shanna murray

lettering and tomatoes

Today I'm thinking of a couple of wonderful clients who are getting married this weekend. I had the pleasure of working on a bunch of different lettering projects for Alix & Christian's wedding and can't wait to see photos of how it all comes together (and to share the finished projects with you)!

The top photo was the early makings of a menu design that would be turned into a stamp. Even now, I'm still craving tomatoes all the time, after writing out that delicious, farm-fresh menu. Congrats in advance, Alix & Christian! 

mini bulletin

Just a quick post to let you know I'll be updating my shop with a little spring/summer collection tomorrow afternoon. There will be garlands and ribbons, new tidings and chalkboards, and two new colors, fog and mint! Can't wait to share everything tomorrow! Stay tuned!

Enjoy the day!
Shanna 

a little bit of lately

+ Lots of long walks with O, soaking up the warm sun. Those walks are easing us both out of hibernation. Ollie, who can sleep and snuggle for record winning stretches during the colder months, can now suddenly not keep still. It's equal parts adorable and maddening. I want to bottle his energy!

+ Orders, orders, and more orders going out far and wide. I wish I could hand deliver to some of the latest spots: Japan, New Zealand, Hong Kong! So grateful for my stockists, they really are the best. 

+ Plans are coming together for the launch of some spring things I've got a little photo shoot planned for later in the week and plan to list the new designs sometime early next week. Can't wait!

+ Feeling a bit overwhelmed by all I want to make happen in the next year or so, but equally inspired to see it through. I'm craving a total overhaul and a more purposeful sense of focus with my work and in parts of my life. This has been both terrifying and exhilarating. It's reassuring to know that often when something is scary, chances are it's right. Don't you think? Lots of things are brewing over here.

+ I've been giving some thought to where this old blog fits in the scheme of things. It's harder and harder to find time for posts, particularly long, thoughtful ones. I have come to love this space and the good friends I've made because of it, but this feels like the right time to figure out a better fit for sharing bits of life here and there. I'm eager for a shake up of sorts. What better time than Spring?

I hope you're well and smiling.
Till soon,
S 

as winter closes

It's time to dust the cobwebs off and say hello. I'll be coming out of hibernation on Monday, but for now I wanted to just say a small hello & a how have you been?

I hope very well.
S 

for keeps

A few little endearments for those you love best...now in my shop! In addition to the new things, I've added neon pink as an option for all decals of  a lovey-dovey nature, which I'm really excited about. You'll find them all in the St. Valentine's Day category. I  think the neon looks amazing against dark, neutral walls. I'm kind of crazy for it, really. I hope you are too.

Wishing you a lovely start to your week,
S 

ringing it in

Happy New Year, friends!
Did you have a festive weekend? I hope whatever you did it was grand. I had a wonderful time holed up in our cozy cottage, drinking lots of orange juice and watching loads of movies...I had a cold. I was sort of grateful for it, to be honest. I was just sick enough to require rest, but not so sick I couldn't enjoy a good putter around the house, some really great food, and the chance to make a dent in my to-watch list. It was perfect.

And as good timing would have it, I'm feeling lots better on this first day back in the studio. I'm just crazy about fresh starts and love the heaps of possibilty the new year represents. I'm looking forward to erasing our giant blackboards full of all we worked on in 2011, and begin all over again! Tomorrow!

Today I'm so happy to share with you January's collaborative calendar. To start the year off I've teamed up with Martha McQuade, who's been a tremendous source of inspiration to me over the years. Martha takes beautiful photos, and makes the most incredible clothes & accesories, and she's a wonderful person, too! I have wanted to collaborate with Martha for more than a year now, so this is a real treat for me (and for you, too, I hope).

There's some exciting news to share about this collaborative project, but I'll save it for next month's calendar launch - I'm hammering out the details just now. Really excited to share the news with you...

Cheers to the new year!
Shanna 

brown paper packages

Happy weekend to you, dear friends. It's been snowing here, ever so lightly, for an hour so. Looking out my big picture window here, at the studio has been like looking into a snowglobe. Total magic. It's been the perfect backdrop as I've worked on putting together  a little gathering of  holiday gift tag downloads for you. I hope you'll love them!

I had wanted to make them completly free, as a little gift to you. However, I ran into a bit of a snag with Big Cartel, the service I use for my shop, as they don't allow listings that are free. So, I've decided to list each design for as little as Big Cartel will allow, one dollar (or the entire suite of six deisgns for five dollars), with all proceeds going to Oxfam. Something for you, and something for others in need. Holiday cheer abounds!

Cheers!
Shanna 

P.S. I had hoped to share a December calendar with you all, but my collaborator and I ran into a bit of a snag with our project. Seeing as the month is nearly over, I'll be back on Monday with a holiday desktop image of my own instead. No need to include a calendar at this late date, right? 

home again

I snuck away for a little friend + family time last week, what an amazing time. I'm home again, creative batteries charged and ready to go! Being back in the studio feels wonderful after some time away. I'm looking forward to working on pulling the spring collection together and working on NYIGF prep.

But first, the studio needs a bit of holiday sprucing up, the last of our holiday orders need to be packaged & sent, and I have a better-late-than-never December desktop calendar to make for you (to be posted tomorrow)!

A bit of sad news for those of you waiting to hear about the collaborative ornaments with Pigeon Toe, I am so sorry to say that we are all sold out. Thanks to all of you who attended Sunday Best & the Portland Bazaar and scooped up one or two. My apologies to those who were not able to get one because of your proximity to Portland.

Lisa and I hate to disappoint, and her own words we "hereby pledge that we are developing a line together that is NOT limited edition, so the cruel feeling of missing out will never befall any of you ever again." Hooray! For those of you still planning on purchasing stationery or decals for the holidays, below are our cut-off dates.

Holiday Shipping Dates & Product Info:
Last day to place an order with priority shipping holiday delivery: December 16th
Last ship date (for last minute orders with rush shipping): December 20th
Shop closes for holiday break: December  21st - December 27th

Until tomorrow. Be well, friends!
S 

shanna murray + pigeon toe

My good friend Lisa from Pigoen Toe and I had such a great time collaborating last holiday season that we jumped at the chance to work together again on a limited edition collection for our holiday sales this year. We debuted these ornaments together this past weekend at the Sunday Best show in Portland, OR. What great fun that was!

Though I've flown south to warmer climes for a bit of R&R with my family, Lisa will have the ornaments at the Portland Bazaar this weekend. Be sure to stop by if you're in town, it's sure to be an inspiring event! If there are any ornaments left after the weekend, they will be available in Lisa's online shop, next week. I'll keep you posted. 

Also, I've just added the last of the holiday stationery to my shop (I had set some aside for Sunday Best in Portland last week), so if there's something you were wishing for that was previously sold out, you just might be in luck!

Happy Tuesday, friends. S

P.S. There will be a belated posting of the December collaborative desktop calendar next Monday.

mountains of joy

Hello there, friends! I hope all of you in the states had a cozy & happy Thanksgiving. I cooked my little heart out, felt so great to spend hours in the kitchen, reunited with my bowls and spoons. We had a quiet afternoon with family, which was just right.

A very heartfelt thank you to all of you who have cheered about or snapped up my holiday things, I am a little bit speechless at the response. As I pulled in the drive at home last night I was filled with a tremendous sense of gratitidue for all of you. All of you who allow me to live my dream every day. In the quiet in-between moments of a busy life I often think of this community, and the mountains of  joy you all bring to my life. Thank you.

Wishing you all a bright & beautiful weekend. S

*For my newsletter subscribers: This Friday's winner of the Holly Bough giveaway is Joanna Weekes. Congrats, Joanna! Send me an email with your address, at your convenience.