Celtic Knot Birthday

 For: Erin
Occasion: her birthday

I missed Erin's birthday, so to make up for it, I created the most elaborate E I ever have in this Celtic knot birthday card. It's such a cool style and takes so much focus to get it twisted the right way -- Erin is totally worth that brain effort, and I hope this year is the most incredible yet!

Alligator Birthday

For: Brian
Occasion: his birthday

Since I loved that hiking bear so much, I tried to replicate the design style with a happy alligator for Brian's birthday card! I've never seen a gator so delighted for cake. Here's hoping Brian feels this way today, too!

 

Cosmic Birthday

 For: Sam
Occasion: her birthday

For Sam's birthday card this year, I featured her love for outer space with a galactic watercolor illustration! I loved mixing colors and adding in white ink for stars and other celestial beings. I hope Sam's day is out of this world!

Hiking Bear Birthday

 For: Leia
Occasion: her birthday

For Leia's birthday card, I drew a sweet little bear ready for some intense backpacking and some birthday fun! I love the cupcake and party hat on this happy camper. The white ink really makes this card pop. I adore Leia dear and hope she has an excellent birthday!

Tea Birthday

 For: Allyson
Occasion: her birthday

For Allyson's birthday card, I did an illustration of a unique teacup steeped in some "Happy Birthday" tea! Look how happy this little friend is -- I hope Allyson has an equally delightful day!

Spidey Birthday

 For: Owen
Occasion: his birthday

My little bud turned four! He had a Spider Man-themed birthday party, so to help celebrate, I made a watercolor Spidey hanging on to a balloon. I am tickled with this card and had so much fun coming up with spidey ideas to incorporate into his birthday celebrations from afar!

Tree Anniversary

 For: Mike and me
Occasion: Our Anniversary

To help Mike and I celebrate our five year wedding anniversary, I featured this iconic (though not very stewardly) image of initials carved into an aspen tree trunk. I love how it turned out and cannot believe we tied the proverbial knot so many years ago! 

Birthday Polaroids

 For: Aunt Julie
Occasion: her birthday

For Aunt Julie's birthday card, I did an illustration of some birthday-themed polaroids clothes pinned to a line! I love how simple and detailed this card is. Here's hoping Aunt Julie had lots of lovely moments to capture on her big day.

Mountain Scene Birthday

 For: Sofi
Occasion: her birthday

To help celebrate Sofi's birthday, I did an illustration of a path leading up to the mountains! This was an interesting design to do, as I mixed marker and colored pencil for some different textures. I've never hiked any place like this, but hopefully Sofi and I can find something as neat when we get together to hike this summer!

Birth-Tay Card

 For: Danielle
Occasion: her birthday

Sweet Danielle turned 13! To help celebrate her big day, I made a card that features lots of Taylor Swift iconography and the clever pun "Happy Birth-Tay!" Danielle is a Swifty superfan, and I have had a lot of fun learning about the singer/songwriter this month in lots of creations for D!

XL Birthday

 For: Adam
Occasion: his birthday

Adam often sets a challenge for his birthday card, and this year, the direction was "extra large." I translated that in my mind to a giant cake on the shoulders of an Atlas character. I love how this card turned out and hope Adam and I get to hang out soon!

Get Well Soon Cat

 For: Kai
Occasion: Get Well Soon

To help hasten Kai's recovery, I created an illustration of a cat in an Elizabethan collar (aka, cone of shame) that is filled with flowers! I love the idea of the cone being repurposed for a bouquet. I used lots of glittery pens for some more sparkle -- surgery is always the pits, so I hope this card was a nice distraction!

Planet Birthday

 For: Ryan
Occasion: his birthday

For Ryan's birthday card, I did a paper collage of a planet hula-hooping its ring in a party hat! I love the colors and how playful this card is. Here's hoping Ryan's birthday is "out of this world!"

Spaceship Birthday

 For: Cole
Occasion: his birthday

To help Cole celebrate his fifth (!) birthday, I created a paper collage of him in a rocket ship headed to space! I love his happy little face in the window. Cole is such a fun kiddo and I hope he has a great day!

Floral Birthday

 For: Bri
Occasion: her birthday

For Bri's birthday card, I really wanted to paint some flowers to help her celebrate her birthday! I used gouache and taped off the edges and just love how vibrant the card turned out. Bri is a wonderful person and I hope her day and year are both incredible!

Tea Birthday

 For: Amy
Occasion: her birthday

For Amy-kid's birthday, I created an illustration of a teal teapot and teacup with some lovely tea and a lovely piece of cake! Amy loves her tea parties, so I was delighted to capture this joyful part of her life for her big day. I hope she has many relaxing cups of tea this year!

Cooler Birthday

 For: Doug
Occasion: his birthday

For Dougie's birthday, I did an illustration of a cooler with the simple text, "Have a cool day." This card makes me so happy! I miss Dougie and hope this year is amazing.

Earrings Birthday

 For: Julie
Occasion: her birthday

Julie makes incredible earrings, and has helped me with some tips on the craft! To celebrate her birthday, I did an illustration of two cupcake beads attached to silver earring hooks! I am so pleased with how this turned out, and wish these earrings were real! I love a cupcake drawing! Julie is such a kind soul and I wish her all the best this year.

Contour Birthday

 For: O'Shea
Occasion: his birthday

To help celebrate O'Shea's birthday, I created a contour map of a mountain! Among the lines are the message "Happy Birthday to you." I love the simplicity of this card! It's so Colorado and earthy. I hope O'Shea had a great day and I'm looking forward to hanging out soon!

Sympathy Flowers

 For: My Friends
Occasion: In Sympathy

Some dear friends of mine experienced a deep, deep loss. To share my sympathies, I created a simple watercolor card with some pink and purply flowers.. There really are no words, and so a card is the best we can do sometimes.