Weekend wrap-up.

There are days that just get you all fueled up, and Friday was just that. I went to the Startup Princess Touchpoint event (a conference for entrepreneurs) and was so delighted to meet Heather Bailey in person. She spoke twice during the conference and I also got to chat with her a bit one-on-one. What a treat! She is just as warm and genuine as she comes across in her blog. I was so impressed by here incredible work ethic, dedication to her family, God and to her talents. She is one smart cookie, I'll tell you that. She was able to show us her new line of fabric coming any day now (she says she is just waiting for it to come in the mail!) and it's just darling. I'll let you check out her site for her to do the telling, but I was once again so impressed by her ability to create what she loves and what other people can't wait to get their hands on. She shared a lot of her journey from before she even started a business until now. It was needless to say, very inspiring!

I was also able to meet up with so many great blogging friends. In the picture on the left, you see Marie from Make and Takes, Allison from Petit Elephant, and Kami from No Biggie. It was so wonderful to meet people I only t get to read from on a screen...meeting in person is the icing on the cake! Thanks Startup Princess for such a great event!

A little bird told me...

... this month the holiday goods in the shop are for sale. There will be new holiday items added come October, but the sale now is for the smart people who do their christmas shopping before the masses. But shhhhhhhhh....don't tell anyone. Just quietly tip-toe over here.

Don't Forget...

If you are in traveling distance to Salt Lake City, UT, come to the Startup Princess Women's entrepreneur Touchpoint event on Friday featuring 3 awesome guest speakers including my favorite: Heather Bailey. Have a business? Thinking of starting one? Want to meet some really cool people? Want something fun to do on Friday? Come on down. It'll be a blast!

Sign up here.

I heart handmade.

So it's really true. Each child gets fewer and fewer photos of themselves. Everyone warned me, but I stubbornly took a million pictures of #1 and #2 to prove them wrong. But then came #3, and well....it's true. It's honestly a matter of having a spare finger to press "shoot." It doesn't sound that complicated, but believe me. They were right.

I managed to snap some photos of Ella this week, and it turns out, she is dolled up in everything handmade, and it made me smile. Everything she's wearing in these pictures someone took the time to make with their hands. I find that so special.

I fell in love with this podswaddler (a cross between a swaddling blanket and a peapod) made by a blog reader friend who has an ETSY shop. And her headband, also on ETSY who's maker is my wonderful neighbor. Her blanket in the top picture was made by my dear friend who does my shipping, and the best for last...

...this blessing dress made by my mother-in-law for Ella's special day. It just warms my heart to see so much made from loving hands for this little girl. My husband's grandmother even makes her things...at 90 years old...and I can't think of a better offering than of work from your hands. These are precious gifts!

And let's just say...this baby herself is as handmade as they come! And ooooooh, she's the best gift ever.

For real.

real

I have had this image in my head for a while now. I finally decided to get it out of my head and onto paper. I think this would be darling with a few other variations...elephant, ballons.... I am wanting to get some new images in the shop before long. We'll see where I go.

Happy Friday, all!

Ducks in a row.

Hi gang,

I've been working hard at getting things in order around here, which includes getting this blog a new lift (via my ultra talented friend April). It'll be getting tweaks here and there for a bit, so thanks for your patience while things are under construction! We've also been adding new people to the studio and getting business up and running for Christmas. Can't wait to introduce you to some wonderful friends! Life in the studio isn't so lonely anymore...and my husband is so grateful not to be as involved (Wanna take a trip to the post office my dear?) Ok. So I don't call him "My Dear". He'd cringe. But not much more than hearing the word "post office" or "cellophane sleeves" for that matter! So we're all a bit grateful to be getting lots of help. Can't wait to introduce you. Until then...

xo

sarah jane

My daughter's tree.

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

~Alfred Joyce Kilmer

Dear Big People,

My mom thinks I'm snoozing in the cradle, but I had to sneak on and see what this big screen was all about. I can't seem to figure out why people spend so much time on this big hunk of aluminum. I mean come on! I'm a heck of a lot cuter. But I think I am looking at an imac right now. Ok, Ok. They are pretty cool.

I had to log in and tell you I figured out the secret to making mom smile at me more and even take pictures of me again. I stopped screaming all the time. And even more effective, I started cooing. People seem a lot happier around here.

A lot.

Mom is still oober-picky when it comes to eating her food, but it makes me happy so who cares! All I eat is milk, why should she complain that she can't have nuts, bread or ice cream any more? Yuck. It's all about me around here anyways. Haven't they figured that out by now?

There have been a few bumps to this whole "baby" thing, but I get lots of attention (and I mean lots!) so things are fine. And now that I'm talking, we've been having some pretty interesting conversations. But don't worry, I won't tell her I snuck out of my room to get on the internet. My vocabulary is limited to "glglglglurglglgleurooo" and "ahhhhiiiii" right now. She'd never catch on.

I'm sure I'll be back.

Toodles,

E.