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Archives for February 2016

Illustrated Teapot Envelope Art Tutorial

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Illustrated Teapot Envelope Art Tutorial | The Postman's Knock

A few days ago, I was Pinteresting (I do this so much, I now have a verb for it), and I found a photo of teapot envelope art that I loved! Unfortunately, I cannot find the original source — the website that hosted it appears to be defunct — but you can see the pin here. I especially liked the idea of a tea tag collage. Tea tags can be really pretty, and they offer the recipient a peek into your your kitchen pantry! This can be oddly comforting if you are separated from a friend by many miles; or educational/interesting if you have an international pen pal to correspond with.
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White Calligraphy Ink Showdown Part II: Bleed Proof White + Winsor & Newton

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White Calligraphy Ink Showdown Part II: Bleedproof White + Winsor & Newton | The Postman's Knock

Today’s blog post will wrap up the two-part series on white calligraphy ink with a look at Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White ink and Winsor & Newton White calligraphy ink. Both of these inks are excellent choices for creating eye-catching white lettering! As with the inks that were discussed in Part I of this series, however, these two inks have some properties that you should be aware of before deciding which ink will suit you best.
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White Calligraphy Ink Showdown: Sumi, Ziller, & Pen White + Giveaway

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White Calligraphy Ink Showdown: Sumi, Ziller, & Pen White | The Postman's Knock

If you can write with a dip pen — and if you can’t right now, trust me, you can learn! — then white calligraphy ink is one of the coolest supplies you can own. All of a sudden, this new world will open up for you: you will be able to write on virtually any color of paper that catches your fancy!
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Paper Belly Bands: 3 Simple Tutorials

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Paper Belly Bands: 3 Simple Tutorials | The Postman's Knock

When I received my first wedding invitation commission a few years ago, I found myself scouring the internet for techniques to ensure that it was perfect. One element I was consistently drawn to in other wedding invitations — and dually proposed to the client — was paper belly bands! Not only did they look incredibly elegant, but it also seemed like they wouldn’t be too tough to make. That assessment, happily, was correct: belly bands are not difficult to make at all, they can elevate your paper project endeavors to incredible heights, and you can use them for many different applications! In today’s blog post, we’ll go through three quick paper belly band tutorials to add a little somethin’ somethin’ to a variety of different projects.
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Calligraphy Ink Recommendations: Sparkling Delights (Part II)

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Calligraphy Ink Recommendations: Sparkling Delights (Part II) | The Postman's Knock

Today’s blog post will benefit you if you’re looking for a no-fuss sparkling calligraphy ink (Dr. Ph. Martin’s Iridescent) or a widely available, stunning “ink” (Pearl Ex powdered pigments)! You’ll become more acquainted with both inks — pros and cons — in this post. If you missed Part I of this series, you can read it here in order to develop a clear idea of which metallic ink is right for you!
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Calligraphy Ink Recommendations: Sparkling Delights (Part I) + Giveaway

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Calligraphy Ink Recommendations: Sparkling Delights (Includes Giveaway) | The Postman's Knock

In the last TPK blog post, you were introduced to three kinds of earthy-hued calligraphy ink. Today, you’re going to meet the glitzy cousins of those inks! The sparkling inks detailed in this post are perfect for when you want to make something glamorous and unique, something that makes observers do a double-take. You’ll learn the nuances behind various metallic calligraphy mediums, and you can use the information presented today and in the next TPK blog post to decide which sparkling ink (or inks) are right for you!
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Calligraphy Ink Recommendations: Earthy Hues (Includes Giveaway)

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Calligraphy Ink Recommendations: Earthy Hues | The Postman's Knock

The vast selection of calligraphy ink available to order online can be overwhelming, especially if you’re just starting out! In the next couple of blog posts here on TPK, I’d like to talk about a few of the inks that I like to use. Granted, I’ve probably only tried a small percentage of what’s available out there; but the inks I am going to tell you about are the ones that work for me, and I’m dually comfortable recommending them to you! In today’s post, you’ll learn about a handful of different earthy hues you can use. I am personally drawn to neutral tones, so I really appreciate the inks outlined below; and I use them for a variety of projects!
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January 2016 Creative Challenge Winner + Entries

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January 2016 Creative Challenge Winner + Entries | The Postman's Knock

In the past two weeks, many gorgeous pieces of artwork and calligraphy made their way into my inbox as part of the TPK January 2016 Creative Challenge! The challenge was a lot of fun for me because it gave me a chance to interact with some of the creatives who read the TPK blog, and to be inspired by the different styles of calligraphy and illustration that I saw. In today’s blog post, I want to share some of the pieces I received with you! First, though, allow me to announce the winner … and a bit of a surprise:
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