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Calligraphy by Pauline Ibarra

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Life is a Song. Are You Singing Along?

October 31, 2013

If the  quote below is true, I guess my current soundtrack would be a very fast-paced dance song. And yep, I’m ‘singing along’ but I’m getting a bit breathless from trying! For the Moms who read this – do you remember when the old-time parents used to tell us that we should be prepared when we have our own kids? Do everything you want to do, go where you want to go, because when you start having kids, it’s game over?

Life Is A Song Calligraphy via Happy Hands Project
I don’t agree with ‘game over’ (I love being a Mom and enjoy every minute of it) but my toddler who just turned two has been challenging my stamina lately. A few weeks ago, we were at a play gym for a complimentary class. It was a wonderful mommy-and-daughter bonding time. She was very enthusiastic and absolutely loved the place. All the kids and their moms were in place, seated together in a circle. Oh, we were seated quietly, too – for maybe two minutes max. She was up running around and exploring all the other equipment in the gym.

The best part was storytelling. She loves stories and is very fond of bedtime reading, but at the gym, music was blaring and she would rather dance around to the songs rather than listen to the story! All the kids were seated, as always, while she dances in the middle of the circle. She was dancing without a care in the world! I didn’t try to restrain her or anything. I just sat back and watched, and reveled in one of the happiest moments of my life.

What song is your life playing right now?

in calligraphy, happy things # calligraphy, inspirational, pen and ink

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Hello! I’m Pauline and welcome to the Happy Hands Project! I’m a lettering artist and calligrapher located in Manila, Philippines.
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When was the last time you wrote a letter to yours When was the last time you wrote a letter to yourself? 💌 
 
During ou workshop, everyone received these pretty Cafe Mary Grace greeting cards. The prompt was simple: write something heartfelt. It could be for a loved one, or a message for your future self. 
 
I decided to write to my future self for this demo. No need for perfection, just enjoying the ink touching the paper, especially when the paper is this smooth. 
 
Save this for the next time you need a reminder to slow down and check in with yourself. 🤍 
 
#cafemarygrace #cursivepractice #pointedpen
A slow afternoon well spent. 🤍    I recently taugh A slow afternoon well spent. 🤍 
 
I recently taught the very first workshop for @cafemarygrace ‘s Art of Slow series at their gorgeous Parqal Mall branch. Instead of worrying about perfect technical form, we focused entirely on intention, mindful creation, and embracing the simple joys of slow living. 
 
The afternoon culminated in everyone writing a heartfelt letter to themselves or someone they love, finished with a traditional wax seal. ✉️✨ 
 
To cap off the experience, we treated our senses to Mary Grace’s delicious new menu additions: the Vigan Longganiza Pasta, refreshing Lemon Basil Soda, and their delicious Mango Mousse. 
 
Thank you to everyone who paused their busy days to create with us. Here’s to more moments of slowing down. 
 
#artofslow #cafemarygrace #calligraphyworkshop #cursivewriting
So I’m addicted to French Ronde 😂 hi @constabile h So I’m addicted to French Ronde 😂 hi @constabile hihi 
 
This time I’m trying it out with my Pilot parallel pen and On Ink’s ‘turon’. We Filipinos like lumpia and turon is a version of it that’s filled with brown sugar, jackfruit strips and sweet plantain bananas (called ‘saba’ bananas locally). 😊 
 
#frenchroundhand #parallelpen #frenchronde
French Ronde practice with new inks ✨ I got two French Ronde practice with new inks ✨ 
 
I got two new inks from @inksbyvinta during the @manilapenshow. Haribon turned out to be a desaturated version of lavender, kind of like its introverted sister. It’s a beauty and I love it. The shimmer didn’t show up on the Rhodia pad, so I have to try it on a different kind of paper. 
 
Makopa, on the other hand, is loud and screams ‘main character’. It’s mostly a bright magenta when used with a broad nib. It reminds me of the fruits from our makopa tree we had when I was a kid. 🩷 
 
#frenchroundhand #inksbyvinta #frenchronde
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