Hillcrest Cottage Calligraphy & Art

A behind- the -scenes look at my art and happenings around the Hillcrest Cottage studio. Occasionally, I may have a tutorial. Who knows what may happen here....

Currently, I am in wedding mode... hustling calligraphy jobs.

Hop over to Hillcrest Cottage Calligraphy & Art. You can see the cute rehearsal dinner envelopes I created for Clayton's wedding.

Finishing Strong - The Wedding

Words are not always needed. Some stories are best told in silence.

As I have written several times before, I am surprisingly stoic at ceremonies such as graduations and weddings. But, I did cry while making Clayton's last school lunch. Ceremonies are symbolic and only happen once. Having been a mom who has been very present in my son's life, the simple  stuff is that  which I hate seeing end.

I  have enjoyed growing with every new twist and turn of this mother-son journey. From singing good-night songs, making Play-Doh spaghetti, building pirate forts, and catching lizards to cheering crazily at high school football games and keeping the surprise honeymoon destination a closely- guarded secret.

With the whirlwind of a week-long graduation trip, rehearsal dinner and wedding preparations behind me, I watched my son exit through a tunnel of sparklers holding the hand of his beautiful bride. 

"He's gone," I whispered as tears filled my eyes.

Like an arrow from a bow, we have launched our son into the world. He will make his own unique mark with his awesome life companion. 

Mission accomplished. I have finished strong and well.

P.S. Many thanks to my middle son who has always been the calming influence in my life. Thanks for helping me throughout his wild month of total craziness. I love you.

Photo Acknowledgements : Sparkler Farewell photo by Stephanie Parsley Photography.

The Gun Lap

Imagery from my high school track days has permanently marked me. The stretch toward the finish line; the agony of finding something deep within not previously recognized; the satisfaction of giving your best to an endeavor; the prompting of the "gun lap", a reminder to finish strong.

Hillcrest Cottage is both on the road to West Point Graduation and simultaneously enjoying last days with high school friends at the beach.

Graduation Invitation

"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven."

Sweet Sweatshirt Connection

"How much can I pay you for this sweatshirt?" the young woman asked with tears filling her eyes.

Of course, a moral dilemma ran through my vintage- clothes -selling brain. But, I knew that I had priced my 1968 era camp sweatshirt cheaply at $5.00 expecting that maybe a skinny jeans hipster would purchase it and cut off the sleeves or something.

"Five dollars," was my honest reply.

"You have no idea how much this sweatshirt means to me. Camp Mitchell! I grew up at this camp. My mom used to run this camp."

Wow.

After briefly visiting with this sweet girl, I discovered that I was familiar with her mother. She had been the first woman rector in the church of my childhood.

After realizing the connection, I asked, ""Well, how is your mother these days?"

"My mother passed away several years ago." More tears.

I reached across my  vintage shirts to hug her. Wow, again... just wow.

Last School Lunch

For seventeen years I have placed a brown paper bag lunch into the hands of someone I dearly love as they are rushing out the door to school. I have accomplished this for three boys; the last of three was this morning.

Today was the last school lunch... ever.

When I tell people the last school lunch is more sad than the graduation ceremony, they look at me with quizzical eyes. But, a ceremony is a one-time event. A ceremony has not been a daily routine for 12 years.

Once upon a time, the passing of the paper bag was accompanied by backpack and jacket hunts. In the later years... car keys or phone. Sometimes the passing of the bag meant a quick dash to the car and a rolling down of the window, "Thanks, Mom. Love you."

"Have a great day, bud. I love you, too."

Ever the jock with work-out clothes in hand...and I spy with my little eyes his friend's football shorts which I have been washing and trying to return for quite some time...boys.

One day he will look at this picture and say, "I loved that Tahoe so much."

Not possible for this to be the last day of high school; I see a 16- year- old driving to 10th grade.

Quite the opposite, high school is gone... finished. I am sad, but not regretful. I was here for my son every step of the way... every morning packing his lunch. I didn't miss anything! I gave him everything a mom can give... way beyond sandwiches and chips and the occasional motivational note tucked inside.

I have loved being his mom more than ink on paper could ever describe.

There is something extremely good about finishing strong and well. There is something so fulfilling in knowing you have given your "all" to a great endeavor. I am confident that the world is a better place because this man-not-boy breaths earth's air.

What could be greater than building a son?

Calligraphy Slave

Dear Blog,

I will be shackled to pen quills and nibs dipped in carbon black ink until mid-May. I will miss you, but all the 'finishing' of which I have spoken must be financed somehow. Therefore, I must finish well the third wedding calligraphy job of this month while simultaneously juggling preparations for two graduations, a week long trip to West Point, wedding rehearsal dinner plans, my responsibilities as the West Point Parents Club president, lots of end-of-year testing in my 'fake patient' job at the university medical center, while walking daily over Hillcrest Cottage's half-finished entry hall floor. Throw in my normal routine and ministries obligations and... well... it's kinda wild.

I have read that a normal load of 'hats' people can wear at one time is generally 4 to 5. I counted the other day, and I am currently at 11. Needless to say, I am having to work very hard at keeping focused, staying close to my to-do list, rejoicing at every task that is completed.

I am also aware that seasons of life are like a swirling tornado. I pray a lot and hang on for dear life knowing that the wildness will pass quickly. Usually, the only room left after a tornado's disaster is the bathroom, so that's a plus for me because I find that a long, hot bath can cure most anything.

Next time I see you my West Point cadet will be a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

Your Friend,
Hillcrest Cottage

P.S. I may pop in to review an awesome skirt from my friends at Fresh Produce. I currently want one in every color. This skirt will definitely be my 'go to' fashion piece from now until the leaves begin falling. It is so comfy and can be dressed up with ballet flats and a cute top or can be paired with flip flops. It is light and flirty but doesn't add 'weight' to me... a big plus. The fabric is very soft and comfy and would pack well for a trip.

Selling Art & Vintage Clothing Last Saturday at an Indie Art Sale

From Bed to Bench

Hillcrest Cottage heralds warmer weather by the annual 'Sprucing of the Porch Ritual'.

The porch is my favorite place in the entire cottage... a place to sit... a place to drink coffee... a place to hear the birds sing in the morning... a place to listen to summer's cicada symphony in the evening.

Yesterday, I jumped quickly into this project, neglecting the "before" pics... sorry.

This new comfy bench was once an antique bed (which I unsuccessfully attempted to sell for a friend). Rather than donate the bed to the local Goodwill, my husband built a bench.

First Step: A quick coat of Annie Sloan chalk paint (This paint has changed my life, so check it out!). No primer is needed with this awesome paint.

Second Step: Quick, light sanding to distress.

Third Step: Fun, new fabric to cover the cushions. Successful fabric store outing produced material in the exact colors and patterns for which I was looking. The striped fabric came from the $5.00 bin; the floral fabric was 50% off.

I made quick. loose covers (like pillowcase open on one end) so I can frequently wash the covers without the hassle and struggle of getting the covers off and on.

This was the result:

The dark brown unpainted parts will be cut off and an arm rest added. Also, more Annie Sloan paint on the ottoman.

Fourth Step: A Simon and Garfunkle 60's song popped into my head; Instantly the lyrics

became my new porch mantra:

Slow down, you move too fast.

You got to make the morning last.

Looking for fun....

Life, I love you.

All is groovy!

Fifth Step: Pour the coffee, prop up my feet, and experience some quiet.

Hillcrest Cottage Calligraphy

Late-Night Calligraphy Session.

These days, Hillcrest Cottage has beautiful wedding invitations lined up across the art table with black ink drying. My right hand has a permanent black stain with black ink under my index finger's nail.

I made a quick trip to my favorite art store last week to purchase more ink. The owner asked how I was doing, and I held up my right hand exposing the black on my fingers. She smiled and gave me a knowing calligrapher's look.

Calligraphy is art... yes, but this kind of calligraphy is work... yes.

Back-breaking, hand-numbing, labor-intensive work.

But, I really love it and am looking forward to many more jobs this wedding season.

The following are examples of the styles from which clients may currently choose:

Spencerian Style

Italics Style

The 2012 Changes are Arriving

All those changes I have been anticipating during this year upon which I have labeled 'finish'...

are arriving and happening.

Middle college guy turned 21 on Saturday, so we drove up to his college to celebrate. We spent an incredible day together at Crystal Bridges art museum.

Three Awesome Guys

We got to meet up with Stuart's roommates and buddies to enjoy some cake and fire pit time.

I am thankful for these guys. They are smart, studious, creative, witty, intelligent men. I can't wait to see how they will change the world.

Next... on the wedding front... it was shower time

The world would be a happy place if everyone had friends as loyal as these women.

And... so... the 2012 march toward change and finish begins.

View From the Pit

It seems I never find myself far from Psalm 40...

I waited patiently for the Lord;

And He inclined to me, and heard my cry.

He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay;

And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.

And He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;

Many will see and fear,

And will trust in the Lord.

First of all, being in a pit is not a bad place to be. Why? It causes me to look up. It causes me to wait patiently for the Lord. It causes me to acknowledge my dependence upon God. It makes me realize that He is my only hope and my only salvation.

When you are in a pit, your vision is limited and narrow and focused...

and expectant.

When you are in a pit, you hope for your deliverance to be imminent. When you are in a pit, your emotions swing wildly from believing help will appear at any given second to wondering if your last breath has just been inhaled. There's really no in between emotions in pit-living.

No one can climb out of a pit in their own strength, in their own craftiness. Down in the pit, there are no materials with which to build a ladder of escape.

Not gonna find or build a ladder like this.

The nights are really dark and cold and lonely. The days are only slightly different. The food is lousy or non-existent. The silence is deafening.

And if it rains, the pit only gets worse... because the clay becomes miry.

People in pits spend a lot of time crying out for help. Patiently seems to be a bad word choice. No one waits patiently in a pit. No one passes the time in a pit by knitting, doing a crossword or sudoku puzzle.

Intently is a better description of the waiting. In a pit the waiting is completely, intently focused upon help arriving. This is a picture of complete, utter dependence upon the outside source which will come.

And the only possible place from where the help could arrive, is from above.

So, being in a pit is a good place to be...

I guess.

To say that "Pit-Living is a good thing" seems foolish, so contrary to all I can see and touch and even feel. Which reminds me of 1 Corinthians 1:18:

For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God

Waiting for my new song today. How about you?

Texas-Style Zombie Killers

Whirlwind trip to Texas Hill Country produced some fun i-Phone pictures

I love how both the clouds and tree branches mirror the circular wind mill shape.

Mosaic cowboy greets San Antonio airport guests.

Tagged along with husband the Paperback Writer, as he shared a Zombie Killers Weekend with the awesome Bulverde Baptist Student Ministry. Thanks so much for your Texas-style hospitality!

Looking through the screen door of our very fun guest cabin.

Afternoon walk-about on the ranch where we stayed.

This "Y"-shaped tree will be a focal point in a poster I have been inspired to design. Looking forward to some art time this week; hoping to share the studio results very soon.

Follow Your Dream

While de-cluttering the studio... contents of a drawer fell randomly upon my art desk.

Reminding me to always... Follow My Dream... and to never be satisfied with Second Place.

In the Moment

Sitting at: The computer bar that used to be a wall.

Listening to: The rhythmic breathing of high school guy who slept on the couch last night.

Drinking: Community Coffee Dark Roast from my big, red LOVE mug.

Wearing: My fave 'Clayton High Yellow Jackets' sweatshirt purchased at a random truck stop in New Mexico... and my Uggs... and my red floral flannel pajama bottoms... lovely, I know.

Waiting for: My guys to get with it, so we can begin the Hillcrest Cottage Project of the Day... a new floor which will begin at the front door, come through the kitchen, and end in the laundry porch.

Patchwork Madness

Hillcrest Cottage is currently experiencing patchwork madness.

While at an estate sale last weekend, I stumbled upon this ugly duckling- 70's- grandma- polyester- quilt. The patches of magenta and lime green wooed me. The 2012 "it" color of tangerine was also present.

Suddenly, a flash of creative genius came upon me!

For $3.00 I could transform my ottoman into something fun and awesome.

I am noticing a very cool trend of bright, outrageous patchwork combined with antiques and think it is the funnest thing to happen in a long time!

This is my creative contribution.

I love how it looks with the granny square afghan... another estate sale find.

Runners to Your Marks

I do not do transitions well. A day like this last day of 2011 finds me melancholy.

Looking ahead to the horizon I see nothing but changes in this unknown 2012.

There will be goals achieved. There will be celebrations of huge importance.

Our oldest son will toss his hat into the air with a meaning which only a West Point cadet can understand



and have bird seed tossed at him with a zeal which only wedding guests can perform.

My youngest son will finish high school and begin college. I will finish 23 years of parenting. I will begin the days when Hillcrest Cottage's walls will quietly whisper the stories of boyhood sword fights, marathon video game parties, late night kitchen raids, and the loud laughter of family gatherings.

Yes, the walls will talk. They will talk a lot.

They will speak of the love we do here, of forgiveness, of grace, of a thousand 'I love you' moments, of acceptance and belonging. The yucky stuff, sifted through grace, will be trampled underfoot and swept aside as rubbish. The good stuff will rise as a sweet aroma full of goodness,

like the smell of bacon on a snowy morning.

In this new 2012, I will write about transitions... a lot. I will talk about finishing... a lot.

If you care to join my 2012 roller coaster ride, you may understand what it means to accomplish a worthy goal. I imagine the lows will be very low and the highs will be very high.

And... as life goes... I am certain there will be a sprinkling of unexpected sorrows and joys.

My motto for 2012 of "Finish Strong" finds its roots in Hebrews 12;1,2:

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.

Runners to your mark... get set... GO.

The Lettered Cottage is hosting a "Word for the Year" link party. She is encouraging us to periodically post blogs relating to our chosen word.

Fa La La La La is Here!

Hillcrest Cottage is now in full holiday mode.

A sorority holiday tea with three generations of Chi Omegas: Me with my niece and my mom.

Hillcrest Cottage's kitchen has turned out several batches of fudge...

and gingerbread awaiting its icing.

The cousins have arrived home from college and afar.

Jeff has given Santa his holiday requests.

We have gathered with friends for holiday cheer.

We have attended the annual All-Academies Banquet with our West Point cadet.

And #51 has joined my Santa mug collection (Thanks Stu!)