Bright Birthday

 For: Claire
Occasion: her birthday

To wrap Debbie Dots 2020 and help one of my favorite ladies celebrate in style, I painted this bright abstract petal design and paired it with Claire's name. So festive! I hope it brought some happy fun to her birthday celebrations, and that this next year will be just amazing for her. 

Bunny Birthday

 For: Riley
Occasion: her birthday

For Riley's birthday card this year, I drew a spunky bunny receiving a birthday card full of love and wearing a party hat! Something about this image just got me, and I hope it helped Riley have a wonderful New Year's Eve birthday!

Scuba Birthday

 For: Uncle Jer
Occasion: his birthday

For Uncle Jer's birthday card, I Posca painted a little underwater scuba diver holding onto a cake with the candles extinguished. I love the bubbles and his happy little face. Uncle Jer's birthday was lots of fun this year with making a stop-motion video to boot -- I hope it all helps kick off another amazing year!

Picard Christmas

 For: Michael
Occasion: Christmas

Of the many excellent shows we've watched this year, Star Trek: The Next Generation has been a special favorite. To honor the days of our lives spent watching our favorite captain, I drew Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise wearing a Santa hat! And I updated the infamous line to be festive with "Make it snow!" It's been a real treat being cooped up with Mike this year, and I hope next year is full of even more adventures. 

Peppermint Christmas

 For: The Twin
Occasion: Christmas

The Twin loves peppermints! For her Christmas card, I painted the happiest little mint I've ever seen and wrapped it up in cling film to give it a candy shine. I am so pleased with how this looks, and hope it has a place of honor in the Christmas card display. I miss Twin so and hope she has the very merriest Christmas!

Woodstock and Snoopy Christmas

 For: Owen
Occasion: Christmas

For baby Owen's first Christmas card from Auntie Twin, I watercolored Snoopy and Woodstock sharing a holiday hug. I can't wait until I can snuggle the little guy myself, but until then this will have to stand in. I hope Owen has the very best first Christmas and has a restful holiday!

Mickey Christmas

 For: Adam
Occasion: Christmas

Adam loves Mickey, so for his Christmas card this year I drew that famous mouse popping through a wreath and wearing a santa hat! Always a little nerve-wracking to recreate a well-known character, but it turned out recognizable at least! I miss Adam so much it hurts, but know he's been having a wonderful Christmastime.

Home Alone Christmas Party

 For: Nathan
Occasion: Christmas

Nathan loves Home Alone, so for his Christmas card this year I recreated part of the epic party that Kevin creates with a cutout of Michael Jordan on a train. This one was a lot of fun to research, and I'm so glad Nathan liked it! I miss brother bear a lot and can't wait to see him some time soon!

A Santa's Creed

 For: Alex
Occasion: Christmas

Alex has been playing Assassin's Creed, so for his Christmas card this year, I made drew him "A Santa's Creed." The assassin in the game has knives hidden up his sleeves, so this Santa has candy canes! I love the silver tones that help make the illustration a little dark. This was a super fun card to make, and I hope Alex gets lots of time to play over his holiday break!

Gingerbread Cookie Christmas

 For: Amy
Occasion: Christmas

Amy worked for months on a special gingerbread house, so for her Christmas card, I created her household as gingerbread cookies. Cookie Alex, Amy, and Catsby look good enough to eat! Watercolor makes some yummy-looking gingerbread, but it shies in comparison to the real thing. I hope Ames et al have a wonderful holiday together.

Sailboat Santa

 For: Dad
Occasion: Christmas

My dad is interested in designing his own sailboat, and so to honor this ambition, I drew a festive sailor (it's Santa!) and unique red and green sails. I had fun figuring out the lines on this and am so pleased with how it turned out. I hope Dad is able to get his sailboat going, and maybe we can all go for a chilly ride next Christmas!

Christmas Quilt

 For: Mom
Occasion: Christmas

My mom has been busy, busy this year making lots of quilts! For her Christmas card, I "stitched" together some festive panels with snowmen and warm Christmas wishes. I hope Mama had a wonderful Christmas and takes a little break from sewing to relax and drink some hot chocolate and watch all her favorite Christmas movies. 

Candy Keanes and Christmas Stockings

For: The Families
Occasion: Christmas

For the annual card featuring Mike and I that gets sent to the Keanes and the Walshes, we got a little clever and Christmas-ed up our 2020. I started the year with a cane for my hip, and Mike is ending the year in a boot for his ankle, so a candy cane and stocking makes it all more cheerful. What a fun easter egg!

It took lots of different doodles to figure out how to accomplish the design, but ultimately I landed on these cuties!

With some festive watercolor and duplication, before you know it, you've got 15 nearly identical cards! This is always such a fun project, and I hope it added a little cheer to all the families we won't be able to be with-- can't wait until we can all celebrate together again!

Ice Skating Christmas

 For: Marie
Occasion: Christmas

For Marie's Christmas card, I used my white pen and lots of greens for this mountainous ice skating scene. I love this monotone (plus white!) look and never imagined green snowflakes could look so festive! I hope Marie has a great holiday and has lots of fun on the slopes this winter.

O, Christmas Tea

 For: Sarah
Occasion: Christmas

Sarah loves tea, so for her Christmas card this year, I did a simple collage of a cup of tea with a shiny Christmas Tree stirrer in it. With a big glittery O, we've got "O, Christmas Tea!" I hope Sarah has a relaxing holiday with plenty of tasty tea. 

Moose Christmas

 For: Mollie, Collin, and Moose
Occasion: Christmas

For Mollie's Christmas card, I drew a real moose (as opposed to Moose Drool the dog!) wrapped in Christmas lights in blues and whites. As opposed to the moose that stalked me and Mollie on a hike last year, this is one coy moose!  I hope it helps them all have a lovely holiday together. 

Season's Bleatings Christmas

 For: The Currys
Occasion: Christmas

To help Becky and Mark celebrate the holiday in Goat Town, I drew a festive goat munching on a candy cane with a festive greeting of "Season's Bleatings." I love how this card turned out and am so bummed to miss my Currys again! I can't wait to all get together and celebrate soon.  

Electric Car Christmas

For: Uncle Bruce and Tom
Occasion: Christmas

Bruce and Tom took a road trip this fall, stopped in to see us, and charged their car along the way! For this clever card, I have a light up Christmas tree plugged into the charging port of the car. I am pleased as punch at the idea and hope it helps them celebrate the holiday.

Merry and Bright Baby

 For: My Friends
Occasion: Pregnancy

Another couple is expecting, and so in another Pregnancy/Christmas mash-up, I featured lyrics from "White Christmas" with a few parenthetical asides to make it baby-themed! I am so excited for this little one to have lots of fun Christmases.

Christmas Bun

 For: My Friends
Occasion: Pregnancy

Some good friends of mine are expecting, and so for a joint Congrats and Christmas card, I whipped up a Christmas-y cooking scene with a bun in the oven! I am so excited for these two to become parents and can't wait for the tiny human to arrive!

Wycinanki Birthday

 For: Aunt Katy
Occasion: her birthday

For Aunt Katy's birthday card, I tried to replicate the Polish paper cutting art of wycinanki, but through paint! I tried to recreate the symmetrical style with two roosters with brightly colored wings and some additional decorations. Making this card was really fun, and I was so happy that Aunt Katy recognized the inspiration. I miss Aunt Katy and hope she has a wonderful day!

Cat Plant Birthday

 For: Aunt Glor
Occassion: her birthday

For Aunt Glor's birthday card, I used my Posca pens to paint a cat snuggling up in a hanging plant. I really love this idea as an illustration, and how sneaky the cat is with its party hat and nonchalant expression. It's been such a treat staying in touch with Aunt Glor this year -- I hope her birthday is delightful and this next year is extraordinary!

Toobin' Birthday

 For: Grandpa Jerry
Occasion: his birthday

To celebrate Grandpa Jerry's birthday, I recreated a scene from the classic video game Toobin'. In the game, you are a cool dude floating down a number of treacherous rivers and collecting letters somehow, all while trying not to be eaten by an alligator in at least one of the levels. Playing video games in Grandpa's basement was always so awesome -- I hope he's still got fun games to play and is enjoying himself! 

Barkalounger Birthday

 For: Mark
Occasion: his birthday

For Mark's birthday card, I did a watercolor of his beloved recliner (that Becky calls his barkalounger) wearing a party hat! I love this card and can just imagine Mark relaxing after a long day watching a Cards game in his spot. I miss my twin-laws so, so much, and can't wait to see them all again soon!

Cooking Birthday

 For: Aunt Kat
Occasion: her birthday

Aunt Kat and I have been swapping delicious veggie recipes all pandemic, so for her birthday card this year I used my new paint pen for a monochromatic design of a green kitchen! I love this style, and am so pleased that this card captured how happy I imagine Kat to be cooking in her kitchen!

15 Birthday

 For: Paul
Occasion: his birthday

Paul turned 15 and I can't even believe it for a second (10 years ago, he was 5!). To celebrate the milestone, I did a paper cutout of the numbers paired with yellow and then traced in red. I really like how this card turned out, and hope Paul had a wonderful day!

Board Game Birthday

 For: Uncle Jim
Occasion: his birthday

For Uncle Jim's birthday card, I created a simple board game that ends with a lovely birthday card. I had fun trying to make the game pieces and dice 3-D on top of the flat board. It was lovely to see Uncle Jim on zoom so close to his big day -- I hope he and the family had fun celebrating his big day!

Thumbs Up Wedding

 For: Quam's Friends
Occasion: Their Wedding

Quam asked me to make a card for this friends nuptials, AND supplied reference photos, so I drew up the happy couple in some wedding clothes with a thumbs up from the groom! I met the bride only briefly, but I can tell that they are a relaxed and groovy couple and hope they have a wonderful marriage. 

Cake Cutout Birthday

 For: Aunt Joan
Occasion: her birthday

Aunt Joan is a master cardmaker as well, so for her birthday I knew I had to pull out the stops! I created a papercut of a cake on the cardstock, and then glued in different patterned papers to fill in the plate, cake, frosting, candles, and flames! This is a relatively new-to-me style (only been messing with it for under a year), and I love how it turns out every time! I hope it was a festive way to ring in the birthday and that all is well in KY!

Cake or Death Birthday

 For: Quam
Occasion: his birthday

Eddie Izzard's "Dress to Kill" is a beloved stand up routine that Quam and I watched in high school. To celebrate Quam's birthday this year, I did an illustration of the comedian as he appeared in that special holding a piece of cake with the quote "You! Cake or Death?"--a famous line from the show. This card delighted me so much, and I had the idea stored away for almost an entire year. I hope Quam enjoyed his birthday and is looking forward to some rest and restoration over the long holiday weekend. 

Puppy Birthday

 For: Jaimie
Occasion: her birthday

For Jaimie's big day, I made a watercolor of Mellow in a party hat and put it on a blue glittery background! Given that all the big birthday plans got changed and changed again, I wanted to give her card some extra pizzaz to shine up the day! Jaimie is such a fun person--I hope she has a great year!

Potted Plant Birthday

 For: Carson
Occasion: her birthday

For Carson's birthday card, I created a bright illustration of some neat plants in pots! I really like this style and all the happy colors I got to use. It was so fun to connect with Carson again recently and hear about her little family -- I hope they are all doing well and find fun ways to celebrate Carson's big day!

Bright Cake Birthday

 For: Rukiyah
Occasion: her birthday

For Rukiyah's birthday card, I did an acrylic painting directly on cardstock of a bright and happy cake! Some of the details ran together, but I really like the effect I stumbled into there--swirly and fun. Rukiyah is such a wonderfully creative person, I'm she doesn't mind a little free-flowing cake design! 

Cocktail Birthday

 For: Jennifer
Occasion: her birthday

For Jennifer's birthday this year, I made her a card featuring a retro lady holding a cocktail (with a 3D arm!) Paired with the message "It's Your Birthday," this design is vintage fun for a modern gal. I hope Jennifer had a great day and am glad she was able to celebrate a bit!

Nature Woman Birthday

 For: Win
Occasion: her birthday

For Win's birthday this year, I wanted to highlight a feminine nature connection, and so illustrated this kneeling woman in navy marker--she's a pretty fantastic Mother Earth! I placed it on an exceptionally thin (like paper!) wood to amp up the natural theme. I  really love how this turned out and miss Win so much -- I hope we get to be together in nature soon. 

Baker Birthday

 For: Amber O
Occasion: her birthday

Our new HR manager Amber has a self-proclaimed sweet tooth, so for her first Debbie Dots birthday card, I did a watercolor of a baker holding a beautiful cake on a cake stand! It reminds me of how bakers on various shows have to transport their creations for judging! I'm super pleased with the detailing of this apron, y'all. I hope Amber had a lovely day and got to enjoy many sweet treats to celebrate!

Koala Birthday

 For: Tilly
Occasion: her birthday

Little Tilly is an entire year old! To celebrate one of my favorite tiny humans, I did a Posca pen painting of a koala holding a gift that reads "Happy 1st Birthday, Tilly!" With a watercolor and a glittery background to boot, this card is a lot of fun. It was so fun to log in for her cake smash, and we hope she has an even more incredible year 2. 

Leaf Birthday

 For: Maddie
Occasion: her birthday

To celebrate Maddie's November birthday, I did a watercolor of a orangeish-reddish maple leaf (a tree that I particularly miss out in Colorado). The looks is very festive and autumnal and I hope it helped add some joy to her big day. 

Floating Birthday

 For: Alyssa
Occasion: her birthday

For Alyssa's birthday, I wanted to send some light and floaty vibes, which lead me to her holding a whole bunch of balloons! She's floating through the clouds (and is pretty chill about the whole thing, honestly!). I really love this design and was so happy to hear Alyssa had a nice birthday -- she definitely deserves some moments of calm this year!

Tea Birthday

 For: Theresa
Occasion: her birthday

To celebrate Theresa's birthday, I did a watercolor of hands wrapped around a hot mug of tea. I love how cozy and soft this turned out--I hope it helped set the tone for a relaxing and wonderful birthday. Theresa is just the best and deserving of all the calm and kindness The Universe can offer!

Spider Web Birthday

 For: Uncle Jim
Occasion: his birthday

Uncle Jim's last name is Webb, and somehow for 10 years it didn't occur to me to feature this fact in this October birthday card! But we made up for it this year with a white ink webb spelling out "Happy Birthday" among a few spiders in party hats. So festive and spooky--I hope Uncle Jim had a wonderful day!

Libra Birthday

 For: Tom
Occasion: his birthday

Tom's zodiac sign is libra, which features a scale. To celebrate his birthday this year, I featured a scale weighing out some typical birthday items. The cake is much heavier than the balloon (who could have guessed?), but in all it's very festive. I miss Tom and hope he has a great year on balance (see what I did there?).

Ice Cream Birthday

 For: Lidia
Occasion: her birthday

Lidia's birthday card this year features a tasty ice cream cone with lots of bright colors and happiness! I miss Lids a lot and hope things are going well out in MA--weird time to be a doc, that's for sure. I hope she has a great year and am so excited for her to wrap up and head back to Chi-town this summer!

Crystal Ball Birthday

 For: Daissy
Occasion: her birthday

To celebrate Daissy's birthday, I created a sparkly crystal ball with a prediction for her: "You will have a great day!" I love this idea, and the loose connection to Halloween festivities for October. Daissy is so talented, passionate, and awesome that it's scary--I hope the ball's prediction came true!

Landscape Birthday

 For: Chris
Occasion: his birthday

To celebrate Chris's birthday, I painted a pretty road leading to the mountains at sunset. I love the rich colors and what the road represents in my mind. I hope he gets plenty of opportunities to be out in the open, staring down awesome opportunities!

Puppy Birthday

 For: Marie
Occasion: her birthday

Marie and Matt have a new pup named Magic! He's beautiful little guy, so to celebrate Marie's birthday I made a watercolor of the spunky pup. He's wearing a party hat and a collar that matches the party paraphernalia. I love how this card turned out and hope Marie is set to have a great year with all her M animals!

Coffee Friend Birthday

 For: Johnson
Occasion: his birthday

For Johnson's birthday card, I knew I wanted to feature some coffee. Once I had the awesome line drawing, I wanted to add some catchy tagline--but what to choose? Well, I haven't seen Johnson in a while, and then "Hello Darkness, My Old Friend" just couldn't be passed up. Here's hoping J has a year!