Cloning with Picnik

After my last post on playing with Picnik a few people asked me to demonstrate how to use the cloning feature on Picnik to blend pictures.  I am more than happy to do so but please remember I am a novice at this but I will show you what I know how to do.  Please note that you must have a premium membership with Picnik to use the cloning feature.  I think it's about 25 bucks a year.

Here's the two pictures I would like to combine:

 A pretty background from the Graphics Fairy... &

 A cupcake picture (and I forgot where I got this from, sorry).

Once you're on the homepage of Picnik, click on the Library Tab, then click on "Make a Collage."  Of course you'll need to upload your pictures here.  You'll note on that on the left hand side you can select from a variety of different collage designs.  For simplicity I chose just 2 spaces for this design.  Once you've chosen your pictures (just drag and drop which pictures you would like) click done and you're ready to clone!

It will look like this.  But remember that you can choose as many pictures as you like.

 As you can see I want to clone my cupcakes to add to my new background.  So, click on the advanced tab at the top of the page and you will see a new menu of items on your left side.  The very top one is the cloning feature.  Click on the cloning feature and then click on the area of the picture that you want to clone.  Next, using your left click on your mouse, add the new picture to the second one (hold left mouse button down and drag on the area of the page that you want to add it to).  Note that you can change the size of the brush.  Remember too that you can click on "undo" in the right hand corner at any time if you don't like something.

I ended up with this

Notice in the top photo how my cupcakes have some of the former background in the new design?  No problem!  Simply click on the eraser (you can change the size of that too to get into really tight places) and drag your mouse around the areas that you don't want.

So I've cleaned up what I didn't want and I am happy with how my transferred cupcakes look like. 

Lastly, click on the edit tab and crop your picture.  What do you think????

 There is so much you can do with Picnik and they have the greatest fonts that you can add too.  So give it a shot, explore, experiment and have some fun.

I would loooovvee to see what you come up with! 

I hope this helps, even a little bit.

xoxoxox,

Jacalyn

Fun with Piknic

Am I the last person on Earth to find out how much fun Picnik is?  I have browsed it before but never really did anything with it until the last month or so and yes, I paid for the premium package.  It has a lot of wonderful tools but I know it's not as good as Photoshop.  I actually have Photoshop but it overwhelms me and I even bought a book, ha!  I am more of a visual learner though so I need to take a class and it is on my list of "things to do before I die."

I wanted to make some vintage type labels for my new cleaning products... more on that later. 

I loved these 2 graphics from Dover and the Graphics Fairy so I blended them together to create a label for my kitchen cleanser:

Picnik has a cloning tool which helped me add the flowers to cover up what was in the original label and to add the bird.  I used Marcella Font which I love!  As you can tell I cropped out some of the original picture too.  Since my kitchen is yellow and cobalt blue, this label goes very well!  The tag line "All the Clean You Need" is actual a saying I found on a vintage Tide advertisement.

Here you can see that I added a scrub brush from the picture on the right to the rose label.

Again, I added a wash tub to this graphic with the cloning feature.  I think this might be my favorite.

Just a couple of more examples...

Most graphics are from the wonderful Graphics Fairy, many of whom love her too! 

Some day I will learn to Photoshop but in the meantime I will continue to play with Picnik.

Hugs,

Jacalyn

Pink Saturday is here, yipee, but where is Spring?

I don't know about you but I just think pretty pink flowers on a warm sunny day are just about perfection!  I have survived our long dreary Winter and I am oh so ready for Spring!  Yes, I know, technically it is Spring but our temperatures around here don't feel like it.  And, I just started seeing some buds on the trees but I am still awaiting some pretty daffodils and tulips, ugh! 

As I was looking through my pictures, wondering what to post for this PS, I saw some pretty pictures I took last summer.  So, while I am waiting, I thought I would post them again so I can recall that Summer does eventually arrive, right?????

I know some of you are lucky enough to be in a warmer climate and are now enjoying your pretty blossoms.

Well, enjoy them and I hope to be joining you soon!

Happy Pink Saturday!  I am linking with Beverly so be sure and stop by and see everyone who's participating in PS today!

OXOXOXO,
Jacalyn

Beautiful Blogging ~ Can Playing in Mud Make You Feel Better?

Beautiful Blogging ~ Can Playing in Mud Make You Feel Better?



So it's true, I have returned from the beach where it was rather cold and rainy, but the beach non-the-less!  I saw some absolutely beautiful blossoms in South Carolina and I was sooooo jealous!  Here in Western New York there's still a bit of snow and we are "patiently" awaiting our blooms!  But in the interest of all of my friends, near and far, I thought it would be a good time to post this.

If you're like me, you can't wait to get out in the yard and begin digging and planting. Gardening has become a recent passion of mine and while I am far from a master gardener, I sure do enjoy it. I adore the instant gratification of viewing my hard work: the trimmed bushes, the beautiful rainbow of colors poking through the freshly planted pots, and the neatly trimmed grass. Moreover, I can get literally get lost in all the digging and pulling and planting, not a care in the world. It's hard work but oh so satisfying. As a clinical social worker I often recommend to my clients that they try gardening as a mean of relaxation and meditation as you literally become entranced in your work and think of little else. But did you know that gardening can actually help you feel better?

Scientist have recently discovered that playing in the dirt can actually enhance the mood. Mycobacterium vaccae, a bacteria that is naturally occurring in soil, is thought to stimulate the production of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain (2) which just might improve the immune system and mood. A lack of serotonin is linked with depression in people. Scientists at Bristol University discovered that lung cancer patients being treated with Mycobacterium vaccae noted improvements in the quality of life. Further, research done with mice exposed to this bacteria have shown increased amounts of serotonin in their brains (1). Thus, more research is being conducted to determine if Mycobacterium vaccae has antidepressant qualities.

So now you have another reason to get out in the garden. Not only will you have a beautiful yard and yummy home-grown veggies, but you may also enhance your mood, naturally!


Big Hugs!


Jacalyn



References:

1 - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6509781.stm

2 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycobacterium_vaccae

Happy Pink Saturday

It has been some time since I've participated in PS.  I've missed everyone but life happens sometimes, you know?!!!

Look at this gorgeous pink sand!  Who knew there was pink sand????  Apparently pink sand can be found in parts of the Caribbean.

Is this not the most beautiful beach?  Wow!

I found this picture at http://www.rosalindcummingsyeates.com/blog/2009/01/rosy-outlook.html - it is amazing!!!!!!

Do you notice a theme?  I mean it is PINK Saturday but there's another theme going on, yes?

Guess where I'm going? 

I will need these...

And maybe some of these...

And a must have:  pink toenails!

And you know I'll be rocking some bejeweled pink flip flops!

Have you guessed yet, ha!  Yep, I am off to the beach again.  I just can't seem to stay away!

It may not be pink but that's okay!  It's one of the best places to be!

Because, quite frankly, I have had more than enough of this!

~Click on any picture to view the link.

~Be sure and visit Beverly at http://www.howsweetthesoud.typepad.com/ to view all of the pink posts!

Have a great weekend!

It's time for a yummy dinner!

Hello blogging buddies!  I'm still kind of running ragged with my new office change though slowly but surely things are coming together.  The good news is that I am going to the beach next week and I can't wait!  If you've been following me for a while then surely you know by now how much I love the beach!  It's my place to relax and rejuvenate and I really could use that about now.

In the mean time, life goes on.  I actually haven't been cooking too much lately and my lovely daughter had a special request:  macaroni and cheese.  So what's a mother to do?  Yes, of course, whip up a batch.  One of my favorite things to do lately is browse blogs looking for new recipes.  So I thought you might enjoy it as much as we do so I'd like to share the recipe with you.  This was adapted from an old Betty Crocker recipe.

Here's what you'll need.

-an onion

-cheese - I used three kinds, Velveeta, Sharp Cheddar, and Mozzarella

-flour

-milk

-bread crumbs

-bacos

-pasta of your choice - I used penne

Now there's something that you should know.  I don't measure things unless I am baking.  I simply look at a recipe and decide how I want to do it.  I know, risky, but it usually works out, ha!  So, I am going to give you estimates and you can decide how much you want to add.

There's something else you should know.  I forgot to take pictures of the process, ugh!

Put your water on to boil for the pasta and cook as directed while you are preparing the cheese sauce - I used 4 C of pasta.  That way they are both done about the same time.

Begin by dicing your onion into desired amounts.  Add butter to your pan and cook the onion just until softened.  Add about 1/3 to 1/2 C of flour, slowly, until a paste forms.  Gradually add about 1 C of milk, stirring constantly until your mixture boils.  Continue stirring for about one minute longer.  You will have a very nice cream sauce.  Remove from the heat and stir in cheese.  I used the large block of Velveeta Cheese and 1 C each of the other two.  Allow the mixture to melt together to form your cheese sauce. Add Bacos at this time.  Of course you could use actual bacon instead.

Once your pasta is cooked and drained, add together with your cheese sauce and place in a baking dish.  Sprinkle the top with bread crumbs.  Bake at 375 degrees until the top is browned and the mixture is bubbling. 

Now that is super yummy!

Another view, up close!

I would suggest serving this with Roasted Green Beans.  These babies are super easy and oh so good!

Wishing you a wonderful week!

Hugs,

Jacalyn

Beautiful Blogging ~ The 411 on Gel Nail Polish

Have you heard about the new Gel Nail Polish?  It's supposed to last for 2 weeks without chipping and it is becoming all the rage.

I

source

These nail polishes are referred to as "soak off" nail gels because you must soak off the gel rather than simply removing it like traditional nail polish.  Gel nail polish is supposed to be easy on the nail and last like forever!

You must have this done by a professional because it has to "cure" under a UV light after each coat.  The procedure is the same in that the nail technician uses a base coat, 2 color coats, and a top coat but then each coat must cure before the next one is applied.  Thus, it takes more time and is about twice in cost as a traditional manicure.  The beauty lies in the results.  Once you are done, you are dry.  You leave the salon with absolutely no worries about chipping, banging, or smudging your nail color.  Of course if you like to change your color frequently gel nail polish may not be for you!  Also, some fear it may damage the nail if not properly removed.

source

There are so shortage of choice these day in terms of colors.  OPI Axxium for example has over 40 shades.  Shellac is also another popular brand.

source

So after reading all about Gel Nail Polish what is a girl to do who must, yes must, have a weekly manicure or she feels totally discheveled?  Well, of course the answer is try it, duh!  It was hard actually finding a salon near me that was using it but I lucked out one day and accidentally stumbled in one.  I made the mistake of buying some on eBay, misunderstanding initially that you needed the UV dryer which of course I don't have. 

So far I've tried it twice.  I don't actually remember the brand name that my salon uses.  The first time the color actually started peeling after about 9 days and I was not a happy camper!  Plus, it easily peeled off my nails after I started messing with it.  Ugh!  I actually had to have nude nails for a day until I could make it to the salon.  It really was traumatic!

But, I decided to try it one more time.  I thought this could save me time in the long run so what the heck!

This time the color is actually lasting.  No chips, no smudges, no nothing!  It still shines like the day I got it done.  Interestingly, after curing it with the UV light, my technician swipes the color with a bit of alcohol to allow it to dry.  It is not completely dry after the curing.  Once he applied the alcohol though it was dry. 

So here's my opinion on gel nail polish:

Pro's

• It's completely dry when you leave the salon.  No worries about smudging or scraping.
• It really does last for at least two weeks and stays shiny and bright.
• Saves time - no fix ups in-between manicures and only a trip every two weeks.

Cons

• It is more expensive.  A bottle can run at least 17 dollars, usually more.  The manicure is more expensive too (but it equals out if you only go every other week).
• The nail still grows which means you will see the nail near the cuticle the second week.
• You will spend longer in the salon "curing."

Clearly, I have mixed feelings about the gel.  I am a bit picky, okay, anal, so the re-growth is actually driving me nuts!  While I don't like chips, the regrowth is driving me bonkers!  Plus, I always bring my own regular nail color to the salon so I can fix any chips throughout the week.  So for me, I think I may go back to regular color.  Maybe if I am going to have a busy week or two I will get the gel, but for the most part I will stick to traditional nail colors.  But, I haven't tried it for a pedicure yet, ha!

I would love to know if you've tried and what your thoughts are!

Have a beautiful week!

OXOXOX,

Jacalyn