New Sponsor to bring into the family

We have some new sponsors this month, and I'll be introducing you to them one by one.

CooCubes is really an amazing brand, that needs our help to launch!

CooCubes is a new company creating custom soft blocks for your child and family, which reflect your own personal story. Inspired by her Grandparents who placed photos on wooden blocks for the children to play with, Jill at CooCubes has created the same playful heirloom in soft, easy to stack fabric blocks.

You can watch the short video here.

Like any start up with the goal to enhance and brighten your child's surroundings, I get really passionate about making sure people like Jill at CooCubes get the chance to inspire others.

Their Indigogo site (similar to Kickstarter if you aren't familiar) is ending in 5 days and they need your support of pre-orders to earn what they need to launch 100%

I'm due any week now with a new baby boy, and I'm just loving these sweet products. And estimated to arrive in Sept, these are a really great idea for Christmas gifts, if you are thinking ahead:)

So, give CooCubes a big welcome and shout out as the newest sponsor here in this space, and one of the newest companies to enter the children's industry.

Thank You!

Poetry Corner

 

A LITTLE SONG OF LIFE

Glad that I live am I;

That the sky is blue;

Glad for the country lanes,

And the fall of dew.

After the sun the rain;

After the rain the sun;

This is the way of life,

Till the work be done.

All that we need to do,

Be we low or high,

Is to see that we grow

Nearer the sky.

Lizette Woodworth Reese

So, I'm curious? How many of you read your kids poetry? Not Dr. Suess or Shell Silverstein, but poetry written through the ages?

I'm not very good at it, but we have many poetry books that I try and pull out and read over a fire, or out on the lawn. Addie memorized and performed Robert Louis Stevenson's THE SWING  for her class talent show this spring. So wonderful to say out loud!

Even without pictures, my kids really love poetry! In this overly visually stimulating world, I'm amazed at how my kids will sit and listen to poetry....words that paint pictures.  And when we take the time to memorize, it's even better. I don't know about you, but I miss poetry in the world. I miss reading it, hearing it...it almost seems like a lost artform that might just be considered a bit old fashioned, and not part of what we read to our kids all the time. Not flashy enough, maybe? Too much work to catch the meaning in the first try?

I'm going to be increasing my exposure to poetry and hopefully to my kids as well. When I was a child, I wanted to be a poet. And it's because I was exposed to a lot of poetry. It made me want to write and write and write.

This poem came from a favorite book of mine called SILVER PENNIES. Do you know it? It's a vintage collection of poetry for children that my mother had on her shelf, and I would read through it on rainy days.  Do you have any favorite poems you read to your kids?

I'd love to know!

Happy Summer Days:)

Make Believe Panel Pillow Tutorial

Many of you have asked for a basic pattern on this pillow, and here it is! It's made from my panel print in the Let's Pretend fabric line, and is super simple to make.

You can basically make this however you want, but I've made a little download for you in case you want to make it just as this one is. I've used an IKEA pillow insert here, but you can format it to any pillow size you have. Horizontal is nice...and really features the line of kids pretending. My favorite is the boy with the rhino head on, which is a bit hard to see here. But it makes me smile:)

So, I hope you are enjoying some summer sewing! I've got to get cranking on some baby projects myself!

Click HERE to download the free pillow tutorial.

Have fun Sewing!

And in case you forgot, the summer sale ends Sunday! Don't miss it!

xo

Sarah Jane

Triangle Quilt Tutorial

How is summer sewing for you? Here's a really fun quilt pattern that Amy Smart at Dairy of a Quilter and I came up with to feature my new fabric collection, Let's Pretend.

I love triangles, and it fits this fabric line perfectly with all the geometric textiles.

We chose to use the bolder colors in the line, and it makes for a great statement! I'm using this as a floor blanket for new baby boy coming soon. But it's big enough to be on a toddler bed, or throw blanket.

You can download the FREE pattern here!

Have fun!

Oh, and don't forget about the summer sale going on! The details are here:

Enjoy!!

xo

Sarah Jane

SUMMER SALE TIME

 

Hi everyone! It's about time for a summer sale...what do you think? I'm loving summer (even being 8 months pregnant with record heat) and July is always a favorite month for me (anyone else with a July birthday?)

So, I'm saying THANK YOU for all your support and love and giving back with a coupon for 25% off in the shop. That includes even the lovely handmade quilts I have ready for a lovely new home!

I made a free print for you as well. I'm always marveling at how children see the world.  It's always amazing to me, and I consider myself so blessed to create art that forces me to see more of what they see. I created this cloud design with my latest fabric collection, and I've made you a little phrase to help us all remember  what it's like to see like a child. I've got a FREE illustrated print for you that will come to your email with your order confirmation. Yahoo!

This is size 5x7, but it's got lots of white space on the print out, so you are able to frame it however it suits you best! So enjoy:)

Thank you all for your kind words, thoughtful emails and support...especially as we prepare for baby #4. It means so much!

Happy 4th of July to my friends in the states, and happy summer all around!

Still here.

Well, well well. Hello!

No. I haven't had my baby, which is probably what you are thinking since I haven't really been online for 2 weeks. It kinda just happened! Sorry for the unexcused absence, but life is life, right? I'm at the last lap of my pregnancy, trying to cope with deadlines and crazy nesting instincts all while managing my "pelvic rest" pre-term labor stuff. That, and my husband had abdominal surgery 2 weeks ago, and with kids out of school, and a house that we are attempting to renovate, everything else has gone on hold.

Whew!

And of course, throw designing a new fabric line and other art projects, and let's just say I will be lucky if my kids have clean pj's tonight.

It's a reality check really. When I've done my very best to manage a lot of things in the past, to be reduced down to just the bare basics. It's been good in a lot of ways, but a big challenge too.

I'm going to be posting a bit less for the next little bit I'm sure, but that doesn't mean there isn't anything going on!

So, stick with me! Next week, I have 2 tutorials for you, a sale coming up, and other fun summery treats.

Ohmygosh. And it's over 100 degrees here. I have never minded so much until this summer when I'm already carrying a little furnace. Any suggestions for summer pregnancies? I can't get enough ice water and cool baths.

I hope you are still around? Hello?  Hope I haven't lost ya. But maybe you are busy swimming and vacationing and eating snow cones. I sure hope so!

So come back Monday, and we'll pick up where we left off.

Oh, and if you want more frequent updates of behind the scenes in my world, follow me on Instagram! Insta-blogging really. Love it.

Happy Friday!!

xo

sarah

Announcements are always fun

Hello! There are a few things going on today, and I had to make sure you knew what's going on!

 

So, Let's Pretend Fabric is out, and it's so fun to see you sewing! A lot of sites have been interested in doing interviews on the line, and The Fat Quarter Shop has posted an interview on their Jolly Jabber blog. I'm talking about my process in designing fabric, and all that fun stuff. I don't really talk about that much, and so I love interviews like this where I can talk about it a bit more directly.

Also, have you heard about QuiltBLISS? It's a new Modern Quilt retreat here in Utah up in the gorgeous mountains coming up this January! I'm a guest speaker  and I'm going to be talking about the bliss (and blood sweat and tears) of designing a collection and all the aspects of color, design, and all the ins and outs of putting together a fabric line. I'm sure we'll do some embroidery in there too:) It will be so inspiring! Registration begins tomorrows, so don't miss it. I absolutely love to meet with people in person, and I'd love to spend the weekend with all of you!

And if you are in for a giveaway, there is a giveaway going on right now here., which includes this favorite paper puppet theater toy. Perfect for rainy summer days! It's just a happy day all around!

And on a personal note, my pregnancy is getting less and less at risk, which is such a miracle!! I've been getting regular ultrasounds, and today I got to see him again. Chubby cheeks and everything. What a handsome little guy. I'm so in love!! I still have NO idea when I'll have this baby (but I've never really been able to be set on a due date) so it's time to start getting ready just in case.  It's been 7 years since we've had a boy, so it feels like we are almost starting over again. Which really, makes it so fun!

Have fun clicking around today, and thanks for yesterday's suggestions on photosharing. Maybe having a Pinterest Board just for fabric projects would be the best, so you can share them in a space that we are all on all the time. I love FLICKR, it's just I'm not really on there like I used to be.

Happy Tuesday! xoxo

Chasing Mermaids Let's Pretend Dresses

This is the fun part for me. When you start sewing with the fabric I've been thinking about for a good year....I love seeing what you come up with!

It's when I see your creativity come out and enhance what I've made.

I just love it. Here are some dresses and skirts made by Chasing Mermaids using the Let's Pretend Fabric line.   She used this sewing pattern, and added a panel for kicks. Just adorable. They are using the "Make Believe" Panel print, and the "When I am King" raspberry crown fabric.

I'm hoping to have a blog tour up and going soon. Do you have something you've made and want to share? I've always had the FLICKR groups that I love seeing, but I wonder if there is a way to share that everyone can see. Do any of you know of a better photo sharing option? If you have any ideas comment below. I'd love to have people see your creations more frequently as they are shopping around for ideas on what to make. I hope there are some better options....either here on the blog, or on Pinterest, etc. Thanks!

I'm in the process of updating my Fabric Store Retailers List, but if you sell this line, or know of where to buy it, comment below and I'll make sure you are on the list! Especially International Shops, as those are the hardest for me to get info about. Thanks! Have fun sewing! xo Sarah Jane