Burgers and Beer

Arieh recently turned 21. Dad sent me a long list of things to be featured on his birthday card and it took quite some juggling to work out how to fit them all on! Clockwise, from the top left, the list included an Air Force jet fighter (Arieh is currently serving in the Israeli Air Force for his compulsory military service), a hamburger, beer, pizza, cooking, public relations (his job in the Air Force) and Les Misérables.

Public relations was the only thing I was stuck on. I decided to show a megaphone with the words public relations blasting out of it. A big red number 21 marks Arieh's age.

His Dad seemed very happy with the card. "Arieh’s card was beautiful. Thank you." he messaged me.

Ella, below, played netball for Israel in the 20th Maccabiah Games back in the summer. Mum was very proud of her daughter and asked me to once again feature the Maccabiah event on Ella's 17th birthday card. She sent me her favourite photograph of Ella on the netball court, waving the blue and white flag of Israel, and asked me to replicate it.  I have shown her in the navy blue dress that she wore in the competition with the letters GS (goal shooter) prominently displayed. Of course I added a big number 17 as well.

Finally, remember this card? Well, he passed! Mister Handmade in Israel and I recently made a flying visit to the London for a long weekend to celebrate our niece's Bat Mitzvah. The kids got left behind on this occasion, and my son took his driving test whilst we were away, without telling us! It was a lovely surprise to find out that he had passed on his first attempt when we got back from our trip.

And now all the fun begins...

* This post has been shared on Wednesday around the World, Wednesday Blog Hop, Wow Us Wednesdays, {wow me} wednesday, Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop, Artsy-Fartsy Link Party, Share Your Cup Thursday, Little Things Thursday, No Rules Weekend Blog Party, Seasons and Happiness is Homemade.

Once there was a Doctor, a Cabbie and a Lawyer...

A customer of mine asked me to create a special card for her doctor who, she told me, is amazing in every way. He talks, he listens, he never rushes. No other doc comes close, she said. So she wanted a special card to thank him.
She sent me some photos of him but already had the idea in her head that her doctor should be in the centre of the card wearing a red cape. On his shirt it had to say Dr. Flash with a lightning bolt. Around this I was asked to include a pair of lungs (definitely a first for me!), a stethoscope, and the logos for Penn Medicine and NYU School of Medicine. She also found out that her doctor loves Jameson Irish Whiskey and thought it would be fun to include that too.
"Dr. Flash" loved the card. "Thanks so much for your card. It is absolutely wonderful - best ever" he told her.

Another customer asked me to create a card for her cousin who was turning 70. He's a black cab driver in London and likes music, especially jazz. Once again I was sent a photo of the gentleman concerned so was able to create a paper portrait of him next to his cab, which has his name on the registration plate. A golden saxophone formed the letter 'J' of the word jazz and I added a few music notes too.

Finally, a regular customer received some fabulous news that her grandson had earned his Masters of Law with Distinction. She asked me to create a special card to congratulate him on his wonderful achievement. A mortar board and scroll, along with a small pile of books, clearly fitted the bill.

* This post has been shared on Blue Monday, Seasons and the Good.Random.Fun.