Children at Play Paper Line

I couldn't be more excited to announce that the paper collection for CHILDREN AT PLAY is FINALLY available!

Oh. It's been a long time coming. I announced a year ago that I collaborated with Making Memories to create a fantastic paper collection, and unfortunately, there were some events that kept it from getting produced on time. It was re-released this August and is now in stores!

I won't say too much here, except for you to go and browse all the products as you wish to. But I will say, that I'm not much of a scrapbooker. Mostly because I haven't the time! I adore paper, and I love memory keeping. But when I designed this collection, I made very clear that I wanted this to be a paper collection that you could be used for proper scrapbooking.....but also to PLAY with. DECORATE with. One that children could really enjoy. There are banners, papers, stickers, paper dolls with LOTS of clothes (all in children at play textiles of course) and so much more.

I have yet to really take some proper photographs.  As I was laying everything out, my girls IMMEDIATELY took to "setting" up a little paper play room. I guess that's a good sign that these are just as fun to play with as they are to scrapbook with.

Good, good fun!

Here's a short video created by Scrapbooks.com showing all the paper options displayed at the CHA tradeshow this summer!

http://youtu.be/Q15mlUoIIko

I've created a list of stores for you to browse on the product page here.

I've started a SARAH JANE PAPER Photo Group, so please do join in if you'd like!

I'm so glad to have these finally available. They have been so much fun around here. Enjoy!

little red and some voting

I've been cleaning off my computer, and coming across files that I have totally forgotten about. Crazy, right? I get big ideas a lot, and often they aren't right or ready, and this was one of them. This is from over 2 years ago, and I'm wishing it had some more life to it! I was kind of over the "little red" phase a long time ago, but honestly, it's never really old. It's always a good time for fairy tales and folk tales.

So, I'm starting the process of (finally!) redoing my kids rooms. New floors (old stained carpets) and painted walls (the current brown is killing me) and we're starting fresh. Red and pink has always been a favorite of mine, and I'm leaning in that direction. But with a little orange for spunk. More inspiration later, for sure.

But before I head off to pick out paint colors, would you mind taking the time to vote here?

I was nominated for best children's wall decor, and I'd love to have your vote!!! 

Just click here, and it will take  you to the place where you just click and button!

Thanks so much friends! Have a LOVELY friday!

xo

sarah

Around the studio

No words today. Just pictures. These are little snippets of what's going on in the studio right now.

Making. Planning. Playing. Creating. Feeling.

My happy place.

October 31

I have a print out for you, a sketch that I made a while back actually. But I never made it available for download, and now it is!

It prints out at standard paper size. It looks great in a frame, or maybe pinned to a surface. (The water mark is NOT on the print out, don't worry:)

Happy decorating!

I'm off to finish off putting Halloween costumes together. Any one have ideas on how to make a horse costume for my 3 year old? I've been persuading her to be something else, cause well, I have no clue how to make a soft horse costume. But looks like I'll be figuring it out tonight! She's not backing down:)

Like a child.

*illustration by my Addie, age 7*

I often get asked, in interviews, or just casual conversation, where I get my inspiration from.

There are a lot of things to address in that answer, but always....and seriously always....I answer with "Children."

Children have an incredible need to express what they are feeling in the moment, and art is one of the most natural ways they can do that.

My own children inspire me every day. They get an idea, and do something about it. Right then. No thinking, no editing, no questioning. Totally from the heart.

And not afraid to mess up, make messes and get dirty.

Easier said than done, right?

Creativity has been on my mind. And specifically that balance between letting go, hitting the moon....and making sure you gave a net to catch it in:)

It's a balance for sure. But I can bet You'll hear me talking about this a lot more. It's been on my mind, and I have a lot of new exploring to do.

How do you get inspired? I'd love to hear.

Pin & Flickr Friday: QUILTS

*CannongirlABC*

I love these friday round ups. Mostly because it gives me a chance to really appreciate all the amazing projects that I could never do myself.

Today, I have quilts on my mind. Addie is determined to make a quilt for her newest niece (Rebecca, don't read this!) and we're looking to put the pieces together this weekend. Addie is a determined little maker, and it makes me so happy to create with her!

It's also getting colder, and we could use some more quilts in the basement:)

*as cozy as spring*

So here's my Out to Sea  and Children at Play quilt round up today. By no means are they conclusive...please click on over here and here to get more inspired!

*Image Here* 

*erica jackman*

*red pepper quilts*

 *sweet unwrapping life*

*A Quilt is Nice*

*A Quilt is Nice*

*rose smoke*

*Kristen Coverlets*

*Katie Deerie*

*Katie Deerie*

*Fresh Lemons*

Image Here.

*snips snippets*

*colleenamareena*

I'm gushing over them all! Ya. Pretty Amazing. And I've only scratched the surface with all there is to see! Check out the Photo groups here and here as well as my Pinterest pages here and here. So many ideas!

Do you have a favorite quilt design you are itching to make this season? The holidays always get the juices going! Do share....I'd love to know what your latest ideas are!

Blessed.

I got a magazine in the mail today. Have you seen this yet? It's a new magazine from Better Homes and Gardens called Make it Yourself. The premier issue covers lots of great projects, and I'm thrilled to have contributed!

This past spring, I was contacted by Better Homes to design an embroidery using the word 'Blessed' and this image immediately came to mind.

I've had this print in the shop for a while, and I always thought it would make the most fun sampler stitching project. All those warm cozy quilt patches to stitch!

It was so fun to open up to the article, and see my design! And I've finally gotten it up in the shop for you to stitch too!

This is super appropriate to post today, because last night took approximately 2.45 hours of putting children to bed. One sick, one wide awake from a long nap, one needing this and that. Lots of hugs, snuggles, back scratches. I wouldn't trade it for the world. It's the most precious time of day for me and I love it. Even when it means that I no longer get any time left to myself at night, I know how precious these moments are. They go so fast. And today I'm feeling just that....Blessed.

I hope you enjoy this one! It's a great project for the holidays coming up....makes a darling gift to put in a frame, or a special sewn up project. I can't wait to see all the different versions you make!

Happy Stitching!

Click here for the pattern.

New Sarah Jane: Part 4

I can honestly say I've been wanting to make this update for well over a year.

You know that feeling when you've gone through that closet in your house that never seems to be organized? and then you clean it out so well you feel like you could call Martha and tell her about it?

That's how I feel right now.

I've updated my blog with the incredibly amazing skills of Melanie at Fifth & Hazel, and I couldn't be happier. (She's amazing by the way. Top Notch).

So, there are lots of changes in every corner of this blog. But here are the biggies:

DIY, FREEBIES & COMMUNITY:

Now you can access all your favorite tutorials, Free Downloads, and whatever project or printable you need! This blog is growing into a place to access resources and I'm so excited to have a gallery of projects and free stuff! Horray!

I also created the blog so you'd have easy access to participating in the communities around your favorite products! Click around, and you'll be able to get involved and inspired.

SPONSORS: 

I'm bringing on only my favorite Sponsors to give you direct access to fabric stores carrying my fabric, amazing designers and other businesses that are sisters to this site. Please click over, and get to know them. They are all amazing.  If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, contact me here.

COMMENTS:

I've upgraded my comments section, so that you can actually reply to eachother, to me, and really have a conversation going. It's all in real time as well, and it's mighty cool!

And see that cute heart at the bottom of each post? This is a new little thing that makes it easy to LIKE a post, if you don't have time to comment! Just another way to spread the love:)

EASY TO FIND EVERYTHING

My biggest frustration with my last space was that it was basically hard to find anything. And I want to keep giving you great stuff! So now, more than ever, I'm super motivated to offer more tutorials, printables, and lots of great stuff! And, it's super easy to find.

So, I'm going to sign off and let you click around. Get to know the site. Let me know your thoughts in the comment section! And holler if there are any trainwrecks.

I'm really looking forward to a NEW SARAH JANE: More focus on daily activity here, more illustration, Projects and more inspiration!!!

Have fun surfing around, and thanks for all your support of this space. It's getting better every day!

xo

sarah