Days with calligraphy are pretty happy.

Pretty. Pretty. Pretty. I'm trying to get those words, or their likeness, to flow from my fingers. Back before Christmas I decided I would like to try my hand at calligraphy and put a kit on my wish list. I unwrapped a book, ink and paper, and brought them back to Virginia. I had a slow go, but finally, lots of letters line my once blank sheets.

Calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing (which might help you over at trivia), has so many forms. I had no idea. Honestly, it's overwhelming. You look at one style, and then you click a page and the letters, while still pretty, look completely different. My how-to book outlines basic italic and sans serif letters. Then I googled modern calligraphy and saw all the swooshing and looping that covers wedding stationary. Then, I bounced over to Pinterest, because well, it's an idea house. Below you'll find some original creations and a few copy cats. Imitation as a form of flattery, or at least I tried to make writing as gorgeous as the pros. Since these ventures, I started following paid calligraphers on Instagram. I ooo and ahhh over them and wonder how they do it. And then try to remind myself that I am not the scum of calligraphy; Cole always helps me off that cliff.

I'm not giving up, and I'll keep you posted on my progress and pretties that I make. Maybe someday I'll get paid to write beautiful letters. Until then ... practice, practice, practice.

My pen collection is small yet growing.

Practice with my Sharpie brushes.

A little paper tape holds my calligraphy work on the wall.

I worked this one up on my white board before putting it on paper.