Baseball Birthday

For: Dan
Occasion: his birthday

My father-in-law is a big fan of baseball, so for his birthday card, I illustrated this happy birthday wish on a ball. Look at that awesome shading! And I love a "Happy Birthday Dan!" message whenever I can get away with one. I miss my in-laws a bunch and am so glad we got to connect near the big day -- can't wait to see Dan again soon!

Name Birthday

 For: Lila
Occasion: her birthday

For Lila's birthday card, I did a papercut of her name in a cool and swirly font. Doesn't it look super cool? I hope it helped her feel the love on her special day!

Birthday Fishes

 For: Jeremy
Occasion: his birthday

For Jeremy's birthday card, I drew an illustration of a fish bowl with two little guys in party hats. Pair that with a "Birthday Fishes" wish, and you have a punny birthday card, my friends. I hope Jeremy had a great day and that he and his little family are doing well!

& Many More Birthday

 For: Uncle Bri
Occasion: his birthday

To help Uncle Bri celebrate his birthday, I gouache-painted a yellowy, orangey ampersand with "many" and "more" written on it for a "And Many More" birthday with. I had a lot of fun making this (and painting a few ampersands in the process!). I hope Uncle Brian had an awesome day and is looking forward to a great year. 

Birthday Name!

 For: Chas
Occasion: his birthday

To help Chas celebrate his big day, I cut out the letters of his name, added an exclamation point and a party hat! I was thinking about Chas's name and just how cool it sounds then this idea was born. I hope Chas has a wonderful birthday and gets to do lots of fun stuff to celebrate how awesome he is!

Rams Birthday

 For: Jen
Occasion: her birthday

To help Jen celebrate her birthday and team's recent Super Bowl victory, I did a paper-cutting of the mascot and added in a party hat! Look at how sharp this looks, friends! We had lots of fun hanging out with Jen and crew for both the Bowl and the birthday. Here's hoping the next year is amazing, too!

7-Eleven Unending Opera

For: 7-Eleven
Occasion: Being the worst

The 7-Eleven across the street from my home installed external speakers to blast opera music 24/7 to "keep homeless away." This card features an illustration of me, nervous system wrecked, plugging my ears with opera singers in front of an iconic 7/11 sign.

Here's what is, my friends:

Folks who are unhoused have been displaced by capitalism. 

Capitalism actively supports the flourishing of international chains like 7-Eleven.

7-Eleven's corporate overlords do not want to have people displaced by capitalism hanging around their stores, so they blast opera music to deter them from congregating. 

This practice is called a "social deterrent" when used in urban settings. It's called torture elsewhere. 

It's effective at making people leave, because the barrage of sounds causes psychological deterioration in humans if they stay.

But.

I live here.

I can't exactly "move along." 

Yes, I've tried all the things, including noise complaints with the city. Talking to employees who say they cannot turn the music down; I'm certain it's true that they can't. Talking to the manager who says it's out of his hands. I'm certain that's true, too.

Turns out it's Capitalism that's the worst neighbor I've ever had, not the people capitalism has displaced. 

Lord, Slurpee me strength. 

Nah, no slurpees. Boycott this inhumane garbage dump of a chain forever. 

--

I don't have socials. 7-Eleven may never see the frazzled scribblings of a humble card-maker at her wit's end.  When I don't know what else to do, I make cards. 

Burrito Valentine

 For: Michael
Occasion: Valentine's Day

Michael loves his job in the Burrito Mines, so to celebrate Valentine's Day this year, I turned us both into burritos (which isn't that far from the truth!). In a Debbie Dots first, I added some aluminum foil to help accent the deliciousness. I love Mike so and every day is like Valentine's Day with him!

Paw Patrol Valentine

 For: Adam
Occasion: Valentine's Day

Adam is a big fan of Paw Patrol, so for his Valentine this year, I did an illustration of Chase, the police dog from the series. "I 'Ruff' You!" is the puny saying to accompany the cute illustration. I ruff Adam so much and hope he has had the very best Valentine's Day!

Shark Valentine

 For: Owen
Occasion: Valentine's Day

Baby O sometimes sings "Baby Shark," so to help him celebrate his first Valentine's day, I did an illustration of the cutest little shark with a punny, "I Love Every 'Fin' About You!" message. I heart Owen and hope he's feeling the love today.

Goofy Valentine

 For: Christy and Nathan
Occasion: Valentines

To help Christy and Nathan celebrate Love Day, I did an illustration of Twin trapping Nathan and thinking herself hilarious for doing so. I used simplified versions of their loungewear and made some confetti hearts to be on the ground for some extra fun! This card makes me really happy and I hope they get some time to be together today. 

Pho Valentine

 For: Amy and Alex
Occasion: Valentine's Day

To help Amy and Alex celebrate Valentine's Day, I made them an illustration of two cute bowls of pho (click on the pic to get a good view of the noodles in the broth). Pairing the illustration with "You're Made Pho Each Other!" creates an adorable, tasty card! I hope A&A had a wonderful time together. 

Scrabble Valentine

 For: Mom and Dad
Occasion: Valentine's Day

I miss playing Scrabble with my parents, and so to wish them a lovely Valentine's Day, I created my own paper Scrabble tiles (with the correct scores)! The tiles intersect with the words "Love" and "You." I had a lot of fun making this card and hope Mom and Dad have a fun day!

Candy Heart Valentines

For: Assorted Family and Friends
Occasion: Valentine's Day

To help a number of important people in my life celebrate Valentines Day, I created a  simple candy heart design that I could write lots of different messages on. 

I hope everyone is feeling the love today!

Heart Valentine

 For: Jennifer
Occasion: Valentine's Day

For this cheeky Valentine, I made an anatomically suggestive heart collage with a cutie little face on it for some holiday fun. Jennifer has been having a strange few months, so I hope this little friend brought her some joy. 

Bear Birthday

 For: Dylan
Occasion: his birthday

To help Dylan celebrate his birthday, I did a collage bright papers that all add up to a bear in a party hat! I love the look of this card (so sharp, so sleek!) and hope it added some fun to Dyl's big day. 

B Birthday

 For: Ben
Occasion: his birthday

For Ben's birthday card this year, I did a gouache painting of a letter-specific birthday message: "Happy B Day" it says! Get it? B, like Ben? Also birthday! What a treat for a festive card. I hope Ben has a wonderful day celebrating and gets to have lots of fun!

AC/DC Birthday

 For: Danny
Occasion: his birthday

For Danny's birthday card, I wanted to do something cool because it's not every year you turn 15! Since he's into classic rock, I copied the AC/DC pointy arrow font to spell out Happy Birthday with the lightning bolt in between. It was super fun to see him open it on facetime, and I hope he has a great year!

Bouquet Birthday

 For: Jeannine
Occasion: her birthday

To help Jeannine celebrate her birthday, I did a bright, happy, colorful illustration of a hand holding out a bouquet of flowers with her name on it! I love the vibrance of these blossoms, have enjoyed chatting with Jeannine lately, and hope this next year is the very best!

Black and White Birthday Cake

For: Uncle John
Occasion: his birthday

For Uncle John's birthday card, I went for high visibility, high contrast papercutting to create this lovely cake design. Look at that flame! I know this past year hasn't been the easiest, so this card comes with a whole lotta well wishes for a great next trip around the sun!