Friday, May 4, 2012

The Graceful Envelope

Each year, the Washington Calligraphers Guild sponsors the Graceful Envelope Contest, which draws participation from some of the most amazing lettering artists from around the world.  This contest, in its 18th year, was originally created and sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution's National Postal Museum. In 2001, the Washington Calligraphers Guild took over as sponsor and, starting in 2003, the National Association of Letter Carriers has co-sponsored. 

Its open to all ages (separate judging category for children) and there is no cost to enter.  I'm not sure how many people enter, but I've been amazed at the talent and creativity of those whose entries have won in past years (each year's winning envelopes can be linked to from the Graceful Envelope Contest page).  According to the website:

Designs that incorporate postage stamp(s) into the theme are encouraged. Judges look for skill in lettering, effective use of color and design, and creative interpretation of the theme.

This year, I decided to join.  Not in the hopes of having a winning entry, but just I love the idea of this contest and I wanted to be part of it and to show my support of it.  This year's theme focused on creating a graceful envelope around something that begins with a D.  Pretty wide open there, huh?  So broad that it took me a while to come up with a theme that was meaningful, but I ultimately settled on the the idea of donors. Here is what I submitted:


I had a lot of fun with this and can't wait to see the winning entries!

Please check out what my friends at Paint Party Friday have been up to this week!

34 comments:

  1. Fantastic work! I wish you good luck!

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  2. It's gorgeous! I love how your reflected on the stamp.
    Rinda

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  3. Wow very impressive and well thought out!! Excellent!! Hope you win!! Good luck!

    Hugs Giggles

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  4. wonderful work, wishing you well in the competition. Happy PPF, Annette x

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  5. It's beautiful, your lettering is so light and graceful, also lovely luminous colors! <3

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  6. Good luck! This is delightful. Love your composition and colors and the reflection of the stamp. Very clever.

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  7. Good for you for entering this contest. It's really great to know there is a group like this that is keeping the art of calligraphy alive. Your piece is really well done. I love how you took the character from the stamp and used it in your design.

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  8. I just took a stroll through your blog and delighted at all the awesome lettering you are able to execute; and the watercolor paintings as well. I will be back. Lots of fun happening here, bright colors and styles I like a lot.

    Thanks for visiting me today and leaving your really nice comment!

    HPPF...good to make your acquaintance!

    I can see you winning the contest with your Donor card! Great theme, well done lettering! Good luck!

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  9. You chose a great theme! I would've come up with something lame like dolls. :)) Great job on the envelope!

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  10. Wonderfully done with vibrant colors and delightful design ~ fun! ~ thanks, namaste, ^_^

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  11. well I hope you win, you never know! It looks fabulous!

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  12. I love your lettering - especially the delicate shadows around it! I'm so impressed that you are participating in the envelope contest and hope you get fantastic feedback! (PS: thanks for visiting, I left a reply with your question. Short answer: I do it both ways:-) mx

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  13. Oh, wow! HOW COOL that you entered this year! I LOVE your envelope and your lettering is always impressive! Could be that they are looking at YOUR winning entries ;) Good luck! xoxo

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  14. What a cool project. Your envelope is great!! Happy PPF

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  15. I think you will do very well in this contest! Your envelope & lettering is absolutely wonderful!!!

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  16. Your envelope is great!!! I really need to work on developing lettering skills.

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  17. I love it! I've been talking with my teenagers about being a donor. I feel it's so important. Love your work! Happy PPF!

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  18. Wonderful Molly! There's no reason why you couldn't win! Love your lettering. Wish I could do something with lettering. I really like how you reflected the design in the stamp. Also, love the colors as well. Fabulous job! Good luck and please let us know the results. Happy ppf! :-)

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  19. It's wonderful! I love it and the idea of that contest is really fun. You have a great eye for design...lots of elements but placed so well. :)

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  20. this is gorgeous - your scripting is so fantastic and I love the style of this. good luck with the contest, I'll look forward to hearing how it goes!

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  21. Oh, Molly, how beautiful!!! And what a wonderful way to make more people aware of organ donation as an option. I sincerely hope you get proper recognition, first place would be great but any special notice would be such a boon for those needing transplants. Thanks for visiting my blog. It gave me the opportunity to see this fantastic PPF entry. Faye

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  22. What a wonderful challenge, and you sure stepped up and met it. I love your theme! very nice work and good luck.

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  23. That's great Molly that you entered for support, looks like it got your creative juices flowing! Happy PPF

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  24. very fun to try something new-good luck with the contest.thanks for stopping by.
    don't throw away anything-you never know!
    miriam

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  25. Nicely done. You are going along with the new announcement with FB on organ donations. Heres hoping your win something. If not what fun it was working on it. Thanks for your nice comment on my blog.

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  26. Good luck! I so love your lettering!!!

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  27. Oh good luck! Your lettering is awesome. I definitely admire you and why you are doing this. Congrats!

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  28. What a fantastic idea & your design really is great, such strong graphics!!

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  29. Wonderful submission! I love your choice of "D". Good luck!

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  30. This is gorgeous! Wonderful choice for "d" - love it!

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  31. a very powerful piece. a very touching one. lovely lettering. I hope you win!

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  32. What a delightful contest- love the name! If I knew about it sooner I would have liked to join, just for the fun of it! Your entry is wonderful! You chose a great theme and I like your calligraphy! Patsy from
    HeARTworks

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  33. What a terrific envelope! Great idea - nice and bright!

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