April 2014 Scribnote

COMMENTS FROM OUR CHAIRPERSON

You don’t have to be the best team in the world, you just have to be the best in the stadium.  Lou Holtz

We had some pretty nasty weather here in the Midwest early in January, but by the time our first guild meeting arrived, it was 39 degrees and the snow was melting.  We always worry about the January meeting since the weather is very iffy.  We had a great group and a great meeting starting off the year bringing our favorite tool or tools we don’t know what to do with, that we bought previously.  We have a diverse group and therefore, we had diverse tools that we like to play with. 

Can you believe that we had over 80 inches of snow this year, and I am writing this in January!  Lots of businesses were closed as well as schools, libraries, etc.  So, what did you do with your day…days….when you were snowed in?  I took an online Illuminations class with Harvest Crittenden, and also spent time lettering in the afternoons.  Harvest is a great teacher and I am learning a great deal about the art of illumination.  Another piece to add to my artistry collection. I also was able to get together with Pat West, Maureen Trubac, Anna Schlemma, Connie Wendt and JoAnn Hansell a few times to do some lettering.  Pat lives 7 minutes away from me, so even though the roads weren’t the best, I made it through and we lettered for about 3 hours, and, of course, chatted.  I also was able to get together with Anna, Maureen and Pat one day when the snow was not flying and we all made, or tried to make, a Coptic stitch book.  We need more practice, but we are getting the hang of it.  Hope you made good use of your inside winter time. 

Our February meeting had to be postponed due to yet another snowstorm and we were able to get together on February 15 for four hours of lettering.  I brought in three exemplars that the late, great Gwen Weaver had taught us many years ago and we lettered about an hour for each of them.  Hopefully everyone is having fun trying out a new hand or two using that wonderful, forgiving tool, the pencil. 

Gwen Weaver

Gwen Weaver

 During the lunch hour, we held our meeting and did show and tell.  The quarterly Letter Arts Review magazine supplied by John Neal was raffled off and Lauren Matacio was the recipient.  We really appreciate John Neal offering a free subscription of this beautiful magazine and enjoy raffling it to someone in the guild who does not currently subscribe.  

Our March meeting was also pushed back one week and we met on March 8.  Of course, it was snowing that day so getting to Christ the King Church took a little extra time, but well worth the trip.  Anna Schlemma demonstrated Gothicized italic at our meeting. Anna has a beautiful hand and we are so glad that we were finally able to convince her to show us her lettering.  Thanks Anna!

Anna's beautiful writing

 

 

We will not be having an April meeting at the church due to our group having an exhibit at MoonTree in Donaldson, Indiana.  We will also be doing demonstrations from 1 – 4 pm, so come on down to see our work and the beautiful facilities at Ancilla College.  Hopefully, we won’t have to drive in the snow to get there!

 

Yoke Pen Company Give-a-Way

Congratulations to Connie Wendt who was the recipient of the Yoke Pen Company Christmas give-a-way.  Connie brought her prizes to the January meeting and we were able to see what she received including a stack of colored card stock, nibs, nib holders and an ink container.  Have fun with all the new tools Connie!

MoonTree Exhibit

The MoonTree exhibit in Donaldson, Indiana will be hung in just a few and then we can all get together for demos and ogling at the beautiful work from our members.

Set up – pieces should be to Sharon or Ginny by March 29.

April 5, 2014-        1 – 4 pm Reception, make it, take it and demonstrations

May 12, 2014 -     Takedown

 

Chicago Calligraphy Collective – The train to Chicago on April 12 will be leaving the South Bend Station at 9 am to head to downtown and the Newberry Library to see the annual calligraphy exhibit.  If you haven’t been to the library in Chicago yet to see this exhibit, you are missing out on a wonderful day meeting and greeting calligraphers that live in the Chicago area and enjoying the demonstrations and talk every year.  Some of the places we like to go to on our walk back to the train station are Dick Blick, Paper Source and Utrecht.  All the supplies that you see in catalogs are there to see and touch!

 

If you want to go fast, go alone.  If you want to go far, go together. 

Sometimes what you’re most afraid of doing is the very thing that will set you free.

 

FUTURE WORKSHOPS

Julie Wildman

Julie Wildman from Chicago will be our instructor for our 2014 spring workshop called Lively Letters.  Please put April 26 & 27, 2014 on your calendar. The workshop cost will be $110. or $125. if you are not yet a member of MCG,  plus supplies $15. Supply list has been distributed. At this point we have two spots available.  If you wish to be a participant, please email Ginny VanderHey, gvanderhey@hotmail.com.   Julie exhibits at the Newberry Library every year so hopefully we will get to see more of her lovely work before she comes to South Bend.  The workshop will be held at Whispering Pines in South Bend from 9 – 5 on both day

 

All Day Paste Paper Workshop

The MCG had originally chosen the Moon Tree reception date to make paste paper, but we have had to change the date to May 17 to spend another marvelous day together to make paste papers.  The workshop will be from 9 – 5 pm with a short business meeting during our lunch break.  Supply list will be forthcoming before the all day get together.  There is no fee for this workshop.  More information in the near future. We are unable to have our first Saturday meeting at the church due to their annual spring clean up day.

New Policy for MCG

Our workshops seem to have people sign up and then decide not to attend. We have been very generous in returning monies paid for the workshop if someone decides not to attend at the last minute, but we are going to have a change in this policy.  There will be a nominal fee if you drop out of the workshop.  If there would be an emergency, for instance, a birth of a child or grandchild, illness, etc., then the board will take this under advisement to decide on a course of action regarding a refund.  Also, if the workshop is filled and there is someone to take your place, that would also quality for a refund. So please, if you want to sign up for the workshop, make sure that you put that date on your calendar as a commitment.  We have a small calligraphy group and we struggle to fill workshops at times.  We need all of you to attend as many as possible so that we can continue to have quality instructors. 

Are you on Facebook? If so, look up your favorite calligraphers because they are on Facebook also.  I like to look at Barbara Close, Reggie Ezell, Julian Waters, John Stevens, Rachel Yallop, Pendragons, Capital City Scribes, Yukimi Annand, etc.  There is a lot of beautiful calligraphy on these pages that will get your inspired.  Also look at Joanne Fink and Barbara Lever’s Facebook Page.  And then, there is always Pinterest.  Oh my, so many places to be inspired!

 

PO Box in South Bend – Due to a lack of much mail at our Post Office box in South Bend, we have suspended any mail sent to that address.  If you have anything to send to the MCG, please send to Maureen Trubac 50685 Mercury Drive, Granger, IN 46530 or Ginny VanderHey 51854 Stoney Creek Drive, Elkhart, IN 46514. When monies are due for a workshop or dues, they will now go to one of these addresses. 

 

WEBSITES TO ENJOY)

http://www.behance.net/gallery/Monogram-C-for-Calligraphica/4187411

http://www.calligin.org/

http://www.iampeth.com/

http://www.zanerian.com/

http://www.yokepencompany.com/pages/envelope-contest

 

I enjoy sharing new websites that I have come across in our blog.  If you come across something that you think would interest the whole group, please email them to Ginny or Renee, and we will get them on the blog for the next quarter. 

American Frame – Just a reminder that if you order from American Frame, please mention MCG, and they will give us a small stipend.

 

MCG Meetings for 2014

 

April 5 – Reception and demonstrations at Moon Tree 1 – 4 pm

April 12 – Chicago – Newberry Library for Exhibit

May 17 – Paste Paper Workshop all day/Julie Wildman Show and Tell

June 7 – Pat West will demonstrate Sherri Kiesel letters

July 12 – Different papers to write on & Barbara Fedder will demo pastels

August 2 – Picnic at Ginny VanderHey’s – Exchange to be announced

September 6 – Maureen will demonstrate something she is working on

October – Calligraflea – Bring tools, paper, etc., no longer used

November – Holiday/Christmas Card Playtime

December – Christmas get together

 

Cut the schedule of dates in the newsletter out, and put it on your fridge for future reference.

 

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP
Annual dues of $15 are due in July. Our annual dues have not changed in many years and are put to good use for supplies for our make it/take it meetings, annual raffle in August, and, at the end of the year, we give to local charities. Please remember to send your dues to the MCG post office box as soon as possible.

OFFICERS
Ginny VanderHey, President 574/262-1345 gvanderhey@hotmail.com
Sharon Esmont, Vice President 574/272-5481 Sesmont@aol.com
Maureen Trubac, Treasurer 574/272–0733 maureentrubac@hotmail.com
Pat West, Secretary 574-612-9328 pwpatwest@gmail.com

Jo McPherson, Study Group Chairperson, jobakestwo@centurylink.net
Renee Tuveson – Blog Coordinator

If ever you would like to add to the newsletter/blog, please contact one of the officers, and we will get that information to Renee Tuveson. Something you have done or have seen would be welcomed into our information.

 

 

January 2014 Scribnote

COMMENTS FROM OUR CHAIRPERSON

The holidays are gone and we are ready to have some quiet time working on our artwork. We have snow on the ground as we have had for several weeks so it’s a good time to stay inside and write or create.

Barbara Mann

Barbara Mann was in South Bend to give a workshop on Paint Box Flowers early in October and we enjoyed those two days so very much.  I have said for many years that when I retire, I want to learn how to paint.  Barbara was very instrumental in helping me in that process.  Her light hand flowed across the watercolor paper and made the most beautiful flowers.  Thanks so much to Barbara for providing us with two days of uninterrupted time with our art and our like minded friends. 

How to paint a Poppy

Barbara's Poppies

Maureen 

Barbara doing a demo

Sharon's got it!

Book example

A REVIEW....

 Paintbox Flowers, with Barbara Mann 

 by Barbara Walsh

“If you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for a moment.”  
― Georgia O'Keeffe 

And that is what we did on Saturday and Sunday, yet we were able to have more than a moment but two full days - capturing the essence of flowers.  

 While the fall season was upon us and the weather outside was dark and rainy at times, inside the Whispering Pines, it was all sweetness and light.  We filled our sketch pads with colorful poppies, pansies, daisies, bouquets and more …   we learned and worked on so much in the 2 days that the time flew by.   Barbara shared her wealth of knowledge on the paints, brushes, papers and techniques to create these luminous flowers.  The colorful handout materials will be a useful reference – including many examples of brush strokes, flowers, and a fun lettering style.  It was quite refreshing to start out with a new palette of colors and the rich Sennelier paints.  We learned the subtle softness of the Sumi brush stroke, the many uses of the aqua pen, and how to use the wedge brush.  We learned how less can be more with the simple wash of irregular paint strokes.   

Barbara encouraged us all to continue to play with all we learned, and to allow the painting of flowers to bring happiness and joy.

I think Sharon is quite happy with her Poppies!

I was not able to attend the November meeting due to my husband and I spending two weeks in Ft. Myers, Florida sitting on the beach, swimming in the pool and sitting in the hot tub.  Poor me! Oh, and getting eaten alive by a little bug, no bigger than the head of a pin, called No See Ems.  They are truly so small that you can hardly see them but you can feel their powerful sting and then itch for another week.

  Sharon Esmont conducted the November meeting, thanks Sharon, and thanks to Angie West for demonstrating Versals to the group.  Angie’s Versals are always cheery and colorful! There was a good discussion at this meeting of things to do for the 2014 year. 

We want to extend our congratulations to Bryan and Amber Schindler on the birth of their precious baby girl Ella Marie on November 5, 2013 at 6 lbs 19 ¾ inches long. We can’t wait to meet her!

Renee, Maureen and Connie

Our December meeting was held at the home of Pat West and included 12 members.  The carry in was marvelous and our meeting was fruitful including what we have planned for the rest of the year.  Please read below to see what we are doing month by month. We also had an ornament or card exchange and the creations were lovely.  Thank you Pat for opening your home to us for several hours and for the delicious ham you provided.  Our Christmas meeting is one of the highlights of our year. 

Maureen's card

Maureen should demo this!!!

We also discussed Moon Tree in Plymouth, Indiana and the dates that we will be setting up and tearing down our pieces as well as a reception and demonstrations on April 5.  We will be looking for volunteers for all of those dates, so please put one or all of them on your calendar for 2014.  We want to have a great exhibit with all our members included!

April 1 – 4, 2014    -    Set up – pieces should be to Anne or Ginny before April 1

April 5, 2014-              Reception and demonstrations

May 12, 2014 -            Takedown

One of the photos on this blog is of all the handmade cards that Anna Schlemma received for the 26^th anniversary of her 39^th birthday.  Marianne Burke sent out a secret email to several of Anna’s friends and fellow calligraphers proposing a surprise “card party”.  Anna was very unsuspecting of all the envelopes coming her way with a “do not open until November 16.  She couldn’t wait to get up on the morning of her birthday to open them all up and ogle at the beautiful cards.  Receiving a hand lettered envelope in the mail is like receiving a present all tied up with a bow!  You hate to open it because it is so beautiful!

Anna's Birthday Cards

The MCG elected to send donate monies to Christ the King Church, the Northern Indiana Food Bank and the Midwest Museum of Art. 

 I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday season and that you are ready to resume calligraphic work other than Christmas cards and gifts and get to work on a piece or two to hang at Moon Tree in April. 

Finally I want to thank the Michiana Calligraphy Board, Sharon Esmont, who always opens the church early so that we can meet every month; Maureen Trubac, who keeps us up to date on our finances; Jo McPherson, who sends out many important emails during the course of the year; Pat West, our new secretary who records all that we talk about in a meeting and types them up so that we are reminded of what we discussed; and Renee Tuveson for being the blog coordinator.  We couldn’t keep everything organized without the extra time they put into our organization.  Thanks ladies!

FUTURE WORKSHOPS

Julie Wildman – We have scheduled Julie Wildman from Chicago for our 2014 spring workshop called Lively Letters.  Please put April 26 & 27, 2014 on your calendar. The workshop cost will be $110. plus supplies $15. Supply list will be coming soon. Please give your check for $110 or a deposit of $55. to Maureen Trubac to secure your spot in the workshop.  Julie exhibits at the Newberry Library every year and that is where we talked to her about coming to South Bend for a workshop.  Check out wildmandesigns.com to see her lovely work.  More information will follow regarding this workshop in the near future.  You can give your check to Maureen Trubac starting at the January 11, 2014 meeting.

All Day Paste Paper Workshop –
 The MCG had originally chosen the Moon Tree reception date to make paste paper, but we have had to change the date to the next Saturday, April 12, 2014, to spend another marvelous day together to make paste papers.  The workshop will be from 9 – 5 pm with a short business meeting during our lunch break.  Supply list will be forthcoming before the all day get together.  There is no fee for this workshop.  More information in the near future.

Our workshops seem to have people drop in and out at will.  We have been very generous in returning monies paid for the workshop if someone decides not to attend at the last minute, but we are going to have a change in this policy.  There will be a nominal fee if you drop out of the workshop.  If there would be an emergency, for instance, a birth of a child or grandchild, illness, etc., then the board will take this under advisement to decide on a course of action regarding a refund.  Also, if the workshop is filled and there is someone to take your place, that would also quality for a refund. So please, if you want to sign up for the workshop, make sure that you put that date on your calendar as a commitment.  We have a small calligraphy group and we struggle to fill workshops at times.  We need all of you to attend as many as possible so that we can continue to have quality instructors. 

Are you on Facebook? 
If so, look up your favorite calligraphers because they are on Facebook also.  I like to look at Barbara Close, Reggie Ezell, Julian Waters, John Stevens, Rachel Yallop, Pendragons, Capital City Scribes, Yukimi Annand, etc.  There is a lot of beautiful calligraphy on these pages that will get your inspired. 

PO Box in South Bend –
Due to a lack of much mail at our Post Office box in South Bend, we will be suspending any mail sent to that address.  If you have anything to send to the MCG, please send to Maureen Trubac 50685 Mercury Drive, Granger, IN 46530 or Ginny VanderHey 51854 Stoney Creek Drive, Elkhart, IN 46514. When monies are due for a workshop or dues, they will now go to one of these addresses. 

 

WEBSITES TO ENJOY)

Festisite.com (click on

http://www.card-making-magic.com/cardmakingtutorials.html

CCM: Creative Card Making (Facebook)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8764890@N04/with/8125252436/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coEMPv5zaVQ (Pat Blair – miracle wedge demo)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaONvrkAPCk&feature=youtu.be (Pointed Brush – Reggie Ezzel)

I enjoy sharing new websites that I have come across in our blog.  If you come across something that you think would interest the whole group, please email them to Ginny or Renee, and we will get them on the blog for the next quarter. 

American Frame – Just a reminder that if you order from American Frame, please mention MCG, and they will give us a small stipend.

MCG Meetings for 2014

January 11 – Tool Day – Bring favorite tool or tools you don’t know how to use

February 1 - 10am – 2pm Gwen Weaver writing – bring your lunch

March 1 – Anna Schlemma will be demo-ing Italic and gothicized italic

April 5 – Reception and demonstrations at Moon Tree

April 12 – Paste Paper all day at Christ the King Church 9 – 5 pm

May 3 – Julie Wildman Show and Tell

June7 – Pat West will demonstrate Sherri Kiesel letters

July 12 – Different papers to write on & Barbara Fedder will demo pastels

August 2 – Picnic at Ginny VanderHey’s – Exchange to be announced

September 6 – Maureen will demonstrate something she is working on

October – Calligraflea – Bring tools, paper, etc., no longer used

November – Holiday/Christmas Card Playtime

December – Christmas get together

Cut the schedule of dates in the newsletter out, and put it on your fridge for future reference.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP
Annual dues of $15 are due in July. Our annual dues have not changed in many years and are put to good use for supplies for our make it/take it meetings, annual raffle in August, and, at the end of the year, we give to local charities. Please remember to send your dues to the MCG post office box as soon as possible.

OFFICERS
Ginny VanderHey, President 574/262-1345 gvanderhey@hotmail.com
Sharon Esmont, Vice President 574/272-5481 Sesmont@aol.com
Maureen Trubac, Treasurer 574/272–0733 maureentrubac@hotmail.com
Pat West, Secretary 574-612-9328 pwpatwest@gmail.com

Jo McPherson, Study Group Chairperson, jobakestwo@centurylink.net
Renee Tuveson – Blog Coordinator

If ever you would like to add to the newsletter/blog, please contact one of the officers, and we will get that information to Renee Tuveson. Something you have done or have seen would be welcomed into our information.