Washed-out Effect & Blog Candy

Happy Birthday to Kris
As I was thinking about what to post today, I realized that tomorrow is the birthday of Kris, our front desk manager extraordinaire. So I have a little favor to ask you...

Kris handles all the applications for the Certification classes, answers phones, and keeps me in line. She also LOVES all the cute cards people submit, either digitally or physically in the mail.

All I'm asking you to do is take one photo of a birthday card you've made- it could be made for a kid, a guy, or even your grandmother- and e-mail it to Kris this week. If you don't make cards, then send her a photo of some artwork. You could have posted it on your blog a month or a year ago, it doesn't matter, just send a quick e-mail to Kris. This will be my surprise to her: an in-box full of cute birthday greetings from across the country. Title the message: Happy Birthday to You

her e-mail is orders@copicmarker.com

Once you've sent her an e-mail, come back here and leave a comment. I'll enter you in a quick prize drawing for a handful of Ciao markers.

It's that simple. On Saturday at 12 am I'll chose a winner and post it here. Thanks in advance for helping me make Kris's birthday a fun one. I know she'll be smiling all week long :)

Edit: I came into work this morning and had a big smile waiting from Kris. She was VERY surprised and VERY grateful for the cards! She is really looking forward to seeing more cards and artwork, so THANK YOU!!!

Washed Out with Colorless Blender
Here is the artwork I made for Kris' birthday card. I'm not saying Kris is really old, but she is older than me, so that makes her old in my book (I used to be the youngest one around here at the Copic office, but it's been a few years since I could still make that claim).

This is an easy technique. It doesn't matter too much what paper you use, as long as it's cardstock. Start by loosely coloring with a few colors. You don't have to stay in the lines or anything, you're just getting some color down on the page.

Then, I took a blender marker and dipped it into a big bottle of colorless blender solution and dripped it onto the colored areas. Simple, fun, washed-out coloring.

The scanner didn't pick up all the subtle drop-looking blobs, but in real life it looks pretty cool. I love how the color on his hands and the ribbon really washed out of the lines. Before I glue this down I'm going to add more cute grunge and dirt to the edges to really make it look like this card is ready for the happy grave it has waiting. I know Kris will love her card!

Local Classes
On another note, I'm teaching a cardmaking class this Saturday the 13th from 12:30 to 2:30 or so at DIVA (Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts) here in Eugene. Please register by 5pm tonight if you can come. All supplies are included, and this is a fundraiser for DIVA. I'll be bringing paper, altered art supplies, and all the Copics we can play with (even an air compressor!). To register, visit their website at www.divanow.org

Certification, CHA
There is still space, though these classes are filling up quickly. Contact Kris right away to get added to either the Jan. 23 or 24th class.

Thanks again for all your cards. You'll really make Kris happy and you'll let her know that we appreciate all she does for us down here at Copic. Good luck winning the prize!