This one should really be filed under “Pretty Things“… because it simply does not get prettier than this.
Meet Barbara Kua – a master calligrapher from Toronto, ON. Her flawless inscriptions make memories of my own wedding rush to the forefront of my mind; such is the power of her exquisite and romantic letterings.
From her website:
Calligraphy literally means beautiful writing and stems from ancient roots. In today’s age, computer generated fonts are widely accessible, but something handwritten always has a warmth a computer just can’t compete with. Calligraphy is an exquisite way to add a personal touch to delight your guests.My friends will tell you that I’m somewhat obsessed with penmanship. When I come across cursive writing that catches my eye, I scrutinize every loop, dot and cross. Then I theorize what makes it so attractive – is it the angle, symmetry or continuity? How much pressure would one have to exert to allow the pen to flow so seamlessly? (Yes, sometimes I have too much time on my hands.) Therefore it’s certainly no surprise that talented calligraphers such as Barbara literally knock me off my feet. LOVES it!
Barbara takes a contemporary approach to the ancient art of calligraphy, offering fresh and modern styles. She offers lettering to tickle every fancy – including the tart and refreshing “Taylor“, the haute couture “Katie“, and my favourite, the whimsical and fun “Penelope.” Her services include, but are not limited to, envelope addressing, menus, invitations, rubber address stamps, poems, quotes and more.

If you’ve got an upcoming event, consider injecting some personality and upping the “wow” factor by including custom calligraphy. Many of my friends (myself included) treat invitations as keepsakes; imagine how surprised your guests will be when they receive a beautifully lettered card – made from scratch, not Windows Vista :)
On a budget? You can still incorporate a personal touch with Barbara’s calligraphy rubber stamps – customized with your choice of calligraphy style and a return address. The stamp is made with 100% natural red rubber which lasts longer, retains ink better and makes for a crisp impression.
And it’s not just for wedding invitations! You can use the stamp for all your correspondence – for Christmas cards, use a festive green or red ink to showcase your holiday spirit, or go the extra mile with sparkly embossed lettering! For birthday invitations, channel your inner Martha Stewart and choose an ink colour which matches the theme of the invite.
Barbara works with clients from all over the world – simply contact her with the details of your event, and she’ll turn your vision into art.
Click here to visit Barbara Kua Calligraphy.
WIN IT!
Barbara has generously offered one Listen to Lena! reader the chance to win a wooden handle Rubber Address Stamp – personalized with your return address in your choice of calligraphy (value $39). To enter, simply visit Barbara’s website and tell us which style of lettering is your favourite.
You can also qualify for extra entries! Remember, you must leave a separate comment to claim your extra entry. You can:
(1) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena!
(2) Follow Barbara Kua Calligraphy on Twitter
(3) Tweet about the It’s One of A Kind! giveaways (tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/369glqk)
(4) You may Tweet daily.
I’ll draw for a winner On December 4th. Good luck everybody!
It's a toss-up between Ashley and Olivia. Can I have both?
I love the Ashley style of lettering!
Follow your blog!
hmmm…my fave is the Olivia. such a clean look to it.
I love the Claire style.
Follow your blog!
I love the Claire style. Reminiscent of days gone by.
I think I'l take Olivia
you may think I would go for the "Katie"… but I really think that "Hannah" is more my stylekatiejaneallen at gmail dot com
I follow your blogkatiejaneallen at gmail dot com
I really like Ashley! suzanneculp@gmail.com
I follow your blog.suzanneculp@gmail.com
I follow bkcalligraphy on twitter (sveldpaus)suzanneculp@gmail.com
tweeted: http://twitter.com/sveldpaus/statuses/2893126444257280suzanneculp@gmail.com
I follow your blog everyday!!I love the Katie style!
Follow your blog everyday!I love the Katie font, classic!
I dabble in calligraphy but she blows me away. I love Penelope!
I'm a follower!
Like the Ashley style
Follow your blog
Love the Olivia style
Follow your blog
Ashley is my fave!
Follow your blog.
Follow Barbara on Twitter.
I like Sohpia and Olivia!
And I love following your blog!
I think I like the Taylor style – so hard to choose!
I follow!
I like the Taylor style.
I follow your blog via GFC.
Tweet:https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/2938203258494977
Whooo this would be perfect for my upcoming wedding! I follow your blog and I love love love the Ashley style!
The Taylor style is the one that appeals to me.
I follow your blog.
Katie is my favourite!
I follow your blog!
For address labels I like the Ashley style the best…would be great for Christmas cards. Does it come with ink too?
I follow your blog.
I like the Taylor style best, little more modern!
I like Sophia and Katie. Love them!
I follow your blog.
I follow your blog!
I follow your blog
I love the Ashley style!!
The Sophia lettering is my favoriteanita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com
following you via GFCanita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com
I like Taylor – simple and elegant!
I like taylor bestdftrew(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow with GFCdftrew(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow Barbara on twitter as edmontonjbdftrew(at)gmail(dot)com
I love the Penelope!
I follow your blog!
I follow bkcalligraphy on twitter!
They are all so beautiful…Olivia is my favourite! I am such a calligraphy nerd! I used to do it myself, and had quite a collection of different pens. Makes me want to start up that hobby again!
Follow your blog :)
The Olivia is beautiful
I follow
Definitely the Katie.
I follow your blog.
I like the Charlotte script
I follow w/GFC
Daily Tweethttp://twitter.com/missbobloblaw/status/3273949324517376
I follow @bkcalligraphy@missbobloblaw
I would pick the Hannah style – it was a tough choice. They're all so beautiful.
I follow Listen to Lena!!!
daily tweet: http://twitter.com/sveldpaus/statuses/3483220247060480suzanneculp@gmail.com
This is a great resource for thank you cards, christmas cards – so much better than stickers! Less waste. I want this prize!
I really want this!
I most likely would choose taylor if I win this btw.
daily tweet: http://twitter.com/sveldpaus/statuses/4033059716333568suzanneculp@gmail.com
I like the Claireleannemacg at gmail.com
I like the Claireleannemacg at gmail.com
I follow you on gfcleannemacg at gmail.com
I Follow Barbara Kua Calligraphy on Twitterleannemacg at gmail.com
I love all the fonts- so pretty! I think my fave is Hannah:)
For another entry- I follow your blog:)
The Ashley is my favorite style.henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
I love the Olivia style. Thanks.
I follow your blog!
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/4622615893250048henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
Daily Tweet:https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/4630603685167104
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/4877294942294016henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
Daily Tweet:https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/4991122749267968
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/5252438026092545henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
they are all so beautiful! wow! I think I would choose the sophiamomvstheboys at gmail dot com
I follow barbara on twitter as theonlygirlmomvstheboys at gmail dot com
Daily Tweet:https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/5348931407970304
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/5612686532419584henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
Daily Tweet:https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/5728952249221120
DT: http://twitter.com/sveldpaus/statuses/5829594301071360suzanneculp@gmail.com
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/5978162752135168henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
Daily Tweet:https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/6076313173495809
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/6369610207076352henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
Daily Tweet:https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/6455044534702081
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/6736201960656898henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
tweet: http://twitter.com/sveldpaus/statuses/6756362994327552suzanneculp@gmail.com
Daily Tweet:https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/6799638774415360
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/7136001596071936henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
Daily Tweet:https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/7144223954444289
tweet: http://twitter.com/sveldpaus/statuses/7175147119185920suzanneculp@gmail.com
Daily Tweet:https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/7535748261609472
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/7839269104123905henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
Daily Tweet:https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/7880532666884096
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/8155490215268352henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
Daily Tweet:https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/8234559929847808
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/8543984892776449henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
Daily Tweet:https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/8602034743808000
Sophia is my style… :)
I follow your blog :)
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/missbobloblaw/status/8961305012604928
Daily Tweet:https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/8962604525428737
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/9198731870081024henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
Daily Tweet:https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/9347860197806080
i like the CLAIRE style the best i think , i have terrible handwriting so this would be greatstaceyx at telus dot net
i follow your blogstaceyx at telus dot net
i Follow Barbara Kua Calligraphy on Twitter @roswellostaceyx at telus dot net
i tweetedhttp://twitter.com/roswello/status/9515116772982784staceyx at telus dot net
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/9585787360247808henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
I love the Hannah style.
I follow your blog
I follow Barbara on twitter @notpregnantjust
I tweeted:http://twitter.com/#!/notpregnantjust/status/9625295879409664
Daily Tweet:https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/9700521883467776
I love the Claire style!
The Claire style…so feminine.
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/roswello/status/9915532916555777staceyx at telus dot net
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/9935807896887296henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
I like the Ashley style!
I follow your blog!
I like the Hannah-style best. What a unique product!
Daily Tweet:https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/10066042873188352
I love the Penelope style! Too cute!
I follow your blog via GFC!
I'm following Barbara Kua Calligraphy on Twitter as @vira25
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/#!/vira25/status/10091159481221120
I follow Listen to Lena!
I would choose the Penelope style:)
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/10295194528251904henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
Daily Tweet:https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/10439080093425664
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/10655045888512000henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
Daily Tweet:https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/10780500868210688
Following via GFChenglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
Following Barbara Kua on twitter ~ @henglishhenglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
So classy!
Katie and Claire are beautiful writing styles
I could use one of these…or two…or three
I like the pretty Hannah style. tylerpants(at)gmail.com
I'm a GFC follower. tylerpants(at)gmail.com
Love the Ashley style!
I follow your blog!
I think the Ashley script is my favourite!
I follow you on GFC.
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/11018023645216768henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/roswello/status/11026709449019392staceyx at telus dot net