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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!

    Log in to Reply

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Earlier this month, my family and I took a trip to Earlier this month, my family and I took a trip to Lima, Peru—and this sketchbook page was my way of bottling it all up. The ceviche, the ocean views, the family time… I didn’t want to forget a second of it. 🐟🌊

If you’ve got a trip coming up—or even a favorite memory you want to hang on to—I made a blog tutorial to walk you through how to turn it into a page like this. It’s low-pressure, fun, and you’ll end up with something that feels like a little treasure. 🖌️

Click the link in bio and look for the “Travel Memories” blog post. I hope it gives you a spark!

#traveljournal #sketchbookinspiration #watercolorart #calligraphyart #thepostmansknock #limaperu #travelmemories
It’s Thursday, and this is your gentle reminder It’s Thursday, and this is your gentle reminder to slow down. ✨ There’s something spellbinding about gold ink flowing across black paper—especially with Enya in the background. 🚤 

Calligraphy isn’t just about pretty letters. It’s about breathing, focusing, and letting the rhythm of dip, write, repeat carry you into calm.

If you’ve been craving that kind of creative peace, there’s a whole world waiting for you at The Postman’s Knock (link in bio). Courses, worksheets, and tutorials—designed to challenge, to soothe, and to inspire.

#calligraphyvideo #pointedpen #moderncalligraphy #goldink #blackpaper #dippen #calligraphylove #calligraphyinspiration #calmingcontent #relaxingreel #asmrcalligraphy #thursdayvibes #slowmade #creativeflow #thepostmansknock
There’s a brand-new tutorial on the TPK Blog tod There’s a brand-new tutorial on the TPK Blog today (link in bio)! You’ll learn how to make this rugged little trifold card, complete with layered watercolor mountains and a calligraphy quote. 🏔 The concept was inspired by a gorgeous floral card from @fpmmac — I just reimagined it with a more outdoorsy feel. Per usual, I used my favorite @greenleafblue palette to paint these earthy, moody peaks. The colors make the whole project feel grounded and bold at the same time.

Full blog access is for TPK Premium members (starting at $5/month), but non-members can still view two articles/month — so you can absolutely check this one out! Every post takes me 2–3 days to create, and I fill them with clear instructions, helpful photos, and ideas you’ll actually want to try. If you like what you see, membership opens up 900+ tutorials/articles to explore!

#thepostmansknock #watercolorcard #diycardmaking #calligraphytutorial #watercolormountains #greenleafblue #handletteringlove #diygreetingcard #moderncalligraphy #watercolorart #creativeprojects #slowcreativeliving #tpkpremium #handmadecards #craftingjoy #cardtutorial #paintedgreetingcard
This little box has been starting calligraphy jour This little box has been starting calligraphy journeys since 2019—because it takes the guesswork out of getting started. ✨ Whether you’re brand new to calligraphy or coming back after a break, everything inside is designed to help you feel inspired, confident, and ready to create.

The workbook (and its accompanying video course!) gives you structure. The supplies are special and thoughtfully chosen. And the whole thing feels like an invitation to slow down and enjoy the process.

If you’ve been thinking about learning calligraphy—or gifting someone else the nudge to try—you can find the kit in the TPK Catalog now. Just click the link in bio and navigate to “Shop.”

#moderncalligraphy #calligraphykit #tpkstyle #learncalligraphy #calligraphyforbeginners #pointedpenlove #calligraphygiftideas #dippenlove
Sometimes, the best creative projects are the ones Sometimes, the best creative projects are the ones that don’t go exactly as planned. This tree art was made with watercolors and a straw—yes, a straw! The branches take shape as you blow paint across the page, and from there, it’s all about adding leaves and a few cheerful bluebirds. 🌿💙

This technique is relaxing, a little unpredictable, and really satisfying. I hope it gives you a gentle creative reset, especially if you’ve been deep in detail-heavy work lately. 💛

You can find the full tutorial on the blog (with video + step-by-step photos)—just search “Soothing Organic Tree Art” on thepostmansknock.com, or tap the link in bio!

#watercolortutorial #watercolorillustration #artproject #creativebreak #strawpainting #birdillustration #calligraphyandillustration #tpkstyle #slowcreativity #arttimelapse #artforkidsandadults #natureinspiredart
Something magical happens when you sit down with s Something magical happens when you sit down with someone who speaks your creative language ✨ That was definitely the case when my friend Jess of @greenleafblue joined me for a live chat with TPK Premium members! We talked about everything from watercolor quirks to sketchbooks as memory-keepers, creative balance, and the joy of going analog in a digital world.

Jess makes some of the most beautiful handmade watercolors you’ll ever find—but her real superpower might be how she talks about creativity with honesty and depth. I walked away from our conversation feeling grounded, inspired, and ready to make something. I think you will too.

🎧 You can listen to the conversation podcast-style or watch the full video—link in profile; then look for the May 13th article!

#greenleafandblueberry #watercolorpainting #sketchbookinspiration #creativelife #analogart #arttalk #artpodcast #tpkpremium #creativeprocess #makersgonnamake
Where do you go when you need a break? Where’s y Where do you go when you need a break? Where’s your “Kokomo”? 

Hernán and I haven’t been back to Lima, his birthplace (and where most of his family still lives), since early 2018. Two small kids and a pandemic later, it seemed like the right time. After returning from an 8-day stay in *stunning* Miraflores, a district in Lima, I’m feeling rejuvenated; creatively, emotionally, and physically. It’s been a long time since I’ve taken a vacation, and I had forgotten how important it is to step away from everyday life for a while! 

It’s easy to put off taking a big break or a vacation when you are stuck in the minutiae of everyday life. I’m curious to hear what place motivates you to step away from the routine and get a mental reset! 

#PeruTravel #MirafloresLima #LimaThroughMyEyes #FamilyAndTravel #TravelToReconnect #CreativeReset #MentalReset #RestIsProductive #SlowTravelMoments #TakeABreak #InspiredByTravel #CreativeRecharge #MeaningfulTravel #WhereToNext #WhereDoYouGo #TravelForPerspective
Here’s a fun little trick for making personalize Here’s a fun little trick for making personalized wrapping paper: just grab a big sheet of paper and a bold marker (I used an oil-based Sharpie I had lying around). Write the recipient’s name and a greeting over and over on the diagonal—starting each new line right where the last one left off. Once you’ve filled the page, flip it over and wrap your gift. Instant charm. 🖋🎁 #giftwrapping #diywrappingpaper #handmadegiftwrap #calligraphyideas #markerlettering #easydiygiftwrap #personalizedgifts #giftwrappingidea #creativewrapping #letteringlove #moderncalligraphy #diygiftwrap #tpkstyle
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