Vale Design : Freelance Package Design & Branding

D's Famous Salsa

Ingredients:

2 (14.5 oz) cans stewed tomatoes

1/2 onion, finely diced

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/2 lime, juiced

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 c. canned sliced green chiles, or to taste

3 T. chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 can jalepenos {not in original recipe, but we add}

Directions:

Place tomatoes, onion, garlic, lime, salt, green chiles, jalepenos and cilantro in a blender or food processor. Blend on low to desired consistency.

**This recipe was originally given to me by my sister-in-law. She found it here on allrecipes.com. This is a staple at any of our family gatherings. You will never want to eat store bought salsa again. Yeah, it's that good!

Food Network Magazine

Looking to shake up your recipe arsenal or for that WOW meal for your family and friends? Just looking for some ideas and help? My sister-in-law turned me onto the Food Network magazine. The recipes are easy, tasty, and the food photography is stunning. The magazine design is very well done. I especially love this recipe index at the front of every issue. It breaks the included recipes into categories, shows you a shot of the finished product and lets you know what page to skip right to. I am the woman who works from home, blinks, and my husband is home looking for that big Thanksgiving dinner and I have nothing ready or even thought out. He is already reaping the benefits of this magazine being in our home!

DIY: FREE printable Miss you Love You folded cards

As a response to yesterdays tragedies, please enjoy these FREE PRINTABLE "Miss You Love You" folded A2 cards. The card is blank inside and awaiting your personal message. Print on cardstock. Trim down center line and fold in half. Miss you Love You is a sign-off that a special relative and I use on EVERY correspondence. Please do not take those important people in your life for granted. Make sure you tell them. Have a great weekend everyone.

Download MissYouLoveYou here.

COMMON SENSE RULE: PLEASE DO NOT COPY, REPRODUCE, MODIFY OR PROFIT FROM THIS DESIGN IN ANYWAY. {Cheating means we have to stop sharing. Please don't be that person.}

ps Music is such a critical part of my design process. It inspires me, motivates me, keeps me quiet and relaxed, and keeps me on task. I rarely work without it. My favorite Michael Jackson song that I have been known to put on repeat for an entire day while working is Wanna Be Startin' Something.

DIY: FREE printable Summer Gift Tags

**In honor of the bee that tried to sting me today**

Print on cardstock and trim.

Download SummerGiftTags here.

COMMON SENSE RULE: PLEASE DO NOT COPY, REPRODUCE, MODIFY OR PROFIT FROM THIS DESIGN IN ANYWAY. {Cheating means we have to stop sharing. Please don't be that person.}

Blog Love: How About Orange

Run by Chicago based graphic designer Jennifer Jones, How About Orange is one of my daily reads. This site is chalked full of DIYs, lists great design resources, and offers lots of freebies. The site even features a "Time Wasters" section. Too funny! As a bonus, she designs fabric which means lots of beautiful modern patterns. You can find her fabric selection here. I would recommend this site to designers for great links to bookmark for your reference files and non-designers for some great craft projects and easy tutorials. Definitely worth a pop over!

{image credits How About Orange}

A room with a view

It seems like I am always releasing DIYs on Tuesday. Sorry not this one. We came home from our mini family vacation on Sunday night and it hit me. I am going to have house guests within the month! I have been all over our house ever since. Cleaning, re-arranging, landscaping and writing out my freakin' to do list. After some talking, the husband and I decided to "share" the new office that we had built in an open unused living room. {who uses living rooms anymore?} Yesterday we moved everything from the upstairs office downstairs and now I can stare at our new gorgeous built-ins in our buttery yellow front office. This morning, in a sleepy state, I actually wandered into my old office and was met by only the vacuum. Kind of sad. The dog will probably do the same thing today about four times. She loved that room. Anyway, I have a couple of DIYs floating around in my mind this morning that I will share later this week. Thanks for your patience and stayed tuned!

Ballard Designs

I have a friend who is an interior designer {one of the best if I may say so} and she introduced me to Ballard Designs. It is kind of a Crate & Barrel, Restoration Hardware and World Market mix with some cool antique looking accents thrown in. They have pieces that will make any home look professionally made over for pretty reasonable prices. Their furniture or art plus some antiques and personal items mixed together always looks great! I am currently wandering through their website and catalog in search of a kitchen table and some counter stools. I am having house guests within the month and it is time for some upgrading!

Blog Love: Making It Lovely

Pink Loves Brown. Their home on Apartment Therapy. She and her husband just won the Better Homes and Gardens 48 hour challenge. She runs two creative businesses and she just had a baby. She is Nicole Balch, a Chicago native, who runs Making It Lovely and Smart & Lovely. The Making It Lovely site has it all. Home, design, and baby to name just a few. She has very easy to follow crafty DIY projects and she shares how and what items she uses to make her house a home. I love to look at her resource boards. So organized. She is a creative force. Check her out! Have a great weekend everyone!

{image credit Making It Lovely}

Ahh Italia

Currently, my parents, grandparents and two uncles are touring around Italy. {Can you tell that my family comes from Sicily?} This is the first time my parents have been to Italy. I have talked to them a couple of times on the phone and I can actually hear them smiling all the way back here in the Midwest! I am so excited for them. This is a perfect opportunity for a DIY and a way to help them all remember their wonderful time together. The past couple of months, Kathleen at Twig & Thistle has been posting some amazing ideas that I have been bookmarking. I think I am going to make them the Oh, The Places You'll Sew, a version of this Printed Silhouette project or a version of this Bag Iron-on!  Hmmm that last one got me excited and brainstorming! She's so crafty that Kathleen! I will let you know what I come up with!

{pst...I know someone on this trip who may peek at this site. Shhh...It's a secret!}

DIY: FREE printable "Happy Husband Kit"

Yeah! It is finally ready! My husband has been feeling a bit blue lately. Blah blah economy, blah blah job, etc. I wanted to cheer him up so I created the FREE PRINTABLE "Happy Husband Kit." This would also be a great inexpensive "recession" DIY surprise for a wedding anniversary. Surprise the man in your life and have fun!

This kit includes:

• 1 "You are par-fect fore me" golf ball box template that will fit 3 standard golf balls

• 1 fill in the blank menu card

• 1 "1 day/hour free of nagging" gift card

• 1 "I promise to:" fill in the blank gift card

Download GolfBallBox here.

Download GiftCardMenu here.

COMMON SENSE RULE: PLEASE DO NOT COPY, REPRODUCE, MODIFY OR PROFIT FROM THIS DESIGN IN ANYWAY. {Cheating means we have to stop sharing. Please don't be that person.}

One more image after the jump.

Alison Carmichael

I first learned about the talented Alison Carmichael from my favorite website, The Dieline. She is an amazing hand-lettering artist and her website is chalked full of beautiful pieces. I really loved these black "style" sheets. Each page and mark definitely has its own distinct personality. These would be such a great inspiration when working on an identity or brand.

{image credits Alison Carmichael}

The Vintage Moth

I love to go antique shopping. I love to find great furniture pieces, small miscellaneous items, and anything paper related out of an old book or ledger. The more aged the paper the better! I was so happy when my favorite iDiY did a piece on the The Vintage Moth. Abigail Mooney's site will have you hooked for hours. Free hi-res vintage images that you can download and print. That printable inkjet canvas at the office supply stores takes on a whole new meaning now! Have your own vintage print for only the cost of the frame! I spent a good hour on this site the other day and I think I downloaded almost everything! These are a few of my favorites. 

{We love to play Bingo with my grandparents when we visit & I love the character of the numbers. This could also make a cool piece to a wedding or baby shower.}

{My kitchen has an Italian Tuscan theme with these colors}

{I LOVE bird prints & my husband's nickname growing up was Blue Jay. Love the script typography}

{thought these two would make a nice pairing}

{image credits The Vintage Moth}

Blog Love: One Pretty Thing

With my package design background, my comfort zone is creating two and three dimensional paper projects. That was before I wandered onto Rachel Klein's site, One Pretty Thing. This site features beginner to advanced DIY projects from all over the internet using different types of materials for any skill set. It features resource links and it is a great way to link to other creative people. There is something here for everyone. Did I mention that it is updated constantly?! Thank you Rachel for your commitment to introducing us all to some really outstanding crafts and crafters. {I am humbled and honored that you have featured some Vale Design as well.} Please visit her site to get inspired for your next project. Have a great weekend everyone!

{image credits One Pretty Thing} 

Three Potato Four Penmanship Practice Chart

So excited! I mentioned to my husband the other day how cool it would be to find a vintage flashcard with the letter "V" to add to my collection. Then, there it was, the Penmanship Practice Chart, on Three Potato Four. It was only $6.00. This baby has been ordered and is on her way to me!

{image credit Three Potato Four}

Paper Source Colorscope

Remember in art class when you made your first color wheel? I do. I was hooked on color from that point on. Maybe it is the designer in me, but I love to stare at color combinations. My best friend some days is my Pantone swatch book. I fan it out and instinctively know what colors are going to work together for that project. When I am creatively blocked, seeing the right color can open the flood gates. Colors say something to a consumer, subconsciously, that no words or violators I design ever could. That being said, I was happy to find this lighthearted Colorscope over on the Paper Source blog. It shows their standard colors and how "those colors reflect your personality." Check out your favorite color and see if it accurately describes you. Mine is Chartreuse. Pretty accurate.

{image credits Paper Source}

DIY: FREE printable Mini File Folder & Labels

I am in an organizing mood these days. After the list freebies that I posted earlier, I realized that I still have a lot of loose paper notes laying around and other miscellaneous pieces. I needed somewhere cute to store them. What is cuter than mini file folders?! These FREE PRINTABLE folders are roughly 4.5"x6". I have also included printable labels for the outside of the folders or just for around the house.

I am all about saving ink, so I made my folders out of reversible scrapbook paper that is cardstock weight. This way if I get tired of one design, I can just flip the folder inside out. These mini file folders would be great to hold notes, recipe cards, or seed info tags. They could also be used as gifts or cards. Just write a quick note or slip in a favorite picture.

Other design ideas:

• Print on plain cardstock and decorate with stamps or stickers.

• Scan your favorite fabric. Print fabric image on an 8.5"x11" piece of cardstock. Then print the folder dieline on the back of the page and trim.

Download MiniTabbedFolder here.

Download VintageLabels here.

COMMON SENSE RULE: PLEASE DO NOT COPY, REPRODUCE, MODIFY OR PROFIT FROM THIS DESIGN IN ANYWAY. {Cheating means we have to stop sharing. Please don't be that person.}

More images after the jump.

**Also listed on Craftig.

Running information

I started running in Chicago with my husband about six years ago. We did a lot of work and research to safely help us reach our goals. Over the years, we have accumulated quite a reference file full of old running numbers, PRs, and training guides. Since moving back home, we have switched from competitive running to recreational running {although I hear there is a 10K in my future}. As a creative person, I find it imperative to run. Being out in nature helps me clear my head during projects, and helps me turn off my mind after a project. Some people have been asking me some personal preference running questions and this is my attempt to answer them.

Shoe: started with New Balance 765. Now I have the 767s. Same shoe, updated model.  {I change when I have enough miles on the old shoes.}

Pre-run snack: {1 hour before a longer run} small cup of coffee, instant packet of oatmeal, and/or half mini bagel with peanut butter. 

Drink: Gatorade Lemon Lime {I'm old school like that!}

Shorts: Nike FitDry

Skirt: {built-in shorts} New Balance Bonita Skirt. Has a hole for MP3 player headphone cord. Love these! If you have not run in a skirt, try a bunch on. Some restrict your strides.

Songs I listen to when running: {all songs can be purchased on iTunes}

Artist: DJ Antione

Song: This Time {Klaas remix}

Artist: Gianluca Motta

Song: Not Alone {Deadmau5 remix}

Artist: Yanou

Song: Sun is Shining {Spencer & Hill remix}

Artist: Pitbull

Song: I know you want me {Call Ocho}

Artist: John Legend

Song: Green Light {feat. Andre 3000}

**If anyone has any favorite songs to submit, I would be happy to post them. I am always looking for new songs to run to.

Reference: Runners World Magazine

Runners World PRINTABLE Training guides: {I have them printed out and placed in plastic sleeves for protection. They get thrown in gym bags.} Links can also be found to the left.

5K

5K Speedwork

10K

10K Speedwork

Half Marathon

Sprint Triathlon

**If beginning, start with a good run/walk program until you feel comfortable enough to move up to full time running. Find a good running store with experts who will fit you in the right shoes and gear. They should have you run on a treadmill in the store to watch your form. I hope this helps and good luck!

DIY: Baby Shower Candy Favor boxes

I just finished these super cute boy themed baby shower favors. My mom was my helpful assistant on this project. We found a cute poem and ran with it. I could not find favor boxes that I liked, so being a package designer, I created a dieline and made little kraft boxes. This was an easy and fun project. It could easily be adapted to a child's birthday party, wedding favors, a girl's night out gathering, or just as a cute one-of-a-kind surprise for someone special. Have a great weekend!

**My design advice: Do not underestimate the visual impact of candy. It is an inexpensive way to create beautiful design through color and texture.

1. Choose your theme colored candy.

2. Print your favor boxes with a design, or use a stamp or a stamp that you have turned into vector art. {click here for the DIY stamp to vector image tutorial}. Assemble. {remember to decorate while box is flat.}

3. Place candy into favor bags. Bags into boxes. Place sticker or paper label on box.

**Candy used from left to right: two blue M&Ms, blue raspberry flavored raspberries and gummie bears, sweet tart like legos, candy made to look like realistic rocks and blueberry flavored Jelly Bellys.

COMMON SENSE RULE: PLEASE DO NOT COPY, REPRODUCE, MODIFY OR PROFIT FROM THIS DESIGN IN ANYWAY. {Cheating means we have to stop sharing. Please don't be that person.}

Blog Love: Paper Crave & Domestifluff

If you are obsessed with stationery and paper goods, then you must be aware of Paper Crave. This site is one of my few morning reads. Kristen, a freelance graphic designer {and someone I now call friend} is so great at finding the latest in the world of letterpress, stationery, and design freebies. Even some of her own creations pop up from time to time. Find Paper Crave on Twitter here.

Another favorite site of mine is called Domestifluff. I came across this site via iDiY and knew it was a must read. I mean come on, food recipes, crafts, and great design freebies. Imagine my surprise after emailing Kristen a couple of times to find out that she ran both! Where does she find the time?! So much eye candy. Make sure to visit both!

{image credits Paper Crave and Domestifluff}

DIY: FREE printable "Freakin To Do List" & "Blog Topics List"

Get organized with these two FREE PRINTABLE list options. Each downloadable PDF has 3 list sheets per page. Just print out on text weight paper {I print them on the back of old printouts or junk mail}, trim on the dotted lines, and leave loose or staple together. You could also print them on cardstock and tie together for a gift!

Download BlogTopicsList here.

© Vale Design. COPYING WILL RESULT IN COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT.

COMMON SENSE RULE: PLEASE DO NOT COPY, REPRODUCE, MODIFY OR PROFIT FROM THIS DESIGN IN ANYWAY. {Cheating means we have to stop sharing. Please don't be that person.}

**UPDATE** The FreakinToDo list is no longer available as a download and can now be purchased as a notepad pack in the finch&hawk™ shop! You can purchase the FreakinToDo list notepad - 3 pack here. It is currently our best seller and was featured on the Etsy Storque.

Illustrator Helen Dardik

How are you ever in a bad mood after stumbling onto the work of illustrator Helen Dardik? She was born in Odessa, currently lives in Canada, and is a wife and mother to three little girls. Her work is so fresh and cheerful. She has an adorable professional website called One Lucky Helen and runs a blog called Orange You Lucky. Cute characters and patterns. Definitely stop over and see her work. After the weekend I had of tornado warnings and rewarding, but painful landscaping, this made my Monday!

{image credits Helen Dardik}