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About Me

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Cristina Riches aka Bird, is the founder of BirdsParty.com. She's also a creative mom of two, published author, graphic designer, freelance photographer, magazine editor and unconditional party lover. Her party ideas and photos have been featured on numerous publications such as Forbes.com, CNN Entertainment, Parenting Magazine, Celebrate Magazine, All You Magazine, Elle Decor and MarthaStewart.com. She also regularly creates content for brands such as PBS Parents, HGTV, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Pillsbury, PayPal, Mars, Hellmann's, Cultura France and Danone to name a few.

DIY Easy Calligraphy Thanksgiving Poster


DIY Easy Calligraphy Thanksgiving Poster - BirdsParty.com


I've had a love for beautifully handwritten notes and calligraphy since I was a child. 

You see, back in the days, we used to do calligraphy at school to learn how to write properly. My mom bought me these instructional books and I still remember marveling to find out that there was actually a "proper" way to write each letter!

Nowadays, I'm in love with modern calligraphy. Big time!

But like for many of us, I suspect, calligraphy does not come naturally.

And even though you see beautifully written calligraphy EVERYWHERE in the party world these days, I do not (yet) possess the skills to create it without a little cheating technique ;)

So, for my Thanksgiving poster / large sign (see this post for all the photos of my Thanksgiving tablescape), I turned to my 'calligraphy cheat' to help me.


DIY Easy Calligraphy Thanksgiving Poster - BirdsParty.com

It takes the hard work out of calligraphy for me, and allows me to create something pleasing and freehand, without being a calligraphy expert. 

And until I actually master this beautiful art by the book, this is my go-to technique when I want to write fancy! ;)

Easy DIY Calligraphy Thanksgiving Poster Tutorial

What you'll need:

* Kraft paper
* Pencil
* Black sharpie
* Rubber
* Scissors

Directions:

1) The point here is to write freehand. But because this is an easy writing technique, I usually write how I want the sign or poster to look on the computer first, and then copy the letters as best I can onto paper.

I created a printable sign on my computer to act as a template. Download it here.

You could totally blow up the printable to create a giant poster. But that defeats the point of creating something by hand, right?! If calligraphy is not your thing, then by all means go ahead and print away!

DIY Easy Calligraphy Thanksgiving Poster - BirdsParty.com

2) Cut off a piece of Kraft paper the size you want for your poster/sign. Then using your pencil, roughly mark on your Kraft paper where each letter begins and their rough layout on the page. It's just a rough guide.

3) Start writing the letters, copying the style of the template.

DIY Easy Calligraphy Thanksgiving Poster - BirdsParty.com

4) Once you have all your letter in place, then (this is where the 'calligraphy part' comes in!) draw a second line each time your pencil line goes down. See example below where arrows point downward.

We'll call this the 'shadow line'. It will be colored in to create the calligraphy effect, and make it look like you used a calligraphy pen to write with!

DIY Easy Calligraphy Thanksgiving Poster - BirdsParty.com

5) Once you're happy with what you wrote, then use the sharpie to go over your lines. 

Important:  protect your surface under the Kraft paper with a layer of newspaper in case the sharpie leaks underneath!

DIY Easy Calligraphy Thanksgiving Poster - BirdsParty.com

6) Finish off by filling in the shadow lines, and then rub out any pencil lines at the end. 

TIP: Don't sweat the little imperfections - it's a handwritten sign and it adds to the charm ;)

The same technique could be used for any signage and any occasion, and don't be afraid to try other fonts as inspiration!

DIY Easy Calligraphy Thanksgiving Poster - BirdsParty.com

For more Thanksgiving party ideas, recipes and DIYs head to this page.

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5 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. So easy too! i can see myself making this for many tables ;)

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  2. Your handwriting is still way better than mine! LOL I love this trick. Need to give it a try on a big sign like this, for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I hear, ya Chris but honestly, you can totally blag it by copying the style of some fancy font from your computer haha large letters is kinda like drawing ;) You could also trace them?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Marvelousssssssssssssssssssss beauty!!!!!!! Enjoyed......

    ReplyDelete

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[name=Cristina Riches aka Bird] [img=https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rgs8z050PyY/WunXdXzZ5VI/AAAAAAAAxjc/qiDi9XqWXLwHWPcat9CjHUSxy-f2PaTNgCK4BGAYYCw/s277/P1470392.JPG] [description=Cristina Riches aka Bird, is the founder of BirdsParty.com. She's also a creative mom of two, published author, content creator & social media marketing influencer, graphic designer, freelance photographer and writer (for English, French and Portuguese-speaking publications), magazine editor and unconditional party lover. Her party ideas and photos have been featured on numerous publications such as Forbes.com, CNN Entertainment, BHG Magazine, Parenting Magazine, Celebrate Magazine, All You Magazine, Elle Decor and MarthaStewart.com. She also regularly creates content for brands such as PBS Parents, HGTV, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Pillsbury, PayPal, Sony, Sizzix, Mars, Hellmann's, Cultura France and Danone to name a few.] (facebook=https://www.facebook.com/birdparty) (pinterest=https://www.pinterest.com/birdsparty/) (instagram=http://instagram.com/birdsparty) (youtube=http://www.youtube.com/birdspartytricks) (twitter=http://twitter.com/birdsparty)

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