shanna murray

Samuel

There's a brand new person on this earth tonight. 

There's a brand new room in my heart, and very early this morning during a phone call that woke me from dreams he moved in, immediately deep-rooting himself in a space all his own. A space that will forever belong to him.

My beautiful nephew, Samuel Miller Murray was born this morning at 1:04 a.m. He came into the world quietly, without a cry and simply yawned, stretched, and snuggled up for breakfast. And a nice long nap.

* * *

I love you Samuel. I am so happy you are here. You couldn't have picked a better family to call your own. Your dad is my brother and best friend. I hope that you and your amazing big brother Jack will be best friends, too. I bet you will.

Happy Birthday. Welcome to your big, beautiful, magical life.

merci, merci!

A couple of outtakes from the weekend. Thanks, Karen and Ollie for your never-ending enthusiasm and support, always dispensed at the time I am most in need! What would I do without you?

Thank you too, friends, for all your kind words, encouragement and support during Hello Handmade's re-opening yesterday. You guys are tops!

{O}

meet Hello Handmade's winter wares!

Well, hello there! Betsy and I have been waiting all year for this season to roll around again, and now it is finally time to unfurl our spread of winter wares!

Our etsy shop re-opens its figurative doors today! First up are the 2010 Laureled Tea Towel, and our Tannenbaum Specimen Chart. Then, at the end of November some downloadable items, such as an advent calendar, bunting, and ornament with follow. We hope you're as excited as we are about our winter wares! 

We're both really excited about today. Each time we have launched something new has been exciting, but after having finally had the opportunity to work side by side this summer the feeling is unmatchable! What a joy to have such a wonderful, kind, talented, and hilarious partner!

Cheers, everyone! 

xoxo, S

preparations

It's almost time! Betsy and I are readying our little paperie for re-opening this Monday! I'm feeling re-energized, inspired, and so excited to share what we've been working on with all of you. It's been an amazing process this time around. Getting to work alongside my lovely partner in crime, instead of remotely was such a rare treat! My love for our little endeavor grew ten-fold this summer. I can't wait for Monday!

Last night was an unexpectedly wonderful evening. I joined up with friends and went to listen to Etsy founder Rob Kalin chat about how he started his company and the lessons he learned along the way. I found all he shared fascinating. Rob really left me thinking about making some definitive changes in my creative life, and sort of bolstered in the direction I've been thinking of heading for some time now. Afterwards, we were invited to a delicious, impromptu dessert by a perfect stranger (who is, of course, a stranger no more). Thank you Kathryn!

Happy Weekend, friends!

glorious

An afternoon with friends at Schutt's, est. 1918 (best cider in town) and Bauman's Farm Market. Did you do anything fallish this weekend?

xxoo, S

snippets

Still feeling quiet. Type, delete, type, delete. Trying to articulate my thoughts just feels too forced today. I'll leave you with this little snippet from a job I've been working on lately, and a snippet of the gorgeous grey sky we had last night. It made me think of Martha's absolutely gorgeous new line of fall clothes. 

xo Shanna

braids today?

Words aren't coming too easily today - been feeling a little bit quiet, I suppose. I think my mind is sort of preoccupied lately, thinking a lot about transitions, about dreams, about family, about how a life's story is woven of so many moments that don't really feel like moments at the time. If this quietness sticks around awhile I might just post photos for a bit. Sometimes they say enough anyway, right? The words will come when they're ready to.

S

a little something to celebrate

Happy first day of October to you! In true October form it's grey, and a little blustery here this morning, just perfect! When I venture out today a scarf will definitely be required, yippee! I think it's time to start recording some fall walks again, don't you?

Julia and I wanted to share a little something with you in honor of our favorite season, a little Autumn desktop calendar just for you - and a haiku too! If you click on the image, and then click it again a larger version will appear, simply drag it to your desktop, or right click and copy then select it as your desktop image. We had a wonderful time collaborating on this little project - we hope you love it as much as we do!

Cheers!

Shanna

p.s. Happy, happy birthday, Julia! May it be a year full of joyous events and inspired, quiet moments. If I could, I'd give you a year of only fall weather. xxoo