Thursday, June 21, 2012

Do You PicMonkey?

I love to make pretty things and I love to make things pretty!  One great way to do that is through photography.  And the new photo editing site PicMonkey makes pretty so easy.

PicMonkey (as I have mentioned before) is my new replacement for the ever so loved but bought out by Google and closed down, Picnik.  PicMonkey is still pretty new and is adding more fun daily.  And for now all PicMonkey features are FREE!  I say "for now" because I don't think that will last forever.  But if it is similar to Picnik the basic functions will remain free and the fancy stuff will be offered at a very reasonable and totally worth it price.

So why am I telling you all this?  Well, in addition to all the fun photo editing features that you will find on PicMonkey it is also very easy to use to make great Printables!  I have talked about Printables in the past and shared how to make them on Picnik, but now that Picnik is gone I thought I would share how to  do it in PicMonkey.  So let's get started.

This past week I made two really fun gifts using Printables.


The funky daisy is just for this pic because I thought maybe my friend would want to control her sons internet exposure seeing as how he is only a few weeks old.

The first (on the left) was for my hubby for our 6th wedding anniversary.  Happy Anniversary Baby! This one was super easy.  And is a good way to explain the basics...


If you want the full text I have put it at the bottom of this post so keep on reading!


Start out by opening a blank document in whatever paint program you have on your computer.  Then save that doc.  Go to PicMonkey and upload the blank document as a picture.

If you would like to rotate the picture to vertical or landscape go to the "basic edits" which is all the way on the left of your screen and the icon looks like a jack - OK I know it is not a jack but it looks like the jacks I used to play with when I was a kid.  Click on "rotate" and do what you like.

Using that same left hand side menu click on the "P" which is the text editing.  Pick a font and start typing in the box.  Once you are done typing hit "enter" and the text will appear on the photo.  You can then adjust the size & color of the text.  So easy!

The second Printable I made was only slightly more complicated, only because I broke the text up into several text boxes in order to use multiple fonts and colors.


All you have to do is type one section, "enter" and move that section to where you want it and adjust the size & color.  Then repeat.

If you want to add a picture go to the "overlays" tool - looks like a talking bubble.  You can either select one of theirs or if you want to add your own click on "Your Own" and you can use a picture from your own computer.

Now I have to confess...there is one thing I have not yet figured out how to do in PicMonkey (which I knew how to do in Picnik) and that is change the background color.  I have e-mailed PicMonkey but haven't heard back yet.  So if I do hear back I will let you know.  OR if one of you knows how to do it please share it in a comment below!  But you can use the "Textures" tab to create all kinds of cool textured backgrounds so try that out in the mean time.

And to delight you with a few more pictures.  Here are some of my before and afters using PicMonkey editing.

before...

after...


edits made: crop, lomo

before...


after...


edits made: crop, burst, frost, rounded corners

before...

yup, it is sideways

after...

edits made: rotate (duh), focal B&W   

So if you are looking to have a little photo fun or make your own Printables check out PicMonkey and share with us what you create!

And if you are wondering what the Irish Marriage Prayer says in the first Printable here it is...

May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures. 
May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours.