nib party

when it comes right down to it,  i guess that calligraphy nib holders
really aren't that exciting..... 

even though they all have a special purpose and claim to fame.

but when you pick and choose and pair them up with your favorite nib, 

the party really gets started.....and i'm talking
a table filled with a wild assortment of belgian chocolates
and big bowls of potato chips kind of party!  :))

{this page was created in my elvie catalog using pitt artist pens, koi watercolor,

derwent watercolor pencils, waterbrush, 4B graphite pencil}
you can read more about the "calligraphy nibs" page here!

bloggy blessings

every day i eagerly come to my computer (sometimes i'm still in my jammies!) and check my blog list....i'm always SO excited to see what all of you are doing! i have met so many wonderful, giving, and talented people, literally from all over the world.....and one of these sweeties is my bloggy friend jan over at pictures with words.

jan is a calligrapher and lovingly creates beautiful "pictures with words" using her exquisite letterforms. you might remember when she surprised me with this fabulous card shortly after we moved into our new house! and today she surprised me again, with this sweet little package!!

for the past ten years jan has created a desk calendar, using a different theme each year, and each calendar features coordinating quotes and her own lettered, drawn and painted artwork. jan has so generously gifted me with not only this year's "retirement" calendar, but also her "taste of hawaii" calendar for 2010!

so, i ask you.....am i totally spoiled, or what?! jan, not only do you create beautiful letterforms, but you truly have a huge, generous, lovely, wonderful, and thoughtful heart!!

i am blessed to know you and i thank you so much, jan!!

mail hugs

i received the most wonderful hug in the mail today! my sweet bloggy friend jan over at pictures with words sent me the most fabulous little package.....a handmade card celebrating our new home, and several of her beautifully hand-lettered bookmarks!! jan's blog is a fantastic journal of her lovely calligraphic creations, and her sweet spirit is apparent in each piece that she creates!

jan, thank you SO much for spoiling me with such heartfelt goodies....i wish i could properly express how much i appreciate your kindness and generosity in sharing your beautiful artwork with me!! you have truly made my day!

for some calligraphic eye-candy, visit jan's blog here!

a song for bobbi

several days ago, i wrote about working on a piece of art for an upcoming calligraphy exhibit that a small group of lettering artists are participating in.  this exhibit is a little different from our others in that we'll be remembering and honoring one of our members, bobbi yoffee, who was tragically taken from us by cancer several years ago.  

bobbi was the thread that held our group together...always willing to coordinate our meetings and offer her beautiful home as our meeting place.  her enthusiasm for letterforms was contagious, and her letterforms themselves were imaginative, creative and absolutely beautiful.

bobbi created many pieces of art showcasing the beautiful Scriptures found in the book of Song of Songs.  so, in remembrance of bobbi, i chose Song of Songs 2:12 as my focal point.  she used to encourage my willingness to use "non-traditional" materials for my lettering projects, so i decided to assemble a small quiltlet using batik fabrics in vibrant colors to match her personality.  the Scripture was hand lettered on paper and then scanned and printed onto the batik, and the flower and dove were created from coordinating fabrics.  beads and buttons were hand-sewn to finish the artwork...bobbi always loved all of the details!  

lesson unlearned

i have a deadline for an upcoming calligraphy exhibit...fast approaching...that i kept putting off (because i was carving stamps instead!)...and the time is NOW...panic is starting to set in...that sick feeling in my stomach has arrived...yikes!...procrastination....i thought i learned this lesson already!

(i hope to have something to show you soon!)

inspiration monday

this has fabulous written all over it.  literally written...hand-written by the very talented adonna over at old barn rescue company.  i must admit that i've been lettering for over twenty years, and artistry like this makes my heart go pitter-patter...at a very fast pace!   the quote itself is heartfelt, the layout is classic, and the letterforms are pure whimsy and just plain delicious!  this level of lettering comes as a result of many hours (and years) of much discipline, much study and much practice!  and the fact that adonna has been able to make you wonder "how'd she do that?",  is a true testimony to her skill as a calligrapher!

the great news is that adonna's work is available in vinyl, so you can add this or many other quotes to choose from, to any wall in your home!  please visit her etsy shop to see all of her wonderful hand-lettered designs.  if you're like me, you'll have a hard time choosing a favorite!  and her website features many other home decor items that are hand-crafted from barn remnants over 120 years old!  

thanks adonna...you have truly inspired me to pick up my pen more often!