EDITED: Please note this blog has moved. Find more handwriting tips & inspiration at www.ginasekelsky.com/blog.
I worked with Cathy & Greg on their wedding stationery 10 years ago, and was thrilled to be a part of their 10th anniversary too. Isn't this a lovely idea?
Still struggling with my cold, overdid it yesterday. Thank you for all the kind wishes!
I've been a little worker bee on lettering for several fall weddings. One of my favorites is taking place at a vineyard; note the darling place cards:
Once I get over this dreaded cold, I'm planning to share more of my current work; and next week I'm hoping to jump into some posts about my Me:A to Z book. (I'm secretly wondering if getting a flu shot in September jinxed me. S is for Superstitious.) I hope all of you are staying well!
This year I'm offering two different ways to order holiday cards. Traditionally, I have worked from one album, which can be viewed at over a dozen exclusive stationery stores around the country or here at my home studio in Minneapolis. All of the stores I work with provide exceptional customer service -- see the list at left for locations. The samples above & below are two of the new designs in this year's album.
I'm also adding a new option this year: digital designs via etsy. Next week I'll share the details; there will be several designs to choose from or the option to start from scratch. I'll provide a high-res digital file of my handlettered artwork for you to print your own holiday cards. Coordinating return address stamps will be available too!
Speaking of stamps, see what Jill did with her blog stamp here, and what Amber is doing with her kids' stamps here.
One of my strange little obsessions has been creating family stationery -- you know, a family logo that could be used on all of our correspondence. Well, with that in mind, and Juliet's birthday thank you notes long overdue, I decided to start with a design just for her. (It helps that she's also the easiest to design for.)
Yesterday I had the unexpected pleasure of a free hour in the evening -- the boys were gone at soccer and Juliet was having some downtime on her own. I spent a few minutes creating some notes for her with the stamps I designed a couple of weeks ago.
After this, it's up to her.
I had time leftover to put the prints I ordered last week into our family album, and then I was so giddy with accomplishment that after the boys got home, I hauled out my box of Idea File items (from the last 8 months) and filed the lot. And I didn't even stay up late.
Next week, I'm starting some changes in my etsy shop; look for new designs in the next few weeks, including both everyday stamps & holiday motifs, as well as some brand spanking new digital options. (Incidentally I am also featured in an interview here today.) Happy Weekend.
I'm so excited to bring you thoughts on inspiration by five of my readers. Unfortunately, I've had a bit of an upload issue, and I won't be able to start the series until tomorrow. (Don't worry, Gisele will make it worth the wait.)
During the summer, I do a lot of my work in the wee morning hours while everyone else in the family is still asleep (and for the first five minutes, I usually wish I was still asleep too). I give myself a very specific set of tasks to do during this time -- the highest priorities on my list. Since my post from Gisele was a lemon today, I had a few extra minutes to make lemonade.
I bought some pink cotton/lycra about two months ago (on sale, and it's not my standard black or brown); washed it soon after & found it had shrunk a good 25%; roughed out a pattern based on a fitted tank I already wear; cut it out last week; and today had the inspiration (and a few extra minutes) to paint this:
Not at all what I had been planning on. Let whimsy take over. I'm going to touch up the lettering just a bit (not aiming for perfection), outline the leafy bits with a dark grey thread & pewter cotton reverse applique (using scraps leftover from my skirt).
The question is not how to survive, but how to thrive with passion, compassion, humor & style.
Maya Angelou
My latest sewing project: a cropped jacket patterned on one of my favorites, a black crocheted number I bought on sale years ago & wear constantly. I made a "muslin" first out of old t-shirts, and adjusted the fit from there, making the sleeves longer and more tailored than the original and the hem a bit shorter. I {heart} raglan sleeves.
The fabric is a rayon/wool blend from Treadle -- a grey/lavender/taupe on the outside and a lime/chartreuse on the inside (fabulous drape, but maybe not ideal for the bottom of my carry-on).
I assembled both the jacket and the lining by hand-stitching, then lightly painted the verse on with fabric paint. (I considered a fabric marker, but I wanted to stay in my color palette and avoid any bleeding.) I then backstitched the Angelou quote in pearl cotton, finished up with the word "style" on one of the sleeves, and added some leaves in reverse applique, a la Alabama Chanin.
Juliet took photos for me so I wouldn't have to get out my tripod, then I took a couple of detail shots while she wore the jacket. Even at 11, she favors clothes that are comfortable, unique and loaded with self-expression. I'm thinking I need to make another in a smaller size or I might not get this one back (as soon as I think of the right quotation, that is).
Just a few more recent projects to share: some spring birth announcements....
I had the pleasure of working with all these parents on their wedding invitations years ago (and in the case of Sadie and Maeve, their big sibs' announcements too). I'm so thankful for continuing relationships!
If you signed up for the postcard exchange, I will be sending out an email with details early next week.
And don't forget next week's 18th Anniversary Extravanganza, giveaways every day. Happy Weekend.
Suji Allen of Portland created the design + letterpress, and I contributed the hand-lettering for this Norwegian wedding invitation suite. Love her attention to detail, and thankful for the opportunity to get outside my box.
More spring work: Emily's tea party invitation.
And did I mention that next week I'll be celebrating my anniversary all week long? Giveaways every day. I have four ready to roll...any suggestions for number five? What's on your wish list?
I haven't posted any recent work in the past few months, so here goes. First up, some stickers I designed for a local sales rep:
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