Have you done your thank you notes yet?
I kinda did.
Thought I'd shoot some of the process to show you how easy this is.
The idea is to do a minimal message or design on the middle of the page, and the write over the top with a black marker.
It's handmade, you know?
SO MUCH better than some smarmy Hallmark card.
First thing though?
Gotta go to a Hallmark.
Get a box of blank notes with envelopes.
Just make sure the paper is neutral - like a cream or white or something.
I'm an art guy, so I have watercolors and brushes, but I promise if you just went to Walgreens and got the $1.00 watercolor set with the little pans of color and the plastic brush, you can do the same thing.
And even if your art skills are from 3rd grade, it doesn't really matter because you're not going for perfection.
You want to get the brush really wet and loaded with color.
Since this is a thank you card, try writing "Thank You".
See?
Keep charging the brush to keep it really saturated.
It'll almost be like puddles shaped like letters.
Leave it alone for 10 minutes and let it dry.
Cool, arty-lookin' stuff happens while it dries, so leave it alone.
You can also do shapes.
Hearts, stars, William Shatner's head...
Okay maybe not William Shatner's head, but you can do a star, right?
Another thing to try is, while the paint is still wet, dip the brush in another color, like deep red, and then just touch the brush to the wet yellow color.
The red will bleed into yellow, you're all technique-y and Leonardo-like, and once it's dry you write your note right on top of the star.
Even if your brushwork is HORRIBLE, you can make a Cubs logo.
It's a big red C with UBS inside, and a blue circle all around it.
Then you write your note right on top.
You totally get bonus points for being all creative and doing a hand-made note.
Nobody really cares if the message is terrible when the note contains all the evidence of good hard creative work.
Okay, go do it and send 'em out.
You'll feel fantastic, and you'll probably get a better present next year.
Anybody know anything new about the Cubs?
New Bears coach?
Derrick Rose's knee?
A hockey game?
Me neither.
So make your cards.
