Hello Reader, Valentine’s Day always signals a good reason to put your pen to paper. And having your message clear and legible will help the recipient know who is playing Cupid. Did you know? In former times, when a man was wooing a young lady, the quality of his penmanship determined whether he even had […]
Penmanship Revisited
Today is John Hancock’s birthday. Let’s celebrate by talking about penmanship. Last month a friend sent me an article featuring a business with robots writing thank you notes. Human handwriting is being mimicked, complete with smudges. “Grrrrr,” I say. We’ve come to that? Everything has become so fake. To counteract that robot story, a current […]
“Gift wrapped words”
So what’s your plan? Cards or no cards- for this holiday season? What have you decided? Holiday greetings are all about connecting with people the old fashioned way with snail mail. It could be in the form of a photo card, a commercial greeting card, a handmade craft card, or a family’s annual newsletter. This piece […]
Signature Battle
Signatures are fluid entities. If you’re tired or hurried, your name might appear differently than if you were carefully signing a birthday card. Add all the different ways technology asks us to sign, with a stylus on a screen or with a finger on a tablet. I’m always amazed at how my name changes with […]
Under 91 Project
September 28, 2016 Calligraphy literally means beautiful writing. What is displayed in the exquisite penmanship and design of The Graceful Envelopes is what is “traditional” calligraphy. Yet graffiti can also be calligraphic. Yes, much of it can be a statement of angst and protest. However, many street artists are extremely creative, talented draftsmen. How they […]
The handwriting of The Declaration of Independence
July 4, 2012 This holiday gives me a perfect opportunity to discuss the lovely handwriting behind The Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft. Corrections were made by Adams and Franklin and then the document was passed on to Timothy Matlack to engross. Timothy Matlack (1730-1829) was a delegate to The Continental Congress […]
“I feel like a true lover when I’m writing you.”
February 5, 2012 …..If you need any incentive to inspire you to get going on those Valentines, here it is- Love Letters is a play celebrating a love story which takes place almost exclusively with pen and paper. Love Letters also offers the most eloquent argument, I have ever read, for the value of good old fashioned […]