Lettering — Shauna Mae's Portfolio

Lettering

I’ve been exploring lettering for more than a decade, developing my style through personal projects, client work and continued study. This collection brings together a range of hand-lettered pieces created across different styles, formats and applications.

Hand-made Type

Alphabet Division

87/100 - Over My Dead Body

This phrase is a dramatic idiom used to express strong refusal or resistance, suggesting someone would rather die than allow something to happen. It dates back to at least the early 19th century and stems from the literal

86/100 - In Cahoots

The phrase “In Cahoots” originated in early 19th-century American English and is used to describe a secretive partnership or conspiracy between individuals or groups. Its precise origin is somewhat unclear, but it is

85/100 - Hands Down

The phrase is believed to have originated from horse racing. Jockeys who were confident of winning a race would often relax their grip on the reins and lower their hands, signaling their dominance over the competition. This relax

84/100 - Slow Poke

The term “slowpoke” is an informal expression used to describe someone or something that is slow or sluggish. The origin of the phrase can be traced back to the early 20th century. The word “poke” in this c

83/100 - Bogged Down

The phrase "bogged down" has its origins in the literal meaning of getting stuck in a bog or swamp. It later evolved metaphorically to describe situations where progress is hindered or slowed down, similar to being mir

82/100 - Brass Tacks

The phrase "Brass Tacks" is an idiom that means to focus on the essentials or the most important aspects of a matter. While its exact origin is uncertain, there are several theories about where it comes from.

One theo

81/100 - Smack Dab

The phrase "smack dab" is an informal colloquial expression used to mean "exactly" or "precisely" in the sense of being in the middle of something or at the exact center of a location or situation. It

80/100 - Hunky-dory

The origin of the phrase "hunky-dory" is a bit uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the United States in the mid-19th century. There are a few theories about its origin, but none of them are definitive.

79/100 - Eat Crow
(Drew this during the @typelettering Dynamic Lettering class the other weekend - amazing class btw!)

The phrase "eat crow" is an idiomatic expression in American English, originating in the 19th century, and it describes

78/100 - Third Degree

The phrase "third degree" likely has multiple origins. One theory links it to the Freemasons' third-degree initiation, where rigorous testing occurs for membership. Another theory suggests connections to historical pr

76/100 - Main Squeeze

The slang expression "to put the squeeze on (someone or something)", meaning "to exert influence", is from 1711. The baseball term "squeeze play" is first recorded 1905. "Main squeeze" (&

75/100 - Pee-Yew

The origin of the phrase "pee-yew" likely involves a combination of linguistic influences and onomatopoeia. While not directly an abbreviation, "P.U." phonetically represents the sound people make when reacting t

74/100 Yee Haw
(Because it’s the last day of the @calgarystampede 🤠)

The term "yee haw" is believed to have its roots in the vocalizations and expressions used by cowboys, particularly during cattle drives and rodeos. It is thought

73/100 - Hanky Panky

The exact origin of the phrase "hanky-panky" is uncertain, but it dates back to the mid-19th century. It is believed to have derived from the word "hocus-pocus," which was used to describe deceptive or fraudu

72/100 - Out of the blue

The phrase "out of the blue" is an idiomatic expression used to describe something that happens unexpectedly or without warning. It is often used to refer to an event or a piece of information that comes as a surpr

71/100 - No Holds Barred

This phrase has its origins in the world of wrestling, specifically in the style of wrestling known as catch wrestling. Catch wrestling is a form of grappling that allows for a wide range of techniques, including strikes, j

70/100 - Tongue in Cheek

The phrase is believed to have originated from an old English practice in which someone would press their tongue against the inside of their cheek to signal a hidden meaning or sarcasm. This gesture was often used in a playf

69/100 - Tickled Pink

The phrase "tickled pink" is an idiomatic expression that means to be delighted or extremely pleased. While its exact origin is uncertain, the phrase likely originated in the United States in the early 20th century.

68/100 - Rule of thumb

The origin of the phrase "rule of thumb" is often attributed to an ancient British law that supposedly allowed a man to beat his wife with a stick, as long as the stick was no wider than the circumference of his thu

67/100 - Darn Tootin’
(thanks @krotchety_ for the phrase 💜)

The phrase “darn tootin’ ” emerged in early 20th-century American slang and means “correct” or “absolutely right.” It’s used by itsel

“This is the sign you were looking for” Mural

In 2020, I designed and hand-lettered my first mural, transforming an original lettering concept into a large-scale installation with help from my friend Chelsey Dyer and my dad.