She can even make Ugly beautiful.

OK. I have to admit that I do the dumbest things as a mom. I hope I am not the only one here who hits her forehead daily and says "Dumb! That was really dumb!" Like when you give your child crayons to play with so you can finish that phone call, or when you leave them unattended with play dough, or when you give them ice cream cones in their car seats just to avoid getting in an accident during rush hour.

Well, this was worse.

I missed my daughters dance class pictures. I got her all excited about dressing up in her new costume, wearing makeup and practicing how to not "fake smile" for the camera. 20 minutes before class, I got a phone call from a mom. "Oh we missed Addie on Saturday for picture day." My heart SANK!!! How could I be so dumb!!! Addie started to get worried at my tone, so I quickly hung up and told her that we were ready for her glamour portraits in the living room. I played photographer, and she was SO proud. I was SO glad that she is only 3 and didn't know what to expect, and that she can still believe that her mother is the REAL photographer.


To be honest, I was dreading picture day with her in this bright orange, black and copper fruffy dress. I mean, BLAH!! Who comes up with these costumes?!?(This is for a Lion King dance...so I guess orange=lion.) But even still, she is gorgeous. These pictures will always remind me of my absent minded brain. But even more, they will remind me that Perfection isn't always lost when dressed up in a bunch of ugly. She makes this dress look stunning. Only she. Only Addie. Unaffected by the yucky. And seemingly unaffected by her mother's dumb mistakes. Oh she is perfect. Thanks Addie.
(and for my utter distaste for those 80's glamour shots, I just had to throw this in:)

Magic.

Addie age 1

"And above all watch, with glittering eyes the whole
world around you because the greatest secrets are
always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those
who don't believe in magic will never find it.
~ Roald Dahl ~

Addie age 3

This week I learned from my children that:

• Your shadow is your best friend because it is always with you
• Monsters live in trees but they are scared of daddy's
• Sunshine is meant to be felt with just your skin on (even when it is 40 degrees outside)
• Flowers are for giving to people (especially the cashier at Target)
• Dirt is for toes
• One piece of broccoli is a tree. Two pieces of broccoli is a dark forest.
• Igloos can be made from an end table and blankets
• Tree stumps are for sitting on when you are sad.
• Big stretches of green grass are for taking a "belax"
• Trees are for hugging.
• Butterflies have mommies too.
• Nail polish and chapstick makes you a princess.

And so I add to that beautiful quote:

Watch with glittering eyes your children and you will see the whole world as it really is. And you may even end up believing in magic.

Happy Monday everyone!

Happy Site Friday.

I am so eager to share this site with you all. This site is #1 reason I got my start on ETSY this past October. I stumbled upon a meeting in my town in September 2007, and found out about this GREAT organization. Startup Princess empowers women to begin their dreams of starting a business. Their Motto? " Make a wish, make it happen." They provide "Fairy Godmothers" (mentors) to steer you in the right direction whether you are just starting , or a seasoned professional looking for more information and advice. And lucky for all of us, they have a website where you can access articles, podcasts, and all sorts of networking information. From becoming part of Startup princess, I have been so fortunate to meet some remarkable people in my field. Kelly King Anderson...the founder of Startup Princess...is an AMAZING networker and has introduced me to wonderful talents like Jaime Lentzer of Jaime painting and design, and Shelly Kennedy of Drooz studios. Women are the best networkers, aren't they? And Kelly has counted on the unique qualities of women to create this great site and resource for anyone in the startup of a business. She also posted an interview about me yesterday that is now on the site. She outlined a bit of my startup venture and is a little too kind. But I hope someday to really be able to help other women (mom's especially) to live their dreams of starting up some kind of venture. Check out this site! It is a GREAT resource!

May Flowers.

She is here. I have been waiting to get her done for a while now...and she couldn't wait any longer. No more rain! Horray for spring! I do have to say, she is a bit more "girly" than my other prints, but Spring does that to a girl, doesn't it? She even reminds me a bit of Bottecelli's Birth of Venus (but with a gingham dress). OK...so it's a stretch. But how appropos. She will be in the shop this afternoon!

1000

I can't believe it. My sales just hit 1000. Sarah Jane Studios opened October 4th, 2007. That was 6 1/2 months ago, and boy has it gone by fast!

I really have to just say thanks to all of you. Really and truly, this has been an amazing journey (with it's fair share of downs as well...I am my worst critic!) Truth be told, I love it. I love creating (I can't stop!) and I have really loved meeting really great and talented people along the way. Thank you, Thank you! I have been so lucky to feel supported all along the way!


I wish I could just personally thank all of my wonderful customers and readers individually. I take great care in packaging to make sure that they know how appreciative I am. But I have to add an extra thanks this week to really celebrate!!

I will be adding ONE FREE "I would really like to" notepad to the next 30 orders. But you have to mention it to me in your purchase in the "message to seller box." Just say " Blog Reader" or something like that:)

Thanks so much to all of you! Support is everything to a mom, a woman and especially and artist, and I have had just the best time on this little journey! I am excited for another 6 months ahead!

Gotta go outside now and plant something...it's Earth Day! (How appropriate!)

I quit.

We did it. We finally did it. We put our TV away. It is hidden behind Kenneth's dress pants in our closet, and I am feeling really good right now. Why? Are we crazy? Yep, pretty much. But now, instead of snuggling on the couch for a half hour of cartoons (or more) in the morning, we read books. Instead of watching a movie while the Mama catches her breath, we make a nest with blankets on the floor and read books. Instead of watching a cartoon to transition from nap to awake, we read books. We read a lot of books before...but with the TV there, the temptation was just TOO great from when I needed instant entertainment for my kids. And I have noticed (already in their short 2 years) the consequences. Addie was picking up sarcastic behaviors (PBS isn't perfect guys), they were starting to build a routine off the TV, and I was losing my motivation to find more creative ways to entertain. I did't grow up with TV. My dad rented a VCR once when I was 8 years old so we could watch the Music Man. TV isn't evil...in fact, I am going to miss it in a lot of ways. It did make life a bit easier. But the bad was outweighing the good, so good-bye instant gratification....hello real life. Let's see how long this lasts!

Happy Site Friday.

This site has my heart. Not often do I come across images of children with such innocence and vogue at the same time. I LOVE the vintage feel with modern flair and functionality. (Say that 10 times fast:) No, I just had to post about this site that I have come back to now an again as I search for great clothing to put my illustrated children in. I won't be dressing my own children in these (unless Sarah Jane Studios puts in me in the next tax bracket sometime soon...um, no.) But without further ado, I introduce to you:

Flora + Henri

Notice the fabrics.

Notice that the kids are just KIDS and not 'models.'

Notice the outdoor settings...just perfect for those restless kids.


Notice the softness.


Notice the vintage meets modern (my favorite). Notice the innocence.

Well, I might not be able to hold back...just look at those shoes!

Thanks Flora + Henri

Until next Friday...

Mamma and her boys.

These past few 'vacation' days have flown by! I have loved this time to create more, and wishing that I could just work faster. It sometimes feels like my brain is so full of images that I have to get them out on paper or I am just going to burst. I keep a sketch book with me at all times, but sometimes taking real "art time" is necessary. I have been working on a few other projects that I can't really post about right now...hopefully soon. But these new prints are enough to keep me happy!

All this is available in the shop now. I have more coming, as always, but now I must get back to shipping and packing!



I am also going to be making my "I love my mom" cards available as singles in honor of Mother's day coming up. Don't miss out on these elephants!


And speaking of Mamas and Boys, check out my forever crush. He loves hanging out with me. He is my little side kick. I just can't get enough of his short stubby, squishy legs. Oh!! I love him!




Thanks for all your lovely comments about the chairs by the way! Have a great weekend and see you back for "happy site friday!"

3 bears revisited.

Ok. I am so excited about these. I have had this in my head for a while now, and I finally got these made while my dear husband took the kids to the dinasaur museum this morning. I love my husband! I know that 3 beds and 3 bowls will follow...lots of ideas for those. Let's just say that Anthropologie is a big place for my inspiration. Love that place. You can find the middle "soft" chair at anthro for only $1124.00 (on sale!) Geesh. I'll take just a drawing, thank you very much. Well, here we have BOY and GIRL. Take your pick! I will be stocking the shop full of stuff tomorrow, so be watching! Back to the drawing room...

newest.

Ok. So I have a problem. My brain is going faster than the clock. I have had a few more hours in the day to really just be creative, and oh! I just can't work fast enough! I had ideas to get some prints out of vintage toys, and so instead of doing a print for each, I decided I need to combine them all together...which really makes for a darling display. I love the colors, and I see a theme coming! Watch for these to be on sale by the end of the week. And stay tuned. Lots more coming!

Real Life.

My husband is a Middle school history teacher. You think Kids need a break? Teachers do to. Especially this one. He is a bit 'over the top' when it comes to his love for the students. And, well, he gets tired. Good thing it is spring break. This is what we will be doing lots of. Our favorite times are just rolling around with the kids, talking, making, doing, laughing, singing, performing and just being. I am throwing in a bit of drawing too. Well, according to my husband, LOTS of drawing. He is playing Mr. Mom this week, and I don't know if I will be able to handle this temporary freedom! So I sign off this post with the pitter patter of little feet playing with their dad and ink and pen ready to create!

7 things you really didn't want to know about me:

Ok..tagged again. Thanks Jaime and Vanna for letting me delve into my random/quircky side:

1) I get car sick if I am in the back seat

2) My first CD I ever owned was Basia: Time + Tide (Don't watch the video...it's dumb. Just listen to the song) I was 9 years old.

3) I cut my own bangs when I was 9. I have (had, I should say) really curly hair. But being a product of the 80's I wanted those stiff "fly catcher" bangs. So, I cut them on a diagonal, sprayed straight up and walked out the door to school thinking my own mother wouldn't notice. Um, ya. Dumb. About both: cutting my own hair, and thinking I had an unobservant mother.

4) I was accepted to the University of Maryland on an acting scholarship, but declined. (Good thing, since I met my husband on the first day of my freshman year at the school of my choice.)

5) I hate anything with malt or malt flavor.

6) I spent my middle childhood years living on Winslow Road in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

7) The first day I met my later-to-be mother in law, I stabbed her in the elbow with a kitchen knife. (short story: we were putting dishes away together...but it was a rather dramatic and embarrassing moment).

There you have it. I can't think of anyone to tag right now...so maybe I will be back later. I never was a "game" person.

Gotta get back to drawing....

Happy Site Friday.

Do you have the itching urge to buy more children's books all the time? As you pass the Barnes +Noble? As you surf the good ol' money hogging internet? After a good trip to the library? I do.

Well, I am a sucker for good picture books (no!) and I have always been bugged on Amazon when you can't search inside and see if it is any good!

Well, look no longer. Here is the perfect solution. Looky-Look is a website with the ENTIRE children's book for you to read. Yes. Page by page. You can even buy from their site directly once you have fallen in love with a new read. Brilliant.

Because the entire site is in flash, I have no pictures. (Even better to know the site is protected against the copy-and-steal kinda people).


But because I cannot leave you with a picture, I will leave you with this. An experiment I will let sit here so I can gaze at it every once in a while and decide if I like or not. Hmmm. It may take the weekend to ponder upon this one.

Which reminds me...Happy weekend! Happy reading! Happy Friday!

Recipe: How to make the most of a rainy day

1. Mix two of mom's best sheets tied with string and hair clips (for optimum tent making).

2. Add 6 or 7 batches of bristol blocks. (We prefer 7)

3. Quickly add in one hand written book (or a rewritten book of a perfectly good one.) Must have lots of glue pasted every where, scotch tape plastered to the pages and must have lots of crayon. Take out crayon from little mouths as necessary.

4)Stir well with every whisk in the kitchen. A toy dinosaur tail works too.





5) Add a few kisses and tickles and hugs and soon, it isn't so rainy and cold anymore.

Enjoy inside mommy's nice warm bed and have fun making a mess of it. You can always make it up later. Or just leave the bed messy for the next rainy day.

Enjoy!

Shop Update

Be back soon!

Well, I am closing my doors to the shop for a few days to catch my breath. I am learning that balance requires constant reassessing and reorganizing, and spring has brought in new reasons for both. I will be taking a vacation from the good ol' US Postal Service, and will be focussing my attentions on some new art work...for the shop and some other projects I am currently working on.

UPDATE: All items will be shipped out on April 18th.

I see artists all around me who seem to just "do it all." But then I realize:
They aren't changing diapers at 6:30 am.
Or playing dress-ups at 7:30am.
Or cleaning crayon off the walls at 8am.
Or feeding breakfast to two hungry toddlers at 8:30am.
Or going on library trips at 10 am.
Or doing 15 bajillion loads of laundry at 1 pm.
Or scrubbing bathrooms at 2 pm.
Or building wooden block villages at 3 pm.
Or going to the park at 4 pm.
Or making dinner at 5 pm and drawing a bath at 6 pm with kids in bed at 7pm.

Really and truthfully, I am up at 5 am to start my day just so I can get some "ME" time. Right now, naptime isn't enough time for 'catch up.' And with a To-Do list building (the good kind of "to-do"...the kind I want to get done) but not enough time in the day to do it, I am forced to take somethings off my list. My children will never be one of them. SO....I am taking "print-wrap-ship" from my list for the next few days. Ahhhhh. That feels really good to say.

I am not out of town, so if any of you NEED anything to be shipped before the 18th of April, please contact me. I am here, and am sensitive to birthdays and deadlines on your part. But all other orders will ship out on the 18th of April.

I will still be blogging a bit. But my packaging materials will be gathering dust for 10 days.

Now that I won't be licking stamps for a few days....let the creativity flow!

Cya!

Humbug.

Little moments. Little memories.

Hello friends,

I love weekends! Especially this weekend. "Conference Weekend" we call it. Twice a year, the Prophet of our church and other church leaders gather together and speak to a world wide congregation of Jesus and his teachings. Families and congregations from Africa to Sweden gather together to listen and watch all day Saturday and Sunday to the teachings from the scriptures as applied to our lives today...like how to find more joy in motherhood, etc. It is like a Mecca really, and I find it really cool that millions of people are listening and watching all at the same time. And, on top of that, our little family has the tradition of cooking lots of yummy food (swiss chard soup, homemade bread, slow cooked ribs, biscuits grilled asparagus, cream asparugus pasta, homemade granola and crepes with strawberries for breakfast) as cooked by my husband and kids a like. Ya. Whew! Well, I did end up making a cardboard stove for the kids when Kenneth started to saute. They didn't mind using "pretend" food, and I sure could have used it instead! But really, I am 'filled' in more ways than one!


And one more little happy note: I have new little pretties to add to the shop! I am really excited about this, and it has been in the works for a while. I was able to have them made here, and they turned out great!




Little mini cards with buttons on them for added cuteness. But these aren't any kind of card. They are meant to make those little moments: a note for a friend left in her purse. Or a note on your daughter's bed for her to see when she comes home from school. Or a note in a lunch for a little hand to open on a hard day at school. My mother was always leaving little notes for me as a child, and let me tell you...it made my day. These notes are for ANYONE. But, I would hope that these would encourage more note-giving between mother and child. Just an idea.

I will be posting these in my shop soon. Don't know if I will post them individually, or as a set yet. I sure love them! Hope you do too!

Happy Site Friday.

Happy Friday everyone. I am fighting a really bad sore throat, so I can't talk long. So we will make this brief (but not short!)

Mahar Dry Goods has been inspiring me for a long time. Something about their philosophy of beautiful play things for children really makes me wish they weren't an online store and that I could go and play in their showroom. Vintage with a flair for bringing back the old with a splash of new. I can't get enough of them! (Well, haven't bought anything yet, but not because I lack interest!)

Hop on over and get inspired.

Squirrel pull toy? Genious.

Recognize this? Inspiration for my Summer Tea Party.

Love these colors! Is it possible for a Robot to be pretty?
All the sudden "circus clown" isn't scary any more.And these boxes. I can't get enough of orange and blue!
Shadow puppets? Thank you!!!

So, reasons to visit:

1) Mahar Dry Goods regularly hires artisans to make exclusive products and toys for his shop, so you aren't going to find a lot of duplicates in his store.
2) Robert, the owner, is really nice (and evidently has a really cool wardrobe).
3) You will find lots of pretty things and wish your tax return has come already.
4) Robert also has another site...Junior Society...revealing the cool and unique world of children's culture and design.
5) His site is designed by the one and only Jen Corace.
6) You will wish you were a kid again.

Enjoy your weekend!