Our first snow was this weekend...and our little ones have come to already associate cold brisk air with a cup of cocoa. Although...not until this weekend did we actually venture into making our own homemade marshmallows. Oh wow. I am not too keen on marshmallows, but these are something else! Almost like creamy vanilla taffy. The recipe we used is here. I just love this time of year!
This weekend was spent with my husband's sister and her charming new husband. I love weddings, especially autumn weddings. The air was cold...but no matter. Our sister bride was beautiful and we just love our new brother in law! Addie was particularly entranced by the lovely dresses, flowers and lights. She pranced around the gardens looking for her "prince" which when she called, Ian soon came to her side. My children are quite the romantics which ensured us all a wonderfully fulfilling weekend! 
It's been a while...Happy Friday!
Today, I bring you a treasure chest. You are going to love it. www.vintagechildrensbooks.com. This is a gold mine folks. I have made one purchase from them a few months ago, and I got some books from the 50's, 40's and even one from 1746. Yes. They didn't make 'children's books' then, but they made religious songs for children to learn about how to behave in society. Such a great find. The books I am showing above are all $5 (except for Sara Crew, which is a mere $100) but you could do some major Christmas shopping here (ah -hem...for me...ah-hem). Seriously, I have to restrain myself here. I have a complete passion for vintage children's books (really?) and this is a gold mine. They are adding new stuff all the time, so check back every once in a while. Have Fun!
Wow! Thank you for all your WONDERFUL responses! ! So many of your suggestions I already have plans for, and many of them, I had never even thought of...so thank you!!! I am so excited to get cracking on new products and designs....I am just itching!!! Random.org selected four random winners for me.
And the 4 calendars are going to: (drumroll please)
Rebecca, Elizabeth, Sarah and Kathleen. You have all been sent emails and your calendars will be on their way next week!
Thanks again for all your wonderful support! Be watching soon for a buy 2 get one free. I can't say when...it will be a surprise, but I am giving you heads up to be on the look out:)
No, it isn't my birthday....it is Sarah Jane Studios 1 year anniversary!! WOW! I still can't believe the shop has been going for an entire year! And what an amazing journey it has been the past 365 days! I truly believe that what you feel most comfortable doing as a child, you will find yourself doing as an adult...or wish you were doing, which if that is the case listen to your inner wishes! That is what I did. If you asked me when I was 7 what I wanted to be when I grew up, it was to be an artist and a mom, and maybe even have a shop. And presto: 22 years later, that is what I am doing! No...It hasn't been easy...but it has been SO rewarding on so many levels!
So, the actual anniversary of my shop opening was on Oct. 4 (but I have been sick as well as husbandless the past several days which means ZERO mommy time) But we can't have a birthday without a celebration!!! I just feel so grateful for the past year...the friends I have met, the support you have given...it is truly overwhelming sometimes. Thank you!!
This year's present...in honor of the 12 months that have transpired...I am giving away 4 of my new calendars from my "month by month" series.! Yes, they are finally completed! I think you will just love them. These calendars are really more like a piece of art for your wall, with a few numbers that happen to be on the bottom. Just darling!
They will be in the shop by tonight for only $24. They will make the perfect gift, or mini art peice for that empty wall next to your phone or desk. Each page measures 8.5x5.5 inches and is completed with green grosgrain ribbon perfect for hanging!
But for you, my dear friends: A free gift from me!
To win a calendar, all you need to do is:
Thank you so much for all your support over this past year! I have loved getting to know you, and if I haven't met you yet, pop in and say hello! I am nice...I promise:) In the mean time...Happy commenting!
I know. It is only October. But last year I PROMISED myself (after many sleepless nights) that I would do Christmas in September. Um....September, what happened to you? You could have warned me you were going to be in an out in a flash (how rude!) October is now all I have before the made rush of activities, baking, visiting, (packing and shipping) and of course...ENJOYING THE SEASON!!
So, in my efforts to really be PREPARED for the holidays, I made myself a little ELF to remind me that October will no doubt rush as fast as September did! And, I am determined to make a HANDMADE CHRISTMAS this year. That is right. No last minute stops to Best Buy, or surfing AMAZON. We are making and giving from our hands this year (and hearts) or supporting handmade from our dearest friends. And in order to do that, I really must get started today!
This little ELF friend of mine (doesn't he have the greatest hat?) will be soon available as a set of cards to let your family and friends know that you spent time (not money) on your Christmas gifts this year! I should have these in the shop soon, but I want to get them perfectly ready just for you...I am adding in a few little extras! So, Merry Christmas...Think Handmade...Happy making!
Dear Ian,
I think that God made you absolutely beautiful for a reason. Like yesterday when you sneaked an entire bag of baking flour into your crib and ate it until you fell asleep leaving "dough" clumps all over you and your bedding...or this morning when you managed to find the same sack of flour again and dump it all out onto the floor and freshly cleaned laundry...or later today when you decided to play "cat" and dumped the entire box of Grape Nuts all over mommy's bed and pretended it was cat food and I found you licking it up and spreading it all over the room with your 'paws' ... all I could do was notice how incredibly scrumptious you are. Why do little boys get away with so much? Because they are so much more darling than they are mischievous! Next time, please just give me a little warning when you are feeling extra clever...it would have been nice to have an empty vacuum!
Love,
Mama
I never intended to go a week without posting. It just happened. Thanks for checking in while I was out.
This past friday I spent the entire day with really talented, and creative people. Women entreprenuers (most who are in the 'start-up' phase) all gathered for this fabulous Start Up Princess event called TOUCHPOINT in Salt Lake City, UT. It was wonderful to be so enlightened and educated in an environment that was focused on WOMEN in business. Cause let's be honest...girls are a whole lot different than guys in this field:) I met so many great people with GREAT ideas and GREAT businesses. I met Jodi with Baby Bambu, Rebecca with Cap trappers, Chantelle with Zoom concierge services, I met the talented Ashely from Isabella's umbrella. I met Kelly who markets her husband's art just to name a few.
After this meeting, I felt motivated to discus in my blog some more of the "business" aspects of what I do...not because I have oodles of knowledge, but I find that there are so many 'unspoken' and 'behind the scenes' with how to start a business selling your craft. And from the readership I know about, I know a lot of you have ETSY shops, or want to get started with something similar.
And if I learned anything from the all day conference on Friday, it is networking and connecting is that greatest way to learn! In the beginning, when I was starting my ETSY shop, I would email people doing what I wanted to do, and what I thought was 'harmless' info that I needed, was almost like held secrets for others. I am of the philosophy that there is enough success to go around in this world. So, why not share and support each other in the mean time? I felt so supported from the other women on Friday who seem to be facing similar problems and who have similar motivations and goals.
So, I am adding a new section to my blog called "A bit of biz." And that is what they will be. Bits. Cause that is all I know right now. Just bits. But, so far they work for me, so I thought I would share:)