two trees

new direction {goodbyes and hellos}

2007-04-30T09:14:00.000-05:00

hello, friends. it's been a long time, and before my last post it had been a long time too!

after a winter of nesting, thinking, growing, feeling, loving, and dreaming i have arrived at a place where my heart can and is singing. i've spent some time figuring out what works for me, and i've really loved getting to know myself better. it's time for some change! i'm so excited to share with you all that means...tomorrow! come and visit me HERE.

xo,
shanna

opposite of yesterday

2007-02-06T06:43:00.000-05:00

in all but the weather. quite possibly the coldest day of the year, but i must go out today! i'm preparing for my first screen printing lesson tomorrow night...so excited! and researching some things for an exciting new venture or two {more on that soon}. lots to do here, i'll be back on monday.

p.s. playing around with wool felt and linen, i made this last month. a little too much fabric, but i love the length {right at the hip} and the weight of the felt as a strap. still working out the kinks on this one...

stay warm, craftwonderland!

anatomy of a day, 12 below zero

2007-02-05T12:41:00.000-05:00

my heart.

we're indoors today, it's frigid.
pajamas, embroidery, crosswords and rice pudding, the last of her kind, kquilt, flickr, a hot bath,
and later on sherry baby.

cheers

2007-01-30T10:51:00.000-05:00

apologies for the rather dull quality of the photo, it's a bad light day.i love these two together. the magic that is mav and wendy! mav's cheers card was one of the first things i received from her. the feeling is always the same when i see something from her in my mailbox...always the first to opened, touched, admired, always brings a smile! can't wait for what's next, mav! the painting was a gift from the green girl a few months ago. a magical gift from such a beautiful soul! thank you friend! as a pair, these pieces have suited all manner of moods! i love seeing them every day.

i've given the studio a bit of a fresh start. there's new inspiration on the wires, and things have been moved around a bit to achieve a more efficient layout. nothing like a fresh start to improve perspective. my smile and humor have returned!

thanks to all of you who left such kind words on my last post. i will be getting back to as many of you as possible this week.

inspiring me on flickr:
.
Overexposed on the Columbia
untitled
sky
ben smile 3wks
Trumpeter swans in flight, Gallup Park (IV)
us

hugs, all around!

lost

2007-01-20T09:11:00.000-05:00

january, i wish i could start you over. somehow i would find a way to not feel so sad, more grateful, less lonely. the snow i have been longing for is finally here, but now seems to only punctuate my dark mood, rather than illuminate. i have been stuck for weeks. my to-do list has become a towering intimidation. how did i slip so quickly into the abyss that is my couch, and far too many cups of tea? such silliness, when i have the presence of mind to be semi-rational...an all too rare occasion these days. but i am trying, and i have made it this far. a post, the first in 50 days.

too much has been stirring in me to leave it all here. but the heart of it all is i miss my mom. it's next to impossible to tuck away the past, the memories and the possibilities, and begin from scratch. but i find myself without choice. here i am: my life, my heart's map, it's reference points all shifting. the new year and it's requisite resolutions and new-found productivity leave me stumped. where has the time gone? i'm looking around in the dark with a lethargic urgency, trying to find a new map i want to somehow manage to splice to the old. i have not acquired the tools for this place i'm in. i'm lost. but, thankfully, i'm not without hope. i am here, after all.

this month was, and is still to be the month to finish the katrina quilt. it will be going up for auction next month. i began this project 16 months ago. i am sometimes filled with disappointment in myself for not having completed it yet. i tell myself to go easy, had i known what the coming months had in store, i would not have taken on such an enormous project. i try to steer my thoughts to all of you who have sent me love in the form of a square, and away from the loss of so many. but it can't be helped. to work on this quilt means to feel it. and so i will.

love to all of you, this saturday. it's good to be back.

waiting for snow

2006-12-02T01:48:00.000-05:00

such an amazing day of weather here today, very blustery! i can't wait for the snow...maybe this weekend?
i'll be away until tuesday, but wanted to let you know i'll be putting a set of my winter photo cards as well as a few handmade stocking stuffers in the shop when i return.

we get our tree today! so happy about that.
also today, shari of the glass doorknob is posting an interview with me as part of her handmade for the holidays series. what an honor to be included with such talented women! i've loved reading all they've had to say, shari asks some great questions! thank you, dear shari!

where would we be without friends?

2006-11-30T09:29:00.000-05:00

thank you friends, for all your sweet words! i am feeling much brighter now.
i'm off in a dash to finish some smocks but wanted to let you know there are some new drawings up in my shop, including the one above titled spend some time with me.

until tomorrow, may you sparkle all day!

loving by the listful

2006-11-28T22:12:00.000-05:00

a quick post just to put some love out in the universe tonight...feeling all kinds of sadness {and not quite sure if i should go to sleep or push through another hour in hopes of going to bed with a smile on my face.}

some things i adore tonight:

warm flannel sheets out of the dryer

c being proud of me, and telling me so many times each day

my o, snuggling with me at every opportunity

a day full of creating, working, loving

ray fenwick; especially art #5

nyra lang's amazing photo stream

stewart+brown

bench

beautiful mail from beautiful women: *, *, *, *

memories of two beauties...i have only begun to understand their impact on my life, and loving that

edelweiss

my flickr favs

and this recipe of my grandmother's

doris' meringue cookies
***
2 egg whites, beaten
2/3 cups sugar
1 cup chocolate bits {choose your favorite...i like dark chocolate chips}

beat egg white until stiff, adding sugar a little at a time. gently fold in chocolate bits. drop by teaspoonful on a cookie sheet lined with parchment. preheat oven to 350, then turn off oven. put in cookies for two hours {and NO opening door to peek!} so simple. so good!

this helped a bit, a smile seems much more possible now.
do you ever feel like giving the entire universe a warm tight hug,
and a kiss on the forehead...but not being able to?
i do, most days. tonight i will close my eyes and try to make it so.
good night, craftwonderland.

and then there were nine

2006-11-27T14:12:00.000-05:00

i love mondays. there's such a sense of beginning, of purpose, of excitement for all a new week will bring. i suppose to feel that way about a monday is a thing to be grateful for...and to be sure, i am. i really am.

the holiday weekend was so full of joy {and heartache}, and creativity, and friends and family {though many i treasure were not near}. a rich four days i know i will remember.

i have made a conscious effort to be in the spirit this season, for fear that if i don't i will sink in sadness. most moments are bittersweet, but i do feel so full of love and possibility and gratitude for every single second i am breathing. i find the best way to care for yourself in times like these, is to reach out to others in need. i have a growing list of ways i plan to help and have helped my fellow citizens of the world this season. what are you doing for someone else this year? i'd love to hear!

thanks to stephanie, the day after thanksgiving was spent creating something just for me, something i haven't done in a long time. it really recharged my creative spirit! such fun!

the remainder of the weekend was dedicated to crossing orders off my list, i made a great deal of progress! woosh. i feel like i can breathe again. and now there are only nine orders left to create* and send, which feels really good. the custom smocks have been such a joy to work on. i love all the input and ideas for quotes you all send, sometimes it's like seeing your own face with new eyes...to those of you still waiting: they are coming! this entire week is dedicated to halving my list, and then completing the last ones next week!

may your day be merry, and bright!

*if you are thinking of ordering a custom smock, next friday is the cutoff for holiday orders. i have 5 spaces left.

believing

2006-11-20T09:12:00.000-05:00

our first snow this morning! i'll be watching it accumulate all day from my studio window, with the crooners holiday collection from itunes on in the background {pure bliss}. busy finishing up some more new items for the shop. i added some new pillows and artwork this morning. up next are some smaller items {stocking stuffers?}...

have you seen mav's gift guide??? what an amazing list. i plan on sitting with a cup of tea this afternoon and going through it...so many beautiful things, i can't wait to start shopping. thanks for all the hard work, maria! i feel more than honored to be included!

tomorrow i'll post holiday recipe #2.
until then - be well, friends.

holiday goodness

2006-11-10T09:35:00.000-05:00

here's a new little item going up in the shop! i'll be making a whole series of these for the holidays. there will be both wool felt and linen fronts and a print in cotton on the back. this one is up in the shop now, and there will be more to come either later today, or tomorrow.

:: :: :: ::

HOLIDAY RECIPE 1
i thought this was a great idea coming from maria {as many of her ideas are!}. here is my first recipe. this is great as a sort of we're approaching the holidays and things are going to get very busy quite quick type recipe. there is about an hour of work that goes into this pie, but if you are only a couple of people in your house it will easily do two dinners and a lunch {which i love...yummy homemade goodness at the ready!} perfect for when you want something warm and good, but are up to your eyeballs in orders, or gift making, or trimming the tree!

:: :: :: ::

best pot pie ever {an emeril recipe...i make this about once every two weeks!}

6 tablespoons butter 1 cup chopped onions 1/2 cup chopped celery 6 tablespoons flour 2 cups chicken stock 1 cup half and half 2 cups diced potatoes, blanched 1 cup diced carrots, blanched 1 cup sweet peas 2 cups shredded chicken, cooked 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley 1 Savory Crust {confession: i use pillsbury pre-made crust, its so good with this recipe, in my opinion} Salt and pepperPreheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 9 by 9 by 2-inch square baking pan.

In a large saute pan, melt the butter. Add the onions and celery and saute for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the flour and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes for a blond roux. Stir in the chicken stock and bring the liquid up to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and continue to cook for 4 to 6 minutes, or until the sauce starts to thicken. Stir in the half and half and continue to cook for 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper {and i add a pich of curry powder here, sometimes, to give it a little kick}. Stir in the potatoes, carrots, peas and chicken. Mix the filling thoroughly. Line the baking pan with one of the crusts. Pour the filling into the prepared pan. Place the top crust on top of the filling. Carefully tuck the overlapping crust into the pan, forming a thick edge. Crimp the edges of the pan and place on a baking sheet. Place the sheet in the oven and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and crispy.

Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes before serving.

hope you enjoy this one!

outgoing

2006-11-09T09:38:00.000-05:00

today = correspondence, orders, postal runs, preparing for the future, dreaming of the future, thinking and writing about life; what it means to be alive {for me}, cups of tea in my feather cup, missing ollie and c, looking forward to a cozy sunday together with light streaming through the windows, the sewing machine humming, good music on, a tasty late breakfast, and the new york times.

happy thursday, craftwonderland.

keep on keepin' on

2006-11-07T13:28:00.000-05:00

thanks to all of you who left me well wishes on saturday! every little note and phone message helped to brighten my day. i am so blessed to be a part of this wonderful community! it may seem silly to some but so many of you have truly helped make a difficult time easier.

many times throughout the year, just having a blog to read or a photo to look at or talking to wonderful new friends has helped me see it through. another minute, another day, another week. lately, life seems to pass through me a little easier. every day i get a little better at practicing acceptance {of course sometimes i fail miserably!}. less resistance =a good thing!

of course, being busy is one of the biggest helps of all! i am so thankful for the wonderful distraction of two trees, which has actually grown into a {semi} full-fledged business over the course of just a few months. i want to share a bit of my story with all of you {you are such a big part of it!}. soon. in a post to come.

there are a couple of new children's items up in the shop. and some holiday items will be up on friday {time to branch out a little!}

i am thinking of so many of you.
be well.

remembering {missing}

2006-11-04T10:22:00.000-05:00

today my mother would have turned 60. i miss her so much i ache...
a scrap of paper she left behind {found by my sister} becomes something treasured.

adult smocks

2006-10-24T09:40:00.000-05:00

four days late, but here i am. finally cold-free and excited about projects again! so, adult smocks...i am thrilled that so many of you have asked about these! maybe i'll actually find time to make one for myself {dreaming}. they are now available as a custom order over in my shop...click over to read the details.

today=p&p on in the background, outside it's cold and rainy/inside the radiators are toasty and my sewing machine is humming. tea is hot and there is just the right amount of day left to complete my projects at hand...and lovely conversation with a new dear friend that inspires!

...and dreaming of walking here.

be well {and cozy}!

love and wonder

2006-10-19T12:25:00.000-05:00

welcome sweet mccoy and pia lola! such a feeling of joy rushed over me upon viewing each of these beautiful new souls...today is all about celebrating life for me. everything around me screams rejoice, for you are alive! tender congratulations arc, j, alison and family. what wonders await...

today is my beloved c's birthday. he is one of my life's greatest gifts. there is so much to celebrate!

joy to you, friends!

time; when it's not your own

2006-10-18T08:19:00.000-05:00

no time this morning, many things on my list+feeling under the weather. wanted to take one minute to mention that i will be talking about custom order adult smocks on friday. an exciting new path! above is a custom ordered sun smock i made yesterday. i really enjoyed working on this one.

today has a totally different feel. don't you hate when you have to rush? i sure do. i made mav's delicious banana bread for the hundredth time this morning, but have no real time to enjoy it {but surely will later}...i'm off.

happiest of wednesdays to you, friends!

fall sale

2006-10-16T08:57:00.000-05:00

greetings friends! hope this monday finds you loving life. i'm finally feeling better after being a little under the weather over the weekend. the changing leaves have me in a fit of splendor every time i set foot out the door...trying to enjoy every minute before that vast blanket of white arrives! i'm loving all the great fall fruits and piping hot meals of late. i could eat persimmons forever!

***there's a big sale over at the shop. all the summer smocks have been reduced, and shipping is free.i'm making room for the new cozy, flannel lined smocks and more that will be up next week!

cheers!

art festival=love

2006-09-11T09:25:00.000-05:00

what an amazing experience! i have so much to tell, but will leave you with this photo for now. i'll be spending the day putting my house and studio back together, taking naps, and getting reacquainted with my ollie.

happy monday!

pause : : live the moments

2006-09-05T09:18:00.000-05:00

i had no idea it had been so long...i've been holed up in the studio so long! the clothesline festival is this weekend, and the anticipation is palpable! if you're in the area, come by and say hello!

i thought it would be good to come up for air and say hello to all my craftwonderland friends. i've missed you! the photos above are some outtakes from a little photo shoot i did for my banners, postcards, etc.

in other news, c. and i had a fantastic little trip to vermont {which included some exciting business propositions for two trees!}. i was very inspired by some new sculpture of a dear friend, and felt the bolstering effects spending time with great friends can bring. ollie had a super time running through grassy fields and meeting many wonderful people. he was a dream traveler!

upon my return i was brought to tears {the good kind} by dear tracy. thank you my friend, for such a touching post. i will be calling you this week. here's to the big bug's first day of school!

cheers, craftwondreland!

take care of a piece of the earth

2006-08-09T08:57:00.000-05:00

this smock expresses a feeling very close to my heart. it speaks for itself, i think. i was in such a state of peace and happiness working on this one...i think i will be sticking to the simpler embroidery and personal sentiments for the next little bit. so rewarding! i'd love your feedback on this...i'm slowly growing as i go. with 60 more to make for the show before september 7th, i've got my work cut out for me {well not all of it is cut out yet!}, but i'm equal to the task in enthusiasm alone, to be sure!!!

this one is available in sizes 2-7, in the shop.
cheers, all!

soar : : we are all connected

2006-08-08T10:13:00.000-05:00

two more smocks for the shop. both of these are size 7. more to come later this afternoon, or in the a.m. only size sevens so far, i know. but more sizes to come in the next batch. i will have sizes 2-14 at the festival and will post them as i go...

hope all is well with everyone in craftwonderland...i'd love to write more but must return to the studio...i have a barn to embroider!

**we are all connected is sold...{thank you stephanie!}

we are all connected

2006-08-01T12:34:00.000-05:00

friday has come and gone and still no smocks as promised! not for lack of productivity...i've been working away, despite the heat {90+ with no a.c. in the studio and can no longer bring sewing machine, etc. out into cooler rooms due to sweet little ollie, the investigator}.

spent some time figuring out how to make a great reversible smock, with much success! i am very excited about this! i have several new smocks going up in the shop sometime this week {i promise!} and will post about them here. the one above is in progress and is titled we are all connected. the photo is of my grandmother as a child, picking flowers on her way to california. i love the little pocket for two hands...i've snuck a surprise bit of soft color on it's interior lining.

i'd love to hear from you if you're interested in a smock for your wee tree...to be sure to include one in the correct size! lots of orders have been coming in which is terribly exciting! in other news my application for our local clothesline festival has been approved, which is thrilling! my first craft festival! i've been sketching out all sorts of ideas for displaying the smocks, so much fun!!!

i can't leave without mentioning that i'm in love with the new port2port press cards! so beautiful maria!
happy day, craftwonderland friends!

distracted by love

2006-07-24T06:21:00.002-05:00

meet ollie, my new love. i could gush for paragraphs about this little guy, but i'll spare you. let me just say that he is such a joy that i have been distracted from everything else since he came home on thursday. c and i have been in heaven!

thank you to everyone for your encouraging comments about the believe smock and my new wee trees adventure! my heart was so warmed as i read them on friday {when i was finally with computer again}. i'm so glad you all love these as much as i do, they are deeply gratifying to make! what a joy to come back online and find out that the first one has sold. for all of you who have written in comments and email requesting one for your wee tree, there are more smocks coming. i have five more in the works, and all will be done and up in the shop by friday. for those of you who had requests for special orders, i will be getting back to you tomorrow. and many thanks to Alicia {she doesn't have a blog} for being my first customer!

happy monday!

dreams to life

2006-07-17T08:21:00.000-05:00

new in my shop: believe smock/dress, size 7.
new in my life: designing a clothing line for girls that will inspire and empower!

a bit of history: i've been a nanny for the last 12 years...all through university and beyond {with a recent two year hiatus}. nannying is what brought me from west to east: i moved cross country with the family whose children i had cared for for seven years. i have always loved helping wee ones along as they grow and learn, love and play. and now the time has come to travel a new road...

children+love of design and natural fibers=wee trees!...more soon!!!

*i'll be absent all week {i have to send my computer to the doctor}, but will be looking forward to reading your comments and feedback when i return to craftwonderland on friday!
cheers friends! have a beautiful week!