Adventure Save the Dates

For: Kyle and Cassy
Occasion: Save the Date

Kyle and Cassy asked me to do the Save the Dates for their wedding, and I was so excited to do them. When we met over brunch, they said they wanted to incorporated the mountains to signify Colorado and some deciduous trees for where they'll be getting married in New York. It took my brain a bit to figure out how to get those two things together, and then--POW!--it hit me. Kyle and Cassy are very adventurous, so I decided to put their characters on the most epic backpack ever, from Colorado to New York. The mountains are in the background, and the direction sign provides the location (Cobleskill, New York) indicating that they are on their way there.

I love this Save the Date so much, and Kyle and Cassy loved it too! Can't wait for the big day in August. 

Little Girl Birthday

For: Danielle
Occasion: her birthday

Danielle turned three years old yesterday! To help celebrate her big day, I created a colorful spring scene of two little ones dancing and playing among flowers and butterflies. I love how happy and bright this card turned out! I miss The Bee so much and can't wait to see her again.

Fertility Flowers

For: Red head two kids
Occasion: Thank you

A friend of mine is going through fertility treatments and asked that I make a card for their anonymous egg donor,  who they referred to as "red head two kids" as a way to keep her straight from the others (like "army wife four kids"). I decided to feature flowers of reds and oranges, as flowers are a symbol of fertility and the donor has lovely red locks. I was so honored to be asked to make this card, and I am hoping for the best as my friends embark on this next chapter of their parenting journey. 

Plant Birthday

For: Amy
Occasion: her birthday

Every year in March, Amy and lots of the Walsh women go to a garden show in Chicago. I am pretty envious that I don't get to go, but wanted to feature a happy little plant buddy in Ames's birthday card in my stead. I love his little plant face and the bright happy colors. I hope Ames had a great day and has a lovely time at the show in a few weeks!

Target Lingerie Bachelorette

For: Laura

Occasion: her bachelorette party

Laura met her future hubby at Target, so I decided to feature the bullseye as a pattern in a bra and panties set. I ended up getting her workout clothes, but figured the lingerie would be appropriate given the occasion! It was so fun celebrating last weekend with Laura and her crew of ladies--I hope the wedding is wonderful in a few weeks!

Cupcake Birthday

For: Julie
Occasion: her birthday

For Julie's birthday card, I wanted to create a playful and colorful cupcake to help celebrate her big day. I ended up with this technicolor pastry with some free form text for the "Happy Birthday" message. The entire card is bright and happy, and I hope Julie had a bright and happy day!

Bear Birthday

For: Uncle Bri
Occasion: his birthday

My Uncle Bri is notoriously the "fun uncle" for all Walshlings in my family. To pay homage to that playful side, I created a watercolor of a birthday bear riding a penny farthing. Creating this little guy was a lot of fun and I had a good time working on his bumbly proportions with the silly assembly of the bike.

I hope UB had a great day and is ready for another year of fun gadgets and tricks!

Crew Birthday

For: Jeremy
Occasion: his birthday

Jeremy is a big soccer fan, and as I was reviewing has cards over the past four years, I realized I'd never featured his favorite sport! Ohio born and raised, Jeremy's hometown hometown soccer team is the Columbus Crew. I really liked this graphic that is associated with the team, and had a lot of fun trying to mimic these tough guys in watercolor. I think the background paper is perfectly steely for the card as well--Goal Debbie Dots?

I hope Jeremy had a great day!

NASW Valentines Workshop

For: NASW
Occasion: Valentines Workshop

I was lucky enough to be able to do my "Valentines and the Therapeutic Uses of Greeting Cards" workshop for the Denver region of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). It's a program I created a few years ago, and I was happy to see that it stood the test of experienced clinicians.

My example card was a garden gnome holding a valentine heart. I made this card for my former officemate, and was able to use her love for gnomes as a way to get the group thinking about what image to feature on their cards.

I had Valentine's Day colored papers, beautiful backgrounds, and plenty of pencils and markers prepared for the group to use for their very own valentines. In lieu of the multicolored "NASW" heart card I made for the director during the event (I forgot to snap a pic!), the intern took some photos and was kind enough to send them to me. We had a great space, a great group, and some really wonderful discussions about the awesome power of greeting cards!

Beet Valentine

For: Mike
Occasion: Valentine's Day

Somehow, I ended up nicknaming Mike "beet," so for his valentine I had to feature the root vegetable of his namesake. I ended up creating a watercolor of a beet for the main image, and decided something cute and punny had to accompany it, hence "You make my heart skip a beet." 

I love how the card turned out, I love Mike even more, and am tickled pinkish-red that he made me a valentine with a beet on it too!

Cooking Valentine

For: Mom and Dad
Occasion: Valentine's Day

My parents recently remodeled their kitchen, and it is phenomenal! For their valentine, I decided to feature the cartoon-y pair as chefs with pan and spoon, wearing aprons and inside a watercolor heart. The swirly heart text reads, "What's cooking' good-lookin'?"

I am so happy with how this card turned out, and I hope they cooked up a feast for Valentine's day!

Perfect Match Valentine

For: Christy and Nathan
Occasion: Valentine's Day

Nathan and Christy are one of my favorite couples ever, so I figured a "perfect match" motif would be a lovely idea for their first Valentine as a married couple. I created a watercolor of the two of them on a matchbox with text reading, "You are a perfect match." 

I know they had a nice day with Nathan's amazing cooking, and I can't wait to see the two of them again!