Summer Projects

When I visit new blogs, I always look at when the last post date was. Then I judge. I don’t mean to … it’s just that a current blog is like a clean house. You can tell someone cares, and you like being there because it feels fresh and orderly.

That’s why I am appalled that my last post was two months ago! Many apologies to my subscribers for the dusty text of my previous post — blow the dust off and let’s start anew! I am geared up to offer fun tutorials this month, and we are planning on putting a lot of effort toward making the site aesthetic better reflect The Postman’s Knock. That means some hand-drawn illustrations and less computerized-y type stuff. Be looking out for that!

In the meantime, I’d like to take this blog opportunity to get you up to speed on why I haven’t had time to blog. I have been working on so many cool summer projects, and I’ve been having a blast! Check them out to get some ideas, or just quell your curiosity:

June and July was chock full of wedding envelope calligraphy for me. I have learned a lot of new zip codes, and perhaps most importantly I have learned that moderation is key. There were some days I would tackle over 40 envelopes in one day (and at 7-10 minutes apiece for some, this was a huge feat). I would go to bed with an aching hand and the knowledge that I’d do it all over again the next day. When I started giving myself a better deadline, with a more realistic goal of 10 per day, it was much smoother sailing! Curiously, most of my clients came out of the Northeast: five clients were from the New York/New Jersey area. Lots of weddings up there in September-October!

I have been working with Melanie from Sweet Meadow on some illustrations for her up-and-coming website. These illustrations will show up in my Portfolio later this month — they’re all so fun and different! Above is a collage that will show up on her site. I also made some illustrations for Six Hearts Photography, frequent collaborators of Melanie who found me through her recommendation:

There were also a couple of custom faux calligraphy quote requests via Etsy. They were the brainchild of Celestina, a financial adviser in Canada. Celestina asked me to create these for her to hang in her new office, which she moves into today. She wants clients to feel comfortable and inspired upon entering the room, and I hope these graphics contribute to the positive vibe. They’re 8″x14″ on thick watercolor paper, and I created them with India ink and Winsor & Newton watercolors. I really love the way that these turned out, and I think Celestina chose the perfect graphics for both pieces.

Below is an idea I really like — a poster/guestbook (you can see me holding the poster at the top of this post). It was commissioned by Alyson, a Pennsylvania bride with a love for Philadelphia. She had me recreate the signature Philly Love Statue in vivid watercolor, and write she and the groom’s names and the date of their wedding underneath. As guests arrive at the reception, they will sign this poster, which was created on sumptuous watercolor paper, and then Alyson will frame it. That means that loved ones’ well-wishes will always be displayed, rather than eventually forgotten in a guestbook.

This fun and unique invitation was one of my favorite summer projects. Mom Kristy asked me to create a unique invitation for her daughter’s first birthday party. I paired an original ink illustration of her beautiful baby with a fun flashcard theme, as per Kristy’s request. We both were so happy with how it turned out!

All of this will eventually turn up in my shop or portfolio, but I wanted to keep you all in the loop as far as what The Postman’s Knock has been up to, and why you haven’t heard from me in a while! Thanks so much for reading; I’ll see you soon in another blog post!