Cake Excuse Birthday

For: Paul

Occasion: his birthday 

For Paul's birthday card this year, I used some block letters and glitter pens to share this message: "You are the best excuse to eat cake!" The E in cane leads into an illustration of a slice of cake and it's all very birthday festive. I hope Paul has an awesome birthday!

Banner Birthday

For: Uncle Jim

Occasion: his birthday 

I used brown craft paper to make this simple banner pop! It reads "Happy birthday Jim!" I will admit it felt strange to leave "uncle" off the banner, but I wanted to give it a try! Anyhow, I hope he has the best day ever and enjoys some tasty treats to celebrate the day! 

Celtics Birthday

 For: Liam
Occasion: his birthday

Liam is a Boston guy through and through. For his birthday card this year, I re-imagined the Boston Celtics logo as Liam himself! Noticeable differences are the lack of pipe, party hat instead of top hat and cupcake instead of basketball! I also made the character look as Liam-like as I could. Getting to know the Kellys has been such a treat--I hope this year is so much fun for him!

Cute Clown Birthday

 For: Aunt Joan
Occasion: her birthday

For Aunt Joan's birthday card, I drew a sweet little clown wearing a Happy Birthday! hat and holding a party balloon. There was always a rumor when I was young that Aunt Joan went to or wanted to go to clown college, and I have no idea if it was true, but she was and is and always has been one of the funniest people I know, so I wouldn't be surprised! I hope she has the very best day and is looking forward to another year of joy and laughter. 

Thanksgiving Pie

 For: The Walsh-Rocks
Occasion: Thanksgiving

The Walsh-Rocks are the hosts with the most every Thanksgiving, so to share gratitude with them for setting up the big party this year, I made them a simple card featuring a delicious slice of pumpkin pie with the message "full of thanks!" I adore this family so, so much and am so sorry to miss them this year for the beautiful holiday celebration that they curate. I can't wait to see them at Christmas in under a month!

Cat Birthday

 For: Quam
Occasion: his birthday

Quam has been sending me the required photos and videos of his and his girlfriend's cat, Goose. To celebrate Quam's birthday, I did a watercolor of Goose looking much more innocent than is reasonable. I loved trying to capture his spirit and get the various markings correct based on the library of images I have seen. I am so pleased to know the card was a hit with the entire fam!

Hiking Birthday

 For: Jaimie
Occasion: her birthday

For Jaimie's birthday card this year, I did a watercolor pen sketch of her on a solo-hike in the mountains! I love the bright colors and how the snowy white space of the mountains balance out the brightness. Jaimie is such a ray of sunshine in the world and I had so much fun painting at craft night the other day. I hope she has an incredible year! 

Confetti Birthday

 For: Rukiyah
Occasion: her birthday

Rukiyah is one of the most colorful people I've ever known, so for her birthday card I used all the colors I could think of! "This calls for confetti" is done with so many colors in each letter that are each outlined in white for some extra pop. And then the dark space has lots of little glimmers of glittery joy to tie it all together. I hope Rukiyah is doing amazing and has a fantastic, wonderful, amazing birthday!

Kitty Birthday

 For: Jennifer
Occasion: her birthday

Jennifer got a sweet little kitty that she named Alice! For Jen's birthday card, I drew the sweet little muffin with my colored pencils and I love how the darker gray cardstock helps add some dimension to the white fur ball! This card was so fun to make and I can't wait to meet little miss some day. It was so fun to see Jen in CO right before her big day, too!

Cupcake Collage Birthday

 For: Win
Occasion: her birthday

For Win's card, I made an awesome collage with lots of different paper designs that add up to this excellent cupcake with pink frosting and a right excellent candle and flame, if I do say so myself. I hope Win had a lovely day and was able to celebrate with some tasty treats!

Get Well Check In

 For: a dear friend and relative
Occasion: get well soon

Someone I adore to the stars and back is undergoing cancer treatments, and I've found "get well soon" or "you're stronger than cancer" type cards don't strike the right note for what I want to communicate. To capture my sentiment that we are all here for every piece of this stinky situation, I drew a heart made of all the different feeling faces my brain could come up with to complement the "However you feel..." message. I hope this card struck the tone I was going for and that they feel the love as they get ready for all the treatments.

Get Well Soon Potion

 For: Twin
Occasion: her procedure

Twin loves board games, so to wish her well on her upcoming procedure, I made a healing potion card like you might see in a deck-building game! It features a beaker of purple healing liquid and has a moderate cost with the benefit of sweet relief. The instructions are to use this card after any surgery or procedure. I fancy myself quite clever for this one and am glad Little Twin is doing so well!