We've MOVED!!

Well, folks. This BLOGGER location has been great. A great starter home for sure. But, we have found a great NEW home!

So, change your RSS feeds, your Blog reader, your bookmarks, your address books to:

www.sarahjanestudios.com/blog

So, come on over! Can't wait to see you around!

Sparkle-Pop!

Hope you all had an exciting 4th of July! We sure did!
Come back this weekend for some exciting changes!

Taking home Hawaii.

(picture courtesy of my sister in law Dana)

She's getting pretty good. It's just her size. Jack Johnson...move over. She's coming!

Hello July!

July. Has to be one of my favorite months. I love summer. I love being in the water. I love sunshine. And it is my birthday.


July's print is here! Barely made it into the shop before July 1st. But here she is. Ready to jump in. Or is she? Do you remember the first time you just went for it? Jumped off the diving board into water your friends swore to you was warm? Or off the edge into the deep end? Or do you still have to decide if you will jump in or go in slowly down the stairs?

July is full of REALLY tough decisions.

But before we get to July, let's talk a little more about June. Today is a very special birthday. My Grandma Knell.

(she's the babe in the center)

This woman has done it all. Kindergarten teacher turned mother of 10. To have 10 kids, you have to be creative....or else. She is AMAZING!

(here she is, center again this time with all her kids)

Sewer of all thing, maker of all things, orchestrator of all things creative. You got an apple core? She'll dry it, put a face on it and make it into a wrinkled old man statue. Got some left over fabric? She'll make a grocery bag saver. Have some paper scraps? She'll make an intricate paper Christmas ornament.


Well, I couldn't think of any thing better to give her, than her own personalized paper doll. Addie loves to play with Grandma when we visit, and I thought a fun activity they could do together, would be to play paper dolls (since my Grandma loves paper and loves dolls. Still. I am sure she rearranges the furniture in her doll house when no one is around.)


So, Vera Jewel...Jewel for short (great name isn't it?) gets her own monogrammed doll (notice the underwear) complete with rain coat and sunday best. Can't wait to have her play with Addie. Or me for that matter.


I am a little addicted, and I think I will be making more of these. I can't get over how cute she is! Be watching for a Free Download soon. These are just too much fun!!

Well, happy June 29th Vera Jewel, and for tomorrow, happy July every one! Just dive in!

Happy Site Friday: Bansky outdoors

Maybe you have seen these images floating around cyberspace, but regardless if these are new or not....don't they just make you happy?


I am attracted to people who strive to make the world a more beautiful place...who make a difference. And though it seems Bansky's efforts are in pointing to truth in Human behavior, something about painting on the walls of ghetto buildings makes me smile. I won't be showing my kids this site (mine would go recreate this on the bathroom wall with crayons). But be inspired. Go make the world a better place today. In whatever medium, in whatever style, in whatever form.

Hello.
Smile.
Pick up a piece of litter.
Write a letter.
Give blood.
Hold a child.
Say thank you.

Happy Friday everyone!

xoxo,
sarah jane

Design Op.

K. Did you see this on Print and Pattern today? If not, have a look. Submit your graphic patterns and designs for a chance to be in this Blogger-turned-published-author's collection of designs distributed by Chronicle Books. Get excited. Very cool that A) this blogging world has opened up doors for other Media opportunities and B) that the door is open for you to submit! Guidelines are here. Have fun!

On my desk...

...But not for long!

Getting back from a big break is usually the pits. Laundry, unpacking, going through mail, and adjusting to boring "REAL LIFE." This time, I got to get busy filling orders, and let me just tell you...It is good to be back. Thanks to so many of you for patiently waiting for your orders. I really didn't think that I would get any orders while I was gone. But, 35 packages and 67 orders later, I guess I was wrong.

This stack would have taken me like 73 hours to fill 7 months ago when this all started. Not only was I working in a crammed corner of my bedroom (shhhhh...don't tell any one that) but I was just getting used to all the ????

?What shipping materials are best?
?Return address labels?
?How should I pack multiple items together so they are safe?
?Where is the tape!
?How many sharpees can I go through in a week?
?Am I out of cello sleeves already?
?The post office closes in 13 minutes. Can I make it?

Wow. I still consider myself in the 'start-up' stage, but those days were the REAL startup days. Yikes! I have learned a lot about shipping and packing since then! It still is time away from drawing or creating, but I love to see all my prints making new homes somewhere else.

So thanks to all of you who made orders while I was gone. They have been sent on their way, and I can officially start getting artsy again. Ahhh...yes. My sketchpad and I have a date:)

We're back!

Wow. Let's just say wow. It is 10am, and my kids are still asleep because they still are on Hawaii time. I think I still have sand in my hair. I couldn't fall asleep last night because I couldn't hear the ocean. I didn't know what to have for breakfast because we don't have fresh papaya on the counter. I wanted to walk to the grocery store this morning...barefoot. My typing is really bad because i haven't touched a keyboard in two weeks. I am looking for rainbows out of my office window. We had to buy Ian new crocks before getting on the plane because they were too small...but we didn't realize it until then because he hadn't worn shoes all week. I can't smell plumerias outside my front door. There is no ocean breeze to keep the hair out of my face. My husband is leaving for work right now, and I had to remind him to put a shirt on. There was no rooster to wake me up this morning. And I may not make complete sense yet...Red-eye flights with toddlers and a four hour time difference takes a while to adjust. But then, so does coming home from a tropical paradise.

I could write novels about our trip, but here is the abridged version:

We stayed on the North Shore of Oahu for two weeks for a family reunion on my husband's side (benefits of my husband's parents) and RELAXED. We also did a lot of this

and this

and this

and this

and this

and this

and every day, my eyes were filled with images of this

and this

and this

If the North Shore is a familiar place to you, then the words Ted's bakery, Giovani's shrimp, Sunset Beach, Wiamaia Bay, Ke Nui road, Chocolate Haupia pie, Huuala Korean BBQ, PCC, Rosalani ice cream, Turtle Bay, Sharks Cove, giant sea turtles, beached seals, rainbows, liquid sunshine, Motsumotos, Kua Aina, slow driving, malasadas, lychee, kuhuku land farms, red raiders, and sunset surfing are words you don't ever want erase from your daily vocabulary.


There is nothing like watching your children fall in love with the sand and the ocean. Especially when I have 50 years of history on this Island, it makes me so happy that my kids are creating memories of sand and sea. Addie cried all the way to the airport " I don't want to leave Hawaii alone!!!!" Oh, we cried with her. The land and ocean here speak to me, and teaches me how to just "BE". The people here are beautiful because they are so open and genuine and take care of eachother. Remembering these things is always the challenge when I come back from this place, but I am determined to carry the ALOHA spirit...even in a world full of deadlines and filled-to-the-brim living.

But, now we are BACK!!! and as sad as I was to leave my favorite place on earth, I am really excited to show you all the exciting projects I have ahead. Two weeks of a vacation is long when you are soul owner of a business...but can I tell you: I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!!!! I am refreshed, renewed and rejuvinated. I can't wait to dive into all the ideas I have flooding.


So...thanks for checking in, and sorry for the pause. But come back, pull up a chair and have a chat. Lots of new exciting things in the works. Hope to see you around!

CYA.

Be back soon!

The most precious Angel.

Today I want to pay tribute to a very special person. Three years ago this week (June 14th, 2005) Kennedy Linton, age 20 months, passed on to Heaven in her parents arms. This sweet little girl struggled courageously for 7 1/2 months with a very rare form of Brain Cancer, and though she went through multiple operations and treatments, she was the bravest little warrior through it all. Kennedy had so much spunk and personality, and though she lost her ability to communicate verbally (because of the Chemotherapy) she learned sign so well! She was so smart for her age...so grown up and yet so tender too. She loved books and animals, and loved learning of any kids. She was constantly pointing to everything in her world. She loved her parents and wouldn't leave her mother's side. She was a true little angel and yet, a warrior at the same time. We love you Kennedy.

Kennedy was the only child of my dearest friend Laura. This week I wanted to share with you Kennedy's story so that you can say a little prayer, or have a little thought on their behalf. Losing a child is every parent's worst nightmare, but I have watched Kennedy's parents show as much courage through their personal grieving process as Kennedy had while she was here. Though it has been three years, I don't think that it hurts any less. Her parents are truly the bravest people I know.


In honor of Kennedy, her parents, and this very special week for them, I wanted to post some prints that I made a while back to celebrate her life. I will always miss this little princess, and wonder about the friends Kennedy and Addie would have been. This week my prayers are with Laura, Ryan and Kennedy, and I hope you can offer up a little thought too.

May this week be a celebration of a small life, but a BIG person. We love you Kennedy.

Colors of summer

You know it's summer when colors start looking like this:

Battles and Bridges.

Still here. Heading out soon, and wishing I was there already.

Found this last year, and forgot about it until today. We all have these thoughts. Well, at least I do, and I am in constant change and motion as an artist and person that I sometimes fall into these traps. You? Call it the perfectionist in me fighting with the free spirit in me. They go to battle every once in a while (ok...a lot). Who wins? Who ever I allow.

OK, so can you tell I have had a hard battle this week? The hardest part is recognizing these mean evil ideas that creep in and having the confidence to push them away. Or in some cases, when they really don't want to leave and it seems like they are setting up camp in your brain, burning their villages down. These thoughts are ALWAYS a trap, and I have to admit that I fall in more than I would like to. This week's battle, I think Mr. Free spirit won. I hope.

Enjoy your weekend!

PS: found on Keri Smith's illustration/author blog. She posted this last year. You will find lots more deep/humorous thoughts on her blog. Enjoy!

TIME.OUT.

Ok. It's official. I am going on vacation. Not just any vacation. Hawaii. 2 weeks. No email. No computer. Husband's orders.

My husband's family is cramming all together in a 2 week vacation on the beach. I am more than ecstatic. My mother's side of the family has lived in Hawaii since the early 30's. So my roots are deep there. But this is a first for my husband's side, and I can't wait!

But this translates into a few things:

Shop will be closed June 10th -June 23rd.

This is the longest break I have ever taken.
(In my 7 month career on ETSY).

But it is much needed.

Sometimes I wish I was like these dear artists who have a lot more time on their hands to make make make. But then I pinch myself and realize that my time is filled with diapers, dressups, tantrums, tickles, messes, lullabies and kisses and I wouldn't have it any other way! My time to be creative is limited to a couple hours a week (which is not enough for my art brain that doesn't ever shut off!). But though I wish I had creative time everyday, I would be wishing my truest joy away: being a mom.

Everyone needs breaks from the go-go-go of real life. Charging the battery is key. Being truly alive is everything. Breathing and listening is vital to any scheduled day.

So, folks. There are just a few more days to order before I leave for two weeks. If you have been itching to get something, my last day at the post office is on Monday June 9th.

Oh, and a lot of you have been dying to see my studio...well, I drew a picture of it for you above. Isn't it cute?? My bike is parked on the side and you can borrow it while I am gone. Just bring it back.

French cuties.

Well, I never thought that I would be adding more to my little french animal series, but I have....and I like it. I am working on a licensing project with my "Maman" and "Papa" elephant and giraffe series, and they just looked so lonely to me, I decided to add some more.


I like that these can go together as a foursome, stand alone, work as a pair or work with other prints in my shop currently.


Stay tuned for more! My husband (a school teacher) is done with teaching for a bit and I am in "crank it out" mode. Crank it out, meaning, lots of creative time at night. Too bad I am up so early with the kids, that by 9pm I am falling asleep on my computer tablet! But oh well. Stay tuned!

My 3 year old can sew her own clothes.

It's 1pm and Addie won't take a nap.

Addie, It's time for bed.

But mom, I'm awake.

No you're not. You need to go to sleep. You are so tired.

Mom, I want to be with you.

Go to bed.

But there are monsters.

Go to sleep.

Mom, can I sew a dress?

What?

Pause.

Puppy dog eyes.

OK. Let's sew a dress.

I have always been interetsed in teaching Addie to sew. I knew as soon as she learned, she would be hooked. I just didn't know the right age to start. She is 3 1/2 and needles and such aren't much for 3 year olds. But I pulled out a yarn needle, and a full length of embroidery thread, and we began to sew. And amazing! She got the hang of it!


Poke it in/Pull it out/Pinch the eye/ pull until it stops/ poke again close to where it came out.

She is a rhythm girl, and even began singing a song about the above routine.

Hum-dee-dum. Pinching the needle. toodle-oo. Poke it through.

Seriously folks...she sewed every stitch in this dress. Granted it didn't last long, but I couldn't believe it.

But she is hooked. Every day since: "Mom, can we sew today?"
And now she notices her toys, clothes, blankets, couch pillows: "Mom! Somebody sewed this for me! I can see the thread!"

Since this dress, she has made a dress for Flower and a toy cow and is working on a blanket for her baby.

I can't wait to get her an embroidery hoop. She may still be too young. But this might be just the thing to keep her away from Barbi just one more year.

Happy Site Friday: Creative Thursday

Hello! Have a seat! Tea? Hot cocoa? So glad you came by today cause I have a special friend with us today. Marisa is joining us for a little while, and I can't wait for you to meet her. If you haven't yet, then well, you are in for a treat. Plan on making a new friend today!

When I was first figuring out how to get my art into the world, I began doing research and came across this lovely lady's site. She is just full of passion, color, creativity and life and she loves to share it. Her studio? Creative Thursday came about when she was working 9-5 in an office and needed to set aside time to be her true artistic self, which just happened to be on Thursdays. She made a note to herself: Must do this more! She started a daily painting exercise, began blogging, posting on ETSY, and well, the rest is history. She has made quite the career for herself and has been able to quit her 'day job' and do what she truly loves. And just to give you a sense of her approach to things, she found her artist title in quite the circuitous way before finding her true life's calling. From acting to interior design to marketing...she has learned to not be scared to do what you TRULY love. And in her graceful, sharing way, she shares lessons and advice from her experiences for other artists and creative minds. Some artists are very closed about how they find success in their art. Marisa is completely different. She sees the need for artists to support each other. She has found her own journey, recognizes everyone else has their own journey, and is passionate about helping other's along the way. She is truly a generous and good person!

Marisa has put together a very wonderful site full yummy pictures, podcasts, blog posts, and even scheduled workshops, so I won't try and duplicate that here. But I will say, she has invited you over to visit and have a look around. She truly is fearless and so passionate and loving. Though I haven't met her yet, I plan on making a visit the next time I am in L.A. If you are an artist, have creative aspirations, Marisa's journey will inspire you. She does a little of everything:

From this:

To This:

To this:

To this:

A message from Marisa:

"When you visit this site I hope you feel inspired to be more creative in your own life, and to surround yourself with color as you can't help but feel happy and alive in its presence. Just remember there is no limit to what we can do when we live to be FREE, Happy and TRUE and be CREATIVE every day, especially THURSDAYS!"

She loves what she does and believes that 'starving artist' is a phrase of the past. You CAN make a living doing what you love. Thank you Marisa! We hope to stay a while!

For more yummy creative thursday, visit:

Her ETSY shop
OOpsy Daisy
Urban Outfitters
Her blog

architectural stationary for the sentimental heart.

One of those nights where I start drawing to just draw. (This is so important for me...I have some 'projects' I am working on and I have to keep tricking my hands that they aren't working). Started as Dollhouses. Morphed into Houses. Morphed into Pattern. Morphed into greeting card. Morphed into a 'goodbye' card for my next-door neighbor of 3 years moving on Saturday. The inside of the card says "Come over sometime."

Then I wished I lived in one of these houses.

Only bigger.

Well, maybe just people size.

I'd keep the pink roof. But then I'd paint it so my husband would want to live with me.

Wanna trade me?

Ok. In my next life I am going to be a seamstress. I especially wish I had this talent because my little Addie, is well, little. Her waist and bum is the size of an 18 month old, but she is tall, so she is a size 3 in length. Problem? Shorts just fall off her. Solution? Handmade skirts and summer dresses. I have made a few, and it is all she wears.

Here is my proposition: I need one more summer dress before our family takes a 2 week long trip to Hawaii in June. I KNOW that many of you are great seamstresses...I read your blogs!I am looking for a pillowcase dress in exchange for some prints. The only catch is I would need it in 2 weeks. I have had this beautiful Amy Butler fabric and am happy to mail it to you. So, if you are interested in a really fun trade, email me (my email is on my profile page). I feel kinda silly, but the truth is, Addie mostly sports around in her underwear unless she is wearing a skirt or slip on dress! Any takers??


Don't you love Amy Butler's new line? Me too.

Here is an example of what I didn't get around to making:

(photo from molly coddle)

Thanks yo guys! You are the best!

June.

It is interesting...these calender prints. Some of them come so fast, and some take me forever to figure out. June was a 'forever to figure out' print. Really, it was the color scheme that took me the longest. You may have noticed that every season has it's own color scheme, and June/July/August is my last theme to choose. But, I decided: Summer Whites (with splashes of watermelon and orange). But now that I have decided...I can't wait for July and August!

This little moment is inspired by Addie who helped me see that all the dandelions are nearly all 'white poofs' and must be blown away in the wind. She is flower lover (what little girl isn't?) and June is full of gorgeous blooms, but also these pesky weeds that children love.

This print is more still that I would have liked for a warmer month like June, but there is something about the stillness that is childlike. Children can run and climb and be ALL over the place, but they are also capable for caring about each one of those seeds that are disappearing in the wind. Amazing.

Happy June every one!

OH, and please notice to the left I have a running poll right now. I am wanting to make some FREE downloads available on my blog, and want to know what would be of most interest to you! I am constantly looking for free paper dolls and coloring pages for my kids, and decided to make my own and want to share! So, you can vote for more than one thing, but vote! I want to know what you would like.

xoxo
Sarah Jane

Happy Site Friday: Magnolia Square

Today I travel to Melbourne, Australia. Get your plane ticket ready and take a weekend shopping trip! I don't know about you, but I need a weekend with the girls, and this one is going to be great! Wanna come?



Ok, Ok. The travel time alone would take all weekend, so let's just click over to here. Magnolia Square is a shoppers paradise with over 150 unique artisan retailers all in one central location. I found their blog and was instantly wishing I lived on the other side of the world. 7 months ago (Pre-Sarah Jane ETSY shop) I really had no desire to visit the land down under. But since over half of my international customers are from Australia, I have made some wonderful friends....all who I am sure would love to go shopping with me this weekend in Melbourne. Australia is so supportive of all things handmade, and I may just be taking a trip soon!

(click on the image to see the website)

Back to Magnolia square. Aren't these images just tempting? Thankfully (for all of us who can't afford a 16 hour plane ride) Magnolia square has a blog where they feature their favorite finds...most of whom have websites! Horray for virtual shopping!





Enjoy! And if any of you manage to find cheap airfair, let me know!

A welcomed friend.

There is quite the combination of tasks and obligations that come with owning a business. My art is what I love to do, and what I love to sell. But I am starting to find that unless I keep things fresh and new, I will never find growth as an artist or as a business. There are projects I am working on, and art that I want to see in my shop. But when I get artists block I have to create for the sake of creating. Even if it doesn't go with my shop, or even if I have specific projects to work on. If I don't, I get stuck and can't think. It is all part of being a creative personality. So, you may be seeing more of these from my gut type illustrations that may or may not make their way into the shop. But they reflect what is on my mind now and in my vision now.

For instance, this little piece (brought to you by Thursday Naptime). I am having a little obsession with toadstools lately. And I just love red and pink together. But this little girl came from my Addie this month. She will find the most random thing and say, "Mommy, this matches me!" Like a diaper wipe and her white shirt. Or the brown leaf to her brown pants. She is also making friends with inanimate living things, like trees and grass. So, this is for her. But this time, the toadstools want to be friends with what they think matches them. It is a happy day for a toadstool when friends come a long. And today, I have made friends with my pen again.

He has a really cool party hat.

Experiments. Addie and Ian are still asleep. (Late night last night so thank goodness). It's raining. I love this quiet time to do what ever comes. I have projects up the whazoo. But it sure feels nice to just create from my head as it comes. Note to self: must do that more! Must have kids sleep in more. We'll see where this goes. Inspired from this line.

Send a card.

It's about time these cards hit the shelves! I just adore these chair cards. They can be used for just about anything....Father's day, birthday, just because, etc. etc. etc.

I am also selling the giraffe print card separately in honor of Father's day coming up. My own father instilled in me a love for cards and stationary. It has been said that he has a secret filing cabinet somewhere FILLED with just the right card for just the right person (but the location still remains unknown). My dad worked in his father's print shop when he was younger, and fell in love with all things paper. Maybe that is where I get it. My dad has given me two cards that I can remember that he had actually bought for me 4-5 years before, and saved it for just the right moment. That is my dad. Why do I mention this? I guess it is my quest to create some cards that make for just the right moment, at just the right time. Anyways...enjoy! they are up in the shop!

ETSY FIND: Peek-a-boo Prints

I am constantly amazed at the talent I find on ETSY. Mom's just like me and dreamers just like me trying their talent out in a thriving market. I want to start highlighting the yummy people and products that are out there.

To start, I bring to you Peek-a-boo-Prints by Jenny. She just happens to be my best friend in the whole world , but ever since those college roommate days, I have been so impressed with her artistic abilities (which span far and wide folks!) She 'gets' childhood and motherhood, and she has started to draw and sell her artwork! Horray!!! ETSY is the place for artists right now, and I am so glad that she is tapping in on all that ETSY has to offer. Jenny's work is sweet and honest, and comes straight from her own experience as a mom. Just lovely!

Here are some of my favorites:

Don't you love this 'sign' series?

I love this black and white sketch as well...so simple and fresh.
And how darling for a boy's room!

Jenny also has a true-to-life-hilarious blog. She has 3 wild and darling boys and with it lots of stories that will make you roll over. Check out her shop and her blog. You are in for a treat!

Favorites.

Just a few random favorites of mine that are inspiring a monday morning. Monday's need inspiration. Here are a few of mine.

New favorite toy company
moulin roty courtesy of A little Sussy.

New favorite online kids store
Coming Kids

New Favorite Children's book
Went to a children's writer/illustrator conference and was introduced to this:

New favorite fabric
Ginger blossom

Happy Site Friday: the prolific artist.

Today my very thoughts and interests were answered by a blog post. Crazy, isn't it? I was thinking deep thoughts about my role as an artist, and voila...I read this just yesterday morning. What is a prolific artist? What about my daily life and life views define who I want to be?

This article doesn't spell out HOW to be an amazing artist. But what it does do, is reveal 7 Common Characteristics of Prolific People.

I find this very interesting as I seek inside myself which parts of me need to work better to get what I want. It took me a while to say that I was an 'artist.' I didn't major in art, or study under a great mentor...art is just the way that I think and see the world. Now that I have a 'shop' it is easier to say. But do you need to sell your art to be an 'artist?' NO! There is real power in telling people, "I am an artist." Just as easy as that. This article outlines some great commonalities in prolific artists, and I think I will be putting this up on my bulletin board. Enjoy!

PS: Thanks for all your comments and sympathy on Wed's post about our strep-house. Unfortunately, strep has mutated into the croup, and I think today's article should have been: How to get a full night's sleep in an hour. Any one want to write that one?