It is difficult to define Hiraeth, but to me it means the consciousness of man being out of his home area and that which is dear to him. That is why it can be felt even among a host of peoples amidst nature's beauty. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
. . like a Christian yearning for Heaven. . .
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 08:50PM I've been updating my work blog, Scriptorium, tonight and since it's been a while since I've shared any of my work, I thought I'd share a link, just in case you want to have a peek.
Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 06:59AM I think starting my business is the biggest reason I began to neglect my blog. Last year was the first year and there was so much to do--setting up my website, getting started on marketing and advertising, making sure I was doing everything by the books for the State of Illinois, expanding my studio to make it conducive for the kind of work I was beginning to take on. It was a busy year and it seems like a blurrrrr now.
This year has been another kind of blurrrr. I've been almost fully booked since before Christmas last year, with only an occasional day here and a day there between jobs. There has been a steady stream of clients dropping off envelopes on one weekend and picking them up the next.
I've also had the opportunity to do some fun commissioned pieces in between the envelopes and place cards.
I love my job. I love the doing of it and I love meeting and serving my clients. In all this time, I've only had one bride that even remotely approached the title of 'Bridezilla' and as it was a big old lucrative job, it really didn't bother me too much. I love working from my home at what I love to do. I love making people happy and helping to make a very special time of their lives a little more special.
The one draw back to going into business full time is that it has taken some time for me to adjust. My house isn't as clean as it once was, we're eating much simpler meals most nights, and I don't have as much time to read (my other passion.) And, sadly, I don't have as much time to play in the studio and create things for myself.
But this job has stretched me, forced me to learn new things, forced me to try things I've never tried before, and given me a sense of accomplishment.
I'm never going to get rich at this but it's a great job and I love it! One envelope at a time!
Monday, April 18, 2011 at 07:19AM While I was dreaming, snow was falling. I prefer the dream, myself.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 09:53PM Cross posted from Scriptorium:
The sun comes streaming through my studio windows in the springtime. It's beautiful, but I have to twist the blinds shut because it hits me straight in the eyes. Even with the blinds drawn, the light falls across my drawing board.
This morning I was mesmerized by the texture of the envelopes I was working on and the wet, shiny black ink as it skipped across the surface of the paper. Light and shadows, white and black--the light was magical. I could watch the wet ink laying down on the paper and then beginning to dry as my pen pulled and shaped the wet line of ink.
I put my pen down and picked up my camera and attempted to capture the light, the paper, the ink:
If you look closely, you can see the watermark, 'Crane & Company' to the left of the zip code.
As the day wore on and the stacks of finished envelopes piled up, the magic light was gone but the memory of it remained in my mind's eye.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 12:34PM Today is the 37th anniversary of our first date! We always celebrate by going out to dinner. And today we have something else to celebrate: I just learned that my business, The Constant Scribe, has been awarded the Bride's Choice Awards 2011 from WeddingWire. This means is in the top 5 percent of Wedding Pros nationwide.
Yippee!
Sunday, January 9, 2011 at 03:02PM A few years ago I had so much fun posting A Letter A Week for 26 weeks, that I'm jumping in on another weekly challenge. 52 in 2011 is a calligraphy challenge I am participating in--the idea is to post something every week for 52 weeks.
I have decided to post snippets from whatever I am reading. My self imposed rules are to publish something every Friday (even if it's just a book title), to spend as little time as possible in planning the piece in hopes that over 52 weeks I will improve in the organization of unplanned arrangements, and to post them, warts and all, with very little editing. What editing I have done, I will confess to in the comments of each piece.
Some weeks I'll have time; some weeks I won't; but, God willing, I will do my best to post something every week, no matter how small.
If you're interested in following this weekly challenge, I'm posting them on Facebook and on my calligraphy blog on The Constant Scribe, Scriptorium. The first week is up!
Friday, November 26, 2010 at 12:36PM
While I was waiting for a guest list for a New Year's Eve wedding I'm working on, I decided to make some place cards for our Thanksgiving table. (Not that we don't know where to sit at the family table, but just because I had time and I like to do it.)
They looked kind of pretty at each place setting but I never expected the reaction I got--from Elliott! When we sat down at the table, he zeroed right in on the letters. Me! He knew right away that that was his name and that place card belonged to him. He played with it off and on during dinner, showing it to anyone who would look, exclaiming, "My Me!"
Later, when the table had been cleared and reset for dinner, Elliott kicked up a fuss. His 'me' was gone and he was not satisfied until it was there by his place.
I think I'll make a permanent place card for him to have at Grandma's house, only I think I'll laminate it this time!
Friday, November 5, 2010 at 10:05AM 
I'm thankful for generous calligraphers who have shared their considerable knowledge and talents with me and helped me to be a better calligrapher.
There's always something new to learn, something new to try, someone doing something that inspires or challenges me.
I'm so thankful for this job I love!
Thanksgiving is a good thing. Sharing your thanksgiving thoughts with others is a good thing. I hope you'll join in with me and others in this November of Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 07:23AM 
I am so excited for this morning! I have a new friend coming for coffee this morning. She's a young mom that I met at a Bridal Fair--a fellow calligrapher! I've longed to have another friend who is a calligrapher for business reasons; it's good to have someone to refer work to if you can't take it or to hire for help on large projects. It's also important to have someone as a back up in case you get sick in the middle of a deadline. (That has never happened but it always makes me nervous when I am working to a short deadline.) The best thing is that her work is marvelous and she's a warm, sweet and generous person on top of that! Today we're just going to chat and have coffee and get to know each other but I'm hoping that we can eventually start 'playing' together--show and tell, making paste paper, learning new techniques, sharing favorite tools and materials. Who knows? Could be the start of a guild!
I'm ashamed to say that I have long wished for another calligrapher but I never prayed for one, and yet God has granted me this great blessing!
I am thankful for Cristine.
Can't wait!
Friday, September 10, 2010 at 07:26AM Yesterday was such a busy, busy day that I never got around to posting my Thankful Thursday post. But I have so much to be thankful for that I decided to post it on Friday.
This has been one of the busiest weeks of my life! (or at least it felt that way!)
Monday was spent in a mad dash to finish up a piece of calligraphy that I shouldn't have accepted (not really having enough time, but not wanting to pass up work). It was a 2nd anniversary gift from a young man to his wife. I wish I could show it to you, but it's a one-off piece and personal, so no pictures. It was a very challenging piece and the time frame was way too short, but I got it done and done well, so I am grateful for that! He was so pleased and excited to give it to his wife. That makes me happy. I'm so thankful for a job I love, even when the deadlines are harrowing.
Tuesday we took Jake to Chicago for the first of his series of doctor appointments. It was both a tough day and a good day. We got a few answers and a lot of hope, so I am very grateful to God for directing us to the doctor who seems to be just the right one to help Jake.
Wednesday morning I tried to catch up with my dreadfully neglected house work and laundry, but I watch the the kids on Wednesday afternoons so that ended the cleaning, and started the fun. Maddie took a good nap so I got to take Elliott outside to play. I filled a bucket with water, handed him an old paint brush and he got busy painting the steps and the sidewalk (and my feet) with many giggles. When they left, the house was in shambles, but we had fun and that's what counts. I'm so thankful to have this time with my grandchildren!
Yesterday was again spent in trying to reclaim my dusty, messy house, finish the laundry, and cook a nice meal for my nephew, who is here for a short visit. Cleaning house for company is different than cleaning house for family and it took every minute I had to get it ship shape! Got up at 5 and got started, went to bed at 11 and barely stopped all day. Boy, was I exhausted! But I am so grateful for the time we had with Tim last night and look forward to fixing him a nice breakfast before he takes off later this morning.
And that brings me up to today. Today I am going to take a break and do whatever I want to do! Which, of course, means reading and kicking around in my studio. I'm going to play at my drawing board and putter in the yard and take it easy. Hopefully, I can talk Dorothy into coming over this afternoon for a cup of tea.
I am thankful for the life God has given me. He has filled it full and blessed me in it. He has given me a loving family, a comfortable home, good friends and plenty to fill my days.
I am thankful.
PS: to my friends who are reading: Could you please pray for my friend, Nancy? She has been diagnosed with three masses; two in her neck and one on her tongue, but praise God, her lungs are clear. The biopsy was done yesterday and she won't get the results until Monday so it will be a long weekend for her as she waits to know what she is facing. Thank you for praying for her!
Thursday, July 22, 2010 at 10:00AM I'm so thankful that I have the privilege of being able to work at something I love--that I genuinely enjoy working and look forward to it.
Many calligraphers-for-hire don't enjoy addressing envelopes. They do it because they must to 'pay' for the jobs that they prefer to do, which may be more challenging or interesting but in the long run, less lucrative. They seem to love calligraphy but complain about working for others.
I love the quiet, rhythmic, monotony of addressing envelopes. It's a solitary activity and very peaceful. I'd love to be able to have enough work lined up so that I could work 5 days a week, day in and day out, week in and week out. However, the wedding trade is somewhat seasonal and busy times come and go. Sometimes it's feast, sometimes it's famine.
I'm thankful for the work I have right now. The bride-to-be is absolutely wonderful to work with and it's a real pleasure to communicate with her. It's not always like that. When the client is more, shall we say 'challenging,' I take it as a challenge myself to do all that I can to keep things positive and uplifting.
I'm thankful that I have the opportunity to be involved in a small way in the special days in the lives of my clients and that the work I do not only gives me pleasure in the doing, but that it often brings delight to them.
Work is God's idea. That it can bring us joy is a blessing.
I'm joining my friend, Kim from the Upward Call, and others in giving thanks to God on Thursdays in 2010. Won't you join us?
Friday, July 16, 2010 at 12:51PM 
Not the best letterforms but no question about what kind of pie we're having for supper tonight!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 08:16PM The days have been full--full of Bible study, reading, working, envelopes, housework--living!
I'm determined to try to post every day this week but I really have nothing interesting to blog about. Weird how that happens, isn't it? My life is full and happy and busy but not particularly bloggable.
But I'll try.
Studying: I'm studing Hebrews 11:11, 12 so I'm dipping in and out of Genesis, too. I love studying this book of the Bible. I am so torn inside--I can't wait to finish it (we've been at it almost three years!) but I feel sad to think that someday this particular study will come to an end. My love of that book will never end, though!
Reading: I'm reading Les Miserables, my favorite novel. This is a new translation by Julie Rose. So far I'm liking it, but I'm not sure if it will surpass my favorite translation from the Everyman's Library.
Working: My business really seems to be taking off right now. I just finished working on envelopes for an October wedding this week, I'm waiting for the delivery of envelopes for my next job which will start next week, and I've got a large seating chart and 4 framed pieces to do before the end of August.
Housework: I cleaned three cupboards yesterday and plan on cleaning under the kitchen sink and organizing my tupperware tomorrow. How's that for exciting?
Listening: I listen to Renewing Your Mind every day. I listen while I'm working or when I sit down for a cup of coffee. If I get distracted and miss it I HAVE to catch up! It's a big part of my day.
Watching: I've been watching 'The Next Food Network Star' and I was so glad Paul was sent home last episode. I'm pulling for Aarti but Tom is starting to grow on me.
I've also started watching old re-runs of the French Chef with Julia Child. What a hoot!
Gardening: I need to dead head the flower beds. Not a bad job, really. I'd enjoy it if it weren't for the mosquitos in the mornings and evenings and the heat and humidity during the day.
So that's what I've been up to. Nothing exciting but life is good.
How about you?
Monday, May 17, 2010 at 11:39AM majuscule
\MAJ-uh-skyool\ , adjective;
1.
Of letters written either as capitals or uncials.
noun:
1.
A large letter, either capital or uncial, used in writing or printing.
Inspired by today's Dictionary Word of the Day, this is my first attempt at broad brush calligraphy. There's a learning curve so I'm not entirely satisfied but I thoroughly enjoyed playing with this new (to me) technique.
Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 04:52PM Here's an interesting video of Master Calligrapher, Paul Antonio. I especially enjoy seeing the images of his studio--jars and jars and jars of pens!
Friday, December 25, 2009 at 06:11AM 
As with JOY they hailed its light,
leading onward, beaming bright;
so, most gracious GOD may we
Evermore be led to THEE.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 07:15AM 
The sun is streaming through the windows in my studio. The pens and brushes are standing at attention in their jars, and the light is glinting off them merrily--a visual invitation to come, sit down and play.
The bed is not made, I haven't had breakfast, I need to sort laundry; so many morning tasks remain.
I think I'll get off the computer and get busy. The sunshine will have moved on, but it's bright, inviting image will remain, calling me to 'come and play.'
I'm thankful that my work feels like play.
What are you thankful for? Be sure to stop by Rebecca Writes and see what others are thankful for!
Cross posted at Scriptorium
Monday, October 26, 2009 at 12:38PM 
Today I'm kicking off the website for my calligraphy business, The Constant Scribe. It's still under construction and I've still got a lot of work left to do but there's enough there to get started!
Would you do me a favor and check out what I've done so far and come back and leave me a comment?--I'd love to have some feedback--and getting some hits for the old Google bots would be a help! If you like what you see, feel free to link!
I'll be retiring Bookworm Bookmarks soon, but I will continue to offer bookmarks, blog buttons, and banners at The Constant Scribe. Thanks so much to those of you who placed orders with me at Bookworm Bookmarks! (You know who you are!!) It was great fun working with you all and I look forward to creating gifts and bookmarks for you at The Constant Scribe!
