Illinois Birthday

For: Jackie
Occasion: her birthday

Jackie is a big Illinois fan, so for her birthday card, I created a stylized version of the home state (such pointy edges!) with a big heart over the Chicago-area. It's all in orange and blue because UofI, The Bears, her wedding colors--take your pick! I am so pumped with how this card turned out, and I hope she enjoyed an awesome birthday.

Cool Cucumber Birthday

For: Joe
Occasion: his birthday

For Joe's birthday card, I played off his love of alliteration and did an illustration of the "cool as a cucumber" idiom. That is one relaxed vegetable on the beach, my friends. I hope Joe will get to chill out just as soon as accounting isn't as busy come...April 15? 

Moon Swing Birthday

For: Lydia
Occasion: her birthday

To celebrate the wonderful Lydia's birthday, I created a watercolor of her swinging on the moon. I love how comforting and wonderful this card turned out. I hope Lydia has an amazing birthday to kick off an even more amazing year!

Birthday Monster

For: Charlie
Occasion: his birthday

Charlie turned 4 today, and to help him celebrate, I created a goofy little monster! He's holding a birthday balloon and shouting, "Happy Birthday, Charlie!" I love the monster's mouth--so goofy. I hope Charlie had a great (if snowy) birthday!

Coral Flower Birthday

For: Lexi
Occasion: her birthday

To help celebrate Lexi's 29th year, I created this watercolor of some beautiful coral flowers. Lexi is such an amazing friend and support, and I am beside myself with joy Pinterest-planning her wedding with her. I hope she has a fantastic year, full of joy, happiness, and plenty of brunches!

Operation Get Well Soon

For: Mike's cousin Alex
Occasion: get well soon

Alex recently had emergency back surgery. To send along my well wishes, I created an illustration of the game Operation. The red cord that connects the tweezers to the game board is twisted up into a "get well soon" message. I really love this card, and was happy to see that Alex was up and about!

Lamb Baptism

For: Emma
Occasion: her baptism

To help baby Emma Grace celebrate her baptism, I created a cute little water color of a lamb holding a pink cross. I used a new watercolor background paper that has little hearts on it to complete the design. I was so happy to get to see Mike's cousins and family at the baptism reception, and hope to see them all more often.

1930s Birthday

For: Grandma Carol
Occasion: her 80th birthday

For my Grandma's 80th birthday card, I featured a 1930s woman looking very classy in a fabulous blue hat. Since the style of the 30s is really fun, I searched around for some vintage images from the time and based this one off the sheet music design for the rag-time version of "Two Little Bees." When I saw it, I was instantly captivated. I did my best rendition of the image and I love, love, love how it came out. The text reads "Happy Birthday Carol" and has her birthdate listed underneath. I love my grandma so much and hope she has the very best year possible. Sto lat!

Sail Boat Birthday

For: Corinne
Occasion: her birthday

Mike's family spends time at the St. Lawrence River in upstate New York every year, and when I was thinking about what to do for his sister Corinne's birthday card, I was hit by waves of nostalgia for "The River." For her card, I created the loopiest water you've ever seen with a sailing ship traversing the curly waters. I had a lot of fun making this card, and I hope Corinne has a great birthday!

Celtic W birthday

For: Grandpa Jim
Occasion: his birthday

My grandfather is 100% Irish, and to celebrate his 81st birthday, I created a W (for Walsh) that has celtic designs, knots, and otherwise Irish-looking doodles all over it. I really love how this came out, and I have infinite respect for people who can actually do Celtic knots. I hope Grandpa had a great day!

Puppy Birthday

For: Jada
Occasion: her birthday

Jada has the cutest little puppy-head named Sadie, so for Jada's birthday card, I did a watercolor of Sadie-girl dressed up in a birthday hat and a balloon. I had such a good time looking through pictures of Sadie and am so glad Jada liked her card. 

Hot Dog Birthday

For: Uncle Vince
Occasion: his birthday

For Uncle Vince's birthday card, I created a man in a hot dog suit because why not? Hot dog man is giving a thumbs up and exclaiming "Hot Dog! It's your birthday!" I really like the pseudo-vintage look of this card and had a fun time coloring in the costume. I love my uncle and hope he had a great 50th! I'm bummed to have missed the party, but I hear it was a lot of fun.