As an Anglican Christian I love the beauty of the Book of Common Prayer with it's concise yet packed prayers and elevated language but I have yet to find an edition shaped as a heart. I suppose I will have to master the skill of illuminated manuscript and make my own. Amid this stack is a six page typed letter; a rare thing indeed. The little clip board has a postal theme. It was part of a birthday gift from a girlfriend and even though the purple paper is actually a "to do list" I have been using it as stationery. My small back log is clipped in to be the priority mail. The rest of the after noon will be spent writing letters. I am making the tea right now. Please, make tea, sit down, and write a letter with me. Here it is. Tea and Bonsai. Now to keep it alive until my son returns...and to write letters!
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How could I have forgotten? In the midst of mail and a bonsai tree I had forgotten about another pick up notice which had led to a large envelope. I had gotten a letter from Kathleen and read it right away whilst forgetting about the said large envelope, also from Kathleen. (Really, I sometimes call myself the Queen of Distraction.) After writing those two catch up letters I saw the envelope and of course, tore into it immediately. This is what I found inside. A birthday present! Kathleen is one of those "on top of birthdays and anniversaries" people I so admire but can't compete with. See what's inside: Hummingbird paper, stationery goodies, and a cross stitch kit! Now it's play time and I know what paper I will use to write her back. What an unexpected blessing! Thank you, Kathleen!!!
I appreciate old books as much as I appreciate hand lettering. Who doesn't? When I happily stumbled upon this treasure online I had to share it. You are looking at a 15th century, heart shaped book of hours. Don't you wish you could hold look through it? I know I do! As an Anglican Christian I love the beauty of the Book of Common Prayer with it's concise yet packed prayers and elevated language but I have yet to find an edition shaped as a heart. I suppose I will have to master the skill of illuminated manuscript and make my own.
Unhappy with her parents's attitude, young Chloe writes them a stern letter.
Chloe writes, Dear Parents, It seems you are both a little overly strict tonight, therefore I do not wish to read with you tonight. But if you change your attitude, I will be glad to. Goodnight. This is a nice example of word economy and clarity. Surely such an appeal would bring any parent around to a more reasonable point of view. Today has been a calligraphy day. I made a sympathy card for a friend who recently lost her grandfather. Her favorite color is, always has been, and always will be purple. You just can't go wrong with a John Donne quote. I saw a video about letterlocking. I wrote out John Donne's poem, "Death Be Not Proud" and locked it. It will be mailed inside the card. If you're interested in letterlocking, take a few minutes to see the video. What have you learned from your penpals?
I have learned to send a tea bag. When I get tea from a pen friend I like to drink the tea they send me while I respond to their letter. This makes them feel more present for the conversation. Now tea (or coffee) seems a critical part of the part of my letter writing ritual whether the tea I'm drinking has been sent to me or not. What consideration do you give to paper, ink, and mail art when you write a letter? Any favorite combinations?
I've come across a lovely ebook at Google Books called: What a title that is. Curious about Materials, I looked first at page 15 and quickly learned I had broken all the rules. What is more, most of my correspondents have broken the rules as well. The book is copyrighted 1876 and needless to say, things have changed considerably since then. Nonetheless, it should be an enjoyable, if not helpful, read. I have provided the link in the sidebar to the right. Enjoy!
My new tools of the trade are the dip pen (flexible Nikko G nib) and white ink. I came across hibiscus colored envelopes. I really like the color and white ink looks elegant on it. I think I have found my signature combination. The only trouble is, this is a discontinued product. So...my next purchase will be magenta. It's not quite the same is it. In it's favor, it does scream, "Read me first!" I don't think I'll like it quite as well but I'm willing to give it a try. I'm also considering violet. Another option is to find a ream of colored paper to suit my pinkish desires. Addressing an envelope with a dip pen is causing me to start a new routine. Now that it is becoming something of an art not allowing for haste, I am addressing envelopes ahead of time then writing the letters to go with them instead of writing the letters first. This way, the ink is sure to be dry when I'm ready to put the letter in it.
This is a new inky adventure for me and if you're expecting a letter from me, be on the look out for something cheerful! |
Letter Matters
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