Handwriting...and a link or two

9:30am. That's what time I woke up this morning. Saturday is my "sleep-in" day. Ethan stays overnight at grandma's house on Friday nights. I always look forward to the end of the week. I think all of us do. Laugh. I'm usually able to get some things done on Saturday morning since Ethan is away on "vacation". When I opened my sore, little eyes this mornen' and yawned, I could feel "it". I woke up with company..a cold virus. Yuck. I thought to myself, "Nooooo! Why right now? There's so much I want to do this morning." I dragged myself out of bed. I dosed myself with DayQuil and went about tending to the things that needed to be done. In reality, it's just a cold. The first day is always the worst, but it will get better. While doing my morning chores, I thought about what I wanted to share on the blog this weekend. I don't have any layouts to share with you today. I got half a one done yesterday. I spent my time chatting instead of scrapping. Laugh. That's what always happens to me if I scrap outside the house. I thought maybe it might be the perfect time to focus on something many of you have asked me about in the past; my handwriting.

I think the question I hear most often is "how did you learn to write like that?" The answer; I didn't learn to write like this, it just happened. My handwriting can go two ways. Messy or Neat. For everyday writing, I write in all capital letters. It's clean, precise, and legible. For scrapbooking, I write in a more artistic fashion. I used to write like this when I was in high school. I would often practice handwriting while attending class. It was always sort of edgy, but I spent a lot of time perfecting it. Making it my own. I was a creative spirit during my adolescent years. Art spoke much louder to me than math or science. My handwriting was an extension of that calling. I sort of let this handwriting style go by the wayside during college. When I started scrapbooking, I thought it would be fun to try it again and include it in my work. I've found that it blends really well with my style. It naturally fits in with the surroundings. How did I manage to combine the two so seamlessly? I think scrapbooking is a reflection of our creativity. I also think this can be said of handwriting. The two of them originate from a similar source within the brain and combine themselves on paper effortlessly because they share the same origin. Each one is an extension of our creative spirit. I wonder what would happen if you combined your handwriting and scrapbooking skills? Have you tried it? I'm daring all my readers (who scrapbook) to hand journal on your next layout..even if you think your handwriting lacks "style", just try it and tell me how it goes. I bet you'll be surprised.

Here are a few things I do when I'm handwriting:

• I use a 05 Black ZIG Pen for all my journaling.
• I angle my layout when writing. This causes the writing to tilt forward a little. The tilting of the letters generates "energy" and gives the words "life".
• I spend a great deal of effort on "swooshing". What is "Swooshing"? Well, it's all those loops you see in my handwriting. I make them big and keep their weight light. Be casual about it. Let go of the pen and intentionally push the pen forward in a "swooshing" fashion as though you were writing your signature. I do a lot of this and there are no boundaries when I do this..I use all my paper space. I don't care if a loop hits a letter below it or above it. It's all part of the fun of writing.
• Don't worry about space. I don't care if I write a little crooked or if my letters don't all sit on the same line. Move the letters around a little bit and let them travel along the page effortlessly. Don't think to hard about it. This isn't a time for perfectionism.
• I think with messy writing you have to be willing to create a mess around the writing. Use a little ink along the edges of your journaling area. Rub it on with a sponge or apply directly to paper using ink pad. I use Ranger Distress Ink for this technique. It stays wetter longer and can be smeared using a sponge.

Enough on writing. There are a few more things I want to mention before retiring from this post. I have to admit, I spend a lot of time online. It's a casual, relaxing thing I like to do in the evening after Ethan goes to bed. These last few nights, I've run into a couple new places and things that I absolutely luv. First off, there is a new line coming out from Autumn Leaves that has me "so very happy". Heather Bailey is the designer and the line is soooo her. You can get a peek of it HERE. Secondly, I'm a huge fan (just like the many of you) of Pink Paislee. They just opened up a new interactive community site that I signed up for last evening. It's a totally new experience for me and this is the first time I've ever seen a manufacturer do this..I think it's brilliant! Check it out HERE. Lastly, I found a new clear stamp company called, "Papertrey Ink". They have some of the most elegant stamps I've ever seen. You can find them HERE.

Goodnight everyone! More later.   

Comments

[jane]

I too found myself working on my loops and hoops of my letters in science and math class.
My problem is that my spelling is TERRIBLE, so I have to concentrate on that to hard, not allowing the writing to have a consistent flair. I do much better if I type it out, spell check, then write it on paper.

also...I had a baby shower go to today... made the card, as I always do. However this time I took it to a totally new level, thanks to your scrapbooking influence in my life. THANKS A TON!!! You ROCK!!

[Tiffany]

I love using my handwriting on my layouts. I rarely ever use the computer for journaling...takes too much time for me, that and the fact that I don't have a printer. *smile*

Loving the Pink Paislee and the Papertrey Ink. I pre-ordered the Pink Paislee and just ordered some beautiful stamps from Papertrey. So excited to get those.

Hope you had a relaxing Saturday. Blessings!

[casey boyd]

Off to practice...mine is in serious need of inspiration!

[Stacey B]

Questions...you are such an amazing scrapper with an amazing style that you have...how long have you been scrapping and do you have a graphic artist or other "art" background (besides a passion for it!)

Hope the cold blows away and you enjoyed your "day off"
Stacey

[Laura Carter]

Hi Christine - thanks for the handwriting tips. My handwriting is pretty much the same irl and on my layouts. I print and use cursive whatever the mood :) Hope you feel better soon :)