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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.

    Phyllis Macaluso’s “Spooktacular” Halloween Card Tutorials

    September 24, 2020

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Free Printables, Greeting Card Tutorials, Guest Post, Halloween, Tutorials

    I am thrilled to welcome Phyllis Macaluso back to the TPK website with Halloween projects that celebrate the season in a big way! Today, Phyllis will teach us how to make two different Halloween card concepts, plus she’ll inspire us with an assortment of spooky envelopes. 🕷

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    Phyllis Macaluso's "Spooktacular" Halloween Card Tutorials

    Phyllis Macaluso is the reigning queen of creative cards and fabulous calligraphy. She combines the two to add festivity to every season! This autumn, she’s done it again with spooktacular card and envelope design concepts. In this tutorial, she’ll show us how to create a card and envelope that’s been taken over by (illustrated) spiders. She also has a playful mummy card and envelope motif to share!

    Before You Do Anything …

    Download Phyllis’s Printable Halloween Bundle. It includes fun design ideas and spooky lettering exemplars to help you make the cards in this tutorial. You can also use her ideas and exemplars to come up with your own motifs!

    You can find Phyllis’s Printable Halloween Bundle by clicking here.

    Spider Motif Tutorial

    Phyllis Macaluso's "Spooktacular" Halloween Card Tutorials

    1. Gather Your Supplies

    To create these simple spider-themed paper goods, you will need:

    • Sheet of dark cardstock
    • Dark cardstock cut and folded into a 5″x7″ (127 mm x 178 mm) card
    • Regular (white) printer paper
    • Bleed Proof White ink
    • White mechanical pencil
    • A7 envelope (Phyllis used a black envelope)
    • Basic tools (ruler, eraser, pencil, scissors)
    Phyllis Macaluso's "Spooktacular" Halloween Card Tutorials
    Optional additional supplies include metallic calligraphy paint, a Sakura Glaze pen (clear), a Sakura Stardust pen (clear), and wiggle eyes.

    2. Make a Web

    Once you’ve got your supplies, trace a circle that’s approximately 3.5″ (89 mm) wide onto a piece of dark cardstock. Then, cut the circle out. Fold the circle in half, then fold it in half again in the opposite direction. Continue to fold the circle in half until it has eight panels.

    Making a Cardstock Circle

    Next, use your scissors to cut a straight edge at the end of each of the eight panels. Then, use your white pencil to start drawing subtle semi-circles as pictured below.

    Continue to draft a web with your pencil until you have something that resembles one of the webs in Phyllis’s Printable Halloween Bundle. Then, trace over what you drew with metallic watercolor (Phyllis prefers The Creative Kinds watercolors, or you could use Finetec Pearl Colors). Put a dot of glue in the back center of your web, and glue the web to a card! You can decorate the card with additional webs and/or spiders and a fun Halloween greeting.

    Be sure to line up a top and bottom fold line with the fold in your card. Otherwise, the card won’t close properly.

    3. Decorate the Front of the Card

    For the front of the spider card, try drawing two halves of a web with fun Halloween calligraphy in between. Phyllis has some phrase suggestions in her Printable Halloween Bundle!

    Once you’ve drawn webs and written calligraphy on your card, try adding the same elements to your envelope!

    Mummy Motif Tutorial

    To make a mummy card, use your white pencil to draw a few jagged lines to signify torn cloth (step 1). Next, glue googly eyes to a patch of negative space (2). Finally, tear printer paper in a similar pattern to your jagged lines. Use a glue stick to secure the paper strips to the card (3).

    You can use the instructions from page 5 of Phyllis’s Printable Halloween Bundle to learn how to draw a mummy like the one on the envelope below!

    Bleed Proof White Ink is a fabulous choice for Halloween envelopes!

    If you’re feeling ambitious, draw a close-up mummy like the one shown on Phyllis’s envelope here. Doodle spiderwebs around your mummy to festively fill up space!

    Don’t Forget …

    The back of your envelope can be Halloween-themed, too! Feel free to use one of the lettering styles that Phyllis provided in her printable bundle to make an envelope and/or an envelope liner.

    Phyllis has provided us with two different Halloween-themed lettering styles in her printable bundle.

    I hope you enjoyed this fabulous tutorial, which is Phyllis’s third here on the TPK website. (Read her Matchbook Valentine’s Day Card Tutorial here and her Teapot-Themed Mother’s Day Card Tutorial here.) You can enjoy more of Phyllis’s work on Instagram (@fpmmac)! Many thanks go to Phyllis for taking the time to show us how to make some amazing Halloween paper goods. 🎃 For additional spooky goodness, you can check out other Halloween tutorials here on the TPK site. Happy autumn, and have a wonderful weekend!

    Warmly,

    Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock

     

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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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67 responses

  1. cutecake35 Avatar
    cutecake35
    October 6, 2020

    I just love the pop of color on the black envelope and paper.. I really like how easy spider webs are to draw along with spiders.. Since I was in school I always seemed to doodle webs and spiders for Halloween on folders/ homework and now envelopes.. I need to get me some different ink colors.. I love the way it looks on the black.. I look forward to my emails from you every week.. Thank you!!

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  2. tammygallahan Avatar
    tammygallahan
    October 6, 2020

    These are so fun, I may have to send out Halloween cards this year.

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  3. Beth Avatar
    Beth
    October 6, 2020

    These are so fun! I can’t wait to get started!

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  4. Nicola Avatar
    Nicola
    October 5, 2020

    I love all of this. Thank you for the printables. I have used them to make a sign for my tiered tray.

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  5. ukmom2811 Avatar
    ukmom2811
    October 5, 2020

    I love these designs. I have already downloaded the sheets and have made some signs for my tiered tray.

    Log in to Reply
  6. Denise Bryant Avatar
    Denise Bryant
    October 5, 2020

    Since I LOVE Halloween, I had to check this out! Fun cards and envelopes!

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  7. Elaine Avatar
    Elaine
    October 5, 2020

    Love this! Will be attempting this weekend 🙂

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  8. Cortney Avatar
    Cortney
    October 5, 2020

    My husband bought me some green ink years ago and had no idea what to do with it. Now I know! Love love love this!

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  9. Madeline Balderas Avatar
    Madeline Balderas
    October 5, 2020

    I absolutely love this! What white pencil did you use? Do you have a white ink pen that you recommend?

    Log in to Reply
  10. Lydia Vann Avatar
    Lydia Vann
    October 5, 2020

    Ahh this is so pretty! I cannot wait to try it out! Thank you for the inspiration!!

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The other day, I was thinking about sending out ho The other day, I was thinking about sending out holiday cards, and I immediately dismissed the thought with, “I have zero time to calligraph envelopes for those.” ✍️

... But is that true? I put it to the test for the latest article on the TPK Blog. Using some time-saving tricks I’ve learned over the years (like using a watery ink, a bouncy calligraphy style, and minimal pencil guidelines), I timed myself making three envelope concepts. Two of them took 5 minutes or less. The most time-intensive took 5 minutes, 30 seconds. The envelopes still turned out looking elegant, especially with the help of some artistic postage stamp collages. 💌

For clear step-by-step tutorials detailing how to make these envelopes and sourcing pretty postage, visit the TPK Blog (link in bio, then navigate to “Blog”)!

#snailmail #mail #calligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #happymail #snailmailrevolution #mailbox #postage #vintagepostage
After I chose this music to accompany this reel, i After I chose this music to accompany this reel, it dawned on me: drawing a calligraphy medallion is like, well, Belle’s arc with the Beast. 

At first, it’s a bit of a weird situation. Strange shapes, questionable structure, possibly some growling (à la “YOU WILL JOIN ME FOR DINNER. That’s not a request!”) when the inevitable ink smudge happens. You keep thinking, “I’m not sure why I’m doing this ... should I hop on Felipe and gallop away?” 🐎

But something shifts as the medallion starts to come to life. And when you finish that last detail and pull back, the music swells. Light bursts from your paper like it did from Beast’s digits as he transformed into a stunningly beautiful prince. ✨ You’re practically in a ballroom celebrating, and, wait, did your furniture just turn into an adoring crowd that’s celebrating your fortitude and skill?

(And now you know how my mind works 🧠 ... I love a good metaphor, no matter how weak it may be!) 

To learn how to make a calligraphy medallion, just search for “calligraphy medallion” on the TPK site (link in bio). You’ll find both free Blog tutorials and detailed premium worksheets.

... I’ll show myself out now. 🙈

#pointedpencalligraphy #calligraphy #handwritten #pointedpen #dippen #calligraphymedallion #calligraphydrill #calligraphypractice
My favorite autumn projects are the ones that remi My favorite autumn projects are the ones that remind you how cozy this season can be. 🍂 This project definitely fits the bill ... create it with a hot, comforting drink nearby and an excellent audiobook, and you’re in for a treat! ☕️ ✍️ The tutorial on the TPK Blog (link in bio, then navigate to Blog) is super detailed, with mini tutorial videos to guide you every step of the way.

#autumnart #watercolortutorial #arttutorial #handpainted #paintingtutorial #pointedpen #dippen #flourishing
Happy Halloween! 👻 This year, I’m pretending Happy Halloween! 👻 This year, I’m pretending to be ... someone who writes calligraphy quickly! (No, just kidding — not about the video being sped up, but the choice of costume. I actually picked up a skeleton PJ set at Goodwill. 💀)

Even if you won’t be indulging in candy, remember to treat yourself this season, starting this weekend! The holiday season can be hectic, and it’s important to claim some relaxing time for yourself. Cheers to the “holidaze”! 🥂

#halloweencalligraphy #calligraphy #pointedpen #dippen #handwritten #writingvideo #calligraphyvideo
🎃 This is the last week that Halloween calligra 🎃 This is the last week that Halloween calligraphy drills will be available at TPK! Find what you like in the shop, download, then print it out on a pointed pen-friendly paper. Then, let the (happily!) spooky vibes take over while you practice your strokes. ✍️👻

➡ Link in bio to visit the TPK site.

#calligraphydrills #halloween #calligraphypractice #learncalligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #dippen #pointedpen
✍️ Learn with us! Right now, TPK Premium membe ✍️ Learn with us! Right now, TPK Premium members are working their way through a new version of The Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course. It’s an *awesome* course that’s even more thorough than the original version (which is saying a lot because the original course has 281 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ reviews)! We just had the Lesson 3 class discussion this morning, ️and I’m so impressed with how much progress students are making — and I love their observations! One person compared using the Brause EF66 nib to driving a Lexus, which I got a kick out of. 🚘 

Premium membership ($5/month) grants you complimentary access to the course through January 6th; take it live with us! Once this course wraps up, we’ll be moving on to the new Intermediate Modern Calligraphy Online Course in February. 

Find details by visiting the link in my bio. I’d love to help you build those foundational skills that will allow you to create gorgeous envelopes, place cards, invitations, quotes, correspondence, and much more! The Lesson 4 class discussion is three weeks from now, so you’ve got plenty of time to catch up. 😊

#learncalligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #writingcalligraphy #calligraphycourse #learningcalligraphy #writingcalligraphy #realtimecalligraphy
🍂 The newest tutorial on the TPK Blog walks you 🍂 The newest tutorial on the TPK Blog walks you through how to make this gorgeous illustration, step-by-step, with helpful instructional videos. To find the tutorial, visit the link in my profile, then navigate to the blog. ENJOY! 🤗

(PS - Loving the colors in the @greenleafblue Anthesis set ... I used French Orange Ochre, American Violet Hematite, Pyrrole Scarlet, and Italian Green Earth to make this pumpkin. All *fabulous* autumn tones!)
Loved chatting with @sdionbakerdesign and @greenle Loved chatting with @sdionbakerdesign and @greenleafblue last Friday! Samantha is exactly as thoughtful and creative as you’d imagine from her Draw Your… books — and this answer to Jennifer’s question says it all. ✨ Just have fun and make art!

☕ Want to watch/listen to the whole conversation? Head over to the TPK Blog to hit play on the recording! (Link in bio, then navigate to “Blog”.)

#artistchat #artist #samanthadionbaker #greenleafandblueberry #thepostmansknock #arttalk #creativity #sketchbooking #sketchbook #artadvice
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