Free Printable Christmas Gift Tags

It’s almost Christmas! Have you guys wrapped all your gifts already? Or are you still going through your list and taking trips to the mall? Well, either way, I have prepared two free printable Christmas gift tags for those on your Christmas list.

Free Printable Christmas Gift Tags via Happy Hands Project

Confession—during the time when I was back home and living at my Mom’s, I always had super long Christmas lists with kids to give presents to. Almost all my cousins had kids then, so I shop for gifts for all of them. Then I’d buy for colleagues and the rest of the family. Buying presents was a months-long affair.

Wrapping the presents was a different matter, though. On Christmas day, the family (a huge one at that) will celebrate and exchange gifts. And I will be up in my room wrapping presents for all of them! I always manage to finish wrapping everything on time, mind you.

Free Printable Christmas Gift Tags via Happy Hands Project

I’ve made a couple of designs for this free Christmas tags, so feel free to download them below. Each tag is 2in x 3in and would look great printed on slightly thick card stock, like 200gsm at least. I always choose matte card stock, but you can print these on shimmery cards too.

Need more Christmas printables to spruce up your home? You can download a free Christmas wall art here. Happy Holidays everyone!

Calligraphy and Lettering Art Prints

Framed or not, calligraphy and lettering art prints definitely spruce up one’s space. What is once a bare wall can instantly be eye-catching with the addition of an art piece. Paintings and photography are usually the go-to pieces to spruce up plain walls, but calligraphy and lettering can very well be statement pieces as well.

Society6 Calligraphy Prints via Happy Hands Project

These prints make great gifts as well. I know Christmas is just right around the corner, but gifting can be all year round, right? Prints by the Happy Hands Project come framed and as plain prints, on canvas, wall decals, and all other formats.

Ready to browse? Check out the calligraphy and lettering art prints over at Society6 here.

Oh, and by the way, the Dr. Seuss prints have always been bestsellers, and can be found in homes around the world by now. Happy browsing! And gifting!

Society6 Calligraphy Prints via Happy Hands Project
Society6 Calligraphy Prints via Happy Hands Project

You can also download some free calligraphy guides here and holiday gift tags here, coz you know, I’m all for freebies!

Review: Sakura Koi Coloring Brush Pen

Just a quick one before anything else! This post may contain affiliate links, which means that as an Amazon Associate, I may receive a commission if you make a purchase. Alright, on to the review!

Koi Coloring Brush Pen via Happy Hands Project

I have recently tried brush lettering with Sakura Koi Coloring Brush Pens, and of course, an honest review is in order. The Koi Coloring Brush pen has a flexible brush tip that gives a good line variation. Put simply, its thin and thick strokes have a very obvious difference. The upstrokes are not as thin as the Pentel Touch brush sign pen though, so that means you have to write bigger when using the Koi brushes.

Koi Coloring Brush Pen via Happy Hands Project

I’m using two of my favorite colors, Prussian Blue and Blue Green light. I like how dark and saturated these colors appeared upon drying (and they’re water-based and thus dry fast). They’re really vibrant and looks great when you write big!

Koi Coloring Brush Pen via Happy Hands Project
Koi Coloring Brush pen in Prussian Blue, written on an A5 sized sheet

The flexible tip is pretty stiff which makes writing quite easy to control. It’s flexible but springs back quickly after adding pressure. It’s durable and will probably serve you well for a very long time. If you’re just getting started in brush lettering, you may download an alphabet exemplar for you to trace or copy. You’ll be familiar with the letter strokes in no time when you use an exemplar or guide when starting out.

Koi Coloring Brush Pen via Happy Hands Project
Koi Coloring Brush pen in Blue Green Light, written on an A5 sized sheet

I have not tried blending colors yet, but you can create washes, layers and color gradations using Koi Water Brushes. How fun is that?

Koi Coloring Brush Pen via Happy Hands Project
Koi Coloring Brush Pen via Happy Hands Project
Koi Coloring Brush Pen via Happy Hands Project

The Sakura Koi Coloring Brush Pen is a great beginner brush specially for those who tend to write big. Seasoned brush lettering artists will find this fun to use because of their vibrant colors, flexibility and durability.

Ready to shop? Here are the links!

If you want all the colors :: Sakura 48-Piece Koi Coloring Brush Pen Set

If you want a 12-color set :: Sakura 12-Piece Koi Coloring Brush Pen Set

If you want 6 shades of gray (hah!) :: Sakura 6-Piece Koi Coloring Brush Pen Set, Gray

If you want gradations and take your lettering to the next level :: Sakura 2-Piece Koi Colorless Blender Set

Have fun lettering!

The Beauty of Spencerian Script

I cannot tell you enough how the beauty of Spencerian script, especially those written by the masters, always takes my breath away. During Master Penman Michael Sull’s workshop in Singapore a few years back, he had some historical work posted on the wall. The strokes of Spencerian Script are timeless and elegant.

Spencerian Calligraphy via Happy Hands Project
Calligraphy by CP Zaner from the personal collection of Michael Sull, taken during the workshop

Spencerian originated in the United States and was used from approximately 1850 to 1925. The penmanship style was developed by Platt Rogers Spencer, hence the name. Contrary to Copperplate (which originated in Europe), it is meant to be written quickly yet legibly for business and personal correspondence.

Spencerian Calligraphy via Happy Hands Project
Calligraphy piece on display during Michael Sull’s workshop. Look at how legible the writing is!

I wasn’t a fan of Spencerian from the start. I started dabbling in modern calligraphy and have always been inspired by the works of Maybelle Imasa. I realized I wanted to expand my horizons soon after and started learning Copperplate Script from Eleanor Winters through her book and in-person workshop.

I found Spencerian Script to be unnecessarily fancy back then. The strokes were too wispy to the point where I could hardly read the words at all. I don’t know for sure what changed my mind, but by 2018 I have already attended classes by Michael Ward and Master Penman Michael Sull.

I’ve had some old reference books downloaded and printed from IAMPETH and I’ve tried practising as often as I could. There is still way too much room for improvement, but calligraphy is a learning journey and it’s a journey I enjoy taking every time. Eventually, I saw the elegance in the wispy strokes of Spencerian Script, and I fell in love with the swirls of its capitals.

In this blog post today, I’m sharing with you a piece I wrote using Spencerian using my favourite tools:
• Leonardt Principal EF nib
• Coliro Rose Gold ink
• 300gsm black card stock

Spencerian Calligraphy via Happy Hands Project

I love the the thin upstrokes I can create using the Leonardt Principal EF nib. When using normal black card stock, I normally use my favourite sparkly pearlcolors from Coliro.

Spencerian Calligraphy via Happy Hands Project
Spencerian Calligraphy via Happy Hands Project
A closer look at the script
Spencerian Calligraphy via Happy Hands Project

My next post will be reminiscing about the time when it wasn’t de rigueur to wear masks and in-person workshops were something we normally go to (and in my case, teach!). I will be sharing about one of the Spencerian Script workshops I had the pleasure of attending. So many things to write about. Hope to see you back here soon!

Montblanc Heritage Egyptomania

Released in September 2020, the Montblanc Heritage Egyptomania fountain pen is an absolute joy to write with. Some geeky info for y’all—the Heritage Egyptomania fountain pen is reminiscent of the ‘Egyptian Fountain Pen’ from the 1920s.

So here’s the exciting news! I’m here to give you guys a calligrapher’s review of the beautiful Montblanc Heritage Egyptomania fountain pen. A big thanks to Montblanc Malaysia for providing the pen to help me write this post today!

First off, it’s beautiful. Appearances count, right? The fountain pen has an octagonal shape and Egyptian style engravings. This new version is embellished with a set of authentic hieroglyphics which translate to ‘white stone mountain’, effectively describing ‘Montblanc’.

The medium-sized nib is soft. It glides easily on paper, so writing in cursive is a breeze. I’ve tried writing on Tomoe River paper, Bristol card stock, high-end practice paper and regular copy paper. The Heritage Egyptomania fountain pen performed equally well on all kinds of paper I tried.

It’s a piston style fountain pen, so it’s very easy to refill with ink. I loaded the pen with Montblanc Mystery Black ink.

The medium sized nib produces strokes that are thicker than what I’m used to. However, I warmed up to it after just a few minutes of writing. It’s so smooth and I love how my cursive turned out. The strokes would be extremely thick after refilling the pen though. Word of advice: it’s best to write a few strokes on a scratch sheet first before writing on actual paper.

For those into lettering, I also tried it using Daler Rowney Fine Grain Heavyweight. No feathering! The ink also made a really nice contrast against the paper.

The pen can also be paired with a matching Montblanc Egyptomania travel notebook.

All in all, I would say the Montblanc Heritage Egyptomania fountain pen gives the user a beautiful writing experience. It’s available at Montblanc boutiques worldwide and online.

4 Calligraphy Tools That Make Writing Easier

Today, I’m sharing with you 4 calligraphy tools that will make writing and practicing easier—simple tools that you might not have, but actually need. I’m sure you already have the basic tools to get better at calligraphy, and here are some more that could make you an even more efficient calligrapher.

1 :: GUM ARABIC POWDER

Bleeding ink? Feathering? Too runny? Ink not adhering to paper? Gum arabic powder is the answer to these calligrapher woes. This fine white powder was useful to my different bottles of runny inks (yep, that’s you, Daler Rowney). It also adds viscosity to the inks I mixed using gouache. It made the gouache mixture slightly thicker yet smoother, making it a joy to write with. The result is a semi-glossy finish and a bit of a raised texture when dried.

For envelope calligraphy, it is definitely a nightmare when you have no control over the paper. If the ink keeps on bleeding on the envelopes supplied to you, you can add a few drops of gum arabic to your pre-mixed ink.

I usually have a small jar of liquid gum arabic handy for emergencies. So how do you mix it, exactly? Have a small airtight jar, dropper, stirrer and warm distilled water ready. I use about 1 part powder to 10 parts water, then I add more water using the dropper if it’s too thick. Warm water makes it easier to mix. Afterwards I just use a few drops of this mixture to a small jar of ink before using.

A rule of thumb is to not mix gum arabic mixture to a large bottle of ink as it might get mouldy and will therefore make the entire bottle useless. Not keen on mixing? There is also liquid gum arabic available in stores.

2 :: INK HOLDER

An ink holder, or inkwell, is a super tool that makes writing convenient for calligraphers. It prevents spills, basically, as accidents caused by knocking a jar full of ink can be a common scenario.

Ink holders come in may forms, but I love my wooden dinky dip and the larger one pictured above. Some ink holders also have a slanted base so it’s easier to dip into. Not keen on buying one? Try sticking a small jar of ink onto a clump of play-doh for some stability. Tilt the jar onto the clay for easier dipping.

3 :: WHITE PENCIL

The white pencil is probably one of the tools that I didn’t buy right away, but I’m telling you now that this is a very important tool in calligraphy. Dark paper lined with a lead pencil is just so difficult to see! An affordable option would be a chalk pencil (it’s eraseable!). Going for pro? The slightly more expensive mechanical fabric pencil by Fons & Porter is my favourite and will last you ages.

4 :: PEN REST

I honestly have several of these! Clay ones and wooden ones are part of my collection, and these pen rests keep my desk organised. I have a few calligraphy holders out at a time, usually around three, and they are all sitting on the pen rest on my desk.

When writing calligraphy, it’s best to use a pen rest for your holders to prevent drips on your desk (or worse, your paper!) and keep your workspace a tad neater. Not keen on wooden pen rests? Chopstick rests come in porcelain and ceramic and can be used for calligraphy pens as well.

There you have it! Four calligraphy tools that would make calligraphy writing easier. Happy inking!

Stay Home Freebie: Instagram Story Template

Favorite Netflix Shows Instagram Story Template via Happy Hands Project
Photo by Alexa Suter on Unsplash

Hey friends! Another Stay Home Freebie is here! How about a free downloadable Instagram Story Template? Ok, I must admit I’ve been tagged in these stuff too many times ever since the lockdown started (here in Singapore, it was more creatively called Circuit Breaker Measures).

I figured, the most beneficial poll for me would be recommendations for the best shows on Netflix. My days are full with work and home-based learning, but when work hours are over, I stretch my legs, sit on the couch, and check through my list on Netflix. So here’s a free Instagram Story template, so you can crowdsource more shows to add to your list and mine.

Don’t forget to tag me, @happyhandsproj, whenever you post this so I can receive as many recommendations as possible. These are tough times, people. Sharing is caring.

To use this free Instagram Story template, press and hold to save to your camera roll if on mobile. On your desktop? No problemo—simply right click, hit save and airdrop to your phone. Have fun!

Favorite Netflix Shows Instagram Story Template via Happy Hands Project

Want another freebie? Here’s a free printable coloring sheet from my last post.

Stay Home Freebie: Printable Coloring Sheet

Hi everyone! As we all stay home while the world battles the wrath of Covid-19, I thought it would be a good time to post a freebie. Here’s a free printable hand-lettered coloring sheet to keep boredom at bay. Coloring can be a meditative activity and may be good for our mental health as well.

Here’s a tip: for this coloring sheet, you can use a combination of different types of coloring tools. Metallic pens or markers combined with color pencils create interesting effects. Sample colors into swatches first so you can have an idea of your color palette. Or better yet, don’t overthink and just go for it! You can print this as many times as you like anyway.

This free printable download is in A4 and Letter size. Print it on 120gsm copy paper and you’re good to go! I will be making more lettering art in the coming days and will have more for download soon. Keep safe, and those creative hands clean. Happy coloring!

The New Colors of Pentel Brush Sign Pens

New Pentel Brush Pen Colours via Happy Hands Project

Oh look, new colors! I’ve been a fan of Pentel brush sign pens for a very long time, and I’m so glad to be able to give you guys a first look at these new colors. They come in the same flexible tips that we all love, perfect for beginners and seasoned lettering artists alike.

There are twelve new colors of the Pentel brush sign pen. I wrote the colors of each pen and I must say that except for the light colored ones, the shades are all very vibrant and highly saturated. Burgundy and turquoise green have amazing contrast against my white card stock.

New Pentel Brush Pen Colours via Happy Hands Project

The grey blue and pale pink pens, albeit light, still showed up nicely on the white textured card stock. These pens are perfect for brush lettering and illustrations. The pale pink looks like cherry blossoms and it’s a very pretty shade.

New Pentel Brush Pen Colours via Happy Hands Project
New Pentel Brush Pen Colours via Happy Hands Project

When composing brush lettering pieces with these pens, my advice is to use the darker shades for the words and use the light and pale ones for flourishes and illustrations. Mix and match. Experiment. It’s going to be fun!

Brush lettering has now become even more exciting with these new shades! The new colors of Pentel brush sign pens will be available from the 8th of February 2020 here in Singapore.

New Pentel Brush Pen Colours via Happy Hands Project

Lettering With Procreate: Book Cover Design

Handlettered Book Cover Using-Procreate via Happy Hands Project

I’ve been busy doing brush lettering with Procreate on my iPad lately. It’s very convenient because I can write and doodle even while watching TV. The best part? There’s absolutely no clean up required. However, I’ve noticed lately that I’ve been running out of words or quotes to write. Each lettering piece just seemed like a repetition of what I have just previously done.

Have you felt like that at some point?

So it got me thinking—what project can I do where I can put my iPad lettering using Procreate to good use? Instead of the usual inspirational quotes, is there anything else that would keep my creative juices flowing? Is there a better way to learn more Procreate techniques?

Redesign the Cover of Your Favorite Book

A really good way to teach yourself digital lettering and at the same time familiarize yourself with how Procreate works is to redesign a book cover. That’s exactly what I did here, and it was an enjoyable learning process that I did not mind spending precious time on.

Handlettered Book Cover Using-Procreate via Happy Hands Project

Using the basic calligraphy and splatter brushes on Procreate, I redesigned the cover of one of my favorite books—The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy by Rachel Joyce.

Here are some tips to get you started:

  • Before redesigning, imagine how your brush lettering style would look like when applied to the book title. Does it work? If it doesn’t, what style should you apply?
  • What colors would work, and what would make it stand out?
  • What word should be given emphasis? For my book cover, I decided that the name ‘Queenie Hennessy’ should be given the most emphasis, hence I wrote it biggest.
  • Would an illustration bring the book’s message across?
  • and lastly, if you don’t fall in love with your initial design, try again! That’s the best thing about digital lettering—you can always change some details here and there without having to re-do the whole thing. Keep trying!

I hope you’ll try this Procreate lettering project, because I really enjoyed working on mine. It’s not perfect and it will always be a work in progress. Through this exercise, I familiarized myself with the basics of Procreate lettering. And that’s the most important thing!

Looking for an alphabet guide for brush lettering? Download a free one here.

Have you thought of a book cover you’d like to redesign with digital hand-lettering? Let me know in the comments!