Oh we've got trouble with a capital "T"

And that rhymes with "C" and that stands for "Computer" Still having computer and Internet woes. It's a bit complicated, and has a bit to do with the fact our temporary residence at the moment is akin to a cabin in the wilderness. Lovely trees, but not modernized quite yet. I'll try and post soon. It kills me not to reply to all your wonderful comments and emails! The shop is still up and running thanks to my two dear friends who have taken on the shipping, packing and tracking duties while I get ready for baby. I'll be in soon. I feel a bit out of the loop with all that is going on around these parts. I really do love reading all your comments, and getting to know new friends! Have a great weekend, and hopefully I'll be back in the swing of things soon.

Cheers,

Sarah J.

The closest to Martha I'll ever get.

This blog post is VERY over due! So many of you have been asking me a bout my "BOOK" and with my internet troubles, I have been rather behind the times in chatting about this!

To clarify: No, I don't have a book chalk full of my illustrations for children, but rather a non-fiction hardback book of mom-to-mom tips on pregnancy with spot illustrations throughout.

Full of Life, the book I illustrated for Nancy O'Dell and published by Simon and Schuster was released about 2 weeks ago and is doing great! It is currently #17 on Amazon's Hot new releases in it's category. But I will be honest: my illustrations have nothing to do with it! It helps that Nancy is a huge celeb in the Hollywood scene and has a great following. I was asked to illustrate 7 chapter headings, and a few icons through the book with Nancy in certain positions during her pregnancy. It isn't really a showcase of my art, rather spot illustrations in black and white. But it was a great experience to work with the publishing industry....something I really hope to do more of in the future.

Nancy O'Dell is quite the celebrity and has been on a book signing/media tour since it came out. I haven't had contact with her during the creation process (thus the role of art directors and editors) but I have watched her progress online since the book release. On April 30th, she promoted her book on the Martha Stewart Show for their Baby Shower episode. I was just tickled to see this picture of the book I illustrated in the hands of Martha Stewart! Can you see it? it is a bad photo, but the best I could find. The Empress has no idea who I am, and my name is only in small print on the title page, but still. I am entitled to a bit of butterflies in my tummy, right?

It was such a great experience to put this book together. Like I said...don't go rushing to see it for the illustrations (there are so few) but do go check it out for you or friends who are pregnant! It is really a GREAT book!

I am just so grateful for the taste I got of the book creating process, and I hope to get into that more now that Baby #3 is coming soon (8 weeks and counting!). I love my ETSY shop, but children's book illustration is my ultimate goal! But in the mean time, I had a little "Martha Stewart touched something I made" moment and as stretched as it might be, It did make me blush! And really, I am still blushing. Thanks Simon and Schuster for a great opportunity!

Beehive Bazaar.

Hello! I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Thanks for all your sweet compliments on my belly. Sometimes it amazes me that my baby is 30 weeks big. She is quite the character, and I am already getting a sense of her personality. It amazes me.

I wanted to give you a heads up for all you UTAH people out there. I am going to be a vendor at the Beehive Bazaar in 2 weeks and I can't be more excited. I am more excited to do my own shopping and window shopping. It is BY FAR one of the BEST events in Utah all year. It is out of control awesome. Art, Aprons, books, stationery, clothing, accessories, food...all handmade indie designs from The Beehive State. Very hip and very yummy. Mark your calendars. Website here.

Wising you all a great monday. Spring is finally here for us, and we are spending most of our days outside. Life is good.

**And again...my internet was down most of last week, so if you are waiting to hear from me via email, I'll be getting to you soon!**

Weekend Giveaway.

Sneaking in on a Saturday to say that there is currently a giveaway over at SOULE MAMA'S blog. I am giving away ONE personalized Family Tree as well as 2 packs of the stationery of your choice. And if you look in the fine print, you might even see a reader's discount:) If you are new to soule mama, you need to stop by. She is an inspiration. The giveaway closes on Sunday Morning. Good Luck!

New spring items and a massive sale.

Well, This is a huge shop update, and I am super excited! The design above has been in my head for months now. I have always loved Family Trees, and have been wanting to have something in my children's room for a while now, but most designs are super boring and drab and don't have the LIFE that a family tree should have..nor would they be fitting for a child's room. My grandmother has a beautiful illustrated photo family tree in her home, and inspired me to make one perfect for children. No scary dead people here!

These are 3 generation charts: room for your children to see their parents, their grandparents and their great grandparents.

Pink and brown version.

Vintage summer version.

This is a tricky project for me, since I really can't do much personalization of my products...but I am going to offer personalized Pedigree charts for a limited time, and see how that goes. As well as two sizes...8x10 and 11x14. All this is a trial for the next month, and depending on how they do in the shop, I keep things simple and not have as many options.

I also have a huge amount of new stationery...with some products so many of you have suggested! I now have cards of my calendar set that turned out really nice. I have them in sets of 24...2 for each month.

In addition, new thank you cards, invitations, announcements and happy birthday cards.

This is just a taste...there is more in my shop!

But the best news of ALL is

The 2 for one sale I am having at the same time! Yahoo! I have to say thank you to all of you friends who come and visit and have supported my work here. I am just really so thankful for this journey I have been on, and have been able to share with all of you. Thank you so much!

HOW IT WORKS: any two products you buy from my shop, you need to *MENTION* the third product of EQUAL or lesser value (in the 'message to seller box at the time of purchase'), and I will send all three to you straight away!

Sale ends Friday April 10th.

All items will be in the shop by this evening!

Thanks again for all your wonderful comments, and emails and support. Honestly, I can't thank you enough!

Cheers,

sarah jane

SHOP HERE.

Spring Greetings.

I am nearly done with my new spring stationery! For the first time, there will be stationery for ALL ages! But of course, I did add some invites and cards good for all those spring babies coming. (My little egg has nothing to do with my excitement or anything:)

The image above most of you haven't seen before...unless you have scrolled WAY back into my archives. This image is my first elephant and bunny image that first inspired me to create Wellesley and Winslow: the elephant and bunny pair I love so much. This image somehow never made it into the shop, so I am super excited to bring them back in!

I have more to reveal later this week! Shop update is scheduled for Friday April 3rd.

Happy Spring everyone!