Emery & Anisten’s Calligraphy

NOTEBOOKS | WASHI TAPE | SHARPIES

One thing my girls are OBSESSED with is creating. Bread, crafts, slime, journaling, calligraphy – all the things! They are constantly in a state of “GO!” and are always on to their next project.

A few weeks ago I shared the video below on Instagram:

What’s cool is that Emery and Anisten got a taste of hand-lettering and just ran with it! We started journaling as a fun family project and a lowkey Sunday activity.

Now that I’m grown, I’d love to have more journals to look back on. I kept pretty good journals when I started having kids but I’ve totally slacked off the last few years! But to have the ability to look back and relive special, heartbreaking, or even mundane moments is one of my favorite things.

SHOP ALL HANDLETTERING/CALLIGRAPHY MARKERS

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The girls started out with this basic set of 4 markers but their collection soon grew! We took a look at a lot of the pens/markers that professional hand-letterers were suggesting and the feedback was the same. We needed to get brush-tip markers that are flexible to allow the user to make the thing and thick lines. All the user needs to do is adjust the pressure they apply to their writing!

We also started with basic books. Lisa Funk has put together some awesome books and guides for beginners. You can grab her the two books we have of hers (and it comes with a super cute bag that you saw in the video above to hold all of your pens and markers!) HERE!

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SHOP ALL HANDLETTERING GUIDES

I really love this type of visual note-taking the girls have adopted. They’re able to apply the hand-lettering skills they’ve learned and apply their love of doodling to it. These journals they’re creating and keeping now will be so fun to look at 5-10 years from now. And if you’re concerned that your kids are “doodling” and not taking notes, you should read this article that explains how doodling keeps the brain more involved and engaged over plain note-taking!

Here are a couple more of the items you’ll need to get started:

• DOT GRID NOTEBOOK: Instead of opting for plain white paper or a lined-paper journal, my girls and I love this dotted grid paper. It provides a great practice base for lettering as you can use the dots to line up your heights, etc. You can also use it to create shapes and doodles! The best part? Your marks can cover the dots so no one is the wiser that you used a “cheat sheet” for your lettering!
• 6″ STEEL RULER: This ruler is small enough to fit on your page and is easily managed. It is used to keep your lettering straight and to draw guidelines or frames for your letters! It’s a staple for any serious hand-letterer!

• SOFT-TIP DUAL END BRUSH MARKERS: These are what makes everything look like the pros! These are dual-ended markers: a fine tip on one end and a soft brush tip on the other. These markers allow you to do precise lettering and the fun curvy calligraphy you see everywhere. You can also go with a smaller set if you’re not ready for a full set. And take a look through our favorites above for different color options!