15 Unexpected Ways to Use Hand Lettering

Mar 19, 2016

Hand lettering of all forms has been rapidly filling our hearts and Instagrams, and we’re all about exploring the different ways to make your mark on more than just a notepad. As we embark on our 50 Days of Lettering creative challenge, where we commit to lettering something every day and sharing online with our friends, these alternatives to the classic pen and paper are especially useful to get those creative gears turning! The point of this lettering exercise isn’t just to show off beautiful work, but to show the progress made from day 1 to day 50, seeing how creative you can get with it along the way. So get in on the challenge, and share pics of your work with us on Instagram, using the hashtag #50daysoflettering and tagging @BritandCo. Now, onto this lovely list of lettering inspo!

DIY Wanderlust Globe

The world of hand lettering is anything but flat. Update an old globe from your local thrift shop with a fresh coat of paint, and add some pretty gold lettering over the top. Your living room decor has never looked so chic and worldly at the same time. (via Style Me Pretty)

DIY Place Card Favors

This is an ADORABLE idea for gifts of all kinds. Personalize your wrapping paper with the name of the recipient! This hand lettered paper is so pretty it doesn’t even need a bow. (via Paper & Stitch)

DIY Hand Lettered Cushion Cover

But seriously, it does. Send yourself some complimentary words on the daily in the form of this stylish pillow. Letter a few different phrases on a group of pillows, and you’ll be showered with praise every time you sit on the couch. (via Make and Tell)

DIY Calligraphy Calendar

Make this DIY calendar all at once, or treat it as a monthly lettering exercise. Add a little of your personal flair to the top section of this calendar in the form of colors, shapes and fun patterns that speak to you. (via Brit + Co)

DIY Envelope Liners

We know what you’re thinking… Decorating the inside of an envelope may seem a bit excessive at times. But when your BFF’s b-day is around the corner, and you want to shower her in lettered love every way you can, THIS is the perfect way to add a little extra happy to her birthday. (via Paper & Stitch)

DIY Calligraphy Easter Eggs

EGGstraordinary. EGGciting. SpEGGtacular. Okay, now that we’ve gotten all the puns out of the way, let’s just say it – these are EGGcellent (oh sorry one more!). Put your lettering skills to use in both decor and food for every holiday, because why the hEGG not? (via Brit + Co)

DIY Back to School Wrapping Paper

Channel some serious school days nostalgia with this eraser-inspired gift wrap. It’s perfect for gifting fun pens and supplies to spread the joy of hand lettering to even more people! (via Oh Happy Day)

DIY Hand Lettered Clutches

WANT. NEED. GOING TO MAKE. Grab a paintbrush and paint some seriously accurate sayings onto a plain clutch. This same technique works for all the other plain items in your closet, so if you can master this beautiful brush lettering, the opportunities to personalize are endless. (via A Fabulous Fete)

DIY Embossed Calligraphy Notebooks

This project combines lettering AND embossing to make these fun, sparkly little notebooks. This one’s getting pinned onto the “Easiest DIY Gifts Ever” board. (via Momtastic)

DIY Hand Lettered Notepads

Now this notepad DIY make take a little extra work, but the custom result is so worth it! Use phrases that you know will put a smile on someone’s face and make a whole tear-away notepad out of them, for a daily happy surprise. (via Lily & Val)

DIY Marble Alphabet Magnets

Don’t forget the fridge! Give that big, trusty appliance some love, and make these hand lettered alphabet magnets as an update on the ol’ plastic set. I don’t think we’ll ever get tired of marble and gold, so this design is the perfect choice. (via Lily & Val)

DIY Hand Lettered Plate

Add a little extra dose of fun to your wedding tables OR your kitchen table. We’re loving the simplicity of this DIY, and those letters are giving us some serious #50daysoflettering GOALS right now. (via A Fabulous Fete)

DIY Watercolor Stationery

Watercolor AND beautiful wispy calligraphy? SWOON. I’m feeling more calm just looking at this picture and would personally love to receive one of these notecards in the mail (hint, hint: EVERYONE I KNOW). (via Paper & Stitch)

DIY Wedding Guestbook

Make every last detail of your wedding (or your bestie’s wedding) look and feel like a dream with this brush lettered guestbook and signage. A little added gold foil around the edges doesn’t hurt either ;) (via Brit + Co)

DIY Kraft Paper + Sharpie “Tablecloths”

Supersize those lettering skills, and use them to transform a simple kraft paper “tablecloth” into an artistic masterpiece. Who knew hand lettering was the secret to a beautiful AND budget friendly wedding? (via Something Turquoise)

HBO's "Unforgettable" New Drama Show Is For 'Eat Pray Love' Fans

Michaela Coel has proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the industry, especially after her series I May Destroy You won the 2021 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie and five BAFTAS. And, might I add, it quite literally destroyed us – emotionally, physically, and mentally. Coel is now officially back after a four year writing hiatus – and two stints in Prime Video’s Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Marvel's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – with a new series First Day on Earth.

Keep reading for the latest on HBO, A24, & BBC's First Day on Earth, written by and starring Michaela Coel.

What is First Day on Earth about?

Laura Radford/HBO

I’m glad you asked! First Day on Earth, written, starring, and executive produced by Coel, will follow a British novelist, Henri (Michaela Coel) who's overall feeling stuck in life (same, girl). Struggling with feeling stagnant in her career, life, and relationships, Henri doesn’t pass up the opportunity to relocate to Ghana to work on a film.

She takes this opportunity as a chance to reconnect with her estranged father who lives there, and reconnect with her heritage. It sounds like an Eat, Pray, Love moment, but I fear it’s not for poor Henri, because as soon as she arrives, she realizes things aren't as they appear — or what she expected.

Coel told Variety “First Day on Earth is another very personal story for me which I hope will engage viewers from all over the world, and I can’t wait for audiences to go on Henri’s journey with her.”

Executive producers Phil Clarke and Roberto Troni describes the series as "shocking, funny, and unforgettable," while BBC Drama director Lindsay Salt calls it "truly original, heartfelt, hilarious, [and] poetic." Say less!

Who's in the First Day on Earth cast?

Michaela Coel is confirmed to star as the series’ lead, though no other cast has been released. But, drum roll please, (where are my Succession fans at?!) Jesse Armstrong will also work as an executive producer on the show, which is being made by BBC, HBO, and A24. I’m in love with this series already! Check back here for a full First Day on Earth cast announcement.

I’m hooked – when does First Day on Earth come out?!

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

As the saying goes, good things come to those who wait (sadly). First Day on Earth has yet to release a premiere date, and it may not be for a while, given the latest announcement was that it will begin filming this year. Hopefully we'll see the show in 2026, but stay tuned for an official First Day on Earth release date announcement.

Is First Day on Earth on Max?

First Day on Earth will be a ten-part series that will air on BBC One, and thanks to the connection to HBO, I'm expecting us to be able to stream it on Max as well. According to the BBC, Michaela rejected $1 million from Netflix for the series because the BBC offered her more creative control.

Check out The 9 Best TV Shows To Watch On Max This Month for more.

3 Netflix TV Shows To Watch While You Wait For 'Ransom Canyon'

Buckle up, Yellowstone fans: a new romantic Western series, Ransom Canyon, is coming to town (or rather, Netflix).

The latest show, created, written, and executive produced by April Blair, will be "a romance-fueled family drama and contemporary Western saga that charts the intersecting lives of three ranching families, all set against the rugged expanse of Texas Hill Country," according to the streaming giant.

An official teaser trailer gave viewers a glimpse into the storyline, flashing the words "love," "land," and "legacy" on the screen. Are there any more fitting themes for Yellowstone lovers?

Ransom Canyon, which will be led by stars Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly, is set to premiere on April 17. As you saddle up for the release of this brand-new series, here are three Netflix TV shows you can watch in the meantime.

Here are the shows you need to watch ASAP while you're waiting on Ransom Canyon!

Justin Lubin/Netflix

1. American Primeval

American Primeval debuted on January 9 and has quickly become one of the most popular miniseries of the year. Set in 1857, this show is a gripping six-episode drama that delves into the brutal birth of the American West.

Survival is the only law, and violence reigns supreme. In American Primeval, cultures, faiths, and communities collide, chronicling the battle for control between Natives, pioneers, Mormon soldiers, and the United States government.

Taylor Kitsch and Betty Gilpin star in the series, alongside cast members Kim Coates, Jai Courtney, Kyle Bradley Davis, Dane DeHaan, Preston Mota, Nick Hargrove, Derek Hinkey, Saura Lightfoot, Shawnee Pourier, Joe Tippett, and Shea Whigham.

Ursula Coyote/Netflix

2. Godless

Scott Frank wrote and directed Godless, which ventures into the harsh and unforgiving landscape of New Mexico during the 1800s. Like Primeval, this is also a miniseries with seven episodes.

Godless centers around Roy Goode, played by Jack O'Connell, an outlaw on the run from his former mentor. When Jack stumbles upon La Belle, New Mexico, a town that's mostly populated by women following a mining disaster, the plot thickens in unexpected ways.

This series came out in 2017 and features powerful performances by, of course, Jack O'Connell, as well as Jeff Daniels, Michelle Dockery, Merritt Wever, and more.

AMC

3. Dark Winds

It's rare for a series to earn a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but Dark Winds has managed to do just that. Luckily for you, the first two seasons are available for streaming on Netflix, and the third season recently premiered on March 9.

Dark Winds, based on Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn and Chee book series, is set in the rugged Four Corners region of the American Southwest during the 1970s. The series follows Navajo Tribal Police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee as they investigate the murders of two Native individuals.

Both Season 1 and Season 2 have six episodes, which are one hour each. The cast is also filled with standout actors, including Zahn McClarnon, Jessica Matten, Kiowa Gordon, Rainn Wilson, and Noah Emmerich.

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8 Ways I’m Changing My Grocery Budget Just in Time for Tax Season

There have been many years when I really had to scrimp to pay my taxes, but I’ve found that casseroles, frozen veggies, and meatless meals are a great way to help make ends meet. Admittedly, you should be frugal about your grocery expenditures at any point during the year. But during tax season, it can be especially crucial to pinch pennies (at least until you get that tax refund, that is!).

Not long ago, I was that person who went to the grocery story list-free and haphazardly selected items for my cart as I passed by. Then I realized that as tax season was approaching I should consider a more frugal approach to feeding myself. Intrigued by the idea, but skeptical about my ability to execute on it, I dove in and decided to pare down my grocery bill. Originally, I was worried that scrimping on price would mean lowering my standards for quality, but it turns out that with a little careful planning, you can make some really delicious meals on a dime. Scroll on to see what I discovered.

Photo by Katya Wolf

Use a Grocery List

The number one tenet of saving on your grocery bill is to make a list and stick to it. This goes hand in hand with meal planning and makes everything from budgeting to cooking a more streamlined process. Although it seems like a lot of upfront effort, think about it like this: Even if it took you one hour a week to plan — which, according to Investopedia, could help you save about $640 or more a year on food waste and other costs — that would save you about $12 an hour. For those who make $12-$15 an hour, the savings are like taking a paid week off of work!

Photo by Pixabay

Buy In Bulk On Sale Items

So many things freeze beautifully. When items that you use regularly are on sale, from bread to butter to meat, snap them up in bulk. Although the savings seems minimal, when you add it up over a year’s worth of purchases, the amount of money you keep in your pocket will be significant. Plus, if you buy in bulk, you’re always guaranteed to have your favorite ingredients on hand.

Shutterstock

Stockpile In The Freezer Section

If you’re doing things right and stockpiling, then you’re going to make good use of your freezer. Although we want to eat our favorite fruits and vegetables year-round, buying things in season is significantly cheaper, which means that when these items are affordable and available you’re going to want to stock up. Even if you’re buying pre-frozen fruits and vegetables, you’re saving money, and the research shows that you’re not losing any nutrients by doing so.

Photo by Thomas Le on Unsplash

Shop In Season

While you can most likely find your favorite items at your grocery store year-round, prices (and not to mention taste) will fluctuate greatly based on the season. In particular, if you’re buying tomatoes, berries, grapes, peaches, or asparagus out of season, you could really be hurting your grocery budget. Instead, opt for their frozen counterparts or wait until they are *naturally* back in the store.

Photo by Megan Bucknall on Unsplash

Enjoy More Casseroles

Casseroles do not belong in the 1950s. In fact, they are every bit as valuable today as they were 70 years ago. Why? Because they’re a healthy and delicious way to stretch out pricier ingredients and feed more mouths. You could feed each person one chicken breast or you could use two in an entire casserole which will feed you both for dinner and leave you with leftovers for lunch the next day. If you’re not sure where to begin, find tons of Brit + Co casserole recipe inspiration.

Photo by Andy Holmes on Unsplash

Use Herbs and Spices

Scenting your meals with a handful of herbs and spices is a good way to add a lot of flavor with little extra cost. Bonus points if you grow your own herbs. Also, you should definitely be buying spices in the international section of the store. I recently noticed that an ounce of cloves costs $3.79 in the spice aisle but 99 cents in the international section.

Photo by Nature Zen on Unsplash

Go Meatless Most Days

Meatless Mondays are all fine and dandy, but if you really want to save a few extra dollars, you need to make more than one day of the week meat-free. Not to mention, it’s better for your overall health to eat less meat. Studies show that people who eat less meat have a lower risk of dying from cancer, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses. So you’ll be doing something good for your wallet, and your well-being to boot.