Creative Calligraphy Made Easy

This is a story of how I got back into practicing calligraphy. It all started with a book called "Creative Calligraphy Made Easy."

It's written by Karla Lim, a calligrapher and wedding invitation designer based in Vancouver. She is also the woman behind Written Word Calligraphy where she blogs, teaches classes, and even has a shop. 

 

Karla's style is feminine and elegant with a muted color palette. She's been doing this for more than eight years, making her an expert to write this book. She defines "Modern Calligraphy" this way:

"Modern calligraphy uses the exact same tools as traditional pointed-pen calligraphy but you set your own "lettering rules," styles, flourishes and more. When you use a pointed pen to write in calligraphy, you will be going back in time, dipping a pen into an inkwell and writing with a flexible pointed nib. The flexible pointed pen creates thick and thin lines when you write, which leads to the signature look of modern calligraphy. I always think of modern calligraphy as drawing or painting letters and words, rather than simply writing them to be read. Modern calligraphy is truly an artistic expression." - Karla Lim, Written Word Calligraphy   

I've taken a calligraphy class with Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls (who also writes the foreword to Karla's book) but I haven't practiced in ages.

So I assembled my materials, an assortment from Maybelle's class, as well as thrift shop and art store finds.

Then I practiced.

And practiced.

And practiced (the uppercase letters weren't easy to do at the beginning).

Karla's mantra is "Practice makes progress."

The book suggests many projects where we can apply our newfound calligraphy skill.

There are guidelines on how to address envelopes in calligraphy for wedding invitations or to fancy up everyday envelopes we send in the mail.

There's also a lot of wedding and party DIY ideas.

Plus ways to add flair to wrapping gifts.

I'd love to try this calligraphy on ribbon using a foil quill.

To give this idea my own little twist, I wrote down some phrases on scrap cardboard to make these salutation cards.

And used them to decorate some presents...TADA!

This book is very helpful to learn the basics and discover new applications for modern calligraphy, turning ordinary objects from "blah" to "TADA!"

"Calligraphy is an invitation for rediscovery and creativity. It invites us to slow down and think about the shapes and intention behind every stroke, rather than just writing simply to read. Because of that, writing in calligraphy is typically slower than usual hand writing. It is more intentional, technical and purposeful, which is what I love about it." - Karla Lim, Written Word Calligraphy

How about you? Have you tried calligraphy?

By the way, if you like my crafty "blah to TADA!" ideas and would like these blog posts automatically delivered to your inbox, you may subscribe here.  Thank you!

Jewelry from the Jersey Shore

Hi guys! Before I share my craft project today, a little announcement:

If you're subscribed to "blah to TADA!" you may have noticed something different with how it's delivered to your inbox. I switched my e-mail subscription service to follow.it. But don't worry, no need to do anything. You'll continue to receive updates from me every week. As always, THANK YOU for subscribing and for being a loyal friend all these years!

And if you're new to the blog...WELCOME! Go ahead and have a look around. There's lots of cozy corners to make yourself comfortable. If you like what you see, please subscribe here and you'll get new "blah to TADA!" ideas in your inbox every Monday. I have nothing to sell. This is simply a passion project full of crafty tutorials to turn the ordinary from "blah" to "TADA!"

I really appreciate that you are here.

So, what are your favorite summer rituals?

I love going to the beach.

The sun, sand, and the sound of the waves are both relaxing and invigorating. 

When I'm at the beach, I always dip my toes in the water, even if the temperature is ice cold.

I always take long walks and search the shore for treasures.

Sometimes I find just one.

And other times, I discover a handful.

When I get home, I give them a rinse and let them dry overnight. I love to use them for crafting.

Let me show you how I turned the seashells from blah to TADA!: 

I made them into earrings.

 I used findings and jump rings from the craft store...

...as well as different beads from my stash.

I chose colors that remind me of the sea.

I've also used the seashells to make these necklaces:

These are broken shells but their edges have become smooth with the help of the waves. I simply added some jewelry findings and a chain...TADA!

These are pieces I can wear all year round and always remind me of summers at the shore. Have a good week everyone!

Treasures from the Trash: A Bar Stool

Hey guys! I found this lonely bar stool on the sidewalk: 

It's made of wrought-iron...

It has a curved backrest and a comfy seat cushion.

I wonder why the owner let go of it? And if it came with two or three more bar stools, a typical number for a kitchen counter.

Sadly, I didn't take it home with me but here are a few ideas on how I would turn it from blah to TADA! had I room for it:

via Hometalk 

Paint it in a vibrant shade and replace the cushion cover to match one's kitchen decor. 

via Town and Country Living 

If I had a collection of mismatched bar stools, I'd use paint to give them a unified look. 

via For the Love of Wood

Or I would give it a modern farmhouse feel with distressed paint and graphic fabric.

via One Kings Lane

For an upscale look, maybe paint it in a matte metallic gold?

via Wisteria 

A gold and white pairing gives it a clean and polished look.

via Pinterest

But luxurious colors like mustard or gray can be options, too. 

via One Kings Lane

Experiment with textured fabric to give some contrast.

via Decorpad

via Wayfair

Or fabric in a favorite print can also work well.

via Havenly 

And maybe some faux fur material that will go well in a girly dressing room.

via Pebble and Leaf

But if you prefer painting the chair in rose gold, go right ahead!

via Home Sweet

What about painting the chair in a clean white and replacing the seat with a stained wood?

Before discarding your old furniture, find some ways to turn them from blah to TADA!

More Indian Block Printing Projects

I'm excited you are here and thankful that you stopped by! A few weeks ago, I wrote about Indian Block Printing.

I learned the basics of Indian Block Printing through a virtual class. We were each given a kit complete with paint, sponges, and wood blocks. Initially, we decorated a few gift tags.

Then, when we were confident, we used the block prints on fabric...TADA!

I turned the fabric into gift wrap. The Japanese call this Furoshiki. That way, the receiver of this gift can reuse the fabric in other ways -- as a headband, hair tie, pocket square, or wrap another present. 

Then I remembered that I bought this carved wood block a few years ago. I got it from a gift shop in Austin, Texas. I never used it but now I know how.

Just like our teacher instructed in the class, I made an ink pad. I put a few drops of paint on a flat surface (this is a takeout container), positioned the sponge on top of the paint, and tapped the wood block on the sponge until the paint lifted to the surface of the sponge.

I kept tapping until the paint transferred to the wood block.

Then I stamped onto the fabric.

I just repeated the design in a straight line, inking the wood block each time after stamping.

This is another piece of fabric where I experimented with a more playful layout.

Indian Block Printing instantly turns these pieces of scrap fabric from blah to TADA!

I sewed the sides of my block printed fabric together to make small pouches.

I assigned a button and elastic string as a closure mechanism.

These small pouches will become jewelry gift bags...TADA!

Since I had more scrap fabric on hand, I took out the liquid dye to give it a new look. 

 

I was going for a rough ombre look, mimicking the ocean.

My fish-shaped wood block added some life.

I stamped randomly, as if the fishies were doing somersaults. 

I sewed the edges and sides to make a bag.

I folded the open end...

And likewise added a button and elastic string allowing the bag to be closed.

These will become gift sacks, a more sustainable solution to wrapping presents...TADA!

A Snack and a Craft : Limes and Lemons

Today I am inspired by limes and lemons.

They're available all year round and I love the citrusy brightness that they add to a dish, whether sweet or savory.

Here is a recipe for one of my favorite desserts: Key Lime Pie! You can use regular limes since key limes are not easy to find. This pie is always a crowd-pleaser!

Key Lime Pie
from The Complete America's Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook 2001-2011

Ingredients for the Pie Filling
4 large egg yolks
4 teaspoons grated zest plus 1/2 cup juice from 3 or 4 limes
1 can (14-ounce) sweetened condensed milk

Ingredients for the Graham Cracker Crust

8 whole graham crackers, broken into 1-inch pieces

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled

3 tablespoons sugar

Ingredients for the Topping
1 cup heavy cream, chilled
1/4 cup (1 ounce) confectioners' sugar

Procedure:
1. For the pie filling: Whisk the egg yolks and lime zest together
in a medium bowl until the mixture has a light green tint, about
2 minutes. Whisk in the condensed milk until smooth, then whisk 
in the lime juice. Cover the mixture and set aside at room 
temperature until thickened, about 30 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, prepare and bake the graham cracker crust. Adjust 
an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 
325 degrees Fahrenheit. Process the graham cracker pieces in a 
food processor to fine, even crumbs, about 30 seconds. Sprinkle
the butter and sugar over the crumbs and pulse to incorporate. 
Sprinkle the mixture into a 9-inch pie plate. Use the bottom of a 
measuring cup to press the crumbs into an even layer on the 
bottom and sides of the pie plate. Bake until the crust is 
fragrant and beginning to brown, 13-18 minutes. Transfer the 
pie plate to a wire rack and leave the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. 
(The crust must still be warm when the filling is added.)

3. Pour the thickened filling into the warm pie crust. Bake the pie
until the the center is firm but jiggles slightly when shaken, 15 -20
minutes. Let the pie cool slightly on a wire rack, about 1 hour, 
then cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the filling
is chilled and set, about 3 hours.

4. For the topping: Before serving, whip the cream and sugar 
together in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-low 
speed until frothy, about 1 minute. Increase the mixer speed to 
high and continue to whip until the cream forms soft peaks, 1 to 3 
minutes. Spread the whipped cream attractively on top of the pie
and serve. 

Now that we've got the snack covered, let's make a craft. 

I'm turning a empty cookie box from blah to TADA!

Instead of tossing it out, I gave it a few coats of acrylic paint:

The goal is to conceal all the labels and markings.

Now it's a blank slate, ready to be decorated.

Of course, you can add anything from stickers and cut-outs, or ribbon and washi tape.

But in keeping with the citrus theme, I painted on these lemons. 

They look like they were just picked from a tree.

And I love how they remind me of sunshine.

It's a top-fold box that's very spacious inside.

I can add some shredded paper and nest in some gifts...TADA! Then I can close the lid with washi tape and embellish with a yellow bow.

And since Father's Day is coming up, the Dad in your life may just enjoy some Key Lime Pie and a few surprises that can be tucked inside the lemon-themed gift box...TADA!

Repurpose Ribbon Remnants

Hi guys! I hope you had a swell weekend.

I like to save ribbon. Ribbon from gifts, ribbon left on spools, name it, I keep it. They are pretty useful for all kinds of crafts.

But when they're too short for anything, this is what I do:

I tie them to paperclips! Instantly, they become page markers.

I use them to mark the recipes I want to try in my favorite cookbooks.

Ribbon remnants...transformed from blah to TADA!