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Calligraphy by Pauline Ibarra

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Some Thoughts on Enjoying Life

January 22, 2014

Slow Down Calligraphy via Happy Hands Project

Friends and family knew that I had a rough start this year, and we were lucky to have our darling girl up and about now. She had this terrible bug and had to stay in hospital for days, so much longer than we expected. Design and calligraphy work were piling up and the backlog was heavy on my shoulders. I couldn’t sleep, either at home or in the hospital.

During down times in the hospital, I had a few minutes to contemplate.

Ever since I became a mom, life has become even more fast-paced. I count minutes, work around a schedule and beat myself to stick to it. I get miserable over a few minutes wasted. I rush and try to cram everything in a day, trying to forget that there are only 24 hours and that includes sleep. I want to spend as much time as I can with my daughter that when I go out, I try to rush everything so I can get home right away. Sitting in the hospital while my girl sleeps made me realize that yes, I was wasting so much time in there doing nothing. And it’s perfectly fine. I’ll be able to manage my work schedule when we’re home and she’s better. I’ll be able to sort things out in time anyway, why rush everything?

I’m happy to say that while my little girl is still on house arrest, and we had to trim her beautiful hair because dread locks were starting to form, she’s so much better now and busy as a bee. And I keep reminding myself to slow down and enjoy what life has to offer. I should take a little stroll and enjoy the view instead of sprinting like a madman just to get home.

Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you. Hmmm. I’d like that.

in happy things # calligraphy, inspirational

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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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Calligraphy by Pauline Ibarra 🖋️ 
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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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