I have been working like a mad person round the clock, I am trying to figure out when will be the best time to stop, but I am kind of hoping I can work up until the due date, do you think that is totally unrealistic? The only thing that I think will stop me is being able to bend, who knew I did so much bending in my line of work?  Packing parcels is labor intensive!  I have been so busy that I haven’t had a chance to properly sit down and watch Jessica Hische’s class-Introduction to Lettering which just started (a class  I have been anxiously awaiting).  I ended up just playing the videos while I worked and listened to them, it’s definitely a motivating class, I am going to highly recommend it and can’t wait to actually sit down and be able to watch it.  It motivated me enough to break out my sketch book. I re-drew the narwhals above (well, one narwhal) from an antique engraving I had, but I was sorely disappointed with the result as it actually looks just like the original drawing so what was the point? Grrrrr.  I am going to keep practicing, I really would love to make them more naive which seems like it would be easier but not for me (I am currently loving this artist) . I just started learning how to draw a couple years ago, I love the Ames book series, they are made for children but I think they are a great for any age novice to have a modicum of drawing success.  I also like to recommend this book, it’s for more realistic drawing techniques but I don’t know of any books that help in developing your own drawing style, do you? I guess that just comes with more practice. And for the record I do believe anyone can learn to draw, yes, some people do have innate natural ability (I am not one of them) but it is a skill that can be learned!

In other news, I have so many great finds that I thought you may be interested in so I decided to share and do a quick round up for you. Yes, they most definitely run the gamut so there should be something for everyone!

Round postage stamps?  What took them so long? I think this idea is so fresh, I hope we see more designs in the near future.

I have been planning our meals for the month, mostly doing it the old fashioned way (pen + paper) but I signed up for a free 30 day trial at this clever little company. It allows you to store all your recipes you find on-line in one place, create shopping lists based on the ingredients for said recipes and will also send the list to your phone so you don’t get to the market and cringe when you realize you forgot your list on the kitchen counter.

Speaking of meal planning if it’s not easy I am not making it, sheesh, I can barely stand without toppling over so easy meals like this lentil soup are a time + life saver! I make my own lentils, but the recipe uses canned ones, both ways are super easy!

I wrote about pie last week, Elizabeth Colling was generous to share her recipe I have added it to the post!

Anyone have a gel manicure lately? I haven’t since I became pregnant but I use to love how they looked (and how long they lasted).  This new product claims to be very gel like without the hassle of going to the salon and special UV lights, my interest is peaked.

Wow, this must be the month for new font releases, there are some lovely ones to consider-Chameleon is a unique font family where each font is different but made to go together, interesting concept (I especially like the capital ‘H’ and ‘L’ on the Chameleon basic), Aleka is currently on sale, it’s a modern calligraphic font that has a distinct handmade hand to it, I can see this becoming a popular font. I would love to see a talented designer use String in a project, it’s so delicate yet doesn’t take itself too seriously. Eduardo Recife of Misprinted type is just a super talent, his Mercy font is a true calligraphic font and would be perfect on invites and envelopes, it is just gorgeous.

Speaking of fonts have you heard of the Typism conference?  If you are interested in lettering you should stop by their site to view a few of the videos from their last get together, I especially liked the vid on brush lettering.

Because I will get a few dozen emails on this, the font I used above is my beloved Jacob Riley by Magpie Paper Works.

This is so random, but this company has created faux wishbones so everyone at your Thanksgiving feast (vegans included) can participate in making a wish. I think it’s a charming idea!

Winners!  For the Modern Calligraphy book Pamela P. (I thought it was sweet she wanted to get  copy to her daughter), and the wreath monogram giveaway last week-Lauryl, I loved all your answers but hers included a squirrel mention.

P.S. It’s Veteran’s day here in the states, thank you to all the individuals that make it possible for me to sit at home and write about such frivolity (as witnessed above), I don’t take it for granted and am highly appreciative of the sacrifice.