Whew! Just Because

 For: Our Friends
Occasion: Just Because

These folks have had a real time of it lately, so to wish them well and let them know we're thinking about them, I created a simple "Whew!" in green and paired it with green and purple papers. It seems to me nearly everyone could use a card like this right now -- isn't there just a lot happening at individual and family levels, in addition to everything else? Wishing everyone wellness and the knowledge that they have the skills they need to get through whatever they're facing!

Congrats Mobile

 For: My Friends
Occasion: Pregnancy

My buddies are pregnant! To celebrate the forthcoming bundle-to-be, I did a simple drawing of a mobile featuring an owl, a star, a baseball, a heart, and a bunch of little dots. I hope his growth and development goes just great and he doesn't wear his mama out. I can't wait to meet my newest smallest friend next year!

Baby Tree

 For: The Neals
Occasion: New Baby

Chas and Alexi welcomed their son Bodhi to the world last week! To celebrate, I did a watercolor of a baby napping under an abstract Bodhi tree. So excited for this little guy's journey to unfold, and I hope the first weeks of parenting are slightly more amazing than they are exhausting--we'll see!

Nu Job

 For: Nathan
Occasion: New Job

Brother bear got a new job! It's a big deal and a big change, so to celebrate I adapted the new company's logo to wish him "Congrats on the New Job!" I am so excited for Nathan and hope this new gig is a great fit and lots of fun. 

Ted Lasso Birthday

 For: Twin
Occasion: her birthday

For Twin's birthday card this year, I did an illustration of Ted Lasso holding a birthday cake and wearing a party hat! We love, love, love this show. I paired the drawing with a "Hope you have one heck of a day!" message, after having analyzed the scripts of a few episodes to try to get a feel for the way Ted talks. I am so glad she loved the card and hope she had just the most amazing day!

Bright Happy Birthday

 For: Bridget
Occasion: her birthday

To celebrate Bridget's birthday, I used a smattering of my colored pencils on a bright pink background to squeeze in as much joy as is possible on this card. I love the look of it -- like sprinkles or jelly beans! -- and hope it sets a happy tone for a great day. 

Baseball Collage Birthday

 For: Uncle Greg
Occasion: his birthday

Uncle Greg is a big baseball fan, so to celebrate his birthday this year, I made a collage of a baseball! The ball is a pit of a picture of a painting, and the laces are a picture of a vase I cut up. I love the intensity of this card--you'll notice the black background suggests Chicago White Sox. Here's hoping Uncle Greg has a great birthday!

Train Birthday

 For: Uncle Steve
Occasion: his birthday

As Uncle Steve is a train aficionado, for his birthday card I did an illustration of a simple, old-timey train with oversized wheels towing a cake. The steam reads "Happy Birthday, Steve!" for some added whimsy. I hope Uncle Steve had a wonderful day and is looking forward to a year of health and happiness!

Food Thank You

 For: The Rings
Occasion: Thank You

The Rings very kindly brought over lots of post-op food, and it has all been delicious! To thank them for making recovery easier, I made a food font to spell out "Thank You." I am particularly pleased with the mushroom T, but ultimately so thankful for the help! I hope to be up and about and seeing them soon. 

Cute Couple Engagement

 For: Claire and Jeremy
Occasion: their engagement

Claire and Jeremy are engaged! My dearest Claire sent me the info and pics and I was so excited, I made them this card the first second I was feeling well enough to do so. I adore my Clarie-ity so, so much, and wish her and Jeremy a life-time of happiness together. 

Vampire Show Birthday

 For: Sarah
Occasion: her birthday

For Sarah Sot's birthday card, I did a drawing of the characters from What We Do in the Shadows, celebrating the birthday of Nandor the Relentless (a super old vampire dude) with several hundred birthday candles in a cake. This is a scene from the trailer, as I have not seen the show yet--Sarah recommended it to us, and I can't wait to get started, having enjoyed the movie. But, more importantly, I am so pleased Sarah enjoyed her card and hope she has a spectacular day!

Silly String Birthday

 For: Mike
Occasion: his birthday

I try to make Mike's birthday as special as I can each year. Early on in dating, I decorated my apartment, invited him over for a fancy dinner I'd made, and sprayed him with silly string when he arrived to celebrate. Turns out that's where the line is. Anyhow, because this year's festivities are much more subdued, I harkened back to that silly string incident for this year's card. I adore dear Michael and hope this year is excellent for him.

Skull Birthday

 For: Gina
Occasion: her birthday

Gina got into painting cattle skulls and other bones this past year, so to celebrate her birthday I made her a really epic illustration of a painted cow skull wearing a party hat! I made this back in July for her actual birthday and have been itching waiting for her to return to CO to check her mail. I adore Gina and hope this year is off to a great start for her!