{Invitations: Signature Maybelle}

We are so lucky that we have someone on our panel who is an expert on all things invitations - Anne Millett of Mira Aster. Recently she brought up the importance of calligraphy. Anne says, "I know it is a lovely dream of many brides to learn calligraphy so they can address their own wedding invitation envelopes and place cards for their receptions". The way we gracefully address invitations, label various paper products and finish signage is yet another way we personalize a wedding experience.

We recently learned of the International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting. (iampeth.com) Their president, Janie Cravens, says that penmanship classes are once again in demand.

Noting that “beautiful penmanship will always catch your eye”, in the Feb. ‘09 issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine, Janie also says “when you get a stack of mail and there is an envelope addressed in perfect script, it is like you have been given a gorgeously wrapped gift".

Check out this charmimg save the date with calligraphy by Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls.

Maybelle describes her style as “perfectly imperfect”. She breaks with the more traditional calligrapher’s goal of making every letter exactly the same, strictly following the same angle, and striving for consistent rhythm.

We sense the hand of the artist in all of Maybelle’s work. She has undoubtedly addressed thousands of wedding envelopes and lettered as many place cards (beautifully every time, of course), but she has also created some of the most gorgeous pieces for editorial that we’ve seen. She is a favorite of Martha Stewart Weddings for good reason! Leave it to the talented editors there to show us inventive uses of calligraphy beyond the envelope and the place card.

Her lettering for the Icing Tip Glossary is crazy-cute.

Her background illustrations and calligraphy for “Tailored Cakes” are so inspiring and delicious, we have to share them all.

The thing about calligraphy is that it looks so easy yet many of us don't even work on our penmanship anymore. The ability to create a unique script is a lost art that we truly welcome back! All things old really do look fresh again. Keep reading, we will try to feature more of these artisans in the near future!

In the meantime, "Welcome to the Pink Blossom List, Maybelle!"