The Oscars Party Invites: Calligraphy + Ombre

Here are some invitations for an Oscars Party I created for someone's super fun get together coming up! She saw a cool ombre envelope effect on pinterest (found here) she loved, & so I took a stab at creating the effect using watercolors & acrylics myself. They were tons of fun to create! For the main invite, I used some super sparkly gold ink, which makes any event or party that much more classy. With classy calligraphy + ombre envelopes, you know it's going to be a fun party!

Wouldn't it be fun to have a party like this, & possibly even dress as your favorite movie actor/actress?

Pinterest Finds: Roses are Pink

I'm feeling all kinds of rosey today. A bunch of my friends & I randomly discussed which color roses were our favorite, & mine were most definitely "rosey" pink. Which got me thinking, why was the famous poem referring to "roses are red, violets are blue..." when we often refer to roses as pink?

(whenever I drink too much coffee, I think too much) 

Anyways, what's your favorite color "rose?"

1. Rosey French Soap , 2. Rosey Lake Retba (wouldn't mind seeing this for myself) , 3. Rosey Dress, 4. Rosey Pencils

Map Monday: Map Making Class through Skillshare!

photo credits: 1 | 2

Tomorrow starts the beginning of this amazing Map Making class I've signed up for, & I can't wait to sit at my desk with pencil & paper, & start drawing away! The talented & awesome Anne Ditmeyer will be teaching & sharing some amazing insights to map making, & all who are signed up (there are soo many inspiring artists, illustrators, designers, & generally great people in this class! You should sign up!) will be creating our very own map of anything we choose! I am so torn on which map idea I, personally, want to go with. Since I create custom maps in my shop for others, I've never actually created a special map just for Me. So, I'll keep you posted on the progress of my new map, the other great maps from others in the class, & anything else I learn that will be too awesome not too pass onto you!

It's SUCH a happy Map Monday!

Calligraphy "Love Letters" from Terrain's Workshop

I know I've overloaded on the calligraphy this week, but I couldn't resist sharing a little calligraphy workshop (called, Linea Carta Love Letters) I attended last Sunday at Terrain! It was a lovely little set-up with an intimate, small group in nestled in Terrain's warm & cozy greenhouse, with beautiful scrap paper, ink, watercolors, & calligraphy pens, of course. We all discussed little tricks & techniques with using a calligraphy pen, proper ways to hold it, how to properly clean the nibs--all things I wanted to refresh my memory with, & since I sort of taught myself calligraphy, I thought it would be good to see what important techniques I may be missing or could learn more about.

One of the fun ideas we all used in this workshop was to browse through the Love Letters book & write an actual love note written inside it. My heart melted when I read what dear, sweet John wrote to his lovely lady--how simple & sweet of a message to send someone. Why can't men, nowadays, write messages from the early 1900s like this? Swoon.

Anywho, back to reality!
I hope you all have a lovely Valentine's Day, & are inspired to write a beautiful letter to someone special!

Calligraphy Valentine's Notes for Friends

I just sent out a few, simple Valentine's for my friends, & thought I'd share the idea with you all...because technically, it's not too late to send since the holiday can be celebrated this weekend! I have photos for step-by-step on how I used calligraphy & how I assembled them, so if you're interested in seeing the break-down of it all, feel free to click to read more below! Otherwise, the above photo can be enough for you to get the idea, as well! Here are the materials necessary to send these cute little Valentine's:

-3x5 heart-cut outs

-3x5 envelope

-confetti

-lace tape

-heart stickers

-a patient writing hand!

Click to read more ...

I Just Want to {Travel in Red}

Who doesn't agree that traveling in color is fun? Why not make it all one color so you look like a big ol' Valentine?! Is anybody going anywhere romantic this year? Or are you keeping it simple & staying in doing what normal people do making Valentine crafts, baking pink & red treats, watching romantic chick flicks, & wearing all things sparkly? Well, if the former, & if you want to travel like a true Valentine, I hope you find these little red gems cool, functional, quirky, & fabuloso. 

1. Red polka dot scarf from Target,

2. Hello, My Name Is luggage tag from Flight101 (did anybody immediately start singing, "chicka chicka, Slim Shady?")

3. Portable iPhone speaker (you can only play cheesy love songs when wearing red)

4. Red lipstick. Enough said (I'm not a fan of expensive lipstick, but this is worth it).

5. Cutest oxford shoes to wear when traveling!

6. Heart clutch for convenient access to essential travel necessities.

7. Teeny felt hearts from Etsy (would be a sweet idea to sneak these in your significant other's bag if THEY are traveling without you as a thoughtful surprise!)

8. To go coffee mug, & on-the-go coffee maker (actual photo from Macy's, but they're out of stock). If these are love, then love is all I need.

9. Poppy red carry-on bag

Map Monday: Plow NYC Interactive Map

This is a new interactive map of New York City that was just launched in time for the Blizzard Nemo--it's an interactive map, called Plow NYC, that tells you when snow plows are set to plow your neighborhood (article of launch found here). You can even search down to the street you live, & not just your general area. I think there are some glitches to fix, but I can see this map starting something new & informative for future winter storms! I know Boston & New England could surely use a map like this!

Happy Weekend & Snow!!!

Raise your hand if you wish you lived in New England right now! I know I'm hoping for the storm to at least drop 6 inches of snow in Philly, but I have a feeling we snow lovers will be disappointed this go-around. Can you imagine stepping foot outside to 2 feet of snow greeting you? Oh the wintry wonder...maybe one of these days I'll be a part of an historic blizzard.

How are all of you New Yorkers & New Englanders preparing for this white monster? Are you the types to scurry to the grocery to stock up on bread, water, peanut butter, lanterns, & batteries? Or do you play survivor & rough the experience? When Sandy hit, I must admit, I filled my bathtub with water & had a candle lit in every room. I'd like to think it'd be cooler to rough it, but I eventually give in & enter freak-out mode.

Speaking of Sandy, you'll have to check out this pretty nifty active wind map from my Map Monday post during Sandy & see how/where the winds from the blizzard are moving!

Have a happy weekend!

Love Me Do Calligraphy Logo

I think I've found my calling, here--I absolutely loved every minute of collaborating with the lovely LoveLeigh ladies on a logo for the Love Me Do photography studio.  They wanted something pretty, yet organic; I was so excited to get my ink & pen ready, & creative juices flowing! You can see more about the creative process here.

Thanks, LoveLeigh ladies for the opportunity to help with this project!

Just Something Pretty...

Just a little something pretty & inspiring for you to enjoy--they're certainly inspiring me! I found these simply dainty & artful handmade gems on Etsy from Frances & Francis. Their flowery masterpieces have such a mysterious & authentic beauty to them--I am just in awe of what they've created! If I received something like this instead of real flowers, I would treasure it so much more!