"Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way"–Native American Saying

This is an email that I received from a customer that I met recently.  I was so inspired by her recognizing her need to keep a gratitude journal that I asked if I could share this with you all.  Here is the email:

Dear Melissa,

I am so happy to have met you. I was literally drawn into your booth! I was in the middle of a sentence talking to my husband and writing something down for him when I stopped talking, handed him the paper, and walked into your booth! That has never happened to me before. I purchased one of your beautiful upcycled books-one with the cover from a Reader's Digest. I just love the idea of re-using covers - inspired!

While I was there, I told you about books by Rhonda Byrne. Her third one, The Magic, is a kind of "workbook" for gratitude. It's fabulous. After looking around on your web site, I know that you already live your life the way that is described in Rhonda Byrne's books. You talk about intentions and gratefulness. I love the idea of "imaginal cells" - thanks for sharing that.

I used to journal about what was going on in my life, but found that I focused on the bad stuff, the annoying things and what I was worried about. I could never go back and read stuff because it just made me feel bad. One of the exercises in The Magic is to write, first thing in the morning 10 things that you are grateful for. It's wonderful. It puts me a good mood and if I need an extra boost, I can go back and read pages and pages of things that I am grateful for. I will be filling my new journal with  happy thoughts - one of which is finding Re-Imagined by Luna!

Well, happy birthday to my business.  This month, I've officially been doing ReImagined by Luna full-time for two years.  I'm celebrating with a nice cup of tea, a couple fishing trips, and general dancing around.  Please feel free to join wherever you are :) 

::Quick re-cap of the past year::

"Wisdom is to both know and transform." –Paulo Coelho

Custom handmade, leather journal as a gift for a life coach:
peaceful, white owl and lined paper on one side. 

On the road again...

I've spent alot of time on the road these past few weeks with all these shows back to back.  It's so fabulous when the days are sunny and gorgeous.  It makes driving long distance so much easier.   I landed this past weekend in Columbus, OH at the Easton Art Affair.  They had these nifty signs for each of us to put on the front of our booths.

One of my favorite things about this particular show was my booth neighbors.  On one side, I had Jamie who does really fun, quirky drawings of animals.  You can check them out here.  On the other side, I had Erika and Clayton who made gorgeous rock wall hangings, sculptures, and water fountains.  See them here.  Erika supplied me with food throughout the weekend, including these beautiful cherries.  It was the perfect start to a Saturday morning!

This trip was special in that I got to stay with Jennifer of Gallery Girl.  We met at a show last year via another artist and immediately took to each other.  Jennifer is fun and light-hearted, and her paintings demonstrate it.  Take a look at them here.  They are so whimsical and cheery--just like her.  Staying with her was a delight!

Oh, and I got to meet her friend, Debbie who was just lovely.  I would love to kick back some more with both of these ladies.

Ah, this cute koala was designed by a guy for his gal.  He had me translate the koala and some eucalyptus to fabric and create this one-of-a-kind handmade, leather journal.  I heard back from him that it was a great success and that his lady friend really liked it.

inspire (verb): 1. to stimulate energies 2. [Archaic] to breathe life into

Here is a recent custom design I created as an iPad cover.  This particular design included a strap so that the customer could easily carry it by itself.  Inside is 100% eco-friendly padding to help protect the device.  The leather used for this particular one is from a domestic tannery and the wood button is from another artist.  I am taking orders for more custom designed ipad and e-reader covers.  You can view more designs here.  They start out at $90 and turnaround time is currently 3-4 weeks.  Please contact me with any questions.

Have you ever had so many hard things happen in life that you begin to expect that it will always be that way?  Maybe you walk around holding your breath waiting for the next difficult thing to happen...

I did that for a very long time.  Growing up was all about survival.  I learned this from my parents who were just trying to “make it”.  There were many difficulties growing up, but once I left for college, it all got considerably worse.  There was a year and a half climax where mom left dad, my dad shut down completely, and my brother who was 2 years younger had to be admitted to multiple psych wards.   While things seemed like they could not get worse, they did.  It culminated on June 8^th 2004 when my brother completed suicide.   It was devastating as well as slightly ironic as my dad was always the one to talk about wanting to die.  Instead, my 19 year old brother had opted out early. I had already planned a trip to Europe that summer before everything happened and decided to still go.  I recall sitting on that plane in a state of shock, reflecting on what had just happened a few weeks prior.  I found myself thinking, “Dad chooses to live as though he is dead, my brother chose to die….I want to choose to live.”  I knew from my observations that I wanted to do life differently.  I wanted to actually engage and LIVE my life. The years that have followed are filled with their own stories of learning how to shake off what I was taught and learn what it means to actually live my life. 

It was a few years after my brother's passing that the word “re-imagine” became important.  At the time, I was working with adult women at an eating disorder facility.  I was watching how severely these women were being haunted and controlled by their past…to the point of self-abuse, self-rejection, and deep self-loathing.   Trying to convey to any of them that life was worth living was quite a task.  After those days at work, I’d go home, make a cup of tea, and journal for hours.  I was proccessing a lot of their pain and self-abuse, but it was also highlighting for me my own hurt and self-rejection.   It slowly became more evident that I was still holding my breath on my own life.  I was still waiting for the next hard thing to happen.  My past had taught me that this was how life went:  something hard will happen and then it will get worse… when you think it couldn’t get any worse, it will.  I vividly remember lying in bed one evening when the word “re-imagine” first came.  I repeated it over and over.  That is what I needed!  I needed to re-imagine how my life could be rather than basing it on how it always had been.  It could be different.  I needed to breathe and give my life permission to be better.  I’ve now re-imagined countless areas of my life, but I began with small steps.  I gave myself permission for life to be different and recognized that it could be an option to not always feel stressed and hurt.  With that, came breathing more deeply, no longer holding my breath, and slowing down to look at the reality of my life rather than staying busy in an attempt to ignore it. 

When I began thinking of a business name, I continued to not be able to shake this word.  I was very much into eco-friendly practices and using repurposed materials.  It easily worked as a name since I “re-imagine” how materials could be used rather than throwing them away.  However, there is that much deeper aspect and reminder to me to keep re-imagining my life and to fully live.   

In what ways have you or are you re-imagining your life?

If you missed it, here I am with Tiffany Wilson of LOCAL 12, WKRC-TV, the morning of Summerfair! I love how she keeps shaking one of my bell journals....fun! ( I'm near the beginning and again near 6:30)

I am very excited with how this custom order turned out! I was commissioned by someone who found a photo on Pinterest and asked if I could make something similar. As we continued working with the design, it definitely became its own. The owner will be using this primarily as his gaming journal. The pocket is for his dice, and he'll have room for multiple pens/pencils.  This design would work well as a sleeve in a variety of sizes for e-readers, notebooks, ipads, etc.
Let me know if you're interested in one!

Just got the sweetest message about my "dream" journal from Creation Inspirations:

"A mom brought her 11 year old to pick out one of your sketch journals. She chose the sky blue dream one of course! Apparently, that's the one she had fallen in love with at Mayfest. You should have seen that sweet girl hugging that journal...she wouldn't even let me bag it for her!!"

I went on a field trip last week...kind of.  As many of you know, I have Beau Graphics, a local print shop, do much of my printing needs.  They are incredibly helpful and have assisted me in multiple random projects.  One of those being a small book that they arranged in such a way that I was able to bind it and create a custom cover for it.  Being a printing press, they have these awesome huge tools that I would never have room for even if I could afford them.  One part of the book making process that is often overlooked is prepping the paper for the inside.  They come in large sheets and each piece has to be cut multiple times and folded.  Here is how I do much of that:

Beau Graphics has some much bigger equiment that do the same thing without all the work.  Their equipment is old enough that it is still all manual; however, the machine cuts the paper rather than it being all the work of your arm and shoulder.  I can't begin to explain just how much paper I have to cut.  I have cut so much at a time that I've had blisters on my hand from moving that lever up and down.  This is why my trip to Beau Graphics last week was so amazing.  Check out their old school monster cutter:

and paper folder:

I still use my studio paper cutter every day and finish off each signature that goes in the journal with a cut from it.  The machine folder is also a bit moody and only likes certain sizes and types of paper.  Much of the paper is still individually hand-folded.  However, it helps quite a bit to have access to these machines and to be able to use them for part of the process. Speaking of paper, I had some help yesterday with sorting and doing the final cut.

Sierra offered her assistance and became a pro at prepping those signatures.  It was amazing how much she accomplished in her short time in the studio.  Cady, the little sheltie, also made her way into the photo, but she mostly just tried to distract us.  See all those piles of paper?  That is how all the books begin.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
-Lao Tzu

This handmade, leather journal was carefully planned and co-created for a 7th wedding anniversary.  I was contacted by the wife who wanted a custom journal made for her husband.  The traditional gifts for the 7th wedding anniversary are wool or copper.  I was asked to incorporate both.  Her husband likes earthy colors (he was initially drawn to my work because of the coffee bag books), and she wanted the quote on the first page.  The word "journey" is hand-stitch on environmentally-friendly, 100% wool in a copper colored thread.  The center closure is copper.  I also really like that it is a circle since that echoes both wedding rings and the idea of a journey.  Their anniversary was earlier this week, and I received the kindest email from her husband once he received it. 

"I just received my 7th anniversary gift, a Reimagined by Luna original!
I'm delighted with the journal, and the story behind it (as indeed I have been behind all the products I have from Reimagined by Luna) and can't stop looking at it! Thank you very much!!"

The other really cool thing about this journal is that you can close it a variety of ways.
Here are three examples:

I'm really please with how this one turned out and enjoyed making it in honor of this couple's anniversary.  Happy 7th Anniversary to them!

It's been one of those weeks.  You know the kind...where multiple obstacles and difficult circumstances seem to collide and make you feel like you're doing everything in your power just to keep afloat.  Here is just one example:  Last Friday, the internet goes down.  Someone came out and fixed it on Monday morning just in time for my computer to start acting like it was going to crash.  I worked with it for the past couple of days, updating and clearing out files to free up space.  I was almost through with it when...yes, the internet went back out.  This morning, the internet is out, and my seemingly-almost-better computer begins to not work at all.  I took it in to find out that I need a new hard drive.  

Now take this example and echo it through a variety of circumstances this week.   Something happens, seems better, then something else happens.  I've had to try and stay very focused, especially with a show coming up this weekend.  I've had to prioritize and recognize what needs done now and what can realistically wait until next week.   I know that I'm not alone in this.  I've had multiple conversations this week where others are also running into extra obstacles.  It's like I have a reserve of energy to get through a week.  I know what has to be done and what I need to do it.  When you add several extra large things to that mix, that's where I start to feel like I can't catch my breath.  

Last night, I took a time out.  I spent some time being still, journaling, and doing some reading in The Wisdom of No Escape by Pema Chodron.  Here is some of what I came across:  

"In the way we practice, we don't say 'Hell is bad and heaven is good' or 'Get rid of hell and just seek heaven', but we encourage ourselves to develop an open heart and an open mind to heaven, to hell, to everything.  Why?  Because only then can we realize that no matter what comes along, we're always standing at the center of the world in the middle of sacred space, and everything that comes into that circle and exists with us there has come to teach us what we need to know.  

Life's work is to wake up, to let the things that enter the circle wake you up rather than put you to sleep.  The only way to do this is to be open, be curious, and develop some sense of sympathy for everything that comes along, to get to know its nature and let it teach you what it will."

With that, I'm reminded that we must each continue to wake up to how things actually are.  It's easy when things are going well to think that we're regressing if something goes bad.  "Heaven or hell"...that old dichotomic way of thinking.  Instead, I am moving through each of these obstacles with long, deep breaths and curiosity.  Now, I just need to add a dose of good humor, and I'll be set for the weekend.

**Photo sent by a dear friend as a reminder that things will get better

Has anyone else had one of those weeks?  Feel free to share your stories and how you are stepping through it... 

First time being on the radio!  I went on with Rebbecca Kaplan of La Percha Designs to promote our businesses and Mayfest Art Show in Lexington on WRFL (the public radio station in Lexington).

This is a horse photo album that I created for my younger cousin.  She is using it as a scrapbook to put pictures in of her and her horses.   The pages are acid-free, which means that her photos won't yellow over time.  Each page was individually crafted so that she can add pictures without the book getting bulky.  It will naturally expand for her and become a keepsake.  

"Here it is: Are you still standing? The answer is, Yes! (And no adverbs like "barely" are allowed here). If you are still standing, ragged flags or no, you are able. Thus, you have passed the bar. And even raised it."  -Clarissa Pinkole Estes

All day Sunday, I kept thinking “S.S. or Still Standing”.  Clarissa Pinkola Estes references this frequently throughout her stories of pushing through difficult circumstances.  I was at my first art show of the season this past weekend.  For those of you who have done or do outside shows, you understand that one of the biggest stressors is weather.  There was potential for scattered storms throughout the weekend, and I had mentally prepared to deal with rain.  The days during the show ended up being beautiful and sunny.  However, a couple huge storms rolled through Saturday night with lots of rain, wind, and hail.  I arrived Sunday morning to a tent that had been wrestled to the ground by water that had accumulated on the roof.  The tent frame was mangled and broken in several places.   At first, I was sure I would have to pack my things up and go home.  It was beyond repair, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to make it work by myself.  That is when the first wave of support showed up.  Several of my artist neighbors came to help me get the water out and devise a way to make it work for the day.  We ended up using extra poles I had with me and, quite literally, zip-tied and ducked taped it together.  We made it work and, thankfully, there weren’t any high winds.  The tent stayed standing for the day.  I felt so cared for and appreciative of everyone.  Numerous artists and volunteers at the fair stopped by throughout the stay to check on me and make sure I was ok.  I kept thinking how it was the best case scenario considering what happened.  My tent frame was broken.  Yes.  And yet, all of my product had been safely stored away in plastic bins, none of my display was damaged, and even the tops of my table cloths were dry enough to use for the day.  Incredible. 

The next concern was getting another tent.  I knew I needed a more stable one and, ideally, one that I would not have to be worried about leaking.  Paper products and water do not mix well, and it’s always unnerving when it rains even a little bit.  I also knew that the kind of tent I wanted was more than I can currently afford.  On Monday, I began to contact folks in the artist community to see if anyone knew of a used tent for sale.  The Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen replied with an artist’s information.  Thankfully, the tent was still available when I called.  That is when I realized that the universe was conspiring in my favor.  I drove down to Corbin through the gorgeous hills of southern KY to meet Ora Alsip.  He is a photographer and takes has gorgeous photos of rural communities and settings.  He showed me a photo of a moon bow, which I had never heard of before.  He said the best time to see one is the night before the full moon if the weather is clear.  It was not only a pleasure to meet him and his wife, but he took time to teach me how to set-up the tent and showed me the easiest way to do so.  What had seemed like a mess the day before turned around into a beautiful experience.  I am now the proud owner of a stable, water-proof tent and am so very thankful to Ora and to the artist community for being so caring and supportive.

Some of what did not get damaged

"Be as a bird perched on a frail branch that she feels bending beneath her, still she sings away all the same, knowing she has wings." -Victor Hugo 

I have my first show of the season this weekend.  I'm busy creating as many books as possible while simultaneously giving my booth a make-over.  These are the kinds of weeks where I literally don't do anything that isn't related to my business.  It takes over.  I've come to call times like this my vortex.  Luckily, I really like what I'm doing and it's just the nature of getting back into the season of art festivals.  I do have time to think as I sit quietly sewing book after book (sometimes, I work best in silence...especially if there is pressure to move quickly).  One of the things I’ve been reflecting on is potential and actualizing it.  In many of my formative years, I focused on people’s potential not wanting to look at where they actually were and what their actual choices involved.  Instead, I chose to see what they were capable of and what choices they could be making.  This wasn’t helpful for either of us in the long run.  It is rare that people recognize their own potential AND choose to act on it.  I've come to learn that potential isn't so great if it isn't ever acted upon.  This is one of the thoughts that inspired a couple of my new journals designs.   It felt important to represent both potential (a bird resting) and potential actualized (a bird flying).  While resting and knowing one's potential is good, it is also imperative to actualize this and to fly.  Enjoy the weekend!

(All my new bird designs)

"Spend the afternoon.  You can't take it with you." -Annie Dillard

Yesterday, I took a little bit of sewing and played hooky from my studio.  I went to the woods, to a creek that I was introduced to over the weekend.  I couldn't help it.  I knew the water would be low and perfect for wading in.  My ears longed to hear the sounds of water cascading over rocks.  Maybe I feel drawn to it because I grew up by a creek and spent most days playing in it for years... Maybe this connection with nature in something that resides in most of us...  It's an awakening to simplicity and being present. While my friend fished, I mostly practiced seeing and listening.  I watched the trees and try to match the birds with the particular choruses I heard.  I stared at the water, noticing ripples and turtles and the diversity of fish and the sleekness of snakes.  "I walk out; I see something, some event that would otherwise have been utterly missed or lost; or something sees me, some enormous power brushes me with its clean wing, and I resound like a beaten bell" (Annie Dillard).  It is the seeing that enlivens me.  It’s the moments of this dragonfly or that woodpecker that I often miss.  I thought to myself how good it is to just be...and that's it.  I shock myself in that setting with how fully I am content and how the regular expectations of needing to be more dissolve.

"I am a frayed and nibbled survivor in a fallen world, and I am getting along. I am aging and eaten and have done my share of eating too. I am not washed and beautiful, in control of a shining world in which everything fits, but instead am wondering awed about on a splintered wreck I've come to care for, whose gnawed trees breathe a delicate air, whose bloodied and scarred creatures are my dearest companions, and whose beauty beats and shines not in its imperfections but overwhelmingly in spite of them...”  (Annie Dillard).

-quotes from Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard

I looked around this morning and couldn't find it:  my first "journal" ever.  It must be packed away in a box somewhere in the attic.  Suffice it to say that it is pink, has a weird texture, and says "diary" on the front along with a few musical notes.  Here is a sketch to really give you a visual:  

I was around six when I first started keeping a journal.  Most of what I noted at the time had to do with fights with my brother, getting to go to friends' houses, and an update on our animals.  I wrote because it Rage Rage Against the Dying of the Lightsounded like a good idea.  Since I loved reading, it made sense to me to write.  I remember as a kid putting rules around it.  Put the date at the top.  Start with "Dear Diary".  Write everyday.  Don't write anything you don't want anyone else to read.  So, I wrote mostly mundane details.  I continued to keep a journal into high school, though I became much less rigid with myself, by dropping the "Dear Diary" and writing more freely.  By college, I realized I no longer simply chose to keep a journal:  I had to write.  At some point, it had become a survival mechanism.  I recorded alot of what was going on, wrote down my dreams, and released tons of free verse poetry on those pages.  There was so much going on with my family and my friends.  It was more than I could bear to say aloud so I simply wrote.  I even wrote in third person about the parts of me I didn't want anyone to know.  I pretended they were short stories and everyone got a nickname, including myself.  It helped.  I was able to continually empty myself just in time before the next big upset.  This went on for years.  I was afraid of being too intense for my friends so I didn't vocalize much.  I just kept writing and writing and writing some more.  I did make sure that those around me knew that if I was getting grumpy or irritated  that I probably was just overdue on taking time to journal.  It made that much of a difference for me.  Thankfully, life has settled down a bit and I no longer feel like I am constantly dodging curveballs.  I still keep a journal, reflecting on my days and responses and noting my dreams and personal growth.  I'm not as religious about it and it is not as necessary to keeping me afloat, but I continue to find it helpful.  Sometimes, it will be as simple as bullet points just to spark a memory while other times it will consist of a primitive drawing or layers of color.  I frequently get asked how I got into bookmaking.  While I can go into the details of how I learned to create a book, the basis of my bookmaking has much more to do with journaling and how I feel like it quite literally saved my life several times.

Some of my journals from over the years