayons). But be inspired. Go make the world a better place today. In whatever medium, in whatever style, in whatever form.

Hello.
Smile.
Pick up a piece of litter.
Write a letter.
Give blood.
Hold a child.
Say thank you.

Happy Friday everyone!

xoxo,
sarah jane

We're back!

Wow. Let's just say wow. It is 10am, and my kids are still asleep because they still are on Hawaii time. I think I still have sand in my hair. I couldn't fall asleep last night because I couldn't hear the ocean. I didn't know what to have for breakfast because we don't have fresh papaya on the counter. I wanted to walk to the grocery store this morning...barefoot. My typing is really bad because i haven't touched a keyboard in two weeks. I am looking for rainbows out of my office window. We had to buy Ian new crocks before getting on the plane because they were too small...but we didn't realize it until then because he hadn't worn shoes all week. I can't smell plumerias outside my front door. There is no ocean breeze to keep the hair out of my face. My husband is leaving for work right now, and I had to remind him to put a shirt on. There was no rooster to wake me up this morning. And I may not make complete sense yet...Red-eye flights with toddlers and a four hour time difference takes a while to adjust. But then, so does coming home from a tropical paradise.

I could write novels about our trip, but here is the abridged version:

We stayed on the North Shore of Oahu for two weeks for a family reunion on my husband's side (benefits of my husband's parents) and RELAXED. We also did a lot of this

and this

and this

and this

and this

and this

and every day, my eyes were filled with images of this

and this

and this


If the North Shore is a familiar place to you, then the words Ted's bakery, Giovani's shrimp, Sunset Beach, Wiamaia Bay, Ke Nui road, Chocolate Haupia pie, Huuala Korean BBQ, PCC, Rosalani ice cream, Turtle Bay, Sharks Cove, giant sea turtles, beached seals, rainbows, liquid sunshine, Motsumotos, Kua Aina, slow driving, malasadas, lychee, kuhuku land farms, red raiders, and sunset surfing are words you don't ever want erase from your daily vocabulary.


There is nothing like watching your children fall in love with the sand and the ocean. Especially when I have 50 years of history on this Island, it makes me so happy that my kids are creating memories of sand and sea. Addie cried all the way to the airport " I don't want to leave Hawaii alone!!!!" Oh, we cried with her. The land and ocean here speak to me, and teaches me how to just "BE". The people here are beautiful because they are so open and genuine and take care of eachother. Remembering these things is always the challenge when I come back from this place, but I am determined to carry the ALOHA spirit...even in a world full of deadlines and filled-to-the-brim living.

But, now we are BACK!!! and as sad as I was to leave my favorite place on earth, I am really excited to show you all the exciting projects I have ahead. Two weeks of a vacation is long when you are soul owner of a business...but can I tell you: I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!!!! I am refreshed, renewed and rejuvinated. I can't wait to dive into all the ideas I have flooding.


So...thanks for checking in, and sorry for the pause. But come back, pull up a chair and have a chat. Lots of new exciting things in the works. Hope to see you around!

Battles and Bridges.

Still here. Heading out soon, and wishing I was there already.

Found this last year, and forgot about it until today. We all have these thoughts. Well, at least I do, and I am in constant change and motion as an artist and person that I sometimes fall into these traps. You? Call it the perfectionist in me fighting with the free spirit in me. They go to battle every once in a while (ok...a lot). Who wins? Who ever I allow.

OK, so can you tell I have had a hard battle this week? The hardest part is recognizing these mean evil ideas that creep in and having the confidence to push them away. Or in some cases, when they really don't want to leave and it seems like they are setting up camp in your brain, burning their villages down. These thoughts are ALWAYS a trap, and I have to admit that I fall in more than I would like to. This week's battle, I think Mr. Free spirit won. I hope.

Enjoy your weekend!

PS: found on Keri Smith's illustration/author blog. She posted this last year. You will find lots more deep/humorous thoughts on her blog. Enjoy!

Happy Site Friday: Creative Thursday

Hello! Have a seat! Tea? Hot cocoa? So glad you came by today cause I have a special friend with us today. Marisa is joining us for a little while, and I can't wait for you to meet her. If you haven't yet, then well, you are in for a treat. Plan on making a new friend today!

When I was first figuring out how to get my art into the world, I began doing research and came across this lovely lady's site. She is just full of passion, color, creativity and life and she loves to share it. Her studio? Creative Thursday came about when she was working 9-5 in an office and needed to set aside time to be her true artistic self, which just happened to be on Thursdays. She made a note to herself: Must do this more! She started a daily painting exercise, began blogging, posting on ETSY, and well, the rest is history. She has made quite the career for herself and has been able to quit her 'day job' and do what she truly loves. And just to give you a sense of her approach to things, she found her artist title in quite the circuitous way before finding her true life's calling. From acting to interior design to marketing...she has learned to not be scared to do what you TRULY love. And in her graceful, sharing way, she shares lessons and advice from her experiences for other artists and creative minds. Some artists are very closed about how they find success in their art. Marisa is completely different. She sees the need for artists to support each other. She has found her own journey, recognizes everyone else has their own journey, and is passionate about helping other's along the way. She is truly a generous and good person!

Marisa has put together a very wonderful site full yummy pictures, podcasts, blog posts, and even scheduled workshops, so I won't try and duplicate that here. But I will say, she has invited you over to visit and have a look around. She truly is fearless and so passionate and loving. Though I haven't met her yet, I plan on making a visit the next time I am in L.A. If you are an artist, have creative aspirations, Marisa's journey will inspire you. She does a little of everything:

From this:


To This:
To this:

To this:

A message from Marisa:

"When you visit this site I hope you feel inspired to be more creative in your own life, and to surround yourself with color as you can't help but feel happy and alive in its presence. Just remember there is no limit to what we can do when we live to be FREE, Happy and TRUE and be CREATIVE every day, especially THURSDAYS!"

She loves what she does and believes that 'starving artist' is a phrase of the past. You CAN make a living doing what you love. Thank you Marisa! We hope to stay a while!

For more yummy creative thursday, visit:

Her ETSY shop
OOpsy Daisy
Urban Outfitters
Her blog

Wanna trade me?

Ok. In my next life I am going to be a seamstress. I especially wish I had this talent because my little Addie, is well, little. Her waist and bum is the size of an 18 month old, but she is tall, so she is a size 3 in length. Problem? Shorts just fall off her. Solution? Handmade skirts and summer dresses. I have made a few, and it is all she wears.

Here is my proposition: I need one more summer dress before our family takes a 2 week long trip to Hawaii in June. I KNOW that many of you are great seamstresses...I read your blogs!I am looking for a pillowcase dress in exchange for some prints. The only catch is I would need it in 2 weeks. I have had this beautiful Amy Butler fabric and am happy to mail it to you. So, if you are interested in a really fun trade, email me (my email is on my profile page). I feel kinda silly, but the truth is, Addie mostly sports around in her underwear unless she is wearing a skirt or slip on dress! Any takers??


Don't you love Amy Butler's new line? Me too.

Here is an example of what I didn't get around to making:

(photo from molly coddle)

Thanks yo guys! You are the best!

Happy Site Friday: Magnolia Square


Today I travel to Melbourne, Australia. Get your plane ticket ready and take a weekend shopping trip! I don't know about you, but I need a weekend with the girls, and this one is going to be great! Wanna come?

Ok, Ok. The travel time alone would take all weekend, so let's just click over to here. Magnolia Square is a shoppers paradise with over 150 unique artisan retailers all in one central location. I found their blog and was instantly wishing I lived on the other side of the world. 7 months ago (Pre-Sarah Jane ETSY shop) I really had no desire to visit the land down under. But since over half of my international customers are from Australia, I have made some wonderful friends....all who I am sure would love to go shopping with me this weekend in Melbourne. Australia is so supportive of all things handmade, and I may just be taking a trip soon!

(click on the image to see the website)


Back to Magnolia square. Aren't these images just tempting? Thankfully (for all of us who can't afford a 16 hour plane ride) Magnolia square has a blog where they feature their favorite finds...most of whom have websites! Horray for virtual shopping!



Enjoy! And if any of you manage to find cheap airfair, let me know!

ETSY FIND: Peek-a-boo Prints

I am constantly amazed at the talent I find on ETSY. Mom's just like me and dreamers just like me trying their talent out in a thriving market. I want to start highlighting the yummy people and products that are out there.

To start, I bring to you Peek-a-boo-Prints by Jenny. She just happens to be my best friend in the whole world , but ever since those college roommate days, I have been so impressed with her artistic abilities (which span far and wide folks!) She 'gets' childhood and motherhood, and she has started to draw and sell her artwork! Horray!!! ETSY is the place for artists right now, and I am so glad that she is tapping in on all that ETSY has to offer. Jenny's work is sweet and honest, and comes straight from her own experience as a mom. Just lovely!

Here are some of my favorites:

Don't you love this 'sign' series?

I love this black and white sketch as well...so simple and fresh.
And how darling for a boy's room!

Jenny also has a true-to-life-hilarious blog. She has 3 wild and darling boys and with it lots of stories that will make you roll over. Check out her shop and her blog. You are in for a treat!