Today's blog post is dedicated to improving your own handwriting.
It is one of THE biggest complaints I have heard while teaching over the years, is how much people dislike their own handwriting.
But the fact is, whether it's just a few words or large journaling blocks. Journaling is what makes your scrapbook layouts personal. It's a piece of you that your children will recognize and cherish.
So here we go! If you are committed to improving your handwriting, work on these tips.
1. Practice, Practice, Practice~
Only with practice will you truly improve. There is no magic switch I can hit, sorry! But it's true if you practice when you can, your writing will improve. Practice while doing every day things. For example I use my fancy writing when adding things to my calendar or date book. Maybe you should try making your grocery list pretty, or when you are sending something in the mail.
2. Back to Basics~
Some of you have told me things like "there is nothing you could do to make MY writing better". Well in that case, perhaps you'll have to go right back to the beginning. Maybe when you were learning to print and write, you just skimmed through and thought "Hey, I'll just become a doctor and it won't matter". You can purchase lettering books at stores like Walmart, and start over again. Practicing letter shape, spacing...truly back to basics.
3. Loosen Up~
You will not be able to write freely with your hand all tensed up. Before committing to writing something that you need to, try doing some free hand doodling. Draw big swirls or spirals, this will loosen up your hand before you start writing. It's just writing, don't overthink it....if you overthink it, then your hand will tense up and then pen will not flow properly.
4. Start With Pencil~
If it's committing something to paper that really gets you. Then take that stress away. Grab a pencil and write everything in pencil first. Then go over it with pen, and erase what you don't need. Over time, you will trust yourself more and will probably be able to eliminate the pencil all together.
5. Walk the Line~
Maybe one of your vices is that you can never write in a straight line. Maybe you're all over the map, or your writing always seems to slant upwards. Either way, grab your pencil again and make lines to keep you on track. Then when you're done, just erase the lines.
Bonus: Easy Dot Font Tutorial
Would you love a quick and easy way to dress up your printing? Well here it is. It is as simple as adding a dot to the ends of your letters (see example below).
If you want to get really fancy, you can add other shapes like hearts or stars.
6. Find the Right Tools for You~
Everybody has personal preferences when it comes to what pens they like to use for journaling or doodling. The trick is to try before you buy, nice pens can be an investment. So start asking your crafty friends what they like to use, try out the pens that they love to see what your pen of choice should be.
7. Lessen the Stress~
I try to never have myself writing on a finished layout with a title or journal block already adhered to the page. That just adds far too much stress, all you will be thinking about is "I better not mess this up". Pre cut your piece of paper for your title or journaling and start from there...if you make a mistake, throw it out and start again. No big deal.
Another Easy Bonus Font to Try:
Try this fun font out for size. It's simple, just add a double line to all the vertical lines of the letters (see example below). It's a font that can be easily dressed up depending on the theme.
8. Write it Out First~
I am the first to admit that I am a bit of a rambler when it comes to journaling. Whatever it is I have to say, tends to spew out. But this can also make for some epic mistakes. Sometimes my mind gets ahead of my hand and I skip words. Or I get distracted and hear something that someone is saying, and all of a sudden it appears in what I am writing. So to help with this issue, all I can say is just write it out on a scrap piece of paper first and then copy rather than going from memory.
9. The Right Paper~
There is so much beautiful textured cardstock out there. Although they look fabulous on your layout, they do NOT make for good journaling. Often you can flip the cardstock over and they will have a side that is easier to write on. But if not, I always opt to a piece of smooth textured cardstock to do my journaling.
10. Keep Trying~
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Do not give up on it. Go right back to tip #1 and keep practicing. It is bound to get better!
Bonus "Tracy Writing" Tutorial:
I have been practicing my writing for years. "Tracy Writing" is just a variation of my own printing. So here are some tips on how you can make your own writing look more like "Tracy Writing".
You'll see in the photo below. The red pen is my basic printing.
The black pen is what I do to make it into "Tracy Writing".
Here is the entire alphabet written out for you to use as a reference.
To dress it up a little bit more, I will often add a little swirl to the font when I can. Below are some samples of the "Swirly Tracy Writing".
Thank you so very much for stopping by and getting a few tips to using your own handwriting with more confidence.
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