It’s 3 a.m. on a weeknight. Yvonne Hogan’s toddler sons, Walter and William, are tucked in their beds. Her husband Paul is alseep, as well. However, the can lights of the couple’s primary bedroom shine down on him as Yvonne stands at her makeshift easel—aka a piece of plywood atop her dresser—painting vibrant custom masterpieces onto Kraft paper.

The works aren’t meant for museums. No, they will instead find their way onto the walls, mantels and windows of families celebrating milestones big and small. And as Yvonne applies one last pass of sparkling glitter, she looks back on the completed piece and imagines the joy that will accompany the banner’s eventual reveal.

“It’s emotional for me to realize that I’m going to be part of their childhood memories,” Yvonne says. “At least in my opinion, it’s always the smallest but most intentional things that create lifelong memories. And I love that I can help parents create those. These banners are custom, and kids can recognize, ‘Wow, this is just for me.’ The most beautiful thing is that each one has their mother’s thoughts behind it. It’s really special.”

Yvonne didn’t set out to start a booming banner business, though. A lifelong creative, Yvonne says she has always found solace in artistic expression, especially lettering. As a child, her mother Suzanne would encourage Yvonne and her sisters to create daily. Whether running barefoot through paint onto rolls of paper or lettering with gel pens, the sky was the limit, and “no mess was too messy,” Yvonne recalls with a laugh.

“I credit a lot to my mom,” Yvonne says. “She always encouraged us to seek out our gifts, and even now, she tells me all the time to use and share the gifts God gave me.”

Yvonne’s creative expression turned to custom banners through First Presbyterian Mother’s Day Out, where her mom works. She would paint posters for things like the first day of school or holiday celebrations, and slowly, word got out. She would receive requests from curious teachers and parents hoping to bring the lively and often sentimental paintings into their personal celebrations.

After a while, she started posting about the creations on Instagram on the page she created to correspond with her children’s coloring page shop on Etsy, Paper by Lou. From there, the banner business took off. Once local shop owner Katie Andrews of Scarlet Designs posted her daughter Dolly’s custom creation, Yvonne says she gained around 110 followers in less than 24 hours.

“I couldn’t believe it,” she says. “It was such a clear sign showing me that this is where the Lord has called me, and it has all just unfolded so beautifully.”

Fielding messages from parents across Louisiana and beyond, Yvonne says the best part is talking with each individual about their child’s passions, hopes, dreams and more, and then working the details into a creation that will excite and inspire. She never traces, and rarely has specific directives from her clients beyond requests like “cats,” “Taylor Swift,” or “disco balls.” Painting with ELF makeup brushes—she likes their density—the banner designs unfold in real time as Yvonne approaches each by telling herself to “just go for it.”

“It depends on the banner, but each one takes between two and four hours,” she notes. “But when you’re doing something you love, you don’t get tired.”

Despite growing demand, Yvonne hasn’t modified the schedule she holds as a stay-at-home mom to her boys. Calling the business a “naptime hobby,” she only works on the banners while Walter and William are asleep.

“I have their childhood in my hands, and that is the most precious and important thing,” Yvonne says. “And I love that when Walter wakes up, he can’t wait to see the banners I did. He has strong opinions and always tells me things I need to add, like more glitter.”

While each of Yvonne’s banners are commissioned for a specific birthday or occasion, she notes that they are keepsakes rather than typical disposable party décor. Like a time capsule, they create a lasting record of a child’s personality at a given time, as well as the parents’ perception of them.

“I have been so humbled and honored to create these banners,” Yvonne says. “I get to have conversations with so many people, and they really dig deep. It’s beautiful to hear all the wonderful things they have to say and the intention behind each detail they want included. I am so happy that I can share my gift and bring joy. That means everything to me.”