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  • Welcome to TPK! This is your first of 2 free articles. For unlimited access to tutorials and articles, join TPK Premium for less than the cost of a latte.

    ✨ Making Magic with TPK: Celebrating Reader Projects

    August 22, 2023

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Inspiration, Roundup

    One of the most rewarding aspects of running this website is seeing the ripple effect of creativity. It’s one thing to provide a tutorial, but it’s a unique joy to see that knowledge absorbed and transformed by someone. Today, we’ll dive into several TPK-inspired projects that capture the spirit of art and community.

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    Abby S. (@thescriptedpost on Instagram) used Circus Style lettering to make these *fabulous* envelopes.
    Abby S. (@thescriptedpost on Instagram) used Circus Style lettering to make these *fabulous* envelopes.

    For me, a big part of the fun of the TPK website is seeing reader projects. It’s so gratifying to provide instructions and see them being put to use, especially when people add or subtract elements to make a project their own! Today, I’m taking a little break from working on my book to share some of my favorite TPK-inspired creations from Instagram — courtesy of the TPK community.

    1. Illuminated Letters Birthday Gift

    CoCo K. knocked it out of the park with this project! She used the Easy Illuminated Letter Tutorial as a base, pairing two letters together with an innovative color scheme and calligraphy as a birthday gift for her dad.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by CoCo Kelly | The Audacious Woman (@shewhoisaudacious)

    MAKE YOUR OWN ILLUMINATED LETTER

    2. Flourished Reindeer Holiday Card

    Bernice did an amazing job replicating Maureen Vickery’s flourished calligraphy reindeer — complete with a red nose — as part of her holiday decor. Bleed Proof White ink is a must if you want that festive, snowy look on black paper.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Bernice (@bernice_lettersandthings)

    READ THE FLOURISHED CALLIGRAPHY REINDEER TUTORIAL

    3. Colorful Marinera Dancer

    For Peruvian Independence Day 2022, I shared a Marinera Dancer Calligraphy Drill Worksheet. Larissa took her dancer to the next level by embracing the traditional Peruvian color scheme of red, black, and white!

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Larissa (@larigraphy_tas)

    DOWNLOAD THE FREE WORKSHEET

    4. North Carolina Illustrated Map

    Mindy J. put in the work to make this map by enrolling in the Watercolor Illustrated Maps 101 eCourse. A piece like this takes several days to make, but the process is magic. It’s amazing how making a map allows you to “travel” to a place … mentally, you feel like you’re there! If you’re serious about making maps, enroll in the course; or, for an overview of the process, see this tutorial.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Mindy Jameyson CZT (@penwithzen)

    ENROLL IN THE WATERCOLOR illustrated MAPS 101 ECOURSE

    5. Letter Art Farewell Gift

    Anamika says: “I wanted to gift [my ex-coworker Matthew] something that will always remind him of us, a part of Non Human Primate Reagent Resource (NHPRR). Those who don’t know we work in vaccine development and it’s related to primates hence I wanted to include our beloved animal Macaca mulata aka rhesus monkey. This art piece has everyone’s name who is a part of the group along with most special ppl/things/ objects in his life.” She created this piece using the Personalized Letter Art Tutorial.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Anamika Banerjee (@artwork_by_anamika)

    MAKE PERSONALIZED LETTER ART

    6. “Bee Mine” Card

    Nikkei’s brilliant Valentine’s Day card pairs the Flourished Bee Calligraphy Tutorial with metallic ink and “Bee Mine” calligraphy for a visual treat.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Ruby Red Riding Hood (@rubyredridinghood)

    DOWNLOAD THE FREE FLOURISHED BEE WORKSHEET

    7. “JOY” Holiday Card

    Jennifer D. created this simple but festive card with the help of the “Joy” Elegant Gold Christmas Card Tutorial. I love how she used a gold border to complete the look!

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Cursively Written (@cursivelywritten)

    make a “joy” greeting card

    8. “Silent Phantoms” Halloween Quote

    Philippa elevated the “Silent Phantoms” Halloween Calligraphy by writing her quote on aged, torn paper using walnut ink. These modifications make the piece especially perfect for up-leveling your Halloween decor!

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by @pippaj3

    DOWNLOAD THE “SILENT PHANTOMS” CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHEET

    9. Hand-Drawn Vintage Roses

    Anna is right: it’s amazing what you can do with a pen and some ink. Try creating a vintage roses illustration yourself! Like Anna (and me), I suspect you’ll find that this motif presents a relaxing and pleasant challenge.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Anna | Cracow Calligrapher (@flourishing_corner)

    LEARN HOW TO DRAW VINTAGE ROSES

    10. Woman’s Silhouette Calligraphy Artwork

    Paulina re-imagined TPK’s Calligraphy Artwork Tutorial: Woman’s Silhouette to include clear, monoline calligraphy and a favorite song. I love how she states that the TPK Blog makes you “want to try all the things” — that’s what I love to hear!

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by 𝑃𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑎 • 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟 (@goldprintcalligraphy)

    make a calligraphy silhouette

    I so appreciate everyone who has shared their creations on Instagram for me to see. It’s an amazing cycle of inspiration: when you read a tutorial and share the result, I feel that creative spark that fuels this website. Thanks so much for growing your creativity with me, and please feel free to scroll through other TPK reader-created projects to see even more reader projects!

    Happy creating,

    Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock
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About the author

Hi, I’m Lindsey Bugbee, the illustrator, calligrapher, and author behind The Postman’s Knock (TPK). Since 2012, the TPK Blog has been a vibrant creative space filled with tutorials and lessons on modern calligraphy, hand lettering, and illustration. After publishing The Calligraphy Book, I wanted to elevate the quality of content even further—so I launched TPK Premium. You can join here to receive access to some of the internet’s best creative inspiration and project tutorials.

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2 responses

  1. Solar Avatar
    Solar
    July 29, 2024

    This post is very helpful. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

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  2. gorilla tag Avatar
    gorilla tag
    March 28, 2024

    Larissa elevated her dancer to the next level by donning the classic Peruvian tricolor of white, black, and red!

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One of the coolest things you can do with a pointe One of the coolest things you can do with a pointed pen isn’t write a word — it’s build a picture with nothing but flourishes. 🪶✨

This tropical parrot was such a joy to create, and TPK’s newest worksheet walks you through how to make your own version step by step. Whether you’re tracing to get a feel for the movement or freehand flourishing the final piece, it’s both relaxing and skill-building — a nice balance of creative play and pointed pen precision.

You don’t need to be a pointed pen expert to try it. Just take it stroke by stroke, give yourself permission to go slow, and enjoy the process. 🖋️

📩 DM me if you’d like the link to the worksheet! It’s free for TPK Premium members, $6 for non-members. 

#moderncalligraphy #pointedpenpractice #calligraphydrills #flourishingpractice #calligraphyart #flourishfriday #calligraphyworksheet #tpkstyle #calligraphycommunity #parrotart #calligraphyproject #dippenlove #creativepractice #flourishedartwork #beginnercalligraphy #intermediatecalligraphy #tropicalvibesinink
Yes, that’s a shoe. And yes, it’s made entirel Yes, that’s a shoe. And yes, it’s made entirely with calligraphic flourishes. 😄

If you’d enjoy using a sneaker as a calligraphy practice drill, let me know in the comments! I’m happy to make it happen. 👟✨ Suggestions for other motifs are also welcome and appreciated!

#moderncalligraphy #calligraphydrills #flourishingpractice #calligraphyfun #creativecalligraphy #flourishfriday #calligraphyvideo #tpkstyle #letteringcommunity #dippenlove #artmotif
Your first thought watching this might be: “Why Your first thought watching this might be: “Why all the fuss for an envelope?” ✉️✨

Try it yourself and you’ll see why. 😉 This kind of envelope is something I create for my own relaxation—it’s just a bonus that the recipient gets to enjoy it, too! There’s nothing better than settling in with a great podcast 🎧 or show 📺, prepping your ink 🖋️, and slowly building up a design like this one.

If your next thought is, “How would I even begin to make something like this?”—well, I’ve got you. 💛 This timelapse is pulled from a full 30-minute video lesson that walks you through the whole process, from layout to flourishes to gold details. You can find it on the TPK Blog (link in bio → “How to Make a Fabulously Flourished Calligraphy Envelope”). Have fun with it! 💌

#calligraphyvideo #flourishedenvelope #mailart #pointedpencalligraphy #moderncalligraphy #envelopeart #calligraphytutorial #snailmailrevolution #relaxinghobby #tpkpremium #envelopeinspo #happyhandwriting #calligraphyinspiration #goldandwhite #calligraphypractice
✨ The first step to growing creatively? Letting ✨ The first step to growing creatively? Letting go of what’s holding you back. ✨

In the latest TPK article, I’m exploring 8 common myths about calligraphy—the kinds of quiet beliefs that convince us we’re not “artsy” enough, don’t have the time, or that messy handwriting means we’re not cut out for it. 🖋 Let’s rewrite that story (literally—with pen in hand!).

Here’s your gentle permission to begin. 💌

🔗 Link in bio → Tap “8 Calligraphy Myths That Might Be Holding You Back” on the TPK Blog.

#calligraphycommunity #calligraphyinspiration #moderncalligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #calligraphymyths #brauserose #calligraphypractice #learntocalligraphy #creativeconfidence #obliquepen #greeninkmagic
Sometimes, texting feels like a chore (surely I’ Sometimes, texting feels like a chore (surely I’m not the only one who feels this way?). 📱 You’re trying to be thoughtful, but there’s pressure to reply quickly, to keep the conversation going. Postcards don’t come with that pressure. They’re just joy—for the sender and the recipient.

That’s why I love making them. It’s a low-pressure, creative little ritual that turns scraps into keepsakes. And when that postcard lands in someone’s mailbox? There’s no distracting “ping”, no reply needed—just a quiet little surprise waiting among the bills. 💌

Give it a try! This carousel walks you through the basics, and the full tutorial (with all the little details) is in the April 9th post on the TPK Blog—link in bio.

#postcardswap #mailmakesmehappy #handmadehappiness #creativeconnection #snailmailrevolution #thepostmansknock #artforyourfridge #paperproject #everydayartistry #mindfulcreativity
Want a copy of this printable worksheet? Just comm Want a copy of this printable worksheet? Just comment “drills please!” and I’ll DM you the link. 🖋️ The worksheet is totally free — and, with 99K downloads, it’s a longtime favorite in the TPK community. 😊

Calligraphy drills are one of my favorite ways to improve pointed pen skills and relax at the same time. They’re meditative, satisfying, and surprisingly powerful—whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned calligrapher warming up.

#calligraphypractice #moderncalligraphy #pointedpen #calligraphyworksheet #calligraphycommunity #dippenlove #creativepractice #freeprintable #notyouraverage #calligraphyfun
🍷 Yes, that’s red wine. And yes, it writes th 🍷 Yes, that’s red wine. And yes, it writes this like a dream!

I spent three days testing, staining my fingers (and a rug), and figuring out the perfect way to turn wine into calligraphy ink — and now I get to show you exactly how to do it. From deep burgundy tones to soft gradients, it’s romantic, unexpected, and surprisingly satisfying.

The full tutorial — including the recipe, nib tips, and how to avoid smudging — lives on the TPK blog. Once you click into the post, you’ll be prompted to join Premium (it’s just $1 for your first month with code FIRSTMONTH).

✨ Tap the link in my bio to head to the blog and start there!

#calligraphy #redwineink #envelopecalligraphy #moderncalligraphy #watercolorcalligraphy #calligraphylove #tpkpremium
When I watched @thehappyevercrafter’s reel about When I watched @thehappyevercrafter’s reel about stepping away from the content hamster wheel, I felt it in my bones. The second baby, the shifting algorithms, the slow burn of burnout… yep. Been there. Last fall, I took the leap and launched TPK Premium — a cozy, creative space away from the noise where I can actually teach again. Write again. Share again.

One of this month’s Premium treats? A pointed pen worksheet built around this bold Lucille Ball quote: “I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than the things I haven’t.” It’s flourishy, unapologetic, and a perfect reminder to say yes to the creative things calling your name.

If you’ve been on the fence about joining Premium, consider this your sign. I’d love to see you inside. 💛 Visit any of the blog posts from the link in my profile to sign up! Try a month and see how it goes! There’s some really neat content coming this April, including how to write with red wine and how to make a gorgeous flourished parrot.

#calligraphy #calligraphyworksheet #pointedpencalligraphy #moderncalligraphy #lucilleballquote #tpkpremium #handletteringpractice #creativitywithintention #flourishingletters #makersgonnamake
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