Every time I drive over the Chicago Avenue Bridge I look forward to seeing the “thank you” graffiti painted inside a heart on the northwestern side of the overpass. First there’s that nervous moment of anticipation when I’m afraid that Mayor Daley’s Graffiti Blasters have painted over it. But then I see it’s still there and it makes me smile.
So on a chilly January Sunday where the bridge wasn’t covered in snow, I snapped some photos and created these super cute urban thank you cards just in time for your post-holiday gracias.
You’re welcome to use these instructions and templates for free for your own personal use. Anyone using the template simply post a comment below or email me to track its usage.
Supplies (makes 2 cards each):
- Kathy’s free urban graffiti thank you card template (PDF, free for personal use)
- 1 sheet of white card stock weight paper
- 2 envelopes (4 bar size in bright white envelopes
or 4 bar size colored envelopes, I used black)
- Computer and color printer
- Paper cutter
OR Xacto basic knife set
(this is my kit and it’s great), Ruler
and Self-healing cutting mat
Print my free urban graffiti thank you card template (PDF), two cards a page.
Using your paper cutter or Xacto knife, ruler and mat, cut out your cards. Be sure to hold your ruler down tight and run the Xacto knife a couple times to make sure the edge is smooth.
Now here’s a tip to ensure your cards fold perfectly. Measure the center of your card and put your ruler along that imaginary line. Turn your Xacto knife upside down. Yep, upside down. Run the *back* of your knife gently down the middle along the ruler two or three times. Your goal is to just score the line, not cut through the paper, so be careful. Now you’ll be able to easily fold the card in half along a perfect seam.
That’s it. Write your card, slip into an envelope and mail. And heartfelt thanks to my favorite Chicagoland mystery graffiti artist.
COPYRIGHT NOTE: You’re more than welcome to use this project and pattern for your own personal use. Please post a comment below or email me if you use the template so I can smile when I see that it’s being used. Craft and pass it on!
Comments (12)
| Permalink
| By Kathy on 1/7/2009
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May 31st, 2010 at 6:18 am
Love these! I’m going to give making them a try – thanks!
February 15th, 2010 at 8:01 am
Hi Kathy,
I love this project. So creative and so Chicago! I’m a Chicago event planner and I posted this on my blog over at http://www.wevegotitchicago.blogspot.com. Just wanted to say thanks for creating such a neat project!
Alison
December 13th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Hi Bernadette, of course it’s not cheating! Milwaukee is urban as well so I say have at it! :) Hope to see you back at MerrimentDesign.com soon…
December 12th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
I just stumbled across you blog and really love it. I live in Milwaukee, so it is a little bitter sweet seeing all these wonderful things, but not truly living it. Is it “cheating” to send out these thank you cards being from Milwaukee?
April 5th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Hi Amanda, you made my day that you printed the thank you cards! It’s one of my favorite crafts lately and I’m happy to report that as of this weekend at least the graffiti is still there on the bridge :)
I checked out your blog and your fruit pavlova looks fantastic …I may have to try that out this spring. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting! Hope to see you back soon. My best, Kathy
April 1st, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Dear Merriment,
This blog is amazing!! Thank you so much for being so generous and posting your templates. I made this card yesterday and I love it! Is it wrong to be more excited about the card than giving thanks? :)
Thanks again!!
January 23rd, 2009 at 7:04 pm
I just drove over it today and it’s still there. Yay!!
January 21st, 2009 at 8:24 pm
This is lovely! I know right where to find the bridge, but I’m going to grab the template just in case the graffito is gone by then.
Thanks!
January 12th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
OMG. OMG. So flippin’ cool. So Chicago. So Cool. I love this blog.
January 11th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
What a perfect ‘found’ moment! Great idea!
January 11th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
WOW! These are amazing! So gorgeous and so creative…I just love them! I’ll be linking. I hope they never paint over it too!