Heart Plant Birthday

 For: Claire
Occasion: her birthday

To celebrate my dearest Claire's birthday, I made a mixed media collage of a sweet little heart plant in a stained glass bowl on top of a funky table in front of an open window. I really just love how this card came out, and it really captures my hopes and dreams for Clarity in this next year. Here's hoping we all have a lovely 2022!

Friendship Bracelet Birthday

 For: Riley
Occasion: her birthday

To celebrate Riley's birthday, I did a watercolor of friendship bracelets! Riley has a lot of talent making various woven or banded jewelry, and I am so pleased with how this painting turned out. I hope Riley had a wonderful day and enjoyed her Oreo cupcakes!

Dinosaur Birthday

 For: Uncle Jer
Occasion: his birthday

There's a cheeky little dinosaur that has starred in both Uncle Jer's and Aunt Kat's stop motion birthday videos I made for them, and he made an appearance in this year's birthday card, too. Look at how spunky the dinosaur is, sneaking into the photo as well! I had fun trying to get the purple and shine right in this drawing and think it was pretty close. I hope UJer had a wonderful day and was tickled to see the dino again!

Candy Keane Christmas

 For: Michael
Occasion: Christmas

Candy canes are my new favored Christmas motif, given the pronunciation of our last name, and so to celebrate some holiday love, I made Michael a card featuring two shiny candy canes in the shape of a heart with a festive green bow. Look at that white gel pen shine! This has definitely been an unusual Christmas, and I hope Michael and I get to properly celebrate the holiday together for years to come--if the fates allow!

Link Christmas

 For: Adam
Occasion: Christmas

For Adam's Christmas card, I drew the cutest little Link I could from The Legend of Zelda game series. Instead of a sword, he's got a candy cane and a festive Santa hat to boot! I love how this card turned out, and I so enjoyed seeing my small bud for the Christmas prep and play for a few days. I'm glad he likes his Auntie Twin -- I like him so much, too!

Snowmint Christmas

 For: The Twin
Occasion: Christmas

I created this little character, Snowmint, at the request of The Twin over the summer when I was recovering from surgery and looking for crafts to do to help me recover. She said she loves snowmen and peppermints, and so I combined the two and needlefelted the original Snowmint, then made her Snowmint II (pictured lurking in the background here) and featured the happy guy(s) in a watercolor for her Christmas card. Twin says Snowmint is her favorite part of Christmas, and she is just the sweetest twin. I had so much fun doing some holiday prep and holly jollies with her little family before the big day. 

Blippi Christmas

 For: Owen
Occasion: Christmas

Baby O loves Blippi (and dresses up as him on many video call, to my delight!), so to help my favorite little guy celebrate Christmas, I did a gouache painting of Blippi with a festive orangeish Santa hat and scarf to match the iconic glasses. I was so happy to see my little bud for a bit this season and play and snuggle while we could!

Gingerbread House Christmas

 For: Amy
Occasion: Christmas

Amy made an elaborate and beautiful gingerbread house, so for her Christmas card this year I made an elaborate and beautiful gingerbread house card! This was my first house shape that I've ever made and I love how the white pen shows up on the brown card stock. This card is so festive and I hope Ames has a lovely time celebrating the holiday at home!

Nutcracker Christmas

 For: Dad
Occasion: Christmas

For Dad's Christmas card, I did a watercolor illustration of a nutcracker with a big ol' Christmas wish in his mouth. It's a "Merry Christmas" wish that just won't crack! I love my dad so, it was great to see him, and hope he's enjoyed a wonderful holiday season!

Sugar Cookie Christmas

 For: Mom
Occasion: Christmas

My mom has carried on the tradition of painting Christmas sugar cookies with frosting every year since forever. We have been known to get really creative with the shapes (the snowman has been both a lightbulb and Alexander Hamilton, for example); however, this cookie is straight out of a classic decoration style with a purple icing hat, scarf, and broom. A few simpler cookies adorn the sparkliest baking sheet you've ever seen in this festive card. I hope Mom has been enjoying the season!

Sled Christmas

For: Nathan
Occasion: Christmas

For Brother Bear's Christmas card, I watercolored an old-timey sled with some festive packages tied in bows. The sled is heading down the hill (that I imagine to be the little sledding hill right by their house!) to usher in some holiday cheer. I just adore Nathan and have had so much fun seeing him this holiday!

Ghosts of Tsushima Christmas

 For: Alex
Occasion: Christmas

To help Alex celebrate Christmas, I wrote a haiku and paired it with a wintery scene à la his favorite video game, The Ghosts of Tsushima.  "Stars, snow this night / Frozen breath sings in the wind / Light Christmas spirit." As far as I know, there isn't a wintery scene in the game (when Mike played it, he let me pick the haiku lines!), but I hope it is a festive take on his past-time! 

Chirstmas Snowglobe

 For: The Families
Occasion: Christmas

For this year's annual Christmas card to the families, Mike and I got caught in a snow globe! But we seem pretty happy about it (maybe we're just excited to finally see some snow this year). 

I "mass produce" these, so do all the sketches and then paint with the same color (purple hat, purple hat, purple hat, purple hat) and am able to create a big number of cards in the amount of time it might take to do four or five distinct designs. 

Cut out the globes, fold a bunch of purple, and then place the globes on a festive tablecloth paper--ta-daa! Lovely Christmas cards for lots and lots of relatives!

I wish we could all be together this year!

Heart Ornament

 For: Lexi
Occasion: Christmas

For Lexi's Christmas card, I drew an ornament made up of as many hearts as can fit in a bauble! Paired with some swirly dots (a Debbie Dots classic!), this is one Christmas decoration filled with love. I so appreciate Lex and hope she's having a wonderful holiday!

Christmas Angel

 For: Leia
Occasion: Christmas

To help Leia celebrate the season, I drew this sweet little angel with a dusting of snowy glitter around her halo and wings. I have had so much fun getting to see Leia a little more often this year; I hope 2022 is truly incredible for her!

Snowflake Ballerina Birthday

 For: Aunt Katy
Occasion: her birthday

Aunt Katy is newly retired and has dabbled in some ballet this year. To celebrate her birthday, I gouache-painted the most festive ballerina snowflake tumbling from the sky. But this is no Christmas card--look at that party hat in pink and orange! I adore my aunt and hope she had the most incredible birthday. I'm so looking forward to seeing her in a few days!

Firework Birthday

 For: Grandpa Jerry
Occasion: his birthday

I love fireworks! I really wanted to make Gramps a special birthday card, and so I tried my hand with my various gel pens to capture a festive firework scene. I am really pleased with how it turned out, and feel like this is a wonderful festive card for a winter birthday. I hope he had a wonderful day and is looking forward to some fun this year. 

Mermaid Birthday

 For: Aunt Glor
Occasion: her birthday

To celebrate Aunt Glor's birthday, I did a gouache painting of a mermaid holding a balloon and using a shell as a trumpet of some kind. I think this card is just so whimsical and fun -- perfect for a whimsical and fun aunt! I hope she had a wonderful day and I can't wait to see her soon!

Cute Snowman Christmas

 For: Sarah
Occasion: Christmas

For Sarah's Christmas card, I drew this happy little sweetie snowperson in a matching orange and yellow scarf and hat. Look at those giant snowflakes falling all around! I could look at this all day, and I hope it brings Sarah some cozy, festive feelings!

Skiing Penguin Christmas

 For: Mollie
Occasion: Christmas

Mollie loves birds and skiing, so I illustrated this little penguin who flies down the slopes! I love that it's hanging on to the poles and just having the best time. I hope Molls gets some good skiing in this year (if she wants to!) and that she's been feeling really festive. 

Cute Tree Christmas

 For: Marie and fam
Occasion: Christmas

Lots of cuteness is happening over at the King Pinto house, so for Marie's Christmas card I drew the cutest little Christmas tree I've ever seen! I hope they are all doing great and looking forward to a wonderful celebration together. 

Polar Bear Christmas

 For: Jackie and fam
Occasion: Christmas

To help Jax, Kev, and little miss Emily celebrate little miss's first Christmas, I drew a pretty pink polar bear wearing a fun fleece hat during some snow fall. Look at the wonder in the polar bear's eyes! I hope they are having a wonderful holiday season and I can't wait to finally meet Emily soon!

Cracker Christmas

For: Sandie
Occasion: Christmas

Sandie has been a great support to me this year, and as I was reflecting on that, this card concept just popped into my head! A British Christmas card, in three acts:

Act 1: an illustration of a Christmas cracker on the front of a gatefold card.

Act 2: the glimpse of a surprise inside.

Act 3: a loud POP and a "Merry Christmas Sandie!" message.

I had so much fun with this card, and I hope Sandie and fam are able to find enough crackers for their celebration this year!

Christmas Tree Shelving

 For: Jennifer
Occasion: Christmas

To help Jennifer ring in the holly jollies, I did an illustration of the most ridiculously shelved books she'll have ever seen! I don't mind the mayhem, as it results in a lovely tree with a shiny star on top (which is why they don't let me touch anything at the lirbaries!).  It's been a wild year, and I am sending lots of good wishes for health and wealth in 2022.

Christmas Forest

 For: The Currys
Occasion: Christmas

To wish my very favorite Twinlaws a delightful holiday season, I watercolor illustrated this plucky little fella taking a triangle tree to help make his home festive! I cannot contain my excitement at getting to see Mark and Becky in just a handful of days -- we will be so festive and holly jolly!

Graduation Sun

 For: Erin
Occasion: Graduation

Graduating during a pandemic while working in healthcare more than full-time, while momming and keeping the wheels on? Are you kidding me? We had to celebrate this incredible achievement with the cutest sun collage and a glittery mortarboard cap. I hope Erin is super pleased to have checked the degree off the list, and can keep on kicking butt!

Christmas Stockings

 For: The Mungers
Occasion: Christmas

To wish the Munger Fam a happy holiday season, I did an illustration of three stockings with their initials on them and a gold and silvery tinsel wrapped around the stocking hanging rod! It's been quite a year for us all, and I hope Santa leaves lots of wonderful little goodies for them on Christmas!

Hanukkah Bow

 For: My Biegens
Occasion: Hanukkah

To help Win and fam celebrate the festival of lights, I drew the shiniest, bluest, 6-sided-star-of-David pointiest bow I could ever have dreamed of. I love how shiny it is! It's rare that Debbie Dots attempts a shiny metallic effect, but with how cool this looks, we wonder why. Hoping the Biegens had a lovely time celebrating together and really let the light in after a year of blechy darkness!

Fishing Birthday

 For: Mark
Occasion: his birthday

To help celebrate Mark's birthday, I created a Happy Birthday message mixed with a fish and fishing pole. The letters are cut out of yellow origami paper and the fish and pole were drawn in gel pen. I love how this turned out and hope it's got Mark dreaming of some summer fun!

Moon Birthday

 For: Aunt Kat
Occasion: her birthday

For Aunt Kat's birthday card this year, I did a watercolor of a crescent moon paired with some gold and silver celestial bodies and a few plants as well! Aunt Kat has a great calming energy, so this is a wonderful way to try to depict that visually. And I've really enjoyed playing around with sky paintings recently, and apparently there was a solar eclipse yesterday? Strange things are afoot celestially to celebrate Kat's big day!

Cake Birthday

 For: Paul
Occasion: his birthday

For Paul's birthday card, I went with some bright origami paper and a few marker details to make this festive cake collage. What a tasty slice of cake! I hope Paul has a great birthday and gets a favorite treat to help celebrate the big day. 

Plaid Birthday

 For: Uncle Jim
Occasion: his birthday

To celebrate Uncle Jim's birthday this year, I drew my own plaid on cardstock with different markers and pens (and a ruler, of course!). I paired it with some geometrical liney shapes to continue the theme and wrote a "Happy Birthday To You!" message in my best architect's font. It was such a treat to see Uncle Jim earlier this fall -- I hope he had a wonderful birthday!

Cabin Birthday

 For: Aunt Joan
Occasion: her birthday

To celebrate Aunt Joan's birthday, I did a watercolor illustration of a tiny cake peaking through the window of her cabin in the woods! I love how Earthy and peaceful this scene is. I hope she had a wonderful, relaxing day and gets to get away soon!

Thanksgiving Leaves

 For: The Walsh-Rocks
Occasion: Thanksgiving

To share grateful feelings with the Walsh Thanksgiving hosts, I created a goofy watercolor illustration of (presumably) Aunt Glor and Uncle Vince deep in a pile of some beautiful Midwestern leaves. Though I couldn't make it back to celebrate in Chicago this year, my heart is always with my family on this holiday. I hope they all had a wonderful celebration full of great food and lots of gratitude. 

Odo Birthday

 For: Quam
Occasion: his birthday

For Quam's birthday card, I did an illustration of everyone's favorite Founder/Shape-shifter Odo! Turns out he literally is the happy birthday message in this case. I have so enjoyed watching so much Star Trek these last years, and love sharing insights and theories with Quam. I hope his birthday was an awesome one and that this next year is incredible!

Trippy Birthday

 For: Jaimie
Occasion: her birthday

To celebrate Jaimie's birthday, I watercolored lots of bright colors and shapes for a bright and happy vibe! Jaimie has been into Meow Wolf and just really interesting things besides, so for her card I tried to capture some of the interesting visuals. It was so fun celebrating her birthday with the immersive Van Gogh exhibit -- I hope this year is a great one for her!

R Birthday

 For: Rukiyah
Occasion: her birthday

For Rukiyah's birthday card this year, I created an R filled in with leafy figures in color changes from light teal to deep purple (with shades of green and blue in between!). I miss Rukiyah and hope her day and year is full of adventure and fun.

Piñata Birthday

 For: Carson
Occasion: her birthday

To celebrate Caron's birthday this year, I did a piñata mid-destruction (but looking happy!) spilling out lots of tasty candy. I hope Carson's day is colorful and sweet, too!

Ocean Thank You

 For: Castelli
Occasion: Thank You

To thank Castelli for coming to visit me (and helping me fill up the air in my tires, my least favorite of all errands!), I made a card featuring purple mountains, a bright yellow sun, and lovely ocean and beach. I carved the scene into foam and traced it with pen, colored the plate with markers, then pressed it onto the card stock. Color the rest of it black, because why not, and here we are! 

It was such a treat to hang out with Castelli and I just so appreciate her friendship and energy!

Ray of Sunshine Birthday

 For: Jennifer
Occasion: her birthday

For Jennifer's birthday card, I did an illustration of her in as flower with the cheeky text, "I AM A RAY OF F*CKING SUNSHINE." This foul language is a Debbie Dots first, but we were really feeling it for this particular card this particular year. Had a lot of fun celebrating and hoping that Jennifer really does feel like sunshine all year. 

Fall Tree Birthday

 For: Win
Occasion: her birthday

To help Win celebrate her birthday, I did a simple watercolor of a Midwestern maple tree in oranges and reds (to contrast the fall color out in Colorado, which is yellow). I wanted to give her a touch of home in a playful style, and I really love the white line that separates the colors and the sky. I love Win so much and am so grateful for her continued presence in my life. Here's hoping she has an amazing year!

Peppa Pig Birthday

 For: Tilly
Occasion: her birthday

Little miss Tills is a whole two years old, and I can't believe it! To help her celebrate her birthday, I drew a picture of Peppa Pig with a party hat and balloon! I don't know much about Peppa (other than a video my nephs watch with figurines playing in a pool?), but I hope it's a book or show that Tilly enjoys!

New Baby

 For: Matt and Marie 
Occasion: New baby

Marie and Matt had their baby girl Evelyn, and so to celebrate this bundle of magic joining us all, I did a watercolor of a happy cloud in a sunset with stars and a moon! Evelyn's middle name is Sky, and since that is an incredible name, I had to use it as the theme for her "welcome to life!" card. I hope her first days have been full of cuddles and hugs. 

Collage Cupcake

 For: Maddie
Occasion: her birthday

For Maddie's birthday, I created a collage using some neat papers! I folded the cupcake liner paper to look extra like a cupcake liner and the candle is made of sparkly glitter for some extra fun. I hope Maddie has a fantastic birthday and is looking forward to a year of fun!

Move Mountains Congrats

For:  Elissa
Occasion: Graduation

To celebrate Elissa's graduation with her environmental law degree (!), I made this watercolor illustration of some beautiful mountains and foothills paired with an encouraging "move mountains" message! I love this concept, because as a social worker and an environmental law-er, there are lots of obstacles that require a persistent and passionate force. Elissa has been a great support to me, and I cannot wait a single second longer to see where she goes next.