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Giveaway: DIY Handlettering book

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Giveaway: DIY Handlettering: From Monogrammed Pillows to Personalized Stationery–25 Handcrafted, Handlettered Projects You Can Make!

Leave a comment in today’s post by May 4th, 2016 and you are in the running for this great guide to lettering and projects to make with you personal touch.

Open to U. S. residents only please.

More about the book from the publisher:

Creative inspiration for developing your own unique lettering style!

“Take your home decor to a whole new level with beautiful, customizable handlettering techniques! With DIY Handlettering, you’ll learn how to re-create all the most popular fonts–from swirly scripts to bold block lettering to whimsical calligraphy. With these beautiful writing techniques, you can customize any object in your home to reflect the things that matter to you. Whether it’s monogramming a plate, designing a striking wall art display, or adding an important date to a pillow, handlettering is the newest way to make your home decor totally one-of-a-kind!

Add a touch of personality to any object with stunning projects like:

  • Etched Wineglasses
  • Customized Picture Frame
  • Statement Monogram Necklace
  • Personalized Journals
  • Woodburned Lovers’ Plaque
  • Lettered Mugs

Complete with beautiful photographs and plenty of inspiration, DIY Handlettering will help you add the perfect finishing touch to just about everything!”

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Comments

  1. What a great book, hand lettering is some is something I have been trying to do but need lots of help.

  4. I’m a lefty and have had people tell me at it’s way too hard left handed people to learn all the different lettering. Well I’m sure learning how to do a lot of different lettering isn’t as hard as being a lefty in a right handed world . Thanks for the chance ..

  15. I can never finish a project because it seems I botch it up with my handwriting!!! I try though 🙂

  17. I would love to have this book! I like giving gifts that are personalized. This book would certainly come in handy for new ideas.

  19. Hand lettering, cursive and calligraphy are rarely taught anymore. This is a wonderful way to keep them from dying out.

  25. What a great book! Would love to have this for some great ideas for future gifts for friends and family.

  26. I can think of a ton of applications and would LOVE to have this book to learn the skills and secrets. Thanks!

  27. I’m getting married soon and this book would be awesome for some of the did projects I want to incorporate into my wedding ????

  28. So many projects I would like to tackle which include lettering but I shy away from because I really do not posses the skill needed LETTERING. I would really appreciate the guidance the book could offer.

  29. I have dabbled before but would love to have this book to increase my lettering skills. Thanks for the chance to win.

  36. This is awesome. I’d love to have an alternate to having to use my computer for different font/lettering styles.

  39. Wow – I bought a brush and some ink, but I’m lost. I need this book – thank you for the chance to win 🙂

  45. very interesting…..love trying new things….I am doing a wedding anniversary and am looking new ideas….I would love to try my hand at lettering….

  46. Would love to learn about hand lettering. Have a troop of teen Girl Scouts that I could share this with too. Thanks for the opportunity.

  49. It’d be so cool if I won this and could give it to my daughter because she has such a talent in hand lettering that has been self taught so far.

Have you read?

Why Do Your Kids Play with the Box? An Interview with Child Psychologist Dr. Lucy Harper

I was at a recent blogger’s meetup—chatting, sipping lukewarm coffee, and exchanging parenting war stories—when the conversation turned to toys. More specifically, the boxes toys come in.

“You know,” I laughed, “my kid unwrapped a fancy, interactive toy last Christmas, and five minutes later, the box had become a spaceship… the toy? Completely abandoned.”

That’s when Dr. Lucy Harper, a warm and wise child psychologist with a mischievous grin, chimed in: “Oh, the box wins every time. And there’s a very good reason for that.”

Naturally, I had to ask her more. What followed was one of the most fascinating, reassuring conversations I’ve had as a parent.

Me: So, Lucy—why do kids love playing with the box more than the actual toy?

Dr. Harper: Honestly, it’s one of the most developmentally beautiful things kids can do. When a child chooses the box, they’re choosing imagination over instruction. A toy often has one purpose—it sings, it moves, it lights up. But a box? A box can be anything. Kids see endless potential in something we adults might just toss in the recycling.

Me: So you’re saying it’s not just them being weird or ungrateful?

Dr. Harper: [Laughs] Not at all. It’s actually a wonderful sign of creativity and cognitive flexibility. Think of it like this—boxes offer what we call “open-ended play.” There’s no one way to use a box. That freedom gives children the chance to invent, experiment, and take charge of their own playtime. It helps their brains build problem-solving skills, storytelling ability, spatial reasoning… the list goes on.

Me: Okay, but does it really help with development? Or are we just romanticizing cardboard?

Dr. Harper: Oh, it absolutely helps. When your child turns a box into a rocket or a cave, they’re engaging multiple areas of their brain. They’re building narratives (language skills), exploring size and shape (early math concepts), using fine and gross motor skills (tape, scissors, crawling inside), and even practicing emotional regulation. That “I made this myself” feeling is powerful for confidence.

Me: You mentioned emotional regulation—how does box play support that?

Dr. Harper: Great question. Sometimes, boxes become cozy hideaways—reading nooks, forts, quiet spots. For many kids, that’s self-soothing. It’s their way of saying, “I need a break from all the noise.” And giving them space to retreat into a world they’ve created can be incredibly comforting.

Me: I’ve definitely seen that. So how can parents support more of this kind of play?

Dr. Harper: Start saving boxes! Seriously. Don’t rush to recycle them. Offer markers, tape, scissors, scrap paper, fabric—just let kids take the lead. You’d be amazed what they come up with. And here’s the secret: you don’t need a Pinterest-perfect play setup. The messier and more imaginative, the better.

Dr. Harper’s Favorite “Box Play” Ideas
Before we wrapped up (pun intended), I asked Lucy for some of her go-to box play setups that parents can try at home. Here’s what she shared:

The Spaceship Command Center
“Flip a large box over, cut a few windows, and hand over some foil and paper plates for the ‘control panels.’ Bonus points if your child names the spaceship and creates a mission.”

The DIY Café or Bakery
“Boxes make great shop counters. Set one up with play food or paper treats, and let your child take orders and serve customers. This builds storytelling and social skills.”

Wearable Cardboard Costumes
“Kids love making robot bodies, animal masks, or even cardboard wings. It blends creative expression with physical movement.”

The Crawl Tunnel or Maze
“Especially fun for toddlers—just tape boxes together to make a crawling path. It feels like a mini adventure.”

The Giant Art Canvas
“Flatten a box and let them draw a city, a racetrack, a jungle… whatever they dream up. Then use toy figures or cars to play out scenes.”

Me: Last question—what would you say to the parent who feels bad that their expensive toy got ignored?

Dr. Harper: I’d say: it’s okay. Your child didn’t reject your gift—they just found a different way to explore joy. Playing with the box isn’t a failure of the toy—it’s a success of their imagination.

And sometimes, the best toy is the one that didn’t cost a thing.

So next time your child dives headfirst into a cardboard box, don’t worry—embrace it. You might just be watching their creativity take flight.

Want to turn this into a printable resource or social media share? I can help with that too!

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