Calligraphy Practice on the Porch

  I have always disliked my handwriting.  I tend to want to blame my parents for not making me practice harder when I was learning penmanship in elementary.  The truth is, it was my choice to skate by and be average.  I just liked the Big Chief notepads and the weird paper they were made of and I did't really care how neat my writing was. Remember those pads of paper?  I wonder if they still make them.  I am going to find out and if so- I am gonna buy a pant-load of them and use them for more practice.  Maybe Colt can play along too.   

Anywhoo, I have been working towards embracing the ugly writing, especially when it comes to my scrapbooking. I have always been pretty interested in calligraphy.  We did a unit on it in high school English class my senior year and since then I have been hooked at trying it.  I want to practice more artsy ways to enhance my handwriting and found this book at the Target in Montrose.

Calligraphy Made Easy by Ashlee Gardner

Lettering and handwritten trends are all the rage and I too love the look of it all.  You can find hand lettering on everything from prints and art to letters and scrapbook paraphernalia. There are tutorials and practice sheets all over Pinterest, but this book and these brush tip markers were conveniently displayed right next to each other. All for around $25 I made the small investment to start working on getting fancy with my writing skills. I like to sit on the porch when it is nice and practice some of my art skills that don't require a lot of supplies and the book conveniently has the worksheets built right in.  I typically don't like writing in books, but whatever.  This one isn't like something I plan on getting rid of, so no one but me will see my doodling.

This is as far as I made it while Colt was in the bathtub.  Page one.  Exercise one.

Author's Workbook Page

My Practice Page

I took about 10 minutes to work on this.  I realized the importance of practice by doing this page.  Many times I wanted to go really fast, but I realized that it takes time to make the strokes and each one is almost like a drawing in and of itself.  I have heard many people say that lettering each letter and each stroke is something you have to think of like art, rather than penmanship.  To take your time and focus.  Some of my curls were WAY out of control, but this was fun to do and very quick practice for the short period of time I had to do it in.  

The author's example

?????

My practice...WTF is that on the bottom? HAHAHA!

It doesn't take much time or much money to find ways to be creative.  I suppose you could even find tons of stuff on the interwebs to make it free or nearly free even.  I look forward to practicing more and getting to the exercises that will use the brush tip markers.  They are SO pretty and SO colorful!  Crayola is the best.  I  <3 them.  

Crayola makes some great inexpensive art supplies!

Lookit the colors!!

So whatcha think?  I have a ways to go...but it's fun none the less.

Peace, Love and Paintbrushes,

Simple Front Door Update

It's springtime in the mountains! One minute it is in the 50's, the next it is snowing.  I took advantage of some of that higher temperatue moments of last weekend and refreshed my front door. Last summer we painted our house (ourselves) and I had the front door paint picked out.  I purchased it in the fall, but only to have it sit on the counter so long that it became too cold to paint.  Finally, it was nice enough that I was able to get 'er done.

Before Front- Please ignore the severe drought lawn.  

Before Back

WIP Paint Job

After- Front, grass looks a tad better.

After- Back (minus the trim paint)

 

I made this house number thingy

I made the house number thingy by the door out of two pieces I picked up 50% off at Hob Lob and screwed them together.  Then screwed them directly on to the house. I cut the numbers using my vinyl cutting machine. I like the idea of switching out the greenery for flowers in the summer or leaves in the fall.  Last Christmas I put in some pine and spruce tree boughs from the slash/burn pile here in the subdivision.

I finally got around to painting the front door last weekend.  I am loving the dramatic difference that just a bit of paint and some elbow grease has on this place!

Before

After- Paint, flowers and a new doormat

                        

Before

After

                          

Before- Door number thingy

After- Flowers and a 'wreath'

We still have some touch up under the door- or we may not do it....  We plan on adding some rusty corrugated steel panels this summer to help with future winter snow loads.  Something has to be done to help with winters that make our house look like this:

What is your favorite way to add curb appeal each spring?
Peace, Love and Paintbrushes,

Colorific!

Dolla, Dolla Make you Holla!

So, I used to catch some crap for the amount of time I spend at the Dollar Store.   In my defense, you can find some cool shit there.  Plus, it is easy to just run in and get milk or diapers or glitter or motor oil without a 40 minute trek to the nearest Walmart.  Some reasons why I go there:
1. It is conveniently located by my work.
2. How can you avoid it when there are 2 of them right next to each other (literally) and there isn't a REAL grocery store in town?

3.You'd be surprised at the types of items or clothing you find there if you go often enough. 
Sorta like thrift-shopping

So I thought I would tour through the Dollar General and see what there is to see in the way of decor and household items.  So spring 2019~ here is what I found.  Some of these could be used in any farmhouse, boho or even modern/minimal decor.

How cute would this tray with these glasses be out on the patio?

Also, these cute farmhouse measuring cup sets for any baking needs.

Dollar stores are jumping on the hand lettered sign bandwagon with these small wooden signs.

I love this alternative to a traditional calendar.  They offered these and chalkboard signs in a little section geared towards wedding decor. It could be used all year.

I love the packaging of these candles, although I am not sure how well they would burn down.  Anyone tried these?

Imagine 3 or 4 of these with some fairy lights or battery operated candles out on the patio! Magical.

M is for my family- cute metal letter sign about 8" square would be perfect by the front door or even on the front door.

I came home with this door mat.  The perfect pop of color to compliment many house colors.

I've seen these wall shelves all over Pinterest for much more.

These wooden items would be fun to stain with Unicorn Spit, wood burned or just left plain for an amazing housewarming gift.

Trays, trays and more trays.  This could be hung on the wall with the chicken wire shelf for a cute magnetic board in an office.

                     More cute shelving...........

How cute for out on the lake or gardening outside?  Save your skin from some sun.

Let's not forget the craft section- They carry a selection of pretty great basics if you ask me.

Some more gardening options.  I love the owl one and the color.

I came home with this cute birdhouse as a gift, but not before photoing it on my freshly updated front door.  I am loving my paint choice.  

Peace, Love and Paintbrushes,