Life is in the details

You remember a while back when I was lamenting how sad it is when my tattoo clients do not send me a photo? Well, chalk it up to the public shaming. Or that this client is extra special (correct answer). I am ecstatic to share these photos with you of Chontichar's tattoo. The words "Life is in the Details" are fit together like puzzle pieces and displayed on Chon's neck for a striking effect.  Thanks to Chon for the inspiring design (and is she a designer? But of course. Go check out her site Design and Decor with Chon) and the photos and for restoring my faith.

Nina + Jon on Martha Stewart’s Bride Guide

In the hectic madness of last year, one wedding that I’ll always remember is that of Nina + Jon. Here’s how it would work: Nina would write me the sweetest emails about the most visionary projects for their wedding (silkscreened muslin bags; the entire invitation suite handwritten; tags and twine; table numbers in Spanish) and I would eagerly look forward to making her lovely vision a reality. Then, there would be a harried hand-off in Gramercy and I’d await the next delivery of beautiful pale melon paper. So it is awfully thrilling to see the fruits of Nina and Jon’s labor of love featured on The Brides Guide: Real Weddings.

It is also no surprise that they included all sorts of thoughtful touches like donations to charities in lieu of favors and room upgrades for their guests. Hearty congratulations to Nina + Jon and many thanks to Shira + Martha Stewart Weddings and Kelly Melissa Photography.

 

Collaboration with: Satsuma Press + We Love Liam

I am so excited to announce this greeting card collaboration with Satsuma Press. Lynn Russell designed a pair of striking letter-pressed card with feathers in blue and then we set Neither Snow calligraphy around the edges. The quote: “Birds of a feather flock together.” I love the heartfelt message, and it feels appropriate for the holiday season when we prioritize both flocking and togetherness.  You can find the cards in sets of two and four here.

But also: Lynn does some inspiring work for her son Liam who has spinal muscular atrophy, and children like him. You can check out Lynn’s touching blog here, where you purchase a children’s book written by Lynn’s mom about the adventures of her grandson; read Lynn’s beautifully articulated thoughts about being a parent to a delightful six year old boy in a 200 pound mechanical chair; and also donate to the Liam Russell Special Needs Trust. This holiday season, I’m so grateful for collaborators like Lynn.

The Visual Display of Quantitative Information

Lately I have found myself in a number of terrific archives in Philadelphia, from the Library Company to the Historical Society. This image comes from an annual 1913 public health report from Philadelphia which Dona Horowitz-Behren, the city’s historian, unearthed for me. The objective? To illustrate the number of deaths from 15 diseases over the previous decade, and the increase and decrease of each cause. This beautiful chart folds out of a perfectly ordinary printed book. Isn’t it inspiring to think of all of the things like these waiting to be discovered?

Adventure

On Sunday our dear friend Jack-- eminently knowledgable about the city’s history and architecture -- took me and Andrew on a private tour of housing in North Philadelphia. We drove through neighborhoods that had been redlined; past blocks that were completely abandoned; through streets with boarded up homes and empty lots. And we also meandered through areas of revival with people on their stoops, tending their gardens and walking home from church. I was struck by this door of an old abandoned house. It is remarkable that the delicate etched glass has managed to survive everything else around it. 

COLLABORATION WITH: BURDASTYLE

Many months ago at a Martha Stewart event Carol Cho from BurdaStyle approached my table and introduced herself. We got to talking about fabric and a future collaboration. Burda, as you probably know, is a mecca when it comes to online sewing projects. Each week they feature a heap of totally fantastic, creative ideas for the do-it-yourself-er armed needle and thread. I mean, that with enough determination you can just make this Alexander McQueen show studio jacket?

I had the chance to sit down with Lindsey and Rachel at Burda and brainstorm a project in anticipation of Thanksgiving, my very favorite holiday. They supplied a stunning Obi apron and I calligraphed the word “gratitude” in 6 different languages (English/French, Russian, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian). You can print the “pattern” for each word and then, as I did, cut it out in felt and applique it to the apron (or just about anything -- iron ons, signs, etc.). The pattern for the apron is on there too. Go check it out here. And please send photos of your project if you end up using the calligraphy! Happy thanksgiving + here’s to gratitude always + many thanks to the fantastic ladies at BurdaStyle.  

Courtesy of Cleanwash

This weekend I had the pleasure of grabbing coffee with Colleen of Cleanwash letterpress. I love working with far-flung artists and clients, but I am also so happy to meet people local to Philadelphia. Do you know Colleen’s work? Gosh, you really should. We’ve worked on a a few projects which you can find here and here. Recently I’ve been setting up lots of lunch and coffee dates (hence my blog absence) and the one with Colleen really reaffirmed why I love meeting people in person: the brainstorming, planning for future collaborations, storytelling, spontaneous topics of conversation and laughter. A few weeks ago Colleen printed my new business cards which were urgently needed for the Martha Stewart event. I just love them.

Dan + Barbara on Oh So Beautiful Paper

Nole at Oh So Beautiful Paper just posted a slew of photos of Dan and Barbara's invitation suite. It features a stunnig combination of visual elements: wood veneer, black glossy calligraphy, white print on black envelopes, and white foil stamp throughout. It was a pleasure to work on this project and I was so inspired by Dan's vision (any surprise he is an art director?). As always, photos of client work can be found in the portfolio section.

Martha Stewart Weddings Event

I was honored to be asked to calligraph dates for the annual Martha Stewart Weddings party last night. The theme was metallics and, as always, the crew at MSW and The Wedding Library pulled out all of the stops with a gigantic tinsel chandelier, glitter dusted desserts and what I can only describe as a gold confetti video installation on the floor. I paired up with Valerie at Spark letterpress to create gold date bookmarks which we finished off with hand dyed ribbon in gold and ivory. It was four hours of storytelling, catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. Here are my favorite moments from the event:

  • Calligraphing a wedding anniversary date for Annie from Colorado (the Annies are important at MSW). She met Pete back in 1997 when she accidentally dialed the wrong number and ended up in conversation with a friendly stranger who she would go on to marry. She counts how many weeks they've been married (821) which made me tear up.
  • Being approached by Martha Stewart herself, who asked me to calligraph "Alexis," her daughter's name. I cannot overstate her powerful presence.
  • Finally meeting Jenna and Bryn in person (and adoring them instantly). They are two ladies whose work I so admire. Please go check out their calligraphy and blogs. 
  • Calligraphing "November 18, 2010," the day when an only son will return from basic training. Again, tears. 
  • Having someone read, note and appreciate (for the first time!) the small Borges quote printed on the top of the bookmark. I will forever remember the woman who did so.
  • The fashionable young couple eating ice cream who asked me to pen a note of thanks as though written by their young daughter, who was being looked after that evening by her grandfather.
  • The ruckus group of beautiful ladies in sparkly, ruffly dresses who kept begging the DJ for one more R & B song and danced until the lights went up.

And then there are people who make a lasting impression in our fleeting time together: the stunning woman who looked like Paloma Picasso, the young lady in the gold baubled necklace cleverly fixed with a piece of wire, the ebullient man brimming with excitement over his new promotion, the planner who noticed my Santacafe matchbook and swapped local restaurant recommendations. My gratitude goes to everyone who contributed to such a terrific night.

If you stopped by last night: it was delightful meeting you. Please be in touch. And for everyone: look out for another storytelling giveaway later this week.