I’m hot to trot for text!  That’s right, I’m completely obsessed with typography these days.  Here are some things on my hot list:

1. Wordle

This is a super cool site that creates a text cloud for you, like the one below:

WordCloud-1
You can type in custom text or you can do what I did and type in your blog address and the site will choose some words at random.  You can also customize the word cloud a bit by choosing colors and fonts and limiting the number of words like the word cloud below:

WordCloud-2

2. I Love Typography (.com)

This is an awesome blog that is full of great links and so much typography eye candy!  If you’re at all interested in graphic design or designing with text, you *must* check this blog out.  There’s a ton of information to be had (tutorials, etc.) but sometimes it’s nice to just flip through it and be inspired!

One of the links recently posted there was for Linzie Hunter who makes art out of SPAM text.  Her stuff is gorgeous and hilarious.  This one made me laugh out loud:

LinzieHunter

Go and check out her site.  She rocks!

3. Type Tool

Type Tool is a computer program from FontLab that allows you to design and create your own fonts.  I bought it a few weeks ago and I’m knee deep in glyphs and kerning and an enormous learning curve!  But, here’s my first font:

JulieCursive-1

It’s rough, but I’m having a *great* time playing with the program!

4. Die Cut Text Paper

You’ll recall that about six months ago I discovered that I could create and cut my own lace text paper using my Klic-N-Kut.  Here’s a layout I did back then:

1.3.08-sm

Well, I figured out a way to do it digitally too!  Check it out:

KeepingScore-sm

Cool, huh? Basically, in PS CS3, I took a bunch of letters, arranged them and then merged all the layers together.  This created a clipping mask, which I used to cut the polka dot paper from Little Dreamer Designs into the cool lace letter paper!

So, are you a text maniac?  Tell me about your favorite text-related site or tool!

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a painter, printmaker, and collage artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Her artwork investigates the interplay of identity and perception, inviting viewers to take a longer look. Julie works in layers, both physically and metaphorically, exploring what is visible and what is concealed. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops and her online classroom at MyArtPractice.com. Julie's achievements include high-profile clients, multiple publications - including her book, “Carve Stamp Play” - and exhibits in New York City and throughout Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Brown University.

40 thoughts on “Text Mania

  • I love Wordle too. Your layouts are amazing!

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  • I love Wordle too. Your layouts are amazing!

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  • I love Wordle too. Your layouts are amazing!

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  • I love Wordle too. Your layouts are amazing!

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  • wow love the layouts, I just might have to check out the wordle.

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  • wow love the layouts, I just might have to check out the wordle.

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  • wow love the layouts, I just might have to check out the wordle.

    Reply
  • wow love the layouts, I just might have to check out the wordle.

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  • Thanks for the wonderful links. I’ve been hearing alot about the wordles and keep meaning to give it a try

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  • Thanks for the wonderful links. I’ve been hearing alot about the wordles and keep meaning to give it a try

    Reply
  • Thanks for the wonderful links. I’ve been hearing alot about the wordles and keep meaning to give it a try

    Reply
  • Thanks for the wonderful links. I’ve been hearing alot about the wordles and keep meaning to give it a try

    Reply
  • I am such a font junkie. Thanks for the great resources!

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  • I am such a font junkie. Thanks for the great resources!

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  • I am such a font junkie. Thanks for the great resources!

    Reply
  • I am such a font junkie. Thanks for the great resources!

    Reply
  • Julie, have you thought about selling your digital designs? Can you do that? If so, I would think that you would do an amazing job at it! =)
    Jen

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  • Julie, have you thought about selling your digital designs? Can you do that? If so, I would think that you would do an amazing job at it! =)
    Jen

    Reply
  • Julie, have you thought about selling your digital designs? Can you do that? If so, I would think that you would do an amazing job at it! =)
    Jen

    Reply
  • Julie, have you thought about selling your digital designs? Can you do that? If so, I would think that you would do an amazing job at it! =)
    Jen

    Reply
  • Wow! Love all the links and what you are doing with the font. I think the font you created is very cool.

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  • Wow! Love all the links and what you are doing with the font. I think the font you created is very cool.

    Reply
  • Wow! Love all the links and what you are doing with the font. I think the font you created is very cool.

    Reply
  • Wow! Love all the links and what you are doing with the font. I think the font you created is very cool.

    Reply
  • Cool stuff! Hey, it was great cropping with you & Mom this weekend! Let’s do it again soon!!!
    xo
    Christina

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  • Cool stuff! Hey, it was great cropping with you & Mom this weekend! Let’s do it again soon!!!
    xo
    Christina

    Reply
  • Cool stuff! Hey, it was great cropping with you & Mom this weekend! Let’s do it again soon!!!
    xo
    Christina

    Reply
  • Cool stuff! Hey, it was great cropping with you & Mom this weekend! Let’s do it again soon!!!
    xo
    Christina

    Reply
  • Hi..very cool links..:) can’t wait to check them out..thanks..:)

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  • Hi..very cool links..:) can’t wait to check them out..thanks..:)

    Reply
  • Hi..very cool links..:) can’t wait to check them out..thanks..:)

    Reply
  • Hi..very cool links..:) can’t wait to check them out..thanks..:)

    Reply

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