I was recently asked to review FotoJet which is an online application that lets you create custom collages, graphic designs, and even enhance photos right on the website.  There are many amazing templates for photo cards, social media graphics, posters, etc. There is a built in photo editor that makes it easy to adapt your pictures to the project you are working on.  Best of all....it's FREE!

I want to share some of the things I have learned about 
FotoJet and sprinkle in some of the designs I "whipped" up in a pretty short time.

Free Graphic Design Tool

I have always been fascinated by graphic design.
I admire people who can DIY their own beautiful graphic designs.
I am NOT one of those people!


That is why I am so in love with CANVA!
This on-line graphic design tool is free with sign up.




What Is Canva?
Canva is a free tool that is available over at Canva.com which you can use to create graphic designs.

The tool is designed to make designing simple and provides templates that are very professional looking.

There are posters, flyers, cards, facebook headers, instagram, and so many more.

I am obsessed with the photo collage and the posters.

You can also make a custom sized graphic for almost any purpose.

Pillow Knock-Offs Summer Edition

One of my favorite ways to give a quick fresh look to a room is with new decorator pillows.

I must not be the only one....just take a look at HomeGoods or Target and you will see bunches and bunches of pillows that have fun seasonal motifs.

Now....I guess giving a fresh look to a room for around $30 seems like a deal.
But if you follow this blog....you know I think that is WAY too MUCH $$$ to spend.

Come along and I will show you my inspirations from the stores....
and then....
My KNOCK OFF versions of the same pillows.

source

 This nautical inspiration is really fun.  But it made me "Crabby" to think about hand painting something like this.

Source

I love this simple burlap pillow and it is definitely on my to do list....

Target.com

But this charmer from Target is the one that really caught my eye!


Who doesn't like lobster?

The red color is perfect for the blue and white decor in the lower level.














I used my Cri-Cut and Sure-Cuts-A-lot program to create a lobster stencil!

The stencil is done on canvas with red acrylic paint.




I went all fancy and did red cording around the edge.



The navy and white stripe fabric is left from my DIY Ironing Board Cover.
And....oh my....I actually put a zipper in the back....wasn't I ambitious?





Since everything I used was already in my "stash"...this cost me nothing.   If you started from scratch, you could probably do this for under $10.

Zazzle.com

I have always loved those vintage postcards that say "GREETINGS FROM...."

Zazzle has done a pillow with this theme.





HMMMMM

I decided to commemorate our fun trip to Savannah, Georgia this past winter.
Some simple Google Image Browsing and I found this great vintage poster.
My apologies....I didn't save the source....!!!

I used the "Print on Fabric Using Your Printer" technique to create this fun pillow.
Using an machine applique stitch around the print is a clean way to attach the printed fabric.

This next Knock-Off isn't exactly a Summer theme....
I am continuing to work on the Kate Spade Inspired Guest Bedroom.

source

I came across this pillow when I was looking for ideas.

I had the green and white striped fabric.

It was pretty darn simple to create this knock off.


It has a bed pillow for a form so that it is bigger and fluffier than the inspiration.

The better for cuddling a Grandboy!!!

So the next time you are in a store with a big display of accent pillows.....
Pause....say HMMMMM....and go home and create something!

Have a Wonderful Day!

Link Parties
Coastal Charm 

Things To Do With Travel Photos!

Are you old enough to remember....?
Back in the day....
We actually used FILM in cameras!

 It cost bunches of money.....and even more to get developed!
AND....you usually took very few pictures....and were stuck with them whether they turned out or not!

I remember rationing how many rolls of film we would use on a vacation.  Four or five rolls of 36 pictures was a pretty big extravagance for us!

 Then....along came the Polaroid!

Instant gratification.....but kind of lousy quality!

And Still.....super expensive....especially if your photography skills (or your subjects) were not up to par!

Too funny that all of the Instagram photos are a take off on the old look of polaroid prints!




Enter the 21st Century and Digital Photography!

Spring Herb Basket!

Home Depot is selling 5 little pots of herbs for $10 this week!

That is a great deal.....but it is way too early here in Minnesota to put plants outside!

In fact....yesterday, I drove to a meeting through snowflakes bigger than cottonballs...go figure!

Since the herbs were such a bargain...I couldn't pass them up!

I put together this nice little basket for a centerpiece on the kitchen table.

Here are a couple of things I did to "style" this little basket!

Inexpensive Wall Art!

 I noticed last week that the picture hanging in the entry hallway was in need of replacement.

Somehow...over time...the print had started to wrinkle....and it looked kinda sad!

It was time for a change!

And of course....I didn't want that change to cost an arm and a leg!

Besides....the frame was good and just the right size for that spot on the wall!

Here is my thrifty solution!

Do you remember the post about Waterlogue?  (the link is here)

This is the fun APP for my iPad that turns photos into watercolors!

This is a photo of the Gulf Shore (Alabama) beach that I took when we were there in October.

 

Here is the "Waterlogued" version!

I had the print enlarged to a 16 x 20 poster for $17.00

 

I used white and blue matting and cut a double mat!

Seriously....I just can't say enough about how nice it is to be able to cut my own mats!

(check out this post about custom matting at home)

The old frame has a bronze finish that compliments the print!

Not bad for under $25....and I "Used What I Had" besides!!!

Have a Great Day!

Link Parties
It's Overflowing  Boogieboard Cottage    
Three Mango Seeds  Nifty Thrifty Tuesday    
Hope Studios  New Nostalgia   Funky Polka Dot Giraffe  

Practically Functional

Free Photo Editing Software iPiccy

I am in full on decorating mode here at Sweetwater!

The house is a disaster.....boxes.....ribbons....greens....

I will share some of the decor in the next posts....

BUT....

I discovered the coolest on line Photo Editing Site and just had to share with you!

The site is called iPiccy and here is the LINK

 These are a couple of collages that I made!

Super simple and intuitive to use!

 The images above are snaps of the decor in the kitchen!

I am especially loving the Goodwill copper bowl filled with the stuff I took out of the cornucopia and the gorgeous Goodwill pears!

The wreath was a bit tricky to hang....good that the Sweetwater daughter stopped by to be my spotter!

I always lean a seasonal image in the back of the stovetop!

The little bells hung on the back of the chairs are sure to bring Marvin fun times!

I found the cutest Christmas card with Santa scratching the kitty....

hey...every cat needs art when they eat!

The other prints are also framed Christmas cards....

The bell swag is a cheerful sound coming and going through the garage!

iPiccy

Now back to iPiccy

At first I thought that it would be pretty basic!

But the professional touch up tools are almost as good as some in Photoshop and so much easier.....

The one draw back is that there is no straightening tool....so I still used iPhoto for that...

Anyway....just had to share and think it is worth your time to take a look!

Now back to the boxes....and greens...and bows OH MY!

Have a Great Day!

Three Fun On Line Holiday Games for Kids

 I know you are all sooo very busy....
But sometimes you just need to take a break!


Here are a couple of absolutely addictive on-line activities for your kids!


Pour yourself a cup of coffee....
Find a good book to read.....
Step away from the computer....
and
Let your kids have a turn!

Or.....play them yourself for a giggle or two!

Decorate a Virtual Gingerbread Cookie

 

Cut a Virtual Snowflake

Make Your Own  Virtual Snowman

 Tee Hee!
You are very Welcome! 


Linky Parties

Just Me and My Boys
Home Savvy A to Z 
Dittle Dattle 
Sew Can Do
All Things Fee 
Skip to My Lou 
Turquoise Lovin"
Stuff and Nonsense 
Sun Scholars 
Naptime Crafters 
Tidy Mom 

How to Miter Perfect Corners-Sew Easy!

I am on "project strike" today.....yeah I know I got a whole extra hour of sleep.....
and what did I do with it?
Nothin'
Nada'
Zilch....




I did NOT upholster the 2 library chairs waiting in the lower level!I did NOT do the laundry!
I did NOT think about how much has to get done next week!
I did NOT hem the 2 pair of pants that are waiting!
I did NOT mat and frame the print I am doing for a friend...even though it has been a month since he brought it to me!
I did NOT mat and frame the new art we bought at the Memphis Art Fair...even though I really want it on the wall!

I JUST DIDN'T WANNA!

I went shopping.....not for anything I need....just shopping!

I read a book....nothing uplifting...a Lisa Scottoline Crime novel....just reading!

I took a Nap....turned on the fire, curled up under my wonderful new throw and slept for that whole hour that was "free"!
It was a wonderful, relaxing day!

I did putter around in my craft space....and other people's blogs.....dreaming up NEW projects!
WHEW!
Were you getting worried about me?
So a post has to be something other than me having a "project strike".....so here goes...

HOW TO MITER PERFECT CORNERS....read on

Computer Print on Fabric! For a Pillow

These beautiful pillows really appeal to me!  

I love the vintage botanical look of them.
I love the feel of fall and Halloween in an elegant look!
I did not love the price....

$100 for the Pumpkin Pillow from Burke Decor

$100 for the Sunflower Pillow from Burke Decor

a>

Here is the DYI version I made from fabric remnants I had on hand.

I used free vintage botanical images and printed on fabric with an inkjet printer.

Let me show you how!

Stylish Laptop Case!

Fall is in the air....


The temperature when I got up this morning was 50 degrees....brrrr


We went to the State Fair....I bought this cool poster and can't wait to frame it.

We drove along some country roads and cut wild sunflowers.

 AND


Today is the first day of school!



It's time to pack my school bag....or in my case my laptop bag!

My school provides a laptop for each teacher....along with a REALLY ugly laptop bag that looks like a suitcase.
Even worse....when you want to take your computer OUT of the bag.....you have to put the bag on the desk or table, unzip it, take the computer out, rezip the bag.....yadda yadda...

Remember the definition of style and elegance?

I obviously needed to find a "Sweetwater Style" solution....here it is!

Happy Friday-Sharing TIme!

I am putting on my librarian hat!
I'm doing what all good librarians do....


".... picks liberries from wild liberry bushes and makes a liberry pie. Mmmmh! Mmmmh! So delicious!"
R. Lee Hadden


No actually a librarian's whole job is finding stuff  you just have to read or learn!

I have been doing my research just for you!



Isn't this picture interesting?
I made it using a new FREE App for my iPad.


Read on to learn more!

Technology Tip Too Good To Miss!

Really...when I finish this post I am going outside to the garden!

The Internet service in our area is DOWN!
Tech support says it will come back in 8 to 24 hours! Yikes!
So you might ask how am I posting this?

That is my techy tip for you today.

Did you know you can use your PHONE as a Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot?
Here is how:

My Monday Mishmash!

Let me tell you how my Monday morning has been going!

Cancelled my golf date because there is a 95% chance of heavy thunderstorms right at the time we were going to golf...rescheduled for no golf...just lunch!

Then for the REAL excitement:

I Took some great pictures of stuff for this post and then stuck the memory card in the CD Slot instead of the card slot! Arghhhh!

See....anyone could make this mistake....RIGHT?

Researched on the Internet to see if anyone else has ever done anything soooo stupid....and YES there are many other stupid people who have done this!
Tried the credit card retrieval...no luck!
Tried the paperclip retrieval....no luck!
Tried the unplug and turn computer on it's side and shake it retrieval.....and no kidding....this actually worked. 
Bet you wish you had a video of me doing this! But hey-it was better than hauling the computer into the shop and it proves that the Internet isn't just for playing Scrabble.

The rest of this post is a mishmash of things I have found on other blogs, some thrift and consignment stores finds and some other random stuff I thought you might like!

Free Websites for Photo Effects!

Peony-PhotoForged

Do you love the idea of editing your digital photos?
These are cheap/FREE alternatives for those of us who don't have the money or the skill set to work with PhotoShop. 

This great list of free Web 2.0 photo manipulation websites were in a the book Creating a Digital-Rich Classroom  by Meg Ormiston.
I am always looking for ways to make today's classrooms more relevant for students by using technology tools.

While I was in "nerd mode", I realized that these sites could cross over to "grown-up" or "kid craft" projects to do at home.

Read on to see the list and some examples.

Some Thrifting Tales-Old and New Finds!

I haven't been haunting the thrift stores as often as usual these last weeks.  Getting my house in order and starting this blog are really eating into my "retail therapy sessions"!
But here are a few items I have scored so far this summer.....as well as some "oldies but goodies" worth sharing with you!

Look at this super cute sailor dress 99 cents-probably because there was a teeny red ink mark at the bottom of the white border. Bleach pen didn't work-darn....what to do?  I simply turned up 1/4 inch and top stitched the ink-mark (now pretty faded) into the back side of the hem.  I sent off to Cecilia, my daughter's law school partner's little girl.  Hope I get a picture of her wearing it!