Archive | printables

who am i?

February 12, 2016

I sat on the beach, tears streaming down my cheeks, asking the hardest question I could think to ask: WHO AM I?

Towards the end of our trip to Hawaii last spring, I just needed a moment to myself. Just me. And God. On the beach.

I get this way sometimes; it’s the true introvert in me. After months of being ignored due to daily routine and busyness, my introspective self yells, Stop the madness! Take a deep breath! Slow down! Attend to your soul!

This time felt bigger, though – more important and more urgent than ever before. Like I had been putting of some real soul-attending for a long time and that time had come.

I knew all of this would catch up with me. While in Rwanda nearly two years ago, my friend Jennie asked tough, pointed questions and kindly called me out.

“It sounds like everything in your life right now is good”, she said.

“But what if it could be better? What if really digging into all these insecurities and questions could result in something even greater than you could even imagine? Maybe it’s time to let go of good.”

I came home with every intention to dig in and search for better and instead just jumped back into regular, everyday, good life.

Thankfully, God didn’t let me stay there. He grabbed my attention one year later on that warm evening in May and began the gentle undoing that is leading to better.

I sat there on the sand listening to the rhythmic crashing of the waves for a long time. Praying, crying, thinking, searching, breaking. I’ve been in that praying-crying-thinking-searching-breaking spot ever since, continuing to ask the question:

Who Am I?

After nearly nine months of introspection (which, by the way, hasn’t stopped since that day on the beach. It’s been a big, hard, heavy, messy year) I’m one step closer to finding an answer.

I’m slowly reading/working through a book titled The Search for Significance. I’m not typically drawn to Christian living/self-help non-fiction books, but this one resonated with my from the beginning and I’m pretty desperate to heal and grow, so I’m doing it.

There is a statement that is repeated throughout the book – truth that I know in my head but haven’t fully believed in my heart. This approval-addict, affirmation-seeking girl needs these words to sink in and take root. These are words that bring freedom. That offer hope. That deliver grace and kindness. That hit to my core and are so hard to wrap my stubborn head around.

It is the absolute antidote to the performance-based acceptance lie I’ve held onto.

And it answers my big question. Who Am I?

There it is, right there.

I can add nothing to it. I did nothing to deserve it.

For a girl who gets a whole lot of meaning from doing, striving, performing, this truth feels like freedom. It is lofty and vague and intangible and I don’t quite like that (I want a check list! A to-do list! Actionable steps I can do), but it is just what my soul is craving.

I’m trusting that as I sit in this deep place of seeking, good will come from it.

Actually, I’m believing for even better.

This journey I’m on (and maybe you are to?) is about discovering who God says I am and replacing subtle lies with this great truth. If you find yourself in a similar spot, first of all, know that you are not alone. Second, dig in. It is hard and what you’ll find might be ugly, but it’s worth it. And finally, let this truth about who you are sink in. You are deeply loved, completely forgiven, fully pleasing, totally accepted and complete in Christ. #goodnews

I made that little print up there for myself to keep as a reminder. I have in on the wall above my desk to keep my eyes and heart focused. I thought you might enjoy it, too. There are two per sheet, so feel free to download and print, keep one for yourself and share the other with a friend.

The art print is in THE ARCHIVE along with all of our best free prints, templates and fonts. If you are not an Archive member, simply add your email to the list and you’re in.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE ARCHIVE

I would love to hear what this statement means to you. Feel free to comment below or snap a photo of your print and post to instagram. Be sure to tag me (@jonesdesigncompany) so I can hear more of your story. xoxo.

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Christmas Essentials (free art print!)

December 5, 2015

Merry Christmas, my friends! I’m so happy to finally share this newest watercolor illustration with you!

The Christmas Essentials print has been on my ‘can’t wait to make’ list for a while. I did a winter essentials print (found here) to go along with the seasonal essential prints (here is the spring, summer and autumn designs), but the winter print is missing a few of the best parts of Christmas, so it seemed a new print was in order.

I posted my initial sketches on instagram asking for your Christmas must-haves and you all came through! So many fun, christmasy things were mentioned and I had a great time picking my favorites, sketching and watercoloring for the new print.

After I painted the illustrations, but before turning them into digital art, I had the crazy idea to screen-capture the whole process. I put this little video together so you can see how this art print came to be!

Isn’t that fun?! I am not video expert, but I’m pretty proud of myself for putting this together!

I mentioned earlier this week that a group of 11 other talented designers/small business owners have gathered together to give away something great each day for 12 days. Here we are on DAY 5 and – you guessed it! – I’m giving away this new Christmas Essentials print for free!

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Look what made it into the pages of BHG Christmas Ideas Magazine! (and free gift tags)

November 9, 2015

I’m so pleased to share that our home is featured in the 2015 issue of Better Homes & Gardens Christmas Ideas magazine (on newsstands now).

The photos were taken last January.

I know, forever ago. We did our family Christmas like normal last year and then I started fresh with a new tree in a different spot and new greens and decorations created and put out the first week of January.

This is the third time BHG has come to our house to photograph (so crazy) and I love this spread most of all. They sent a photographer and stylist from Iowa all the way to the Pacific Northwest for one day of shooting. The kids were off at ski school with Ryan (until they returned for our family portrait – hence the ruddy faces and messy hairdo on Audrey!) so it was just me and the BHG team.

I always thought that a magazine brought in tons of props and actually styled a house for photos. Perhaps this is true some of the time, but in our experience, the props are minimal. In fact, for this christmas shoot, they didn’t bring a thing. It’s nerve-wracking and affirming all at once to know that magazine people think your style is good enough to publish without the major re-styling by a real stylist.

Molly, the stylist, was there to take care of all the details – moving a pillow or gift or picture just so. I would love her job. She and the photographer work together to get just the right shot (moving the couch at a slight angle, for example, which isn’t detectible in the photo, but makes it look much more open).

At one point we needed to style the center of the dining room table and she asked me to put something together because she wanted it to look like us. See? Super flattering, but also a little stressful. (We went with clear glass apothecary jars filled with sparkly ornaments).

We moved fairly quickly from room to room trying to beat the sun going down in late afternoon. I wasn’t sure what rooms would make it into the magazine and was so excited to see how many photos did make it. I’m sure my style will change over time, so its really fun to have these pictures in print to look back on and remember how things used to look. And also, my grandma is really proud to show her retirement-home friends that her granddaughter’s home is in a magazine :).

As part of the feature, BHG asked me to create printable christmas tags. Of course I said YES and painted these watercolor illustrations.

The tags make the perfect topper for gifts and, best of all, they are free!

The tags are now in THE ARCHIVE in a new Christmas section along with all of our best free prints, templates and fonts. If you are not an Archive member, simply add your email to the list and you’re in!

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE ARCHIVE

So here’s to the start of the Holiday Season … CHEERS!

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Free Fall Iphone Covers (in updated sizes!)

October 30, 2015

A friendly reader emailed a week ago mentioning that she loved the free iphone covers I posted years ago and switches out the cover with each new season.

To tell you the truth, I forgot about these darling covers! My poor phone has been naked for over a year (and it shows with all the dings and cracks. oops! Lesson learned: use a cover!).

She went on to request updated sizes since iphones have increased significantly with each new fancy upgrade. So, blog friend, your request is granted. Free fall iphone covers in updated sizes!

You may remember from the original post that this is the most basic of all diy projects.

Start by downloading and printing the covers on white card stock (click here for recommended sources).

Next, trim around the edges of the design you like best.

Cut the camera hole using a hole punch to start and then cut the rest with scissors.

Now place the cover face down into the clear case.

Snap your phone into the case.

And there you have it … a totally customizable iphone cover that you can switch out anytime.

The updated files are now in THE ARCHIVE along with all of our best free prints, templates and fonts. If you are not an Archive member, simply add your email to the list and you’re in!

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE ARCHIVE

I’ll be updated the other iphone covers as the seasons come, so keep an eye out for them!

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First Day of Fall (free prints and giveaway winner!)

September 23, 2015

Happy first day of Fall! I feel like I’ve been in fall mode for a few weeks now (what with the fall home tour and fall outfits being the topic of conversation around here) so I’m pleased that it is officially my favorite season of all.

I wanted to share two darling art prints that can help bring fall into your home. They’re free (!) and you can print them at home or the office on white card stock, photo paper or, if you’re feeling fancy, watercolor paper.

This Autumn Essentials print was done a few years ago and I still feel proud of it. I think it’s my favorite in the series, but it might just be because it’s this time of year.

This pumpkin print is brand new this year and it’s a fun pop of fall color.

Feel free to print them and display them and gift them and share them!

The files are found in The Archive where all of our best freebies are found.

Log in for free here

In other news …

Last week I shared those super cute black and white dishtowels. I only had a few sets for sale and you all BLEW MY MIND with the response. We sold out in about 12 seconds (not an exaggeration). I’m sorry that I was not better prepared! If you left your name/paypal address on that instagram post (or on the comments of the blog post), we’re working through to get the invoices sent out. And by we’re what I really mean is my sister Hillary. Did you know my sister works with me? Bless her hilarious, stylish, kind heart.

Anyway, if you have not received an invoice yet, have no fear … it is coming. Once the next shipment of towels comes in we’ll start sending them out (hopefully next week).

The winner of the cloth napkin giveaway is:

katie silvas

Congrats Katie! Please send me a note with your mailing address and we’ll (ahem, Hillary) will get those out to you shortly!

Have a happy Fall-ish day!

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fun freebie / fruit note cards

July 24, 2015

While cleaning off some files in my computer, I came across these fruit note cards. I designed them months ago – probably more like a year ago – and they sat there in a hidden file, forgotten. Poor cute little fruit note cards.

So yesterday I finished them up, formatted the pdf file and today they get to be the stars of the show. And lucky you! You get to download all four fruit note cards for free.

I printed these samples on matte photo paper on this printer. I use this paper trimmer to cut around the edges and this scoring blade to make a nice crease line. If you don’t have a scoring blade, place a ruler along the line you would like scored then firmly run a dull pointy object (like a bone folder or wood skewer) along the ruler. This will make a clean line you can then fold and press.

The cards are 4×6 when cut and folded and fit into a standard A6 Envelope (I especially like these from Paper Source). You are welcome to download the pdf file, open using Adobe Reader (especially important if you are using a Mac), then print on white card stock, cut, score and send a note to someone special. Or you could trim them to 4×6 and pop them in frames – for the kitchen, perhaps? Whatever you chose, I hope you enjoy the cuteness.

To download the fruit cards click the image above or find them in The Archive HERE. This is our free library of our best downloads, art work, fonts and more. You’ll love it.

Sign Up or Sign In Here

(it’s free)

P.S. Just want to let you know we’re having our biggest sale of the year starting Monday!

Get ready to do some shopping!

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fun freebie: summer essentials watercolor art

June 22, 2015

Well happy (official) summer! School ended for us last week and we’ve jumped right into summer mode: lazy mornings, shorts + flip flops, grilled anything for dinner and evening walks around the neighborhood. This time of year is the best in the Pacific Northwest – the weather is warm, but mild (think high 70’s – mid 80’s), the trees are green and water is blue and people are out and about until long after the sun goes down around 9pm. It’s glorious and really the main reason we stay around this part of the country during the dreary winter months.

This time of year also means it’s time to switch out your essentials print to the summer version. (See the autumn print here, winter here and spring here). They are a fun collection of our favorites in illustrated form – things like watermelon and popsicles and brightly painted toes. Which reminds me, I really need a pedicure.

You can download your print here and feel free to print off a few for your friends, too! I like printing on matte photo paper using this printer for super crisp colors, but it also looks cute printed on watercolor paper.

Enjoy and happy summer!

I’ve joined with 10 other talented ladies for a summer freebie blog hop. Click through to download + print more great freebies!

Summer Pineapple Printable | Just Destiny

Summer Printable and Buffet Vignette | Shades of Blue Interiors

I love You in the Morning | Ella Claire

Farm Fresh Milk Vintage Printable | Finding Home

Anchor Printable | Making Home Base

I Hope You Dance | Thistlewood Farms

When Life Gives You Lemons | Eclectically Vintage

Time Worn Vintage Canning Books | TIDBITS

Gone Fishin’ | Town and Country Living

Swim in the Sea | A Burst of Beautiful

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fun freebies: striped number art

May 5, 2015

Because I can’t get enough of black + white stripes (I even have a pinterest board dedicated to the pattern!) and bold typography (here’s the pinterest board for that!), I had some fun combining the two into these cute STRIPED NUMBERS ART PRINTS.

You could use them for birthdays, add them over coat racks to identify whose is whose, or just frame your favorite number and add it to a gallery for a bold punch of pattern.

I also added in an ampersand. Because who doesn’t like ampersands?! And also, I thought it would be fun to put this one in my bedroom.

You can download the prints for free. Just print on white cardstock, trim to size (5×7) and enjoy! For a list of my favorite sources – like printers, paper and more, click here.

To download the whole collection, you can join or log in to our library of freebies called The Archive. In there, you’ll find all our best downloads, art prints, fonts, clip art and templates.

Happy Spring!

** UPDATE **

A Zero has been added! Along with a cute plus sign. Sorry for the omission earlier! The file has been updated and can be downloaded in The Archive.

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free spring art print

March 13, 2015

There is still a week or two before the official first day of spring, but don’t you just feel ready?!

We’ve had some uncharacteristically sunny, warm days in the Pacific Northwest and it’s been lovely. We’ve played outside and opened the windows and bought my first bunch of springtime tulips.

Last year I watercolored an assortment of the things that remind me of spring: pastels, fresh greens, pretty dresses and ballet flats. Then I scanned the painting, added text and turned it into a printable pdf file that you can download and print at home to put you in the springtime mood. Just print on your favorite paper (see my favorite sources here) and display in your entry or bedroom or office or any place you need a little colorful pick-me-up.

free-art-print-download-spring-essentials

To grab your free spring art print, click below for instant access to our freebie files we call The Archive.

Happy Spring!

Want to learn how to create illustrations and graphics like the one above? You will love our Simplified Graphic Design class! CLICK HERE to learn more.

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freebie gift tags

December 19, 2014

Are you busy wrapping gifts? I’m still shopping (still!) but soon I’ll move on to the wrapping phase and the pretty gifts will sit under the tree for all of two days before they are torn open. Someday I’ll learn to move things along a little faster so I can enjoy those festively wrapped gifts.

When wrapping, I tend towards simple paper, nice ribbon and a cute gift tag. There are so many fun (and free) options around the internet and here are a bunch of tags I’ve created for you as well.

CLASSIC CHRISTMAS TAGS

WOODLAND CHRISTMAS TAGS

You can find these tags in THE ARCHIVE along with all of our best free prints, templates and fonts. If you are not an Archive member, simply add your email to the list and you’re in!

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE ARCHIVE

For more Christmas goodies, check out this art print and these favorite tags.

Enjoy and happy wrapping!

Want to learn how to create illustrations and graphics like the ones above? You will love our Simplified Graphic Design class! CLICK HERE to learn more.

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First of Fall

September 1, 2014

Happy September 1st!

I’ll be honest … I’m not as ready for fall as I usually am. This summer has been great and I’m still hanging on to the last threads. The kids go back to school in a few days and so I fully expect that by the end of the week I’ll be back to my normal autumn-loving self – lighting candles and pulling out my favorite fall sweaters and craving hot tea.

Last year I painted this cute Autumn Essentials watercolor print and just looking at it reminds me how wonderful this next season is.

Slippers. The sound of rain. Changing leaves. Tall boots. Cozy, warm colors and pumpkin pie. Continue Reading →

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summer freebies added to the archive

July 2, 2014

Did you know we have an entire library of freebies?! We call it The Archive, and in there lives a happy handful of free printables, templates, fonts and clipart all ready for you to download and enjoy.

Two new summer prints were just added as well as DIY beach bag tags, so be sure to log in (or sign up!) to print.

And don’t miss the popular Summer Essentials print (it’s the one that started the series)

or these cute diy summer iphone covers

Everything is located in our library of freebies and you are welcome to sign in to use them all!

To join (it’s free) or log in to your existing account just click the image below.

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free easter goodies

April 14, 2014

Two years ago, the oh-so-talented Lindsay and I collaborated on this set of prints for the Easter season. The mix of her lovely lettering, pretty watercolor backgrounds and my favorite Easter-morning saying makes for a cheerful collection.

Using Lindsay’s artwork as inspiration, I played around with some holiday table settings. There are lots of do-it-yourself ideas here as well as simple ways to set a pretty table. Perhaps it can inspire your Easter decorations again this year.

linen + white + industrial basket + vintage glassware

and the perfect little place cards

printed paper + ribbon-tied napkin + coordinating chocolates in a pretty dish

with a lovely print to send home with each guest

fresh flowers + pretty china + playful polkadots

paper plates + candy appetizer + crepe paper flower

a name tag tied to a flower makes a special party favor

. . . . . . . . . . .

So does that give you any ideas for your Easter table?

If you would like to use Lindsay’s artwork as part of your decoration, we have put together a great collection for you.

This is a printable file with each of these designs in all three colorways {teal, green, navy}.

You can print as many as you need, give them as gifts or use in your own home.

And the best part?

Please sign in (or sign up!) to the archive for instant access.

Feel free to share this with your friends … we all love freebies {especially ones so pretty!}

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filling our minds (and mirrors and refrigerators and walls) with truth

March 27, 2014

As a bonus for the Paper Works members, I created this set of scripture note cards. So many of you requested to just purchase the cards and I’m here to deliver.

The set includes 52 individual cards with thirteen different stripey colorways. They are cheerfully simple, filled with encouragement, promises, reminders and TRUTH.

Perfect for posting on the bathroom mirror, the refrigerator or a wall.

Here’s another great way to use the cards: a flip book.

Simply print and trim a set of scripture cards (on a heavy cardstock for durability – like this),

punch a hole in the corner of each card (I used one as a guide so the holes were all lined up)

clip on a book ring (like these)

and you will have a portable flip book of memory verses. My best friend carries one of these in her car – when she has a moment to wait in line for pick up or at the starbucks drive-thru, she can take a second to look at scripture instead of the most recent status update. Such a great idea!

I tried to make the designs appeal to both men and women – some a decidedly more feminine in color, but I think the men in your life will also appreciate having scripture around even if the border is a cute coral stripe.

These scripture cards are now available in the shop as a digital download.

//UPDATE// How many times have I poured over and over these cards making sure there were no mistakes?! And, yet, there it is! (ever instead of every). Ugh! I have now fixed the file so you are all set with a grammatically correct set of cards. Thanks to the extra sets of eyes today who pointed it out :)

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april paperworks designs now available + a freebie

March 26, 2014

We’re all a bit of a mess, let’s just admit it. We don’t know what’s for dinner and forgot our children had a half-day and didn’t make it to the post office for the third day in a row. The bathrooms haven’t been cleaned in who-knows-how-long, we’re down to half a carton of milk and three dried-out carrot sticks and that overdue thank you note still hasn’t been written. (Please tell me I’m not alone!! … )

Our lives may be full and schedules a little chaotic, and this may not be the end-all solution, but it sure can help: introducing Paper Works.

This monthly set of stylish designs comes just when you need it and helps you stay on top of your everyday tasks. A monthly calendar to remember the big things, weekly calendar to get down to the details. Note cards for at-the-ready thank you notes (or bus passes or lunch box notes), an art print for a last-minute gift. Then there’s the meal-planning prompts – monthly and weekly menus, shopping and grocery lists – to aid in feeding your family and the chore lists to keep your home spick-and-span.

But here’s the thing I love the most about Paper Works … it’s cute! It’s fun to use because it’s fun to look at. Kinda silly and meaningless, but I find that if I have to do it, I might as well enjoy the process and having attractive tools makes me all the more motivated to use them. Every month has a fresh new design and from what I’ve heard from hundreds of Paper Works members, it’s like opening up a gift every time a new collection comes out.

Want to see what we have for April?

Included each month:
month calendar*
weekly calendar*
daily planner
dinner menu*
weekly menu*
grocery & shopping lists*
dailies chart*
chore charts*
original art print
note cards*
wallpapers for desktop, iphone, ipad
surprise extras

Simply open the pdf files and print on your favorite paper. Items with an * are editable, which means you can type directly on them before printing. This works great for general chores, recurring events on the calendar or regular monthly meals and especially if you don’t love your handwriting.

The desktop & mobile wallpapers are always fun to switch out:

Click the image to download all of the wallpapers for free!

Simply save and set as background/wallpaper on the device of your choosing.

Each month we put an extra little bonus (or two or three!) in with the collection. I’m so excited about this month’s extra as it’s been in the works for a few months.

Included are 52 scripture cards plus a page of blank cards, in 14 different colorways. Use them to memorize a verse each week, put them up around your house, bind them to a big metal o-ring and keep them in your car for when you have a few minutes to flip through them, or pass them out to friends and loved ones as needed. I love the idea of filling my mind with truth and this is just one practical (and stylish!) way to practice this.

Choose the paper works option that works best for you:

paper works digital // you have access to all pdf files and can print as many as you need. Try it for free for 7 days to make sure it works for you!

paper works print + digital // receive a professionally printed package of your monthly goods. You also have access to all pdf files. This is so good if you want to have everything at your fingertips ready for instant use.

For all of the details and many more images, click here.

I think you’ll love what Paper Works can do for you!

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Archive | printables

who am i?

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE ARCHIVE

Christmas Essentials (free art print!)

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE ARCHIVE

Look what made it into the pages of BHG Christmas Ideas Magazine! (and free gift tags)

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE ARCHIVE

Free Fall Iphone Covers (in updated sizes!)

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE ARCHIVE

First Day of Fall (free prints and giveaway winner!)

Log in for free here

katie silvas

fun freebie / fruit note cards

Sign Up or Sign In Here

(it’s free)

fun freebie: summer essentials watercolor art

fun freebies: striped number art

free spring art print

freebie gift tags

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE ARCHIVE

First of Fall

summer freebies added to the archive

free easter goodies

filling our minds (and mirrors and refrigerators and walls) with truth

april paperworks designs now available + a freebie

Click the image to download all of the wallpapers for free!

Simply save and set as background/wallpaper on the device of your choosing.

For all of the details and many more images, click here.

DAILY PHOTOS

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Archive | printables

katie silvas

(it’s free)

Click the image to download all of the wallpapers for free!

Simply save and set as background/wallpaper on the device of your choosing.

For all of the details and many more images, click here.

DAILY PHOTOS

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