Cheerio Birthday

For: Claire
Occasion: her birthday

Claire once saw a shirt that had a British Cheerio saying, "Cheerio!" by way of greeting. It is a hilarious concept, and so I featured it in her birthday card.

On the inside, the Cheerio has lost its top hat and replaced it with a party one. He's standing atop his own exclamation: "I say, it's your bloody birthday!"

Claire is just a wonderful person, and I can't wait to be back in Denver together!

Chili on Top Birthday

For: Uncle Jer
Occasion: his birthday

My uncle is the master of all things hot and spicy, and so for his birthday card I created a cupcake with a pepper on top. It probably packs some heat, but I'm sure it doesn't compare to the awesomely hot cheesecake he brought to Christmas!

Did I mention how cool he is? You can check out his hot sauce company here.

Red Elephant Christmas

For: My CCP White Elephant
Occasion: Christmas Reunion

My CCP cohort had a Christmas get-together (Thanks for planning/hosting, Kathleen!) and I made a card to go along with my gift. As the card features an elephant, it was pretty obvious that it was from me. And my dear Rukiyah picked it!
It was lovely to see everyone and I can't wait until the next reunion.

Tree Pose Christmas

For: Karly
Occasion: Christmas

My friend Karly is a major yoga buff, so for her Christmas card I drew her in tree pose, holding a star over her head and wrapped in lights! It has been so great getting to know this girl in Denver, and I am pumped to attend her yoga studio a few times in the new year!

Rowlf Christmas

For: Christy
Occasion: Christmas

Christy and I are big fans of The Muppets, and Rowlf is both of our favorites (in large part due to this song). Her card features Rowlf playing his piano and singing a Christmas remake of "Show Me a Rose" that goes "Show me a peppermint, and I'll show you a moose in a hat!"

I hope my twin has a very giggly Christmas.

ASL Christmas

For: Amy
Occasion: Christmas

Amy has started sign language classes, so for her card I spelled out her name in hands! The front of the card has the signs for A, M, and Y.

On the inside, I made the signs for M and C, which is the abbreviated version of "Merry Christmas!" I'm very proud of all the hard work Ames has put into her class and hope it goes great in the new year as well.

Rube Goldberg Christmas

For: Mom
Occasion: Christmas

My mom loves Rube Goldberg machines, so for her Christmas card, I created a mini-tree chucking device. Santa hits a golf ball into a funnel to get the magic going, and with various tubes, punching gloves, bowling balls, and lacrosse racquets, the tree goes flying.

I hope she gets some fun contraptions to play with under our tree!

Canoeing Christmas

For: Dad
Occasion: Christmas

My dad is an outdoorsy canoe-man, so for his Christmas card, I created a scene in which Santa delivers gifts in our family's famous green watercraft. Ever in tune to the needs of aquatic safety, Santa is wearing his own bright orange PFD.

I can't wait to go canoeing with my dad on the first of the year!

Guitar Christmas

For: JP
Occasion: Kris Kringle

My family does a Secret Santa gift exchange for Christmas, and this year I got my cousin JP. As he was not able to join us in Chicago for Christmas, I made a card to go along with his gift! He's in a band (lead vocals and guitar), so I tied a bow around his calligraphied stratocaster. The words are all guitar-related, which makes the entire card pretty sweet.

I wonder if JP will know I was his Secret Santa.

Home Holiday Card

For: The Currys
Occasion: Christmas

For the Currys' Christmas card this year, I drew a textured version of their farm in Windsor. This is a view from the back of the house (Christy sent me a pic for accuracy!). There's snow on the ground and the sun is setting, and it looks as cozy as the place is in my memory.

On the inside, in my swirliest font, the text reads "there's no place like home for the holidays." I think the Currys are just wonderful, and I wish I could make it down to see them. But I'm sure I'll see them in the Spring at graduation!

Hanukkah Candles

For: My Biegens
Occasion: Hannukah

My lovely Biegen family has been such a support to me since I moved to Denver (there is no unconditional love like that of a long-time friend and a 9-month-old!). For their Hanukkah card, I watercolored a menorah in blue, then ripped it out and put it on a lime green background for pizazz.
I love them all very much and can't wait to see them in a few weeks to start off 2012 with some fun adventures!

Cooking Birthday

For: Aunt Katy
Occasion: her birthday

My aunt is an amazing chef, so I decided to feature various cooking tools and ingredients on her card. Pots, pans, mixers, flour, salt, pepper, and lots of other stuff all in greens, pinks, blues, and yellows. The overall effect is updated '50s, and I love how it came out.

I hope she has a great day, and I can't wait to see her soon!