shanna murray

on dreams

I had a dream last night. I was scribbling down some notes in my journal about what I wanted to write on my blog. I wanted to write about driving in the country with my grandmother, which I was at the time, about the old car that was like a little old study on wheels passing us by (complete with an old gentleman smoking a pipe), about Ollie who has my heart and how we were going to pick him up at the vet (just a routine checkup), on our way to the shop we shared. We were wondering if we'd arrive at our shop on time but then laughed and sighed knowing it didn't really matter, it was our shop after all. We were just excited to cut into the pie we baked for breakfast. I scribbled down in my journal that i wanted to jot more things down in this space, more quick thoughts, a little less explaining,  just to be sure to get more thoughts down, lose less of them. I woke up smiling, Ollie snuggled next to me.

I know a wise lady who says that when you're visited in a dream by a beloved mother or grandmother it means something good is going to happen very soon. The last time I dreamt about my mom this proved true. I wonder if it will be this time. Have you heard of this before, has it proved true for you?

I didn't have a very happy day yesterday. Just some wintertime, tired of being sick blues. But it brought out some feelings and nerves about the future that I think I've been stuffing down and ignoring. A very dear friend of mine listened long enough to bring these things to the surface, and easily let it go when I wanted to rest the topic. A perceptive C, upon arriving home asked what was wrong and then gave a hug that brought tears. It's so good to get them out sometimes. It was good this time.

And then a dream. A dream in which I got to go for a long country drive with my grandmother (pie on the back seat) on our way to pick up one of the best things that's ever happened to me, my little Ollie, and then to our shop. Our shop. And then I woke up smiling.

I'm going to carry that feeling with me today. Because even if that good thing is just around the corner, the dream was good enough. Good enough. And whatever fears I have aren't fears about what matters most. All that matters most I have already. 

What do think dreams are for?

Shanna

Love notes

Good morning to you! 

What a fun day for Betsy and I. We're so happy to share with you our new project! It's a little valentine to send to someone you hold dear, only there's a twist! When you order a valentine we'll ask you to include a love note for your darling, as well as their name. Betsy will inscribe your note and envelope using the script of your choice! Fun, right?

The details: Last day to order a valentine is February 6th. All valentines will be sent out on February 7th to the address of your choosing. This is a limited run of 100 valentines.

While working on this project I've been thinking a lot about letter writing, snail mail, and the joy that I feel when something hand written and thoughtful arrives in my mailbox. In the busyness of the last year I'd not sent many hand written notes, other than with orders or birthday cards. I think I will send more love notes this year. Such a simple gesture, with such happy results from both ends! Will you join me? I need a new pen pal!

A couple interesting links regarding letter writing:

The Letter Writers Alliance  A great little site all about the joys of letter writing, they even have a mission statement! And if you become a member you'll receive a membership card and badge and entrance to their secret website just for members. So sweet!

Also very sweet is a little something Etsy is participating in, and you can too! In conjunction with Citymeals on-wheels, Etsy is encouraging everyone to send in a hand written note to a homebound elderly person in New York. Jan over at Poppytalk wrote a great little post with all the details and pertinent links here. 

And lastly, Stephanie has decided to revisit her beautiful Love Notes series from last year! Her shop will be full of magical handmade beauties on January 30th (and will most likely only be full for five minutes or so, so stay on your toes!). I can't wait!

Happy day!

Shanna

p.s. the last five 2009 dandelion calendars will be listed today in our little paperie!

I have missed you all!

Tucked away trying to kick this flu out the door, I've also been working on a fun project for Hello Handmade. Here is a little peek! We'll reveal just exactly what it is tomorrow when we list them in the paperie around 9AM! 

Betsy and I will be listing our last five calendars tomorrow as well. It's so hard to believe we've nearly sold out! You guys are awesome!

I am so looking forward to returning to regular posting. Fingers crossed, Monday I'll be feeling well enough! 

Hoping you all are well and smiling,

Shanna

Happy Inauguration Day!

I am full of emotions, have not the words to describe them or the desire to, only the wish to extend my arms out to you on this beautiful day and say hello. Hello from my little sick bed (or couch really) where I am surrounded by tissues and tea, warm blankets and my little O. I so badly wish I was in D.C., but am grateful for a warm place to watch events transpire and so happy for all who could make the journey. I'll be there in spirit!

Enjoy the day!

Shanna

P.S. This creek and the land surrounding it as well as the property we live on were once owned by Abraham Lincoln's brother.

It's so nice to be typing to you this morning after a full week of lots of odds and ends of tasks and visits. For me,  2009 is off to a great start. I've been spending more time with friends, cooking, and I even set up my desk. The cutting back on the workday goal hasn't really been happening. In taking time out of the day to visit, cook, organize and well, just live in general my work hours have been pushed to both extremes of the day. I will never cure the early riser bit, it is my most favorite time of the day, but the night owl bit I'd love to retire. It's going to take a great amount of effort, I can tell...

It's friday, and that means it's time to announce a winner (using a random integer generator) to my little thank you giveaway, Molly W! It was so wonderful to read through all of your thoughtful comments, truly. I'm sure I'll return to them when I am in need of a few words of wisdom. Thank you all for sharing, I wish I could send something to all of you.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends. I'll be over on flickr this weekend, uploading my 365 shots, and will see you back here on monday!

Hello there!

I've been meaning to say thank you for all the kindness you expressed and support you gave in 2008. It was such a year of growth for me. February marked my return to this space after five months away, and you welcomed me back with such warmth and friendship. In the following months I shared more about myself than I ever had on my blog and was grateful I did each time. Somehow I finely found a way to be open here, about life and work, learning and making which has been such a comfort and a key reason why I've been able to stick around. I was never good at just talking about making, when there's so much behind the scenes that goes into it all. I am so grateful for the friendships I formed this past year through this blog. And grateful, too, that largely because of you, the spiral has widened quite a bit for me. Thank you for listening, commenting, and sharing this past year. It meant so much to know that you were there.

As a thank you I'll be drawing a name from all who comment here between today and friday. To the person who's name is drawn will go a 2009 dandelion calendar and let it snow print, as well as a vintage hanger and a few extra surprises thrown in. I wish I could send a little something to you all...

If you could leave a little note in the comments about something you learned in 2008 that would be lovely. I love to read about what has made others pause, think or change perspective. It helps in reminding me that there is still so much out there to learn. Big and small.

Here's to that!

Shanna

p.s. Ez over at Creature Comforts will also be hosting a giveaway for hello handmade this week. In case you want to double your chances... :)

Hello!

It feels so good to get back into the swing of things! I really did need a break, it's been great to visit with family and friends + catch up on rest and tasks around the house, but I am so thrilled to be back in work mode...with my new self-imposed work schedule! We'll see how it goes. Part of implementing a schedule will involve setting up a desk to work at. You've seen where I used to work, right? So bad for my back and arm, and also sort of allows the mind to wander, flickr way too much, etc. I'm hoping the desk will help keep me focused when I need to be on the computer or illustrating, and I'll save the old office for embroidery and other hand work. Somehow I think a complete studio re-do is in the works.

This week i'll be working on a project I am super excited about. I can't spill all the beans just yet, but can tell you that it has something to do with valentines and Betsy and I! So fun!

I spent some time in my other studio this weekend, the one I share with friends. It felt really great to be there with the sun that was shining in, listening to music, cutting down paper, doing a bit of printing, and taking breaks to look at my friend Jim's amazing work. 

Tomorrow I have a special treat planned for you, dear friends! See you then!

Shanna

. . .

Happy New Year Friends!!!

I have a feeling this year will be spectacular! There's so much to look forward to, so much to be grateful for.

For the first time ever I am going to attempt to establish a healthy "workday" for myself, I'm kissing the 16/17 hour workdays of 2008 goodbye! Coinciding with this are plans to cook more, document more of life through photographs, and travel more. Much of this will be accomplished through a shift in focus work-wise, a shift I am so thrilled about!

I am so excited to announce that Betsy and I will be launching a new endeavor this Spring, a wedding line!! We are both so full of ideas, joy, and gratitude, and can't wait to share more with you in the coming months!

There are a few more changes and exciting new projects in the works that I look forward to sharing with you in the coming days! But for now I just want to wish you a wonderful New Year! May today be full of good company and food, laughter and comfort, and may all the days to come make you happy to be alive!

Hugs all around,

Shanna