Photo Editing Made Easy-A PicMonkey Tutorial

If you are a Blogger, you use photos...A LOT of photos.

Camera phones don’t quite ‘cut it’ for the kind of picture quality you want on your blog, so you

probably use a digital camera. That means you also need to do a little photo editing before you upload those great photos to your blog.

Why?

• digital photos are huge and take up A LOT of memory on your blog server
• uncropped photos are ‘busy’ and not as visually appealing
• a lot of lighting mistakes can be fixed with editing

Plus, with a little creativity and a good photo editor, you can..

• make blog buttons, follow buttons, sidebar buttons/boxes
• create logos and headers
• add watermarks of your copyright directly to onto photos
• add text directly onto your photos..maybe your blog address or event / project name
• add arrows onto your to point out specific areas of the photo/project

… I can hear you all from my house …

”my photo editor doesn’t do that!”.. “photo editors are too complicated”.. “what’s a photo editor?”

Let me introduce you to my best bloggy friend…

PicMonkey makes photo editing FUN and EASY!

I’m going to show you how to Resize and Crop your digital photos. If you are wanting to add copyright to your photos or make logos, look to the bottom of this post.  Quite honestly, it’s just too much to cover in one post, so I have included links to some great tutorials for doing those things. 

The first thing you should know is that PicMonkey is FREE to use. 

You can register and you have the option to purchase Royal membership to receive exclusive content..but it is not required. This powerhouse is totally FREE for all of us.

Ok, so first of all you are going to travel to http://www.picmonkey.com/

At the top of the page, you have 4 options..Edit, Touch Up, Design or Collage.

“Hover over the “Edit” button at the top of the home page, and photo storage places appear beneath it

(your computer’s hard drive or a Dropbox, Facebook, or Flickr account). Click one to select your photo.”

PicMonkey uploads your photo and launches the Editor with the Basic Edits tab open. 

It’s going to look like this with your photo on the screen just  to the right of it.

Click Resize. It is the last option in the list, if you do not see it right away, scroll down till it appears.

Change the size to...I use 600 or 900 as my first number and PicMonkey will change the 2nd number for you. CLICK APPLY.

*Your picture won’t look any different yet.

A note about sizing... 

That large number is what makes your internet slow down when uploading pictures.  My email software won’t even send a picture of this size. If you are paying for your space on a server to host your blog..a great deal of that space is going to be taken up by these large images. So you need to "Resize" them.

How do you know what size to make your pictures? 

Always use this rule..”you can make a large picture smaller and not lose quality of the image but you cannot make a small picture larger without it looking wonky”. 

Start out with the max size you might need.

Blog pages are 600-900 across.

Headers/Banners are 900-1200

Average Sidebar Button width is 200

Small Sidebar Button is 125x125

Action Buttons are 100

If you absolutely know that you are making a wide banner, start with 1200. 

I use 600 for most of my pictures because they are destined for use inside blog posts or as Sidebar Buttons.

Next scroll to the top and select Crop.

A movable Grid will appear over your picture like this:

Click and drag the corner circles to enlarge the grid..everything inside the grid is what you are keeping. Click APPLY.

This is what my picture looks like after I finished Cropping it.  See how much nicer it looks already?

Guess what..we are almost done!

See the large box at the very top of the Editing Tab that says “Auto Adjust” (just above Crop)? CLICK IT.

WOW..PicMonkey does all the hard stuff for you! 

No decisions to make..just CLICK Auto Adjust.

See the difference in the picture now? Much better!

PicMonkey is fool proof too. 

See the arrows above your picture..you can UNDO anything you did that you wish you hadn’t with the click of an arrow.

Finally, let’s save this fabulous picture to your computer.

Just click SAVE located directly above your picture and follow the prompts to same or download to your computer.

THAT’S IT!

Your picture is now ready. You can now use PicMonkey to make it whatever size you want. Do you remember how?

Now, I believe I promised you some Links to other PicMonkey Tutorials!

Create a blog button, link up button or a button to promote something you have going on, using PicMonkey. http://www.thesitsgirls.com/blogging/blog-button-picmonkey/

Easily Create a Blog or Etsy Banner for Free Using PicMonkey http://www.whileshenaps.com/2013/12/easily-create-a-blog-or-etsy-banner-for-free-using-picmonkey.html

How to Create a Watermark (add your copyright) Using PicMonkey  http://www.blogher.com/how-create-watermark-using-picmonkey-dark-room

Inserting Text Onto Photos  http://www.inkatrinaskitchen.com/2013/02/picmonkey-mondays-inserting-text-onto-photos.html

Creating a Collage http://www.inkatrinaskitchen.com/2013/02/picmonkey-mondays-creating-a-collage.html

Market Bags To Go

Market Bags To Go! 
http://tracyscrochetbliss.blogspot.com/2014/04/market-bags-to-go.html

Just sharing some Eye Candy today...a bit of Color Therapy 

How To: Set Up a Project Bag

How to: Set Up a Project Bag .. and Why You Should Use One

So, your're all psyched up for your next project!

You grab a corner on the couch with your yarn skein and hook and get busy .. The phone rings, the kids come running through all covered in mud, the cat insists on sitting on your crochet lap, the phone rings again, one child is hungry and another is wet (or worse). You finally get to settle back in with your project .. wait, where's my hook?  Well crud, just get another one .. ummm, what size was I using? Check the pattern .. right, now where did the pattern go!

Sound Familiar?

Let's take away all of that stress for you, it's easy to do.

Start with a far too often overlooked yet vital piece of any Crochet Project .. your Project Bag or Basket.



I like working from a basket..this one is my favorite.

It is large enough to hold a lot of yarn, all my tools and the finished project as it grows..and it isn’t too large to carry around from room to room easily.  Besides, my Mother made it and it has held my crochet in progress for many years, so it is “well seasoned” to the task.

If you foresee traveling with a project, don’t use a basket. Go for a large tote or bag instead. This allows you to sling your project bag over your shoulder for easy carrying and the bag also sits nicely between your feet in the car or on public transport. A bag will also keep your project clean. while out and about.

 It is important to keep all your things together in one container, whatever you choose. Otherwise, you will find all your tools scattered and strung about. Trust me .. the first time you get up to go to the kitchen or chase after the kids, you will take your crochet hook with you and return to your crocheting without it.

Don't carry around your entire collection of hooks for just one project. If you are like me, you will have multiple projects going at once, so you will need a 'project tool kit'.

I like to use bags, not metal or plastic pencil boxes or similar, because you can store it with your work and there are no sharp corners or latches to snag or otherwise damage your work in progress in the basket.

These two are my all-time favorites:

[caption id="attachment_3580" align="alignleft" width="150"] Drawstring Bag for Tool Kit[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3581" align="alignleft" width="150"] Small Zippered Bag for Tool Kit[/caption]



Whatever you keep your project tools in, make sure it has a secure closure so the contents cannot spill out.

My Tools are simple..

• small paper & pen to quickly make notes or write down ideas that come to me while I’m hooking

• highlighter,  marker or colored ink pen .. be careful using this around your white yarn :). Use this to mark the rows on the charted pattern as they are completed..helps keep your place

• 2 crochet hooks in the size your project calls for .. always have 2 because you will almost certainly lose one before the project is complete and having one handy instead of hunting another down from your craft room makes it ‘not a big deal’
• 1 size E crochet hook .. I use this for hiding 'tails' or yarn ends

• nippers or scissors

Optional Tools :

• nail clippers and / or a nail file .. clip or file down unexpected thing that your yarn is snagging on
• magnifying glass
• hair clip or ponytail holder .. I always want to put my hair up after I get started. They also make decent stitch markers in a pinch
• cell phone .. at least keep it handy because if you are working on a large project you will find yourself covered with project, multiple skeins of yarn, child or pet and tools which you will have to find your way out from under, without messing up what you are doing, to go answer your phone across the room.

Your Pattern…

I like to copy or print the project pattern and keep it with my basket.

[caption id="attachment_3582" align="alignleft" width="150"] Small Clipboard / Pattern[/caption]

Use a small clip board to keep it from getting lost or thrown away.  Clipping it to a board also lets you make notes and adjustments on that copy pretty easy. Plus you can mark each step as you finish it so you can mark it and step away. When you return to your project you can easily see where you left off so you know where to begin without scanning the pattern or counting stitches.

Yarn…

You don’t have to put ALL of the yarn for a large project into the basket at once.  Do keep at least 2 or 3 skeins of each color handy so when one skein ends, it is simple to reach into the basket and tie on the next one.

[caption id="attachment_3583" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Project Basket[/caption]

That’s it!

Place everything into your basket or other container and you are good to go!

If you have other project solutions or suggestions to add .."use your words"!  Leave me your input in the comment box below!

Angels in My Kitchen--FREE Heritage Crochet Pattern

There are 'other' Kitchen Angels..but they aren't this Kitchen Angel. 

I have, for some reason, developed an emotional attachment to this Angel.

My friends and family always love to get them as gifts.  They say it makes them smile to see this angel hanging there in their kitchen.

Not only are they pretty but they are practical too.
The skirt is an open mesh design so it dries quickly and the "halo" doubles as a hanging loop.

This pattern, and the poem that accompanies it, are both by "CroBeanie" Bea Wells and it has become very hard to find now that Bea has passed away.
I am fortunate enough to remember CroBeanie and perhaps that is why I am so attached to her pattern.

The only place I have been able to find this particular pattern is WebArchive and it isn't easy.  That being said ...

If you would like to make these Kitchen Angels too, be sure to Save this Link and print a copy too!

http://web.archive.org/web/20010817191720/http://crobeanie.homestead.com/angel.html

I'm an "Angel" dishcloth,

I came from up above;
I'm made from puffs of cotton,
And spun with lots of love.
I'll help you do the dishes,
And wipe up spills and things;
Then I'll hang around the kitchen,
And dry my "Angel" wings.

Market Bags 'To Go'

Market Bags 'To Go'

I'm going to be making quite a few of these this month. I'm totally jazzed about it too!

I've got 3 great big skeins of Bernat Handicrafter Cotton, in beautiful Spring-time colors...just waiting to get my hook into them!

 I use this PATTERN from Linda at Linda's Crafty Corner. 

Mine are a little different.

I like my Market/Produce bags cinched at the top so my goodies don't roll out when I set it down.

So my bags have a drawstring type closure..nice and sturdy though, they will last a good long time with lot's of use.

I also make the pouch closure a little differently..I hate buttons. I have no idea why, except that they catch on stuff and they just 'bother' me.

So I made a long loop in the center of the pouch opening and designed it to loop around the flower decoration attached to the other side of the the pouch.  Works like a charm!..and pretty too :)

In order to avoid cutting thread/yarn and weaving in while you are in the middle of a net/mesh pattern, you need to start with a cone or large skein. 

The first one I made, I used one of the regular small skeins of Lily Sugar n Cream and it took all of one plus part of another. So I do recommend that you start out with a large skein to begin with.

I have made note of all my changes to the pattern on my Ravelry page. I'm considering writing it all up in a pdf for downloading...but for now, I've got to get hooking!

March Crochet Round-Up

Sharing is Caring

So it's the end of the month and I thought it might be pretty cool to share some posts from my favorite blogs.

Did you miss any of these great posts from my friends' blogs this March?

• Icy Cactus by Maz Kwok

• Daisy Cottage Designs--Dainty Daisy Bookmark

• Simply Collectible Crochet--Tiny Towels for Toddlers

• My Hobby is Crochet--Hypnotic Heart Slouch Hat

• Petals to Picots--Potholders

• KT and the Squid--Walkabout Slouch Beanie

• Stitch11--Huggy Bunny

• Dearest Debi--Flower Lattice Infinity Scarf

• Hippy Hooker--Rasta Slouchy Hat

• Trifles and Treasures--A Beginners Guide to Gauge

• Snappy Tots--Petunia Lambikins Hat

• Jessie At Home--Color Me Happy Kerchief

• Oombawka Design--Springtime Wristies

• Kim Guzman--Besos Baby Blanket

• Grammy Dirlam--Otter Pop Cozies

• Ball Hank n Skein--Ikea Scarf

•  Crafty Begonia--Julia Cowl

• Moogly Blog--Loopy Love Hat

• Cre8tion Crochet--Crochet Ring Necklace

• String with Style--Headband with a Twist

• MNE Crafts--Autism Awareness Beanies

• Ema's Decorations--Crochet Snail

• Hodgepodge Crochet--How To: Crochet the Indian Cross Stitch

• Patterns for Crochet--Candy Afghan Blanket

• American Crochet--Mistie's Arm Warmers

• Cre8tive Together--Flirty Flutter

And let's not forget anything from Crochet Bliss!

• Crochet Happy Dishcloth Version 2

• Hats Drive Me CRAZY!

• Crafting the Mohawk Hat Tutorial

• Easter Mohawk Hat

• Preemie Hats

• Simple Market / Produce Bag

So there's a pretty good sampling of Crochet Goodness from March 2014. 

I hope you find several pages to visit and enjoy this recap!

Simple Market Bag / Produce Bag—FREE PATTERN

This Simple Market Bag came about easily enough. I've been inspired by the arrival of Spring and anticipating the opening of our local Farmers Markets.

This really is simple as can be and works up in an hour or less. It is worked all in one piece, you will not cut the yarn until the bag is finished.

I used one skein of Lily Sugar'n Cream Super Size Yarn and had a small bit left over..probably enough to make a medium sized flower with.

You will want to use either a G or an H size Crochet Hook.

Simple Market Bag..Produce Bag—FREE PATTERN

Base

Start with a Magic Ring or Tracy’s Not So Magic Circle

• 9 DC in magic loop(or in 3rd ch from the loop), join with SS.
• Ch 3,  2 DC in each stitch around, join with SS.
• Ch 3,  2 DC in 1st stitch, 1 DC in next stitch, (2 DC in next, DC in next stitche) ... repeat around, join with SS.
• Ch 3,  2 DC in 1st stitch, 1 DC in next 2 stitches, (2 DC in next, DC in next 2)... repeat around, join with SS.
• Ch 3,  2 DC in 1st stitch, 1 DC in next 3 stitches, (2 DC in next, DC in next 3)... repeat around, join with SS.

*Do not tie off..this bag is made all in one piece..you will not cut the yarn until the entire bag is completed.
Bag

• CH 8, skip 2 stitches, DC in next stitch, CH 8 (skip 2, DC in next, CH 8) repeat around
• Connect with SS to base of beginning  chain 8
• 3 SS into next chain 8 space, CH 8
• DC into next chain 8 space, CH 8, repeat around
• Connect with SS to base of beginning  chain 8

Repeat last 3 steps until you reach the desired length/size of your bag. Mine are 11-13 rows of netting. When deciding how large to make your bag…Pull your bag downward (stretch it a bit) to get a more accurate size of how big it actually is.
**Remember..do not fasten off or cut your yarn yet.
Handle/Pull Cord

• CH 80-90 (depends on whether you hook tight or loose..ch 80 first then double it over to see how big of an opening that makes)
• turn over so you are viewing the backside of the chain..SS in each back ‘bar’ all the way back down the chain to the beginning where it meets the bag
• SS into the body of the bag
• keep your hook in the work…grab the tail of the cord and weave it in and out of the last row of your bag (over the first DC bar, under the next DC bar) around to the beginning, where it connects to the bag
• poke your hook through the end of the cord, YO and pull through

Finishing

• remove your hook from your work cut the yarn, leaving a long tail.
• thread the yarn into a large needle, draw up through the final loop then pull tight to create a knot.
• Weave in the tail using this Tutorial.

If you would like to download your own PDF Copy of this pattern, it is available for FREE on Ravelry...CLICK HERE.

Copyright 2014 Tracy Joyner…You may freely use this pattern as you wish and also freely sell items made from this pattern. You may NOT reproduce this pattern and represent it as your own work. If you reference this pattern/tutorial you must also credit it to Tracy Joyner and provide a link back to This Post.