Create vampire and zombie photo effects

PicMonkey, the online image editor, has just released a variety Halloween effects you can apply to your photos. Wish you looked like a Twilight cast member? Here's your chance. Turn people into vampires, zombies, and monsters. Add moody backgrounds or dramatic lighting. Or create Halloween labels or invitations using frames, cutouts, and text. Test it right here!

Free things to print and make

Have you seen the ever-expanding collection of free printables at Love vs. Design? Download gift card envelopes, library cards, invitations, and more.

Letterpressed e-cards from Paperless Post

I've used Paperless Post in the past to send elegant electronic party invitations and birthday cards. I like the way many of the designs look letterpressed on textured paper. Plus you can customize the typography and add coordinating shiny envelope liners for extra fun. When recipients click the envelope that arrives in their email inbox, a lovely card emerges.

Check it out! I found one that coordinates with my Fireworks fabric. Apparently I need to plan a party that includes this invitation and a big tablecloth. I'd look so put together.

This season there's a new line of holiday invitations, photo cards, and greetings that won't cost you anything to send. Check out the freebies here, or browse the entire collection here.

A month of birthday printables

Australian illustrator Pilgrim Lee is offering a free printable every weekday in July as part of her "birthday month" celebration. The theme is pinwheels and bunting, and by the end of the month, you'll have everything you need to throw a knock-out party. Go get the goods!

Free printable invitations

Download & Print offers invitations and RSVP cards that you can open in Microsoft Word, customize with your own information, and print at home or your local print shop. (If you're taking your file to a printer, you'll be best off saving it as a PDF. If you bring them the Word file, you'll need to supply them with the fonts, too, since they might not have the ones you've used.)

Free black and white wedding printables

Thanks to e.m. papers, you can download a DIY wedding kit featuring vintage clip art right here. Customize all the pieces and print everything yourself, saving a humongous pile of money. Via iDiY.

(Image from e.m. papers)

Save the date printable postcard

This super cute dessert-laden postcard is free to download and print from Inspired Bride. It comes in pink and brown, too.

Fill-in-the-blank printable invitation

Download a free petal invitation from Melissa Esplin for your next event. Just print, trim, fill in the blanks, fold, and seal with a sticker.

Online invitation services

I discovered Pingg, an online invitation, e-card and event management company, months ago. I see they're growing rapidly and have added several new artists to their Designer Series, above. So in case Evite's clunky invitations aren't stylish enough for you, try out Pingg's free service. You can post your announcements directly to Facebook and Twitter, too.

Or if you like the look of formal cardstock invitations and the virtual experience of opening an envelope, check out Paperless Post, currently in Beta. You can create an account, design your invitation, and then purchase "stamps" to send them out. Stamps start at $5.00 for 60 invitations, a fraction of the cost of real postage. Invite your friends and get free stamps! In fact, I'm inviting you all. If you're interested, try out Paperless Post.

Invitation freebie

Download this cute little printable PDF from Heirloom Paperie. Every Tuesday they post a free template; thanks, guys. Via iDiY, which is chock full of good stuff.

Downloadable party invitations

Download some nice orangey printable place cards and party invitations here from Canadian House and Home. (Thanks, Stacia!)

Guest post at Hostess With The Mostess

A party idea with a downloadable, customizable invitation awaits you over at Hostess With The Mostess. Browse the recipe section over there, too. Yum. I want to make everything.

Goodbye Evite, hello Pingg

Finally, a more attractive option than Evite. Has anybody out there tried sending email invitations using Pingg? I think I'll have to next time. The invitations look a lot cleaner. A simple graphic and text, period. You can also upload your own art.