Hello & Welcome!

Here is a quick little logo I drew with gold ink! Then I just placed some dried flowers from our apartment around it to dress it up for this photo :)

This post covers logo basics!

I have a basic understanding of Adobe InDesign and Illustrator, so if I need to make a new logo or update an old one, I usually like using those computer softwares.

However, handwriting a logo and scanning it onto your computer adds a lot of character to a site or business card! There are websites out there that you can use to cut around the text to make the background transparent. This allows for compatibility with the background color of your site, blog, or online portfolio.

Get creative! Use bright, fun ink colors, make it a little messy, and just enjoy creating something new! Then, take a photo and upload to your Facebook so your mom and that one aunt you aren't really that close to can comment on it and share it to their friends!

Have a good one!

Until next time!

xx,
MSA

WELCOME!

Yes, you read the title of this post correctly! How to FAKE Calligraphy! It might seem counter intuitive to the purpose of this blog, but faking calligraphy can be really helpful for writing larger text!

What you'll need: Sharpie or roller ball ink pen, pencil, and paper!

1. Begin with writing the words you want in the script you like! I still use a copperplate style alphabet when I "fake" calligraphy! I personally just love the loopy script!

2. Then trace the pencil text in black Sharpie (or whatever color you would like to use really) or a rollerball ink pen! I like using uniball pens if I am not using a Sharpie!

3. Finish by making the downstrokes of the letters thick to mirror what they would look like if you were writing with a nib and holder!

Voila! You are all finished! No one will ever know that you didn't use a calligraphy pen :)

This is great for making place cards, signs, etc.!

Until next time!

xx,
MSA

Welcome Back to SCRIPTS!

Rough example of free style calligraphy! I scrawled this very quickly--but  used a copperplate alphabet for inspiration!

Hi everyone! You are now ready to make WORDS! How exciting!

Some of my advice is the same--use sheer paper, trace, and then move on to free hand! Make sure to sketch in some gridlines to keep your text as straight as possible, unlike my example above.

I think something that I love about calligraphy is that it allows you make hand made gifts really special! This is a verse that I wrote for one of my best friend's mom who is fighting hard through some battles right now! We all need encouragement and sometimes the best way to give it, is to write it down.

So, friends, write everything! Even if it isn't written with a nib and pen, leave notes for loved ones, write down lists on pen and paper, and send cards as frequently as possible! You never know when those notes or cards will make someone's day and when a list will be kept as a  special memory of something sweet that happened that day.

Until next time!

xx, MSA


Psalm 118: 17: "I will not die, but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done." 

Welcome back!

Today's lesson, if you will, is short, sweet, and simple! Numbers are extremely important to practice if you ever wish to make boring envelopes look beautiful!

These are copperplate, italic numbers found in LH Calligraphy's Starter Kit mentioned in prior blog posts!

I personally think that numbers are some of the more difficult things to write in calligraphic script! So keep practicing friends! These numbers will make house numbers and zip codes look better than ever! 

Also, in case you like giving your phone number out to random strangers, this might come in hand! Just make sure to carry your ink pot, nibs, and pen holder with you at all times :)

Until next time! 

xx, 

MSA

Hello again!

Welcome back! 

Today, SCRIPTS will be covering lowercase letters as follow up post to "ABCs!"

There isn't much to write in today's post because the instructions are basically the same as my last post! Just work on outlining the alphabet that you like on sheer paper and then move on the free handing if you feel ready!

I probably sound like a broken record, but keep practicing! Carve out some time in your daily and/or weekly schedule, sit down with a cup of your favorite drink, and practice strokes, uppercase letters, and lowercase levels for a while! This will make it much easier for you when you move on to connecting letters to form words! 

Have at it! 

Until next time! 

xx, 

MSA