Sunshine Girl.

Ok. You have to indulge me today. But this week is Ella's birthday, and I just can't get over how much I am in love with this girl.

She is my sunshine. And even though her favorite words right now are "NO!" and "I NOT!" she is one of those toddlers that is adorable even when having a fit.

She's been a beauty ever since she first came. And I don't just mean her darling face and smiling eyes. But her soul is pure sunshine. I just can't get enough of her!

This week I'm rather sentimental. She's my baby, but is she really 2 years old? I was in a really interesting place two years ago. We were between moves, I was between big illustration projects. I spent several months with post-partum depression...trying to work through a lot of emotions and life plans. But Ella, even when I was pregnant with her, has been my light. Just seeing that smile makes it all melt away. And now that I am in a much better place than I was 2 years ago, I realize even more how much that big person inside that little body is capable of. She's my joy!

Introducing: On Parade panel and a floor pillow project

Hello! I'm back to show you some more fun we've had with this fabric. Children at Play was designed with a lot of projects in mind. As a designer, I really had to think about how this fabric would be used with children in mind: I thought about clothing, bedding, interiors and quilts. You'd think, "Well, of course...that includes it all!" But, when you are designig fabric, you really need to think about the end result. And this panel print was intended to be a runner for the bottom of skirts and dresses, but I hadn't realized how well it works for bedding or like this....floor pillows.

Now that I have this fabric in my hands, it's really amazing to see it in use. Being my first line, I've never had the experience of having something in my head translate into something in my hands like this. I mean, to see your illstrations on paper is one thing. But to have your children snuggle up and sit on them is another. I am still pinching myself!

This is called On Parade, and it runs on both sides of the selvedge, so it can get double use.The one below is with the Rocket Launch Club and Rocket Prints. I am rather addicted...and want to make so many more!

I found this floor pillow tutorial on Living with Punks, and this panel print works perfectly for it. It's inspired by the floor pillows at Pottery Barn, and are really nice because they are flat on the top, and they have a handle for the children to move around the house. Here's the post with pictures and instructions.

I will add that we added an inch to the top, and good 5 inches to the length of the side fabric to make it a wee bit bigger.  I also added some upholstery grade iron-on lining (by Pellon) to make it a bit more ready for lots of wear. You can get it at any general fabric store. It's a pretty easy project, and really fun to make!

My kids love these. They really are the perfect portable furniture! I am SO glad I found this tutorial. They are getting a lot of use, and I think we need some more around the house. Right now we use them in the "library" (our living room) since we don't really have much furniture in the house. So I just had to share...I think you'll love making them too! Have fun!

New Embroidery Pattern PDFS

Well, well well!

It took me long enough! So many of you have been camping at my doorstep with sleeping bags waiting for these to come. And so hello! Here they are!

8 new embroidery designs are here and ready for you to play with!

I've been working on these for WAY too long...tweaking, getting the colors right, the instructions right...and all of that. I've had embroidery patterns in the shop before, but these are different. They are full color, full guides and full of fun!

So, let me introduce you:

For the most part, these designs were created with the beginner in mind. But there are a few that have some really fun tricks that I plan on showing off a bit more in the coming weeks. But all the designs have stitching guides as well as how to create all the stitches required.

And really....if you are new to stitching, you can do these! I promise...it's so fun and very magical to stitch up a design on your own. Not to mention that there are so many ways to use the embroidery once it's finished...tea towels, pillows, wall art, aprons, the list goes on and on.

{Dress pattern by Oliver & S}

A while back, I asked a lot of you to help me with my embroidery patterns, and I had SO much help! It was amazing. But what learned from that experience, is that we all stitch differently and have different approaches. What I was able to do from all of that help, is see how my patterns were working and where they needed more clarification. So, I can honestly say that these designs have been worked through and are ready for the world!

I hope you enjoy these designs. I plan on coming out with new ones with every fabric collection. Many of these are meant to go with the CHILDREN AT PLAY line, and they work so well! I can't wait to see what you all do with them!!

But, since the fabric won't be in stores for a couple more weeks, it's smart to start the stitching now. Even though these designs are meant to be simple (some are more advanced!) they still take time! But ooooooohhhh so therapeutic!

Oh, and these are just the PDF's. Iron-ons will be available at the beginning of July. You can make your own iron-ons from these PDF's or you can wait till July! Stay tuned!

Enjoy!

I'll be starting a flickr group soon, so stay tuned! I'd love to see all your designs:) And thanks again to ALL of you who were a part of the process: Julie for stitching so many of the final pieces, all of you who stitched my drafted patterns to see if they were working or not, my husband who put up with me poking my fingers during intense movies that really could have done without interruption...the list goes on.

Click here to purchase.

Spread the word...and happy stitching!

xoxo

sarah

Children at Play: Family Tree

Hello! It's Friday!

When did that happen? This is the first week of summer for us, so I kinda woke up and realized I haven't really posted anything really interesting...well, I have lots to share in the next couple weeks. But breaks are good, right?

So. Let's start talking a little more about Children At Play. The fabric isn't even in stores yet, but should be soon! And until then, I want to introduce you to it bit by bit.

So, let's start with the family tree, shall we?

{image from Samantha Cabrera}

The family tree print is one of my favorites. I've had this idea in my head for a long time...ever since I came out with the print version. This Family Tree is a place for children to see their parents, grandparents and great grandparents all in one place. And it's been a great addition to the shop!

But what is so great about this panel print, is that now you can create a quilt that can last even longer! And it's much, much bigger (24" x 44" panel) so you can really make a statement with it...or incorporate it into bedding, etc.

What I love about this panel, is that is leaves you open with a lot of options. On mine, I have stitched my children's names down at the bottom, randomly where the children are playing. And then for the tree itself, I have stitched the names of my husband and myself, and then our parents and grandparents. But what I also did, and you can see down below a little bit, is I have stitched the pet names that my children call them! So, below my father's name, is Papa. And below Kenneth's father's name is Bee-baa (which is what my children call them). And next to my grandmother, I stitched "Tutu" which is what she went by, etc.

This is now hanging in my daughters bedroom, and LOVE that she strokes it every night before she goes to bed. She can feel the stitching. She loves the "bumps" from the quilting. She reviews the names of some of her great-grandparents that have since passed, but that she still loves and remembers. It's a precious way to keep your heritage alive with your children in mind.

I'd love to see how you end up quilting yours! This one is done with dark brown embroidery floss (you could also use fabric pen I guess), "Wallpaper Flowers Berry" and "Meadow Light pink" Fabric.

I'll be starting a flickr group too, for all of you to share your ideas!

So....That's my first intro to Children At Play! I have a lot more...and maybe by the time I'm done, you'll have some in your hands already. I can't wait to see what you all make up with it!

Happy weekend! Sending hugs and kisses to you all....

xo

sarah

Creative Collaborative

Hello!

Sorry to go MIA there on the blog. I've been struggling with some health issues, and am starting to come back around. One of the issues have been my eyes...which has kept me away from my screen a bit. Nice to take a break, but sorry for the lack of posts!

So, I am back and with some news!

I'm part of a fantastic group of talented folks who are starting a collaborative support group called CREATIVE COLLABORATIVE

The idea behind was inspired by Melanie of Fifth and Hazel after the last ALT Design Summit in Salt Lake City. After going, and realizing HOW supportive this blogging/art/design community is, she decided to start a FREE monthly event in Utah where like-minded artists and creative people could get together and share ideas, network with each other and have regular speaker discussing topics that are frankly just hard to talk about on the web! So Melanie, Alma Loveland, Justin Hackworth and I started this group, and I hope you'll be a part of it!

Isn't that brilliant? So glad this is getting started.

Being part of this group has been awesome. I strongly believe that there is enough success to go around for ALL of us who seek to use our creative talents to either support our families or for our own personal need to express (or both!) And I really believe that competitiveness is only energy wasted, and by collaborating and helping each other, we will find our greatest success.

Part of that success is simply just being together, and sharing ideas. Artists are funny people. They are very creative and love to be around interesting and inspiring people and places. But we're also (and come on, admit it!) a bunch of hermits. So this also serves as a great way for us to get out of the studio and around like-minded people.

This month's topic of discussion is on ROADS TO SUCCESS. Presented by  Justin Hackworth (Photographer) and Eva Jorgansen (Sycamore Street Press) and Yours Truly. It's going to be a mighty night.

Details:

June 9th 7 pm

It's FREE!!

1 East center Street #215

Same building as Gondolfo's

Provo, UT

Website here.

Twitter

Facebook

Creative Collaborative is NEW. Brand new. PLEASE...spread the word, invite your friends, and stop by the website for updates. We hope to be starting a blog where the events can be outlined and discussed.

And also, if you have topics that you would like information on as a designer, business owner, artist, creative....let us know! We feel so strongly that by supporting each other, success for all of us is inevitable.

See you there!

Today.

Memorial Day.

When I was a child, it was just another day off. One day closer to summer vacation.

But since, it's turned into a wonderfully sacred day of remembering those in my life who aren't with me any more, and who have lived remarkable lives...the kind I want to be known for living. Every year,  we arrive at the cemetery early...as the sun is rising in the east behind the mountains. Every year I look forward to the quiet, the green grass, the sun streaming across the flower covered lawns. I get to be silent, remember and look back.  But somehow, each year on this morning, I find myself looking forward; renewing myself to living the life I was born to live. Being more of the person that those who have since gone on have inspired me to be.

Today I'm thinking about renewal. Mornings. Isn't is interesting? Mourning= Morning. There are a lot of people I miss, but each one has inspired me to take a little courage and live more fully.

And I'm thankful.

The Best Babysitter: Or how my children are not deprived because their mother is a working artist.

So I texted my husband this afternoon with the usual: "Hey Hot Boy. See you soon. PS: Can you take over when you get home from work? Deadlines."

"Sure. No Biggie"

"Oh, and can you do dinner & bedtime? xoxoxo?"

"You got it."

My husband is a school teacher, and is always home before dinner, which is so nice! He leaves at the break of dawn however, and so I'm hardly alive to even mention the usual reminders.

But he is so good about coming home and playing with the kids for an hour while I play catch up in the studio. I work at night when the kids go to bed, and I don't do the late-nighter thing very well (although that's what usually happens.)

So.....

Let me preface this by saying that the past few times I asked him to watch the kids and have him make dinner and do bedtime, this is what happened:

He ended up going to the thrift store and purchasing an original 1970's-ish Clip Clop for the back patio. He started small.

And then it was the tree swing, complete with climbing 50 feet into our backyard locust and sawing down branches while the kids waited for their cue to yell, "TIMBER!!"

Then it was the teeter-totter that was built in the empty space in our deck supports made with a palette, a left over fence board, and some cut up branches from said tree swing.

Most of the time, it's working on a new project in the garden. Which is always a huge hit.

And then last week, it was a zip line from our mostly-dead cherry tree at the top of the hill, to a locust beneath.

Remember: this is all in response to "Can you watch the kids, make dinner and put them to bed?"

And today's babysitting activity?

Oh, you know. Just building a platform for them to zip from. No biggie.

Just some power tools that he always seems to have in his back pocket. I mean, don't you?

Some oh-so-coveted-snacks for the Princess to keep her occupied away from said power tools.

And Voila! A safe place for feet with nothing fancy...but left overs in the garage after building the booth for Quilt Market.

And one.....

....two...

...three...

....Oh, ya....

So there you go. All my worrying that having to work on my "art" while the kids are with Dad somedays is all in vain. They got so excited this afternoon...and when they get excited, they get super cuddly.

But you know, who's taking all these pictures? Me. How am I supposed to get any work done when they get to have all the fun? I still don't know.

Pretty soon our backyard will be Disneyland made from scraps around the yard. Just you watch. Man...if I stopped designing in the afternoons, these kids would have a pretty boring back yard.

Actually, no. Instead, the new tree platform would just have curtains, floor pillows, and be painted turquoise. Hmm......

Baby Stitches

Hello!

Sorry for the gap in posts...I'm still here. I've been fighting off some kind of nasty bug that's keeping me from doing anything more than the absolutely necessary (like reading Divergent and taking too many pictures of my soon to graduate from Kindergarten baby).

But I've wanted to post this picture for a while. The other week while I was getting ready for market, Addie came into my office, and announced (fully dressed for the part) that she wanted to be an artist, a sewer and a mom when she grew up. And then she asked if she could work with me.

This happens a lot. I work mostly at night, but for the past while, I've had to squeeze in what I can during the day. And more often than not, Addie wants to be there right by my side. Stitching is so easy for her to do!  It keeps her busy for a long time. Just a hoop, a full skein of embroidery floss and a large dull tip needle (like a darning needle). With no agenda, she just goes in and out, and soon finds herself making a picture. Even Ian, 5, is into it.

Do you let your kids embroider? It's a great little pass time that is easy to let them learn on their own, and it's super non-messy:) I dont' have a picture of my kids embroidery, but all you need is to get them started with a good knotted strand, and let them at it. If you can teach them to go "in" on the same side they went "out" they are pretty great on their own!

And more about stitching: Many of you have asked about when my new stitching patterns will be available. The patterns (iron-ons and PDF's) will be available at the end of June. If you are interested in wholesale, you can pre-order by emailing me. More info coming soon!