ROCKY ROAD FREE GIFT TAGS

I'm just catching up from a super long weekend over here. Both Friday & Monday off school has been a bonus. It's so much more relaxing in the mornings and I feel I can just breathe easier throughout the day. Ahhhh...

I don't know if you follow Leanne of Sweet Style? But if not...get on over there! She is one the original Aussie party bloggers I 'met' back when I started blogging and getting into the party scene. I have the utmost respect for Leanne. Many have come and gone, but she has been true to herself, and been committed to seeing her shop grow & change with her. And in addition, more recently, she has bloomed into this amazingly talented photographer! I love her bright and clean style.

I have started contributing to her blog in the diy/design area and I had my first feature last week. Head on over to read why the Rocky Road, and get a free printable gift tag!

Oh I want some of that right now...:)

Happy Monday friends!

All Images// by Leanne from Sweet Style

LOVE NEVER FAILS WALL ART :: FREEBIE

I'm planning to have our annual Valentines day dinner tonight, still a little up in the air on final menu and fun bits and pieces (you might remember our dinner on the floor & marshmallow slice from last year).

I didn't want to leave you without some love today, so I have designed something special for you. Because really, I love you - my readers, my customers, my design clients...so much love for your business and support!

This wall print is free for you to download, print & frame right here. It is an A3 dimensions, but can be shrunk to fit your preferred size. 

I hope you enjoy and it reminds you, even when it's not Valentines day, that love endures through all circumstances...don't we need reminding of that one sometimes.

Happy Valentines Day! : )

P.S Check out my previous valentines projects here, here, here & here.

FLORAL SPRING GIFT BOX FREEBIE

I'm hearing lovely weather reports from back home. I can't wait to defrost and enjoy some beachy sunshine in a couple of weeks!

Here's a little something for you that I designed for the Canadian spring a few months back, and I never got around to sharing for some reason or another. I even had a little friend of Levi's help out with the photos, but do you think I can find them on my computer in this crazy time? Oh shame, they were really sweet. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

Download these FREE Floral Gift Boxes here

I think they are perfect for little gifts, or maybe some sweet party favours for a 30th or 40th party? Maybe even a wedding? What do you think?

Have a great weekend! x

FOOD FOR CHAMPIONS :: FATHERS DAY FREEBIE

It's not long till Fathers Day! Here in Canada, it's celebrated in June, so I thought I'd share what we did for Dave a few months back.
The way to a man's heart is, as we all know, food! So we made a box of some of Dave's favourite things to give him from the kids. Donut holes, snacks and some of his fave flavoured tea's from this aptly named shop!
Maybe these labels will come in handy at your place too. Whether it's a little something in addition to a gift, or you could amp it up and make it a complete gift on it's own.

You can download the free PDF file right here. (Print fry box onto cardstock & decals onto label paper to create adhesive stickers)

Happy Fathers day dudes out there!

P.S You can find past Fathers Day freebies, here, here & here.
  
Images & artwork copyright to Polkadot Prints

HOMEMADE MEALS LABEL :: FREEBIE

It wasn't till I became a mum, that I understood the value of a cooked meal as a gift.

I mean I would give meals to other friends who had had babies, or were going through a rough patch, but until I had received a warm home cooked meal at the pointy end of the day with a newborn, did I fully understand how this gift is seriously one of the best. Do I hear an 'Amen', fellow frazzled mummy?

I've gifted a couple of meals recently and when I went to package them up, I was reminded of these labels I did for one of those big cook things late last year. And well, they came in real handy again for writing up ingredients, instructions and serving suggestions.

So, I thought I'd share them & give you all a freebie today!

You can download both the meal label (print onto label/sticker paper) and there is also a Food Roster to help organise who's brining what when. (My sister in law goes to a church where they organise two full weeks of meals when someone has a new baby. Such a great idea...the obvious inspiration for the roster). If you prefer an electronic version try Meal Train. I've tried looking for an app for this type of thing, but haven't come across one, have you?

Download the Meal Label here
Download the Food Roster here

Well, I hope this is helpful and makes organising and lending a hand to others a little bit easier!

SPRING PARTY DRINK CHARMS + FREE PRINTABLE

Happy Monday folks. I was so chuffed to see my Down in Garden party shared on Babble last week (a lovely surprise thanks Gabrielle!). Seriously. Happy, happy.
With spring arriving, it's definitely heading into party time on this side of the world. Things are even getting warmer here in Edmonton too...it's been a long winter! : )
Enter my latest freebie for you all. These party drink charms are a great addition to your party arsenal as we head into barbie, outdoor living kind of weather. Throw away the paper cups and niko (aka sharpie) and pull out these re-useable tags made from Shrinky Dinks. And next time you're at a party and ask for a refill, you can tell them "mine's the mint/peach/aubergine one..."

Here's how:


1. Print this freebie design onto Shrinky Dink paper
2. Cut out and punch holes ready for hanging
3. Be mesmerised by the way the tags shrink down in size (enlist a small child to add to the wonderment)
4. Use ribbon or a silver charm ring to attach tags to your drinks. I used silver elastic for these mini glasses which worked really well.
5. Party On without mixin' germs!

TRAVELLING WITH KIDS :: NEON GIFT PACKS

When I went home in November, I was travelling on my own with two kids - a 4yr old and 10mth old (I know, crazy!!) Given the happy results from our travel packs last year, I knew I needed to make some for this return trip. 

They really are a great way to grease the wheels when you plonk down next to a stranger and have two small children hanging off you! "Happy 15hrs stuck in this confined space with us!!"

This version was a simple Kraft envelope with a sticker on the front, and note inside (different for each leg of the journey). Then I popped in a couple of chocolates to add to the sweetness!

If you would like to make your own packs you can download the free stickers & blank notes here.

I got the kids to give the packs to the air stewards in our section of the plane, and to the people in surrounding seats. I did about 20 for each direction, but did have some left over, so maybe I'd do a few less next time.

Both the kids were fantastic, I couldn't have asked for a better trip, especially being on my own. Strangers and airlines truly are so helpful when you have young children. So, so thankful!

Images // Jordan - Polkadot Prints

THANKSGIVING PUMPKIN LOAF :: FREEBIE PRINTABLES

So I've 'crossed over' today...that is the border to the US. I'm sharing an American Thanksgiving idea over on Dee's Thankgsiving Series. You can find my full post here. Including recipe & freebie downloads for your own stylish table decor. I've designed them quite generically so you can get creative and use them for any gathering! Thanks for...new life, a life well lived, for an anniversary, for friends....let the gratitude flow!

Enjoy! xo

P.S. Some of the wording has been edited so some of it doesn't sound like me, but you get the idea! :)

SHERBET + LICORICE DIP

You may have noticed, I've put my shop on holidays for the next couple of weeks. I've enrolled in a photography course as a little bit of personal development, and to give myself some space to fill my own creative tank. Time to design and create just for the pure enjoyment of it. I'm loving it so far!

My first self-directed projects to photograph was inspired by my own childhood. When I was a kid, we had 'lolly day' each Saturday morning. Introduced to condense my dad's love of brining home lollies, to just one day a week, it became a huge tradition in our house to have our lollies when we'd done our weekend jobs. One of our favourites were Wizz Fizzes with a stick of licorice. We'd lick and dip till there was no more sherbet left to dip!

Anyone else remember Wizz Fizzes? :) I have my doubts that there is anyone else in the world who might have similar childhood memories, but if you would like this packaging as a free download, please leave a comment below with your email and I'll send it to you!

P.S. If you have ordered invitations and need the matching printables, while my shop is closed, please just shoot me and email jordan{at}polkadotprints.com.au and we can get your event all sorted! x

Images // Copyright Polkadot Prints

FATHERS DAY HUNTING FREEBIE

It's time to get all masculine, grunt a few times and head into the great outdoors! 

We celebrated fathers day earlier in the year here in Canada, so this freebie is especially for all my Aussie friends & family. (Although you could pin and file it for next year if you're somewhere else in the world!) 

This new design was inspired by life at the lodge, surrounded by wildlife, and wilderness. A little hunting inspired, which I thought your dad's & husbands might enjoy for Fathers day next month. I even like it for a male birthday or something...would you like to see more in this design I wonder?

Download this free fathers day gift pocket printable here. 

You might want to also check out this matching gift idea, or this pack or this design from Fathers Day's in the past. 

:: Always link back to this original post and not to the downloaded file directly. And please don't be naughty and claim these piccies as your own. Thank you for playing nice! xo ::

Images // Copyright Jordan Bariesheff for Polkadot Prints 

CANADA DAY

For the first time we will be celebrating Canada Day actually in canada! What a novelty!
Currently what I am really enjoying about this country:

// Drive thru everything, coffee, burgers, even ATM's!
// Donuts. I've never been a huge fan, but I have to admit they are pretty delicious. The sour cream glazed ones I used in these photos are my fave.
// Amazing scenery - tall straight trees and lakes...everywhere!
// Supermarkets are a one stop shop. Groceries, homewares, bakery, clothes and chemist all in the one place. So handy with children.
// People truly make the most of the warm weather and have a true appreciation for the four seasons. I love that.

I'm starting to get a little more confident in how things run too which is a bonus.

If you're celebrating Canada Day, you can download these food picks, patterned paper and Canada Quiz for your Canada day event. I realised what a mess my past Canada Day posts are, so if you're looking from some more inspiration you can check out some of our past family celebrations here & here.

Enjoy eh?!
 
{Images copyright Jordan Bariesheff, Polkadot Prints}

ROAD TRIP TRAVEL PACKS :: DESIGN MOM

Since moving to the lodge, we've been doing a lot of travel. Weekends visiting family and even groceries involve hours in the car for us. Inspired by this new way of life, I bring you today's travel DIY.

With summer holidays coming up, I hope you download the free templates and create some of your own interactive snack packs to help make your next road trip a whole lot of fun!

I designed this with Gabrielle of Design Mom, who, herself is heading to the States from France for holidays with her family; a lot of hours of travel for them.

Get the download and details over on Design Mom here.