April Ampersand in progress

Hi there,

I'm checking in with hands smudged with ink and a rainbow of stray threads surrounding me. That means that I'm hard at work on some fun new ampersands, but I don't have anything ready to share with you... yet.

I'll check in tomorrow with something new to look at. Are we having fun yet?

April Ampersand 5

Disclaimer: I did not make this ampersand.

My lovely friends Jillian and Valori tackled some woodworking and painting to give me the giant ampersand of my dreams for Christmas.

Here's Saturday's little blue ampersand for scale:

I told you it was giant. I love it. And you probably need a giant ampersand in your life too. Since Jillian and Valori are probably busy, you could buy one here.

April Ampersand 4

Another paper cut ampersand. I can't help myself, these things are so satisfying.

The font is LTC Goudy Ornate Regular. The paper is Mohawk's Carnival Red, I think either 100# or 130#, more scraps from work.

April Ampersand 3

Each Sunday, I have a potluck dinner with some of my favorite people. I thought that this week, my loved ones might enjoy some edible ampersands.

The soft pretzel dough came together quickly. I roll out the dough and shape the ampersands.

One.

Two.

Three.

Then they rise one last time.

Before they get poached.

And then baked. Done!

Delicious little ampersand.

My cute brother enjoys an ampersand.

I enjoyed mine with mustard.

April Ampersand 2

I have this problem where, with little planning and rudimentary knowledge, I decide that I can make something. Today's crocheted ampersand is an example of this problem.

In my brain, this was a little more recognizable and adorable and a little less... squishy.

And now, a visual pun:

(Hook and eyes. I'm a dork.)

April Ampersand 1

I'm starting things out with some paper cutting.

This ampersand is from a font called Caslon No 337.

The paper is a scrap from work. It's French Paper's Dur-O-Tone text weight (70#T) Steel Grey.

I used a craft knife.

Now I'm wondering what I'm going to do with 30 ampersands once this month is over. Maybe I can use them to embellish some existing possessions. Today's experiment:

Cute? Weird? I don't know anymore.

Announcing... April Ampersands

Things have been a little too quiet around here lately, so I've been thinking about how to get myself making stuff again and give you something interesting to read about. Giving myself a goal for a month worked pretty well over at Two Loose Teeth, and I want to try something vaguely similar here.

So here's my plan: every day in April(or every few days), I'm going to find or make an ampersand (or two or three) and share it with you.

Are you into it?

I have a few ideas for ampersands brewing, but I'll need your help.

What sort of things do you want to see? I'll be using a variety of materials, but what do you think would be fun? What will be a challenge?

And what font has your very favorite ampersand?

At the end of the month, I'll come up with some extra ampersand goodness for all of us to enjoy, so let's get this thing started.

An ampersand-centric ad that I tore from a magazine years ago. This crush goes way back.