Archive for the ‘freebies’ Category

Printable: You Have Been BOOed

October 24th, 2012
9 Comments

I’m not sure if this is a Utah thing, or something that happens in other neighborhoods around the globe, but around Halloween time neighbors doorbell ditch one another with treats and a little ghost. It’s sort of a pay-it-forward treat-giving thing that hopefully spreads to all the neighbors. There’s usually a little ghost graphic and instructions on how to pay it forward (much like amish friendship bread, but anonymous).

Last night we “got BOOed”. It sure makes me feel super loved to get treats delivered to my door. Really, we have fantastic neighbors. Unfortunately, the printed instructions tend to get muddled and pixellated after a few houses. So I redesigned ours. And added a QR code so friendly neighborhood ghosts can reprint without garbling up information.

Have you ever participated in something like this? You should do it. Your neighbors will love it. Click the button below to download the printable.

This tutorial/freebie is free for personal use and should not be distributed/republished without the express consent of Melissa Esplin. I love getting shout outs from around the web, but please, link with love. You may publish 1 photo along with credit back to the original post. Never link directly to the download. If you would like to use this tutorial for commercial purposes, please email me. Thanks!

 

 

Freebie: Frilly Floral Download

June 27th, 2012
11 Comments

One of my freelance jobs didn’t work out, so I thought I’d use some of those unused graphics for a printable for you today.

I’ve been trying to branch out with my work to include more analog art and graphics into my design work. Painting these flowers was definitely a nice exercise to get back into the art end of things.

My mom grew the most amazing irises when we grew up. They were enormous and so colorful. I’ve painted that flower a zillion times, so it was fun to branch out of that as well. Although this definitely has me in the mood to paint a few more irises for my own house.

This particular card is headed nowhere, but I need to get my letter/card writing on. I’ve got a lot of overdue thank yous to send.

I’ve included two versions of the simple fold card. One with thanks written on it and the other blank for you to keep blank or fill in as you wish. Click the button to download. All artwork is subject to ISLY terms of use.

This tutorial/freebie is free for personal use and should not be distributed/republished without the express consent of Melissa Esplin. I love getting shout outs from around the web, but please, link with love. You may publish 1 photo along with credit back to the original post. Never link directly to the download. If you would like to use this tutorial for commercial purposes, please email me. Thanks!

Freebie: Printable Baby Shower Invite

June 13th, 2012
10 Comments

One of my friends asked me if I would design a baby shower invitation for her. Of course I would, then it turns out it was the invitation for my cousin. DUH, OF COURSE I would!!

I went for a simple layout and theme, and keeping the over-the-top girliness at a minimum. I think it turned out alright, if you ask me.

Since the pattern and text is sort of androgynous, I thought I’d provide a boy and girl fill-in-the-blank printable for you to use on any future baby showers. All you have to do is print, cut in fourths, fill out and send. Heck, you could even use the plain back side to address the invitations and send it off as a postcard to reduce paper and postal costs.

Are you going to any baby showers this summer? What’s your favorite gift to give? Mine is a patent leather diaper and wipes case. It doubles as a cute clutch, but serves a very noble purpose as well.

 

This tutorial/freebie is free for personal use and should not be distributed/republished without the express consent of Melissa Esplin. I love getting shout outs from around the web, but please, link with love. Do not copy this post, publish more than 2 photos or outright steal this idea for commercial publications. If you would like to use this tutorial for commercial purposes, please email me. Thanks!

Mother’s Day Download & a Recipe

May 9th, 2012
4 Comments

In honor of Mother’s day, I thought I’d offer a little printable card for you to use.

Simply print out on standard 8.5×11 paper, cut in half, fold and you’ve got a lovely card to give to your awesome mom.

 

 

This tutorial/freebie is free for personal use and should not be distributed/republished without the express consent of Melissa Esplin. I love getting shout outs from around the web, but please, link with love. Do not copy this post, publish more than 2 photos or outright steal this idea for commercial publications. If you would like to use this tutorial for commercial purposes, please email me. Thanks!

 I’m also over at Rhodes Rolls blog today sharing an easy (and mini-sous chef friendly) recipe for a yummy Mother’s day treat.

Head over for step-by-step instructions on how to make the below lemon strawberry danish.

Redesigned: Amish Friendship Bread

April 25th, 2012
7 Comments

A neighbor of mine brought by a starter bag for Amish Friendship Bread a few days ago. I got a bag years ago, just after Chris and I got married, but totally forgot to bake it on the tenth day. I was determined this time to stay on top of it. I’m glad I did.

I never bake bread, I’m horrible at it, but since this is more of a pound cake I gave it a go. Mmm! Mmm! Chris and I pounded down one of the loaves in a matter of minutes.

One of the things about Amish Friendship bread, is it comes with a little instruction sheet that you’re supposed to copy and send along with the starter bags. And . . . woops . . . I wrote all over my sheet before copying it off.

My first thought was to white out the writing and then copy the instructions. Then my brain woke up: Why white-out on a sheet in order to save the comic sans instructions? Gross. I’m going to redesign it. 

Now I’m sharing the download with you. I figure maybe some of you out there might be looking for a prettier handout with your bread starters. So here you go. Share with your friends.

If you’d like to get started on your own Amish bread, you can find the instructions for making your own starter here.

Click the download button below for the printable Amish Friendship Bread handout. Enjoy!

This tutorial/freebie is free for personal use and should not be distributed/republished without the express consent of Melissa Esplin. I love getting shout outs from around the web, but please, link with love. Do not copy this post, publish more than 2 photos or outright steal this idea for commercial publications. If you would like to use this tutorial for commercial purposes, please email me. Thanks!


 

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