Messages

31

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: italian hand

« on: May 30, 2016, 07:13:04 PM »

Heather's style is called "Italian Hand" but the issue I have with it is she uses an oblique instead of a straight holder which is what its meant to be written with. Its kind of a lost art. I've been trying to find a good instruction but as they said in the past, it's so easy a woman can do it.

Heather uses a straight holder She told me to stop as soon as she saw me trying with an oblique.

32

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Timing, Exchanges, and New Members

« on: May 19, 2016, 08:58:50 PM »

Wishing you all the best Erica. Life just gets like that sometimes - everyone understands! ♥

33

Introductions / Re: Hello everyone

« on: May 19, 2016, 01:18:04 AM »

Now I think it's just considered unusual for calligraphers to be active at all, in this world of digital type

What a treasure for your wife, though - and for your family and your grandchildren. I'm young enough that all my correspondence has almost always been via email - hardly keepsakes.

34

Introductions / Re: Hello everyone

« on: May 18, 2016, 09:06:46 PM »

Welcome James!  I am absolutely sitting here admiring your work too. My handwriting was once copperplate but is now a bastardised scribble ... you're inspiring me to switch to italic, at least for nice letters. It could only be a step up.

35

Introductions / Re: Hello, from Australia

« on: May 17, 2016, 07:22:23 AM »

Hi Cassie, from Melbourne! Always good to have more of us here.

36

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: We have a new SuperHero!

« on: May 16, 2016, 08:56:18 PM »

You the bomb Mike [fist bump]     

Now we've all officially spent Far Too Much Time here. I have no regrets, how about you?

37

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Ames Lettering Guide - any tips?

« on: May 11, 2016, 06:30:15 PM »

I love mine. Particularly against a t-square - the trick with keeping it straight is making it impossible to go wonky T-square and the edge of my lightpad is the perfect combination for me, and I usually tape the paper down with masking tape or artists' tape to make sure it stays squarely aligned with the lightpad.

I will use a ruler on envelopes but that's usually because I'm ruling at a wonky angle anyway, and envelopes don't need to be quite so perfect as far as I'm concerned.

38

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Quiet

« on: May 11, 2016, 06:27:16 PM »

Ah, Schin: the very person.  I was idly wondering whether you might have seen this, since it's in your neck of the woods?

Oooh, I wanna go to there!

And don't be silly, you all know it's MUCH safer to send calligraphy supplies to Australia than it is to send them to the US. I mean, we're so empty and open, what could go wrong? Erica don't let them talk you into sending anything domestically, it's just not safe.

39

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Quiet

« on: May 10, 2016, 01:24:24 AM »

He sounds like a winner, Estrella!  Hang on to that one I'm from a big family too and I love those big family gatherings so much.

I never really notice what time people post on IG - I'm so far removed from everyone else's timezone that I just can't keep track. I know it seems busier in my early afternoon, but beyond that ... who knows?

40

Design & Layout / Re: Double Capital Letters on Envelopes?

« on: May 10, 2016, 12:49:50 AM »

In general you should try to avoid putting capitals together in Copperplate - it becomes very quickly completely illegible. I have a similar problem in Australia; all our state abbreviations are three capital letters. I generally just write out the state. It takes a little longer but it looks much more professional.

I sometimes make an exception for "Australian Capital Territory" because that is a big name and  can really weigh an envelope down. In that case I'll either do block script capitals, if I can make them harmonise with the overall layout (try to match them to the numbers, which I always make a little smaller than capital height anyway, and keep the slant consistent and the weights consistent) - or I'll do script capitals but as starkly simplified as I possibly can. Any extra flourish is an extra risk of your envelope going to the wrong place - and besides, they just look bad all together.

Same with UK postal codes actually - I almost always use block capitals but at a 55 degree slant. I'm particularly paranoid with postal codes - if those are wrong (or wrongly read by a computer) your letter has a much higher chance of going astray.

41

Tools & Supplies / Re: Gillott 303 news!

« on: May 10, 2016, 12:46:15 AM »

I'm getting so hyped about this! Can't wait! It's like Christmas came early this year.

42

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Quiet

« on: May 08, 2016, 09:21:35 PM »

Well, technically it's autumn in Melbourne (until June!) but the cold is settling in already. I guess I should be more careful in word use. But you know what I mean .

I actually wouldn't mind some alone time ... I work too much and socialise too much, I've been itching to just spend an entire weekend alone with nobody bothering me and no commitments. It's like a fairytale dream. I could get up, do calligraphy, nap, lounge around ... instead of working to deadlines and stressing about it.

Empty, you should post pictures, NZ is so beautiful in autumn!

43

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Quiet

« on: May 08, 2016, 09:02:18 PM »

One day I'll master the oval. One day. But it won't be any time soon   

I sort of miss summer, but not really! I love winter weather. In winter Melbourne becomes grey and rainy and dark all the time, and all the shopfronts and streets are lit up with little sparkly jewels. It can get bleak but most of the time I still get a kick out of wearing huge coats and boots and umbrellas   Summer is nice when it comes around, but I'm just at the start of winter now and it feels like it's going to be a long, dark, cold one this year. I think I need more blankets for my bed ... maybe another hot water bottle ... ooh, maybe an electric blanket, I've always wanted one of those.

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Quiet

« on: May 08, 2016, 07:11:47 PM »

I think I eventually went with pho.  It was a good choice. Winter's setting in.

What did everyone do with themselves over the weekend?

45

Tools & Supplies / Re: My pens.

« on: May 06, 2016, 01:24:10 AM »

Those are so AWESOME!  You've come so far in the short time we've been on this forum. Wow.