Don't Panic Design

Can you believe it is already the end of January! First, 2018 and now January is almost over. Seriously! The weather isn't much better around here - still gray and cold - but with February on the way, so comes the hope of spring. Groundhog's Day is coming, and may give us a hint at what we can expect in the coming months, out west here. But, it's not just the weather to think about. Valentine's Day is coming too. Whether you celebrate it with your friends and family, or your kids have parties at school, fun Valentine's are a must. And easy, DIY Valentine's make it more fun too. When I was a kid, everything gave me anxiety. (That might still be true...) So, all the designs I have in my Etsy Shop this year are designed in easy to print and cut layouts, with fun colors and sayings that are easy to share with close friends or acquaintances alike. Below are several of the listings up in the shop this year. You just purchase, download, print and cut, a...

Whether planning a simple wedding, or an elaborate one, one thing remains the same: it's not easy.  There are tons of things you won't consider until you are in the middle of it, and as many are frustrating as they are fun. If you are going the DIY route, you want to have a hand in the design and execution of your wedding.  Choosing or designing your invitation is a fun way to exercise creativity in your planning, and set the stage for your reception decor.  It is also one of the first ways you share your style with your guests. While it can be very fun, it can also be overwhelming: where to start? A couple weeks ago, Andrea reached out about a design in my shop . She loved elements already included in the design, and even the colors were close. But she had designed a wedding logo, and wanted to know if I could, or would, include it on the design. I never mind adjusted designs to make it work - whether it's color, wording, or adding a special touch, so I ...

When I was in college, I was lucky enough to live with the best cook I know, my best friend Christina.  I would walk home from class, crossing my fingers that she was home, because if she was, the most magical thing would happen.  While I would look around the kitchen and see nothing to eat, Christina would open the fridge and say things like, I think I am going to make a quiche, would you like some? The answer, of course, was always, "yes, please." She has an intuitive sense for flavors I've always admired, and I finally smartened up enough a few years ago to start asking questions. After watching her cook, and getting her to tell me some of her secrets, I slowly started experimenting.  This is a fritatta I made last year, and that comment is from Christina - which is high praise! I knew that part of what I was lacking was an understanding spices and how they work together.  I started testing recipes with random spices I had to see how they tasted.  I ...

In the spirit of Halloween, add these printable posters to your decorations. Click on each link below to download the Free 8" x 10"posters.  Classic & Beautiful Fun & Modern:  These are each a pdf file with 1 page set up on a U.S. Letter size page.  Print on regular paper or card stock and hang it up as it is, or trim off the edges  (1/4" from the left and right, and 1/2" from the top and bottom) to fit an 8" x 10" frame.   It will also be easily printed onto an A4 page.   Throwing a party? Download some or all of these posters to decorate, then check out the some halloween invitations  here. •  •  • Happy Halloween!

It's that time of year again: the season of all things pumpkin flavored.  I live in the northwest U.S., and so it's also the time of year of changing colors in the trees. There is a chill in the air, which makes the afternoon sun feel even better.  It's time to start breaking out my sweaters... I don't love winter, but I do love sweaters. (This love contradicts my dislike of wearing socks, but that's a different conversation.) That means it's almost Halloween! Halloween around here is an often secularly observed, fun, time of year. It's a 'holiday' because we do it every year, we have parties and rituals for it, and there is an air of excitement around it.  I still have to work on Tuesday, but that doesn't make Halloween feel less to me. It's also a time of reflection; while Halloween and it's associated observances have long and varied histories, it's generally accepted as a time to reflect on the dead - those in our fami...

Here are five fun ideas to inspire your adventure themed baby shower! Know an outdoors couple having a baby? A world traveler? Maybe a couple of beach bums? I think parties with themes are more fun to plan, and attend, even if the theme is a simple one. One of my favorite date nights is Spaghetti Western night.  So simple, and so silly. If you don't know about spaghetti westerns, I highly recommend looking into them. Anyway, just make some spaghetti, set out the garlic bread, and put on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Voila! Theme date night done. Plus, it's fun to say: Spaghetti Western. Anyway, a fun baby shower theme is adventure - as having a baby really is one.   Check out these fun themed baby shower invitations to inspire your celebration. * * * This is an adorable travel and mountain inspired invitation with a Seussian flair. Rounded mountains and an arrow compass rose with the date, this invitation is cute in blue and green, or any set...

Are you going to DIY your wedding invitations? Whether or not you are going to DIY your whole wedding, doing it yourself invitation is a great way to be involved, use your creativity, and get just what you want. This is a guide of tips, tricks, and things you won't think about until after you've done your invitations. Unless you read this first. Also, get a FREE PRINTABLE PLANNER to help you get started on your invitations. Link at the end. To Do: PLAN AHEAD: Choose your design and order your invitations at least 4-6 months before your date, and plan to mail them 6-8 weeks before the wedding. And incorporate your colors and theme into the design - it will set the tone and tells your guests the level of formality. DO INCLUDE: Contact Info & a Map Be sure to include all dates, times, addresses, dress codes, and add any necessary contact information. For example, hotel information to make reservations. Include a map or directions for an out of the way venue, or for yo...

Phewww, it feels like 2017 just started! Valentine's Day just happened, I swear! Now, here we are, and it's March! I stopped wearing socks last week in celebration of better weather, and also I hate socks.  Yes, I do live in Montana.  Yes, I jumped the gun a bit.  Yes, it snowed the day before yesterday, and probably will next week too.  Yes, I have socks on right now.  Wool socks.  With stripes. {Sigh...} (UPDATE: It snowed like 4" last night. I spent 15 minutes cleaning of my car this morning; I didn't put on socks since I was going to yoga, but I did wear boots.) But still, it is March.  And with March comes the hope of spring, my birthday, and St. Patrick's Day. Celebrated on March 17, it's kind of a specific holiday.  These days, it is often a secular celebration of Irish heritage, all over the world. Historically it is a religious holiday which honors the death day of Saint Patrick (385-461 a.d.) , and celebrates him as the best known pa...

It's finally starting to look like Christmas here in MT.  I live on the plains side of Montana, and we have been having a warm fall and winter, until this last week.  It was ZERO degrees the other day.  So cold, it makes your face hurt. Why do I live somewhere the air makes my face hurt? Once it warmed up from zero degrees, we finally had a snow that has stuck.  And even though I don't love the snow, it is starting to look more like Christmas. So, to celebrate that, I've set up a set of free Winter Wonderland printable posters. Interested in other printable art for your home? Check some out by clicking  HERE This is a pdf file with 4 pages, each page in a different color of glitter. Print on regular paper or card stock and hang it up as it is, or trim off the edges (1/4" from the left and right, and 1/2" from the top and bottom) to fit an 8" x 10" frame.  It can also be easily printed onto an A4 page.   Happy Holidays! Remember...

It's the time of year that people all over the world wait for: the holiday season.  Regardless of how you celebrate, this festive time of year is a time of family gatherings, sharing food, and fun.  Here in the Northern part of the Northern hemisphere, we have cold weather and often have snow. ( I hate the cold, and I'm not fan of snow - you have to wear so many more clothes...if I could live my whole life without wearing socks, I totally would. I don't know whey I still live here. It must be Montana summer amnesia.  By the time I remember I hate winter, it's too late to move.  I mean, really, who wants to move in the winter. ) Even though I'm not snow's biggest fan, much like how the seasons mark the passing of time, snow helps it feel like winter, and Christmas. I know there is snow in some places by now, but not in my town.  So, to help get in the holiday spirit - and help those of you who already are, I've set up a set of free Merry & Bright printabl...

There's no better way to get started organizing your life and home than a chore chart.  If you map out your chores, you don't have to think about what to do when, and most chores only take between 15 and 30 minutes.  By scheduling each day, you can be sure that everything gets done, and you never have to spend too much time on it.  No trying to figure out what to do when, remembering what you forgot at the last minute, or trying to fit something in at the last minute. A chart like this works just as well for your children's chores as your own.  Schedule yours, or theirs, or both. Get started with this free chore chart.  Click and download a sheet to get started organizing your life and home. If you want to start organizing more of your home and life, click here   and check out all the printable bundles.

Hi! My name is Amy and I run Don’t Panic Design on Etsy.  I specialize in printable invitations and organizing printables . I have a decade of experience in print, I am a self-taught designer, and I know a little bit about of lot of other stuff.  I DIY stuff too, like: shampoo bars, soap and deodorant, laundry detergent. I paint old furniture and build other pieces.  I re-purpose used things into new things.  I thrift shop for treasures, and half the time I find one. Do you do it yourself? Many people are turning turning a DIY eye towards their lives and homes. But there are a lot of levels of DIY.  You may start from scratch and follow through to the end, learning a lot along the way, you may want something more stylish or customized to your needs and aesthetic, or you may just want a little more control over use. The good news? There are tons of options to learn how to do anything, or seek out the help you need when you need it. There are so...

This year for Black Friday, I was inspired to do something a little different by Lady & Little Bug . Alternative Black Friday is about thinking about the opening of the commercial holiday in a different way. All proceeds from the weekends sales will be donated to my local food bank. Coming off Thanksgiving, a holiday about acknowledging everything we have to be grateful for, spending time with family, and eating delicious food, a donation to my local food bank makes perfect sense. Help get your family, home, school, or business organization on track for the new year. Check out the beautiful and useful printable calendars, planner pages, and diy spice labels in my new shop, Don't Panic, Organize . The best part is that because this is a digital shop, no one has to work during the holiday, you can download and print anytime, and it takes no time at all to participate.  Check out the shop , find your favorite design, purchase and download.  And for choosing...