THANK YOU THURSDAY calligraphy cards

Posted on July 31, 2014 by Holly

My art director, Susan Birnbaum, DesignDesign Inc., has started a movement for being thankful! She calls it, “Thank You THURSDAY” It’s a day every week, to specifically remember family and friends who have expressed kindness to you in any way with a handwritten greeting card. Personally, I place greeting cards at my kitchen table, with lovely complimentary stamps, so I’m ready to write!

The butterfly card, is published by DesignDesign. The variegated letters are formed by dropping watercolor into the wet letters, a technique that I’ll be demonstrating at the IAMPETH conference in Indianapolis, Thursday, August 7th – Round Robin evening event. You can use any number of papers but Lanaquarelle or Arches Cold Press watercolor paper work very well. I typically use Winsor Newton or M. Graham watercolor and love the vibrant results!

Below are several greeting cards that I’ve designed for DaySpring. All in black and white until their printers stamped foil on the colorful backgrounds.

The greeting cards can be purchased in my SHOP under the Card category.

Calligraphy Cruise Alaska 2014 – A good time was had by all!

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Holly

This June 21-28, 2014 we took our calligraphy pens and brushes onto Holland America’s msWesterdam and journeyed to Alaska’s inner passageway. What a treat to enjoy our artistic endeavors in the lap of luxury! Holly taught Flourished Italic while Gary Lord taught Decorative Painting on Glass. Students combined the two skills in their final projects. Come take a peek – I’ll share a few pictures with you! Get on my email list if you would like to join me on a future cruise adventure!

Marilyn Dietrich, Maria Medeles and Holly Monroe about to board msWesterdam

Thursday, before our Saturday sail away, we met at a downtown Seattle hotel and enjoyed some time getting to know each other. There were 22 total in our group this year! Friends, Debbie and Ray Story (top right in photo) surprised me at the hotel, I had no idea they were coming. All the way from Tennessee! Others were from CO, OH, IN, TX, and CA.

Gathering at hotel in Seattle

Thursday evening, we ate at The Purple, Seattle. Friday, many went on the 3 hour tour of the city, while others went off on their own.

Waterfall park in downtown Seattle. Peggy Whalen (travel agent), Holly Monroe (instructor), Maria Medeles, Debbie Story

Chihuly’s Glass and Gardens

Friday evening, we gathered at Salty’s and enjoyed the view of the harbor and mountains.

Browns, Judys and Marianne Lord at Salty’s

Ray Story enjoying a lobster at Salty’s, Seattle

Holly at Pike Street Market….original Starbucks after a power walk through town.

Saturday morning, we boarded the ship for our week long adventure!

Flowers on msWesterdam

Our calligraphy/decorative painting class was a serious 20 hour focus. Weather this week was a little cloudy and chilly, was a perfect excuse to be creative! The classroom, lined with windows allowed us to view the Alaskan landscapes as we worked. Here is Gary Lord showing Marilyn a painting technique.

One half of the classroom! The windows in the room gave us a perfect view of the scenery.Holland America provided us a beautiful classroom for the week. All of our supplies could be left there nightly. Daily, they provided us with coffee, tea and cookies. There was a Chocolate Beverage bar out the back door! Those of us who signed up early for the cruise had a $50 per day credit for beverages of any type! We were well hydrated!

As promised, everyone was able to enjoy all of the towns and excursions as the ship docked. Our first town was Juneau, Alaska where many went whale watching and hiked to the Mendenhall Glacier.

Totem Pole trail in Sitka

Here we are on the ship’s deck checking out Glacier Bay….

This was out of the Lido window as we overlooked the Ketchikan skyline. Can you see the sea plane landing? Such a beautiful sunny day….

And then there was an evening in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. Took a water taxi over to the main part of town! Such fun….

So many amenities on the ship…from fine dining every evening

…to formal nights and amazing entertainment….from Dancing with the Stars, music (Recycled Percussion) and comedy

I have so many pictures, it was hard to decide which to share. Ask me to see others! I’ll close with our fabulous group of travelers on a formal night. (Missing are Abbey and Wayne Hutchison – they did not jump ship! 🙂

Calligraphy Cruise to Alaska Holland America June 2014

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Holly

Come join our creative journey to Alaska with instructors Holly Monroe and Gary Lord. There is still time to register! The ship is filling, but some cabins and spaces for the Calligraphy Cruise workshop and Decorative Painting are still available! Hurry and snag the cabin that fits your budget. We sail from Seattle June 21-28, 2014 on Holland America’s msWesterdam. A beautiful ship with a first class, window lined classroom allows us to work in comfort! Loved it when we sailed to the Caribbean! There are approximately 20 hours of classroom time – scheduled so that you see all of the sights, get off at all of the ports of call, enjoy the 5 star dining and evening entertainment and other amenities on board. Even a Dancing with the Stars competition on-board. Download Flyers for both the workshop and the cruise here. Tax deductible for calligraphers, decorative painters or artists in business. Call me! I’ll fill you in on the details.

Holly sharing Alaska Cruise details at Gary Lord's Prismatic Painting Studio. Gary on the left.

Instructor Holly promoting Alaskan Cruise at Gary Lord’s Prismatic Painting Studio. Gary on the left. Gary’s studio has won 9 national decorative painting awards in the last 9 years! Wow!

Calligraphy Cruise! C’mon, let’s go!! Caribbean and Alaska 2014

Posted on July 23, 2013 by Holly

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While you were shoveling snow, we were enjoying the sun and beaches….

The 2014 Calligraphy Cruises are selected and posted on my website! In March, we’re off to the Eastern Caribbean (from Ft. Lauderdale) with the calligraphy focus – Engrossers’ Script and Flourishing. June takes us to Alaska (from Seattle) with the focus – Flourished Italic and Decorative Painting on Glass. Gary Lord and his wife Marianne will be joining us on the Seattle Cruise. www.PrismaticPainting.com Please call Holly about the classes and Peggy Whalen with Holland America Line questions or reservations. $100. reserves your place in class!

Cruises > www.HollyMonroe.com > Scroll down on the home page and find the Calligraphy Cruise logo or click on my CLASSES page. You can download the Class and Cruise info for both.

Enjoy the pictures of the 2013 Calligraphy Cruise to the Western Caribbean. We had a great time! A spacious workshop room, new friends…..

Fun in the sun at ports of call….Jill Quillian with the dolphins, up close and personal!