graduation time

It's Graduation time and a time to celebrate and honor all the grads in your life!  What is your go to gift?
Money?  Gift card or do you give something creative or more practical?   My illustration for Sheridan Road Magazine is a money tree for Graduates, I think that would come in handy~

Yesterday's tote bag winner is Karen Albert.  Congrats to Karen.

save-the-date

Several years ago this lovely lady contacted me to illustrate her save-the-date.

During this month of June, I am devoting each and every post to special dates.

Save-the-dates

Birthdays

Pool Parties

Weddings

Anniversaries

Graduations

Summer Parties

Date nights.

Love to have your input on some of your most successful celebrations and dates!

year of the dragon

The year of the dragon. 

Dragons seem to be everywhere I look.

Now what boy would not love to have this dragon paper on his wall?

If not on the wall, then what about a lamp or a pillow with a dragon?

Or a book with a dragon tattoo.

 Take some time to have a little fun today, as many celebrate the year of the dragon for the Chinese New Year.  Having traveled to China many years ago and having been fortunate to celebrate in China was something I shall never forget.

  

The pops of red are everywhere you go.

 along with red envelopes handed out for good luck.

The symbolism of sharing dim sum and many chinese dishes.  I spotted these on Steamy Kitchen.

Gong Xi Fa Ca! That’s the traditional Chinese New Year greeting that means “wishing you prosperity” in Mandarin. The first day of the Chinese New Year – which begins at midnight on January 23, 2012 – is the most important of Chinese holidays, celebrated by billions in China, and by millions of ethnic Chinese around the world. It’s a celebration that lasts for 15 days, culminating with the Lantern Festival. Each year is associated with one of twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac. For 2012, it’s the Year of the Dragon.

How will you celebrate the year of the dragon?

cheers

A rousing Cheers to this fantastic couple for celebrating 50 fabulous years of marriage.  This commission was done as a gift and I loved hearing back from my client as soon as the artwork arrived.

 LOVE, LOVE the art work you did of my parents!!!!  You captured their expressions perfectly!!!  The detail and design is so darling and whimsical......just what they will LOVE!!!!!!  The french style scroll work around the picture of my parents faces is wonderful.  I also adore the painting of them in in front of the Eiffle Tower with their beloved puppies.  You captured my mothers long legs and my fathers magnanimous personality.  You are a true artist and the wait well well worth it:). THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!  Just know tonight that when my parents open this amazing gift that you will be making two very special people extremely happy.

The package just arrived and your artwork is wrapped beautifully!!!!  Once again, Thank YOU!

darlin'

just darlin'

darlin' celebrations aplenty

red, white and blue is just darlin' for the hostess

all white with a bit of polished brass

ready for house guests

darlin' for a sleepover

darlin' with denim

darlin for the fourth menu

darlin l.l.bean bag for doling out sparklers

happy fourth darlin!

enjoy the festivities, parades, fireworks, family and friends darlin'~

all images from my latest obsession here.

Universal love

I will admit to suffering in certain social settings when the spotlight is on, so I think you can see that my sons inherited this from me. We as parents have not quite mastered the art of capturing a photo with both sets of eyes wide open, nor both smiles smiling. Well, grinning and bearing it are all apart of the attention one deserves when wearing a blue robe and funny cap.

Excuse the wrinkles, we were told specifically not to iron. Guess we would not want flames to be apart of the pomp and circumstance. The universe is yours gentlemen. Congratulations graduates.

cap-n-gown

Today is all about the graduates donning their cap-n-gowns tonight! Wishing all the seniors a wonderful ceremony this evening. My twin sons caps just happen to be blue with a blue and gold tassel. Signing off for a big celebration! Cheers to bright futures for each graduate.

more

I have always loved the word "more" and how it can apply to so many things. More please, more candles on the cake, more time to play, more life to celebrate...having a birthday, click here.

Hope you have a weekend of more love, more laughter, more time with the one's you love.

Sunday, is my wedding anniversary. Another year of "more" to celebrate!