Monet

Looking over my shoulder, Monet and me are admiring the haul of Halloween cards received. This cutie card and fun hand-lettering from my friend, Nan.

Nan used the reflective sun stamp. Can you see the spooky face?

Phillip from Envelope 100 handmade this spectacular envelope from a glossy magazine page (I'm guessing). It took me awhile to figure out how to open the envelope without destroying it completely. Phillip also included the beautiful dragon notecard stating the dragons are appropriate for any season or holiday. I agree.

Phillip used the reflective Halloween stamps. The overhead light changed the purple background of the stamp to a brilliant sunset.

The back of the envelope, 13 stories of Haunted Columbus (Ohio) Homes, reminds me of the fun Hulu series Only Murders in the Building. 

This spooky, Blacklettered card from the one and only Dave, The Mailman, a fellow member of Masscribes.

Dave chose a stamp from the Dungeons and Dragons stamp series

The beautifully lettered gravestone-shaped card

Hist!

and

Hark!

Draw

close

and tremble.

Tis

this

night

that

ghosts assemble

Inside a fun Halloween pop-up

Thank you, Nan, Phillip, and Dave. You brightened my mailbox and made my day.

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. I spent the afternoon in the sunroom watching Barefoot in the Park

2. We watched Jeremiah Johnson

3. The desk drawer organizers arrived, but turned out to be too deep for the drawer. I found some good substitutes and will use the drawer organizers in some other places.

4. One of my students figured out why my calligraphy brush in Procreate suddenly increased size by a million. Apparently while demonstrating, my hand pushed the increase slider waaaay up.

5. After running errands, we did a buy and fly to get gyros. 

How was your week?

Happy, Little, Time Waster

 

How To Carve Letters Into Stone by Hand

Monet and Me

 

Inspired by Kathy Milici's take on the Macintosh rose, I created a piece with her Modern Illuminated Initials for the newest grandniece's room. Monet approved of the design when I added Stickles glitter to the dots in the corner, center of the roses, and dots on the ends of the heart border.

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. Great-Grandpa picked up the baby books and was pleased with the work.

2. An uber productive day. I decluttered some stuff to go to charity, washed the kitchen window and changed the kitchen curtain.

3. A package went missing. The company sent another and the missing package arrived the same day.

4. Enjoyed the free class in how to draw a medieval rabbit

5. Teague gave me some frozen bake and eat chocolate chunk cookies to take home.

How was your week?

Monet and Me

got a rush job of lettering in two baby books for a baby shower yesterday. Actually, I did the lettering while Monet supervised.

The books were presents from a great-grandpa. Initially, he wanted me to write in the books. To Baby Name and From Great-Grandpa.

I have written in books before, but it's quite scary as there's no room for error. When the books were delivered, I told Great-Grandpa, I wouldn't be able to write in the books as the pages were printed on glossy paper. My ink wasn't going to adhere.

What to do? We brain-stormed a few ideas, and he liked the suggestion of a bookplate. I cut a scrap of Arches 90 lb. watercolor paper to the size of a business card (3.5" x 2 ") (It was a relief to know I had more paper to use when the pen caught in the paper and dragged a fugly, thick line of ink instead of the graceful ending to the letter "e".)

The area on the front piece (verso or left page) wasn't large enough to fit the two lines of writing.  He decided the bookplate  could be glued onto the title page

and that's what I did

Finding a spot for the book plate on the second book wasn't easy. There wasn't a front piece or a title page. There were felt flaps, but again, not large enough.

On the last page there was a felt cloud which when pulled down revealed a mirror. Since the left page had a square cutout so part of that blue felt could be seen, the bookplate had to go on the inside of the cloud. Problem solved.

Job dusted and done.

Happy Mail

I'm always tickled around St. Patrick's Day to receive St. Paddy's Day cards. I'm amused to be honorary Irish 

Deb from Learning 2 Just Breathe sent me a delightful card. I loved how she used the Year of the Snake stamp on the envelope. I know things are bigger in Texas, but I have never seen a cancellation mark that large.

Her note included some fun stamps and washi tape. She also pointed out that her littlest granddaughter had applied the shamrock stickers on the front. Didn't she do a great job?

Good friend, Nan, never forgets me on St. Patrick's Day. She sent an adorably twee card. Find Your Luck and Share It. Now, she never forgets to send a card, but she forgot the stamp and the post office delivered it without stamping postage due in red letters all over it. The envelope didn't even get a cancellation mark

though the front and back have a faint orange bar code. Maybe the card was delivered by Leprechauns.

Monet and Me

 

While looking for an item in the studio, Monet and me came across a project I had done a long time ago. I had made a box of chocolates. The original box I made was crushed, but I had a small box from the treats I bought from the candy house when I went looking for the gold elastic I needed for a project.

The chocolates are made from shiny brown paper and folded into a small folder. When Ma was 16 she worked at a candy factory. She could read the swirls on the top of fancy chocolates which told whether the inside was a cream, nut, nougat, jelly, etc. 

I made swirls for the chocolates using Elmer's glue and walnut ink.

The filling inside the chocolate was/is an accordion folded, strip of Arches Text Wove. A chocolate saying was written with walnut ink. You can see the back of the folder in the photo.

Today's chocolate saying is: If it ain't chocolate, it ain't good.

Happy  Birthday, (106th ) Dad. One of the biggest chocolate lovers.

Monet and Me

 

While looking for an item in the studio, Monet and me came across a project I had done a long time ago. I had made a box of chocolates. The original box I made was crushed, but I had a small box from the treats I bought from the candy house when I went looking for the gold elastic I needed for a project.

The chocolates are made from shiny brown paper and folded into a small folder. When Ma was 16 she worked at a candy factory. She could read the swirls on the top of fancy chocolates which told whether the inside was a cream, nut, nougat, jelly, etc. 

I made swirls for the chocolates using Elmer's glue and walnut ink.

The filling inside the chocolate was/is an accordion folded, strip of Arches Text Wove. A chocolate saying was written with walnut ink. You can see the back of the folder in the photo.

Today's chocolate saying is: Nobody knows the truffles I've seen

Monet and Me

 

While looking for an item in the studio, Monet and me came across a project I had done a long time ago. I had made a box of chocolates. The original box I made was crushed, but I had a small box from the treats I bought from the candy house when I went looking for the gold elastic I needed for a project.

The chocolates are made from shiny brown paper and folded into a small folder. When Ma was 16 she worked at a candy factory. She could read the swirls on the top of fancy chocolates which told whether the inside was a cream, nut, nougat, jelly, etc. 

I made swirls for the chocolates using Elmer's glue and walnut ink.

The filling inside the chocolate was/is an accordion folded, strip of Arches Text Wove. A chocolate saying was written with walnut ink. You can see the back of the folder in the photo.

Today's chocolate saying is: I never met a piece of chocolate I didn't like

Monet and Me

While looking for an item in the studio, Monet and me came across a project I had done a long time ago. I had made a box of chocolates. The original box I made was crushed, but I had a small box from the treats I bought from the candy house when I went looking for the gold elastic I needed for a project.

The chocolates are made from shiny brown paper and folded into a small folder. When Ma was 16 she worked at a candy factory. She could read the swirls on the top of fancy chocolates which told whether the inside was a cream, nut, nougat, jelly, etc. 

I made swirls for the chocolates using Elmer's glue and walnut ink.

The filling inside the chocolate was/is an accordion folded, strip of Arches Text Wove. A chocolate saying was written with walnut ink. You can see the back of the folder in the photo.

Today's chocolate saying is: Forget Love I'd rather fall in chocolate.

Monet and Me

While looking for an item in the studio, Monet and me came across a project I had done a long time ago. I had made a box of chocolates. The original box I made was crushed, but I had a small box from the treats I bought from the candy house when I went looking for the gold elastic I needed for a project.

The chocolates are made from shiny brown paper and folded into a small folder. When Ma was 16 she worked at a candy factory. She could read the swirls on the top of fancy chocolates which told whether the inside was a cream, nut, nougat, jelly, etc. 

I made swirls for the chocolates using Elmer's glue and walnut ink.

The filling inside the chocolate was/is an accordion folded, strip of Arches Text Wove. A chocolate saying was written with walnut ink. You can see the back of the folder in the photo.

Today's chocolate saying is: Carpe Chocolate

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week

1.I got an all clear from the oncologist. I'm taking an estrogen inhibitor and will be monitored.  Target date for the official end of this journey is June 1, 2027

2. Because of the doctor visit on my usual Thursday play day with Teague, she was able to have me over on Friday.

3. Ran an errand with Teague on our play day. We stopped at a new place for lunch Fitzy's Pub in Plainville. I had a grilled crispy chicken wrap and they even grilled the wrap! I've never seen a grilled wrap on a chicken wrap before. Genius, because the grilled wrap kept the sandwich from falling apart.

4. I had lettered a quote on a bedroom wall several years ago for a client. The family moved, and the house is up for sale. They said they left the artwork because they couldn't bare to paint over it. I know the new owners will probably paint over the wall, but it was an ego stroke as to how much the client appreciated the work.

5. I saw the cardinal at the front feeder. Haven't seen the cardinal for quite some time. 

How was your week?

T Stands for Admiring Christmas Cards

Cards showing the Grandniece and Grandnephew from my side of the family and a card with the newest grandniece from Himself's side of the family. Also a lovely card from Master Deborah.

Center: Card from the T Day hosts, Elizabeth and Bleubeard, top: a card from a cousin of Himself's mother. Actually I think the theory of relativity is that the card is from the cousin's daughter. Right: a card from calligraphy buddy, Nan. Bottom: is a calligraphic card from a guild friend. Left but not least is the special card Teague picked out just for me. From the box of cards she purchased when I was with her. 

My calligraphy teacher, Gerry makes her cards every year.

A spectacular, glittery envelope from another instructor, Kathy. I do love being the teachers pet.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. Nostalgic fun we watched some Christmas movies with the Girlies. We watched The Muppets Christmas Carol and Die Hard.

 

2. I bought the pieces parts I needed to make this year's wreath

3. I had lunch with my calligraphy teacher and a classmate. I hadn't seen them in forever so it was fun to catch up.

4. The new oven was delivered 

5. Had a crafternoon session with the Young One.

How was your week?

A Letter to the Teacher

 

My calligraphy teacher, Gerry, recently celebrated a milestone birthday. (Aren't all birthdays milestones?) Her Young One invited Gerry's family and friends to submit a video for a montage on Tribute.

As a prompt, we were asked to tell our favorite memory of Gerry and make a birthday wish for her. 

There are so many memories of Gerry, it was hard to pick just one. So I wrote her a letter, in calligraphy of course, along with a decorated initial and suitable decoration. I held the letter in front of my face while I read the letter and recorded the video. At the end, I popped out from behind the letter, as if Gerry wouldn't be able to tell who the letter was from.

"August 2024

Dearest Gerry,

Thank you for never telling me to take up knitting [ed: When I was a beginner and taking a workshop Gerry thought I would like, the instructor, frustrated with me being left-handed, told me I should forget about calligraphy and to take up knitting. As if that would have been any easier!, but I digress] Thank you for being the most caring, sharing teacher and friend. 31 years ago, you infected me with the calligraphlu and I'm so glad I never recovered.

Have a healthy and amazing creative year as you make another trip around the sun.

Happy Birthday"

Baby Gift

 

for the newest grand-niece

10 in. x 8 in., Arches 90 lb watercolor paper

Moon Palace Sumi ink with Nikko G nib

Micron pigma pen and Prismacolor watercolor pencils

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. The Young One sent a nice picture of herself in a cute shirt with cats.

2. We had been hoping for a typical New England Saturday night supper, hot dogs with brown bread. Since Memorial Day (end of May) Himself wasn't able to find brown bread. All the store managers told him it was backordered. He finally found some at Walmart.

3.I had a no-hassle shoe return using Happy Returns at Ulta and an Amazon return at Kohl's. 

4. I bought an Apple Lightning Adapter so I could return the one on loan from the WAM IT Department.

5. This week was the last class until the Fall. We had fun doing some faux gilding.

How was your week?

The Friday Five Good Things

 

Five good things that happened this week.

1. Saturday per my request we had an early Mother's Day dinner courtesy of Harry's and then we watched  the new Doctor Who.

2. I received Mother's Day greetings from The Young One and other family members

3. One of my continuing students got the green light from his surgeon to take my class. It was so nice to see him.

4. I emailed the IT Manager to ask if I needed a special app to cast or mirror the iPad to the monitor in the studio. He said it would just be plug and play and he also had the Lightning to HDMI connector so I wouldn't have to buy one.

5. Himself's birthday celebration. Take-out from Outback,  made from scratch yellow cake with chocolate frosting

How was your week?

Today

 

The to do list for today: get a haircut, pick up milk, half n' half, ice cream, a birthday card for Himself, frost the cake, back to working on diplomas.