A Winning Writer!

I'll tell you this ... waking up to be a winner is the best feeling anyone could experience!

A couple of weeks ago, I entered into a 'giveaway' that The Gracious Girl was promoting on her blog. In partnership with Sheaffer Pen, the prize was a Sheaffer® Calligraphy Maxi Kit. I have always loved calligraphy and of course, writing.
Back in the day, I was taught to write script with a Sheaffer Fountain Ink Pen at the lower school I attended. I remember changing cartridges and using a blotter ... Ha! a blotter ... I guess I am showing a bit of age. The only subject where the use of something other than an ink pen was required, was math class. If you brought in homework written with a cheap 'ball point pen', you would be reprimanded and told to re-do it properly. Ink pens had there value to us kids back then. When a cartridge was empty, we would rinse them out, spread the 'well' wider, let them dry and then use them as devices for passing notes in class. It was common to share cartridges if your neighbor ran out of ink in class so teachers did not mind that kind of interaction. So, the idea of using the cartridge for more nefarious acts spread.

Vintage Green Chrome Cap Set 2 Two Sheaffer Fountain Writing Ink Pen 

Sheaffer Skrip Permanent Jet Black Ink Cartridge 5-Pack vintage 

Well, the days of schools teaching children to write with an ink pen are gone. Few schools teach script and most schools do not even have ongoing penmanship practice beyond the basics of teaching a child to write. Children are being taught at younger and younger ages to use a computer to prepare their work for school. Personally, I think that's so sad because there is so much beauty in a well thought-out written piece, whether it is a note or letter, or even a tome.
Some years ago I found 'disposable' fountain ink pens at Staples and stocked up but they weren't as nice as a Sheaffer. I use ink pens for all sorts of things but mostly for personal note writing. I guess I just like ink on paper!!
So I was absolutely delighted to learn that I was one of the winners of the giveaway. That was May 16th, and it was a trifecta of a morning. First I found out about a new collaboration for which I was chosen, then I learned I was given an acknowledgement in my friends book which had recently been published and then I learned I won the calligraphy set in the giveaway ... all within a span of about two hours. How's that for waking up a winner!

I received the package in the mail and of course, I had to savor it. As far as I am concerned the best part of receiving something personal in the mail, is the anticipation experienced during the walk from the mailbox to your comfortable chair where you inspect the mail and savor the surprise.

Isn't it great receiving fun things in the mail?

With a gracious note too!

I had to try it out right away like a kid in a candy store! Have a look at all the goodies inside the box.

There are three pens, each with a different nib grade (fine, medium, broad), and a nice assortment of ink colors. An instruction booklet is included, which I found very helpful!

Inside the box

Instruction Booklet

Instructions well done!

Practice makes perfect! 

That saying has been drilled into my head, by teachers and family and now I constantly say the same to my son.

Thank you Mindy!

How do you think I did??
~Maria

Try your hand at calligraphy with a Sheaffer Calligraphy set and see how you do. Check out Sheaffer Writing Instruments. Not only do they have beautiful Fountain Ink Pens but also smooth Roller Ball Pens, Ball Point and Ball Point / Pencil Sets.
Stop by The Gracious Girl's blog published by Mindy Lockard ... 'Mindy is a nationally recognized etiquette expert and the founder of Mindy Lockard Gracious Living.'

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