We created a bundle of our top 10 cards of 2024 to make easy to get them all — and when we bundle cards we give a 20% off discount. 😘
What the Top 10 Cards of 2024 have in common:
This year I feel like I entered a new stride with designing cards.
I (Tiny) have been finding my voice as an illustrator — most of the cards we make have these things in common, and the things that our customers seem to gravitate and respond to:
- They are beautiful.
- They are meaningful.
- They are super loving and positive.
- They embody light in the darkness.
My cards are primarily inspired by the beauty of this planet that we get to live on.
While I work for hours on each design, I adore getting to appreciate the beauty of nature and think of people I love. Most go through many iterations before I land on a final composition and phrasing for the card.
When I illustrate these cards, my heart feels like it glows and sends energy into my hands. I think that love can be felt by our customers and the people they send these cards to.
The more I tap into that energy source, the more beautiful and meaningful the cards become.
Thanks for being part of making this past year so special. I love that I got to make this art for you. ❤️
Wishing you beauty in 2025 too.
Tiny (and Snail)
a.k.a. Leah and Grace
P.S. I’m so curious to know if you have a favorite card from this year and why. Tell me in the comments and I’ll pick a person by next week to win a $50 gift card.
P.P.S. We bundled our Top 10 of 2024 into one convenient pack, and are discounting them 20% when you buy them together. Send some beauty and love into the New Year and let people know you've been thinking of them with these cards (if you can manage to part with them 😅).
Our Top 10 Cards of 2024 and the Stories Behind Them:
1. Here For You
A poem Grace wrote inspired me to create this illustration, evoking serenity and togetherness amidst the dark unknown of the woods.
Grace's poem was a bit long to pair with this art, but I read in a Thich Nhat Hanh book that "I'm here for you" is one of the most meaningful phrases we can tell someone — and that was the essence of Grace's poem and this art.
During my time in the ICU, those who showed up — through their presence, homemade chicken broth, or encouraging handwritten messages — kept me hopeful and alive.
I hope this card helps you express that same support, letting someone know you're there for them, in whatever they’re going through.
2. "Beside a Sister" Nüshu Proverb Card
Grace sent this quote to me years ago, and I decided I wanted to try illustrating it. In the process, I learned that Nüshu was a language invented and written exclusively by women hundreds, possibly thousands of years ago in China. The women were oppressed, and Nüshu gave them a way to write letters to each other, to lament, and to form very close female friendships.
When I was in the ICU, Grace was there every day. She was the first person who was able to understand me as I finger spelled words into her hand.
We read poetry, talked philosophy, did art, opened letters, and had dance parties together. When my world seemed quite dark, she was light incarnate for me.
I hope you have sisters in your life like that, whether by genetics or love. Sisters can provide us so much hope. I hope you send this to a sister who has been there for you.
3. "This is not a Letter" Katherine Mansfield Quote Card
Originally created as a design for part of our Essential 16 mini-booklet, people were requesting this be available as a blank card as well.
In the scheme of human history, we are more spread out than ever before. Friends and family aren't always right around the corner — but through the power of letter writing, we can show up in their mailbox with a hug.
We think this can serve as a really comforting sympathy card but also can be used as an everyday card. The more letters in the world, the better. ❤️
4. You're a Gem
When I found out that one of my college classmates died two years ago, I was determined to design a card for him.
He was an amazingly talented illustrator, and I always appreciated his voice in the class critiques. He was one of the nicest guys I knew in college, and when I learned that he designed a USPS stamp, I wasn't surprised.
But I was totally shocked to learn that he had died from cancer.
I wanted to honor him with a drawing, and to be honest I was really intimidated. Ultimately, I decided that a diamond was a fitting way to represent him because of the cool geometric feeling of it, the brilliance, and the colorful shapes.
I wish I could have sent him this card before he passed away.
I hope it will help give you a way to tell people what a gem they are, whether that's as a thank you, a birthday card, or even just out of the blue.
5. Grateful We Are Connected
This card is for those counterparts in your life. For family and chosen family.
It's for the people you meet who have a profound effect on you — whether it's a lifelong soul connection or someone who came into your life for a specific season when you needed them most.
This card is also for nature lovers, people who hike, and/or like camping.
This card reminds me of a bunch of people, and I hope it makes you think of people in your life too. 💞
* PLEASE NOTE: Due to selling out of this design, we are replacing it with #11 in the Top 10 Bundle.
6. It's Okay to Rest Fox Card
I designed this card for myself, to be completely honest. 😅
But I think a lot of us are feeling overwhelmed these days, so this card is a sweet reminder that it's okay and necessary to take a break to heal, reset, and recover.
I love this little fox, curled up in a hollow log and basking in a beam of sunshine.
Perfect to send as a get well card, to a friend who's working a demanding job, or to keep as a reminder for yourself!
7. Sending Good Vibes
"Sending good vibes"
From across the miles, we can send our love through positive thoughts and a handwritten note to check in on someone and let them know you care.
Despite the distances, the waves of love can be felt.
I designed this for one of my best friends from college who lost both her parents in a car accident in 2022. One of the last things she did with her parents was whale watching in Alaska. I send her good vibes all the time, despite the physical distance that separates us.
8. Sea Otter Mama and Baby
I was watching a video clip of momma otters with their babies with my 2.5 year-old daughter and we couldn't get over how cute they were.
It reminded me so much of snuggling with Ellie when she was a baby.
Ellie, when she saw this card, thought of her with her Daddy.
I loved getting to illustrate the cuteness of these animals and the mysterious celestial-like beauty of the ocean.
This is a little gem that you can send to parents of young kids, send as a baby card, send as a Mother's Day card...wishing them peace and reminding them to appreciate snuggling with their children.
9. May Angels Watch Over You
As much as I love going on my daily "run" (in my outdoor wheelchair), crossing the street always makes me nervous. I'm very cautious when I cross, but even so, I know that if it were my day to go, a car could easily overlook me and take me out. Crossing the street makes me nervous in a way that few things do.
One day on a walk I was thinking about this, and when I looked up, there were huge angel wings surrounding the moon. It was as if an archangel was watching over me.
Often, I'm inspired to create a drawing out of a photograph when the photo doesn't do justice to reality...as was the case with this photo and drawing.
May angels watch over YOU and the special people in your life who will receive this card.
10. You Are Lovely and Loved Leaf Wreath
The phrase "You are Lovely and Loved" was originally on one of the square leaf cards that Grace/Snail had designed years ago.
We have phased out of the square cards, since they add complexity to packaging and shipping — however the phrase "You are lovely and loved" was cherished by many, and so it seemed fitting to return it to another leaf-inspired card.
(I had a ton of fun capturing the details and colors of all these leaves. 😍)
May this card help the recipient know they are lovely and loved and surrounded by beauty.
11. There is a Magic About You that is All Your Own Mushroom Card
Can we agree that mushrooms are just COOL?
While working on this card, independently both my mom and younger brother brought up the wonder of mushrooms in conversation to me!
As I was looking at different forms of mushrooms (a variety of which are an illustrator's dream 😍), I came across an amazing mini-documentary on Youtube, about a man who started photographing mushrooms as a hobby, and now travels around the world helping document the native mushrooms. He is particularly interested in photographing glowing mushrooms. (And the time lapses are amazing to watch 🤩.)
After coming across that video, suddenly all of the mushrooms in this card design became bioluminesent ones. 😅
I really loved the challenge of making these mushrooms look like they are glowing, and I think I achieved it!
You can purchase all 10 cards in this convenient curated Pack
(And get 20% off 😘.)
Wishing you a beautiful, peaceful, and healthy 2025 ahead,
P.S. Remember to comment with your favorite card of 2024 and why by Saturday (Jan 11) and we'll pick a lucky person to win a $50 gift card!
(It definitely doesn't have to be part of this list! You can see all of them here.)
39 comments
Thank you for sharing the stories behind each beautiful card that you created. There are so many favorites, this is no easy task! However, after reading about the inspiration for each piece, I choose “May Angels Watch Over You”. Aside from the beauty of the card, your share really resonated with me. In fact, thank you for allowing me to shed a few tears that I was unaware needed to be released. As a pedestrian hit by a drunk driver 26 years ago, I too had great fears about crossing streets. Sometimes those fears still creep up even after all these years. Your reminder that we each have angels caring for us and that we need only look for the beauty surrounding us to know is a lovely message indeed. I appreciate your gentle reminder of hope and protection.
I love this bundle idea! Interestingly, I don’t have any of these in my stash yet…so glad to add them! :-) My favorite of these is the not a card but arms around you one. I have several beloved friends who live many states away; this captures the sentiment I often feel of wishing to be physically present to them.
My favorite is the fox “it’s okay to rest” card. So often, there’s this pressure or expectation to be busy, productive and such, so I find this reminder so comforting and the message an important one to share with others. Plus that little fox sleeping is adorable ! :)
I have two top favorites from 2024, Sea Otter with baby and It’s Okay to Rest. Both of my children had pregnancies early in 2024. The fox resting was perfect. When their babies were born five weeks apart, I loved giving them both the sea otter with baby. My favorite collection for the use is Drawn To Beauty. This was the most versatile collection in my opinion. I’ve been able to send several and have four sets to continue using. My new favorite card after reading the story behind the sister card. You should tuck that story in every sister card you sell! Biggest thing I learned this year from Tiny and Snail… what You’re the Goat means! I scratched my head for a long time and the day I finally got it was s very good day indeed.
My favorite of the cards listed:
You’re a Gem. I like the backstory on this card and how versatile it is.
One of my favorite cards (not listed…as I’m guessing it’s from before 2024), is the Congratulations on your; Nine choices, I believe and the sender checks the correct box. As my two adult children moved last year/this was the perfect choice.