Calligraphy inspired gifts for Christmas

I'm taking a calligraphy course this year - it's something I've always wanted to do - and I'm really enjoying it. We started with writing the skeleton letters in pencil for the first three lessons and now we are moving on to using the pen. Calligraphy really is a hobby where practice makes perfect (or at least "better" in my case).

Even though I'm only just a beginner I'm already thinking ahead and looking around for new fonts I could learn to write with my pen. I came across ohNOrachio, a shop on Etsy run by Rachel Basinger from the UK specializing in pretty hand illustrated cards and ceramics.  I just love her handlettering.

Maybe I'll have to put a "learn to write on ceramics" class on my Christmas wishlist too.

Fabulous Finds: Cupcakes for Clara

Have you met Clara yet?  Clara is very grumpy little lady designed by the lovely Laura Clempson. Clara lives in the UK together with her twin sister Macy. They have befriended a boy named Colin, but Clara pulls her nose up to boys in general. If Clara could describe boys in one word, it would be "Yuk".

Clara is a paper dress-up doll. She has a wardrobe full of clothes. She's a little bossy when it comes to picking her outfit though.

Clara: "Are you really going to make me stand here in my underwear?"

(Hint: never leave Clara standing in her underwear for too long. She.does.not.like.that.)

In the shop Clara is surrounded by lovely creatures, like this rabbit.

She calls them Fatties, but not in a grumpy way.

I'm not supposed to tell you this, but Clara even dreamed about being in a "Clara and the Fatties Band" once.

Everybody just falls head over heels in love with Clara. Yes, just everybody.

Alison over at The Petit Cadeau Blog started a "Clara travels to" post. Clara loves being put in the spotlight so she doesn't mind being dragged around to have her picture taken at famous locations. Just don't ask her to smile for the picture. She doesn't do smiles.

Since we haven't really been out and about much, we invited Clara over to our Alice in Wonderland party.  She arrived a little late, but apparently that was all due to her twin sister Macy who wanted to change outfits at the very last minute. It had nothing to do with Clara, oh no.

Clara: "I'm not late. The party doesn't start until I arrive".

(Hint: fashionably late should now be called 'on Clara time')

Here's my first attempt at some small talk with Clara at the party:

Me: "Hi Clara, you're such a lovely grumpy girl. You're the perfect dress-up doll for my daughter: sturdy and small."

Clara: "Small?" "I'm not small. I'm 3 teacups high for goodness sake!"

(Hint: Whatever you do, don't tell Clara you think she's small.)

In the end, Clara did have a wonderful time at the party. After all, there were plenty of cupcakes to keep her happy. Have you fallen for Clara too? Visit her at the shop or take a look at the Cupcakes for Clara blog.

PS: If you haven't yet, be sure to enter my giveaway for a chance to win a 25USD gift certificate to my shop!

Etsy treasury

It's always so exciting to see one of my items appear in a treasury. My custom cake bunting was featured today in this lovely "Pink and Grey Wedding" treasury by Kate Puzerewski. Thank you Kate!