Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Hey folks:

If you are Utah people, and into art and illustration, you gotta check out this week’s events in Provo.

A bunch of my favorite local children’s authors and illustrators are opening up their studios and hosting galleries and free demo’s.

I went to the openhouse last night, and it was fantastic. Hope to see you there!

This is a post from last year’s Easter weekend. Moving has thwarted our festivities a bit, but The Country Bunny still remains a tradition.

This weekend we celebrated Easter, and it was our best yet. Easter egg hunts, cake decorating, a wonderful morning at church, candy eating, family gathering and really, really great memories.

One activity we did I think will turn into a yearly tradition: reading of “The Country Bunny and the Little Golden Shoes”.

(If this book is new to you, here is the one sentence recap: A country bunny with 21 children to tend to, is able to maintain her status as one of the 5 Easter bunnies, because of her mothering skills in the home, and the extra help of a special pair of magical golden shoes. Message: As long as you always try your best, you will get the help you need to do great things.)

My children have read this before, and my husband and I grew up on this story. It is one of my ALL TIME favorites. But this year, we made it even more special.

On Easter Eve, we walked over to my Grandmother’s house where she was waiting for us…ready to read her very own copy of this story (she is the Country Bunny to a “T”). She read it aloud in her own words (which we audio recorded) and then at the end, I pulled out a wrapped box with a real pair of golden shoes to hang up on the wall as a reminder of the amazing message in this book. The kids were tickled to think they had their very own pair to look at.

I wish I could have posted this before Easter, but alas…it was a last minute idea. I had bought a pair of old vintage toddler shoes at an antique store years ago, and I spray painted them gold. I laced them up with leather lacing, and VOILA. A family heirloom to pull out every Easter.

If you haven’t ever read this book, you may be a bit confused. You need to go read it…it is worth reading ANY time of the year!

It’s crazy. Ideas come when you don’t expect them, and for me….when you don’t have time to do anything about them (like when you are moving, living in boxes, making a book and fixing up a house all at the same time). But I am excited about this one. Sarah Jane Studios will be getting a Spring Makeover with new prints and items perfect for the retro kid. New prints will trickle in slowly but surely…so stay tuned! If you haven’t signed up for the newsletter, you can do that on the sidebar to be the first to know when new prints are in the shop!

OK. If you weren’t there at ALT, you really need to go next year. Like, really.

It was that much fun. Packed full of info, meeting my favorite bloggers, networking and sharing experiences. I learned so much at this conference and it really helped to solidify in my mind the importance of this new wave of information sharing we have created: Blogging for design. Is my blog a “design” blog? No… well kinda, maybe. But all in attendance had a common bond: We love blogging. We love writing. We love sharing. We love visuals. And we can’t stay away from design elements to communicate daily to others over the web.

It was a party. Everyone was so generous, open, warm and really….it was like we had a big family reunion for all these people who only communicate over a keyboard and monitor. I made a lot of great new friends, and even had the chance to say “Thank You” to some of my hero bloggers.  We were in a super fancy-shmancy hotel, and the whole event was so put together. I just loved the fact that I got to leave home and have a day away to spend with people who were hungry for the same information. And I must say, having the chance to speak was incredible. It was a great opportunity to collect, in a small pocket of time, so many of the things I have learned over the past 2 years!

Here is an inconclusive list of Bloggers who came to speak, to give you an idea for what to expect for next year.

So it’s really true. Each child gets fewer and fewer photos of themselves. Everyone warned me, but I stubbornly took a million pictures of #1 and #2 to prove them wrong. But then came #3, and well….it’s true. It’s honestly a matter of having a spare finger to press “shoot.” It doesn’t sound that complicated, but believe me. They were right.

I managed to snap some photos of Ella this week, and it turns out, she is dolled up in everything handmade, and it made me smile. Everything she’s wearing in these pictures someone took the time to make with their hands. I find that so special.

I fell in love with this podswaddler (a cross between a swaddling blanket and a peapod) made by a blog reader friend who has an ETSY shop. And her headband, also on ETSY who’s maker is my wonderful neighbor. Her blanket in the top picture was made by my dear friend who does my shipping, and the best for last…

…this blessing dress made by my mother-in-law for Ella’s special day. It just warms my heart to see so much made from loving hands for this little girl. My husband’s grandmother even makes her things…at 90 years old…and I can’t think of a better offering than of work from your hands. These are precious gifts!

And let’s just say…this baby herself is as handmade as they come! And ooooooh, she’s the best gift ever.

New in the shop: A sale section with items rotating weekly {thanks to a wonderful idea via the black apple}

Each week, I will post NEW items in the SALE section from my shop. Items will be chosen at random and will change each Wednesday. This way, you can snag a chance at getting a discount whenever you like! Enjoy!

The shop.

The sale section.

Wowzers. I don’t think I’ve ever had that many people say Happy Birthday to me before. Thanks so much! Good thing I didn’t have to choose the winner here, and I could let www.random.org do the work.

#46 and #224, the lucky Amy and Sheri, are the winners! Congrats!

Thanks again folks. So far 30 is great!

I don’t know if I mentioned my other half and his crazy over the top dancing skills. Not only does he cook, but he is a crazy awesome dancer/actor/singer! He has been rehearsing for the past 2 months for the summer run of “Singing in the Rain” and he is playing the role of Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) at a local community theater and the show opens next week! My good husband hasn’t performed in a show in 10 years (it is a rather big time commitment!) and I couldn’t be more thrilled for him.

He and I actually met our very first day of college in BYU’s Musical Theater program and I fell madly in love with his tapping skills. What girl doesn’t swoon over a gorgeous guy in tap shoes who can flirt with a triple time step? I fell for it, and glad I did.

If you are in Utah, come and see! It’s a fantastic show.

Hale Center Theater come Monday, Wednesday or Friday.

Happy weekend!

My dear blog friends,

Are you completely bored with my blog by now? Do you come over to have a chat and no one is home? Who ever posts here is for sure rude! Leaving a blog up with no updates. Geesh. Bloggers.

I feel like my blog has been living in a ghost town. Only because there is actually A LOT going on behind the screen…namely getting ready for baby.

Just an update, I am 34 1/2 weeks along and technically have only 5+ weeks until the baby is due. But since I have a history of having preemies, it looks like this baby won’t be an exception. I have been having regular contractions for over 3 weeks now. Thus the Ghost Town Blog.

And frankly, I am pooped! I have been getting tons of help with my shop (I have two AMAZING gals over shipping and printing.) But it looks like I will be closing down shop for a bit to keep my head on straight. This pregnancy is taking all my concentration, which it should. And with projects that need to be finished up before baby comes, I have decided to close down after the weekend. A more formal announcement will come soon, but I wanted to give you guys the heads up!

Running an ETSY shop, creating art as a business, raising 2 toddlers with a baby on the way and still trying to manage a life full of daily enjoyments has been the learning lesson of a lifetime. I am driven to work from home yet have a home where my children never feel like I work. Every day I strive to make them first and be creative with how I use my time to still stay ahead in my business. It is a challenge, let me tell you! But it’s also important to remember that life has big waves that sometimes can’t be surfed with a surfboard full of stuff. Simplifying is needed to take on the biggest waves! And so, I will close my doors for a bit. And man…it’s a good feeling:)

I’ll still be here though. Check in to see cute belly pictures and baby pictures;) Any guess on a due date? If you think you know, fill me in! I’d love to mark my calendar:)

Thanks for all your wonderful emails, and your kind words and all your support! I just love hearing from you all, and wish I could just invite you all over for cupcakes and raspberry tea or something. And then you could watch my children put on a play for you with elaborate entrances and exits, and with handmade costumes made out of paper and tape, singing show tunes at the top of their lungs in a made up language, and then maybe you’ll be glad to just read my blog…and no more:)

Have a lovely weekend!

xo

sarah j.

You’ve got to be here this weekend if you are a Utah person. This is the best handmade event of the year! I was setting up my own table last night, and wishing I was able to just hang out at everyone else’s. Completely inspiring! Today and Tomorrow. Maybe I’ll see you there!