Learning Brush Script

A few weeks ago I enrolled in Studio Calico's online brush script class. I have always loved the way it looked and jumped at the chance to learn Kal Barteski's methods. As with anything you have to walk before you can run, but learning the foundation is kind of my favorite thing! I was the nerd in school who loved doing gradient scales just to see what each medium could do.

Here is a peek at my first steps in learning brush script. I felt it was important to share the dirty work part of learning with you. Too often we only share our polished pieces with the world and no one gets to see the hard work that went into learning how to do it. This is my first experience with gouache and I think it's love! Now onto learning letters... oh repetition, you are the best teacher!

What mediums are you working with lately?

Charlie

Sewn: Floral and Vinyl

I came across this floral tapestry fabric (I call it granny fabric) in the clearance bin and I just wanted to make bags out of it... so I did! I made a new pouch for my Kindle, a large fold over clutch, a medium cross body purse and a mini fold over pouch. Making these has helped me become more comfortable with my zipper foot, interfacing and topstitching.

It was fun to play around and not worry about how it would turn out. Now that I am so comfortable with my zipper foot, I just want to make pouches for everything! I also want to be better about making time for 'just for fun' projects.

What have you been creating just for the fun of it lately?
Charlie

Blogging Resources

There are some brilliant ladies out there in the blogging world who have made their experience and knowledge available to us! A few months ago, I bought PR & Marketing by Kaelah from Little Chief Honeybee and Three Sixty-Five by Kam from Campfire Chic. Both of these are awesome resources if you feel yourself stuck in a little blogging funk.

Kaelah's e-book is written very straight forward and to the point... it is refreshing! She gives you the information you need to really build up your blog, and shares the things she has learned along the way.  She tells you the things you need to know, without all the fluff, and makes everything totally approachable. I honestly love her writing style. I may never use a few of the things in this book, but as a newbie in this world, it is nice to know how things work... and that makes it worth the purchase!

Kam's workbook/resource is a perfect reference for when you are trying to fill out your blogging schedule.  When I am staring at a blank calendar, my brain tends to go blank after just a few minutes of filling stuff in.  This is the perfect thing to help generate ideas.  It seriously leaves you thinking... why didn't I think of that?  She also includes some awesome tips for reinventing the ideas she included.  I mean, for $5.00 this is a steal and something you will keep using again and again, I promise!

I highly reccomend you check these two resources out because you might just learn something you didn't know!

I also just started Kara's The M class and Arrow & Apple's Lighting e-course. I will let you know how I like them when I get a little further... I am currently trying to handle all the anxiety that comes with attempting to shoot in Manual! Gah!

~Charlie