Archive for the ‘calligraphy’ Category

Return Address Stamp for Writing Pen Pals

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For nearly a year now I’ve meant to make a return address stamp for our address! We’re SO permanent now, so why the delay?

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I made the stamp in a mono-line so it would coordinate better with my various styles of addressing. Chris says that it’s girly, but it’s not nearly as girly as most of my lettering styles.

I wish I could show you the whole address, the numbers and letters do fun things together with little flourished details. You’ll just have to give me an excuse to send you something in the mail if you really want to see the whole thing.

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I write to 4 pen pals these days. It’s so much fun to get fun mail each week and to get to know someone in a neighboring state or half way around the world. I love writing pen pals!

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Pauline is one of my pen pals, isn’t that a fun letter? I was just over the moon to get this in the mail.

Tattoo Design

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It’s not april fools. This is a real tattoo, but it’s not for me. I designed this tattoo for a client last year right after my little hoax and I’m just now getting around to sharing it with you.

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Kim wanted her daughter’s name scribed on her upper shoulder and I think that’s sweet. Our children are already metaphorically tattooed onto our hearts forever anyway.

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In church on Sunday we talked about relationships with our children and how they learn so much by our example alone.

I often wonder what kind of example I’m setting for my kids. What kinds of things will she learn from my example? I’ve been stewing over it a lot lately, and I’m afraid of all the things I haven’t taught her. There are so many. I’m an incredibly flawed person, but I know that Chris and Penelope’s grandparents will pick up the slack where I fall short.

I’ll be going to Listen to Your Mother to hear my sister-in-law and a few friends talk about motherhood. I have a  feeling it’ll be equal parts awesome and fun. Maybe I’ll learn a thing or two about how to be a better mom from them.

Thank heavens for awesome families.

And thanks for indulging my meandering thoughts.

Dear Mom Free Printable

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This idea came to me yesterday. It’s simple, but I sure enjoyed playing around with the flourishes. You can see the design process a bit on instagram.

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Next Sunday is Mother’s Day. Do you have something planned for the mama/woman in your life? You should start scheming now.

We don’t really celebrate holidays a ton, but Chris knows I require breakfast in bed and a long love letter for Mother’s Day. Flowers would be nice too, especially since I recently figured out it was a deer (or five?) that ate all of our tulips. Poor Penelope got an ear full from me about not cutting down flowers before I figured that one out. Mom of the year award definitely not going my way.

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I’m thrilled to bits that my mom will be visiting over Mother’s day. I miss having my parents close by (they’ve lived in Charlotte for the last 4 years). My mom knows so much about being a good mom, maintaining a house and planting an amazing garden.

My favorite memories of childhood include seeing those first fruits of the season. Particularly going out and picking the giant raspberries (the size of my thumb!) and eating them right off the bush. For lunch we would eat tomatoes, cottage cheese with pepper on top. Mmm. Mmm.

My mom is the reason for my inner foodie. She knows how to cook! She taught me everything I know. And I know I can call her up while I’m in the middle of the grocery store with howling kids in tow and she’ll advise me on the right cut of meat to buy. Or she’ll find the recipe I forgot to look up before planning my shopping trip.

She’s the best.

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I lucked out with my mother-in-law, too. She can master anything she wants. She’s a fabulous organist, pianist, classical guitarist and classical basist. She can knit the most amazing socks (I’m a picky sock person) and most recently she’s made the most darling quilts for Penelope and Felix. She lives in Phoenix unfortunately, so I don’t get to see her as often as I would like. She is an amazing mom. How lucky am I to have two amazing mothers in my life?

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There are so many incredibly women and mothers out there. So print a card for your mom and tell her how awesome she is. Click the button above to download. Check out last year’s card here.

Want to show your appreciation for these downloads? Be sure to follow the blog on Feedly, Bloglovin, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

This printable is subject to melissaesplin.com’s terms of use. This printable is free for personal use only.

 

I Still Love Calligraphy Kits & Giveaway CLOSED

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My calligraphy kit and workshop is now available for purchase. Head here to get one just in time for Mother’s day. Better hurry, though. Only 20 left.

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And to celebrate Mother’s day, I’m doing a giveaway. Not of a kit, but a hand-lettered card set. 10 hand lettered cards on black with an assortment of white, black and teal envelopes.

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The 10 lettered cards say:

  • 2 Happy Mother’s Day
  • Happy Happy
  • It’s your lucky day
  • hearts
  • I love you
  • I love everything about you
  • Your my #1
  • You are beautiful
  • You’re awesomesauce

I’ll also be throwing in some other goodies in the care package, goodies you don’t want to miss. Value over $75. See the bottom of the post for entry requirements.

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Mandatory for entry:

  • Follow this blog on Bloglovin‘ or subscribe to email updates (on the left)
  • Comment telling me how awesome your mom is
  • Comment before April 29th at 11:59pm
  • US and International entries welcome

For more ways to enter:

  • Follow on instagram & tag me in a photo of your mom (or an awesome mom in your life) with the hashtag #mymomisawesomesauce. Leave a comment here with the link.
  • Like on facebook and tell me about a woman who has inspired you (mother or not). Leave a comment here with the link.

Congratulations MAY!

Good luck!

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