The Postman’s Knock

November’s Coffee Date: Creative Gift Ideas

Lindsey Bugbee — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 02:01:15 +0000

Illuminated letters were one of the gifts we discussed in the chat. Many TPK readers have used the Easy Illuminated Letter Tutorial to create gorgeous handmade presents!

With the holidays right around the corner, our conversation naturally centered around DIY and handmade gifts, favorite art books, and the small creative rituals that make this season meaningful. You can watch our conversation below; then keep reading for a recap of your ideas, questions, and all the links we mentioned.

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3 Easy Ways to Address an Envelope

Lindsey Bugbee — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:39:50 +0000

When I sit down to make envelope calligraphy, it almost always turns into a multi-hour project. I love to go all-in with pencil drafts, over-the-top flourishes, and careful erasing. It’s satisfying, but not practical for sending a stack of holiday cards or invitations. So this week, I tried out three quick styles that still feel elegant and festive, and I’m sharing the results (with timestamps) and how-tos today.

This whimsical envelope took me 4 minutes and 45 seconds to address.

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Gorgeous Illustrated Autumn Pumpkin Tutorial

Lindsey Bugbee — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 21:10:42 +0000

To me, autumn means cozy focus, warm colors, and a sense of simple joy. Today’s tutorial is one I savored from start to finish, and I hope you’ll enjoy it, too. In it, you’ll create a hand-painted pumpkin filled with leaves and flourishes that you can turn into a greeting card, mail art, or a lovely autumn display for your home.

1. Gather Your Supplies

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October’s Coffee Date: Drawing Your Days with Samantha Dion Baker

Lindsey Bugbee — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 17:10:53 +0000

This is my favorite spread from Sam’s new book, Draw Your Adventures. I love that dress and the cozy coffee mug!

Samantha has a gift for blending the ordinary and the artful. She’s the illustrator and author behind several beloved books, including, most recently, Draw Your Adventures (affiliate link). Last Friday, Sam joined Jess and me to talk about her sketchbook practice, which emphasizes joy in the moment. You can watch our conversation below, then keep reading to find a written overview and important links:

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Macabre Mail for the Edward Gorey House

Lindsey Bugbee — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 21:16:02 +0000

My love for mail art is no secret. Embellished envelopes abound on the TPK blog, and they have their own section in The Calligraphy Book. TPK envelopes have even crept into The Graceful Envelope Contest and Scripsit Magazine. I return to this type of project again and again because it gives me so much joy! I loved every second of making my Edward Gorey House envelope, and I hope that you make one, too. Below, you’ll find the process that I used — but please feel free to use the techniques and style that work for you.

1. Brainstorm + Make a Draft

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September’s Coffee Date: Color Theory and Confidence

Lindsey Bugbee — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 18:52:09 +0000

Photo credit: Jess Greenleaf

When Jess Greenleaf and I get together, you can always expect to learn something new. Our September coffee date didn’t disappoint! We covered everything from testing inks on tricky handmade papers to the ins and outs of color theory. Along the way, we talked about building confidence as an artist, favorite pigments, watercolor techniques, and even the future of cursive writing. Then, Jess threw a giveaway curveball! The coffee date is absolutely worth a watch or a listen:

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How to Create Beautiful Chalkboard Quote Art

Lindsey Bugbee — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 01:03:45 +0000

Here’s what I love about a chalkboard: it’s easy to reset. You can use it in an interactive design, like a chalkboard; or you can do something a little more static, like mapping out recommendations for houseguests. For 15 years, I’ve had a fairly large chalkboard that has fulfilled both roles at different times.

From 2010-2017, I used this chalkboard as a calendar. From 2017 onward, it imparted recommendations for houseguests.

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How to Make Ombré Wax Crayon Calligraphy

Lindsey Bugbee — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 08:16:00 +0000

When it comes to calligraphy, sometimes it’s nice to let go of perfect slants and precise strokes. Crayon calligraphy is all about play: layering colors, adding flourishes, and watching your letters come alive in unexpected ways. It’s a playful, no-pressure way to practice calligraphy … and a lovely excuse to slow down and enjoy the season.

1. Gather Your Supplies

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8 Pieces That Helped Me Fall in Love With Calligraphy

Lindsey Bugbee — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 07:53:00 +0000

I’ve continued to feel inspired by Phyllis Macaluso, who created these drop-dead gorgeous envelopes, for over a decade.

In Lesson 1 of The Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course, I encourage you to seek out examples of calligraphy that spark your creativity. In that same spirit, I’m rewinding 10+ years to share the pieces that helped me fall in love with the pointed pen. These are some examples that made me think, “I have to learn how to do that”! Today, I’m highlighting eight pieces of early inspiration and explaining why they meant so much to me.

1. Gold Calligraphy

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Introducing the Flourished Athletic Shoe Worksheet

Lindsey Bugbee — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 08:00:00 +0000

An athletic shoe might seem like a silly thing to flourish, but I made one on a whim back in 2017 and popped it on Instagram. People seemed to really like it, and since then, I’ve received several requests for instructions on how to make one. Today, I’m happy to introduce the Flourished Athletic Shoe Calligraphy Drill Worksheet, created to walk you through each step of making this flourished shoe.

The original flourished athletic shoe was a doodle that was created on the spot. If you compare this video to the worksheet, you’ll notice that I recommend a different stroke creation order in the worksheet.

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