Cheers are in order—Creative Lettering And Beyond is coming out November 1st, and you'll find a chapter in it by yours truly!

I contributed three projects that explore creative craft applications for your lettering—think painted place settings, embroidered cocktail napkins, watercolored gift tags... My favorite? Wood burned lettering (seen in the cheers tag above). Using an electric wood burning tool as your pen, you can create an impressive impression on wood. The result is rustic and awesome...and leaves your home smelling like campfire. I swear our apartment had an essence of s'mores for days while I was shooting. Each project is complete with detailed how-tos, process pics, and final photos. A few outtakes are pictured below—fun, right?!

You'll find my chapter in the incredible company of these super talented letterers—Gabri Joy Kirkendall, Laura Lavender, and Shauna Lynn Panczyszyn. They'll take you through comprehensive lessons and additional projects.

And now, said in my best radio dj contest voice, want your own copy? Be the first to comment below and I'll mail you one for free! If you're a little slow on the draw, you can purchase one here.

Enjoy.

Photo from oh, hello friend

She had requested that it feel whimsical and romantic, but also slightly melancholic, so my goal with this design was to create a graceful movement of letters and a rhythmic, whimsical flow of words that evoked a feeling, a romance. The first design was slightly more dramatic, but given the constraints of tattoo art, we opened up the loops to ensure the e's, a's, and h's didn't become inky blobs over time. Have a look, and many thanks to Charmaine for sharing!

You can buy them online or in stores around the country—my new favorite is this sweet shop in Middlebury, Vermont, Clementine, "where thoughtful shoppers and beautiful gifts meet." Let's go! Clementine posted a pic of the cards on display, how lovely.

Photographed by Lilikoi Design + Letterpress

Photo from Clementine's Instagram

Product shots from Knot & Bow

To celebrate his birthday (and that we all survived the first year!) we threw a low-key party at the playground with his buddies. I drew up some invites and mailed them to his people calling them to an afternoon of cake and swing rides. 

Our neighborhood park is tucked into a quiet side street with a single picnic table nestled in the back, surrounded by ivy. The setting is already pretty enchanting, but to add some extra birthday magic I sewed a table cloth with scraps from his baby quilt, strung up some fabric garland, and, lest anyone question his age, I embroidered a birthday "one"sie.

Despite the cold and foggy San Francisco day, it was the perfect afternoon marking the milestone. Happy Birthday Benjamin Bruce.

Head over to Lilikoi's shop if you'd like to purchase one. They're far prettier than the jumbo magnet letters Ben has strewn about our kitchen...

I love how embroidery can breathe life into calligraphy as the lettering takes on a third dimension. Selecting colors and pairing it with the perfect patterns create unending (and very pretty!) potential.

Speaking of the perfect pattern, I thought these smiling whales were amazing—they're equal parts happy and boyish (footballs and sports equipment are not required on all things boy.) I coupled this with a complementary, equally happy, bright red-orange fabric and embroidered his calligraphed name and birthdate in the same bold hue. The result is a special keepsake for Ben's best friend, Sam.

Side note, our Easter flowers bloomed into the most splendid bouquet, don't you think?

I calligraphed a series of greetings for Lilikoi Design + Letterpress' card line. Andria then masterfully designed and letterpressed them into pint size perfection. Shop the whole mini card collection here!

(I'll be posting photos of the cards' larger, colorful counterparts later. Get a sneak peak of them here...)

You know it's true.

So giraffes it was, coupled with a watercolor background, coral envelopes, big calligraphy, and 80's style white rose stamps—it was the only alternative to flag stamps that the post office had, ugh!… These were painted, printed, and placed in the mail in excited anticipation of Baby Dixson.

New to this whole motherhood bit, I'm quick to tear up when I think about the beauty, the challenge, the miracle of these tiny beings. Our Ben turns 6 months old today. How'd that happen? While we didn't rent a bounce house for a half year birthday party, we did serve up some mashed sweet potatoes and plan on taking a nice long stroll…

All grown up.

Head over to Knot & Bow to shop the collection and order some glitter twine and parcel tags to fancy up your holiday gifting. 

Shout out to my pre-San Francisco days in Brooklyn. Siiiiigh... // All product shots from Knot & Bow

Here is a quick peak at a few recent projects both big and small...

A painted and calligraphed logo:

A post by Kelli Hall for Minted's blog Julep featuring five calligraphers and our styles, check out the full post here:

Calligraphy for Lilikoi Design + Letterpress' line of cards, more details and photos to come! :

Designed and letterpressed by Lilikoi Design + Letterpress // Photo from Lilikoi's tumblr

Place cards, table name and signage for Locally Grown Weddings' stunning photoshoot at the Conservatory of Flowers:

Locally Grown Weddings Collective // Planning: Sadie Waddington // Food: Chef Stephanie // Flowers and Styling: Madeline Trait // Photography: JennaBeth Photography // Hair & Makeup Artist: Chava Nieto, Hair to Dye For // Cake: Cake Bloom // Rentals: Hartmann Studios // Specialty Linens: The Swede Life Shop // Tie: This Humble Abode // Bow Tie: DIBI ties // Dress: KT Jeans Designs // Jewelry: Betsy Barron // Veil: Simply Bridal // Invitations: JennaBeth Photography // Cuff Links: By Madeline Trait

And finally, my biggest piece of work yet...sweet Benjamin:

 

Emily Paben—you'll remember her original logo here—recently joined forces with Sara Martin to create an event planning studio that makes sure your party will be "the one guests want to come to and don't want to leave." (Invite me!) 

So, as we bid adieu to her former design and its yellow confetti, we said hello to an explosion of flowers and whimsical calligraphy. Along with the painted logo, I created a suite of additional elements for use in their rebrand—a line drawn version, a watercolored K, and a few swishes and circles to use under text. 

I love when the design process includes a wonderful, talented client...and an excuse to walk through neighborhood gardens for inspiration and, quite literally, stop to smell the roses. 

Illustration and design by Mikayla Butchart // Calligraphy by Flourish & Whim

Way back when we threw a little fête for our favorite newly-engaged friends...well, their big day is fast approaching and the invites just went out. Ta da!

I had the awesome privilege of working with the insanely talented Mikayla Butchart. Mikayla illustrated and designed the invitation suite and nestled my calligraphy sweetly in—aren't her colors perfection? and illustrations so beautiful? I'm loving the whimsical combo.

My count down to their big day is officially ON.

Designed and letterpressed by Lilikoi Design + Letterpress // Calligraphy by Flourish & Whim

Check out these cute and classy coasters from another fun collaboration with Andria at Lilikoi Design + Letterpress. They felt like a fitting post as I skip town with my husband to celebrate 4 years as an official Mr. & Mrs.

Cheers!

Photography by Paul Ferney for Oh Happy Day // Florals by Jordan Ferney, assisted by Irene Yu // Produced by Stacy Wichelhaus // Sign Crafting by Caitlin Barker // Calligraphy by Flourish & Whim

Jordan over at Oh Happy Day just threw a gorgeous house warming party complete with this stunning floral garland. I calligraphed the banner she nestled sweetly into the eucalyptus and draped over her entry—how warm and welcoming!  

I so enjoyed combining my two creative passions—illustration and calligraphy—in this wedding certificate. The watercolored olive branches are a nod to the ceremony's Tuscan location and the calligraphy is in the same lettering style used on their invitations. 

After the big day, the certificate will become a frameable keepsake displaying signatures of the couple's nearest and dearest in attendance. Art and sentiment! 

Photography by Heather Zweig for Oh Happy Day // Art Direction by Jordan Ferney // Produced by Stacy Wichelhaus // Crafting and styling by Caitlin Barker // Assisted by Harper Casimiro // Calligraphy by Flourish & Whim

Another fun calligraphy collaboration with Oh Happy Day—mini balloon placecards. The cutest!

Check out the full post for additional details and pictures here...

Back in February I collaborated with super talented, San Francisco based Lilikoi Design + Letterpress to calligraph a variety of pieces for the Love Tour. This "boutique bridal bash" was held at the beautiful Cavallo Point Lodge—Bay Area locals, go here for a stunning Golden Gate Bridge view.

Just wanted to share these two sweet shots of the letterpressed calligraphy, captured by photographer Janae Shields.  

After sending the final calligraphy to Kristine at Presshaus LA, she beautifully designed and exquisitely letterpressed this bride's invitaiton suite for her Tuscan nuptials.

Kristine just sent along the final invitation (shipped in the mail with a hand written note, be still my heart...snail mail lives on!). I'm still swooning over the earthy color palette, twine enclosure, and deep letterpress impression.

Look, even the RSVP card plays along—the bride nixed the formal Accepts With Pleasure/Declines With Regret convention for a very Italian Si, Si/No, No. Perfecto!

F&W style: Tuscan

The latest for Mel's wedding—the completely calligraphed invitation suite! Don't the black stripes and gold wax seal just complete the package? 

PS I recently wrote a little piece for The Quarterlette on my journey from the corporate to creative world...you can read it here.

Printed by On Paper // Photographed by Sara Ewalt of Pinyadayada

Photography by Aubrey Trinnaman for Oh Happy Day // Art Direction by Jordan Ferney // Coordinated by Stacy Wichelhaus // Styling by Caitlin Barker // Assisted by Harper Casimiro // Crafting and calligraphy by Flourish & Whim

I just finished up another fun and festive calligraphy collaboration with Oh Happy Day—no Paas dye required for this classy take on everyone's favorite Easter egg decorating tradition. Not sure you're ready to take the permanent ink plunge? Get it out of your system and tattoo some eggs. 'Tis the season!

I calligraphed a page of Easter greetings and cute phrases that were printed on temporary tattoo paper and applied to the eggs. To download the free calligraphy template, get all the how-tos, and see more pretty pics, head over to Oh Happy Day...

I'm loving this latest stamp project. Charmain is launching her floral business, Emblem Flowers, and ordered a stamp to make her own business cards. Brilliant! I designed and calligraphed her logo, included her contact info, and voila...insta-business cards. 

She can now stamp her information onto most anything—simultaneously calming fears of running out of business cards at the last minute and opening doors to endless printing possibilities. I had a little fun experimenting before shipping the stamp out—looks great on manilla tags, card stock (any color!), I even did a watercolor wash and stamped right over the paint. Pretty pretty. I am daydreaming of more potential...this lime chalk inkpad on dark card stock? Yes please. 

It's been lovely working with San Francisco illustrator Lindsey Manwell—though we've only corresponded via email, it's clear that her personality is as beautiful as her illustrations.

For the launch of her new site, I calligraphed her name along with a set of titles for her upcoming collections—Forest Friends, shown here. How cute are those little faces? I'd be their friend.

I've always loved Valentine's Day, a surprising fact considering most of my years were spent valentine-less...and pink clashes with my hair. Something about the Hallmark holiday gets me, maybe it's the excuse to eat chocolate and heart-shaped sugar cookies or maybe it's because I love love. I think both. 

Super talented florist and designer, Madeline Trait, asked if I would whip up a few cards to accompany her bouquets and other treasures in Love & Luxe's Valentine's Day Pop-up Shop. If you're in SF swing by tomorrow between 3 and 7 (or send your sweetheart) to pick up some beautiful blooms, treats by Dulcinea Bakeshop, jewels from Love & Luxe, and a little card to profess your love...or desire for a smooch.

I recently painted this peacock feather for a photographer to use in her logo design. There is something about these colors that I just love...the cool blues and greens, the warm mustards and moss, the romantic pinks and violets.

Isn't nature so often the best inspiration for color combinations?

F&W stamp styles: wreath initials; lowercase modern

I've just sent off this diverse set of stamps to an equally unique group of clients—a Californian's stately return address, a bride's wedding logo, and a textile designer's monogram to stamp her work. 

Happy Monday!

Forgive the radio-silence around here, I'm knee deep in cool projects and exciting collaborations...all to be posted some day ahead! In the mean time I wanted to share this video.

Last year I took an amazing calligraphy class where much of the 2 hours were spent practicing, chatting with classmates, and lunching (it was more social than serious study...good times!). I was lucky enough to sit with insanely talented San Francisco illustrators Wendy MacNaughton and Lisa Congdon. Hearing them talk about their work, their sincere passion, and their journey to becoming full-time artists was nothing short of inspiring. Since then I have been following their blogs and enamored with their work. Today Lisa posted the below video, a window into her day as a professional illustrator. She said something so poignant, I had to share: 

"The most important thing in life, I think, is love. So respecting yourself enough and your intuition enough to get up and do what you love everyday. And I realize that that's a privilege, not everybody is in a situation where they can get up and, for example, paint all day for a living, or whatever it is that makes you happy even if that's sweeping the floor. But in American culture we come from this Puritan work ethic where it's like you must suffer and life is hard and I feel like I even sort of have a little bit of that in myself and so I have to pinch myself after several years of having this career where I feel happy and fulfilled..."

What an inspiration to pursue and do what you love.

Lisa Congdon - Like Knows Like from Like Knows Like on Vimeo.