Mahar Dry Goods.

I often get asked what my favorite pieces are from my shop, and my answer is always the same: "The piece that is currently in my head by not yet in print." Once it's up in the shop, the creation of it is done, and I am moving on to the next thing. I don't tend to get attached. But I do have a few favorites, and I am so happy to say that one of my favorites is going to be carried by a very favorite online site of mine.

Have you browsed around Mahar Dry Goods lately? If there was a online store for children that inspired me most to get my shop up and running, it was this one. Was it the enter page illustrated so brilliantly by Jen Corace? Was is the quirky novelty toys? There is an exclusive tea set from Mahar Dry Goods which shows up in my Summer Tea Party print (commissioned for Small Magazine) that was too amazing to not be inspired by. Short story: I love this shop. And, this week, I found out, that they will be carrying my Personalized Family Trees and Paper Dolls.

I have a long list of retailers that I love working with, but I was just tickled to hear the news, simply because this shop is truly what inspired my desire to enter the handmade children's industry. Robert, who also has a very hip and retro children's blog Junior Society, has fantastic taste, and always offers a pic me up when I visit his sites.

Horray for good design. There is something about good design that feeds my soul. And today, I am thankful for great associations.

ALT Wrap up

OK. If you weren't there at ALT, you really need to go next year. Like, really.

It was that much fun. Packed full of info, meeting my favorite bloggers, networking and sharing experiences. I learned so much at this conference and it really helped to solidify in my mind the importance of this new wave of information sharing we have created: Blogging for design. Is my blog a "design" blog? No... well kinda, maybe. But all in attendance had a common bond: We love blogging. We love writing. We love sharing. We love visuals. And we can't stay away from design elements to communicate daily to others over the web.

It was a party. Everyone was so generous, open, warm and really....it was like we had a big family reunion for all these people who only communicate over a keyboard and monitor. I made a lot of great new friends, and even had the chance to say "Thank You" to some of my hero bloggers.  We were in a super fancy-shmancy hotel, and the whole event was so put together. I just loved the fact that I got to leave home and have a day away to spend with people who were hungry for the same information. And I must say, having the chance to speak was incredible. It was a great opportunity to collect, in a small pocket of time, so many of the things I have learned over the past 2 years!

Here is an inconclusive list of Bloggers who came to speak, to give you an idea for what to expect for next year.

Nicole Balch of Making It Lovely

Allison Czarnecki of Petit Elefant

Jaime Derringer of Design Milk

Karey Mackin of Mackin Ink

Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan of Apartment Therapy

Heather Armstrong of Dooce

Grace Bonney of Design Sponge

Kelly Beall of Design Crush

Joy Deangdeelert Cho of Oh Joy!

Rachel Jones of Black Eiffel

Emily Goligoski of The SanFranista

Victoria Smith of SFGirlbyBay

Gayla Trail of You Grow Girl

Sarah Jane Wright of Sarah Jane Studios

Erin Loechner of Design for Mankind

Megan Reardon of NotMartha

Kathryn Storke of Snippet & Ink

Joslyn Taylor of Simple Lovely

Stephanie Brubaker of Stephmodo

Sheila Bernus Dowd of Lookiloos

Chelsea Fuss of Frolic

Maggie Mason of Mighty Girl

Justin Hackworth of Justin Hackworth Photography

{list compliments of Apartment Therapy}

Really, if you are a blogger with a desire to learn more about branding, building an audience, photography for the web, advertising, designing for the web, and the applications of social media, I hope to see you next year! I will for sure be coming again. Thanks ALT Design Summit!

Follow me here.

I know a lot of you have emailed or tweeted the sad news that you can't attend the conference this weekend. But no worries. I plan on tweeting about it, so stay tuned.

So, if you tweet (Do you tweet?) you can keep up by following #altsummit, or follow me on Twitter by clicking the little orange button just to the right.

Sorry...I just have to say that I never thought I'd ever be using words like "tweet" to refer to correspondence. Who'da thought. Communication is so fascinating, ya? But, it's all about using what works! More about that tomorrow!  Happy Weekend!

Dance a little.

Every shop has the favorites...the ones that sell over and over again, and then the ones that shine quietly in the back. This print, a first of mine when the shop opened 2 years ago, always makes me happy.  These elephants often get stuck in the back, and I wanted to give them a proper reintroduction. Translation on the print is: Dance with me (which can easily be omitted if you just don't speak french like these elephants do).

So, say "Hello Elephants? How's the dancing?" or, if you are brave and feeling up to it, you could say, "Bonjour Elephants, comment va la dance?"

Because really, how can you not smile and laugh when you dance. I have learned well from my kids: that when the days get yucky, we turn up the music. It works every time.

Happy weekend, and happy dancing.

Caldecott Medals 2009.

On Monday, the 2009 Caldecott and Newbury awards were announced, and I must say I am no less than inspired. Working on my own children's book has given me a completely new perception of what these awards represent.  Here at home, we acquire new books monthly...mostly from the library, but we have since built up our own children's book library. I even have my own picture book collection that the kids aren't allowed to touch (or chew or rip!). And I started thinking....I would love to start a picture book review weekly on the blog! Every week, I'll introduce a favorite find...old and new in the category: Books you'll love. But for this week, here are the Caldecott winners for 2009!

The Lion and the Mouse illustrated and written by Jerry Pinkney (Caldecott Medal)

All the World illustrated by Marla Frazee, written by Liz Garton Scanlon (Caldecott Honor)

Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski, written by Joyce Sidman (Caldecott Honor)

It's really fun to think that right now, I have acquired these books without the medal on them. I purchased them before the gold sticker perminently gets placed. I think I like it best that way: it reminds me of what first came out of the publishing house...fresh and raw, ready for review.

But check these books out...you won't be disappointed. How a story is told in pictures is a genius I am so intrigued and inspired by. Hope you are too!

Design on my mind.

What do these images have in common? There is a theme here, and I'll give you a secret: it has to do with ALT DESIGN SUMMIT this weekend!

Ok, Can you guess?

These are the ladies I'll be speaking with on my panel under a topic that will for sure spill overtime cause there is so much to talk about: Building Your Brand and Your Business.

I am so thrilled to be speaking with Victoria from te super savy style blog Sfgirlbybay and the expert gardener and renaissance woman Gayla from You Grow Girl. We all have something in common: we love what we do, we started to put ourselves out there in the blogging world, and a business grew partially by accident and partially planned. We will be talking about the steps we have taken to get there and advice for the journey. Come with your questions too...I think we'll have a Q&A at the end if we have time!

So, if you haven't had time to get your tickets, this is your last chance! The first ever blogging conference with design in mind. I can't wait to hear from some of my biggest social marketing heros, and design heros. It will be a party with lots o lots of packed information.

If you can come, please come over and say hi! This will be my first day away from the baby, so I will be considerably more lonely than normal...either that or completely care free!

See you there!

She Knits.

Shhhhh.....I am supposed to be working on my book....but I have February on my mind, and I have been warming up with some sketches. Here is a darling friend I've had in my head for a while. She may or may not end up in the shop, but she is sure making me smile this weekend. Back to book art....and hope you have a lovely weekend! I'm going shopping for a bit of spice to wear to the ALT Design Summit. Are you going? I can't wait.

Ok...enough tangents. Happy Weekend. And happy creating.

xo, sarah jane

Bubble gum candy.

The economy is messed up. Politics are crazy. It's freezing outside (without the advantage of fresh snow). My kitchen has seen better days (maybe not).  The laundry is getting a wee bit on the scary side. My hair could use a good doing. But just now,  my 5 year old breezes across the floor like this.

And I wonder if I could go back to when my mind was filled only with unicorns, purple things and bubble gum. My pace was that of hers.

But then I remember: I have unicorns, purple things and bubble gum every day. She hugs me and says "I love you, Mother." And so I skip.