Hello July!

June 29, 2008

July. Has to be one of my favorite months. I love summer. I love being in the water. I love sunshine. And it is my birthday.

July's print is here! Barely made it into the shop before July 1st. But here she is. Ready to jump in. Or is she? Do you remember the first time you just went for it? Jumped off the diving board into water your friends swore to you was warm? Or off the edge into the deep end? Or do you still have to decide if you will jump in or go in slowly down the stairs?

July is full of REALLY tough decisions.

But before we get to July, let's talk a little more about June. Today is a very special birthday. My Grandma Knell.

(she's the babe in the center)

This woman has done it all. Kindergarten teacher turned mother of 10. To have 10 kids, you have to be creative....or else. She is AMAZING!

(here she is, center again this time with all her kids)

Sewer of all thing, maker of all things, orchestrator of all things creative. You got an apple core? She'll dry it, put a face on it and make it into a wrinkled old man statue. Got some left over fabric? She'll make a grocery bag saver. Have some paper scraps? She'll make an intricate paper Christmas ornament.

Well, I couldn't think of any thing better to give her, than her own personalized paper doll. Addie loves to play with Grandma when we visit, and I thought a fun activity they could do together, would be to play paper dolls (since my Grandma loves paper and loves dolls. Still. I am sure she rearranges the furniture in her doll house when no one is around.)

So, Vera Jewel...Jewel for short (great name isn't it?) gets her own monogrammed doll (notice the underwear) complete with rain coat and sunday best. Can't wait to have her play with Addie. Or me for that matter.

I am a little addicted, and I think I will be making more of these. I can't get over how cute she is! Be watching for a Free Download soon. These are just too much fun!!

Well, happy June 29th Vera Jewel, and for tomorrow, happy July every one! Just dive in!

Design Op.

June 27, 2008

K. Did you see this on Print and Pattern today? If not, have a look. Submit your graphic patterns and designs for a chance to be in this Blogger-turned-published-author's collection of designs distributed by Chronicle Books. Get excited. Very cool that A) this blogging world has opened up doors for other Media opportunities and B) that the door is open for you to submit! Guidelines are here. Have fun!

The most precious Angel.

June 9, 2008

Today I want to pay tribute to a very special person. Three years ago this week (June 14th, 2005) Kennedy Linton, age 20 months, passed on to Heaven in her parents arms. This sweet little girl struggled courageously for 7 1/2 months with a very rare form of Brain Cancer, and though she went through multiple operations and treatments, she was the bravest little warrior through it all. Kennedy had so much spunk and personality, and though she lost her ability to communicate verbally (because of the Chemotherapy) she learned sign so well! She was so smart for her age...so grown up and yet so tender too. She loved books and animals, and loved learning of any kids. She was constantly pointing to everything in her world. She loved her parents and wouldn't leave her mother's side. She was a true little angel and yet, a warrior at the same time. We love you Kennedy.

Kennedy was the only child of my dearest friend Laura. This week I wanted to share with you Kennedy's story so that you can say a little prayer, or have a little thought on their behalf. Losing a child is every parent's worst nightmare, but I have watched Kennedy's parents show as much courage through their personal grieving process as Kennedy had while she was here. Though it has been three years, I don't think that it hurts any less. Her parents are truly the bravest people I know.

In honor of Kennedy, her parents, and this very special week for them, I wanted to post some prints that I made a while back to celebrate her life. I will always miss this little princess, and wonder about the friends Kennedy and Addie would have been. This week my prayers are with Laura, Ryan and Kennedy, and I hope you can offer up a little thought too.

May this week be a celebration of a small life, but a BIG person. We love you Kennedy.

TIME.OUT.

June 4, 2008

Ok. It's official. I am going on vacation. Not just any vacation. Hawaii. 2 weeks. No email. No computer. Husband's orders.

My husband's family is cramming all together in a 2 week vacation on the beach. I am more than ecstatic. My mother's side of the family has lived in Hawaii since the early 30's. So my roots are deep there. But this is a first for my husband's side, and I can't wait!

But this translates into a few things:

Shop will be closed June 10th -June 23rd.

This is the longest break I have ever taken.
(In my 7 month career on ETSY).

But it is much needed.

Sometimes I wish I was like these dear artists who have a lot more time on their hands to make make make. But then I pinch myself and realize that my time is filled with diapers, dressups, tantrums, tickles, messes, lullabies and kisses and I wouldn't have it any other way! My time to be creative is limited to a couple hours a week (which is not enough for my art brain that doesn't ever shut off!). But though I wish I had creative time everyday, I would be wishing my truest joy away: being a mom.

Everyone needs breaks from the go-go-go of real life. Charging the battery is key. Being truly alive is everything. Breathing and listening is vital to any scheduled day.

So, folks. There are just a few more days to order before I leave for two weeks. If you have been itching to get something, my last day at the post office is on Monday June 9th.

Oh, and a lot of you have been dying to see my studio...well, I drew a picture of it for you above. Isn't it cute?? My bike is parked on the side and you can borrow it while I am gone. Just bring it back.

June.

May 25, 2008

It is interesting...these calender prints. Some of them come so fast, and some take me forever to figure out. June was a 'forever to figure out' print. Really, it was the color scheme that took me the longest. You may have noticed that every season has it's own color scheme, and June/July/August is my last theme to choose. But, I decided: Summer Whites (with splashes of watermelon and orange). But now that I have decided...I can't wait for July and August!

This little moment is inspired by Addie who helped me see that all the dandelions are nearly all 'white poofs' and must be blown away in the wind. She is flower lover (what little girl isn't?) and June is full of gorgeous blooms, but also these pesky weeds that children love.

This print is more still that I would have liked for a warmer month like June, but there is something about the stillness that is childlike. Children can run and climb and be ALL over the place, but they are also capable for caring about each one of those seeds that are disappearing in the wind. Amazing.

Happy June every one!

OH, and please notice to the left I have a running poll right now. I am wanting to make some FREE downloads available on my blog, and want to know what would be of most interest to you! I am constantly looking for free paper dolls and coloring pages for my kids, and decided to make my own and want to share! So, you can vote for more than one thing, but vote! I want to know what you would like.

xoxo
Sarah Jane

Send a card.

May 19, 2008

It's about time these cards hit the shelves! I just adore these chair cards. They can be used for just about anything....Father's day, birthday, just because, etc. etc. etc.

I am also selling the giraffe print card separately in honor of Father's day coming up. My own father instilled in me a love for cards and stationary. It has been said that he has a secret filing cabinet somewhere FILLED with just the right card for just the right person (but the location still remains unknown). My dad worked in his father's print shop when he was younger, and fell in love with all things paper. Maybe that is where I get it. My dad has given me two cards that I can remember that he had actually bought for me 4-5 years before, and saved it for just the right moment. That is my dad. Why do I mention this? I guess it is my quest to create some cards that make for just the right moment, at just the right time. Anyways...enjoy! they are up in the shop!

Mother's Day Weekend.

May 6, 2008

Tonight and tomorrow will be days I will want to soon forget with all the work that goes into getting ready for TWO shows. Yes, there are two shows that lie on the same weekend. Just when I thought that I was prepared and ready to go, I find myself covered in paper scraps and cello sleeves. You should just see my office. Yikes! Cleaning it will be a project itself!

Well, no hilarious children's sayings and no big news except to say:

SUPPORT MY TIRED FRAMING AND WRAPPING FINGERS AND COME SHOP THESE TWO SHOWS THIS WEEKEND!

Just kidding. No really, Come anyways, cause you will want to see the incredible goods that people can come up with. Truly talented people out there. I love handmade. Ok...back to printing and paper cutting...

Spring Cleaning.

May 5, 2008

Well, for most people, Spring Cleaning has already happened. And it has in our house, but this week, I am doing some spring cleaning in the shop.

I have a lot of prints in my shop that 1) are not consistent with my style that I have created, 2) haven't sold enough of them to justify keeping them or 3) I really don't like.

SO......this week, I will be having a clearance SALE for these items. They will be GONE by the end of the week.