New Book Makers

It's always thrilling to see the finished work of people that take my classes.

The "Pink Book" class that I taught in Asheville last week has ignited a fire for book making.

Today I am honored to show you the work of Catherine Langsdorf.

Catherine is a freelanch calligrapher that lives in Asheville NC.

I am in awe of her calligraphy skills as well as

 her watercolor painting (yes, she did paint the Egret on the front of her book!).

 She has a fantastic eye for color !

She collaged small bits of tissue paper on the front of her cover

to give it more dimension and interest.

 She found a piece of fabric that had her (maiden name) initial on it

in a pile of goodies that I brought to share -

the perfect color too!

 I love the way that she has added personal touches to the book.



Check out Catherine's blog

and make sure you bookmark it for all of your calligraphy needs.

Dose of Delivered Inspiration

Look at what my UPS man brought today...

A Martha Lever Excettera Journal.

She uses her own calligraphy and hand drawn/painted images

to form a beautiful collage that graces the front of this lined notebook.

You have to go to her Etsy shop and

look at all the yummy things that she has there.

I LOVE this journal!

I had seen them in her shop

but failed to order one

before she sold out...

So, I emailed her and ask if she was going to do more.

I'm so glad that I ask

instead of just wishing I had of bought it when I first saw it.

Within a day or two, there they were...

The most difficult thing was

deciding which one that I wanted.

I'm excited too

cause she is developing one with

Poppies

on it.

I love Poppies and Martha's are

Awesome!

And look at the note card she sent with it!

Beautiful enough to frame.

And the sweetest note

on the back of it...

I can just feel her beautiful spirit in all of her work.

Follow her blog here

and get your daily dose of Martha (Lever not Stewart)!

Letter Geeks Like Me (or Artful Alphabets by Lisa Engelbrecht)

Do you know Lisa Engelbrecht? I am just beginning to get to know her...and what an amazing artist she is! A few postings ago, I entitled one "My 26 Favorite Things'. In this post I professed to being a "letter geek"(thanks Lisa for the title!). Lisa and I share those 26 Favorite Things...she is also a self-professed "letter geek". When I opened an email from Pokey Bolten

(CPS) today, I saw her DVD about Lettering on Fabric. I had JUST seen it on Creative Catalyst Videos (http://www.ccpvideos.com/) and placed it on my list of "Things To Buy". Go to their website to view a clip from the video.

If you love letters, lettering, calligraphy, writing on fabric or any of the aforementioned activities or have interest in them, then you MUST purchase this DVD! You can purchase it directly from her and receive a special print from her. Go to http://www.lisaletters.blogspot.com/ for details.

Lisa has a book coming out imminently (publication due date is July 1st) entitled "Modern Mark Making".

I can tell you this is one lady that is definitely Making Her Mark in this world. She has a love for the letter arts that I appreciate and understand. She is also featured in Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine. Go to http://www.homecompanionmag.com/ for more details about the Artful Alphabet.

My friends and family know how much I LOVE and ADORE lettering...I have been asked why I sit and draw letters...Why? I ask...Because they are the basis for all that we know...Without the alphabet, we would have no written word, no stories, no written history, no love letters, no recorded music with words...we, as a society, would not be able to share and past down our heritage...those 26 letters ensure the survival of our cultures, our families and our passions. They ARE the key to past, present and future.

Rock on fellow Letter Geeks!