Resources for Improving Your Handwriting
I’m generally a big fan of technology and I’m usually an early adopter of most new gadgets. Except I have this one old school quirk: I love writing things out by hand. I generally think more clearly when writing things out on paper as opposed to on screen. But as there are less and less opportunities for writing, our adult handwriting seems to deteriorate. Well, at least mine did anyway.
I think handwriting is experiencing a resurgence these days, with more of us getting into scrapbooking, art journaling, etc. About a year ago, I started to make a concerted effort to improve my handwriting, primarily to relearn cursive. I hadn’t used cursive writing for years, relying on a hybrid-print for my daily writing.
I started by referencing handwriting guidesheets aimed for elementary aged children. You can find some at Donna Young’s website and ABC Teach.
Then I started to just practice anytime I had the chance on the margins of various papers that I had lying around. Instead of doodling during meetings, I was cursive-writing.
The toughest part for me was getting comfortable with letter transitions. Whenever I hit a letter combo that was tough, I’d just repeat it a few times until it flowed better.
After awhile, I found myself needing a variety of words to write out, so I tried out some different things I thought would be engaging and give me some change in letter combinations. Here are some of the words I tried:
– Fifth grade spelling words
– US cities, counties, and states
– SAT vocabulary words and their definitions
– Notes and lines from books I read
Some additional resources to get you started on your path to better handwriting:
Melissa Esplin, Rukristin, Joelle Charming, K. Werner: The common theme for all of these is you need a lot of practice and to slow down the pace.
There are also a ton of tips and resources on these threads of AskMetafilter, where the askers have requested help on improving their chicken scratch:
– I want to write right
– I never learned to write
– Handwriting without tears
Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any of these strategies or if you have any other awesome resources to share!
Presents for You: Brush Lettered Julia Child Quote
I love quotes. And I love to letter them out. And I’m happy to be able to share with you!
Use for Project Life, scrapbook, art journals, or just print it out and hang on your walls. Just click the links below to download the version you desire.
Click on photos for JPG
8×10 inch Magenta PDF
8×10 inch Charcoal PDF
Transparent PNG
I’d love to see what you’re doing with my lettering and you can share your great ideas with others too! Tag me on instagram @randomolive and use the hashtag #randomoliveletters.
Personal use only. (Because these words are neither yours or mine to sell.)
Do you have a favorite quote you’d like to see lettered? Suggest it in the comments!
My Photo Taking Journey
Hello! I’m heading out to Salt Lake City this week to attend my first ever photography conference! I’ll be practicing my shooting skills at Click Away. If you’re there too, I hope to meet you! Here’s a peak at my photo-taking history and journey leading up to now.
Recently, I was going through my childhood photo albums to prep them for scanning and long-term archiving, and I noticed sometimes there would be photos of my parents and younger brother, but without me in them. I realized that as the older sister, I was the one tasked with taking the photos. Based on the years on the albums, I was probably about 7 years old.
By Christmas of age 8, my parents gave me my own camera for Christmas. Film, of course, was the rate-limiting step back then, so I didn’t take that many pictures. I was probably allotted to one roll per vacation.
I used this camera for various snapshots and school trips up until I was 17.
When I was 17, I went digital. It was the summer of 2001. I had my first summer job and my own spending money. I bought myself a HP PhotoSmart 315. (aside: thank goodness for metadata because I do not have superhuman memory) So high-tech for 2001. It took four AA batteries and everything. Unfortunately, the batteries died so quickly that I still hadn’t gotten used to taking tons of photos yet. Also, I didn’t yet grasp the concept of saving in high-resolution format.
By 2003, it was time to upgrade. Got myself a Nikon E2500. This was seriously the coolest because the lens could flip around in various directions, including towards myself for the old-school selfie. This was the camera I used throughout college and it was just so handy!
2007: Another upgrade. Nikon Coolpix S50. So sleek and compact. It was perfect for the plentiful trip and vacation photos I would be taking.
Meanwhile, the camera phone technology was advancing. Back when camera phones were crazy pixelated, I figured I’d stick to the brick cell phone and a point-and-shoot camera. When I finally got a smartphone, that changed for me as well. I started with an iPhone 3GS in 2009. I still didn’t take many photos with this phone. It just wasn’t super handy for me. With the next upgrade for an iPhone 4S in 2011, I seriously increased cellphone photo frequency and quality. Using the volume up button to release the shutter changed my world. Now I was definitely taking way more phone photos.
In early 2012, I started to read more about photography, but I still just wanted a handy point and shoot. Combine this with a good sale at the local big box retailer and I got the Canon PowerShot SX260 HS
And as I learned even more, I decided it was time to take the plunge. In early 2013, I bought a Canon EOS 60D
But really, the camera I use the most? The one that’s attached to me everywhere I go? The one that can instantaneously put pictures up on the line? The iPhone 5S. Rocking hard since September 2013.
Overall, I love taking photos. I love trying to find new angles and try to see what I can capture. It’s amazing to look back and reflect on how I grew into this hobby. And really, it’s totally not about the gear. Technology totally changes the way we take photos now, and it’s awesome. Digital lets us experiment with stuff and document our everyday lives like never before. Pretty cool.
Do you remember when and how you started taking your own photos? Are you the family historian or does someone else fill that role?
Amazon links are affiliate.
Presents for You: Brush Lettered Neil Barringham Quote
I love quotes. And I love to letter them out. And I’m happy to be able to share with you!
Use for Project Life, scrapbook, art journals, or just print it out and hang on your walls. Just click the links below to download the version you desire.
Click on photos for JPG
8×10 inch Green PDF
8×10 inch Charcoal PDF
Transparent PNG
I’d love to see what you’re doing with my lettering and you can share your great ideas with others too! Tag me on instagram @randomolive and use the hashtag #randomoliveletters.
Personal use only. (Because these words are neither yours or mine to sell.)
Do you have a favorite quote you’d like to see lettered? Suggest it in the comments!
Strategies for Getting the Most Out of Nonfiction Books
I’m constantly reading. I always have a stack of books checked out from the library and a stack of digital library books loaded on the Kindle Reading App
Here are some tips for things you could do to get the most out of what you’re reading.
1. Take notes. The mere act of writing and jotting down key points can help you remember more of what you read, even if you never go back to re-read your notes.
2. Flag in a physical book (or highlight in an ebook). Especially pages that have action items or writing prompts that you haven’t completed yet.
3. Follow up on other books that the authors reference. These additional references will strengthen your web of understanding on that topic.
4. Visit the author’s website for the book. Often, there will be extended resource guides or printable worksheets for you to download.
5. Follow the author’s blog or social media accounts. Following him/her on social media gives you inside scoop on anything else they might be working on.
And finally: 6. If the book is dragging and you’re not enjoying the reading process, stop reading or switch to skim mode. Seriously, life is too short to slog your way through a book that you’re not enjoying, or that you aren’t getting much from. If it’s not for work or school, you don’t have to finish it.
Do you have any tips and tricks for reading (and retaining) non-fiction material?
Books shown:
Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon
StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
Go Put Your Strengths to Work by Marcus Buckingham
Amazon links are affiliate.
On Marriage and Proposals
photo by The Goodness
Two years ago, my husband and I got all gussied up and made public vows and declarations of our commitment to each other in front of our family and friends. (i.e. we got ourselves hitched to each other)
Throughout the wedding planning process, the two questions that come up over and over: 1. How did you meet? 2. How did he propose?
The first question was easy; we met in college.
The second question… well, see, the thing is… he didn’t.
Let me expand… My husband and I met when we were in college. By the time college ended, we knew we wanted to get married someday, but we weren’t quite at that “someday” yet. We still had things to accomplish and had an idea that “someday” was several years down the road.
When “someday” seemed to be a bit closer, we talked about buying a ring (price ranges, styles, etc). And we agreed that if he was going to spend a sum of money and if I was going to wear it everyday, that I should get to pick it out. (It’s only practical, of course) The common TV trope is that the husband-to-be will magically determine the wife-to-be’s tastes and wishes and desires and select the perfect ring. That wasn’t our style; life has too many tests already.
So what did we end up doing? We went to the jewelry store together. I tried some rings on. We picked one we both liked. He paid. (Yes, I knew how much it cost.) It got ordered and shipped to us. And then I just started wearing it.
photo by The Goodness
No announcement. No fanfare. Just like we like it.
Sometimes I hear about other proposal stories and it baffles me that people are shocked and surprised when their long-term significant others propose. Like, if you’re at the stage in your relationship where marriage is in the foreseeable future, shouldn’t this have been discussed?
Our engagement and decision to get married was not a test of romantic skill. It was not a surprise. I knew (and he knew) it was coming. It was a joint decision between two people who love each other and communicate well. And I think that’s pretty awesome.
Here’s to two years of being officially married. And to the rest of our lives making joint decisions and communicating openly.
Presents for You: Brush Lettered Thomas Fuller Quote
I love quotes. And I love to letter them out. And I’m happy to be able to share with you!
Use for Project Life, scrapbook, art journals, or just print it out and hang on your walls. Just click the links below to download the version you desire.
Click on photos for JPG
8×10 inch Teal PDF
8×10 inch Charcoal PDF
Transparent PNG
I’d love to see what you’re doing with my lettering and you can share your great ideas with others too! Tag me on instagram @randomolive and use the hashtag #randomoliveletters.
Personal use only. (Because these words are neither yours or mine to sell.)
Do you have a favorite quote you’d like to see lettered? Suggest it in the comments!
Wall Art on a Budget: Travel Postcards
I’ve talked about how I like to collect illustrated postcards as a souvenir when I travel. I collect these with the intent of using them as wall decor around my house. I’m a sucker for gallery walls, but getting enough variety of photos and art in the frames is no easy feat. Hence the postcards.
I pick out a frame that holds a 4×6 photo. If I’m lucky, the postcard will fit without having to trim it. If I’m not so lucky, then I’ll have to trim to fit. I usually just pencil in the line I need and cut with scissors. (Serious crafters may have a cutting mat, a metal ruler, or an x-acto knife).
When you’re all trimmed to size, just stick it in the frame (more gently than I’m implying with my language). Display as desired.
What unique ways do you display those postcards?
Presents for You: Brush Lettered Einstein Quote
I love quotes. And I love to letter them out. And I’m happy to be able to share with you!
Use for Project Life, scrapbook, art journals, or just print it out and hang on your walls. Just click the links below to download the version you desire.
Click on photos for JPG
8×10 inch Jade PDF
8×10 inch Charcoal PDF
Transparent PNG
I’d love to see what you’re doing with my lettering and you can share your great ideas with others too! Tag me on instagram @randomolive and use the hashtag #randomoliveletters.
Personal use only. (Because these words are neither yours or mine to sell.)
Do you have a favorite quote you’d like to see lettered? Suggest it in the comments!
Five Podcasts to Inspire You
Do you ever wonder what to do during your boring commute to work? I have a 40 minute drive to work each way, and I always wondered what I could do to fill the time more productively. (While still being an alert and aware driver… don’t text and drive, guys) I recently began filling my time by listening to podcasts. My car has a handy auxillary input port, and I bought myself a cable
1. Elise Gets Crafty
This was my gateway podcast. I had never even opened the podcast app on my phone (and I’ve had an iDevice since 2009) until Elise Blaha Cripe launched her podcast in March 2014. She’s willing to be open about her experiences as a maker and how she’s grown over the years.
My Favorite Episodes:
small-business discussion: let’s talk money | featuring Ann-Marie Espinoza
keeping it real | featuring Cathy Zielske
saying NO to say YES | featuring Tiffany Han
2. Seanwes
Business advice galore from Sean McCabe. Seriously, listening to his marketing strategy and his conviction to his values is so awesome. What started off as a way to share the process behind being a hand-lettering artist has evolved into business advice that is applicable to any business.
My Favorite Episodes:
Spouse Episode: The No-Debt Mentality
How Learn Lettering Made $80,000 in 24 hours
You Have One Life. Set Bigger Goals
3. Explore Your Enthusiasm with Tara Swiger
Tara is another person who provides valuable insights for makers, especially those who want to market their business.
My Favorite Episodes:
Be yourself
An Introvert’s Guide to Travel
How to Pick Your Goal
4. Verbal to Visual
This one is relataively new. Doug Neill shares about developing sketch noting skills. Half the episodes are about skill building and the other half are interviews with people who embrace visual thinking.
My Favorite Episodes:
The Research-Based Benefits of Writing by Hand
Curt Neill: How a Tumblr Blog Became a Published Book
Sacha Chua: Adventures in Sketchnoting and Semi-Retirement
5. The Lively Show
Jess Lively interviews guests who aim to live their lives with intention. The guests skew more towards bloggers, but it’s interesting to hear about people’s stuggles to become the kind of the persons they want to be.
My Favorite Episodes:
Embracing Minimalism with Dana Shultz (The Minimalist Baker)
Intentions, Values, and Meaning with Noah Kagan
Wardrobe Remixing and Closing a Business with Kendi Skeen (Kendi Everyday)
What Podcasts have you been listening to lately? Any other awesome ones I should try? Leave a comment below to share!
