Friday, September 22, 2017

Through Thick and Thin

Hi there! My younger sister Denise ran across a video showing a person using a soft flex pen nib and I got excited about it.  I've been fascinated by Spencerian Script writing for many years but never had a pen that flexed easily to get the thick and thin line of Spencerian writing.  I scanned the comments under the video and the man who did it shared the pen he used.  I ordered one from Amazon and have been experimenting with it for a few days.  Click HERE to view the video.


I've always been enamored of the letters written in the "olden days" using the Spencerian script style.  These are my first efforts with this pen and are far from perfect.  :-)


The nib on the Pilot Fountain Pen, Custom Heritage 91 SF-Nib.


I got my old leather journal that I'd inserted a brand new journal book and did some writing.  I'll always treasure this book as it was a gift from my two sisters and my mother when she was still active before she passed away and we were shopping together at a fun mall in an old building called John's Landing.  I'd admired the journal in a shop and they snuck back and bought it for me.. one of my best gifts ever.


The pen is giving me a bit of trouble when I press down for the thick line but I believe it just needs broken in a bit.  The nib spreads and you get two lines, which is called "railroading".  I tried to fill it in but it doesn't look nice.. I hope it straightens out.


Hayden is going to take up violin in the school strings group, I'm so excited for him and hope he does well.


OK.. I'm running late to meet Gracie for swimming.. better pack my bag and race off.  ((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

19 comments:

  1. Another swim to enjoy - go you - I don't know how you fit it all in!
    Your writing is absolutely beautiful. My hand writing is appalling although I guess if I had the right pen I might try a bit harder!
    Have a good weekend,
    Jillxo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good luck to Hayden. I love the violin and cello. We don't have strings here in our school system, and I think that is such a shame. LOVE the new pen.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love that pen Teresa. I remember using special pens so long ago but my writing was still garbage lol Look at Hayden how neat with Violin. I have one and cant play it xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh Teresa. The things you will write with that fun pen. Good for you. I love the Hayden music photo. So full of promise

    ReplyDelete
  5. First of all, I love the photo of Hayden With his new violin. He looks well pleased. The writing with your new pan looks a lot like the way my mother used to write. She had beautiful penmanship. We don't teach that to our children anymore and I fear it's becoming a lost art. I'm so glad Gracie is back and you two can get together and go swimming again. Give her a hug for me next time you see her.
    Blessings, Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  6. I could listen to beautiful violin music all day long. I do hope Hayden enjoys learning.
    Great pen, the fellow in the video makes it look so effortless.
    What a treasure to remember your Mom & sisters.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a gorgeous journal and I absolutely love the story behind it. What a lovely memory to have every time you use it. You know I am besotted with that sort of calligraphy as well, it really speaks to me. I sadly haven't done any calligraphy since we got the puppy - I've been a bit wary of open bottles of indelible ink! But you've inspired me, I shall get it out again. I use a dip pen with a little reservoir attached and the sort of nib that splays for thicker lines. Have you ever looked at Lindsey Bugbee's website, The Postman's Knock? I've found it really useful for modern calligraphy and tips for how to use pens and inks. She doesn't focus on Spencerian hands but there is so much information and inspiration there. CJ xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your penmanship is beautiful. Hope Hayden enjoys learning the violin, my three daughters all play and still enjoy it. A lovely gift with such wonderful memories.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The journal is beautiful [especially to this Saylor :)], and I love the story of how it was lovingly gifted to you! I admire and am inspired by your penmanship exercises and I explored the link you shared, [and other related links,too :)]. I'm excited for Caleb, as well, and hope he enjoys learning to make wonderful music xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your writing is beautiful and so is the journal. I started to write in the back of my planner. Thoughts. Things that happened during the year I wanted to elaborate on a bit. Hope Hayden enjoys playing the violin. Play on young man.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your journal is beautiful and I'm sure will soon master writing with that nib. I do love writing like that. Hope your grandson takes well to the violin and music. A wonderful skill to be able to play an instrument. Hope you have a good swim with Gracie. Hugs Anne x

    ReplyDelete
  12. A lovely pen and journal Teresa.Enjoy creating inside it.Well done to Hayden! xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. I do like the beginnings of your 'bucket list'. Does it make it more achievable by writing it in such a fancy script?! I'm wishing Hayden good luck with the violin. My older daughter is very musical and plays in several (our county-level) orchestras, so if he shows promise/talent then encourage him as I know that for my daughter (who isn't the most social of children) having a shared interest has opened up a whole new friendship base. She's also, through membership of these orchestras, been abroad to The Netherlands, France, Hungary and Portugal, playing concerts in various European cities and having a wonderful time.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ooh, calligraphy is so fascinating. I hadn't heard of Spenserian writing - does it refer back to Edmund Spenser? Your samples look lovely. That journal is gorgeous.
    What a cute photo of Hayden and the violin. (If you took the "e" out of his name he'd have a very musical name indeed!) :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. How fun to have a budding violinist in the family. Your writing is beautiful and it looks like you've done it for years. What a fun addition to your nice journal, too. Has the cooler weather and rain helped the fires down your way? I surely hope so! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is terrific - I am inspired to take a calligraphy class!

    ReplyDelete
  17. What gorgeous writing Teresa, I so envy you. Despite being a primary school teacher I’ve never achieved writing as beautiful as that. The journal looks perfect for your beautiful script. Good luck on the violin playing. Bet you’re glad to have Gracie back. :). Bx

    ReplyDelete
  18. I don't see a visit to Australia on your bucket list Teresa ???? Love your journal and also admire beautifully handwritten work. I know you'll have fun with that gorgeous new pen of yours. One of my daughter's gave me two lovely journals and a matching storage box (the journals don't fit in it though) .. I got it for my birthday in July and still haven't written a word in either of them. Probably because I don't know what to write and also because I don't want to start something and then change my mind and want to write something else! Stupid eh? I know Natalie would like me to use them. Good on Hayden wanting to learn violin - hope he enjoys the journey. Have a good week. xox

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love your beautiful writing Teresa...and love that wonderful journal cover too. Well done to Hayden ....hope he has a great time learning to play the violin. xox

    ReplyDelete

I absolutely love comments and thank you so much for taking time to leave me a note. :-)