Tokyo

If you've been following along on the blog, you know that this is the second print in the Children Around the World Series. (You can read about how I started the idea here)  But I have to say that I've had such a great time creating the Tokyo print. Though I've never been to Japan, I have a strong tie to the people there.

I think I've mentioned before, that my Mother's side of the family comes from Hawaii. Oh gosh...I can't remember dates, but somewhere like 1915 my Great-grandparents went to Japan to serve a mission for our church. They had a baby there, and when it was time to leave (and go back to Idaho of all places!) they decided to not go back to the mainland when they stopped over in Hawaii en route. They loved the Japanese culture and people so much that they stayed as close as they could while remaining in American Territory, and stayed in Hawaii after that.  And my family has been there since. Well, kind of. They all went back to the states eventually, but if you've been raised in Hawaii, you never leave. I'm the first generation born in the states then I guess.

This picture is my Great Grandmother with I have no idea who, but I have to say that until I was a young adult, I always thought my Great Grandmother had adopted herself as Japanese or something because her hair was always done just so (and it was naturally jet black) and she dressed in the Japanese fashion of the times...at least in pictures.

My Grandmother would tell stories of her mother (pictured here) speaking (and cursing) in Japanese, and since that time, our family has been tied to that country in a wonderful way. I'm going to go sometime.

This print as well as the London print are in the shop! Wanna know the next stop? Paris. Coming Dec. 1

I love this kind of travel. No sleepy kids. No jet lag. Enjoy!

PS: This print will be offered without the text and without the tower for those of you who would like it to represent Asia in general.

P.P.S: Come by tomorrow for the best giveaway yet. I can't wait!

Autumn.

This is the view out of my back Kitchen window. We live in a little fixer-upper bungalow, but we bought this place for the views. Seeing trees and sky and mountains first thing every day makes me so happy!

Since this is the first fall, we didn't know what color the trees would be out back. And the color is....Yellow!

I've been on a yellow kick lately, and so this is making me so happy. Lovely yellow locust trees. And can you see the snow on the mountain?

Autumn around here is always coupled with snow. But I love it.

Quilt Market.

Hello! I am back and full of inspiration. I was at Quilt Market, and wow. It was amazing. I don't even know how to start....

First of all, I have to apologize for junk photography.  I am a self-professed bad photographer in artificial lighting.

Second of all, I recognize that some of you are saying, "Quilt Market? What is it and what does Sarah Jane  have to do with quilting?" Lemmee essplain:

Quilt market is basically the trade show for quilting and soft crafts (clothing, home decor, etc.) where designers present their new designs (fabric design as well as pattern design) for buyers and distributers to purchase.

It's huge, and big and quite inspiring. Since I am going to be designing fabric (insert squeal here), and because I am so new to the fabric industry, I wanted to go and see what it was all about! So, Sandi Henderson (remember when she stayed at my house last month?) and I traveled up together (that's another story in and of itself!) and she gave me the grand tour, and introduced me to so many of the people I have admired for years. It was amazing!

And can I just tell you? Getting to meet and talk with Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner, Liesl from Oliver & S, Patty Young, Pillow & Maxfield, Betz White, Marisa Hedike, Melissa Averinos....the list goes on and on....was so great! Admiring people from afar via blog land is nothing compared to meeting and connecting in person. I have such a new found respect and love for these women who follow their creative passions without reservation, and have the family support to do it.  Going to Quilt Market was kind of like being inducted into a new family. It was wonderful!

I didn't manage to get pictures of me with people...the lighting in the convention center is so tricky to manage. But I did get a few shots of some of my favorite booths to give you a taste.

Tula Pink blew me away with her Mysterious/Vintage Sea Faring booth.

I got to watch Anna Maria present her (incredible!) new line of Fabric at School House. I even got to meet her mom who was helping out since she brought all 5 of her children with her to Houston. Such a wonderful family...and warm loving people!

Patty Young also designs with Michael Miller and was presenting her new stuff. Such a clean open booth...loved it.

Amy Butler blew me out of the water with her booth. It was honestly such a treat to meet her in person. She has talent whizzing out of her ears and yet is the most dear, sweet person. It was such a treat to pick up her new book too!

And meeting Liesl of Oliver & S was such a treat. Honestly, she is one of my new favorite people. Her children's clothing makes me so happy!

So really, My 48 hours of "get myelf emersed in the designer fabric industry" was just that. It was heavenly to be surrounded by so many amazingly talented people, yet who's lives are lived day to day, doing what they love. And, many of them with families at home and little ones too. So with being in illustration and loving the children's book industry that I feel so comfortable in, I was so happy to know that the fabric industry is just as welcoming and warm and full of amazing potential.

Being an artist is so thrilling. I love being a part of  world where possibilities are endless. Never an end to creative ideas. And I am so honored to be a part of it!

But with all the new inspiration, it got me inspired to finish working on my new line for May! So back to work....art might be endless, but deadlines arn't! Back to the drawing table...I can't wait to show you what I have up my sleeve!

xo

sarah

Support Handmade Giveaway

**Each weekend through Christmas, I’ll be offering giveaway’s from artists and artisans with a simple wish that we can all support handmade this holiday season! Enjoy!

Today's giveaway is combined! Launi and Lyndi are Mother and Daughter (respectively) and quite the creative duo. Here's a little about them:

Launi is the creator behind Greenwinkle. Here's a little about her shop in her own words:

Greenwinkle: Reduce. ReVamp. Recycle. Fashion forward.

All of our BagBags are hand crocheted from repurposed grocery and shopping bags--saving 50-300 sacks each--from littering our landfills. How's that for earth-friendly? Every bag responds differently to stitching so no two will ever be exactly the same.

Our greenWinkle hats, headbands and slippers are made from 100% warm, breathable cotton--easy on your skin, easy on the planet.

She also blogs and has blog full of great tutorials and recipes at Gracious Rain.

GIVEAWAY DESCRIPTION:

Greenwinkle would like to offer a $25 gift certificate good on anything in our shop.

********    **********   **********

Lyndi is the creator behind Somebody's Stuff. Here's a bit about her in her own words:

Somebody's Stuff carries Frames, Magnets, Paper Chains, Stuff'd Bags (party favors) and anything else I fall in love with creating. It's all about :Anticipate. Celebrate. Decorate. Remember. I also blog at www.somebodys-stuff.com/blog. I love entertaining and I'm always looking forward to the next big holiday or event. I'm fun, goofy and random, so my shop is too. I got started with much encouragement from my friends and family. I realized that I wanted to help everyone anticipate, celebrate, decorate and remember the very best parts of life!

GIVEAWAY DESCRIPTION:

The lucky winner will receive a *Really Can't Wait Christmas Countdown Chain* and a CUSTOM 4x6 Frame and complimenting magnet.

Giveaway instructions:

  • leave a comment making sure to enter your name and email where it asks you to
  • comments will be closed on Sunday Oct. 31st at Midnight EST
  • ONE winner will be chosen to receive EACH giveaway offer
  • Winners will be contacted via email

Best of luck to you!

Pumpkins & Good intentions.

pumpkin.jpg

OK. So I had these grand intentions of posting every day this week, cause I have so much I want to share!

But then I remembered.

  • I've been hosting family all this month.
  • I am going to quilt market with Sandi Henderson, and  since she's been visiting at my house, there has been a lot of chatting. And a lot of getting ready to do.
  • It's Halloween, and there's been Spooky School Concerts and Haunted piano recitals (Addie is playing "Mary had a little a lamb" in C minor for her performance)
  • And we've been hit with the normal first year cold bug. Yuck.

But, before I head out to Market, I had to share these amazing pumpkins that Addie and Ian started from seed this spring and just picked last week. Any suggestions for how to carve something to huge? We just love them, and the kids are so proud.

So, sorry for the lack of posts but don't forget to stop by for another giveaway this weekend!

xoxo

sarah

Fall Clean-Up.

Good morning!

So happy to be posting this morning. Can you see a difference around here? This blog finally got a well deserved face lift by the lovely April Rosenthal. What do you think? Much easier to navigate around here, and I am feeling pretty good...like after cleaning out that closet in the house that's been neglected for so long. And, it's easier for me to post more useful things! Like Picture Book reviews, Free Downloads, and Tutorials for making stuff.  So horray for Fall Clean-up! Oh, and do you love the butterfly that appears when you hover over the menu? I do. It makes me happy.

This week is a busy week, as I am sure it is for all of you! Halloween is of course keeping things full, but also, I'll be going to Quilt Market this weekend with Sandi Henderson to get a feel for what I am getting myself into with this new fabric line coming out. I can't wait to meet allthese wonderful people in person!!!

So, stay tuned. I'll be posting lots this week! Have a good one!

Sponsor Giveaway: Simply Silhouettes

**Each weekend through Christmas, I’ll be offering giveaway’s from artists and artisans with a simple wish that we can all support handmade this holiday season! Enjoy!

Happy Friday everyone!

I am so excited to introduce to you Angela of Simply Silhouettes

Simply Silhouettes was started by Angela and her husband which combined their love for children and family as well as their passion for creating beautiful art objects. Their  purpose is to help customers preserve priceless moments. But the short and sweet story can be found here: http://www.simplysilhouettes.com/ourStory.htm

You can visit them here on their blog as well as their ETSY shop featuring great holiday items. And if you are expecting, you need to check out this other site of theirs too.

Here are some more products you'll love:

(I personally love the Thanksgiving plates..personalized with the favorite things your child loves!)

GIVEAWAY OFFER: Simply Silhouettes is offering a $50 gift card to any of their shops.

DISCOUNT FOR READERS: Simply Silhouettes is offering Sarah Jane Readers a discount: you can receive a duplicate copy of one item in your order! So, one to keep one for your family, and give one as a gift...Brilliant! Deadline for the sale is Nov. 23rd. Mention "SARAHJANE" in your order.

Giveaway instructions:

  • leave a comment making sure to enter your name and email where it asks you to
  • comments will be closed on Sunday Oct. 25th at Midnight EST
  • ONE winner will be chosen
  • Winners will be contacted via email

Best of luck to you!