The Little Castle

Is it really September? 

Time moves so quickly and the seasons come and go with such haste that they seem like a blink. I hope I remember that in the bleakness and cold of winter! In late August, Chris and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. 

That seemed like such a distant number back in 1986. But now it all seems so fast. Over that 40 years, I have worn many hats and worked many jobs. There was always a little space for me to work on creative pursuits in my tiny "cupboard under the stairs." That little space saw many evolutions from floral cutting room where the floor was strewn with thorns, stems and leaf cuttings to sewing space where needles and tangles of ribbons and threads would leave their traces on the floor. Eventually, those things were cleared out and the little space became a tiny desk for me to write on, with my books, inks and nibs keeping me company at any hour of the day or night. It was a tiny and cramped, space but it was my little private castle to work and dream, and discover the path that would take over my creative life. In the summers, I moved my Little Castle outdoors.  I would take my books, pens and inks and work under a gazebo in solitude and bliss, surrounded by the garden and the sounds of the birds. That outdoor space saw so many projects come to completion but it was impractical in the rain and humidity. I had a dream of a little "she-shed" space in the garden and in 2017, Chris built my little studio space, my Little Calligraphy Castle as one Facebook friend has called it. 

As I type this blog post, I can see the garden swing through my windows, hear the September crickets and cicadas singing loudly and I am sharing my desk with Jack who accompanies me every morning to the Little Castle and stays actively involved in my tasks.

 I appreciate this space so much and the tranquil moments it brings in my creative pursuits. This space is a place to work, study, grow, dream, retreat to and to appreciate. 

No matter how stressful or uncertain things become around us, there is a strength to be found as you dive into the work of your hands. I never take this space or the time to work for granted. I recognize both as a gift and will continue to appreciate the privilege of being able to find joy in the work that I am doing.  Although there are hours of the day that drift by without seeming to accomplish my expectations, I keep showing up at my desk. There is nothing remarkable about that. It is not from a sense of duty or obligation to the work I am doing but more about a sense of promise or expectation. I hit creative walls just like everyone else. I cave under pressure and deadlines and feel that frustration. But I know that there is also a light of understanding that comes drifting across my desk as I continue to show up. Little light bulbs of ideas turn on in my mind and I see increased skills coming to the pages I work on. Creative practice is difficult. Leading others into that creative practice is also tricky but seeing others bring their skills to life is enough reward for me. I am seeing students far exceed my expectations as I look at their work with a sense of awe and wonder. Other students are seeing their own light bulbs of ideas turn on in their minds as years of study and perseverance is paying off for them. We all have our own hurdles, physical limitations and difficulties to overcome. The key is to keep showing up. Never lose track of that. 

September means Fall classes are i0.n full swing. There is a lot on offer as we bring 2026 to a close. For the Love of Birds will be offered through The Pointed Pen Collective. This will be a special Autumnal presentation of this class combining orange and blue tones. You will be able to create a printed card from the design we work on. Birds are frequent guests in my work and I look forward to spending the weekend with you as we take a deep dive into these designs. 

Several of the Ardington classes are sold out but there are two spaces left in the Fanciful Rinceau Class and the Peacock Intial class. Both of these classes have intricate designs to discover and will enhance your painting skills.  

The Peacock Intial is an advanced version of The Alphabet Garden and is being offered at Ardington as an encore presentation by special request. Every time I do one of these intricate letter designs, I learn something new. I love the blue green colour combinations that we can explore.  There is a distinct  Art Nouveau Influence in these designs. 

The Fanciful Rinceau class will feature a bird or mouse in the flowering rinceau. The design of Floral Rinceau has enhanced my border designs with a renewed sense of wonder. Student work in any of the Rinceau classes has been truly remarkable. 

Ardington classes are kept small and over the past six years, we have worked hard to build a wonderfully close community of students. I am always delighted to teach these creative classes.  The Gentle Penman class for October is Flourish Like Lace. This is a flourishing experience that is different from my past Festive classes. I am drawing from historic tatted lace motifs and seeing what flourishes will emerge from this connection. This is an advanced Flourishing class and I hope it will be a joyful and enlightening experience. 

Several of you have already signed up for my November Study Day. We will be Gleaning from Marguerite's Garden. I am extracting designs and techniques from a beautiful illuminated manuscript and I know this will be a wonderful shared experience. We will discuss and experiment with some different surfaces as we draw inspiration from this manuscript. Details are on my website. 

It can be quite solitary and tranquil here in my Little Calligraphy Castle. I lose track of time as I take deeper and deeper dives into the styles that I love to explore. Distractions are limited and I grudgingly have a computer screen in front of me although I am grateful for the work it does. In the back of my mind, I know just how quickly mornings turn into evenings and the day's work comes to a close.  I think I am realizing that each day is a journey from sun up to sun down. Rather than trying to hold onto a season I am seeing just how special each day really is no matter what is happening in the world around us. Appreciate the beauty that is around you dear friends. Try to keep a beautiful thought in your mind as you work in your own Little Castle. We share a connection through the work that we do. From my space here in Ontario, to yours, I am cheering you on. Hugs all around. Thank you for the blessing of your friendship and support. 

Connecting Threads

  Here were are on the first Saturday morning in August. Time always flies so quickly as seasons come and go. This past week was Beatrix Potter's 160th birthday. I celebrated online with several members of the Beatrix Potter Society and took some time to turn the pages of several of her books. She created a world of wonder with a profound appreciation for nature. Her style has had an incredible influence on my work. I am always amazed at how hard working she was and what she accomplished in her lifetime. the A to Z of Beatrix Potter by Penny Bradshaw is a wonderful book to read if you are new to Beatrix Potter. 

Looking at the beauty of Potter's delicate ink strokes and watercolour washes is so refreshing and calming. I feel ushered into a deep state of appreciation. This state of appreciation leads me to pause with gratitude for the experiences I have had as an artist and an instructor. It also helps me maintain that same sense of gratitude for the work that is waiting for me in the coming weeks and months. 

Appreciation is not always easy, especially when the tasks are daunting or difficult. Sometimes creative inspiration is not flowing well and deadlines are looming with a sense of pressure. A normal working day can sometimes bring more stress than expected.   The feeling of pressure to complete a task in a hasty time frame absolutely derails my creative peace and process. Building in time to pause, take a breath, look at the beauty of the garden,  or leaf through the illustrations of a children's book becomes a necessity rather than an indulgent luxury. To appreciate is to pause, reflect and be grateful. It is to truly experience the wonder of the moment. 

When I set out to be a florist in my younger years, I did not anticipate that I would leave that path and become an instructor and artist in the calligraphic community That was never on the radar. But there is such a fire and passion for this art form, that I barely remember my time as a florist.  I  know that my love of flowers continues to be expressed in the work that I do, even if I am not cutting and arranging fresh flowers every day. I can always find a bouquet of flowers to refresh my mind. 

 We have just entered August and I am already excited for fall classes. With each class that I teach, my own journey of education continues. I love to learn and explore. There are lots of opportunities coming up! September will bring For the Love of Birds to the EPPC online. Their website is not quite ready with the registration, but you can watch this space.  

My Study Day in November is posted on my website. I will do more of an official announcement of this class next month. I made some wonderful personal discoveries in an illuminated manuscript that was a delight to explore. The incredible value of a study day experience is being able to immerse yourself for a short time in a limited subject. November's study day is called Gleaning from Marguerite's Garden. There is a sneak peek of the owl illumination below which was really the culmination of taking a deep look at the manuscript and finding my own voice with one of the projects. More info is on the way in September! 

Flourishing Club, The Artful Flourish Festive Edition and Flourish Like Lace are all available for registration but filling quickly. The sustaining power of offhand flourishing continues to fuel my creative work and there is something for all skill levels in these classes. Flourish Like Lace is definitely geared to the intermediate and advanced student but is such a delightful style to explore. The motifs are inspired by antique needle lace.

If you want a very Fanciful and Festive Style of Floral Rinceau, we are going to continue our studies in November at Ardington School. Floral Rinceau, just like Flourishing has a wealth of possibilities. I will be expanding Rinceau studies for years to come! There are so many styles and avenues to explore. 

The May Morris lecture and demo class at Ardington is also open for registration. There is a strong connecting thread in this class that reminded me of my needlework days. Connecting threads are powerful when you see them in the evolution of your own work. You can't help but notice them in everything when you realize how tightly dependent the arts are on each other.

 From the illustrations of Beatrix Potter, to the years spent in the floral industry to my time as an embroiderer, my work is a collection of my past experiences and the ideas that continue to present themselves along the way. Inspiration truly is everywhere. These days, in quiet evenings, I pick up needle and thread to create lace.  I am in awe of the patterns that can be created with a single stitch and humble thread. And when I put the stitching aside, my mind is full of ideas for flourishes. 

 What are your connecting threads? What drew you to this world of calligraphic art?  Do you have books that you go back to that refresh your sense of wonder and give you joy as you turn the pages?  I hope that you find time to leaf through one of those books, look at the beauty of the flowers around you and take a deep breath of appreciation as you put pen, pencil or brush to paper. Shine on dear friends. Share your gifts and bring beauty to the world!  Thank you to all of you who take time to read the blog and contact me. You are so appreciated! Hugs all around!

Rest, Reflect, and Revise

 I have just completed my last class of teaching for before the long awaited summer break. What a delight to keep busy with teaching, but this summer pause is much needed and I am already feeling  the relaxed pace. I use the summer break to tidy the studio, take stock of what I have on hand, organize files, and prepare for the fall season and beyond. Honestly, this really is a slower  pace but it is full of reflection and anticipating my next steps in the calendar year. No matter how carefully I plan, there are always unexpected bumps in the road and I know my plans of taking a good rest will be revised. 

 We are in the midst of a heatwave on this Canada Day, July 1st. It seems like every air conditioner in the neighbourhood is malfunctioning and the chirping of the birds is overpowered by buzzing AC units that seem to need to be serviced. No matter what noise is going on around you, it is so important to absorb the beauty of this present moment. Part of resting and pausing is reflection. I am making sure to walk in the garden every morning and evening and really observe the plants without being bothered by the urge to remove all the weeds. There are days where the garden seems to be a bit of a battleground with rabbits eating my rosebushes and squirrels running off with the oriole nectar, but there is still so much beauty to be found.  In the  relative quiet of the studio, I can gaze a bit longer out the window without the pressure of an overflowing and sometimes overworked schedule. One of my revisions in my practice these days is leaving room for little Jack on my desk. His napping spot is where I normally keep my daily planner and projects on the go! Possibly another reminder to pause and savour the moment. 

 He seems content to watch me type on the computer. But when I pick up the pen, he knocks it out of my hand or puts his paw on my hand for a moment wanting some attention. . I have been using a dyed penholder these days instead of one of my precious painted holders in case he knocks that one out of my hand. Despite the unplanned distraction, little Jack is a joy and comfort. He found us through the cat distribution system and we see him as such a gift to us. Cats are a constant reminder to be in the present moment and take in all that it has to offer. 

Yes, I will still be working here in the studio over the summer months. I have private students on the schedule, guild presentations including Unlocking the Secret Garden for the FOTA guild,  and lots of preparations for upcoming classes. But the pace is slower for sure and I don't feel that sense of guilt if I am not constantly working on the next new idea.  When I take my evening break and shut down the studio, I pick up needle and thread for some quiet lacemaking. 

My teaching schedule has been updated on my website for those of you interested in seeing what will be coming up in the fall. The Artful Flourish will be offered again this fall, but this time with Festive Motifs.

You do not need to have taken the January Artful Flourish class if you want to sign up for this one. This class will be for those who want to refine their Flourishing skills. And, you will be able to create many original holiday themed flourishes that will create the most beautiful seasonal cards. Info is here.  And this class is a perfect lead in to a very special class I will be presenting in October for The Gentle Penman.  The lacemaking in the evenings has given me a wealth of ideas for refining flourished motifs further than I have ever done before. More info will be coming but here is a sneak peek to Flourish Like Lace. 

I don't want to fill this post with upcoming classes for you to check out. I would rather take the time to tell you to take a breath, pause, reflect, and maybe pull out some of the past course notes you have on hand and see what you want to revisit, think about, file away for another day or pursue.  Really breathe and take some time for yourselves. Take some pressure off your shoulders and enjoy these fleeting summer moments. Look for beauty around every corner of your world, and absorb the moments you find in this season. All moments in life are key moments, even if you are pressing the pause button. I hope you have the most wonderful summer. I will pop up on social media now and then, but I expect I will feel less pressured about those posts as well. I am only an email away if you need anything. I hope you find joy, grace and peace in this summer season. Thank you for your kindness and support. You are all such a blessing to me. I love you all so much. Thank you for reading and giving me the joy of knowing you as friends. 

True Growth

 It seems just a blink since my May post. The transition to summer is here in Ontario. I see my garden coming to life and I enjoy early morning walks in the sunshine listening to the songs of the Orioles. Already though, the voices of the robins are harder to find and I can feel the shift of the season. As I type this post. the Carolina Wren is singing her joyful song. She is so small but that song is so strong and clear. 

Let me take a moment to build on my post from last month. I wanted to share my thoughts about cultivating that patient sense of grace as you work with your hands. I got an overwhelming email response with so many readers resonating with the post. I hope you continue to practice patience as you develop skills and remember that you are exactly where you should be right now. Growth is happening, even if you are not aware of it. In time, you will find that you suddenly have the right eyes to see the growth. 

I have just completed my Italian Hand Masterclass for 2026 and finished the memorial piece for my dear friend Don Marsh. Don passed away as I was preparing for the Masterclass.  I penned the words in the above piece when he passed away but I completed the border during our final teaching session of the Masterclass.  It was good to talk through the piece with my students and I felt accompanied as I worked through the border and the ongoing grief of losing my friend. Throughout this special class I saw an absolutely outstanding body of work created by the students. Each one had their own interpretation of the hand and I could see amazing styles and personalities emerge on the page. My resounding message throughout the course was for students to find their expression in the hand rather than conforming to rigid rules that produce cookie cutter results. There is a voice and a passion for work that goes far beyond technical skill. It is through that passion and unique expression that I can see such growth and beauty in the work of the students. This is not only true of Italian Hand but of other classes where students will share their work. I hope you can truly  appreciate. your work for the wonderful creative expression it is. Seeing these incredible strides of growth is what leads me forward as I continue to teach and dive further into my own studies. 

There are some very special study opportunities beginning on June 8th with Atlanta's Friends of the Alphabet. I will be teaching a 3 month summer session series for all members of the FOTA guild. The course is  free to all guild members. If you join the guild, you will be sent the Zoom link as well as the course notes for the letter design series called Unlocking The Secret Garden. We will begin with looking at Daniel Ames inspired letters as we explore pointed pen etching. As the summer progresses we will move on to fully gilded and painted letters and letters with cascading borders. I am so excited to share this special series and have worked hard on preparing the course notes. Membership information for the FOTA guild can be found here. The Summer Series is not advertised on their site but all members will receive the information for this free summer series.

For those of you who would like to explore the Florentine style of border design, registration is open on The Gentle Penman online. These beautiful Florentine Dreams can take on any sort of colour palette and can also be used to create wonderful infill shapes. They are wonderful for beginners or for anyone who wants to further their understanding of the underlying structures of scrolling borders. 

True growth comes from your own voice and vision. Although my classes give you ideas and a pathway to explore the skills involved with each project, they are created with individuality in mind. You as students will take your work to places and heights that differ from my own ideas. You have a creative vision that deserves to be seen and experienced. My sincere hope is that each student will be able to create their own unique letters designs, and intriguing borders. There is so much creative joy that can be found this way. If we merely copy or reproduce a historic design, we often find that we are falling short of the original and end up frustrated. Allow yourself that time to grow, experiment, play, and make your own discoveries. Understand that there is a much more expansive view that goes way beyond technical skill. I wish you all a beautiful month of June in your part of the world. Thank you for always being so kind and encouraging to me. You are loved!