We’re having a party for Eleanor’s third birthday soon. She loves trains, and while searching google images for “Little Golden Books Trains”, I came across The Train to Timbuctoo by Margaret Wise Brown, with illustrations by Art Seiden.
It was originally published in 1951 and though it is now out of print, it’s easy enough to find used copies for sale. I ordered one from eBay (a first edition copy!) with plans to use some of the illustrations inside for our party invitations. The title page had the perfect layout, so I scanned it, cleaned it up, and based our invitations off of it.
I printed them on cream colored paper and rounded the edges with a corner punch, then paired each invite with a burnt orange envelope.
I’ve created a free blank version, available for download below. You can print them four to a page (the second link has them laid out for you already), and the invitations will fit perfectly in an A2 envelope (like these).
These are for personal, non-commercial use only, falling under the Fair Use Copyright Act.
Emma Assin
April 19, 2012 at 1:32 pmso beautiful. i will be using these for my train-loving 2 year old’s 3rd birthday party for sure! thank you so much for sharing and happy birthday to lovely eleanor!
Corinne
November 22, 2012 at 3:29 amI can’t figure out how to edit the writing in them once I download them…. Sorry, not overly computer literate
Making it Lovely
November 23, 2012 at 12:30 pmThe ones to download are just fill-in-the-blank style.
Claribel Flores-Gonzalez
January 16, 2018 at 12:37 amHello Nicole,
The link to your train invite no longer works. I’m assuming because it’s from a while ago. Is it still available? This invite is perfect for my two-year-old’s vintage train birthday party.
brittney
April 19, 2012 at 1:35 pmYou are so dang creative Nicole. I love seeing what you come up with. The invites are adorable. Happy 3rd Birthday Eleanor!
Martina
April 19, 2012 at 1:37 pmThank you!! Sounds like it will be a fun party! Happy birthday, Eleanor!
liz
April 19, 2012 at 1:50 pmThese are darling!
Tiffany
April 19, 2012 at 1:51 pmGreat job Nicole!!! I can’t wait to see the party and thanks for sharing the invites. Thats really nice of you.
Rebecca
April 19, 2012 at 1:52 pmSo cute! But I ask this out of professional curiosity. How does this not infringe on copyright for the illustrations?
Making it Lovely
April 19, 2012 at 2:00 pmI looked into it before sharing it as a download. These would fall under the Fair Use act. The illustrations are still protected by copyright, but this is a derivative work that does not impede on the market value on the book (especially since it is out of print), and is being distributed for free.
Christine
April 19, 2012 at 2:12 pmCan you share where you purchased the paper and it’s weight?
Making it Lovely
April 19, 2012 at 2:14 pmI used Whitewash Construction Paper from French Paper, cover weight, 80#. It’s recycled and has just the slightest bit of flecking to it and a nice creamy color.
NK @ Style-ING w/ Children
April 19, 2012 at 2:18 pmgorgeous. I love your design esthetic.
Carolyn
April 19, 2012 at 2:21 pmThose are SO CUTE. How clever.
Shosh
April 19, 2012 at 2:25 pmHi – I also had the same question a previous commenter had about infringing on the copyright of the illustration…maybe append the comment to the post? You are super talented and the invitation’s gorgeous…
Making it Lovely
April 19, 2012 at 2:33 pmThere is a line directly below the links to download stating that “these are for personal, non-commercial use only, falling under the Fair Use act.” I will amend that to “Fair Use Copyright Act” to make it more clear.
Molly the Waffler
April 19, 2012 at 2:36 pmOh, Little Golden Books — brings me back to my childhood!
I Heart Motherhood
April 19, 2012 at 3:09 pmwhat a gorgeous invite! So clever ;)
ryan
April 19, 2012 at 3:20 pmI love printed invitations and wish I hosted more events so I cold make more invitations! When I did the paper products for my wedding I did something similar with a vintage book from ebay. I scanned the illustrations and used them on the invitations, website and cards.
I have got to get me one of those corner punches though. I love rounded corners.
KarenF
April 19, 2012 at 3:56 pmI’m sorry, but this does not constitute fair use under the Copyright Act. The use would have to be in some way for the greater good: in teaching, in research, for a documentary, etc.
If nothing else, you’re distributing the derivative work. This is expressly forbidden.
Making it Lovely
April 19, 2012 at 4:11 pmThe way that I understood it was that it applied in this case much the same way that mash-up artists use and sample songs and then distribute the derivative works for free.
Justine
April 19, 2012 at 9:02 pmAren’t birthday parties really for the greater good? ;)
jenni o
April 19, 2012 at 4:08 pmActually, Karen, no. Only if these were offered for SALE, would this be an infringement. As long as the download is used for personal use only, it is perfectly acceptable. You can even scan current Disney characters and make an invitation out of it (or print them out and make a quilt with them, then give it to your nephew), as long as it is JUST FOR YOU or offered freely as a gift (i.e. personal, non-commercial use).
my honest answer
April 19, 2012 at 4:14 pmBut if Nicole makes money from her blog, isn’t posting it here commerical use? Not trying to start an argument, I’m genuinely curious.
Making it Lovely
April 19, 2012 at 4:18 pmThere is a lot of ambiguity in copyright law, but in the simplest terms, commercial use pertains to selling something directly.
jenni o
April 19, 2012 at 4:32 pmCopyright law is indeed ambiguous, and I wouldn’t necessarily advocate offering up a free diy Disney invitation on the internet, but since these are illustrations made before 1963 AND have not been republished, they are technically in the public domain, which means Nicole could feasibly sell these if she wanted to, without repercussions.
This is a great site if you have more questions: http://www.publicdomainsherpa.com/
Erika
April 19, 2012 at 4:40 pmThose are adorable! Eleanor is lucky to have such a creative mom!
Jillian@TheHumbleGourmet
April 19, 2012 at 5:00 pmSo adorable! I’m feeling inspired!
April
April 19, 2012 at 8:18 pmThank you so much for sharing this. I’m a freight train conductor and plan to tuck this away for when I have my first baby. It’s so delicate and sweet.
Justine
April 19, 2012 at 9:00 pmLove love LOVE this! I’m such a sucker for vintage book illustrations.
amanda
April 19, 2012 at 10:10 pmdoes designing invitations make you want to reopen your shop?!?
Shoshana
April 19, 2012 at 10:20 pmI love you for choosing a train theme over a princess theme.
Leone
April 19, 2012 at 10:28 pmThese are so freakin’ adorable! You’re so creative.
Kathy
April 19, 2012 at 11:26 pmI just love everything you do!
Thanks.
Lindsey
April 20, 2012 at 12:34 amHow can she be 3 already. I can’t get over how cute those choo choo invites came out.
trisha_cm
April 20, 2012 at 5:23 amPerfect for my sons small birthday party which is in 3 weeks! Thanks!
Gretchen
April 20, 2012 at 8:00 amThese are SO cute!! Love this. Very, very creative.
Nita
April 20, 2012 at 8:25 amThese are really cute, the illustration works out so well as an invite.
Shawna
April 20, 2012 at 9:55 amWOO HOO! Just found your blog [addicted] and it must be a sign since my little man is turning 4 next month and we are having a…wait for it…TRAIN PARTY!!! He is OBSESSED!!!
So, call me a newbie or whatever, but when I go to print your invitations, they are about 2×2 inches?!?!?! Also, how do I change the text??? Please help a train-lovers mom out!!
Thanks – LOVE THE BLOG!!!!
Laura
April 20, 2012 at 2:04 pmNicole, I am so glad that you were able to do this. I have a little girl who loves trains as well. We just had a Choo-Choo 2nd Birthday Party for her in March. It is so hard to find girl friendly train invites. Thanks so much for sharing. I am so glad that you were able to with the © issues. Thanks again!!
paola
April 20, 2012 at 2:49 pmthis is sooo pretty!!great work!!
Gina
April 20, 2012 at 9:19 pmThose are so cute! Unfortunately, my little boy is into cars… so that will be the theme of our birthday party. Thanks!
Ilene
April 20, 2012 at 10:21 pmThis is genuis. Thank you for sharing. Completely inspiring. And as I understand copyright, this is fair use.
Ali
April 21, 2012 at 10:47 pmThose train birthday party invites are ADORABLE! You are so creative! My son, Jack turned 3 at the beginning of April! Guess what! We rode the mini train in our town for his birthday party! :) Three year olds LOVE trains! Enjoy celebrating your 3 year old!
Okay, this may be crossing the line (so please forgive me if I’m being greedy) I remember LOVING the rainbow colored invitation you made for your daughter’s 2nd birthday! Any chance you’ll offer those invites as a free download too? No worries, if you don’t want to post those invites! I’ll always come back to your LOVELY blog..its the best! :)
~ Ali
Sonali
April 22, 2012 at 11:13 pmWhat is the font type and size you used on each line of the invitation?
Making it Lovely
April 23, 2012 at 12:30 amThe font is Eames Century, and I used a mix of sizes, but the main two were 22 pt and 10 pt.
Joanna
April 23, 2012 at 9:59 amThe invitations are darling and I really enjoy your blog! What kind of printer do you use for these kinds of projects?
Making it Lovely
April 23, 2012 at 11:15 amI have an Epson R1900.
Michele
April 23, 2012 at 10:53 amThanks so much for these adorable invites. I was just tooling around with my son’s 4 year old invite when these popped into my inbox. My lucky day!
One question, I’m not tech-savvy AT ALL–is there a “not-too-difficult” way to fill out my own fields? Thanks so much.
Making it Lovely
April 23, 2012 at 11:15 amPen. ;)
Michele
April 23, 2012 at 4:33 pmAh, yes, it’s all so clear now :). I thought maybe there was nothing I had missed and I guess there was! Thanks again. These are adorable
Rainbow Birthday Party Invitations (Free Printable) | Making it Lovely
April 23, 2012 at 1:24 pm[…] the custom rainbow colored text into an invite that would work for everybody. After adapting my train party invitations, I realized I could do something similar, and lo, a free download for you today.Turning OneTurning […]
Michele
April 23, 2012 at 4:34 pm“something” I had missed
Tyla B
April 23, 2012 at 5:07 pmWhat a generous gift! My near three-year old son has a birthday coming up in June. This will get put to good use, as he has a super healthy obsession with trains. What great timing!
Quick Picks Thursday : 4.26.12 | Paper Crave
April 26, 2012 at 8:21 am[…] Free printable mid-century-inspired train party invitations from Nicole at Making It […]
Amber
April 30, 2012 at 11:15 amUsing these for my little man’s 4th birthday in June~ he LOVES trains, but has never been into the cartoon-y ones… :) This is perfect! Thank you so much!
Eleanor’s Third Birthday Party | Making it Lovely
May 7, 2012 at 1:56 pm[…] My little conductor turned three at the end of April.The big conductor turned 34, two days later.The party invitations promised train whistles and caps for all, and we delivered. Bandanas, too.My idea for the table was to […]
Beth
May 12, 2012 at 1:39 pmsuper cute!
Mia
July 28, 2012 at 8:50 pmThanks so much for this! I’m going to use them for my little man’s first birthday!
Maureen H
August 6, 2012 at 3:44 pmThank you SO much for providing this free, adorable template. I did an evite for my son’s train party, but needed something for people who’s email I didn’t have. These were perfect!
Paljon Onnea |
August 8, 2012 at 12:50 am[…] Esta otra invitación, aunque sea de trenes, también me parece preciosa. Lo mejor, que la puedes descargar gratuitamente. Making it lovely […]
Amanda
October 12, 2012 at 3:01 pmLOVE LOVE this invitation! I ALSO love your blog! I saw these on pinterest. So fun!
Retro-style train invitation
November 5, 2012 at 3:18 pm[…] this party invitation and the good news is that it’s free to download. You can find it at Making It Lovely. It’s based on the title page from a book called The Train to Timbuctoo, by Margaret Wise […]
Amy
February 20, 2013 at 11:08 amThis is a beautiful invitation!! Thank you SO much for being so generous with it. I’m using these for my 3 year old’s birthday party. :)
Laura
February 24, 2013 at 3:43 pmI think I’ll be using these invites for my son’s second birthday party. Thank you.
Weekend Reading | Dee WilcoxDee Wilcox
April 13, 2013 at 11:21 pm[…] and there is a particular blue one that we look for every.single.day after school. I think this train birthday invitation on Making it Lovely is a beautiful […]
Eleni
April 19, 2013 at 9:49 amAdorable! Thank you for sharing :)
Michelle
April 22, 2013 at 10:21 amThat’s lovely! Can I ask that what sort of program you use for open this file? I’ve download this one but have no idea how to edit on it.
Thanks
Michelle
April 22, 2013 at 10:23 amThat’s lovely!
Could you tell me what program I need for opening with? I’ve download but can’t type in. Thanks
Marie
May 20, 2013 at 3:12 pmI’m so excited to use these. Thanks for setting them up! I can’t seem to be able to edit the font though. When I click on the link it opens in a new window but it won’t let me edit. Am I doing something wrong? Thanks!
Stephanie
March 1, 2014 at 9:53 pmHi There
I”m using this free pdf (thank you SO much) and love the paper you use but am having so much trouble finding construction paper for laser printers locally. I can find it online (like the link you gave), but it is always too much and shipping is crazy! Any tips? So far the print shops I’ve tried don’t stock construction paper, but say I can bring my own…if I can ever find it!
Alicia
March 31, 2014 at 5:41 pmLove this! It’s exactly what I’m looking for, for my son’s 5th bday. This is the third year in a row he STILL wants trains as a theme for his birthday, so this fits perfectly. I don’t suppose you have the image available without any text in the middle…I thought of making a couple other print outs or a post for the front door. I can probably copy it blank ok by covering it up since the background appears white, but but if you happen to have that…I would be so grateful!
robyn
October 14, 2015 at 7:39 amGreetings,
I’m in absolute love with your blog, and this adorable invitation!! It is exactly what I had in mind for my son’s birthday, and I would love to use this idea. I’m having difficulty getting it downloaded to my computer in a format which allows me to alter the necessary information. For some reason it just keeps popping up as a picture that I am unable to work with.
I’m not very savvy in this field, so I am wondering if you have any suggestions. I’m using a Mac. And I appreciate any help!
Kind thanks,
Robyn
Jessica
October 14, 2015 at 1:16 pmI too am having the same problem. Any thoughts?
Kimberly
December 29, 2015 at 12:41 pmThanks for the free template! These are awesome! I’m using them for my little girls 2nd birthday party!!!
Jeanette
January 24, 2016 at 5:11 pmI want to echo many other grateful moms, and tell you how adorable these invites are! I would really like to use the image for my son’s birthday party in just a couple short weeks (eek! I know I’m behind….being pregnant really wipes me out!). Anyway, I can’t seem to open or download these as anything except jpeg images making it impossible to edit :( Please help me!
Christina
January 26, 2016 at 8:49 pmHi Nicole! When i try to download this adorable invitation it only saves it as a jpeg and not an adobe file. How do I edit it?
Also, what other party decor did you use for her birthday party? This is absolutely adorable!
Thank you!
Satya
March 31, 2016 at 4:34 pmHello! I would love to use these beautiful invitations, but I also do not have software to edit the .jpg file. Do you have a PDF to a version without text that could be hand written?
Thank you
Bodil Walker
April 13, 2016 at 12:29 amHi! Thank you so much for this invitation it is adorable and perfect for my son’s 2nd birthday.
***To all you posting about how to edit the .jpg file…I put the image in a powerpoint (or keynote for Mac) side and did text over. It worked perfectly. I was even able to edit the font and opacity of the font to match. So it is like fill in style but at least not hand written.***
Better Never Than Late
October 1, 2016 at 8:00 am[…] don’t have to be expensive. Here’s a great resource I found for printing free invitations: https://www.makingitlovely.com. Although invitations may be cheap, one of the most expensive parts of an event is getting people […]
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March 27, 2017 at 3:53 pm[…] don’t have to be expensive. Here’s a great resource I found for printing free invitations: https://www.makingitlovely.com. Although invitations may be cheap, one of the most expensive parts of an event is getting people […]
Train Birthday Party | zuzuberry
April 19, 2017 at 10:51 pm[…] I found this beautiful invitation made from “The Train to Timbuctoo” by Margaret Wise Brown, one of my favorite vintage authors. I love the simplicity of the design, […]
Melissa M
January 5, 2018 at 11:46 amIs this link available anymore for the train birthday invitation. When I click on the link, it says “Sorry, that file doesn’t live here anymore. It might have been moved or made private.” I love this invite and would love to be able to have this image for my son’s birthday party. Is there anyway that I could have the link?
Anna Bullis
January 13, 2018 at 12:20 pmThe links to these files in Dropbox no longer work. Are you able to provide a new link? I would LOVE these for my son’s 5th birthday party in a few weeks. Thank you!
breghanmoneill
January 23, 2018 at 9:52 amThese invites are just darling!! The link no longer works and I am wondering if they are still available to download? My little boy is obsessed with trains and his 2nd birthday is coming up. This invite would be perfect!!
Deborah
February 1, 2018 at 2:41 pmHave any of the 2018 inquiries received a response? I would also love to use this printable.
Amber
April 16, 2018 at 9:05 amDo these still work? I tried the links and nothing pulls up.
Making it Lovely
May 11, 2018 at 10:22 amHi everyone, I’ve updated the links! You should be able to download these again.
Better Never Than Late
September 14, 2018 at 10:44 am[…] don’t have to be expensive. Here’s a great resource I found for printing free invitations: www.makingitlovely.com. Although invitations may be cheap, one of the most expensive parts of an event is getting people […]
Top 20 Making Birthday Invitations Free - Home Inspiration and DIY Crafts Ideas
June 10, 2019 at 9:22 am[…] Best Making Birthday Invitations Free from Train Party Invitations Free Printable Making it Lovely. Source Image: makingitlovely.com. Visit this site for details: makingitlovely.com […]