Once again: attempting the impossible.

Hello! And Happy Friday!Wow...thanks for all your lovely responses to my internship post. I'm learning more and more how wonderful it is to be part of such a wonderful creative community. Not all communities are gracious and wonderful, and I'm just so happy to be associated with such genuine people! Thank you! I had a much bigger response than I can use, but I'm once again reminded that though I work from home by myself....we really are all so willing to help each other. Thank you!

I've just come back from a quick spin to NYC (which was a fantastic adventure that I'll share next week) so I've been absent from here for a bit.

But before I do that...I'm asking you for some advice. Parenting advice. So I think I have the Easter picture curse. Do you? Or is it just me? You probably don't remember these pictures, but this is how every Easter measures up.

Don't get me wrong: I adore these pics....so much! But sometimes I just wish I could capture that single picture where everyone is looking at the camera...everything is in focus, and the children look happy and relaxed. Just one!

Seriously. I think I took like 157 pictures. The lighting was beyond perfect. It was minutes before church (and we were actually dressed and ready early!) but I honestly couldn't get all 3 to look at me let alone give me a natural smile. We were all laughing the whole way...because they really are meant for the stage and come up with the wittiest things to say and do with each other. But every year, we end up with the silly pics (which depicts real life for sure!)

I laugh, because the only shot where I got them all to look at the camera was when I told them to act like Kings and Queens  (which I realize was a silly request because I guess Kings and Queens don't smile much. Oops!)

So, suggestions welcome for how to get a group of overly loving and dramatic children to hold still and look pleasant for the camera? I really think the answer is wearing your camera during waking hours all day everyday, so that when the moment comes, you are ready. Not very good at that one.

So, do share: are your good pics on accident? Or do you have tricks. I have a whole year to practice:)

Although, I do have to say...when they are on their own, they are magic. Heart-breaker, he is.

HAPPY WEEKEND!

xo

sarah

INTERNSHIP

***I'm interrupting this space for a quick announcement***

So around these parts, things are getting busy. Quilt Market is coming up, and I've got some projects I'm working on, and I'm looking for an intern!

Interested? Know anyone who would like to know the ins and outs of running a creative studio?

I'm currently looking for 1-2 helpers from now until the end of May who can:

1) Handle a paint brush, glue gun and love craft projects

2) Basic sewing/handle fabric

3) Knowledge of Photoshop and/or Illustrator would be preferable

4) Has their own car and be willing to run errands

5) Be willing to drive to Provo, Utah 3+ days a week

6) Likes to eat homemade bread

I'm looking for someone who can be available through the end of May, but it could possibly be extended based on need.

Please email me directly at sarah (at) sarahjanestudios (dot) com

Thanks so much! xoxo

Let them play.

I think a lot of how children play. I marvel at it. I wonder at it. Getting inside their minds and seeing all the amazing worlds they are creating.  I guess it's a good thing I do what I do: raise children, make things and draw for them. I seriously consider myself lucky every single day. It's seriously the most beautiful thing to observe a child at play.

Here's our photo journal of play this past month.

Here's my ode to childhood imagination, as promised with a sketch for each post.

There is so much going on in those minds. Amazing what goes on in their world.

PS: Shop update coming very soon:) Stay tuned!

And that made the difference.

So I think one of the reasons I've slowed down blogging a bit (besides the obvious need to have larger chunks of creative time) is that I've been wrapped up in parenting stuff with all 3 kids going through tricky "phases." Just phases...but they catch me off guard every time. I mean, just the normal stuff, really. All good, just the tiring kind, you know? I guess it never occurred to me how much mental and emotional effort I was spending until this week when I realized that all 3 were going through their "phases" all at the same time.  Which, you know, means 3 different types of parenting, at the same time, all the time, and with equal intensity (they don't get their intensity from their mother at all....).  I'm used to this. Aren't we all? But sometimes I forget how tired it can make you. Like a one-man show playing all the characters. Jim Carey must get tired a lot. I digress.

They are my love. And they are so smart. Smarter than me sometimes.

So Tuesday, I went to get the mail, I was feeling really low. Not sad, just tired, and just empty emotionally. You know?

And guess what? I went out to get the mail, and it was like Christmas. I couldn't believe it.

There were no joke 4 packages waiting there. With my name on them.

I got 3 books that I'd ordered over a month ago from Europe, that I'd been waiting to see forever (one of them I've waited to get for 4 years!)

I'll post more on these later. They are just beautiful. This one I was introduced to by my cousin who brought these home from Germany 4-5 years ago, and I've been trying to find it ever since.  Fiete Anders is the name, (which is a play on words as ANDERS in German means different or unique) and is about a red and white striped sheep that feels alone in the world until he starts to see other things with red and white stripes. Absolutely darling. Just look at the shape of the book. I'm in love.

This French book, Sha Salome by  illustrator  Loic Clement I've been following for some time. Just came out. Just charming. I love that cat.

And then, one of the ladies that sewed for me at market, sent me this hand embroidered tea towel, which translates to say "It's always a good time for tea and macaroons" coupled with this needle book with my fabric, and a Scandinavian crewel embroidery kit. She made these just "because" she know I'd like them. My faith in the goodness of people is getting stronger every day. I was stunned and amazed.

But I kept opening....last was a scarf from a special person who saw this striped scarf and thought of my bunny who loves to wear the same.

I couldn't believe it.

I sat there with my jaw dropped. And then I cried.

Ask my husband. He was there. I mean, really? It's those little things that get you through.That get you out of your funk, and give you the energy to step it up and keep going. With a smile.

Parcels in the mailbox addressed to you with ribbons and bows.

Pretty things from pretty people really make the difference sometimes.  Don't they?

It's all the sunshine people need sometimes.

I've renewed my commitment to be a better gift giver.  What a day. Happy Friday!!

xo

sarah

PS: Are you on instagram? I'm showing up there more. So easy to document those little things with a phone in hand. I'd love to follow you too! @sarahjanestudios

Free applique pattern, studio improvements & hello!

Well, this blogging once a week thing is proving to be much better with my new schedule as of late. As I've been required to dig a little deeper into projects (which is always really hard to do in short spurts of free time) I find myself consolidating all over the place. The house is getting rearranged, my studio space and craft room is getting a make over, and I'm even rearranging our big hall closet. Spring is in the air I guess (eek! I love this time of year!) and I'm getting more aware of how to get more organized and how to make for more focused art time.

Although I still intend to endorse this quote from A. A. Milne.

"One of the advantages of being disorderly, is that one is constantly making new discoveries."

Amen to that.

One of the projects I've been up to is writing up this template and pattern for the Michael Miller Blog this weekend. So fun! Mostly it was an excuse for me to FINALLY write up this pattern for a quilt I designed for Quilt Market a bajillion months ago (ok, 9 months ago). Quilt Market was such a buzz, and I needed so much help to put a booth together in one week (I'm still trying to block those days and nights out  of my memory!) and Amy Smart quilted this up for me. She is amazing, as you know. All I did was draw up a pattern (scribbled, really) and she made it happen. I've been asked for the template ever since, and I finally got around to it!

So hop on over to the Michael Miller Blog and check it out!

The downloadable Template is HERE and the instructions are on the blog HERE.

I've been getting back into sewing a bit more too. Something about spring coming. I haven't really been sewing anything since market, but mostly because me sewing machine keeps breaking down, and my sewing room has been a perpetual mess.

Bleh. Time for a makeover! Can't wait to get started. So many ideas!

Me and my sister in law's have been working on this quilt for my newest nephew, and I'm about ready to have it quilted up. It turned out so well. His parents are both scientists, so the rocket theme was perfect!

Oh! And speaking of spaces, I finally got a couch in the studio! Finally a place for the kids to crash and hang out, and for me to snuggle up and sketch. It's made our space so much more cozy. But now I have to figure out what to put on the walls! Ideas?

And to finish with something I've sketched/doodled, I've resurrected a very, very old piece. This was one of the original pieces in my shop that I pulled up from forever ago it seems.  Addie just started ballet again, and dance has been on my mind. It's always a bit weird to go through really old files, and see how much I've changed in 4 years. Anyways, this was done 4 years ago, but it's fun to bring back.

Have a super-duper week. And don't forget to swing by the Michael Miller blog!

xo

sarah

just to be in check with ya...

Hello there!

So, let's talk about blogging a bit.

I'm not blogging as much lately. Have you noticed? This bothers me! But I'm also chin deep in projects that I just can't talk about and I wish I could (wink, wink;) This is a tricky business! Wanting so much to be in the conversation, but not really able to share what I'm presently doing. Hmmmmmmm. I'm in the middle of figuring all this out. Any suggestions?

I've been learning a lot about myself this year. I'm learning that using my gifts is essential to my happiness, and I have such a supportive husband and family! It also means that I protect my family time with valiance. And since I've been involved in more projects that really take a ton of artistic focus, I've found that breaking away and chatting has been happening less and less! Maybe nobody here minds, but I've missed it!

So, I may or may not be blogging every other day like I used to. Who knows. I just had to come out here and say that it might just be less than normal so that I can be true to what I value most. Maybe not. Maybe it will pick up again. But I've been so happy posting many times in a week, and with my renewed focus to produce more art, I'm getting here less and less.

I value the conversations we have here so much!  That's not going anywhere....I just have to be honest and say that I might just be hopping in once a week now. Do you mind?

I'd be lying if I said that raising a family, running a business and getting lost in illustration by night isn't a hard juggling act. It's a VERY satisfying one, and I have the most amazing husband on the planet (who's just as creative and crazy, so he gets it!) But I will be honest in saying that there are plenty of things to keep in check, and I may be putitng all my efforts into one post a week, versus 3. But again. No rules...just filling you in.

I'm on facebook book with little updates all the time if you do feel like checking in more! I just love you guys! This whole community ROCKS!

I'm off to pack and head to the airport for a little R&R with my parents and siblings this weekend. Haven't been home in almost 2 years. My how time flies.Yay for mini-weekend trips!

Love and kisses, and as always...thank you!!!!

PS: My inspiration boards are growing rapidly. All art by me, except the quote and the dress. Ahoy!

Sarah

Art lessons in the studio

So my kids are learning a lot of art lately, and it's not from me.

I don't usually work when the kids are around, but when I have to, it's so fun to have them in with me. It's really small (12 x 12 feet) but the children love to squeeze  their way in to do art with me as much as they can. Addie likes to paint with me while I'm working on the computer, and though we use the kitchen table when we are all art making, the studio seems to get used quite a bit.

But while I'm an artist, I don't actually spend much time teaching the kids. They get to use the space as they want (ahem-Ella), and get inspired by what ever is in their head.

So I've wanted to post here for a while a favorite book of ours that the kids love to pull out when they are art making. (I posted this when I was guest blogging for Lucky Magazine and I forgot to mention here!)

This Charley Harper book gets used a lot...and not for flipping through on the coffee table. But while they paint.  It's big, it's heavy (lays on the table really nicely) and while I love that they are learning about such an amazing artist, I really love how it's a visual art lesson on how to see nature in terms of shapes and color.  It's a brilliant activity to have the kids browse through the book and copy his painting, or interpret them their own way.

So try it! You can even just pull up images online on your computer or ipad or whatever, and it will seriously keep your kids drawing forever, and really thinking about shape, color and line in all that they see around them.

It's so fun to see kids be artists at home. Man...if I didn't have kids at home, I think I'd want to be an art teacher. It's so exciting to see them have so much confidence in their work. Something I am constantly learning from them every day.

I'm working on cozying up the studio. So I should have more pics to show you soon! I'm thinking about a couch...perfect for curling up and sketching. AND having a place to sit when the kids take over the art table:)

Oops! And EDIT:

(can't have a post without some art!)

Rumor has it that a lot of you readers are kids, who like to see new art on my blog. Is that true? If so, tell me what this little bunny is doing in the comments below. I'd love to hear your ideas!

It's good to get out: ALT recap.

Hello! I feel like I've been away for so long!

Alt Design Summit was wonderful as always. I can't tell you how much I love speaking at conferences. It's the kick in the pants I need to get in front of people and articulate what I've learned, and  it shapes my own growth so much! We had a really great panel, and I'm so lucky to have gained 3 new sisters!Kathryn Storke Grady (Snippet & Ink) Brooke Reynolds (Inchmark) and Chrysula Winegar are not only so incredibly talented, but they are just so so lovely in the way they see and use their lives. Such dear ladies. We'd never met, but we're like sisters now! What a treat to speak with them!

I only ended up staying for one full day as it's really hard to be away from my darling monkeys at home. But this year at ALT I was able to visit with my fellow textile and fabric peeps! I am never good at taking pics at these kinds of events cause I'm always so busy gabbing! Most of us are all probably working in our PJ's most of the time (ahem....that's me!) so dressing up and hanging out together was extra fun. Dinner with Arianne of Aeolidia (the master mind behind my new website) Jenean Morrison and Amy Butler (fabric buddies) and Brooke Reynolds (Book & brand designer) was just a blast. Love these ladies!

There was so much to talk about and hear: discussions about publishing, old and new media, community building, design chat....so much to all take in. I just loved being in a room full of 500+ people who are all outside the box thinkers, making things happen and putting their own beautiful stamp on the world. So inspiring.  I absolutely loved hearing from Maxwell (founder of Apartment Therapy), Deborah Needleman (Editor in Chief of the Wall Street Journal), and Pilar Guzmán (Editor in Chief of  Martha Stewart Living). As well as Julia Rotham, Grace Bonney (Design Sponge), Amy Butler and Kate Woodrow (Chronicle Books) and So many others!

I'll be recapping the panel I was a part of next time on Work/Life Balance. It was a real boost to be a part of. And I ended up learning a lot myself!

I"ll be back with more words of wisdom shared at ALT. But to end: Another whimsy from the inside pages of my sketch book. Take care!

xoxo, sarah

PS: Visiting so many virtual friends in person after only knowing them from behind a screen is just so awesome. Makes me want to have like some kind of little tea party picnic thing with all of you. Game? I just honestly love keeping in touch with so many of you via Flickr Groups, Facebook,  twitter, your comments here, email....anyways....just feeling particularly grateful today for how women really do reach out and support each other. Isn't is awesome? I'm just in love with you all!