The art of handwriting

 
With one learning child learning les lettres attachées (cursive) and the other left handed, fine motor challenged child proudly mastering his lettres miniscules (lower case), la calligraphie (handwriting practise) has been a familiar theme at home for a while. And on our new chalkboard door and anywhere else for that matter, sweet little notes crop up around the house.
 
I went to a junior school where the headmaster placed a great deal of importance on good penmanship and once our technique was deemed good enough in pencil, there was an official ceremony where our status was elevated to that of “scribe” and we were awarded our first fountain pen with a broad nib.  From there grew my love of calligraphy and I spent hours practicing and honing my new found skill.  An unusual hobby that later on, in my teens, earned me a little extra pocket money writing lots of invitations.

Countless house moves later my pens and nibs were lost and forgotten.
 
I’m not sure what inspired me to start up again – the need for instant craft gratification perhaps, but I’m glad I did. I had this idea in my head to make a very simple calligram for a Christmas card, topped with a little bling.  Et voilà!
 
 

Comments

[Imene]

I love your cards and I think it is important to have a nice handwriting. Someone I know said who needs a good handwriting when you type most of the time! I think quite the opposite, handwriting is a window into a person's soul. I cherished every handwritten note I got through the years. Especially the ones my husband scribbles on napkins for me.
Your cards are amazing!

[Lina]

Thanks Imene. I think you're absolutely right about it being a window into the soul and it is so much more personal!

[driftwood]

really lovely xxx

[Petit Filoux]

I love it!!!! Is it ok if I copy it? :-)
I used to be into calligraphy when I was a teenager, but then forgot about it I guess - this has made me want to get back into it! Thank you!!

[dottycookie]

OH! I lve your cards. I just LOVE them. Can I be cheeky and ask either 1. you're planning to sell them; or if not, 2. you'd mind me pinching the idea for a few local friends? We have the school cards for friends who are not at the school but for those who do have their little darlings there I'd rather not send them a card they already have :-)

[Pen at Oliver Boliver]

I loved calligraphy as a child too but my hand was never as neat as yours. Beautiful card. The blackboard in our kitchen shamefully mostly contains almost rude words for various parts of the anatomy but I guess that's the price paid for having teenagers and a husband that eggs them on!! Hopefully ol will neutralise that soon with some cute lettering practise ... X

[Emma]

Oh that is the best card. Oof, I really want one like that! Can I echo DC - will you sell them?

[Lina]

Too kind! I'm not planning on selling them, but if I can work it out, I will post a PDF of the calligraphy to print and cut up.

[Lina]

Copy away. I will try to add a pdf of the calligraphy to cut up and use at some point. I always thought calligraphy was a kind of obscure and geeky hobby - glad I'm not the only one who enjoys it!

[Lina]

Too funny! I dare you to post a picture!

[Lina]

Hi Emma, no plans to sell them but will post a pdf of the design to copy soon!

[UK lass in US]

Gorgeous!

You have me wishing that I had thought to charge for all the invites and certificates that I put together as a teenager...

Ever since you mentioned Calligraphy I've been driving myself nuts trying to find my old pen and nibs. I'm sure that I brought it over here

[Pam - captured by our cameras]

Your card is simply stunning.

Both my children's schools have put a heavy emphasis on cursive writing. I hope the act of handwriting never disappears.

[lina]

Thanks Pam. I'm surprised how early they're learning cursive (my daughter is in grade 2 and turns 8 in January) but amazed at how well she's picking it up.

[nina - tabiboo]

That is beautiful and so cheery and festive - I think good penmanshhip can go a long way.

Nina xxx

[Pen at Oliver Boliver]

Ok! Honeytrap is set and blackboard is wiped clean. Let's see what they come up with :: a clean board and new piece of chalk is very hard for them to resist!! X

[Teresa]

Oh - I love the card! that reminds me - I've got to get started...

[lesley]

Your card is beautiful - I love calligraphy but was never very good at it! I also used to practise writing for hours and hours and would love my children to do the same but they remain unconvinced.

I love those little notes from your children :o)

xx

[donna]

your cards are lovely. i just realised today that my 4 year old doesn't know how to write her lettres minuscules..we've been practicing writing 'les phrases' and when i clued in and only used uppercase she was able to write everything out. the lower cased messed her up. funny. what age do kids learn lowercase?

[lina]

I think most little ones start out in uppercase, it's perfectly normal. My son is in grade 1 (he's 6) and has had some fine motor delays and is only just learning lower case now.

[Katherine]

I love that card you made! What a great idea.

[French Knots]

Your card is lovely, such wonderful writing and a perfect design.

[Helen]

You've reminded me how much I used to love calligraphy. Now I wonder where my trusty Sheaffer pen has gone ... I had lots of books too and loved trying out all the different scripts.
Your card looks lovely, beautiful design. I'm starting to feel a bit Christmassy now!