Calligraphy and Cocoa Workshop Recap

Last weekend, I hosted another calligraphy and hand lettering workshop. This Christmas themed workshop was the perfect way for me to dive into the Christmas spirit. Again, I was elated by the response, as this one sold out even quicker than the Thanksgiving version! It makes me so happy to know so many people are interested in learning to do something that I love so much! 

With a theme centered around the notion that giving is better than receiving, I wanted attendees to walk away able to beautifully and thoughtfully wrap their Christmas gifts this year....and every year after! We touched on all styles of calligraphy, but focused on modern calligraphy because it's something anyone can master fast! With Christmas just around the corner, there was no time to spare! 

Attendees were greeted with a "Merry Christmas" return address stamp. These are one of my favorite christmas products. Lovingly etched in red rubber, carefully mounted on maple wood, and topped off with a chic handle, these sweet little stamps will last through many, many Christmas seasons. 

To kick off the Christmas season, I couldn't think of anything more appropriate than a hot cocoa bar! I ordered in delicious hot cocoa from Relax, It's Just Coffee. My husband, who doesn't even like chocolate (what?!) makes several special trips there every winter, just to grab a cup of cocoa. It's SO good! The delicious treats were made by Blackbird Bakery. The owners of both shops are so kind and had everything ready and waiting for me. 

This hot cocoa bar was loaded with all the sugary goodness I could think of. It was all of my nine-year-old dreams come true! 

The bar was split into sections, but my two favorite were probably "Spike it" (because, Kahlúa) and "Whip it." The homemade whipped cream (thanks, Lindsey!) was to die for! 

The last section on the hot cocoa bar was titled "Stir it!" We set out peppermint sticks as well as these "Be Merry & Write Pretty" stir sticks. 

After the lesson, attendees created this "Baby it's Cold Outside" hand lettered art and were able to add their Calligraphy to their own Christmas style thumbprint tree. I drew this up, just for the workshop. Now, everyone who attended can have their friends and family members leave a small piece of themselves on framable art to be admired for decades and decades. 

Everyone also received this "O Holy Night" print. Since December is busy enough, I wanted to give guests something that was all set to take home and hang up. 

Photo by Joanna Gaines.

Everyone also took home an oversized roll of brown paper, so that to use their new hand lettering skills and make their very own Magnolia Market inspired artwork! 

As women, we don't get to do something for ourselves often enough. For that reason, I wanted to make the most of these two hours and jam pack them with great content, delicious food, and lots of fun! I hope everyone had a great time! 

A great big thank you to my parents, husband, and sister-and-law for helping me set up! A special shout out to my mom for watching my energetic kiddos the week before and for ironing floor length table clothes for hours! Huge, HUGE thanks to my dear friend, Lindsey for driving all the way up from Cincinnati, staying up until all hours of the night, spray painting in her pajamas, doing every other odd job I asked her to do, and for capturing so many photos of this very fun day! 

Mark your calendars! My next workshop is officially booked for February 4th. I'm SO excited about this one! I have a feeling it's going to be the best one yet! 

Click on the button below to find out all the details regarding this "Galentine's Day" calligraphy workshop!  

Inspired Retreat Recap

Even weeks after returning home from Inspired Retreat, I have to pinch myself. I can't believe I was fortunate enough to be part of such an amazing experience. This adventure was so good for my heart and soul. I'm finally sitting down to give you all a glimpse of the magical time I spent there! A huge thank you to Kristyn Hogan for capturing all of the photos in this post. You are SO talented! 

From the moment we were warmly welcomed by Amber Housley to the farewell breakfast, Inspired felt like a home away from home. 

The second I pulled up to Evan's Mill I was completely blown away. I knew from photos that this was an adorable little spot nestled in Tennessee... but pictures didn't do it justice! It. was. breathtaking. This location is like no other.

Every time I sat down, it was like Christmas morning! The swag was amazing. When I saw Emily Ley's book, Grace not Perfection in my welcome bag before it was even released, my eyeballs almost popped out of my head! 

Every single meal was an event with perfectly planned details and beautifully created menus. You guys, the food was SO good. Coming home, it was such a let down to eat my own (mediocre at best) cooking! 

Gifts, food, and pretty paper are my love languages. So basically, I was in heaven for four glorious days.  

All the pretty things aside, This retreat was packed with information. I walked away with priceless knowledge and the tactical steps I needed to take for my business. All the things I'd googled and googled and still didn't know how to do were covered...And then some! 

Even more valuable than the lectures, were the times out of class, where the speakers became our friends.  I couldn't believe how many of them reached out to me. They wanted to know what my struggles were and how they could help. 

From the start, everyone just clicked. This was the sweetest group of creatives with so much in common. It was inevitable that we were going to leave the closest of friends. 

Creative sessions with Kim from TomKat Studio and Lisa from Hand Lettered Design were the icing on the cake. They both have hearts of gold and made the experience that much sweeter. Going from super fan to becoming friends still feels surreal. 

We were asked to write down what we would have told ourselves on the day we opened our businesses. I would have told myself not to be embarrassed to choose this path. I always felt ashamed and guilty that my job was so enjoyable. I felt like making pretty things wasn't a real job that I could be proud to share. I told myself that I should plan to become an engineer or something more serious once all of my kids were finally in school. Being around such an amazing group of creative ladies was eye opening. It was a huge relief to find friends who "got it" and were doing it! I left Inspired knowing that what I do is a real job, that I should be proud of it, and that I should keep doing it.  

I'm so thankful for the experience and the friendships I formed with these sweet girls. This retreat is worth every last penny and more! If you are thinking about attending, take the plunge! Visit http://www.inspiredthereteat.com to find out more about the next retreat in April! 

Thanksgiving Inspired Calligraphy Workshop

Last weekend was my very first calligraphy workshop. When I decided to teach this workshop, I crossed my fingers that 4 or 5 people would sign up. It made my artist's heart so happy that in a time where some schools aren't even teaching cursive anymore, this workshop sold out. I added more seats, and it sold out again! 

The workshop was held at the beautiful, Salon Sorellina. Can you believe that just hours before this was a full beauty salon with salon chairs and stations everywhere? 

 I knew I wanted amazing food, so I reached out to Black bird bakery. They lovingly prepared dozens of mini artisan pastries for the attendees. 

I created a workbook full of all the tips and secrets I've discovered over the past 7 years as a professional calligrapher. It was centered around 10 simple steps that break the hand lettering process down in a way that can help anyone learn to write beautifully. 

Thumbprint trees available in my etsy shop. 

Gift giving is my love language, so it was such a joy to give everyone my very favorite product to personalize with their new hand lettering skills! I'm so passionate about what these trees mean, they feel like a piece of my heart. The idea behind this very special guestbook is that everyone attending an event will leave their thumbprint and signature on the tree. The thumbprint becomes a leaf. I wish I had thought of this for my wedding day, years ago. Now, our tiny flower girls and ring bearers are all grown up. Their finger prints aren't so little anymore. Other wedding guests are no longer with us. It would have been such a sweet way to hold onto a small piece of them. I hope all attendees will cherish these! 

Photo by Ashley Link Photography 

Guests took home watercolored place cards and gold artist pens so that they could hand letter similar place cards to those I made for this editorial shoot over the summer. 

All attendees also received a hand lettered mug to fill with everyone's favorite coffee from, Relax, It's Just Coffee. Each place setting included supplies to make Thanksgiving themed hand lettered art and a large menu for a Thanksgiving feast. In the spirit of thankfulness, students were given a card and envelope to beautifully address, then to send to someone to let them know how thankful they are for them.  

What does every great party need (besides champagne and confetti)? A photo booth! I love these mother-daughter photos, captured by my dear friend, Lindsey! 

I truly wanted this workshop to feel like anything but a boring class. I wanted it to feel like a beautiful party filled with dear friends. Everyone was so nice! By the end, I think everyone had made a new friend or two. 

A short video taken during class. 

I was so flattered so many people asked for an encore, that I've officially booked a second workshop! Click below to find out all the details for December's workshop!