So you do like it?!? You’re too kind.
I am so challenged when it comes to working with graphics and photo software, it is ridiculous. If you’re under oh, 40, you may not be able to relate, but I’ll bet there are a lot of my contemporaries who can identify with the glazed appearance of my countenance when someone starts talking “layers” and “magnetic lasso tools.” I’ve tried Photoshop Elements—which is supposedly the dumbed-down version of Photoshop—but, apparently, I require an even “dumber” version! It took me four days to create the banner I had on my blog for about two weeks.
(I was going to insert the picture of the now deleted banner, but I can’t even figure that out!)
Suffice to say, my 6 year old niece could have done better! It had a stock background—three disproportionate photos and something that resembled my logo. When I was editing my logo, to eliminate the white background, I used the only tool I knew how to operate (“eraser tool”) and it ended up looking as though Cookie Monster had had taken a few good chomps out of it!
Then yesterday, the skies opened up and angels (in the form of Janet Metzger, a fellow Chalk Paint™ decorative paints stockist) began singing about PicMonkey.
I just had to share this new website that just made my life 100x easier.
Right now—it is free, but they hint at a fee in the future, which I will gladly pay (well, within reason—collage making is nice, but there is a limit—even when angels sing!).
Here is a sample of what I just did. I timed myself, it took me 4 minutes (most of that time was spent trying to find my pictures on the computer). We’re all excited about our impending family vacation, so I was searching for vacations pics.
So there is the collage I created—straightforward and really cool. There are many, many collage configurations, so plan to play around til you find your favorite.
Best part, it is saved to my computer! So, all I had to do is go grab it and do this . . .
Setting timer, now . . .
4 minutes.
again, . . .
2 minutes.
I spent most of the time determining which of their six textures to apply (each of the 6 has a minimum of three variations and you have the ability to increase or decrease the effect). I chose this one because it reminds of looking through the screened porch.
There are so many fun ways to use it. First, I made a facebook cover photo collage for my Hodgepodge page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hodgepodge-Where-You-Gather-Your-Home/87993882069
Then, the new blogger banner you see above.
I will now measure my life “Pre- and Post-PicMonkey.”
Go give it a try. Believe me, if I say this is easy, it is Forrest Gump easy. My sister, who heretofore has been my “go to” for all things photoshoppy, will attest, if Paige is doing it, you can do it!
http://www.picmonkey.com/
Do me favor, though, if you’ve known about this for a year or more and find yourself laughing hysterically at my ineptitude, please don’t let me know. Right now I am feeling tragically hip and want the feeling to last!
Thanks for your indulgence!
6 comments:
I totally sympathise with the whole banner thing and even now a few years on, I still remember it as the most stressful thing "tech wise". Not ever going there again!
But I love your banner--so bright and cheery! You should play around with PicMonkey, though, just for fun! Thanks for the comment, Tanya.
Love your new banner Paige! I've been burning up PicMonkey ever since Picnik closed, and I like it even better! Especially with the new collage feature. It's so easy to use! Great job on all your photo montages!
love your new blog header and the picture collage. You did good. I always muddle through this techie stuff too. Sometimes it works and sometimes I start saying bad words and give up. Kathy
PicMonkey was way too much fun to keep to myself ;->
Happy it is working for you.
Janet xox
The Empty Nest
Thanks for letting us all know about PicMonkey :) I did a quick fb cover photo, but I still have to play around with it some more. It took me way longer than 4 minutes to do it so kudos to you :)
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