The Crosby Hotel, New York City

Our family was in New York this weekend to celebrate

my brother-in law's 40th birthday.  We met my parents

at the delightful botique hotel The Crosby, where they

were staying for the weekend. The collages, artwork

and fun interior design are a real treat to explore!  My

parents couldn't wait to give us a tour of the hotel! 



The breezeway was flanked by sweet cement canines and a
quaint greenhouse display.



Across from the elevators was a beautiful painting juxtaposed
with the very modern sidetable and fresh flowers.
So breathtaking!





Fun directional signs in the hallways!







Each room is decorated differently.





This is the lounge on the first floor.  Glass doors in the back of the room open to the outdoor terrace.
I love the mix of antiques, contemporary pieces and artwork.



In the lounge there were two large fireplaces with enormous
paintings of darling pups hanging over them. 



There was even a movie theater in the basement designed in the hotel's signature colors -
orange and purple!



xx tiny bison

Mountain Lakes

These are some homes in the town next to ours. 

I love the natural stone work incorporated into the houses here.  There are many natural lakes in the area we live.  Keeping with the "lake" feel there are many houses that have river rock or natural rounded stone finishing around the basements and in the chimneys.

I love this cobblestone driveway with the grass in the center.

xx tiny bison

Spencerian Handwriting

This beautiful handwriting makes my heart beat fast!
The end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century was the height
of popularity for American Ornamental Penmanship. 
Ornamental script is another type of script during this period.

Spencerian writing samples



Louis Madarasz



Flourishing

F.B. Courtney

The Clinton Clark Scrapbook

Flourishing Sample



The Clinton Clark Scrapbook



*Contemporary Spencerian*

Alejandro Paul

Today, there are beautiful fonts based on the Spencerian script.  My very favorite fonts are by Alejandro Paul.  His Compendium and Burgues fonts are based on the Spencerian style.  Below is the New Spencerian Compendium Penmanship handbook which he used for portions of his font design.

Spencerian Compendium Penmanship

"This is a wonderful book, I'm so lucky to have one (and perfect condition!) at home, it was the source for some of my Compendium font (http://sudtipos.com/fonts/108) and obviously the name came from there too.
"Posted by Ale Paul on Feb. 11, 2010 (http://www.fontfeed.com/)



Compendium Sample from Veer.com




Burgues Script sample from Veer.com



These fonts are more expensive than normal fonts, but they are quite beautiful and can be used on notecards, invitations, gift tags and are very versatile especially when used with non-script fonts. 

xx Tiny Bison

Easter

We enjoyed the lovliest Easter breakfast hosted by Bill's parents in Virginia. 

Bill's Mom made eggs benedict with fresh fruit and

delicious pastries from HotCakes bakery in Charlottesville.

 Bill's Mom gave us the most sought-after chocolates in Charlottesville from

Gearharts Fine Chocolates.  

Look at the cute bunny!

Bill got the Gearharts man bar! 

A convenient no-fuss, smartly packaged chocolate bar!

Yummy jelly beans!

Pretty tulips

xx Tiny Bison