Christmas Card + Calligraphy Inspiration

Our very first official Christmas card! Yay!!

Last year, we didn’t bother.

And I almost didn’t this year, but we got a cute shot during our Asheville camping trip earlier this fall that worked out perfectly!

I think it represents us well. Hah!

I hand addressed all the envelopes and, of course, I was reminded of how much I love love calligraphy.

 

Disclaimer: Not our real address.

It’s especially fun because I get to customize everything like the colors and greetings! After much debate (with myself), I decided on “Blessings from” and “Kindly Deliver to” with a tilt.

There’s something about someone’s personal handwriting on paper that makes a letter or card so much more special.

This is probably why I’ve kept every single card and poem Khang has ever written me!

Makes me sad that some schools don’t even teach writing or cursive anymore.

I vow to teach my children this lost art. 

So this is my attempt to try to inspire as many people out there to try calligraphy!

If you’re skeptical or doubting yourself–DON’T!

Here are two practice sheets from my very first attempt back in ’14.

It was rough, y’all. I waited two weeks until I tried again because I was so discouraged!

I did a comparison from that first time to present day. Look at the difference! I remember hating the letter “B”, now I love it! 

Feeeeling the possibilities?! Well here are the basics to get started:

  1. This book (I started with this one and its great for other handlettering techniques like chalk or paint) or this book (great for just calligraphy and provides different options for each letter).
  2. Modern Calligraphy set at Micheal’s- Recently saw this set and it has my Top Three Favorite nibs! And it comes with a little ink too.
  3.  Calligraphy paper– Can be bought at Hobby Lobby too! You cannot use normal notebook paper because the ink will bleed.

That’s it! I am very practical especially when it comes to my wallet or starting a new hobby. As you get more comfortable and confident then you can explore different pen handles, nibs, and even colors!

Over the past two years, I’ve learned a few things that have helped me. Of course, I’m no professional and everyone is different. Do what works for you, always!

Few tips & tricks of mine:

  1. If your nib is brand spanking new, then it’ll have the factory-applied lacquer (prevents rust) coating on it. It’ll need to be removed before usage. Use warm water, soap detergent, and an old soft toothbrush. It will help with better ink flow.
  2. I like to run my nibs through a flame for 1-2 seconds just to make sure that waxy coating in gone but you don’t need to do that if you already wash and rinse the nib as stated above.
  3.  Always always dry your nib after cleaning–it will rust!
  4. Do not death-grip your handle. It takes very little pressure for the ink to flow and it’ll help with smoother transitions with all the curves and loops.
  5. Don’t get too caught up on making your calligraphy look like someone else’s. Everyone’s hand-writing is different so your calligraphy will be different too, which is a beautiful and unique thing!
  6.  Don’t forget to take breaks or your fingers will cramp up and you’ll just get frustrated and waste your precious (& expensive) ink and paper.
  7.  Once you use up all the space on one side of your calligraphy paper, wait for it to dry, and use the other side too for practice.
  8. Practice, practice, practice! It will not look pretty or the way you want it to at first but it will get better. I’m still learning after 2 years!

Just remember: Anytime you are making a “downward stroke” then the line will be thicker because you will be applying more pressure, which causes the “split” on the nib (tip of pen) to widen.

See below for examples.

Notice the space on the nib. See how it’s wider? This will create thicker lines.

And then “put it together”.

Just giving you a small idea of what you expect. The book(s) will be very helpful. If you like videos, then there are video tutorials too on Youtube!

I’m more of a reader.

Please feel free to ask me any questions! Or if you need clarification. I will try my best to answer questions or help in anyway so that your “Calligraphy Dreams” come true!

I promise it’ll be worth it in the end. I almost didn’t want to mail out our Christmas cards because they were so beautiful!

As always, thanks for reading and following along

with me,

Jules.

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Thi+Minh

It’s fitting that today “With Jules” turns

ONE-YEAR YOUNG.

Because it’s because of this blog that I’ve been given amazing opportunities to share my talents, which continue to make my heart happy. 

Wow.

What a wonderful journey it’s been so far.

Just want to take a second and say THANK YOU to all my family, friends, and friendly strangers who take time to follow and read along here on

With Jules.

I’ve gained intangible gifts that beyond exceeded my expectations. 

I won’t ever be able to truly express my gratitude for your love, support, and encouragement. 

I still don’t know where I’m going with this blog of mine but I’m loving the view so far.


Okay, today I get to share a very special wedding that I had the great honor to play a little part in.

These two. Minh & Thi.

Like the photos were delivered just yesterday!

My incredibly sweet and beautiful sister,“in-law” but we like to just drop that part, Thi said I made her Pinterest wedding dreams come true, but if we’re being honest, she made my dreams come true! 

A year ago, I wouldn’t have imagine being in charge of making wedding signs for anyone. Let alone Phamily members!

And here we are, I’ve made signs for 

FO U R weddings already.

Weddings are such joyous celebrations and I just can’t seem to get enough.

So of course, I was more than happy to oblige when Thi asked for “three small simple signs”.

I remembered thinking, “That’s all?! You HAVE to want more…”

And Thank GOD she did!

The venue was so freakin’ picturesque. I did more twirls around Mobile Botanical Gardens than I’d like to admit.

It was THAT gorgeous.

&&I was so happy for my brother and sister!

Enjoy the photos m’dears! Taken by the insanely talented Leslie Davis!

All lettering by yours truly.Can I just say… eucalyptus, you have been dethrone.

Plumosa is 100x times dreamier than you’ll ever be!
Surprisingly these simple table numbers were the most challenging for me. Go figure. I finished them the night before the wedding. Hah!
Any Harry Potter fans? 

Myheart did a little jump when she asked for these “bride & groom chair signs”. Classic. My favorite sign. Such a sweet quote. It was actually the easiest to handletter.  Again, go figure.

Love love love.

And apparently so did Thi because it’s hanging in hers and Minh’s kitchen!
But these next few shots,

They are my favorite.

You looked “Perfect”.

I love you, Thi.

And I love how we can always pick back up where we left-off.

You are an absolute gem. 

I lucked out with you. 

But Minh is the luckiest. 

Just like Khang said in his speech, “When I met Thi, I knew her and Minh were made for each other because I saw the same great qualities in her as I do in Minh.”

Y’all are meant to be together. 

It’s only inevitable that your marriage and life be splendidly spent together.

Thanks for reading and following along 

with me,

Jules.

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Weddingswithjules: Ngoc + Greg

My last post for 2016 and I’m incredibly happy it’s about my favorite Mr. & Mrs. Smith!

I’m sort of at lost for words because you had to have been there to truly witness all the love and laughter floating around not only between the bride and groom, but all their family and friends too.

Proud wife moment: Khang’s first ever video. I’ll admit I’ve watch it at least once a week so far. It’ll give everyone a better idea of what I’m trying to describe above. Enjoy.

The beautifully talented Moriah Elisabeth Photography captured their ahhhmazing wedding. There must’ve been pixie dust sprinkled everywhere because their wedding was oh so magical y’all.

When I went back to work that following Monday and my coworkers asked me how was the wedding…I started to tear up just thinking about how absolutely gorgeous Ngoc looked as a bride. She was glowing.

Just look at this already adorable family with their furbaby Rascal. I know my heart won’t be able to take it when they give us a niece or nephew (no rush!).

I was and still am beyond honored to have taken a tiny part in their wedding. So let’s get to it shall we?

When my sissy-in-law mentioned needing a few little details for her Santa Rosa beach wedding this past October, I immediately jumped at the opportunity.

I think I’ve made it pretty clear how much I love to work with my hands right?

I’ve learned this past year and a half that I absolutely la la love weddings (and all the planning). Maybe it’s because I had such a wonderful experience with my very own wedding this past June, but honestly it’s just that I love love.

 The saying “Love loves to love love” comes to mind <3

Ngoc and Greg were so so chill about details and only requested two things for their place cards: pops of color and a hint of gold. It worked out great because I adore the small details and just went with it.

The results turned out beautifully and they both loved it! Whew*

Ngoc called them “unicorn colors”. I totally agreed.

Two weeks before the big day, Ngoc asked me which menus(from minted.com) I thought would compliment the place cards.

Um. What?! Stop.

Of course I was more than happy to create matching menus.

After testing out a few designs that night, I decided to hand-paint and hand-letter a menu for each guest. A total of 80.

Ngoc thought I was crazy and said it was “too much work”, but I was tickled with joy the entire time.

Every ink stain and finger cramp was well-worth it.

I love calligraphy especially with this beautiful gold ink. I couldn’t get enough. In fact, I felt sad after all the work was done and I’m itching to do more.

They wanted to a few signs like a seating chart and welcome sign too. I purchase the frames at a variety of shops at the Antique Village of Denham Springs, La. 

Glass is hard to photograph. Here are my best shots in our backyard. Ha.

Okay okay, I’ll spare you more of my amateur iPhone shots.

Here are Moriah’s pictures of all my hard work. Pretty proud of myself and really happy with the way it all came together.

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I made each kid their own menu too. I do not play. 

I should mention both bride and groom are Mississippi State graduates.

They love their cowbells.

Two-sided wooden sign to signal the bride walking down the aisle…

… and to get the PARTAY started!

Technically I made these “Greg-on-a-stick” for Ngoc’s bachelorette party, but Khang convinced me to bring them to the wedding too. Such a good idea.

So that’s pretty much my little role in this lovely wedding. But there’s a moment I’d like to share. A moment I did not expect to happen.

Picture this: I’m in the middle of curling my hair and Van, Ngoc’s MOH, asks me if I’m too busy to help Ngoc. Duhhh, I say NO! Van and the bridesmaids are running a little behind but Ngoc needs to start taking bridal portraits on the beach…I rush out in my pjs with no bra, slipped on someone else’s flip flops, grab her dress train, and the three of us are out the door. No questions asked. 

So while Moriah is shooting away, I get full view of Ngoc in all of her glory and my eyes begin to water because she is just so damn beautiful. I’m trying to hold it in y’all, but then Ngoc asks me to jump in to take photos with her. Yeah, so I quickly become a mess. A complete mess. I take advantage of this sweet moment to tell her how stunning she looks and how I’m overjoyed with happiness for her and Greg. Luckily Moriah is there to capture it all. Thank you thank youuuu so much.

I’ll hold these images close to me forever.

There’s quite a number of engaged people I know and if there’s one piece of advice I can give is…there’s going to be some serious planning involved but don’t get so overwhelmed with your plans that you pass up “real moments” during your wedding day. Remember that a wedding is just one day, but a marriage is a lifetime. Start off your marriage not by over-analyzing the materialistic items but by creating lasting memories with family and friends.

Thanks for reading and following along,

with me

Jules.

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Christmas gifts 2016: Glass-anything

By now I hope you see a trend with glass-anything for hand lettering with a paint pen. Plexiglass works too, but it might not be as forgiving. 

So there you have it…all that’s left is to wrap these little trinkets. I absolutely la la love to wrap gifts and cannot wait to share that tomorrow. It’s almost Friday y’all. Get Excited!

As always, thanks for reading and following along (especially this week)

with me

Jules. 

Christmas gifts 2016: Mr&Mrs. First Christmas

Next up is a Christmas gift that I’ve given multiple times over the years. It’s usually a hit with the couple because it contains something so special.

Inside of the ornament is the couple’s wedding invitation. This one pictured is particularly unique because it’s mine and Khang’s.

Big cheesy smile on my face right now.

I was finally able to make us one for our very first Christmas as Mr. & Mrs. Pham.

This gift idea was originally assigned for Thursday’s post but I’m missing Khang a tad bit more today. He’s been away on business so I did it to cheer myself up. And it worked!

A simple yet sentimental gift that’s sure to make it on the Christmas tree for years and years to come. 

 

“Our first Christmas 2016”

I remember opening up the box with our wedding invitations back in April. One look and I excitedly called my sister Jill and found myself crying my eyes out. They were so beautiful. 

Jill designed our wedding invitations. She designed everything. The lettering is hers, envelope liner is hers, all of it…hers. It was a looong but fun process that was totally worth it in the end. She’s oh so talented and still to this day I can’t believe how lucky Khang and I were to have her take part in such a big way. So honored. Truly.

To see our invitation in all of its glory and many more beautiful pieces, here’s her business website OhMai! Art Creations

Isn’t it starting to feel a little more like Christmas, 

with me

Jules?