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.

Vacation Memories Art Project

We just got back from a trip to Voyageur's National Park.
What fun....and yes...I actually caught a fish or two!
In fact...I was voted "most improved" fisherman in our group.
That wasn't hard considering that on the first day I couldn't even make my reel work!














I never did get over the gag reflex about the whole sticking the worm on the hook deal!

Of course we took bunches and bunches of photos.
It is so easy to take too many pictures....and then it is so hard to figure out what to do with them.

This article from the Washington Post has some great suggestions for organizing and "doing something" with those photos.  These tips are definitely on my to do list!

I am not much for scrapbooking....so I also enjoyed this article about NON-scrapbooking ways to remember your vacation.

This quick craft is a way to turn a scenic photo into canvas art at home.

What you need:
a scenic vacation photo
photo editing software or APP
canvas "paper" for your printer purchased or DIY (directions here)
frame (no glass)
fabric covered mat (tutorial follows)

One of our favorite places in Manzanillo, Mexico is Playa la Audencia.
The Waterlogue App for iPad is free.
This app makes it easy to create a watercolor effect with any photo.

This photo turned watercolor is a wonderful memory of our favorite spot.

Somehow...the original went "missing" in all of the zillions of Mexican vacation photos.....

This is one from the same day to give you an idea of the scene.

If you look closely in the watercolor version, you will see Mr. S in his classic "kicked back" position!  

Don't you think it adds an even more personal touch to the image?

Then it is a simple matter of printing the water color image on canvas.
Here are the directions for DIY printing on fabric.

I removed the glass from a frame I had.
I decided that a fabric covered mat would look nicer than plain mat board.

The finished project is a nice addition to the beach themed table in the entry way.

Adding the "caption" makes this a wonderful vacation memory.

I am in the process of doing one from our fishing trip.

I have the frame with the mat done  

Here is the tutorial for covering a mat with fabric.

Start with a plain mat cut to size.

 Use an adhesive spray to attach the fabric.












 Press the fabric smoothly on the mat.










 Cut an x from corner to corner.

Fold the sections back and press well.

I use mounting tissue to attach them to the back.
You can just use tape.

The burlap looks nice...but those frayed corners will need a little attention with some glue.










Insert the mat into the frame and you have a nice fabric mat that looks good without glass.








Now it is just a matter of figuring out which scenic photo to use for my water color technique.

HMMMM....

Now wasn't that a sneaky way to make you look at our vacation pictures?

Have a Wonderful Day!

Use Your Printer to Create Custom Pillows

In this post I really will show you how to use your ink jet printer to make custom pillows. I will show you how to use muslin or canvas to make your own sheets of fabric to print on.  BUT....first I need to inject a public service announcement about the wonderfulness that can be found at your public library!
This is yet another reason to love your public library.

Did you know that you can check out digital versions of many popular magazines from your library?

FOR FREE.

Just hop on your library website and do a search for Zinio.  If your library supports Zinio then you can browse the collection of magazines just like magic.....a few seconds later you can read them on your phone, ipad or computer.  Follow this link to find out the specifics!

I used Zinio to check out the latest issue of Martha Stewart Living. (yes....you can read the newest issues of magazines)
I read an article, "Picture This", about using digital photographs in interesting ways.

 Oh, that is another cool thing about reading an emagazine.....you can take screen shots of the stuff you want to save!

 The ideas in the article were an inspiration for a couple of pillows I wanted to make.

I knew there were some different specialty printer papers in the cupboard.....hmmm....actually I have a LOT of different papers...

some for t-shirts
some plastic decal sheets
some post-it paper

then....aha....some canvas print "paper"!

Waterlogue-A Fun New Photo APP!

I discovered this new APP for my iPad a couple of weeks ago!

If you love playing with photos the way I do....

you are gonna want to splurge and spend the $3!

In a nutshell...the app takes a regular photo and turns it into a watercolor!

Here are my BEFORE and AFTERS using the APP!

 

 

 Seriously....this is the easiest app to use!

Not bad for $2.99

I think these would look great enlarged to 11 x 14 and framed.....

They would also make great notecards....

 I can't wait to pick out some more photos to play with!

Anybody have any better ideas for what to do with my new art?

Have a Great Day!

Add caption

Link Parties

Too Much Time on My Hands DYI Dreamer  

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!

How Blogging Has Changed My Teaching!

There hasn't been much time to do projects here at Sweetwater these last couple of weeks.



That is because ALL my energy has been devoted to  "Back to School" projects!




Since there isn't much new to from home.....

I thought maybe you would enjoy a peek into my school world!

This post is really aimed at showing you how learning the ins and outs of blogging the last few years has changed how I teach!

I actually have FOUR other blogs besides Sweetwater Style!

You are welcome to link up and see them....but really the goal here is to think about how using a blog for "work" communication could work for you too!

 PSI Media Medley!  

This is the blog that I use to keep all of my staff up to date with the going's on in the Media Center.  The blog posts are a way for me to make sure that everyone has all the information about procedures, new books, new websites etc.!  It is fun to inject a little humor into some boring information.  The really nice part about a blog is that teachers are able to go back and read information that might get lost (deleted) if I just used email!  I can't tell you how many times I can refer questions back to the blog instead of a long detailed conversation.  It is a real time saver!  I ask all staff to subscribe....so I know that the information is getting to everyone!

ATPPS Alphabet Soup

Our school participates in the state of Minnesota's Alternative Pay Program for teachers. (ATPPS)  I am the lead teacher for this at our school.  It is a great program....but like ALL state run programs, there are LOTS AND LOTS of rules, deadlines and paperwork.  This can be confusing unless it is explained clearly and simply!  ALPHABET SOUP is a way for me to spread that information without holding a lot of boring meetings.  We will start needing to do this work in the next few weeks.  I will be able to post the information that my teachers need....when they need it....and because they are subscribed to the blog....they are able to read about it and get back to me with questions.  When I start hearing the same questions over and over....I know it is time to write a clarifying post!  I also love the ability to go back to the archives....and know that the excuse "I never got that email" won't fly!

The next two blogs are my favorites....because they are the ones I use with KIDS!

Media Matters

When I started teaching all those many years ago, I dreaded every Friday because you couldn't leave for the weekend until you turned in your written lesson plans for the upcoming week!  I HATED writing lesson plans!  Wouldn't my first principal, Mr. Sandberg, be surprised to see my BLOG version of lesson plans!  I really LOVE writing these plans.  I also think that it is good for kids to see adults writing and publishing for a purpose!  The other hidden benefit of this blog is that it also becomes my SUBSTITUTE plan.  I can actually "speak" to the kids about what the sub will be doing with them!

Productive Tuesday Tidbits

Every Tuesday afternoon is BAND day for 5th grade! In order to minimize the disruption of small groups coming and going....we all get together in the Media Center and have a rotation of activities.  Kids use the Productive Tuesday Tidbit to navigate through a set of "assignments" during the time they are using the computer lab!  The links they need, the directions to follow are all right there!  It would take ALL of their time if I were to rely on oral directions!  They love being independent and I often here from them that they go back to earlier posts to do the activities at home!

I think one of the best testaments to the success of these blogs at our school is the fact that some of our teachers have started their own blogs to replace the WEEKLY NEWSLETTERS.  In fact I am partnering with another teacher next week to hold a workshop for several teachers who want to start blogs of their own!

They say that technology should transform your teaching....I guess I could say that BLOGGING has transformed mine!

Finally and maybe the most important point I want to make about Blogging at school...

I DON'T use the blogs to replace my face to face teaching!

I DO use the blogs to streamline communication so that I have MORE time for face to face interactions with kids!

I would love to here from some of you BLOGGERs who are also teachers about ways that you use your Bloggy Skills in the classroom!  And of course if you have any questions or comments as teachers OR parents...I would love to hear from you!

I promised a peek into my school world....

One of the roles I have at school is "unofficial photographer"... and taking pictures to use on our school website is one of the most enjoyable jobs!

If you have a couple of minutes....take a look at this animated slide show of the first day of School celebration at my school.

 

Those beautiful smiling faces really tell the story of what "Back to School" is all about!

Have A Great Day!

Link Parties
Get Schooled Saturday  Create With Joy  
Sugar Bee Crafts  Blackberry Vine  

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!

Project-Personalized Wedding Shower Candle

Don't you just love the flower design that was on the wedding invitation for Chad and Stephanie's wedding?

I did and of course I knew that the bride and groom to be must love it too.

I wanted something personal to add to my shower gift of white towels.
I came up with a way to add this design element to a candle.

Read on to find out how and see a celebration of my new favorite color.....GUAVA!

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:

Wedding Flowers For Less-First Steps

A good friend is getting married on August 13th.
She has done me the honor of asking me and another friend to be the "florists" for the event.

 What Fun! 

Friday we met at the Minneapolis Farmer's Market Flower Mart to get the plan under way.

Be sure to check out the link above to see what this fabulous place has to offer.

Come along and see the fun we had creating the vision for the big day!

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.

A 10 Minute Project!-Many plants from One!

 This is the herb garden on my deck....trying to raise herbs in my garden is impossible because of all the creatures wanting breakfast, lunch and dinner! (more on my ongoing war with the wildlife another day)

Plants on the deck always thrive because they are right in my face and I feel guilty if I don't take care of them.  When the mint and basil start to get leggy or just seem to be overtaking the pot, this is what I do.