shanna murray

a tea party!

It's been a super busy, blustery, happy week and to top it off, there's going to be a tea party! If you're in or near Rochester please know you are happily, warmly invited to attend a tea party this Sunday, May 2nd at Thread to celebrate the launch of my new decal line. Sandy and Mike, owners of Thread, are the absolute sweetest for asking if they could host a little celebration, and I couldn't think of a better spot to ring in this new adventure! It's sure to be a fun afternoon, and there will be scones (and of course, lots of tea)! I hope you'll join us!

If you can't make it, but would like to see the decals in person; beginning Sunday, Thread will carry a selection of the spring / summer line. 

Next week I'll resume regular posting, I'm so looking forward to that. I've missed this space, and all of you. Towards the end of the week I'll be sharing my first tutorial, can't wait!

Have a delightful weekend, friends. S

Thread is at 654 South Avenue in Rochester, NY

community

Hello!

Today I'm delighted to share with you an announcement about a very special event that Lynn of Satsuma Press has pulled together. Lynn is hosting a raffle on her blog for beautiful work from 50 super talented artists who have all lovingly donated something they've made. I am so happy to be able to contribute! The list of artist is full of some of my favorite makers, and some very dear friends as well! All raffle ticket proceeds go towards a fund that will be used to make a fully accessible bathroom for Lynn's son Liam this summer.

Sweet Liam has a rare neuromuscular disorder called Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2. Lynn and her husband do an amazing job of providing Liam with all he needs to experience life to the fullest, but they could use a little help. This community of ours is so inspiring, and when we band together amazing things can happen. Please stop by Lynn's blog for more details and a list of the truly awesome contributors to the raffle! 

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I'm also happy to announce that the winner of our Earth Day giveaway is Jessica Anne! Congrats to you! Please send along your mailing address to [email protected] so Betsy and I can send some goodness your way!

Thanks to all that entered, I don't throw giveaways often so it was an especially fun day for me. I must say, I was surprised by so many comments from people I'd never heard from in this space before! Please don't be shy, if you're a regular visitor to this neck of the woods. I'd love it if you'd say hello! 

Happy Friday, S

taking good care + a giveaway!

Hello to you, dear pals, and Happy Earth Day! 

I thought I'd celebrate with you today by throwing a little giveaway! Even better: my dear, dear friend Betsy of Foundling and I have decided to throw a giveaway together! It's our little way of celebrating, even though we're miles apart. If she were here, or I there I imagine we'd rustle up our dogs and head out to the trails. Instead, Ollie and I will be going solo, but we'll be thinking of Betsy and her sweet pups! 

I think a great way to celebrate is to improve areas you have an impact on on a regular basis. If we all took care of our little necks of the woods...well, you know. So, i'll be picking up garbage and forgotten fishing line at our favorite creek, as well as some rather unsavory bits left behind by other dogs & their owners - such a shame that it has to be done at all.

So, the details: this giveaway is for one small Citrus Garland in the winners choice of matte white, matte charcoal, speckled gold, or silver lustre AND for this gorgeous pair of where are we now posts made by Betsy. 

To enter, leave a comment here about what you do in your daily life to take cake of our dear earth (Besides recycling & turning the lights off. I believe we should all be doing these things). Be sure to include your email address, so that we may contact you if you are the winner. For an extra chance to win head over to Betsy's blog and enter there, too! One winner will be chosen and announced tomorrow morning here and on Betsy's blog.

I'll leave you with a favorite little snippet from Pride & Prejudice I often think about when Ollie & I are out: "What are men compared to rocks and mountains?" Though I think I might amend that to include canine companions in the latter part of the quote. It's much more fun to be among the rocks and mountains with Ollie by my side.

Cheers! Shanna

good morning

I love to get up super early, Ollie on the other hand loves to sleep in. Our different preferences have established a routine that I totally adore. I get up, wash up and get dressed, make a cup of tea, tidy up a little, then sit down to answer emails and see what everyone's up to. After that, if Ollie's still snoozing I get to work on whatever my first project of the day is. 

Around the time Ollie begins to stir, a little morning fatigue has usually set in for me. But when he jumps out of bed, happily ready to start his day, I find his enthusiasm totally contagious! As we head outside he sniffs about, exploring the little patch of woods next to the house (always making sure to check the ground hog hole) and a smile comes to my face. 

I love how ernest he is about exploring the same patches of grass and woods every day. I pick some flowers, maybe hang some laundry, he barks at runners passing by and maybe some crows in the yard then we head inside. 

After a little breakfast and a game of catch he settles back in for a long morning nap, and I get back to work - with a fresh batch of energy. I love him so, and our little morning routine! Do you have a favorite morning routine, I'd love to hear yours!

'Till soon! S

   

humbled

Can I just say thank you, and hope you know the universe of gratitude contained in those two small words? I know it isn't enough, but believe me - that thank you runs as deep as the inkiest dark corners of my heart. Where all my untold dreams and wishes are, a thank you lives for all of you - good friends. And I mean you - you who's there reading, wherever you are.  

I simply don't have the words to tell you how warmed by your kind words, little notes, and congratulations I've been. It truly has been a magical handful of days, thanks to you. I had been nervous to share a project so close to my heart. But you've changed all that. And that's really something. So, I think I'll just have to let a little very humbled silence and a great big hug across the distance to you be enough for now... {O}

I'll be back soon with my first decal tutorial! and I'm sure some tales of adventure - it's exploring season for Ollie & me!

Love & hugs, S

more than all the stars

I can sort of hardly believe today's the day! 

So many of you know what kind of work goes into pulling something brand new together - and that's what makes it so meaningful to share this day with you! Thanks for cheering me on while I was working to bring these bits to life, your encouragement has been just so bolstering and inspiring! I've been so happy working on this line, one that I hesitated to even begin a little less than a year ago.

I had to learn a new way of drawing, for a new-to-me machine to make the open work I had in mind truly come to life. I was wary at the outset of images appearing too digital, or like a sticker awkwardly stuck on the wall. But in the end, through a series of gratifying trials and errors, I finally arrive at what I had imagined!

All along I envisioned a line of primitive drawings that could be used in place of a paintbrush, but appear to have been done by a brush - a way to offer anyone a chance to use their creativity with whichever pieces they choose. I'm a person who likes to write a lot of little notes and leave them around the house to be found by C, or to be a little reminder to me of what really matters. As I began to incorporate the decals into our home while photographing them, they came to life in ways I hadn't even thought of. So, I decided to photograph them as loosely as possible, the way that I use them - in hopes that by not being too literal, and too staged in a room that you might think of your own ways to use them - ways that I haven't thought of. And if you do, I hope you'll share a snapshot or two with me!

I don't want to bog this post down with technicalities, but I don't want to close this post without mentioning that aside from the luscious metallic options available, these decals are made in a matte finish with no shine whatsoever, and are so, so lovely.

This April marks the 5th year I've been blogging, the 5th year I've known some of you. Even those of you I've known for less than 5 years already feel like old friends. Somehow that just doesn't seem possible. But when I think back to all that's transpired in my life in five years - and all that you've shared that's transpired in yours, I nod to myself, yes - it's possible. And it's amazing for so many reasons, the least of which is how much happier this moment is for me because of all of you. I'm so grateful for each of you that stops by this space to say hello.

Before my sleepy, sappy brain carries me away I'll leave you with a link to my new bigcartel shop...and say see you soon!

And happy Monday to you! 

xoxo, S

a reminder

Just a little pause in my morning to say hello to you, I've been missing you. Hello! I've been ticking things off my list, one decal at a time. I made a pledge to myself to really sink into the process and enjoy every step rather than hurry through towards the end goal. I've been thinking of these thoughts I had at the beginning of the year, and trying to put them into action. This mindfulness has really turned what was becoming a stressful situation into one that is enriching and fun. Why become stressed out over something I am so lucky to have the time to do, that I want to do? That's just silly. But somehow, I still need to remind myself of this regularly. Do you struggle with this, too, I wonder?

My grandfather is always reminding me to stop and smell the roses. I love that he does, it's comforting. Is there someone in your life that encourages you to pause and breathe in the beauty around you? I hope so. Next week I'll share all of my efforts with you, friends. I can't wait!!

'Till soon! S

getting there

So close I can almost taste it! I had a great conversation with a good friend yesterday and all the little photo issues I was having  just melted away. Funny how that works. Where would we be without our friends? Especially ones with great taste, and good advice, and amazing cameras. Just a few more decals to shoot then it's time to start loading the shop! I'll keep you posted...

Thanks pals, for leaving such great recommendations for quick, delicious dinners! I've implemented several suggestions so far, and I have to tell you it's been really nice to consult the list when I'm feeling stumped! Last night it was burritos, and C exclaimed that they needed to be in our new rotation. Much easier than tacos, much better for you, and to my surprise - much better tasting. Thanks, Julia!

Have any good plans for the weekend? I'm dedicating this one to getting my house in order, my stuff is everywhere!

Cheerfully, S