winner!

#191 Catherine who said: Congratulations and happy birthday! I am so happy to have your lovely artwork as a part of my children’s lives–I know they will have happy memories of the prints hanging on their walls. Thank you!

Thanks to all of you who entered! I read all the comments, and you are all so lovely. Thank you so much! If you haven't had your fill of giveaways, head over to Bloesom for this darling offer.

Can you resist the cuteness?

Thanks again, all. I'm off do get some Christmas items ready for the shop! There's a lot of creating going on in these parts lately...so I will keep you posted when I get some holiday updates.

xo

sarah jane

Birthday Party Giveaway

Two years ago today, I took a really, really big leap of faith: I started selling my art work. I had no idea my art would be accepted or interesting, but I did it anyways because I had to. Part of being an artist includes a need to share, give and express. Opening my ETSY shop 2 years ago filled that need.

And it's been 2 years! What started from a corner computer desk in our small apartment bedroom has grown to a 4 person operation. I have met some incredible people, made valuable connections and have grown so much as an artist since that day. I am so glad I made big leap: it was scary, but oh so worth it. It's been an incredible journey for myself as well as for my family, and I want to thank you for your support! It has meant so much!

*You must indulge me for a second while I take a couple lines to thank the person who is responsible for why I am still here: my incredible side-kick and better half. My husband has been so generous with his efforts: countless dinners made, laundry done, floors vacuumed and children tended to so that I could squeeze in "just one more hour" of time to my passion. Without him, I would have burned out long ago. But he believes in me and has encouraged me the whole way. When I have wanted to just give up (and there have been a few sleep-deprived moments of "why am I doing this" kind of talk) he has been my cheerleader. And somehow through it all, we have had time still to be together as a family, run a small business, have a third baby and manage normal (and magical) family living. We have been truly blessed. He is my best friend.

Ok! Now for the fun stuff:

Every Party needs party favors...and this is a good one!

The Giveaway includes:

Gifts from my shop as well as Warm Biscuit Bedding Company: a wonderful online store...one of the first in the market to offer personalized and custom gifts and decor for children. My products have been in their online retail store for a while now and I have just loved their company. You are just going to love these:

A set of Matruoshka dolls

and 3 darling suitcases. You can't pass this up!

and a set of 10 Halloween Cards from Yours Truly.

  • All you need to do is enter a comment below (just say "Hi", smile and wave...offer a suggestion...or just say "Happy Birthday")
  • Thursday, I will present the winner here on the blog. Make sure to include your email address in your comment.
  • Entries are valid through Wednesday at Midnight (EST)

But of course, we can't all win this one. So....

THIS WEEK ONLY:

FREE shipping atWarm Biscuit Bedding Companywhen you make a purchase and mention: Sarah Jane as your coupon code

and...

BUY 2 GET 1 FREE in my shop!

  • Purchase TWO items in my shop.
  • At the time of purchase, MENTION the FREE item you would like in the message to seller box.
  • FREE items can only be equal to or LESS than the other items purchased.
  • There is a cap of TWO free items for the entire order.

But remember: every good party comes to an end: Wednesday October 7th at midnight (EST) is your last chance!

Have fun everyone. And thanks so much for all your wonderful support and e-friendship (is that a word? well, it is now...and it's meant so much to me!)

Spread the word, and have fun at the party!

xo

sarah jane

Magic.

apples1
ianapples1

Autumn. Hands down my favorite season. Growing up back east, I have learned since moving to always surround myself with trees. Any kind of tree. And lucky for us, our neighbor has fruit trees. Lots of them. With a garden to match. And today, we harvested the first of the apples. It's that time of year. There is a magic in the air...you can even taste it.

Enjoy your weekend!

**A little bird told me there is some grand giveaway fun planned for Monday...come on over...it'll be a party!

7 a.m. snippets.

ian

7 am

Ian: Good morning mom. I'm a cat.

Me:OK. Good morning my cat.

I roll out of bed with the baby.

Addie + Ian: Meow Meow-mow meeeee-ow. (Translation: Can we listen to Mr. Mistoffelees? {from CATS})

We are listening to Andrew Lloyd Webber and dancing like 8o's rock star cats all before breakfast. I love my life.

Breakfast.

Me: Ian what do you want for breakfast? Toast or fruitshake?

Ian: Cheese and spicy stuff. And beans.

Me: We don't eat salsa for breakfast.

Ian: I want salsa for breakfast.

Me: (remembering that Ian usualy eats nothing for breakfast) OK. I'll make you salsa for breakfast. (Hey...at least it's fresh from the garden salsa, OK?)

Ian: (after getting his plate of food) I want a popsical.

Me: No popsicals for breakfast. Eat your salsa. (Did I really just say that?)

Play time.

Me: Ian, come here. I just finished cutting out your paper doll.

Ian: No mom. I'm fishing. (His fishing pole made out of a fabric tape measure clamped to a small pencil sharpener for the hook).

Me: Where are you fishing?

Ian: The Nordic Sea.

Me: What are you fishing for?

Ian: Alaskan bears.

Me: Did you catch one?

Addie interupts: No mom. Our family is allergic to bears.

Well, then. That's that.

What did you do this morning?

New for fall.

just stay little girlweb1
paperdolloctcrop
boyprints

Whew! Lots of new things getting added today...and happily...mostly for boys! Horray!

Items will be added all day today, so thanks for your patience. There are a few more things you need to watch for...like the full paper doll set, and a couple of other things. But for now, this is it! And yes, there is a dinosaur in the studio. Can you believe? We must have dinosaurs for the boys. It's a must. And don't you love that dress at the top of the post? If I could sew a dress for Addie, that would be it I think. I am just really into felt flowers at the moment.

I hope you enjoy! See you in the shop.

xo

sarah jane

My second set of hands.

emily

Meet Emily Smith.

Over the past nearly 2 years, I have gone solo with printing, corresponding, updating, recording, illustrating, ordering, stocking and marketing. It's been great. But add 3 babies, illustrating a book and trying to squeeze a shower in every day, and it was obvious that I needed help. I have had April take on the printing jobs, and I just hired a new shipping hand whom I love, but Emily oversees it all. Some of you may have already had responses from Emily via email, and I wanted introduce you. Say Hello to Emily!

Isn't she wonderful?

Here's are some interesting facts about the woman keeping me together these days:

  • She is the 7th of 10 children.
  • She worked for General Electric for 10 years as a human resources manager.
  • She lived in Boston for 10 years before getting married and starting her family.
  • She now has a great husband, 2 boys, 2 horses, 1 pony, 2 cats, 2 goats and a dog. (City girl meets country girl!)

And my favorite interesting fact about her:

  • She was the widowed Margaret Rey's roommate (the author of Curious George no less) for a year while she lived in Harvard Square and took care of her out of house needs until she died (for which she has some pretty amazing stories no doubt!)

Emily is amazing and will be keeping things moving for me. So say "Hello!"

Paper Dolls

Here are 6 very curious children who love to play together. They love to make things: make believe, make-up stories, make crafts, make food, and all sorts of other fun play. Each month, I will be adding new clothes (appropriate for the season) to the shop. You want to know the best part about it? The clothing will all be PDF downloads so you don't have to even wait for shipping. Just print them out yourself, as many times as you need (to ensure you have plenty if that exacto knife goes astray!)

What I can't decide, is if i should make the dolls a download. Would you want them shipped to you on super great paper for ensured sturdiness, or to print off your self? Opinions please:

I will have a mighty grand shop update on Tuesday morning. I'm a bit behind schedule, but I don't think you will be disappointed!