Sympathy Bird

For: My dad
Occasion: In sympathy

My grandfather passed away, and to try to help comfort my dad, I created a sympathy card for him. When I was young, and whenever it was dessert time, my grandpa would get me to look out the window saying there was a bird or an eagle out there--while my head was turned, he would steal a bite of my brownie or whatever tasty treat we were having! It is such a sweet memory now, and I used it as the image for my dad's card: an open window with a bird flying through the air. 

Hooray! Wedding

For: Anna and Jason
Occasion: their wedding

Anna and Jason got married this weekend, so to help them celebrate their nuptials, I did a silly cartoon illustration of the happy couple with a block letter "HOORAY!" above them. I love Jason's thumbs up and Anna's bright hair--they sort of look like puppets some how! I hope the ceremony was lovely and they are ready for a long and happy life together. 

Unicorn Birthday

For: Marie
Occasion: her birthday

I wanted Marie to have a magical birthday, so for her card this year, I did a watercolor of the prettiest little unicorn I could! I made sure its party hat didn't cover up its magical unicorn horn. I love all the bright happy colors and I hope Marie had the brightest, happiest day!

Colorful Colorado Birthday

For: Conor
Occasion: his birthday

I'm still so excited that Conor lives in Colorado, so to celebrate his birthday this year, I did a watercolor of the signs you see at the Colorado border: "Welcome to Colorful Colorado". I've always appreciated that these signs are wooden and not colorful, so that we can all focus on the colors we see around us--just like in this watercolor! Look at that rainbow of mountains and sky! Conor is such an excellent human--I hope we can get together soon and do some outdoorsy stuff!

California Bear Birthday

For: Krystina
Occasion: her birthday

To celebrate Krystina's birthday, I did a watercolor of a bear hugging California (her home these last several years) and a bouquet. I love how cute and cuddly this card is, and I really wanted it to feel warm and welcoming. Krystina is such a cool lady--she wrote me a letter that arrived the day after I made this card for her--it was so wonderful to hear from her after I'd spent an evening thinking about her! I hope she has an amazing year and lots of fun in Cali!

Hula Birthday

For: Aunt Sherry
Occasion: her birthday

To celebrate Aunt Sherry's birthday, I did a watercolor of a hula dancer under a palm tree! She and the fam went on a trip to Hawaii last winter, and I might have had my own Hawaiian vacation in mind when I made her card--shhh! Aunt Sherry is just the coolest lady and I hope she had a relaxing and wonderful birthday. 

Starbucks Birthday

For: Warren
Occasion: his birthday

Warren is a big fan of Starbucks, so for his birthday card this year, I did a watercolor of the iconic mermaid fish lady...what even is the Starbucks mascot? I hope he had a wonderful day and treated himself to a tasty coffee or two!

Hawaiian Wedding Congratulations

For: John and Laie
Occasion: their wedding

To celebrate John and Laie's wedding, I did this little watercolor of the happy couple underneath a banner that reads "Ho'omaika'i!"--the internet told me it's the Hawaiian word for congratulations, and I hope it was right! We had the most incredible time celebrating with the Woolvertons on the big island, and I am so happy to have seen where the family lives out there. I can't wait until we find another reason to go back and visit!

Sunflower Wedding

For: Kathy and Alex
Occasion: their wedding

My cousin got married this past weekend, and to help celebrate her nuptials, I did this watercolor of the happy couple in a field of sunflowers. I think I captured the look of their wedding pretty well, and am so delighted that Kathy has found her match. I wish them nothing but the best in their marriage!

Thank Yous

For: My family
Occasion: Thank You

To thank my family for the gifties they got me for my birthday, I made a couple cards!

I had fun with my metallic sharpies!

And you know I have to make a little me every now and again!

New Home Collage

For: Ames
Occasion: New Home

Ames went and closed on a condo, so to celebrate her home-ownership, I did this fun paper collage for her! I loved picking all the colors and am particularly fond of the heart-shaped door knob. I'm so proud of Ames and hope she loves living in her new place!

Sweater Thank You

For: Dan and Janet
Occasion: Thank You

Janet and Dan got me the most wonderful sweater for my birthday, so to thank them for increasing my snuggliness this fall and winter, I got ambitious and did a sweater cut-out.

And then since the cut-out was so intact, I pasted it on the inside and wrote my note around the circle so the message wouldn't show through on the front. Pretty neat, right?