Hand-Lettering | The Postman's Knock

Rediscovering Hand-Lettering: Why TPK’s Original Hand-Lettering Worksheet Set is Awesome

May 14, 2019 by Lindsey Bugbee 23 Comments

In February of 2015, I quietly added a worksheet to the TPK catalog called “Learn Hand-Lettering for a Latte” (a.k.a. “Premium Hand-Lettering Worksheet Set“). At that point, I was too timid to blog about catalog additions, so I mentioned it in passing in a random blog post! By some miracle, though, people have noticed the worksheet throughout the years. And, by the looks of it (16 five-star reviews!), learners genuinely love the LHFaL Worksheet! So, today, I’m doing what I should have done four years ago and telling you why TPK’s most popular hand-lettering worksheet set is so cool.
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Introducing the Lasso Lettering Exemplar!

February 19, 2019 by Lindsey Bugbee 18 Comments

Envelope Art featuring Lasso Lettering — (I paired Lasso Lettering with the Vintage Roses printable envelope template to create this mail art!)

Sometimes, I think that hand-lettering is a little more approachable than calligraphy. Like calligraphy, hand-lettering celebrates the art of letters — but often with more familiar materials! That’s not to say that hand-lettering is easy; just that you can usually make it with any pen or pencil. Furthermore, if you can write in everyday life, you can hand-letter! You’ll just spend a little more time and concentration on each letter to do so.
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How to Address an Envelope – Simple + Chic (YouTube Tutorial)

January 3, 2019 by Lindsey Bugbee 89 Comments

When I started the TPK blog in 2012, I tried to focus on long and complicated project tutorials. I always skipped the simple stuff because I thought it would bore people! The older I get, though, the more I realize that sometimes simple projects are all we need to wind down after a long day because they don’t require a lot of energy. It’s a bonus if a project can be used in a “real world” context — like sending snail mail! With that in mind, today I’m going to show you how to address an envelope.
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How to Improve Your Signature

December 18, 2018 by Lindsey Bugbee 140 Comments

I’ve always toyed with writing an article about how to improve your signature. It’s taken me this long to tackle this topic, though, because I wondered if a signature can be changed! Like: can you one day decide that you no longer want a messy signature and opt for writing a neat one instead (or vice versa)? As we near January — a month of change — I got to thinking: why not? A signature is just another way that we present ourselves to the world, and your presentation is always something you can change! Today, we’ll toss around some ideas for making a satisfying signature that you’re proud to show off.
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Studio Oudizo Envelope Lettering Template Review + Giveaway

December 5, 2018 by Lindsey Bugbee 102 Comments

Regardless of your calligraphy skill level, you can bet that planning out the spacing of your calligraphy on an envelope takes time, concentration, and — in most cases — frustration! Thus far, shining up a guide through a light box is the best solution that I’ve discovered for making envelope guidelines. However, that technique only works on light-colored envelopes! Darker envelopes require more patience and flexibility, plus a willingness to try new things. The latest tool I’ve tried is an acrylic envelope lettering template from Studio Oudizo (formerly known as Ollie’s Studio). Today, I want to talk to you about how this supply can come in handy!
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The White Pencil: A Behind-the-Scenes Star

November 21, 2018 by Lindsey Bugbee 142 Comments

Quilters the world over use white pencils to make marks on fabric. It’s a little-known fact, however, that the white pencil is just as useful for paper as it is for textiles! I’d be lost without my white pencil, so I today I’m writing a little review post to help you discover this fantastic tool!
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Artistic DIY Key Tag Labels Tutorial (Includes Free Printable)

August 24, 2018 by Lindsey Bugbee 45 Comments

We have a huge problem in our house with loose keys. I have no idea where they all come from, but keys abound! I’ve tried making simple DIY key tag labels for them in the past, but the paper couldn’t stand the test of time. Today, I’d like to show you the creative solution that I came up with for that!
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Hot Air Balloon Birthday Card + Matching Envelope Tutorial

July 27, 2018 by Lindsey Bugbee 30 Comments

It seems that commercial birthday cards tend to fall into one of three categories: too feminine, too goofy, or too somber. Sure, buying pre-made birthday cards saves time. However, if you make one yourself, you can control the “feel” of the card and work on your art and lettering skills! In today’s tutorial, I’ll show you how to make a festive hot air balloon-themed birthday card and a corresponding envelope.
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Circus Lettering Exemplar + Video Tutorial

July 10, 2018 by Lindsey Bugbee 28 Comments

On Friday, I wrote a tutorial about how to make “Circus Lettering”, a fun lettering style inspired by vintage circus and carnival posters. In that tutorial, I focused on the letter “M”, and I tried to provide some general rules for writing all letters using the style. As I was writing, though, it occurred to me that you may have questions about how to make certain other letters of the alphabet — an “O”, for example, doesn’t follow the same rules as an “M”! With that in mind, I decided to make a printable exemplar.
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“Circus Lettering” Tutorial

July 6, 2018 by Lindsey Bugbee 40 Comments

I love experimenting with lettering for two reasons: first, lettering is functional and practical. You combine letters in order to make words, which you can then use to catch someone’s eye on a sign, mail art, or whatever else you want to make. Second, lettering comes with rules. No matter what, an “A” has to look like an “A”, a “B” has to look like a “B”, and so on and so forth. It’s much easier to be innovative when you’ve got some parameters!
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