Five ways to improve your handwriting, take two.

Reposted from January, with edits:

1. Practice

Basic, I know, but oh so true.  When I look at my own wedding invitation from 1991 versus those I lettered in 1998 (the year I designed stationery for 108 weddings), the difference is startling.  If you want to have better handwriting, you've got to write every day.  Every. Single. Day.

2. Write more letters

I love a letter from Mel in Japan or a postcard from Kelly staying in Las Vegas.  I save all the thank you notes from my custom clients.  Write your own letter worth keeping.

3.One card x twelve months

In an effort to stay in touch with my far-away father, I sent him one card each month for a year.  (And let me edit here to add that my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's not long after that year.  Going through his things after he passed away, I found that he had saved several of my notes.  It was worth every minute.)  Seems a simple thing.  Buy cards, make cards, use what you already have...just be sure to include a personal note.

4. Embellish an envelope

Doodles, color, glitter...make a mail carrier's day! 

5. Take my class at Paper Source

I have taught a class in handlettering for Paper Source and was hoping to have an online version ready in time for that back-to-school feeling.  (Maybe a Valentine feeling is more my speed.)  Let me know if you have any specific questions about handwriting and I'll try to answer them over the next two weeks.

Comments

[shana]

We're 2 peas in a pod {except your handwriting is way more fun than mine}. I'm with ya 100% on all that stuff.
Happy Wednesday, my friend!
Shana

[Angela Lemmons]

Your work is so inspiring! What weight of paper/cards do you like best when using your Uniball Vision Exact. I found them today at Target and am SO EXCITED!!

[kribss]

thanks for sharing your tips. between you and another blog i read, i've been inspired to write more neatly. wish me luck! if you saw my handwriting you would understand :O)

[marta]

am loving your website. have often been told to make my handwriting a font, but i don't know if i'm ready to make that jump. i feel that everyone should learn to love their own writing, it's a part of who they are..

happy to make your acquaintance.

[Kim B.]

I would love to take an online class like that. (I'm far away in France so can't make it to Paper Source these days! Maybe I can open the inaugural Parisian store . . .)