2013

aslan-lion-web  

Taking some time off from this space for the holidays felt just right. How are you? Hope you didn't come by too much, cause I was laying low and enjoying some well deserved home-body time. All of us (except the husband-turned-nurse) got sick over the holiday, which meant that instead of formal feasts, we stayed in our PJ's and had chicken soup on Christmas. It was a bit of a downer, but we were all together, snowed in under a foot and a half of snow, and it turned out to be just the pace we needed.

Taking time off from the computer and internet completely felt very well deserved as well. Maybe it's part of being creative but every so often, I get completely burned out of doing anything social, or creative, and December was one of those months for me. I have had these lulls long enough to know that I need to just go with the flow and let myself unplug. And it was good that I did. I'm ready to get back into creating again.

2013: I'm really interested to see what this year brings! I'm a goal person, and I consider myself  pretty driven. But this year, I'm feeling the need to be a little unattached to my goals, and instead be more focussed on the daily moment. To be a little less pushy of myself, and to allow growth and blossoming to happen in their own time.

There is a lot of stuff I have scheduled, and plenty to keep me busy. But for whatever reason, I'm feeling less go-go-go and more "listen and pay attention." Does that make sense? I won't be doing any less, but I intend to have my mind more open, and less filled with lists and pressures. I think last year, I had intentions of letting go of the clutter tasks, and focussing on the creative. But I wasn't as successful at it, because I still tried to push myself to get there. This year, I'm opening up, staying quiet in my mind, and being more intentionally aware and allowing myself to grow where I need to. I'll keep you posted on how that goes. My mother-brain gets in the way of letting me just "play" sometimes. I'm sure there are a few of you that can relate. It's all for good reasons, but I am letting go of the "musts" and "shoulds" a little more, and letting myself make more room for expression.  Good for the soul.

I'm excited to share it with you.

Here's to a new year!

xo

sarah

 

PS: The above illustration is the portrait of my kids I made for my parent's this year. I'll be sharing more of the Portrait Project as they come in!

 

 

Washi Tape Christmas Card Tree

washi-tape-tree Here's a quick Christmas Fix if you are needing one. I went to my local fabric boutique (Harmony & Darlybird) and they had this adorable washi tape tree on the wall. So cute! We've added presents (one for each of us) and we're displaying our Christmas Cards on them this year. We've run out of room, and so tomorrow I think I'll make a few more.

Super easy, and a great way to use up the tape. I love that won't ever damage the walls, and the kids help put it up. Are you a washi tape geek like me?

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washi-tape-tree-2

Happy Less-than-a-week-till Christmas day! Horray!!

And PS: Thanks so much for all the amazing donating for the Sandy Hook Cards. We're up to over $1200 of funds donated (and that's just approximating the numbers from 2 days worth) $5 can go a long way! I'll be collecting funds all through the holiday.

PPS: Tomorrow is the LAST DAY for all my paper goods in the shop (sigh.) Grab them in the clearance, or never more!

Off to make some peppermint Cocoa now:)

Last Holiday Giveaway: Ella Jean

We are having our last lovely sponsor giveaway of the year!

 

Ella Jean is gifting one winner a package = $116.00

All items are machine washable and Made in the USA.

 

Baby Blanket:  This blanket combines Sarah Jane designer cotton fabric (Find the Narwhal) with soft & luxurious Cuddle Fleece fabric, resulting in a baby blanket that's both stylish and super soft!  Sure to become a favorite for both Mom & Baby! $46

 

Soft Blocks:  Soft Blocks are made with coordinating designer print fabric and soft minky. Made to stimulate baby's senses. Great for nursery decor, and fun to play with too! Stuffed with soft foam. Blocks are 5 inches, 4 inches and 3 inches square. $30

 

Ell Jean Bib:  Featuring Sarah Jane's Pirate print on one side and soft, absorbent chenille on the other. This bib is a great size for both babies and toddlers; longer and wider than the typical bib to offer better protection. Snap closure at the top. $16

FOR THE GIVEAWAY: 

1) Visit Ella Jean's online shop here and have a look around!

2) Leave a comment below here on my blog

3) Make sure you enter your email address in the location asked in the comment box

4) Giveaway Closes SUNDAY at 10pm EST

5) I’ll announce the ONE winner Monday

OPTIONAL EXTRA ENTRIES:

1) Like Ella Jeans facebook page here, and then comment below to tell me

2) Follow Ella Jean on Twitter here.

Have fun! And have a lovely weekend!

CLOSED

CONGRATS TO  Jennifer #22!!

Saturday Giveaway: 83 West

 

 

Today I'm super thrilled to be giving away something for the ladies.

Nicole, of 83 WEST designs these amazing clutches from designer fabrics.

This is an amazing gift for the ladies.

 

 

WHAT WE ARE GIVING AWAY:

One foldover clutch with vintage brooch accent as well as $25 shop credit.

Also, they are offering 15% off to Sarah Jane readers with coupon code SARAHJANE15.

 

Here’s all you need to do: 

1) leave a comment below, one entry per person

2) make sure to include your email in the comment section

3) enter by Sunday at 10pm Eastern Time (USA)

Good Luck!

GIVEAWAY: ON CHRISTMAS DAY BOOK AND PRINT

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

For this weekend, we have a wonderful giveaway to get us all in the mood for Christmas. The real meaning of Christmas.

 

 

Phyllis Harris is an amazing illustrator, and had the honor of illustrating a new book written by Margaret Wise Brown (author of GOODNIGHT MOON). Even though Margaret has been gone for many, many years, this is a new book just released this holiday season of text never published. AMAZING!

You can purchase the book here.

For the Giveaway: 

Phyllis is giving away a signed copy of the book, as well as a print of the cover illustration, hand signed by the artist. You can also visit her site, for 20% off (code: FRIDAY20MONDAY) through Cyber Monday!

(If you would prefer a different print from her shop, that would be available as well. )

 

More of Phyllis's amazing work can be found here: 

ETSY SHOP

BLOG

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

 

Here’s all you need to do: 

1) leave a comment below, one entry per person

2) make sure to include your email in the comment section

3) enter by Monday at 10pm Eastern Time (USA)

4) For ONE EXTRA entry, LIKE Phyllis' Facebook page, and leave a comment below that you liked her page.

 

GOOD LUCK!

 COMMENTS CLOSED!

The Lucky Winner is Giddy Stokes! Congrats!

GIVEAWAY: Fashionable Fabrics

Today is the beginning of Saturday Giveaways for the holidays! 

 

Fashionable Fabrics: A favorite of mine. Dennis & Tonia opened their shop in 2004 and they still love what they do: sending people gorgeous fabric! They have a very easy-to-find-fabric-shop with all the best prints, and ship anywhere!

Fashionable Fabrics is offering a $50 gift certificate to one lucky winner (entries open to all...international and domestic!)

Here's all you need to do: 

1) leave a comment below, one entry per person, and tell them what you'd purchase

2) make sure to include your email in the comment section

3) enter by Monday at 10pm Eastern Time (USA)

4) For ONE extra entry, LIKE their facebook page, and leave a comment below that you liked their page.

 

Good luck, and make sure to check out more Fashionable Fabrics here:

Shop  | Pinterest | Facebook | Twitter Newsletter

 

New lovely sponsors

A very warm welcome to some new sponsors here on the blog! Saturdays are going to be posts dedicated to my lovely friends, and I encourage you to visit them and all the lovely goodness they offer. Creativity, handmade, fabric and lovely things abound! There is more of them to come, so stay tuned for giveaways, and more!

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information on how you can be a sponsor, you can email me here. 

 

Have a lovely weekend!