Month: June 2017

Hand-lettering (and Calligraphy)

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It is sometimes so exciting when starting a new hobby. I’ve recently started with hand-lettering and calligraphy (please note that these two are not the same…more about that later) and I cannot tell you how I love it. I love the way the words just flow out of the pen, and I even love it more when I know I can do this. After all, practice makes perfect….my mother use to say.  I love the feeling I get in my brain, it’s almost as if the serotonin just flows freely and accumulate with each and every letter I make. The reason for all of this is that you actually use a different part of the magical grey matter, called your brain (something else that really fascinates me). According to The Wall Street Journal forming letters is a key component to learning, memory and ideas.

After starting with my very satisfying hobby, the researcher in me also got curious, and I started reading up on calligraphy and hand-lettering and where it actually comes from.

According to our online encyclopedia Wikipedia it is the “art of giving form to signs in an expressive, harmonious, and skillful manner.” – Wikipedia

Or, as per the Chinese, the art of writing. In traditional China this visual art form was prized above all others.

So, after all the facts I read I realized I’m even more drawn to it, and cannot wait to start with my next worksheet to even train my brain further.

If you ask me “How do you start”, I will answer the following:

  • Pick up a pen, any pen
  • Print out a worksheet (there’s thousands available online, but the best you will find at The Postman’s Knock)
  • Start writing

It is not an expensive hobby and anybody can do it at any age. I started with a normal ball point pen. Once I have it completely mastered I will move on to all the different nibs and ink.

Through writing I’ve discovered a whole new part of me….and I’m loving it.

Please note that all art work displayed in this post are not yet mine, as I’m still a student learning the art. So, a big, fat thank you to all the artist, and Pinterest, for providing the inspiration.

 

 

Vellies

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I notice that there is a new fad these days….a “vellie-craze”. I remember when I was still a youngster, “vellies” were the shoe to wear, and then it died a drawn-out death while all the new fashionable shoes came on the market. But, these days they’re really making an entrance again and you get the most beautiful designs, in the most beautiful colours. I’m certain when you put them on your feet it’s like walking in a spa, where only your feet gets pampered all day long.

Even though I’m sure they are very comfortable, and they look great with any outfit (after all wearing flats are in) I’m still a little bit hesitant to get a pair. You see I’m one of those, the crazy people, well, I would think the more healthier people. The I-don’t-eat-meat-people, therefore I don’t kill animals. So….to get your beautifully designed “vellies” I’m sure a 100+ cattle must have been slaughtered to make them. (Well, these days you never know….it might even be a little donkey that were under the knife).

So, since the fad has started I have these very contradicting emotions about getting a pair. You see, I don’t eat meat, BUT….I love beautiful things. I love natural materials….like cotton, silk, wool, and leather, and I hate ‘fake’. This really makes it very difficult for me.

After a very long restless night I’ve decided NOT to get a pair. Like food, there are a lot of other shoes I can wear which is as comfortable and as pretty as the “vellies” you find these days. Therefore I don’t have to be part of the new fad, I don’t have to get a pair, and I will be OK wearing any other pretty shoes.  After all I don’t like it to always jump on the bandwagon with everybody else……I would rather do my own thing, follow my own style, and still be comfortable in my own skin. Knowing I didn’t share in the enjoyment of wearing something that was made of another living being’s skin.

After all, we are all unique and isn’t it better to be yourself, than jump in the fire with the rest of the clan.

Just a big, fat thanks!!

I love beautiful photographs and images, as well as expansive collections. All the wonderfull stuff people display on shelves fascinates me. Images on my site enhance my posts and therefor I would like to say a big, fat thanks to Pinterest for all the beautiful photos and images of our lovely ‘vellies’.