Birthday in May....

This sure was fun to make, but "knowing when to stop" is a lesson learned....
I guess I was looking at too many OLD exemplars from Master Penman who
"went crazy" with their flourishing... It's addictive!

She loved it!

Mother's Day and Friend's Cards MAY!

I've been having fun with creating and decorating banners and ribbons...
STILL learning, but having fun!  

This went to my sister....

To my long time friend in Oregon.. Ruthie.

This was a Thank you card....

My mom's Mother's Day card envelope...

This was sent to a "mother" who has been in my life for a long time.

Some more March envelopes

A thank you card to Jennifer Smiley!

A quick envelope sent to a friend with bookmarks inside!

After teaching a class in Study Group on "cut out" cards, I
received this in the mail from one of my students, Karen P.

The work of Karen P.

Envelope for the Happy Couple... Andrea and Mike.

I did this for a wedding card to the Happy Couple!
In photo shop, I lightened all the colors and it turned out Platinum
and monochrome! I really liked it!  See the next photo for the original.

This is the original card I made for Andrea and Mike.

February.... busy as a bee... Prednisone driven!

Another recent envelope I sent... address altered for protection!

Abbey goes a little crazy with her placement of my name! I LOVE IT!  !

Bonnie Houser sent me this last summer as part of the Secret Pal Exchange in San Antonio

This might happen if you don't "FIX" it with Fixative and there is
a chance of rain in the forecast.... Still, very lovely, from my bud Sandy!

Inside of card, from Sandy... I love how you can use ONE sheet of SQUARE
paper, in this case 12x12 and get an encasement for your message!

Back of Sandy's "encasement" which the end fits right inside the little square.

To my BFF Fran in Houston.... her birthday isn't for a month or so, but
I got her envelope done a little early.... I wonder if she will see this before she
gets the actual card!?  Hmmmmm.... I hope not! LOL!

A few more from February '13

From Kate... (Inside card)

Close up of Kate's embellishment to card

Kate's Envelope

An envelope from Anita D.

I was so honored to receive this invitation, although I was unable to attend!

This card was from an old friend in Oklahoma... what a sweet surprise!
Thanks Leslie W

Close up of Leslie's writing  (Copperplate)

It was my 17th wedding anniversary on Feb 22nd and this was on the outside
envelope of the card I gave my honey!  Written with a Pentel Pocket BRUSH!

Recent envelopes I've sent... addresses altered for protection!

Happy Mail day!

This is from one of my Copperplate Students whom I taught over last
summer... Martha... she was timid to send it, but I am so happy she
took the leap and made my day!

From Martha!

LONG LIVE the LETTER!  Inside this envelope, which I provided
my own address labels to the sender.... was a lengthy (what we call
"Double Day")  HAND WRITTEN letter! What a treat to get this
in the mail.  I used to send them and get them all the time before
the day of email and texting.  I am happy that I have a pen pal who
still treasures the written word.  Thanks, C.T.  You melted my heart!
Yes... I was doodling on the phone and added the BRUSH flower and  "Trish" to it!

From my dear friend and mentor Kate!  She is in her 80's and
still keeps up with her lettering. I love it!  I hope I am like her
when I reach her age!

Out of the clear, blue sky!!! Great Mail Lately!

Since it IS Valentine's Day, I thought I would POST these first!
Sandy Odom created these for all the lucky members of CCS who
are attending the meeting here in Austin, Texas!  She is the BOMB!

Great little card from my friend, Sue, in Tulsa!

Here's the close up of the Zentangle she created... WOW!
Thanks, SUE! 

This is from one of my students whom I taught privately last summer!
She is a great and fast learner!! "Mamma couldn't be prouder!"
Thanks for thinking of me, Aimee.

I met this gal in Tulsa MANY moons ago when I stayed at her house
for a SWCC Calligraphy conference.... She is so sweet! I just
ran into her at a Retreat in Houston last summer and we connected!
What a surprise to get this in my mail, though!  THANK YOU, Lynda!
I love that little square! Did you make it!?  WITH WHAT?

Close up of the LITTLE square

Out of the blue, in my mailbox yesterday, I get the SWEETEST little note
which made tear up with the words she wrote!
It's nice to be "talked about" and "thought of" in a NICE way!
Thank you, Jeri! 

Beautiful Flourishing and Copperplate by Jeri in the Dallas area!

Of course, my Bud Sandy, keeps outdoing herself and I
received this in the mail yesterday as my VALENTINE for  '13!
I love her work and could look at it all day...

From Sandy... how clever to put it in the form of a HEART!
I think I posted one that was to Kathy G. earlier.. WISHING
it was to me... now I have one of my own! THANKS, Sweet, Sandy!