Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Fun & unique gift idea for teacher, family or friend!



School year end was fast approaching and my daughter, M (9 years old) and I wanted to make something different and special for her teacher who was retiring after over 30 years of teaching.

We had seen on different websites different word clouds, where a bunch of words are repeated and form a shape.  After a bit of online searching, I came upon the website Tagxedo (http://www.tagxedo.com/). After a few trial and errors, I managed to create exactly what we were looking for!


Once we found the format, layout & colors that M was happy we with, I saved it.  I then went onto the Pic Monkey website (http://www.picmonkey.com/) where I was able to customize it with the school name and school year & saved a new version.

We had d it printed at Costco (cheapest price for 8x10 even without a sale), bought a frame from the dollar store & voilĂ ! A unique gift that will for sure please the special person that it was made for.  The teacher was really touched, even cried when she saw it.  She told me this was the BEST gift she has ever received in all of her years of teaching.  We also had some 5x7 printed for all the kids in her class.  The kids loved it! They had fun trying to see how many times their names are in the picture.


And did I mention that these two sites are free!? Yes, you read that right, free!  There is no need to sign up or sign in in either of the sites.  You have an option of buying a membership with Pic Monkey, but that is up to each individual.  In total, this gift cost $4.00 + tax.  Frame was $3 & there was a sale on 8x10 printing at Costco.  It was an extra $0.29 + tax per 5x7 for her classmates.  This gift was fun to make and it was a success!

For a quick overview on using Tagxedo, go to: http://christinesthisandthat.blogspot.ca/2014/06/overview-on-using-tagxedo.html

For a quick tutorial on using PicMonkey, go to: http://christinesthisandthat.blogspot.ca/2014/06/overview-on-using-pic-monkey.html

Christine
(@marlchr)

** Disclosure:  I was not financially compensated for this post.  The opinions are my own, based on my personal experience.


Overview on using Pic Monkey


www.picmonkey.com
I first discovered this website in October, while planning for my daughter's 9th birthday party.  M wanted a photo booth for her and her friends.  By searching on Pinterest, I managed to find lots of templates for props and it was a blast.  When it came time for printing, I wanted the pictures in a film strip, but not so easy to do in-stores etc.  While I was 'googling', I came across Pic Monkey which solved my problems!  Once I had the pictures in a strip, I added them to a word document, printed them & laminated them, bookmark style.  We also made thank you 5x7 photo cards for each of the kids.  It was a hit!  

Here's a quick overview on using Pic Monkey.  Every time I use this free website, I discover new options & usually end up with great results.   There's no need to sign up or sign in for anything.


At the top, you'll notice four buttons - Edit, Touch Up, Design and Collage.

Edit Button
When you click on it, a window will pop up, to choose which picture you would like to edit.


On the left had side, you have all of the different options that are available to you.  Please note that some options (indicated by a 'crown' symbol), require a full paid membership to access them, but there is a lot that can be done without purchasing it. I have used it several times and have not required paying for anything.

The options are: Crop, Effects, Touch Up, Text, Overlays, Frames, Textures and Themes.  Under each of those, you will find sub-options.  There's too many too list, feel free to wander to the site and explore them. 

For this example, I wanted to add a personal text to my picture, using the same color scheme of my picture.  Under the text formatting, I chose the font I wanted and selected the  'Add Text' button.  A pop up box will appear in the middle of your photo (see #1).  Click on the color you want from the grid or if you prefer matching your text color to a color from your photo, then click on the color selector (#2), a medicine dropper will appear, use it to click on the color in the photo that you would like your text to match (#3).  Once you are ready, just type your text in the text box.  You can then modify your text by re-sizing, Bold, Italicize, etc.  Place your text box where you want it on your photo.  Don't forget to save! 

*Tip Save your work often!  Too many times I've lost parts of my project, or even worse, all of it.  I've gotten into the habit of saving my work in multiple size formats as well as whenever I add something new, this way I have every version I could possibly need when it's time to have a specific picture printed etc.  Once you close the website, all your hard work will be gone.

Touch Up Button
You can access this feature either on the front page or once you are in the 'Edit' section.  There's multiple options to choose from, but for this purpose, I'll be using the 'Blemish Fix'.

**Image Courtesy of stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net**






Select the brush size and simply click away the spots you would like to fix.  Easy peasy!  You can zoom in the picture by adjusting the percentage at the bottom right corner.

*Tip Only use for minor touch ups, too much touch up and your photo could end up not looking right ;) Never save over your original picture, be sure to save as a new version.

Nothing major, just looks smoother.  I found this helpful in removing blemishes from my sons graduation picture.  He's a tween and has started having a bit of acne.  I asked him if he wanted them removed.  We only removed the ones that were more noticeable.  Don't forget to save your work!

Before
After



Design Button

Under the Design option, you'll find some preset sizes or you can choose to make a custom one.  For this session, we'll create a Facebook cover.


The edit tools are the same we saw earlier. I'll choose a canvas color, a frame and add some text.

In the Frames section, I chose 'Museum Matte'.  You can adjust the outer and inner color as well as the thickness of the border. Once you are happy with the results, apply the changes.  Same deal with the text.  Choose the text, color, size etc and apply your changes. I then added overlays, a few stars, some fireworks.  By right-clicking on the overlay, you can choose to have them sent to back, bring forward, etc.  You can also add pictures etc.  There's so many options of what you can do in this section, whether it's text boxes, pictures or a mix of both, the possibilities are endless!


Collage Button

When choosing the Collage option, you will be asked to add your pictures, same as when you are editing.

Once your pictures are loaded, you will see them on the left side of your collage along with tabs for images, layout, swatches and background.


**Tulip pictures are my own**




You will find multiple layout options underneath each options.  Whatever layout you choose, you always have the option of adding or removing picture boxes and customize to your liking.  For this example, I have chosen to do a Facebook cover.



You then add your pictures, swatches etc.  Under the background tab, you'll be able to adjust the spacing between your pictures/swatches, corner rounding and the color of the background.  Again, by choosing the medicine dropper icon, you can match your background color to a color in your photo or even choosing a transparent background.



Once completed and your collage saved, you can then edit it and had texts, frames and whatever else makes you happy with your project :)












My finish products.  With these collages, anything is possible!  You can make your own Christmas Photo Cards, Thank you cards, Beautiful photo collages to frame.
If you have any questions, send them to me and I'll try and help you out!

Christine
(@marlchr)


** Disclosure:  I was not financially compensated for this post.  The opinions are my own, based on my personal experience.



Overview on using Tagxedo



Tagxedo (http://www.tagxedo.com/) is a website where you can turn your words into fun shape clouds!  Best of all, it's free!

Once you are on the site, choose create:

The Tagxedo - Creator page is now opened.  Choose 'Load' (1)

You then have the option of entering a website (2) that you would like to create a word cloud for and then click on 'submit' or enter words or phrases (3) to create a personal word cloud and click on 'submit'.

When entering individual words, if you want a sentence to shape, do not put a space.

Once you have pressed 'submit', you can then customize color, theme, font orientation of the words & layout.  Once you have chosen a theme, font and/or orientation, you can then lock in your choices by selecting the lock.  If you want to change any of them later, just unlock it and make your changes.  You also have the option of changing the shape of the word cloud to one of the 30 shapes available.  Shapes can also be inverted.



Once you have completed your word cloud, save it!  You can share via Twitter, Facebook etc.  Once you have saved and closed the website, you won't be able to make any other changes.

 There is so many possibilities with this program, so go out there and have fun!

If you have any questions, send them to me and I'll try and help you out!

Christine
(Twitter - @marlchr)

** Disclosure:  I was not financially compensated for this post.  The opinions are my own, based on my personal experience.

My Bucket List



Do you have a bucket list?  What's on yours?

Here's my bucket list.  Keep in mind that it's a work in progress and will be updating often as I check off what I've done and add new goals.  This list is in no particular order.


  • Take a photography class, any type
  • See Sir Paul McCartney in concert - Saw him on July 7th 2013 in Ottawa
  • Visit New York City - First Trip to NYC in May 1996
  • Vegas Baby!
  • See Madonna in concert - Saw her on September 4th, 2012 in Ottawa
  • Publishing a blog  not caring if anyone reads it or not :)- Finally pressed the 'publish' button on February 23, 2014
  • Have a family - became a mom on December 13, 2001
  • Meeting a member of NKOTB - almost! during one of their shows in Ottawa, my friend & I were waiting for our ride to pick us up, when Jonathan Knight came out in the arena, I waved shyly, we didn't want to bother him! Met Jordan Knight on October 3rd, 2013
  • Take a helicopter ride
  • Ride in a hot air balloon
  • Travel to a resort with my husband - Won a trip, going to the Bahamas in November 2014!
  • Travel to a resort with my family
  • Go to Disney World - First trip to Disney with a friend in February 1993
  • Sleep outdoors, under the stars in the summer - Done during the summer of 1996
  • Sleep outdoors under the stars in the winter - partly completed during the winter of 1991
  • Go to Disneyland
  • Visit the Eiffel Tower
  • Eat pasta & pizza in Italy
  • Swim with dolphins
  • Participate in a 30 day photo challenge
  • Participate in a 30 day fitness challenge
  • Run a 2K
  • Run a 5K
  • Go to Disney World with my family We traveled to Disney in March 2012
  • Go Zip-lining
  • Go on a cruise
  • Go see the Ellen DeGeneres show
  • See the Northern Lights
  • Ride in a Porsche - Done July 2013
  • See the Grand Canyon
  • See a ballet - Done, saw the Nutcracker in Ottawa
  • See a Broadway play on Broadway - Done, saw Mary Poppins in NYC in April 2009
  • Donate blood
  • Go to Ireland
  • Research my Family Tree
  • Participate in  Color Me Rad/Run or Dye type race
  • Pay it forward to person behind me at the Drive-Tru
  • Ride the London Eye
  • Participate in a charity walk & raise funds
  • Visit Alaska
  • Go snorkeling
  • Go to a taping of Jimmy Fallon
  • Go to a taping of Ellen DeGeneres
  • Learn how to tie a tie properly
  • Capture lightning in a photograph
  • Visit the Great Wall of China
  • Go to Bora Bora
Christine
(Twitter - @marlchr)


Image Courtesy of stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net



Tuesday, April 29, 2014

I'm going to the Bahamas....for FREE!



I 'radio surf' a lot, but lately my station of choice for the past few months has been 105.3 KISS FM.  They had a contest going on to win 1 of 5 trips to the Bahamas.  When you heard the 'cue to call' you had to be 1 of 5 qualifiers to be entered into that weeks draw.  I heard the cue often during the five weeks the contest ran, but hadn't been able to qualify. My luck changed a little when on February 5th, I heard ringing! Yes! I was qualifier #3!  I was seriously excited to have just qualified, not easy when many people are trying to at the same time!  My boss and I joked a little and she said, 'make sure you have enough vacation leave or I won't approve your time off' & I replied, 'of course, I have enough leave, I've been saving 'my one time leave entitlement' for just this reason, so that when I win a trip, I'll be fine!'

On February 7th I got a call that made my day!  I remember it like it was yesterday.  It was a regular Friday, but I had a feeling that today was going to be a good day, boy was I ever right!

I started off my day as usual.  Getting up and getting ready for work while the rest of my family slept on.  I was at work by 6 h 30, yup, I start early, but it's my choice and it works well for my family & I.  I was at work, minding my own business, doing my things when at 7 h 53 my cell phone rings and the screen says 'KISS FM'.  To say I was in shock is an understatement.  I answered and said: 'Helloooooo', well, it was Carter & Sandra from the morning show!  I don't think I was able to carry a decent conversation with them and add the fact that I had actually lost my voice due to a cold didn't help things.  We chatted for a few minutes.  The whole time I'm shaking like a leaf! I was asked not to post anything on social media until the official announcement was made on the radio.  I tried reaching my husband, but he was on his way to drop off the kids to school & as usual, he didn't have cell phone with him.  I'm bursting with wanting to share my good news, so I sent texts to a few friends and talked with colleagues at work.  I was finally able to reach him an hour later.  When I told him the news, he thought I was joking, he finally realized that it's the truth and that we are going to the Bahamas!



We will be taking our trip end of November/beginning of December.  Still sorting out where the kids will be staying & organizing them.  We can't wait to go!  We've never been to a resort before and we are looking forward to this trip.  We will be staying at the Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island (http://www.sandals.com/main/bahamian/ba-home/).

Have you been to the Bahamas?  We are thinking of going into Nassau to visit the market at some point during our stay & possibly doing some excursions.  What else do you suggest?

Thank you KISS FM for making this bucket list wish item come true!

Christine / @marlchr

** Disclosure:  I was not financially compensated for this post.  The opinions are my own, based on my personal experience.

Image Courtesy of stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net




Monday, April 14, 2014

21-Day Meditation Experience, Finding Your Flow



I'm all about learning & trying new things that I feel 'safe' to do,  so when I saw a post from Oprah & Deepak Chopra about a meditation experience, I decided why not!  I need to learn to let go of things and concentrate on my well being.  I've never been able to meditate properly, so hoping experience will help go well.

I have seen Deepak speak at one of the Power Within conference that I attended.  I remember leaving the conference full of energy and a lighter heart, ready to face the world.  And of course, everyone knows Oprah!

Today is the first day of the 21-Day Meditation Experience, Finding Your flow.  Today's theme is 'Finding Security'.

Before starting the 20 minute audio, I made sure that I had no distractions (kids in bed and staying in bed!), I dimmed the lights, made sure I was comfortable.

The audio starts with Oprah, sharing her thoughts and telling us a little about our journey with meditation, then it's Deepak's turn. There's soothing music in the background as Deepak speaks.  In hindsight, it would have been better to this before starting my day, but in my case, it's pretty hard to do since I'm out of the house by 5:30 am.  I will keep in mind tonight's centering thought of 'My security and peace are within' during the day tomorrow.  Even though my mind wandered a bit during this first time meditating, I was able to re-focus but by repeating the mantras, Lam & I am security.  I am feeling happy to have undertaken a new adventure.  

If you would like to try this or for more information, please go to: https://chopracentermeditation.com/

If you try it, I hope you'll share your experience with me along with any suggestions you may have.

Have a good night everyone :)

Christine / @marlchr

** Disclosure:  I was not financially compensated for this post.  The opinions are my own, based on my personal experience.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Losing weight is easy...said no one!




It's been a while since my last post, so here's a little update.  I have lost 10 lbs! Yay for me!  I am super proud of myself.  I'm losing weight for myself,  I want to have more energy and to be more active with my kids.

Since my last post, my office as moved buildings.  Instead of getting a parking spot at this new place, at triple the price I might add, I've decided to park at my old building and walk the 17-20 minutes every morning and night.  It's actually been easier than I thought.  I am leaving the house earlier and getting home later, but it also means that if I don't have to exercise once I'm home.  This office move also brought me closer to a good friend of mine who works in the building next door.  We've been going on 40-50 minutes walks at lunch.  I am feeling better & more energized!  Along with the 'My Fitness Pal' app that I use daily, I've also been using 'Map My Walk'.  This app will analyse my walk and tell me how many km I walked, how many calories I've lost and how long it took, but best of all, it synchronizes the walk information to 'My Fitness Pal'.  It's great!

I read somewhere that it takes 21 days to create a new habit.  I'm starting to believe it, going into my app to enter my data daily is now second nature.

It takes a lot of work & dedication, but I feel like I can do it!

I had a birthday a few weeks ago and with my birthday money I'm planning on getting the Fitbit One tracker.  Love that it monitors my steps, distance, calories burned and especially my sleep pattern.  Do you have a Fitbit? Do you like it?

Christine / @marlchr

** Disclosure:  I was not financially compensated for this post.  The opinions are my own, based on my personal experience.

Image courtesy of stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net