Loving.

Valentine's Day. Today I am grateful for.........

1. An amazing husband who is my best friend in everything. He never ceases to amaze me with his strength, his humor, his creativity and love for me (I can be kinda quirky and crazy at times....and he still is head over heels....amazing). And he makes really great food.

2. My babies who aren't so baby any more. I can wake up feeling overwhelmed by the day ahead...but as soon as they start doing an irish jig in the kitchen while listening to Elizabeth Mitchell over breakfast (like this morning), my heart melts and I can't help but be the happiest girl.

3. My home. After 3 1/2 years of searching for the "right" place, we found it. It may not have any furniture yet, but it's a roof over our heads and a yard full of magic.

4. My faith. I'd be half the person I am with out it.

5. Good parents. They are my best friends. Living far away is hard, but thank goodness for unlimited phone time!

6. My talents. I know that sounds weird, but I count it as a blessing that I do what I do. Really. Maybe it's that I'm never bored. Or that when I'm overwhelmed I can open my sketchbook and find therapy. Or maybe it's that I feel blessed that I can add beauty to this already beautiful world. What ever it is, I am grateful.

My heart is so full! Happy Valentines Day!

And don't forget to enter into the valentines day giveaway below! It ends tonight (Monday night) so come on over!

Random Giveaway: Shabby Apple

I am so thrilled to be offering a random giveaway this weekend. I talk a lot about kid's books, kid's art, kid's decor, raising kids....so I am so happy to be offering something for YOU! Something pretty to make you feel gorgeous.

Have you heard of Shabby Apple? Ok. If you haven't, you will love them. If you have, you know you already love them.

Dresses. How hard is it to find every day dresses? Not just every day, or weekend, but dresses with personality and flair.

I love their new "period" dresses that are their newest line right now. But there's more. So much more!

Shabby Apple approached me about doing a giveaway for my readers, and I was thrilled cause I know most of you (if you are anything like me) could use a new dress. I mean really....who doesn't want wear this?

Or this?

Or this or this or this?

I can only give away one dress to you (I know...bummer). And in honor of my Audrey Hepburninspired week, I've chosen this one:

The Bonheur Dress.

stunning? Yes. Beckoning warm weather? Yes.

But....if you don't win or if you want to grab a few of your own, you can get 10% off your order when you enter in "SARAHJANE10off"

Here's how you enter:

  • Leave a comment below
  • Make sure to enter in your email where it promts you so that I can send you a note when you win
  • Giveaway ends Monday at 10pm EST
  • Winner will win ONE Bonheur Dress in the size of your choice.
  • Readers can get 10% off all orders through the end of next week.

Please note: The giveaway includes all domestic and international entries, BUT Shabby Apple cannot ship internationally, so the 10% can't apply. But I've offered to personally ship to an international winner, since I love their dresses so much, and I know you will too:)

And if you are a facebook person, here's where you can link up to them to get the inside scoop on updates and special offers.

Have fun! Knock yourself out...it's valentines day!

**Fine Print: This is not a sponsored giveaway. I have not received any compensation or free stuff. I just really love their shop, and they really love you! Bottom line.

And PS: Only 13 Calendars left in the shop! And If you need some printable Valentines cards (on sale!), you can get them here. Happy Weekend!!!

{ COMMENTS CLOSED}

Books You'll Love: Just Being Audrey

I mentioned a while ago that Julia Denos was coming out with a new book, Just Being Audrey. And it was released this week! I was so happy to get my copy in the mail. How sweet to have a picture book about Audrey's childhood, growing up years and beautiful life. She really was such a beautiful person and brought so much joy to the world we live in. I've loved her since my first time seeing "My Fair Lady." And then my next film I think I saw was "Wait Until Dark." Even as a child I was hooked.

Just Being Audrey takes a spin on her life that we often don't think about. We tend to think of Audrey Hepburn as the "je ne sais quois" icon of the 60's that swept our hearts away on her cruiser bicycle wearing Wayfarer sunglasses and her gorgeous smile. But this book takes you into her life deeper than that.  The story takes you to her childhood upbringing during WWII, where her family directly felt the affects of the war. She wanted so badly to be a dancer, but she was too tall, her neck was too long and her body wasn't shaped right. All the things that made her awkward in a leotard were the very things that made her delightful as an actress. The book focuses a great deal on Audrey's "becoming" and how she lived and loved throughout her life.

And of course, the illustrations are just delightful, capturing Audrey Hepburns free heart and whimical character.

You can view the video trailer here:

Enjoy!

Audrey Love and Printable Valentine's cards.

Did you know that Audrey Hepburn had a pet deer? Yes. And did you know that it was a childhood dream of mine to have one too? Yes. So I know I've posted this before....but when I found these images a while back, I think I let out an audible, "Awwwww....."  I mean really. Who wouldn't want a fawn for a pet. And it really was her pet...the deer's name was Pippin, and she called him "Ip." Parties, car rides, long walks...they were always together.

I-LOVE-YOU-MY-DEAR-PDF-Download-Print-your-own-Valentines-Cards.jpeg

These valentines cards were inspired by Audrey's pet fawn mixed with my childhood dream to have a pet deer. And since Valentines Day is just a few days away, I thought I'd mention these PDF downloadable cards in the shop in case you need a little last minute love note.

They've been marked down,  and will be on sale for the rest of the week!

You can also get them in card form, and we're happy to send. They are printed on really nice textured soft paper...they have the feel of letterpress folded cards. So sweet!

I'll be posting a bit more about Audrey Hepburn this week. Somehow she goes really well with Valentines day.

Happy Monday to you all!

Color Stories.

Color.It's in everything we see. It'a all around, all the time. What does it say? And how do you choose to read it?

I've been thinking a lot of color stories. There are so many color combinations that I LOVE come from the every day things around me...but I just don't notice.  This year, I'm making a point to notice. These colors are making me tick this morning. Hoping for spring...hoping for spring...

{Photograph via with color notes by me}

P.S. And thank for all the cover love! I'll be showing you the inside soon enough!

A Christmas Goodnight Cover Release

"On a quiet but wondrous Christmas Eve, the nativity story comes to life,

and families everywhere celebrate the miracle of Christmas.

Nola Buck’s simple poetic text and tender illustrations by Sarah Jane Wright

make this gentle holiday goodnight book a joy to read and share with those you love!"

So, this is quite early in the game. But I had to share! My first picture book, A Christmas Goodnight, won't be coming out until the fall, but this is the first time that I can actually start releasing some images! It's so intersting: I've been working on this since August of 2009, and it's only just now that I can show you what I've spent the past year of my life doing:)

I won't tell you too much right now...there's still quite a while until any of you will be thinking about Christmas again. But, since you are all friends...and friends just want to share....I thought you'd love to catch a glimpse of what A CHRISTMAS GOODNIGHT is about.

Really, this post should be about my husband, friends and family who supported me all along the way. This has been my dream illustrate children's books...and I never realized that illustrating a children's book while mothering young children would be so challenging. But I've learned so much a long the way, which I plan on sharing a little later.

But for now: it's official.

A Christmas Goodnight

By Nola Buck Illustrated by Sarah Jane Wright

Harper Collins Childrens Books

Oct. 1, 2011

Not available for Pre-order just yet...hold your horses.

Merry Christmas!

Or rather, Happy Ground Hog Day!

Monday doodles.

I've mentioned that I've been working on my fabric designs....and this weekend as I was laying out colors ( in stripes...it helps me to see them interact really well) I started to see images popping up on top of these stripes of color. You know when you see certain colors, they make you think of certain things? Well, these boy colors that I am working with just made me think  "lions". It's always interesting to me how ideas come. Lately, my ideas have been coming through color. Certain colors make us feel certain things. Don't know why these colors made me think about lions, but they did.  And though I am not much of a digital artist ( I prefer to draw by hand even when I am working digitally) this little guy had to make himself known. He even had the guts to write some graffiti on my color chart. And though I don't have any lions in my fabric, I've been thinking a lot about lion's lately....and it makes me want to play with them more.  You might be seeing some more very soon!

Happy monday!