Category Archives for Freebies

Free Metal Textures

Ever since my crayon texture post, I’ve been itching to create some more textures to use in adobe illustrator. Textures definitely add something different to an illustration. For example, I ended up using one of the crayon textures in this post. The theme for this texture set is metal. I’ve found some metal mesh I’ve scanned in as well as a metal surface I found interesting. I like the vertical lines in it a lot. Click on any of the images below to download the image in 300 dpi.

Freebie: Halloween Costume Wheel

Don’t know what to be for Halloween this year? Why not let the Halloween Costume Wheel make the decision for you! Just print and cut out the wheel and spinner along the dotted lines. Attach the spinner with a push pin and there you go! Have fun!

Halloween Costume Wheel

You can even spin multiple times to come up with very unique costumes. Some of the combinations Don and I came up with are: Unicorn Princess, Pizza Ninja and Robot Gnome.

What combinations can you think of? Write it in the comments below!

Free Crayon Textures

Now for something a little different! I’ve been using textures a lot lately, but all the textures I have used so far have been downloaded from free texture sites. This time, I’ve decided to create my own and offer it for free to download. If you do end up using one of them, I would love to see the final piece. Post the link in the comments below! If you are unsure of how to go about adding a texture to an image in illustrator, I recommend checking out this video.

ChinaMarker-CrissCrossChinaMarker-LightChinaMarker-Dark
Click on the image for the full size

Tutorial: felt forest owls

Here’s another tutorial for you! Download the pattern below to make your own felt forest owl.

Much like the Russian doll family, you can enlarge or shrink the size of the pattern if you’d like to make different sizes. I’ve provided templates for a large (approx 4 inches) and small owl (approx 3 inches).

  1. First I cut the body out of felt, and the stomach section out of a patterned fabric (you can use whatever type you like). Align the patterned fabric with the hole in the body and sew pieces together.
  2. Fold your fabric in half on the dotted line and sew the aligned sides together. I left the right side opened so that I could flip it right-side out.
  3. I used cardboard as a base (optional) pushing it to the bottom of the pocket. I tucked the corners in to give it a clean finish.
  4. Stuff the pocket you’ve made with cotton, or scrap fabrics. Sew the last side closed.
  5. Glue or sew the wings and tail to the sides and back.
  6. You’re almost done! Decorate the face any way you like. I used large black buttons for the eyes and felt for the beak.

Download and print the pattern on an 8.5”x11” sheet to make your own felt forest owl.

Download the PDF pattern!

Tutorial: stuffed Russian doll family

I love Russian dolls! It was only a matter of time until I made my own stuffed version. I’ve provided the pattern for the basic shape below so that you can make your own Russian doll family. I made my set using felt, patterned fabrics and a sewing machine. I sewed the facial features on by hand.

It’s really up to you whether or not you would like them to all match, or if you would like them to be all different like how I made mine. You can also alter the size of the doll by shrinking or enlarging the pattern. I’m no pattern maker, so I hope the instructions I provided are clear.

  1. First, I cut the body out of the patterned fabric, folded it in half and sewed the matching sides together. You’ll have a little pocket once you turn it right-side out.
  2. I left the top opened for stuffing, but before that, I inserted a small rectangular piece of cardboard into the bottom of the pocket. This will act as a base for the doll and will allow it to stand upright on its own. I tucked the fabric at the corners in to give it a finished look.
  3. Next I stuffed the pocket and sewed it closed.
  4. I cut the head out of felt and sewed the matching sides together. Turn right-side out and place on top of the stuffed shape we made out of the patterned fabric. I stitched the pieces together by hand.
  5. Your doll is almost done! Decorate the face however you like. I used black beads for the eyes and felt for the cheeks and hair. I used a stray button for the knot in the scarf.

Download the pattern below to make your own Russian doll family!

Download the pattern here!

Freebie: Printable Christmas Gift Tags

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to make Christmas cards this year due to the fact that I got ill on my time off work *sob*. Instead I whipped up these festive gift tags and I thought I would make them free to download. I printed my tags on beige recycled card stock, but you can print it on any type of paper.

Gift Tags
Download PDF Here

Instructions:

  1. Print on 8.5” x 11” card stock
  2. Trim along the crop marks using an x-acto knife and a ruler
    Optional: round the corners with scissors or a round-corner punch
  3. Punch a hole on the left side for string or tape onto a gift
  4. Tah-dah! It’s done!