Flower Invites

For: Riley
Occasion: her fifth birthday party

Mike's niece Riley turned five last month and her mom asked if I would do birthday party invites for her! I had so, so much fun coming up with the design ideas for these (she's got such a cute face, I wanted to get it just right...and may or may not have doodled dozens of her in my office one afternoon). Riley loves pink and purple so I featured these colors in the cards. I made 11 in all and am pleased as punch with how they turned out. I hope she has a great party!

Banner Birthday

For: Lexi
Occasion: her birthday

Lexi celebrated her birthday last week and capped off her celebrations with a brunch party! To mark the special day, I created an image of a little Lexi holding the twistiest banner that reads, "Happy, happy birthday to you Lexi!" I am rather pleased with how the banner turned out! I had so much fun celebrating with her and can't wait for the next brunch date!

Toast Engagement

For: Alli and Mark
Occasion: their engagement

Mike's sister got engaged recently, so to help celebrate the engagement, I made the happy couple a toast-themed card! The card reads "A Toast! to the happy couple" and features a girl toast and a boy toast who are in love.  I used my silvery-est colored pencils to make the toaster look metallic. I'm so happy for Alli and Mark and can't wait for 2016!

Swimming Birthday

For: Grandma Carol
Occasion: her birthday

Grandma Carol swims a mile a day! I wanted to feature this awesome feat in her birthday card this year, so I got out my sparkilest paper and cut out some waves for the water. I x-actoed a swimming Grandma, gave her a cake and--voila!--this lovely card was made. I really, really love the style of this card. I love my grandma, too, and hope she had a great day!

Halloween Bananas

For: Uncle Jer and Aunt Kat
Occasion: Halloween

Uncle Jer and Aunt Kat throw the best Halloween parties, and since they have such a penchant for the holiday, I figured I'd make them a card! Taking group costume to a whole new level, this bunch of bananas is ready for anything, moving forwards and coordinated as a group. I miss them both so much and can't wait for Thanksgiving/Wedding festivities coming up!

Housewarming Card

For: Sofi and Paul
Occasion: Housewarming

Sofi invited Warren and I up to her home in Avon to go snowshoeing and spend some time together (which is a rare but always special reunion). To thank her for the invitation, and by way of housewarming gift, I created a bundled up house in the snow! I love this idea so much--it works on a number of levels, and I am tickled pink (or purple) by how it came out. 

I had so much fun seeing her, Paul, and the new place--can't wait to head up there again!

80 Doodle Birthday

For: Grandpa Jim

Occasion: his birthday

Grandpa turned 80! To honor that awesome benchmark, I wanted to make an elaborate card for him. I ended up with an 8-0 outlined by hours of little doodles in my new colored micron pens (Thanks Lydia!). I had fun working on this card for a good long while, and hope that the birthday party was tons of fun--wish I could have been there!

Rorschach Birthday

For: Uncle Vince
Occasion: his birthday

Uncle Vince is my go-to psychology nerd relative, and so I created a Rorschach test featuring a birthday cake to help celebrate his big day! It was interesting creating this card without folding it in half, but I think I did a decent job of making the identical sides of the cake.
I hope Uncle Vince had a great day and I really enjoyed seeing him over Christmas.

Rhino Birthday

For: Uncle Jer
Occasion: his birthday

For Uncle Jer's birthday card, I created a cartoon rhino with party hats covering his horns. I love this card so much, I wish I could recreate it for everyone in the Debbie Dots universe (alas, you all get your own unique card each year!). If anyone was gonna get this card though, it had to be Uncle Jer. Look at the rhino's nonchalant little smirk--that's got UJ all over it.

It was great to see Uncle Jer over Christmas, as always, and I hope the next year is an awesome one. 

And this rolls Debbie Dots into year 6, folks! It's the New Year's Resolution from 2009 that just wouldn't quit. 

Dancing Birthday

For: Claire
Occasion: her birthday

For Claire's birthday this year, I wanted to make a card that would capture her free spirit and general loveliness. I ended up recreating this image with a girl dancing to the beat of her own tambourine. Claire is such a magical presence in my life and I am so glad I got to see her over the holidays. I hope her year brings all kinds of exciting adventures--it should be a big one!

Speed Skating Christmas

For: Dad
Occasion: Christmas

My dad has taken up speed skating, and we went in on a skin (the official speed skating uniform) as a gift for Christmas. To play off the gift, I created what may be the only speed skating reindeer in the world wearing his very own skin. I am tickled about this card, and am so glad Dad enjoyed his gift so much! Can't wait to see him race some day.

Twin Reindeer Christmas

For: The Twin

Occasion: Christmas

I'm really big into face-smushing cards for The Twin lately (see this birthday card for evidence) and she even asked me if her Christmas card this year would feature a face-smush. Well, it did! This card has us transformed into reindeer and wrapped up in the same scarf. We look so peaceful with our antler ornaments. I really love how this card came out, particularly the subtle swap of colors on the reindeer. It was so great to see The Twin over Christmas and I can't wait to see her in February!