What a privilege it turned out to be. I was taken aback at the beauty of the lettering. The illumination of the capital letters. Imagine what it would have been like way back when the printing press and computer fonts didn’t exists. A scribe with a simple dip pen and produced the most amazing work. I have to say that I was totally in awe of the The Original Town Charter which dates back to the 14th Century. But then,  when I was given the meeting books well from a Calligraphers point of view I was in “happy land.” Looking at the lettering and the ornamentation.

As you can imagine I walked away inspired

We were at the screening of @funkygoddessirl making her pitch to the Irish Dragon’s when @armelleskitchen & @kennyrorie mentioned that they’d like to use my Calligraphy as part of their wedding day. (What a lovely compliment I thought & let it be at that. Expecting no more.) But a few weeks or maybe even a couple of months later @armelle’skitchen tweets that she really did want to use my Calligraphy. I said well in that case lets get creative….we started throwing a few ideas around. The norm’s were covered Kenny’s sister was making hand-made invitations and the place cards were being supplied by the venue. Short of writing their vows or a table plan or service booklet I was running out of ideas. Then with one of those light-bulb moments Armelle came up with the idea of a Thank you type label that could be used with @PurityBelle‘s Hand-poured scented candle. What a simple and unique way of using Calligraphy & a collaboration – lovely!

Armelle was going to bake lots of Macaron‘s for The Eiffel Tower  and the flavours – I think they were Pistachio, Strawberry & Vanilla which were delicious and translated to pink, green & cream. Our colour scheme sorted. So working with Armelle & Kenny we came up with a simple flourished monogram for the front & inside “Thank you” with the date of the wedding threaded with raffia & tied to Cliona’s candles.

And here is the end result. Purity Belle’s beautiful hand-poured scented candles with a Hand-made hand-written “Thank you” card. Photo taken by David McAuley Photographer

So, after contemplating for a while I decided to have another go. Sat at my desk and started reading through my collection of quotes. My dear friend Lucille came in to my thoughts. She is the most beautiful person that I know and my loyal friend whose stuck with me through thick and thin. I decided that this piece was for her: a gift to thank her for her everlasting & true friendship.  I set to work. Found the watercolour paper got my inks and nibs ready. The iridescent rich copper ink came to hand naturally. I took a deep breath and focused myself. Then put pen to paper and allowed it to flow freely without lines or templates. The piece came together like it was meant to be.

So there I was sitting at her dining table drinking my tenth cup of tea it seemed chatting away to her husband (lovely fella) talking about this and that. Then slowly but surely he began asking me questions about me and my calligraphy showing a real interest my ego was being boosted that much is for sure

The powers of persuasion were at work before I knew it I had a canvas in front of me and a steel marker in my hand… This is what I ended up producing for Mary (wife)  from Frank (husband) at their kitchen table one Sunday afternoon in December 2012

Now as you know I’m new to the world of blogging I am trying to learn how to & its proving to be quite the dilemma….it seems to more articles I read the more confused I’m becoming – I thought it was going to be like writing an essay or an article for the local newspaper – but it seems not…so much more to it – like SEO and submitting it to various places like Stumbleupon, Digg etc it’s all so confusing……

So here I sit wondering what to write about? Should it be about my next project? My wonderful visit to the Wexford Tourist Board? Craft? or Calligraphy? More questions & no answers – that’ll be me dizzy and ditzy all at the same time…..til next folks

I am Calligrapher based on the borders of County Carlow and Wexford, snuggled on hills of the Blackstairs a few minutes from the Nine Stones and the River Slaney (great Salmon & Trout fishing — so I hear). And if that isn’t enough a stones throw from the Village of Clonegal where the famous Huntingdon Castle is with its amazing Yew Tree Avenue and not too far way is Altamount Gardens. All between the Village of Ballon and the town of Bunclody.