The Art of Whimsical Lettering by Joanne Sharpe
Interweave/F+W Media; $24.99
Interweave generously provided a copy of this book for me to review, but all opinions, thoughts, and obscure computer game references are my own.
I’ve been a huge fan of Jenny Highsmith’s lettering prints for ages so when Interweave asked if I wanted to review this book on Whimsical Lettering I had to go for it. As much as I love Jenny’s prints, I never saw one that had a message that quite fit what I was looking for. But now, armed with Joanne Sharpe’s amazingly colorful book (no seriously, it’s like a jar of Skittles for your eyes), I think I’m ready to dive in.
The book is divided into sections and the whole thing is just so inspiring and gorgeous to look at. Some sections talk about styling your font, others give ideas for watercoloring or monochromatic designs, and then there’s a whole section of alphabet ideas!
This one where you write out a message and then stitch it with colored embroidery floss warmed my seamstress heart.
How pretty are these??
Well, I already know that my first print is going to say “Ask me about Grim Fandango.” (100000000 points to anyone who gets it.)
Interweave is very kindly offering a copy of The Art of Whimsical Lettering to one of my readers! Just leave a comment below telling me what message/word/phrase you’d write out on a print. Make sure you include your email so you can be contacted about receiving your prize!
The giveaway will be open until midnight Tuesday, May 20th and the winner will be announced shortly after.
I had a book like this in the late 90’s that was done by American Girl, I think. It was the best!
I’d make a “Wipe Your Paws” sign and leave it where my dog can see it. Then hope he learns to read.
Hahahaha I love this.
How fun! I’d love to make a pretty sign for my daughter’s dorm room.
I would write “I was just wondering why you’re here” It’s a quote from one of my favorite books and I would put it up on my wall.
That looks so cool! I feel like it reminds me of something I had when I was younger, but I have no idea what it was or if I even did anything with it. I suppose the first thing I would stitch out is my new company name and logo – I’m trying to get something that’s crafty and cool and I don’t really have the resources on my own, but with this it would look amazing. Plus, I could practice my embroidery with it. I love it!
I have always wanted to experiment with making prints of my own lettering! I would love to have a reminder with the quote “Change your thoughts and you change your world.”
I’d write “these are beautiful times” because that’s a quote from one of my favorite songs 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win! samsung98@hotmail.ca
Owl City + Lindsey Stirling?? LOVE!
I would write “this world, the palpable thought of God” from Jack Kerouac’s Desolation Angels. His writing changed me.
I have so many quotes and things that I wish I could hand letter and put up on my walls. The lyrics from the Jesse & Joy song “Me Quiero Enamorar”, for example. Or the quote about the wordshaker from The Book Thief. Or something from any number of musicals, because I am a complete and unabashed musical theatre geek. I love hand lettering!!!
That book looks great!! I would write a favorite Bible verse; maybe Luke 6:45 or 2 Timothy 2:22 or 1 Timothy 4:12.
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My aunt says, “new day new plan”. I think I need that on my wall.
I would totally make a sign that says “He doesn’t even go here!” Bahahahahahaha! I would laugh every time I walked past it.
Mine absolutely has to be “The Angels have the blue box.” And possibly a companion that says, “I have that on a t-shirt.”
I would like to do some sort of lettering and stitch combo, on fabric or even just fancy paper, like that one sample page you showed. I think it would have an Americana theme background (I’m from USA) and say over it, “Sewing Makes History”. I came up with this myself. Betsy Ross’ stitching gave us our national flag, so I would use this poster as a reminder when I’m down that my sewing is important. Besides, the fact that I sew many historical fashions makes this phase more of a humorous pun as well. Thank you for offering this book!
“Someone who is very strong must also be very kind” from Pippi Lonstocking
*Longstocking
What a great giveaway! I used to scrapbook and write poetry way before it was a ‘thing’ and this book could be a great way to get into it again. One of my tattoos says ‘inner strength ‘ in ‘Chinese’ (in quotations because I got it off the internet and not sure if that’s really what it says, but I don’t care). So I think I’d start there. Kind of my own ‘keep calm and carry on’ mantra. Zoe.livana(at)gmail.com
I’d write out quotes from some of my favorite books!
This book looks amazing! I would most likely use it to write out nerdy phrases (Firefly or Dr. Who quotes, etc). 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
Also, I very rarely comment, but I love seeing all the clothes you make – so many of them are gorgeous, and they are all so well made.
I would definitely write “He’s got the world on a string”, a quote from Being John Malkovich that for some reason got stuck in my head long after watching the movie. Thank you for the giveaway!
I’d create our family motto, “connect and conquer.”