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Archives for June 2018

Monochrome Mountains Mail Art Tutorial + Free Printable

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Monochrome Mountains Mail Art Tutorial + Free Printable | The Postman's Knock

The Nikko G nib is a fantastic calligraphy nib — but did you know that it was originally developed to be a drawing nib? I’ve used it to illustrate several fun projects like a lace butterfly and a henna bluebird! The objective of today’s mail art tutorial is twofold: first, I want you to end up with an artistic envelope that you love. Second, I want you to get a basic introduction to drawing with the Nikko G because next month I plan to explore pen and ink drawing techniques a bit more with you!
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The Ultimate DIY Wedding Invitations Roadmap

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The Ultimate DIY Wedding Invitations Roadmap | The Postman's Knock

I recently found myself chatting with someone who is considering making DIY wedding invitations for her daughter’s wedding. As we talked, I found myself writing down articles for her to read on the TPK website. I gave her many scrambled tips that probably left her feeling more confused than empowered! That’s when I realized: I don’t have a blog post that breaks down DIY wedding invitations into the do-able endeavor that they are. That changes today! In this article, you’ll learn the process for making your own professional-looking invitations.
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Simple Twig Watercolor Thank You Card Tutorial

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Simple Twig Watercolor Thank You Card Tutorial | The Postman's Knock

Every Monday, I’ve been sending out a brief newsletter to TPK subscribers. It’s something I have really enjoyed because a newsletter isn’t nearly as formal as a blog post; instead, it feels more like a conversation. In the last newsletter, I asked for blog post topic feedback — in short, what do readers want more of (or less of)? A theme appeared throughout several of the feedback emails: more watercolor tutorials! So, today, I want to show you how to make this simple twig watercolor thank you card. It features a blending/salting technique that I promise you can do, and I’ll teach you how in a video toward the end of the post!
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12 Artistic Envelope Ideas

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12 Artistic Envelope Ideas | The Postman's Knock

There’s hardly a better canvas to practice your art, calligraphy, and lettering skills on than an envelope! Envelopes’ practical, temporary nature makes them great for trying out new techniques and exercising old favorites. In this post, you’ll find 12 artistic envelope ideas to fire you up for making your own mail art!
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Introducing the New Amy Style Calligraphy Worksheet

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Printable Amy Style Calligraphy Worksheet Set | The Postman's Knock

I’m sure that you know the feeling of creating something that you’re proud of. Then, time passes, and you realize: “Wow, I really could have done that better.” That’s exactly how I felt with the Amy Style Calligraphy Worksheet Set. When I first released the set in 2015, I thought it was just great! I’d done it to the best of my ability, and that’s all that a person can ask for, really.
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7 Practical Uses for Calligraphy

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7 Practical Uses for Calligraphy | The Postman's Knock

I recently received an email from a reader asking me about the practical uses for calligraphy. This reader works in the corporate world, and she was having trouble justifying taking the time to learn the art. I get it! We constantly have to make choices about how to manage our days, and oftentimes you can’t justify indulging in an enjoyable creative pursuit. However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that calligraphy can be incorporated into your day-to-day with good reason! Here’s what I came up with:
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“Springtime in Paris” Printable Stationery + a June Freebie

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"Springtime in Paris" Printable Stationery | The Postman's Knock

A decade ago, I never would have thought to offer printables on a blog. I was in college at the time, and I was just noticing printables popping up on websites that I followed. I always wondered who on earth actually used printable stationery, invitation, and artwork downloads! To me, things that were printed off at home looked cheap (I suspect that a large part of the problem was my hand-me-down printer and generic ink).
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7 Tips for Making Calligraphy and Art on the Go

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7 Tips for Making Calligraphy and Art on the Go | The Postman's Knock

Every year, Hernán and I go on a trip to explore somewhere new. This year’s trip was to Naples, Barcelona, and Paris — and we wanted to pack extra light. We only took “under the seat” bags so there wouldn’t be any luggage to check (and no extra fees on budget airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet). Of course, taking a small-ish bag meant traveling with only the bare necessities; the only “creative supply” I took was a Pilot G2 pen! When I found myself wanting to make some art and calligraphy while in Paris, the idea for this blog post was born. In it, you’ll learn seven tips for making calligraphy and art on the go with minimal supplies!
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How to Make a Calligraphy Exemplar (Includes Free Printables)

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How to Make a Calligraphy Exemplar | The Postman's Knock

When I’m working on any sort of calligraphy project, I always keep a calligraphy exemplar at hand. Exemplars are good to have around just in case you forget how to make a particular letter in the calligraphy style that you’re using! In today’s tutorial, I’ll teach you how to make a calligraphy exemplar with the help of a printable shortcut.
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