Tommy Pickles Birthday

For: Tommy
Occasion: his birthday

For Tommy's birthday card this year I thought, "You know what? It's time for Tommy Pickles." I drew my very best version of the cue-ball baby and gave him a balloon that reads "Happy Birthday Tommy!" in the Rugrats script. I thought it was really fun, and given that Tommy is a dad now, I wondered whether he'll get to watch the iconic show again some day!

Door Birthday

For: Aunt Mary
Occasion: her birthday

To help celebrate Aunt Mary's birthday this year, I drew her an illustration of a photo of a door that I'd seen on Pinterest. The photo was so beautiful and I wanted to try out my woodgrain technique! I also figured a door was the perfect way to capture the transitions of this year. I hope Aunt Mary had a great day and I'm so delighted she liked the card!

French Bulldog Sugar Skull Birthday

For: Lucia
Occasion: her birthday

Lucia loves French bulldogs, and I happen to think sugar skulls are really neat (and I think she has a few in her office as well), so for her birthday I combined the two and ended up with this totally awesome design. I'm so happy with how it turned out and am tickled pink that it's been up in her office since I gave it to her. 

Screen Birthday

For: John
Occasion: his birthday

To celebrate John's birthday, I did a drawing of him in the coolest, most technologically savvy way I could imagine: several screens making up his face. I loved playing with the colors of each screen, where they are all similar but ultimately different hues. And, even though it's distorted, I feel like it's a spitting image of John himself. I hope he had a wonderful birthday and is enjoying life in Texas so far!

Paper Airplane Birthday

For: Augie
Occasion: his birthday

For Augie's birthday card, I was thinking about a science experiment that I had done when I was his age that involved paper airplanes. And then I thought about how fun it would be to draw them! I was right, of course, and the card came out so playful and fun. I really like the perspective on the different planes! I hope Augie liked it, too, and had a great birthday.

Sun Birthday

For: Sandie
Occasion: her birthday

My dear Sandie spent some time recently in Brazil, so for her birthday card this year I wanted to capture some of the energy of that area. I landed on a bright happy sun on an almost patchwork blue background. I really like how the card came out, and I'm hoping that some year soon I can get Sandie her card on time and in the right place!

Reading Ideas Birthday

For: Brenda
Occasion: her birthday

Brenda is a rock star of literary and social justice brilliance. To celebrate her birthday this year, I wanted to combine both thematic arcs in her life, and came up with a young Brenda reading a book with ideas floating above her. To represent ideas, I did a few hearts, a peace sign, a dove, and a hand floating among some bubbles. I love, love, love how this card turned out, and hope Brenda had a wonderful birthday!

Flower Wedding

For: Lexi and Matt
Occasion: their wedding

Lexi and Matt got married a few weeks ago with a beautiful ceremony at the Botanic Gardens. To celebrate their love and wish them well, I created a simple card featuring some bright flowers and their names in whimsical bubble letters. We had so much fun at the wedding, and I cannot for Lex to come back so I can hear all about their Italian honey moon!

Golf Birthday

For: Uncle Tom
Occasion: his birthday

To celebrate Uncle Tom's birthday this year, I made him a card featuring him! On a golf course! I think it looks just like him, and I love the overall look of this design. I hope Uncle Tom has a great day and gets plenty of time on the green this year.

Grandma's Birthday

For: this year's stranger
Occasion: Grandma's birthday

Each year in honor of my grandma's birthday, I make a card for someone I find in the phone book that has a name similar to hers. This year, I wanted to share the love of Mike and I's engagement somehow, and I was thinking about how my grandma never got the chance to meet Mike; this thought bummed me out, because Mike brings me quite a bit of joy every day. After weeks of thought, I landed on this image of hugging bears to represent our happiness (Mike is the taller blonde bear and I'm the brunette, of course). I could not be more pleased with how the card turned out, and I hope both Grandma and my stranger enjoyed it, too. 

Happy Child of the Future Graduation

For: Lydia
Occasion: Graduation

Lydia graduated high school and has wisely decided to go to the University of Illinois! By way of congratulations, I created a card featuring the Alma Mater. When I went to UofI, she was green, but has since been restored to her brilliant bronze; I liked her better green, so I did a mix of the two! I love how my silver colored pencil resulted in a metallic look. The inscription on the statue says "To thy happy children of the future, those of the past send greetings." I love the idea of being a happy child, so I reveled in the chance to feature my favorite phrase. Lyds is gonna have the best time and I can't wait to hear all about it!

Happy Cat Birthday

For: Alli
Occasion: her birthday

Alli and Mark got a cat named Sumo, so for Alli's birthday card this year, I did a playful rendition of the new cat, all fat and happy, and wearing a party hat. I love drawing cats, and so when I first heard about Sumo this spring, I knew I'd want to draw him for Alli's card.  I hope she had a great birthday and that she and Mark enjoy the cruise!

Mountain Birthday

For: Zach
Occasion: his birthday

For Zach's birthday card, I did a lined drawing of some purple mountains (majesties! Above the fruited plaaaaaain!). Zach is a super fun guy and likes the mountains and I like him, so there you go! I hope we're able to get a visit in soon, whether in New York our out in Colorado (*hint, hint, nudge, nudge*).

Bulldog Birthday

For: Anna
Occasion: her birthday

For Anna's birthday card this year, I wanted to feature a bulldog in honor of her dog Lucy. I did an artistic rendering of the pup in whites and blues and I just love how it all turned out--it's got an almost Swedish feel to it. Anna is a true rock star, and I can't wait to see what her next steps are.