Tuesday 18 February 2014

The writing on the wall

Hi everyone!

Over at Try it on Tuesday there is a challenge that, in my opinion, is absolutely wonderful - though for many it might take you out of your comfort zone a little!

'Handmade'
Must include some handwriting

I am passionate about handwriting - it is so sad that we get fewer handwritten letters now that everyone using text and email to communicate. I used to teach some scrapbook classes (many years ago) and aimed to spread the word about the importance of scrapbooking in documenting your life and everything about you. One thing I really tried to get across in the classes was the importance of handwriting as part of your identity and how it should be used more....

Handwriting is such a unique thing, but I think also sometimes a very disliked thing...because my speeches about the importance of handwriting at the classes were met with glances of doubt in my direction and a severe reluctance to pick up a pen....I always felt it was such a shame, and even though I didn't get far in spreading the message about the importance of writing, I have never lost my fascination for the handwritten word. 

  "Sending a handwritten letter is becoming such an anomaly. 
My Mom is the only one who still writes me letters. And 
there is something visceral about opening a letter - I see 
her on the page...I see her in her handwriting."
Steve Carell
Sending a handwritten letter is becoming such an anomaly. It's disappearing. My mom is the only one who still writes me letters. And there's something visceral about opening a letter - I see her on the page. I see her in her handwriting
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/s/steve_carell_4.html#eVxsFx14s9WlMEeO.99

    So whatever the state of your handwriting (and I don't think many people ever do like their own handwriting, I don't like mine very much) grab a pen and write on your creation...and be proud of your handwriting! - Right...I am climbing down from the soapbox now......!!!


   My tag started off with no plan other than a quote I had found. So I decided to stick with my favourite combination of brown and blue and picked up Gathered Twigs and Faded Jeans DI's. Blended them over the tag and did some spritz and flick.

 Then a light spray with the Tsukineko Rich Cocoa spray and began stamping.


I used three Gibson Girl stamps in Black archival ink and a corner flourish to join them together.

























 I stamped a flowers stamp with Gathered Twigs DI


  Some Aged Silver Frantage powder was sprinkled around the edges and melted. I love how grungey this is with flecks of gold and lots of black melted into it


Black Soot DI was blended around the edges of the tag.

 Some tissue tape with handwriting on it seemed a very logical tie for the tag 


 .....and I added a pen nib covered with Espresso Alcohol ink and wiped with White Fire Treasure Gold.


And my quote - Yes, that is my handwriting - and no, I don't really like it very much...but this is how I write and I am proud to include it here.




   So come on over to Try it on Tuesday and see what everyone has made and join in!


 photo temp3_zpsf37f8b2d.png
Follow on Bloglovin

14 comments:

  1. Love the quote and your tag is beautiful and what you wrote in your post is so true. Hugs Bee

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful tag the words you wrote were fantastic.
    Yvonne x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Holy Moly Miss Laura, this tag is fantastic, when I make cards to give as gifts, I always leave the inside blank so whoever will have to write something :O), I love your handwriting it's beautiful, the background is gorgeous, those are some of my favorite stamps, I love that Frantage powder, it makes all the difference on things, brilliant tag, I love it, thanks for sharing, ((( BIG HUGS)))..

    ReplyDelete
  4. Stunning Tag Laura and beautiful handwriting.

    Julie x

    ReplyDelete
  5. If I could write like you I would be far more willing to expose my writing to the world! And you are so right about the sadness of disappearing letters. Not much romance in a text or email - nothing like the thrill of picking up the post and seeing a much-loved hand on the envelope....

    Lovely tag, lovely sentiment....
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful tag, love how you linked the three girls together. Love the quote too, it is so true, and you have beautiful handwriting.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, Laura! I just finished opening my most recent purchase thru the mail. I decided to pop around to a few of my favorite blogs and you have written about handwriting!?! I am passionate about handwriting, especially calligraphy. In my box were some new nibs that will be used to write real words (even the old ones don't become embellishments in my world) and a beautiful pearl copper ink. My favorite hand is copperplate and I TREASURE all written notes and letters. Your tag is so pretty, but the real beauty is that you did use your handwriting with that marvelous quote. I kneel at your feet cheering on any and all soapbox orations to get people to use their penmanship. You go, girl! nise

    ReplyDelete
  8. I agree about handwriting and I think yours is beautiful! I have heard that here in the U.S. they are not teaching cursive at all in a lot of schools! How sad. What if all the technology went away? We would be helpless to communicate over distance. Ok, I will get off my soap box now. Your tag is lovely, soft and I love the colors and the silver frantage.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is fabulous Laura, I have the same soapbox for the message about handwriting and made it a priority when I was a teacher in the classroom. Your style of writing is beautiful as is the way you have used and displayed it xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. The Gibson girls are beautiful and I love your Frantaging. I agree with what you say about handwriting, it seems to be a lost art and children do not seem to learn how to do it properly any more. I used to love my handwriting but after years of typing I seem to have lost the art! Your handwriting on this tag is lovely though! Anne xx

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your handwriting looks like a stamp! Gorgeous tag!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Perfect! Love everything about it! Hugs Cindy x

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love how you use your stamps on this tag. So perfect for the text. Gorgeous treatment of the tag edges!! Laura, I am so enjoying your blog. I am sorry it has taken so long to get over here. You are incredibly talented! -- Mary Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete

It is always lovely to see people visiting so I would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment for me - Thank you!