All of this fun was because of Silhouette Summit. The Silhouette team launched a slew of products last week and we who were in Hawaii, got to see it all in action first. And let me tell you, it's amazing.
July 2015, Silhouette will be launching their Curio machine, which will have the capabilities to etch, cut, stipple and most importantly emboss! I'm thinking of all of the calligraphic possibilities there and I'm nerding out just a little.
Then, September 2015 (which can't come soon enough, if you ask me) Silhouette will launch Mint. It's the first desktop DIY stamp maker. OH yes. All calligraphers rejoice! It will use a companion software that will be compatable with fonts, the silhouette library and your own designs. Instead of 2-14 day turnaround for a custom stamp, try two MINUTES! I showed everyone on periscope, but I have no idea how to find the link to that. I'm @melissapher if you want to check out past videos and see how it works.
Through thermal printing, it exposes the "plate" and the exposed portions allow ink to saturate. And once inked, the stamp will last up to 50 impressions! Perfect for return address stamps or stamping your own business cards (which I've done in the past more than a few times - here, here, here). More on all this as I get to experiment with the machines themselves. Stay tuned!
But it wasn't all business all the time.
Silhouette had a tour bus waiting for us Wednesday so we could explore the island more. Heather, Kierste, Linda, Cindi and I decided to go off the beaten path, rent a jeep and tour the island by hopping from one food stop to another.
And the food in Hawaii was amazing. One of my favorite treats was a pineapple malasada I had the first day. It's like a doughnut. But better. And filled with pineapple cream. Rolled in cinnamon and sugar.
Image by Sarah Hearts
Then there was the shave shave ice! I got Waiola's Passion Orange Guava with cream on top. We have shave ice in Utah during the summer months, but I'm not sure we have the ice shaved as finely as you can find at Waiola. It was remarkably refreshing.
This is the water on Lenikai beach. A private-ish beach found on the east side of the island. A ton of beautiful homes are backed up against the beach. There are a few people lingering on the beach, but not crowded like Waikiki.
Funny thing: I'm not a beach person. They're beautiful, but for heaven's sakes get the sand off me!! I have insane texture issues. Needless to say, I brought my swimsuit, but I really only got up to my knees in the water. A shame since it's Hawaii.
This may be completely odd, but the highlight of my trip to Hawaii was teaching a calligraphy workshop at South Shore Paperie. We partied with brush markers, ate some delicious pastries and joked that I sounded like a chain smoker.
I lost my voice through the course of the trip. Something that had been working its way through my system since before I left, perhaps. I felt fine despite my voice sounding terrible, thank goodness.
Image by Bradley & Lily
We spent considerably more than the 2 hours I budgeted for the workshop, but we all couldn't tear ourselves away from the learning. We also couldn't help but drool over the gorgeous Bradley & Lily stationery line. They just launched a new feature on their website allowing customers to essentially complete their own invitation design. Sometimes I wish I could get married all over again simply so I could use all of the wonderful resources out there like this one. I digress. I was incredibly impressed at how well everyone did during the workshop! Great focus, good positioning and neat practice! My favorite part of my job is seeing other people catch the calligraphy bug and run with it. That enthusiasm really pushes me to work harder on my own craft. Follow along here and instagram for a Utah brush lettering workshop coming soon. This post isn't sponsored by Silhouette. I just really, REALLY can't wait for these products to launch! They're both game-changers.
Jazz up some plain tissue paper with spritzes of bleach!
Grab an old toothbrush, dip in bleach and spray onto the ends of the tissue paper. It works best on dark colored papers. I love black tissue paper. It works well for EVERY occasion.
Allow paper to dry (2-3 minutes) before stuffing in a gift bag. Be sure to spray bleach in a well ventilated area!! If you're DIYing with kids, make sure at least one adult is supervising at all times!
The great thing about these posts is that you likely have everything you need for this project! It's super fun to do and it's exciting to see the message unfold like a polaroid picture. You just might be tempted to shake the tag as you wait for the design to dry.
It's easier to just show you how it works in a quick GIF. Dip the brush in bleach (straight bleach works well*) and write! You'll see the paper change as it dries. Be sure to rinse the brush in water after you're done.
Create a bunch of reasons why you love your mom with a bunch of tags! I love how the color varied with each stroke.
Be sure to create this DIY in a well-ventilated area!! If you're DIYing with kids, make sure at least one adult is supervising at all times!
*I experimented with different consistencies of bleach. I made the mistake of adding gum arabic to the bleach and created some chlorine gas! I noticed the solution in the jar started to foam at the surface and get warm. I quickly took it outside and watched the mixture boil. After a call to poison control, I realized what I had done. I didn't make nearly enough to cause damage to my lungs (thank heavens), but I wouldn't advise doing anything like that. I've read tutorials on thickening bleach with corn starch, but that's still mixing an acid with a base. You may want to try toilet bowl cleaner with water until you reach your desired consistency (an idea I got from my aunt). STILL, use extreme caution and care around bleach.
Grab a tee shirt or apron and have fun with bleach! It's a great and easy way to add a fun design with texture without a lot of clean-up. Just make sure to DIY in work clothes (or pajamas, in my case).
It's likely you may have all the materials on-hand.
You may want to do a test-run of your design on a separate piece of paper to make sure that it will translate well in brush and bleach. Test the material with the bleach in a inconspicuous area to make sure the tee does well with the bleach.
Create your design with the brush. Make sure you have ample bleach on your brush and that you rinse the brush thoroughly after you're done. Having a paper towel handy really helps.
Rinse tee/tank/apron in vinegar water to stop the bleaching process. Tumble dry. You're done! I've made a bunch of these tees for the kids with random sayings. They're the perfect playful tee. Make kids and grandma matching tees for double the fun!
Be sure to create this DIY in a well-ventilated area! If you're DIYing with kids, make sure at least one adult is supervising at all times!
As a tribute, I made this little art piece for his parents. I may have over-flourished, though.
Until we meet again, Marc.
So, happy Mother's Day to me! I will be hosting a brush script workshop in Honolulu on the 14th! Join me for a great time learning basics and playful variations with a brush pen!
