Bear Birthday

 For: Claire
Occasion: her birthday

To help celebrate my dear Claire's birthday, I did a collage of a sweet little bear holding a cupcake and wearing a polka-dotted party hat. I love how sweet this little friend's energy is, and hope it helped ring in a wonderful birthday and new year.  

And that's a wrap for Debbie Dots 2022! Here's to health, connection, and cards for all of us in the new year.

Singing Birthday

 For: Riley
Occasion: her birthday

Riley has some pipes on her! To celebrate her birthday this year, I did an illustration of her belting out a classic -- the notes to Happy Birthday to You. I cannot believe she is a teenager now--here's hoping that being 13 in 2023 is amazing!

Copywriting Birthday

 For: Uncle Jer
Occasion: his birthday

My Uncle is a pretty exceptional copywriter, so for his birthday card this year, I tried to illustrate his craft! The card features an old-timey typewriter with my pithy attempt at a catchy birthday-themed attention-grabber: "Birthday Wishes? Granted." It took me a right long time to come up with that, which gives me even greater appreciation for his skill! It was lovely to see UJ at Christmas and I hope this next year is beyond incredible. 

Skiing Christmas

 For: Michael
Occasion: Christmas

Mike and I have gotten back into skiing after a ridiculously long hiatus! To try to capture the sheer joy Mike had flying down the mountains at Breck a week ago, I illustrated him in the style of Jesper from Klaus (since they look alike anyhow!). It was a real honor to have Mike brave the travel conditions and schlep back with me -- I hope our next Christmases are a little less eventful, if the fates allow!

Mario Christmas

 For: Adam
Occasion: Christmas

Adam loves Mario and the Mario universe of characters! For his Christmas card this year, I featured the paterfamilias of the franchise in a Christmas getup wearing a Santa had and holding a candy cane! It's been so much fun racing Mario cars with Adam and Owen this season!

Tree Hat Santa

 For: Owen
Occasion: Christmas

Sweet O cracks me up, so for his Christmas card this year, I drew him a happy little Santa with a Christmas tree as a hat! I have loved hanging out with O and hope he's had a happy Christmas on the farm!

Stocking Christmas

 For: Twin
Occasion: Christmas

For Twin's Christmas card, I tried to wrap all her favorite things into one image: the stocking pattern she made by hand, peppermints, and a happy sloth gift left by Santa! I admit it--the candy cane is my stamp.  This little Christmas card makes me so happy -- I've had such fun having goofy Twin antics this Christmas with the tiny Twin!

Christmas Tree

 For: Nathan
Occasion: Christmas

Brother Bear is the biggest fan of Christmas trees I've ever encountered, so for his Christmas card this year, I drew him the most decorated tree I could ever imagine! Look at how its magnificence shines up the snow and deep night sky! I have so enjoyed spending time with him this holiday and hope he has fun on the farm!

Jingle Bell Radio

 For: Dad
Occasion: Christmas

For my Dad's Christmas card this year, I featured an illustration of an old-timey radio whose make and model reads "Jingle Bell Rock" and it happens to be blaring out "What a bright time, it's the right time"! I really love the sentimental feel of this card, and hope my dear dad is ready to go on a frigid Chicago Christmas walk with me!

Embroidery Christmas

 For: Mom
Occasion: Christmas

My mom is an excellent embroiderer, so for her Christmas card this year I did an illustration of an old-style hoop with a whimsical "joy" written out in Christmas lights! I am particularly proud of the texture of the fabric--look at that weave! I hope Mama has a lovely Christmas day hanging out with me!

Ice Skate Christmas

 For: Amy
Occasion: Christmas

To help Amy celebrate a holly jolly holiday, I created the most festive ice skate I could imagine (with a candy cane blade!). There's something a little '60s about it, and I am a big fan fo the gold laces and copper shine. I hope Amy has the most wonderful Christmas!

Ornament Christmas

 For: Alex
Occasion: Christmas

For Alex's Christmas card, I used my white pen to make an elaborate winter cabin scene with snowy skies, and lovely Evergreen trees. I love, love, love how this card came out, and hope Alex enjoys it as an official welcome to the family!

Christmas Gift

 For: The Families
Occasion: Christmas

For this year's annual Christmas card to the families, I'm opening up a present to find Mike inside!

I make a whole bunch of these cards all at once, so I start with the sketch, pen it all, then paint.

This year, I had the tiniest finger injury that slowed down the process a bit...

But I continued on, and I think they turned out great in the end!

I wish I could be together with all my families at the holidays, but am happy to be with who we can!

10k Day

 For: Elly
Occasion: 10,000 Days Day

Elly has been alive for 10,000 days, and as this is a delightful tradition in my family, we have to celebrate! I made her a simple card with a big block 10K filled with lots of glittery dots inside. I miss Elly bunches and hope use has an amazing 10K day in the UK!

Ice Skating Christmas

 For: Leia
Occasion: Christmas

Leia has gotten back into iceskating a bit, so for her Christmas card this year, I featured an illustration of her spinning in all kinds of circles on the rink! I hope Leia-dear has had a very festive holiday season!

Gingerbread House Christmas

 For: Lex
Occasion: Christmas

To wish Lexi a very merry Christmas, I did an illustration of this ornately decorated Gingerbread house! Since she finally moved into her house, I added some "joy" smoke coming from the chimney -- I hope she has had the coziest holiday season at home!

Colorado Christmas

 For: Mollie
Occasion: Christmas

For Mollie's Christmas card this year, I featured a mountain-y scene and some trees to amp up the Colorado feel. I even used the state flag's C in "Merry Christmas!" I have so enjoyed exploring our state together this year, and am giggling endlessly that we got to hang out in Illinois, too!

Baseball Ornaments

 For: Jackie
Occasion: Christmas

I saw a card like this years ago, and finally decided to give it a go! It's a very simple line branch with three baseballs tied on as ornaments -- one for Jackie, Kev, and Emily. I hope they have a holly jolly holiday together this year!

Snowflake Christmas

 For: Sarah
Occasion: Christmas

For Sarah's Christmas card, I created the most elaborate snowflake I could dream of in a mandala style. There are lots of hearts in there to try to capture the love I have for my Sarah-dear! I hope she has a happy holiday and feels the love this year!

Cocoa Mug Christmas

 For: Marie
Occasion: Christmas

To help Marie and co. celebrate the holiday, I drew a mug full of marshmallows (including one jumbo happy one) and a candy cane! I hope she has lots of mugs of cheer this year!

Tractor Snow Globe

 For: The Currys
Occasion: Christmas

Since I won't see my very favorite Twin-Laws this year, I made them an extra special Christmas card featuring a John Deere Green tractor in a snow globe. I can just barely handle how much I love this card, including the candy cane exhaust pipe. I cannot wait to see my Currys again--the fates better allow it soon!

Beach Birthday

 For: Aunt Katy
Occasion: her birthday

Aunt Katy love beach vacations, so for her birthday card this year, I (gauche) painted some beach-y paraphernalia in bird's eye view, including a sun hat, sunglasses, a blue-striped suit, flip flops, and a red-striped towel. I put it all on the reverse of a wood panel that looks a lot like sand -- what a happy discovery! I adore Aunt Katy and cannot wait to see her soon. 

Workshop Hanukkah Card

 For: The Biegens
Occasion: ICS Holiday Card-Making Workshop

I was so excited to repackage a workshop I've run in the past for my team at work as part of our holiday party! I truly had a blast facilitating greeting card creation for this group of truly talented and engaged professionals. As I checked out the cards being made in the space, I was entirely gobsmacked at the talent and vulnerability folks came to the practice with!

I used the supplies to whip up a simple Hanukkah card for the Biegens featuring a star of David with some snow on it. Paired with a "peace" message, I really love how it came out, imperfect perfections and all!

Gloria Birthday

 For: Aunt Glor
Occasion: her birthday

To celebrate my Aunt Gloria's December birthday and reclaim some space for her in the holiday season, I  adapted the "Gloria" lyric from "Angels We Have Heard on High" to feature happy little birthday Os in party hats singing the song for her! I included the correct number of Os for all the note changes in the song--the more the merrier! I adore my aunt and hope she had a wonderful birthday!

Hamburger Birthday

 For: Grandpa Jerry
Occasion: his birthday

To help my grandpa celebrate his birthday, I made a papercut hamburger with tomato, lettuce, cheese and a sesame seed bun! I cut a bit of my wood paper to make a flag in the burger that reads "Happy Birthday!" I miss Gramps a lot and hope he had a tasty dinner on his big day!

Wooden Ring Engagement

 For: Amy and Alex
Occasion: Engagement

To help celebrate Amy's engagement to Alex, I created a replication of her engagement ring! It features a rich wood panel paper and a teal glitter band in the middle, just like her ring! It's super unique, just like these two love birds, and I hope they enjoy this Christmas season as an engaged couple. 

Bocce Birthday

 For: Mark
Occasion: his birthday

Mark loves to play bocce on the beach in Florida, so to celebrate his big day this year, I drew a bunch of bocce balls on some sand along with a golden "happy birthday!" message. I miss Mark Mark so much and hope I get to see him soon!

Lettuce Birthday

 For: Aunt Kat
Occasion: her birthday

Aunt Kat and I swap lots of healthy recipes throughout the year, so to celebrate her birthday, I drew her a vegetable celebration. It features a brocolli, carrot, pepper, mushroom and head of lettuce all wearing party hats. The text reads, "Lettuce Party!" I love how cute this card turned out and I hope she had a tasty day!

Firework Birthday

 For: Paul
Occasion: his birthday

To help celebrate Paul's birthday, I used every gel pen I have to illustrate a navy blue sky full of fireworks! I find fireworks very festive (and difficult to draw), so I did my very best and topped it all off with a bright "Paul!" so he'd know this whole party is to celebrate his big day!

Bubble Birthday

 For: Uncle Jim
Occasion: his birthday

For Uncle Jim's birthday card this year, I did an illustration of a bear blowing bubbles. The bubble shapes spell out "Happy Birthday"--how whimsical! I have been looking at how to draw bubbles recently and had a great time trying. I hope Uncle Jim had a fantastic day and got to do some fun stuff, bubbles or no!