Entering a Pencil Phase

I go through phases, like most humans I guess.  (If you are not a human, you probably should not read any further because you just won't understand.)  This blog goes all over the place because I have interests and phases that go all over the place.  And for the past couple of days, I have been using this little baby more and more:

I have begun to remember the things I love about pencils -- their simplicity, their usefulness, their cheapness (unless, of course, you buy high-end Blackwings or pencils like that, which I admit I have done).  So I think for the near future I will be using pencils more and more, and will be working on a "week of pencils."

Because, after all, I STILL have THIS:

Envelope: White Ink on Kraft Paper

Another set of invitations going out today -- these are for the bridesmaids' luncheon.  While I was addressing the envelopes, I thought I should make a sample to show off here.  And please don't panic in the comments section -- this is NOT a real person or address, as far as I know.  Completely made up, down to the zip code, which Google and the USPS says does not exist either.

For those of you that are interested, I used a Brause 361 Steno Nib (the famous "Blue Pumpkin" nib, due to its color and shape; available at JetPens and many other online suppliers) and Dr. Ph. Martin's white Bombay India Ink, also available pretty much everywhere but Paper and Ink Arts is a good place to get it -- just trying to spread the love around here!  And now you know how I made up the name and address!  I'm still not sure why I picked Columbus, Mississippi for a city though.  It DOES exist but I don't know anyone who lives there.

Fun With Chunky Versals

Here's a little something I played with today, inspired by the wonderful calligraphy of Martha Lever (you must check out her website!):

Mine is not as beautiful as her "Happiness" piece, but I am pretty pleased with the effect and definitely pleased with the colored pencil shading.  I just might put this in a little frame on my desk as good advice and a constant reminder.

Asemic Writing Postcard

TIL that asemic writing is what you call it when something looks all loopy and organized like handwriting, but it doesn't actually say anything.  From a Greek word meaning "signless."  It's related to a psychiatric disorder called asemia in which a person cannot understand or express any signs or symbols.  In the world of art, it's usually related to abstract calligraphy-style markings that the viewer can attach his or her own meaning to, as in this great postcard I got from a blog reader yesterday:

(By the way, in case you are not as incredibly hip as I am -- HA --  "TIL" is a piece of Internet slang that means "Today I learned..."  So now maybe you have learned TWO things today!!)

Here's the front of the postcard, where the sender used my recent envelope style to address the postcard:

In my book, this amounts to fan mail, and I LOVE IT.  Thanks so much, Andrea!  You really made my day!

Easy Calligraphy Wrapping Paper

This is one of my favorite ways to wrap a present these days.  It's easy and cheap and beautiful, three words that are music to my ears!

Take a piece of kraft wrapping paper ($1.00 a roll at Dollar Tree) and use markers of any color (including gold or silver ink ones) to write the message of your choice.  This was wrapping paper for a birthday present, so I did a no-brainer message:

The kind of marker I used dries instantly, so the paper is immediately ready for wrapping.

This actually works better if you write the words such that they are staggered on the paper and the lines of words overlap on the package, but this morning I was going for quick and easy.  It's still fun and personal, because you took the time to make it.  You could even add the name of the recipient to make it ultimately personalized.

Have fun with this simple technique!