Got Joy?

Happy Monday!

We're back from  another vacation visiting family. This time to my back East home right outside of DC as well as to the beach. A perfect getaway right before summer's end! So we are getting (slowly) back into the swing of things, but all the while missing all the extra hugs and kisses and wonderful company of parents and siblings.

Taking a time-out to be with family always gives me a chance to reflect on how happy I am. I adore my husband, my children, my home, my church....my life!  And yesterday, as I was teaching Sunday School to our group of 13 year old's somewhere along the topic of "It's All About Your Attitude" and "You Can Choose to be Happy" we watched this clip and this clip which always get me in that grateful mood. There is so  much to be grateful for!

And I made these little bumper sticker reminders, which I have had on my fridge for years. Sometimes you need a good reminder when you're grabbing that glass of milk.

But, if you have a baby Ella, you get the reminder every day. I guess I just keep the sticker up for when I can't see her charming face...which actually is this sunshin-y every day. Man, I love her!

Oh, and feel free to download the sticker and print it for your own personal use.

Well....happy Monday! Hope you are having a joyful day!

Summer Growing.

We've been so lucky to have a garden this year. Our yard was, well, in ruins when we purchased it. And with a little love, we (well, my strong and burly husband) were able to knock out a few mangly briars and dead trees to reveal a once-upon-a-time-this-was-a-garden area. The children have had so much fun watching their seeds grow into edible treats. Garden's are magic for kids. And to me, it's like watching my own children grow.

Granted, we didn't start the cherries from seed. But we brought a rather untamed one back to life. Oh, they're yummy!

But there's more growing than just snap peas and cherries here. Grown garden, grow.

More books to love: Tilly.

Polly Dunbar's Tilly books are so delightful. Have you seen these books yet? They are rather new. You may have heard of her from this favorite picture book. She is a young British illustrator, and I just love her whimsicality. Her stories are very simple, but that is what makes them so appealing. If you can't tell, I am a big lover of simple childhood...and these stories are just that. Childhood at it's essence.

You'll fall in love with her sweet characters.

And even better..there's a whole series of books about each of her friends. If you library doesn't have these, talk with your Librarian about getting them. They really are delightful little books perfect for very young readers.

Manners really are fun.

Can I tell you how much my family loves this book?

My mother read it to us when when we were children, and I am most certain my mother's mother read it to her.  My 5 year old brain remembers so well the silly characters and faces from which I learned to say "please" and "thank you." My Mother bought this (at Anthropologie of all places) for Addie and Ian on their first Christmas together, and honestly...I think my kids love it as much as I still do. But honestly...tell me the beginning of the book isn't pure genius.

If you can't read it, here's how the book begins:

"Having good manners is really just living with other people pleasantly. If you lived all by yourself out on a desert island, others would not care whether you had good manners or not. It wouldn't bother them. Most of us don't live on desert islands. So this is what we do-We meet people..." And so it goes on. Simple and brilliant.

Addie's favorite part is the section where you meet the children who are very unpleasant to be around. The Whiney is so ugly and unappealing, Addie has vowed to never whine again. Uh-hum. She makes strong promises. But the impact of these illustrations does the trick. Coupled with a naive yet very modern 1930's illustrative style, this book catches your attention almost surprisingly.

These other books are just as delightful, and will invite your kids to think manners really are fun. I find it fun to think that these books are still teaching kids after nearly 75 years (these were published in 1936.)  And if anything, I've used these for decoration. The book jackets are so colorful, and make me so happy. Display them on the bookcase and you've made your point already. Subtle hints...but pretty, yes?

Creating Spaces.

We moved into our new house in April, but something about it being a major fixer-upper (like we're talkin' floor to ceiling fixer uppper) mixed with spending the year learning how to illustrate a picture book and getting used to life with 3 kids, has translated into a whole lot of non-decorating. Ugh. How I can't wait to get my hands onto some vintage furniture to paint and some curtains to sew. We're getting there. But in the mean time, I've been collecting things to help me get ready for when I have a few free hours (or dare I say it...an entire Saturday?) to get our place some personality of it's own. As much as I love dreaming up the Master bedroom and living room, the kid's room always gets me most excited. Here's some great finds I can't wait to get my hands on:

New favorite maps from These are Things. Letterpress and Gorgeous!

My favorite designer, Rie Elise Larsen.  I love these hanging lamps. Too bad I don't speak Danish.

Loving the pop of these pillows. Image here.

A nice way to enter a room.

Inspired by yellow.

It's gonna be a while till I can buckle down and create some fun spaces. But I can't help boiling ideas in my head!

Vacations are a good thing.

Hello!

Sorry for the unannounced Blog break...we went on a very much needed vacation. Visiting family, and traveling to Disneyland for the first time with the kids. In fact, they had no idea we were going, and didn't find out until they got on the shuttle from the hotel. It really pays to have children that can't read signs yet.  Vacations are always good, and it's nice to be completely unplugged with the people you love the most.

We enjoyed sandy beaches:

Watched as the kids enjoyed their first trip to the Happiest Place on Earth, while I was once again inspired that a pencil drawing of a mouse can transform the world:

Enjoyed yummy California fruit:

And lovely Farmer's Markets:

Hope you are all having a wonderful summer. I'll be back next week!

Birthday Love.

So what does the husband of a gluten-intolerant gal do for his wife's birthday? Makes her a gluten-free cake of course.

And yes...he makes sushi too. Really good sushi! It was my best cake yet! (Notice the ginger rose? He's all fancy like that. I love him!)

Thanks for all the birthday wishes. And for all the Mermaid love. There are more coming....but not for a bit. I'm days away from finishing the final art for the book, and so I'm still living in snow and Christmas trees. Rather odd for a hot July.

But just a reminder: This week, the shop is having a birthday sale. Today is the LAST day for the Buy 2 Get 1 FREE Sale. So hurry on over!

Oh, and technical side note: If you are one of the many people who have been bugged that this blog was unsubscribable for a while, you can now subscribe and read this in your prefered Reader. Sorry for all the trouble.

Have a great weekend! And thanks again for all the love!

xo

sarah

Birthday SALE and some news!

Hello!

This is a special week here in the studio. Coupla things going on:

First, my stationary and prints were featured on our local news station. If you are visiting from KSL, Hello! Nice to have you visit!

It's a great segment on the lost art of letter writing, and Sarah Jane Studios was featured as a great place to get stationery that makes you want to write to your loved ones more! Thanks so much Studio 5!Also featured were the lovely Sycamore Street Press, (who, coincidentally, is run by the wonderful Eva who was a freshman dorm mate of mine!) and another favorite of mine: Isabella's umbrella. She is a fantastic illustrator and you can see more of her work here.

You can watch the segment below...my stuff is about 1/2 way through, but it's a great feature so watch all!

And, also on the calendar this week:

A birthday. My birthday. I know...another year older. But frankly, I am excited. I really love birthdays...especially the breakfast in bed, favorite meal, and hand made cards it brings.

I even made myself a card. I am just in love with mermaids lately! I really can't stop. This card is already in the shop here. Do you like it as a print too? Let me know...

SO: in honor of news worthy events,

We are having a SALE!

This week only, it's another buy 2 get one FREE!!!

What you need to do:

• Go and visit the ETSY shop here.
• Order 2 items and place them in your ETSY cart
• MENTION the 3rd item you would like for free in the "Message to seller" box.
• Make sure that the 3rd free item is less than or equal to the least expensive item in your cart.
• Place your order, and we'll ship it to you with a sweet note saying "thanks, we love you, you're great..." You get the idea.
• SALE ends Friday July 16th.

OK! That's a wrap up. I'm off to go finish the book. I am scheduled to finish this week! Wish me luck! It then goes to print and will be out next year. I simply can't wait to show you more!