Cozy, Happy Letters (free download!)

I'm working on some fun, new products for the shop and in the process I've made some cozy, happy, free downloads for your letter-writing pleasure. Click on the image then right click or drag it to your desktop to save. Print them, write on them, mail them, pass them around! Just please don't sell them and please do link back here when possible.

Enjoy!
Arian

Candy Bar Wrapper

 Here's another fast, free Valentine's Day printable for you. Pick up a candy bar that has a foil wrapper (this one is a giant Hershey bar) and remove the candy bar's outer wrapper. Click on the image below for the full version then right click or drag to your desktop to save it. Print it, trim it to the right size, tape it in place, and there you go! I embellished this one with a cute little ribbon, a metal rim key tag (got mine at an office supply store) and a heart sticker.  And there you go! A quick, easy, little Valentines Day gift : ) You could even write a message on the inside of the wrapper if you wanted.

Do you have any Valentine's Weekend plans? As much as I love my husband and celebrating holidays with him, I get just as excited about doing fun things for our boys. I bought their presents awhile ago. I've got a fun Valentine's Day breakfast planned and we're going to have a fancy, family dinner at home on Valentines Day evening. Good stuff. Hope your weekend is special no matter who you spend it with!

Arian : )

Love Letters

I love Valentine's Day! Even before I had an official Valentine to share it with, it was a day to exchange cute cards and chocolate with friends or buy myself something pretty) ; )  So here is some Valentine's Day cuteness I made for you guys!

Click on the image below then right click or drag to your desktop to save it. Print as many as you'd like and start writing some love letters! I've got more Valentine's goodies for you coming soon!  So check back!

We spent the weekend on a couples retreat with a bunch of great friends. It was so refreshing to get away and spend some time with Daniel and other adults sans children. I feel blessed to have so many couples/families/individuals in our life who love us and build into our family regularly. It's very good for my heart : )

Arian

Tea For Two

Talk of a Pride and Prejudice Tea Party in my last post inspired this little paper Tea for Two set. Click on the image above for the full version then drag or right click to save to your desktop. Print it on some heavy paper, color it, cut it out, and have yourself a sweet little play tea party!

If you take any pictures of your little afternoon tea, I'd love to see! Just post a link in the comments!

And if you're looking for a tea set that's a little more...substantial...here are a few vintage finds available on Etsy for your tea-drinking pleasure!

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Arian : )

"Whatever Is" Free Download

Alright, so these verses have been lovingly smacking me in the face recently. It's silly how often I miss opportunities to rejoice and be grateful because I'm focused on the very few things that aren't necessarily working out like I want them to. Funny how, the more you focus on your worries, the bigger and more insurmountable they seem to be. Silly worry.
(click on image above for the larger version then right click or drag to your desktop to save)

So I decided to take this little sketch I did in my sketchbook and color it really pretty like ; ) and share it with the rest of you. It's for making a list of some of those true, noble, right, pure, lovely things all around us that we tend to forget. Print it out and stick it on the fridge next to your grocery list or your to-do list. Tape it to your mirror. Tape it to your forehead. Laminate it so you can write and re-write on it often.
I'm thinking I'll make one for boys too since I've got a 5-year-old who also sometimes needs to be reminded that falling off his bike once or only getting 3 bedtime stories instead of 4 does NOT constitute "the baddest day ever!!" ; ) If I do, I'll share it here!

So print the image, email it, blog it, link to it, whatever! Just don't sell it or claim it's yours. : )

Peace,
Arian

Free Weekly Planner : )

Here's a little somethin' somethin' I've been working on this week to help get more organized. I'm using it to keep track of work and housekeeping goals each week. Somehow having goals written down on a cute little chart makes them seem more attainable. It helps me just take one little corner of the house, (one...ahem.. still not unpacked moving box), one art project at a time.

I thought I'd share it with you guys to help you in your organizational ventures as well. Use it for for to-do lists, meal planning, keeping track of your social obligations. Pass it on to friends (but please link back here). Just don't try to sell it : ) Click on the image above for the larger version then drag or right click to save to your computer. And don't forget these free charts as well!


Like my first attempt at a little terrarium!? Our brave winter hikers brought back a big bag of moss while out at Papa's house. I gasped, ran down to Papa's basement to snatch an old canning jar, rummaged around til I found a suitable little inhabitant and TADA! One step closer to creating a cozy indoor terrarium garden--a little eye candy to satiate my sudden hunger for spring weather. The challenge is finding terrarium-appropriate miniatures around the our house. Somehow matchbox cars and Spiderman figures just don't cut it.



Cold temperatures have us spending a lot of time indoors these days. This weekend will be warmer, though, and I'm pumped to finally get outside for a walk downtown or perhaps a mini photo shoot.

Have a good one!
Arian : )

Feelin Generous

BAM!! Here's another freebie for ya--Christmas cards! I'm bringing back all of last year's Christmas goodies as freebies because, hey, I worked hard on them and you deserve a break!

You know the drill, click on the card image to see the larger version, then right click or drag to your desktop. By the way, does anyone know a better way to do this with a blogspot blog?? I'd love for you to be able to click on something and actually download the pdf but haven't figured that out. Any technical wisdom you can pass on is welcomed!

Stay tuned for more Christmas card goodness!

We're in Daniel's home town spending Thanksgiving week (and doing Christmas) with family. I'm soooo looking forward to relaxing, laughing, watching everyone open presents, good food, HGTV, crafting, and sketching out some new t-shirt design ideas for these fine fellas. I got a sneak peak at some of their new music and it's pretty sweet!

Hope your week is full of gratitude! (whether you're a U.S.A-er or not) : )

Arian : )

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Free Gift Tags...And Stay Tuned

I'm bringing back last year's gift tags as a freebie. Click on the image above for the larger version, then drag or right click to save to your computer. Print and attach to all your beautifully wrapped gifts. (Just don't sell it and make billions of dollars....or if you do sell it and make billions of dollars, drop me an email and let me know how you did it!)

Gift-wise, we're trying to stay true to the message of this video (watch it, it's short and awesome---just like Jude). We're hoping to spend less, give more homemade gifts and share experiences this year, spending a big chunk of our budget on just traveling and being with family. Good stuff.

I just added a print version of that live painting I did a little while back. So hop on over to the shop if you're interested.

Also, STAY TUNED to the blog over the next few weeks. There are going to be some "Blog Readers Only" specials in the the shop that will only be advertised here-- we're talkin free prints and such! So stick around!

On today's schedule: working on the book, lots of organizing, and family movie night. I've been in the mood to bring back some beautiful, artsy films that I haven't seen in a while.



Like this one (on the docket for tonight),



this one

and this one.

Soooo pretty. That's probably the best thing about the time change and the days being shorter--I don't feel bad about calling it a night at 6:30pm, putting on pajamas, and crafting to a good movie.

Alright, back to work!

Arian : )

Free Superboy/Supergirl Charts

I created this chart to help Hudson keep track of the stars he earns for doing his chores without being told twice or for extra projects around the house. 100 stars = a new Leapster game! He's getting close!
Click on the images below for the larger version. Then right click to save it to your computer or drag it onto your desktop. Feel free to pass them along to friends (just don't charge them for it) : )

Kids ATC Swap

I enrolled Hudson in this Kids ATC (Artist Trading Cards) Swap so this morning he was hard at work to finish up his 5 cards and get them in the mail. He's sending his "Superheros at Night" cards to 5 other 4-year-olds from California, Australia, and beyond! And hopefully he'll be receiving cards from the same kids over the next couple days.

We're headed out of town for the weekend to celebrate Jude's b-day with my family-in-law. Til then, if you're in the market for a free calendar download that's a bit more sophisticated than mine ; ) check this Lisa Rupp one out! I printed one out and hung it up right away.

Have a good one!

FREE March Calendar!

When a friend approached me this weekend and asked, "Would you mind bringing dessert or salad when you come Saturday?" and I had no idea what she was talking about, I knew it was high time to make a calendar. So I'm just sharing the organizational love here.

Click on the image to view the larger version. Then right click to save to your computer or drag it on to your desktop. Then you can print it out on heavy white or colored 8.5"x11" paper. Maybe let your kids (or yourself) color it in if so inclined.

Free Valentine Card

Here's a free V-day card for ya. Click on the image to view the larger version. Then right click to save to your computer or drag it on to your desktop. I suggest printing it out onto heavy 8.5"x11" paper, cutting it into 4 postcards and writing your love messages on the back.

Have a lovely day!

Heey...wait a second!

I was checking out one of my favorite blogs (i.e. procrastinating) and followed a link to this downloadable Homemade Holiday Zine. As I was skimming through all the pages of the zine, I was thinking "Wow, there is some great stuff in here and some great artists! I wish I could have somehow gotten in this thing." Then to my surprise I found out I was!! Look, my customizable "I Do" print in the gift guide for couples! Yay! : ) I imagine it's a little like an indie musician walking into a store and hearing their cd playing...it just kinda makes your day : )

Free Downloads!

Who doesn't want some free stuff these days? So I'm offering my stationery as a printable pdf. Either click on one of the images above and save it to your computer or contact me at arianarmstrong@yahoo.com for the .pdf. Or if you like the stationery but don't want to do any of the work, you can pick a set up with cute matching envelopes in my shop.