au revoir!

My little brother (well, he isn't so little any more) is leaving to serve a mission for our church in Geneva Switzerland tomorrow. He will be in Switerland for 2 years teaching and giving service and I couldn't be more proud of him. I am the oldest of five kids (this pic was our last siblings picture taken at the beach where we all crammed into this massive hole the Christopher dug...Christopher is the second from the right) and I love my family so much! We are a bunch of weirdos, but we sure have a lot of fun! We will miss you terribly Christopher, but we love you and can't wait to hear about your amazing experiences!

Oneity Sale!

One of my favorite stores just declared that they are shutting down their retail store, and focussing on their online selection. Well, to give you some background, this company supports international artisans providing handmade clothing for a fraction of the cost. At the same time, they are supporting individuals and families (in Africa and elsewhere) by bringing their goods to the states. So with clearance of 50-70% off right now, you can't beat this! I just got Addie and Ian's church outfits for the fall, each being $16!! Have fun!!

www.oneitystore.com

Mantra's from a dreamer.

I am a dreamer. I have always been a dreamer. But I find that as I am getting older, reality sets in, and I find myself more bound by time, money, and physical limitations. There is something that happens between childhood and adulthood that keeps us from thinking we can do anything. Well, I catch myself in these dull boring moments of reality (cause that is what they are...dull and boring!) and I have to remember, that life is meant to be lived to the fullest...not for settling into what we can't do. Last night, my husband very profoundly stated:

Anything great ever done in this world, happened because somebody was dreaming.

Isn't that so true? James Madison dreamt of a new government. The Wright brothers dreamt of a flying machine. Edison dreamt of an electric light. We all have so many dreams, and I think that as adults, we have to try even harder to keep those dreams alive! Real life has a way of telling us we can't do things, and I am sick of listening to that stream of thinking sometimes. My children have the biggest imaginations, and I am constantly being reminded that my daughter is a mermaid and my son is a tiger. So, in the spirit of the Olympics this week, keep dreaming. Keep thinking you can. That is my determination this week...to live the visions I have inside. The only person who can stop us from doing what we REALLY want to do is ourselves. Think about that.

And so, to end my post and to start my week, I leave you with the words of one of my favorite dreamers:

If you can dream it, you can do it.~ Walt Disney

That is so true. I am a singer and spent most of my highschool and college years in voice lessons. One my favorite teachers of all time said, "If you can squeak it, you can sing it." Meaning, if you have it in you to even just squeak that high note, you have it in you (with a whole lot of practice and hard work) to sing it beautifully some day. If there is a glimpse of it, keep working at it and the dream will become reality.

Can you tell what is on my mind today? I am determined to overcome this pesty habit of letting reality dampen my curiosities and dreams. So, with that, happy dreaming everyone!

xoxo

sarah jane

Jaw Dropping.

I don't usually post on world events, or stuff you can read about any where else...but considering that my jaw didn't close for nearly 4 hours straight...I have to mention this. This left me in tears by the end, and I have to say that it was the most incredible performance I have ever seen, EVER! (And I have seen some incredible shows). Click here for incredible photos. I really don't know how they did it. Ancient Chinese secrets I guess.

I really am speechless, and that is saying a lot! Wow. Wow. Wow. Talk about making a statement to the world. Let the games begin!

Happy Site Friday: Jesse and Liz Draper

If you are like me, you go to FLICKR and find great photography and get sucked in. If I let it, time just flies by and I don't even know it because the photography takes me somewhere. My two cousins (Liz and Jesse) are super duper talented and I honestly don't know how they do it! But, I am learning, and I am so happy to be related to these two amazing photographers. (We share the same Grandpa Knell and in fact, most of the models above are my cousins too!). So, if you are like me and like to travel on Fridays (or wish you could) take a little trip of your own and visit Jesse or Liz and you will be refreshed and inspired.

Happy Weekend everyone! Happy 08-08-08!!

xoxo

sarah jane

Inspiration.

Happy monday everyone! I have to first say...WOW! What a weekend I've had! I was featured on ETSY's homepage, and I will tell you, I have made so many great friends and met so many incredible people because of it! I heart ETSY!!! It's like this amazing art gallery shop full of incredible products, but even more, really cool people! I love that ETSY encourages so much communication between artists for support, advice, etc. So, thanks to all of you who popped in to say hello! I have loved looking at your shops, and hearing your experiences! I have tried to reply to most all of you, but if I haven't replied, I will be soon. In the mean time...know I have loved meeting all of you this weekend! I love the internet, but honestly, I would much rather throw a BBQ and meet all you in person:) You are all an inspiration! Speaking of inspiration, I have been thinking "what made me want to become an artist." There is never one single answer to this, and the one that I gave in the interview is the most true to experience. I don't remember a time that I wasn't an artist. But there are always supports a long the way, and I wanted to share one of mine (there are many).

My Grandpa Knell was an artist. He was an architect professionally, but I think that a lot of architects start out as artists. He loved design and the functionality of design. But he also had a big imagination. He died almost 3 years ago, but he instilled in me a great love of drawing and somehow gave me the confindence to pursue my talents. I often remember him at the kitchen table sketching out designs with his sons, or drawing with the grandkids. This weekend, we had a family reunion and my aunt had brought some drawings grandpa had made on paper lunch bags who knows how many years ago. How precious! Not only because he is gone now, but also because they are doodles on lunch bags which to me represents that a true artist will draw on just about ANYTHING!! His caricatures were always so artsy/funky. I love it!!

My grandfather was one of my many inspirations, but something about being his grandaughter gave me permission to live my dreams.

So, I would like to know...who has inspired you to do what you love? Family? Fellow artist?