Lately I have been on a “Once Upon A Time” kick. You know…the ABC tv series about all the fairytales that succumb a curse and are sent to the real world. I am loving this show; watching a few episodes daily!
In the spirit of this show is this invitation I designed a few months ago in conjunction with a creative collaboration with a few other talented wedding vendors (more on that later in the week).
The hand-painted Cinderella Invitation would be perfect for the couple who adores this tv series or has a fondness for the timeless, whimsical fairytales of our childhoods.
I have been loving practicing with my new calligraphy tools. Currently I have been using the Brause Steno nib (shown), which is also called “Blue Pumpkin” because it has a blue hue to it. (How cute is that?) And I have tried practicing with the Brause Extra Fine 66 nib. This is a very small, surprisingly flexible nib, but I am not as crazy over the smaller nib holder, so I haven’t been using it as much. I’m sure once I’m back on my feet and can start shopping fine art stores in person (rather than just online), I will find a nib holder that is a bit more comfortable for me, so I can get more use out of the EF66 nib.
I am practicing calligraphy by copying samples of some of my most admired calligraphers in order to grasp the idiosyncrasies of each letter and to practice different styles and techniques. Then once I’m “warmed up” I usually start my own lettering, which is where I came up with Hand-Painted Weddings in calligraphy (shown above). I am definitely flirting with the idea of changing my logo to use this new type treatment. I would definitely add a watercolor element to it, but what do you think? I fear changing my logo when I have only been using my current logo for less than a year, but feel that this hand-painted version may be more authentic to my brand.
I’d love your thoughts in the Comments section if you feel so obliged!
Paintings and Calligraphy by Hand-Painted Weddings.
This past Saturday I went to a new ice skating rink with my husband for a fun, little excursion. I’m pretty steady on my skates (no pro, mind you, but pretty steady). I remember having a conversation with Carl about not wanting to fall; to which he is like…if you fall just let yourself fall, and he continues to fall on the ice right in front of me to prove his point. That is my husband…spontaneous and fearless. Me? I had never fallen on the ice before.
Well, that was until this past Saturday. A five-year old girl and an older man were crossing paths perpendicular to the flow of skaters (one going to the center of the rink, the other leaving), neither seeing me. I try to flow between them, but loss my balance. I fall. My right foot released to the ice, my left foot stays still until “snap”. I do as all people who just take a plunge do, I try to remain calm and do a physical inventory. It wasn’t until my husband dropped on the ground and picked up my left foot in his hands that I noticed it…my left foot was completely floppy. I was a little freaked out to say the least! Thank goodness my husband saw the whole thing happen and he very assertively insisted for help, to call 911. I was so calm that I think people misunderstood how hurt I actually was. All I knew was that someone had to hold my foot upright and still because I couldn’t.
So, long story short, I broke my tibia and fibula bones right above my ankle and had surgery to put plates and pins in place. Now, my most prevalent position is lying on my back with my foot elevated. I get from spot to spot by crutches and I’m not leaving the house for who knows how long.
What I find unbelievable is that as crazy busy my life seemed to be Saturday morning before the fall, now it is completely quiet. Was it all an allusion? Were my priorities all wrong? Well, I believe that this is the opportunity of my current condition…to ask these questions.
While my bones grow back together, will I be in the same place I left them in before the fall?
Right before ice skating, we took a trip to my favorite store, Terrain at Styers. These are a few of my photos above.
