I am soooo envious of people who have great handwriting! I was endlessly frustrated in elementary school about my inability to get above a “B” in handwriting … no matter what I tried. It definitely doesn’t help that I am a leftie. Of course, when a well-meaning teacher told me to hold an index card under my hand so that I didn’t smear the ink, I knew we’d reached the point of ridiculous. Suffice it to say, as soon as it was no longer mandatory to write in cursive, I stopped … and I haven’t written in cursive (other than my signature) ever since. As a result, I focused on my printing – and, when I’m focusing on it, I do really, really like my own (printed) handwriting. It’s only when I’m in a hurry or not paying attention that it starts to look a little sloppy. Nonetheless, when I see someone with great handwriting, that little green monster rears his ugly little head!
Anyway, that is a long way of saying … I saw the most fantastic handwriting ever. I was in St. Louis a couple weeks ago for a 40th birthday party, and the birthday girl’s brother – Nick – had written (on request of the host) a “eulogy” which was posted on the wall. Well, I was too distracted by the handwriting to pay much attention to what he had to say. I’m not one to be shy in these matters, so I expressed my displeasure at having my handwriting upstaged … by a guy, nonetheless! I was joking – but also delighted that he decided to share his secret – which, of course, is that he’s an architect. Architects always have the best handwriting, don’t they? Well, thanks to Doug Patt and his website How to Architect, now we can all learn to write like an architect. Just watch this video … and practice, practice, practice! Nick also shared that it is critical to use the right pen. Architects turn their noses up at ballpoint pens, and instead prefer to use a fine point felt tip. Personally, I’m enjoying the ultra fine point Sharpies – particularly in a color to coordinate with your stationery!
Now, once you’ve got it down, do us all a favor and turn your handwriting into a font that we can use on our computers, ok? It’s easy, I promise! Just check out Fontifier. I used Fontifier to turn my handwriting into my own font (Traci Type) for the low, low price of $9, and it’s pretty incredible how well it works. Nick, I know your sister reads my blog … so consider this my offer to spot you the $9 in exchange for a Nick the Architect Font.
I did find some other sites (Fonts for Peas is one) that say they’ll transform your handwriting into a font for free (!), but I haven’t used those sites personally. You can bet I’m going to look into downloading the fonts transformed by Amanda at Fonts for Peas, though, because they look fantastic!! I can’t wait to start reading through Amanda’s blog. After today’s post on pleasures of a neatly folded stack of laundry, I think I’ve found a kindred spirit. So I know what I’ll be doing this weekend … oh, and painting some cabinets. Enjoy the sunshine!!
Yes, that is my handwriting in the photo above … and I realize my spacing is more than a little off. That’s because I didn’t use the Traci Type.
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