Practice.  Writing random names and words.

Here are table numbers I recently finished for a client.  The names on the bottom are mountains and passes in Europe.  What a wonderful idea!  I looked some of them up.  They are beautiful!  Here is a photo of Mont Blanc.  Not the pen, the mountain.

 I bought these small wood tags, thinking I could make something pretty with them.

 So far, so good.  I stamped them with baby blue ink, and mixed some green ink. 

Unfortunately the ink feathered.  Bummer! Oh well, one for the recycle pile.

Here is a sign I made for a client who was was throwing a going away party for a co-worker. 

Dear Readers, my apologies for the very long time between posts! I hope to post some interesting calligraphy and other side projects in the next few months.

I was able to get some close-up shots of wet ink, fresh off the pen.  I think I need a macro lens to get closer.

Here are the results of experimenting with a small Brause broad nib.  This is a very different look from pointed pen calligraphy.  Although I love the look of swirls and cursive, after awhile, I'm drawn back to printing letters by hand.  It feels very elemental.

Tree Hanging Table Number

Here's a fun new table number that you can hang up with a ribbon.  Tree not included. :)

Lavender Wedding Envelopes

Here's a new job I just finished for a friend who's getting married in the spring.  I used a simple block letter font.  I love, love, love this beautiful lavender!  Congrats Kristine!

the Walrus and the Carpenter

 Great oyster bar in Seattle.  I love the sign, especially the font!  And the oysters were very good, too.

 Really cool chandelier.

 This gentleman was a very skilled oyster shucker.

Buckets of oysters on ice.

Love the open shelving with neatly stacked items.

 I liked this wall.

Random Things

 Today is a random assortment of photos.

 Trying out different looks for my shop name.

 Delicious recipe for vanilla mochi bean cake.  It's so addictive I can't eat just one.  My friend found it on a great cooking blog.  http://weekofmenus.blogspot.com/2010/07/vanilla-bean-mochi-cake-my-obsessive.html

Trying out a new look.