BY jane, ON Friday, April 29, 2011
Did you watch? It was beautiful wasn’t it? Did you know that Kate and William created a Royal Wedding Charitable Fund? The website says, “Having been touched by the goodwill shown to them since their engagement, they have asked that anyone wishing to send them a wedding gift consider doing so in the form of a donation to the fund.” The fund will focus on assisting charities which support five causes close to their hearts. What a lovely idea. Anyone can donate to commemorate their wedding. They are off to a great start!
BY jane, ON Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Isn’t it wonderful that a wedding, whether it be one of our Delicate Pen weddings or a British royal affair, has the power to cause people to pause and take note that love still makes the world go round. My prediction is that Kate will wear something very form fitting since that is what she tends to wear on a daily basis. Perhaps I will pop this card I designed for Design Design Cards in the mail to England!
BY jane, ON Monday, April 25, 2011
Mother’s Day is just around the corner and what could be more personal than a journal with a hand calligraphed touch? This item is one of our best sellers for mothers and grandmothers of all ages. Many daughters give them as gifts to their mothers, with strict instructions for them to start writing down stories from their childhood. Likewise, many mothers and grandmothers give them to their daughters with young children, to inspire them to leave their own Legacy Book for their children. I sought out to offer a journal that would inspire others to write down stories for future generations. With such a pretty book, who could resist writing.
BY jane, ON Friday, April 22, 2011
Happy Earth Day! Happy Easter! Happy Everything! I just can’t stop taking photos of tulips! The chilly weather this year, is helping sustain their blooms. Interestingly, only once was I asked to paint yellow roses on a wedding invitation suite.
BY jane, ON Wednesday, April 20, 2011
I discovered this article and quiz from the New York Times. It reveals how the human element adds an ingredient almost inexplicably engaging. Since I am a musician as well as an artist, and I believe “All Art is One Art,” I found the findings predictable, yet thrilling, since it promotes my philosophy that nothing can replace the human element. Our motto on our contact page states, “We prefer the personal touch.” In music, hand calligraphy, and gift giving, why not add the personal touch. May we suggest a Mother’s Day gift this year? We will hand calligraph a name and hand paint a flower color of your choice.
BY jane, ON Monday, April 18, 2011
Today, as I hastily sent a message from my iphone in an abrupt four words, I was comforted to see the tag line “Sent from my Iphone.” This let my recipient know why my message was so abbreviated, and out of character from what I would normally send via Chiocciola Posta. When I saw this telegram on one of my favorite sites, Letterheady, I realized that the iphone message is the modern telegram.
Photo: Letterheady
BY jane, ON Friday, April 15, 2011
I don’t immediately think of red as a spring color, but on my jaunt to seek out flower displays, I had a change of heart.
Scarlet tulips at Rockefeller Center.
Red door in the West Village.
This lovely brownstone sported a house number that caught my eye. I love how the numeral one tips above the others. At first glance I thought it was the style, but upon taking a closer look, I think the number one may be a replacement number. The metal is different and the width seems inconsistent. Hmmm…everything has a story….wonder what this one is. The corners remind me of my first business card design. I will have to dig it up and post it!
BY jane, ON Wednesday, April 13, 2011
When NYC enjoyed a picture perfect 75 degree day this week, I took a break and ran down to catch the Macy’s Flower Show, one of my favorite springtime rituals, only to find I was one day late! At first I was immobilized by disappointment, but I quickly tracked down other flower displays in the city that seemed to have sprung open over night, as if on cue, all at once! What inspiration-I couldn’t wait to get back to my watercolors!
I
The new public space in front of Macy’s. You would think it was Paris!
Don’t the taxis look happy next to the allee of daffs?
A girl gets hungry from all that color.
I love the detail that Dean and Deluca gives to all their petite signs. What a fun lettering style. This one single detail of their signature signs sets this store apart from so many others. Ah, the Strength of Script.
BY jane, ON Monday, April 11, 2011
Did you see the PBS special last night on themagnificent Cuban Snails? I want my mail to be delivered by these arrestingly graceful creatures! I want to imagine that these gorgeous gastropods glide along through starlit nights, couriering Delicate Pen wedding invitations to unknowing recipients, leaving a magical, glittery trail in their path! We can’t really call these snails Chiocciola Posta since they are Cuban! We’ll call them Cuban Gastropostal Carriers or the CGC. They have quite the mating ritual! The snails are becoming endangered, however. Read about the snails and their interesting advances of love, or watch the full episode about them at www.pbs.org. Thank you to Henry Domke of Henry Domke Fine Art for providing this beautiful image.
Photo: Used with permission. Henry Domke ©
BY jane, ON Friday, April 8, 2011
I love monograms, where a letter, or a few letters shine alone in their Ta Da moment. I collect all sort of monograms-on towels, notepads, vintage kerchiefs-whether or not the initials are my own. A monogram is certainly the most special, however, when the letters are actually yours. Especially when the monogram becomes your signature together as a newly wedded couple. The Royal Wedding invitation, however, features the grandmother of the groom’s monogram! I can pronounce that I have never been requested to do that! The royal monogram is certainly grand and has that traditional royal presence, but don’t you think Talia and Seth’s monogram was more personal and romantic!? It is intriguing to see that the Queen herself has to command someone else to actually do the inviting. Those royals! I am sure the calligraphy on the guest lines will be lovely, but oh, I am just itching to paint a watercolor blossom on this to spruce it up!
Tags: