Saturday, July 28, 2012

A bluebird of happiness

I've been studying some quilling by others and have fallen in love with the more ornate pieces that use multiple colors to add dimension to the overall shape.   For this birthday tag, I thought of a bluebird of happiness and since I had a ton of blue paper in different shades, why not?  

Friday, July 27, 2012

MORE fun with quilling

Is it possible?   Yeppers.   Yesterday I really got in to stencilling with quilling.   I love to bring other things to the party and see what happens, and this is one thing I did. 

I wanted the stencil (done with Pebbles cream chalk) to be the main feature so I used a pastel parchment quilling paper in a light green.   Just a touch of quilling.   Five tight circles under the pearls for the center and left it at that.   It's often difficult for me and others I know to stop at the right moment.   Less is more and all that.  I wanted this to look delicate and think I achieved that. 
I have another hibiscus-themed tag but it's still very much a work in progress so that's for later.  
On the advice of a very good friend, I decided to do two things this weekend.   First, I really need to take stock of all the tags I've done so far, print pictures and put them in an album.   Then, I need to document how each was made so I won't have to reinvent the wheel if someone wants a particular design.   I also need to seriously think ahead to the fall and winter holiday season.  It's 100 degrees and 99% humidity so it's hard to think of Christmas but we all know how fast it sneaks up on us.  
This is all going to make for a very busy weekend.   I guess I can mix some housework in there somewhere.....
Cheers!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

I've honestly been busy!!

Really.   The wine shop loves my quilled/calligraphy wine tags so I'm in 'production'.   On a good day I can do four.  Not many I know but these things take time.   All that curling, gluing, pen strokes.   But what fun!!!   Sometimes I let the quilling take center stage, other times it's the calligraphy, or rather flourshing, with quilling in a supporting role.  I've also begun incorporating stenciling and embossing to the mix.   What is super nice about this project is I am able to use materials I've been accumulating over the years that have just been taking up space.   That's a win-win in hubby's opinion.   I won't get rich doing this, but it is not only fun but gives me a reason to practice!   Here are a few of my favorites so far.   More to follow.  


Sunday, July 1, 2012

Long time, no blog

Not the most original of titles I know but true.   It's been a busy couple of months and it's not like I haven't done any calligraphy.  Going to remedy that right now.  
First up is an update on my engraving.   I had the chance a few weeks ago to do a couple of wine bottles and one of them was a champagne bottle.   I learned the hard way why you don't do those.  
It's not if they will explode but when.   I thought because I'd done a prosecco that there would be no problem.  This is why you always wear eye protection.   The house smelled like champagne for the rest of the day.   Not normally a bad thing but in this case. 
What's a person to do?   After all, if someone would want a bottle engraved it's probably going to be some type of bubbly right?   The workaround for many calligraphers is to engrave a metal 'medallion' with the desired information that hangs around the neck of the bottle.   Remember those Brut after shave little tag things?   Something similar to that.   I actually like that idea better personally because then the happy couple can drink the champagne AND have a keepsake to hang on a Christmas tree or whatever.   I don't have access to those metal tags so my modification are these little heart-shaped mirrors.   I found another size that's a bit larger but again, these can be engraved, set with Rub'n Buf and a coordinating ribbon can be chosen to go with the occasion.   Pretty neat eh?