World Calligraphy Day Wednesday 16th August 2017

Manuscript Pen company are delighted to announce the first ever World Calligraphy on 16^th August 2017 with events and workshops taking place around the world and predominantly at the Pen Museum, Birmingham.

Since 1856 Manuscript Pen Company Ltd has been connected with the pen trade and in the forefront of pen nib manufacturing and design in the UK. World Calligraphy day is an event celebrating the history, penmanship and progressive product development and all things calligraphy related.

“We are thrilled to be making this announcement as the founders of this very momentous day. Calligraphy and hand lettering are at the heart of what we do here at Manuscript.  

In recent years, the art of beautiful writing has  taken to new heights with the trends of Modern Calligraphy, Faux Calligraphy and Hand Lettering.

 These new trends have really taken off, encouraging everybody to try their  hand at a whole variety of wonderful creative ventures.” Charles Stockbridge, Managing Director of Manuscript Pen Company Ltd.

Join Manuscript Pen Company to celebrate the art of calligraphy and hand lettering in the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. 

Hosting the event, the Pen Museum welcomes Manuscript and a whole host of world renowned creative artists to celebrate calligraphy and hand lettering trends.

Tour the Pen Museum and learn about the many pen companies of Birmingham and the history of the trade starting from quills and dip pens to the modern day fountain pen. Step back in time and try your hand at creating your very own steel pen nib using traditional machinery.

Take part and learn from the experts in designated workshops and demonstrations on the multitude of different writing styles taking the world by storm! 

Try our different types of writing instruments and find the pen for you.

Whether you are an expert, a beginner who’s just getting started or simply an admirer of beautiful writing, come and join Manuscript and your favourite artists including Modern Calligrapher Joyce Lee of Artsynibs, Graphic Designer and Calligrapher Alice Mazilli of Ampersand Alice, Artist, Designer and Letterer Rob Draper, Traditional Calligrapher Stephen Duckett, Contemporary Italian Calligrapher Sandro Bonomo, Handwriting Specialist Sandra Grayson and many more at this event from 11am – 4pm.

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I was sent some gorgeous pens to try my hand at Calligraphy and it's become really addictive and I constantly find myself scribbling the boys names down and doodling with the calligraphy duo pen set.

 To celebrate the very first Calligraphy day I am giving away two beautiful pen sets to set you off on your own calligraphy journey....

The Calligraphy Duo-tip pens and The Modern Calligraphy set.

                                      

To be in with a chance to win, just enter the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

T&Cs

One winner will be picked at random,

The pens sets will be sent on from the PR.

Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email before another winner is picked.

UK only.

Ends - 22.08.17

Good Luck.

Keeping Busy....

The week after my op I was kept pretty busy as my parents came to visit.

They brought along my two nieces, so we made sure every day we did something different.

The Friday before they came we went to Jon's parents and had our very first BBQ at their new house and then the boys all played in the pool and hot tub.

Saturday 

My parents arrived nice and early, so none of the day was wasted.

After breakfast we headed off to the woods.

It was nice to see the kids all getting on nicely.

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They haven't seen each other in well over 9 months.

Noah and Isla have a great bond and I think that will be one which will stick forever.

The kids all had fun exploring the bog and looking for special feathers.

My dad ran circles around them trying to get his daily 10,000 steps in.

After the woodland walk, we headed off to a local pub for some food.

Luckily the pub had a lovely play area for the kids, which meant we could sit and enjoy some food and a glass of wine in peace.

Sunday.

We headed off to the local carnival & boot fair.

The kids all had a budget of £1 and they set to work finding something to buy.

Amazingly they all came away with something that they really wanted.

After a few goes on the bouncy castle we headed back home for some lunch before we went back.

Once home my dad got out the slip & slid he had hiding in the car.

After they were bored with the pool and their tummies full of pizza we headed back to the carnival to go on some more rides.

Rupert had his dreams come true by sitting in a real firetruck.

Every time we walk past the fire station I have to pick him up so he can look in the window at the trucks, so when he saw this sitting in the middle of the field he ran straight for it.

Monday.

We had planned to have a picnic down on the beach, but the weather wasn't looking great so we decided to head to Hunstanton's Sea Life Centre.

They all had fun seeing the different sea creatures and having the chance to hold some of them.

My favourites again were the gorgeous seals.

After we were finished at the Sea Life Centre we headed off for a spot of lunch and a nice glass of Blush Gin (children obviously had apple juice)

In the afternoon my mum and I sneaked out for a child free coffee to have a chat and we headed over to the Norfolk Lavender Farm which is across the road from me.

We had a look around the gift shop and then ordered up our coffee and cake.
I was very taken with the bright pink cake and when I was told it actually tasted like Watermelon I couldn't not order it.

Amazingly it tasted just like a watermelon flavoured jolly rancher.

To end their time here we bought a nice bottle of ròse to have with dinner.

It was nice to have mum here as it kept my mind off things but after she left I kinda got down in the dumps and haven't really done much since.

In the last few days I've focused my energy into getting my new venture off the ground.

Once it's up and running I'll be sharing it with you.

So stay tuned.

L.O.L. Surprise! Lil Sisters Ball Review

Rupert adored his last L.O.L Surprise! Doll so when we were asked if we wanted to unwrap a L.O.L Surprise! Lil Sister ball I was more than happy to say yes.

Discover 5 layers of surprise in each L.O.L. Surprise! Lil Sisters ball! 

As you unbox each layer a new surprise in unveiled, hinting at which L.O.L. Surprise! Lil Sisters doll you're going to get! And that's not all - bathe her for an additional water surprise! 

The ball becomes a keychain or bath playset. 

Mix and match your L.O.L. Surprise! Lil Sisters accessories with your L.O.L. Surprise!

 Tots 45+ to collect in Series 2!

He instantly knew what it was and was keen to get unwrapping to see which little baby he would get.

With only 5 layers to unwrap it didn't take him long to get to the ball and crack it open.

Inside there were 4 little packages containing 

One head accessory,

A pair of shoes,

The keychain for the ball and the doll itself.

Ru unwrapped Lil Miss Baby who is part of the Glam Club.

I love the detail in her hair.

A style I have tried many a time and failed at!

Ru made me fill up her bath and he took it outside to play with.

The dolls are meant to reveal a secret when you bathe them but we aren't 100% sure what ours does.

Ru is going to take her into his bath this evening and see if anything happens....if it does ill make sure I let you know!

L.O.L Surprise! Lil Sister series 2 is for children aged 3+ and available from all good toy retailers

including Argos, Asda, The Entertainer, Smyths, Tesco and ToysRUS.