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The Easiest Way to Create Custom Framed Photo Prints – CanvasDiscount.com!

“This is a sponsored post with Canvas Discount and BraVoMark. All opinions are mine.

I love photos. I have a huge passion for preserving family memories. I always have. Even when I was a little girl, I was always stealing photos out of the family photo albums, to hang up in my bedroom, or tuck into my favorite storybooks. Now, as an adult, they mean ever so much more to me…. In 2016, you might have noticed that I disappeared from blogging full time. I still feel like I owe you guys a full explanation, that I’ve been working on writing about for a year now. But, I was diagnosed with a lot of serious chronic illnesses. My body is just full of shenanigans these days. Which means a lot of brain fog, forgetfulness, memory loss. So, surrounding myself with framed photos of happy times, filling books with images that jog my memory — these things have a new depth to me.

I also have a lot less energy than I used to have. So when I found out that CanvasDiscount.com has an option where you can have them create a Framed Photo Print for you, I was super excited! The fancy term is “Framed Photo Within a Passe-partout,” which means that you upload a photo, you can add effects like black and white, or add text, and choose your size and frame type, they put it all together for you, and send you a beautifully put together, professional looking piece of photo art to hang in your home. Easy peasy, affordable, and oh so worth it! So, I started putting together an idea in this wild little head of mine, ;) …

How to create DIY photo art with canvasdiscount.com

Last fall Abby and I had some photos done by a friend of mine, out at his friend’s house. They live on a ranch, and the view was so wide and expansive and gorgeous. He got a few shots of Abby and I walking hand in hand, walking through the clover in the field. And every time I look at them, I think of The Hobbit, and The Shire, and Bilbo running off, “I’m going on an Adventure!!” So, I dug through those files, and chose the one of Abby and I walking away, to upload to the CanvasDiscount.com site, to create my masterpiece. Eeeek, I was already getting excited.

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;

So, then I had this part of a quote from J.R.R Tolkien in my head, that felt fitting for this photo, and gave me a chance to use their customization tools, and make this photo a little more unique. {The quote is about how there’s more to people than what meets the eye. And that people are often stronger than they appear…} The tools on the CanvasDiscount.com site make it really simple to personalize your photo, so I added the quote at the top, customized the color and font, adjusted the size, then slightly muted the colors of it all to blend together. I honestly wasn’t too sure how this would turn out. Abby had been sick for days with a seriously bad stomach flu, the very first week of school, I was starting to get it too, it was late and I was tired, maybe I didn’t do it right…. Fingers crossed, as I submitted my order.

When it arrived – you can see that they put a ton of care into packaging and shipping, wrapping all of the corners securely, making sure you get a beautiful product in perfect condition. I think it shows a lot about a company, the way they package things, how much care they put into it. So, they clearly cared a lot about their work – and I couldn’t wait to open it, and see how they had made my idea come to life…

And I just absolutely loved it!! This Framed Photo Print is just what I had hoped for!!! I have a gallery wall that I’m working on in the Master Bedroom. The frames I’m painting are almost exactly the color of this new framed print from CanvasDiscount.com, and the color matches my new floors just perfectly — and I’m like, ridiculously happy about this. :) The quality of the paper the picture is printed on is lovely, and it just all comes together so great.

If I can get a quality product created while half out of it with a flu, then I guarantee anyone can do it, ha.

I already ordered two of their 8’x8′ canvas prints too – one for my wall, and one as a Christmas gift for my momma. Because you KNOW grandmas love family pics!! {Keep reading to get that SWEET exclusive coupon code!!} I’ll be sure to come back and post when the gallery wall is all finished up, since I’ve learned some tricks along the way that I’m excited to share!

Here’s another look at the full Framed Photo Print of Abby and I from CanvasDiscount.com that I customized with a quote and frame, using their easy peasy online system…

Now— I have a super duper deal for you guys! No matter what you decide to load up your cart with, you’ll make sure to add this one too –

Get TWO 8’”x8’” canvas prints for just $9 bucks!!

Here’s how to get this great deal on canvas photo prints:

  • Go to CanvasDiscount.com – upload your favorite photos, and select 8″x8″ format canvas prints.
  • Once both images are loaded successfully, enter the exclusive coupon code just for my readers — SUNSHINEANDSIPPYCUPS, into the coupon code section in the shopping cart.
  • The regular price of an 8″x8″ canvas is $49. The coupon code will bring it down to only $9 bucks, and then make the second one totally FREE! Super cool, right?

There is one catch – it’s only good until 10/31/2018!! So, you better hurry!!

If you have order, I’d LOVE to see what you get!! Feel free to share pics of what you get, and tag me in them! You can follow the brand here: 

And use #canvasdiscountcom to ask questions or share your cool new products, so I can see what you created!!

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Cool Ways to Save Summer Memories

I received a set of products from HP to help us have more summer fun – and am so excited to share them with you! #HPFamilyTime.

“In the happiest of our childhood memories, our parents were happy, too.” – Robert Brault… I love this quote. It seems so appropriate for summer, since that’s the time that most of us truly try to slow down, enjoy life, and cherish the little moments and memories. Snuggling with the littles in a hammock. Lazing the day away on the water. Picking dandelions. Or just swinging on the swing set, staring at the clouds. Good times, right?

For me, photos are so darn important. They are what help me keep those small summer moments fresh. I love to browse my photos books, see prints on the wall, share pics with friends. And now, I have a super duper easy peasy new way to do that – My HP ENVY 5530 e-All-in-One printer! It is absolute must for every busy mom out there this summer, seriously.

HP Envy All-In-One Printer

Yes, this is a printer. Not the first thing you think of when you picture must-have’s for summer fun. But seriously – You are going to fall in love. Keep reading to learn why…

Summer graphic using HP products [Read more…]

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Photo Editing Tips to Take Your Photos from Drab to Fab

With all of the junk mail, overflow of catalogs and sales flyers, and those dreaded piles of bills – isn’t it nice to get a personalized card in the mail? It’s kind of a refreshing break to open a beautiful card, see your favorite smiling faces, and read their heartfelt messages, any time of year. But, one of the big reasons I hear people say that they don’t send cards is because it’s too much work, or they aren’t creative enough to create great holiday or event cards. So, I’m here to share a few of my favorite tips and tricks with you guys. These work perfectly for Christmas and New Year’s cards, but can work year-round too, for birthday invites, baby announcements, fun thank you cards, or other celebrations. Check ’em out, then leave your own fave tips in the comments too – I love hearing from you guys!

How to create showstopping holiday cards using picmonkey and tiny prints

Obviously, the first step is to pick photos. You can go with one great family photo, feature just a new baby {or toddler, like I did this year} – or if you don’t have a good family photo this year, choose a card design that lets you upload several photos, and use individual pics of each family member. And remember that just a little bit of photo editing can make a drastic difference – and you don’t need expensive or complicated software. I use PicMonkey, and love how simple and intuitive it is.

Photo Editing Tips [Read more…]

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Make the Perfect Gift for the Person Who Has Everything

It’s starting to look a lot like Christmas, every where you go… Seriously, have you seen the holiday displays at Target and Safeway and other retail places already? It seems so early, but really – there’s only about 6 weeks until the big day. And with the hustle and bustle and overall busy-ness of the holiday season, Christmas will be here before you know it. And, I like to get all of my holiday gift shopping done early, so I can enjoy the December days {mostly} stress-free. So today I’m going to share a few ideas I’m lovin’, that might help you get a jump-start on your holiday shopping too….

How to make custom iPhone cases

I love personalized gifts. I use photos to make cool wall art, I’m addicted to creating little custom photo magnets out of Instagram photos {tutorial coming soon!}. I have a photo mug of Abby’s smiling face on my desk to hold pens and highlighters, and gave one to grandma and grandpa last year too. This year, I’m excited to get some of these cute iPhone cases for my girlfriends and siblings. They’re perfect for those friends who already have everything – it’s useful, it’s personal, and every day they’ll be reminded of how cool you are for giving it to them :)

Best Christmas cards

And what goes better with a personalized gift than a personalized card, right? Treat.com has a huge selection of cards that you can personalize – from adding photos, changing color schemes, and creating your own text inside and out. Don’t have a family picture to use? No problem – use one of the collage options, then add photos of each of you into the boxes. Haven’t taken a family photo yet? Get tips from my fave pro photographer on how to take better photos for the holidays. Don’t want to use a photo? Choose one of their beautiful pre-made designs, and personalize it with your family name, or a message for the recipient. Easy peasy!

Another super cool option that I’ll be using this year are the digital cards. Almost every card that Treat offers can also be sent digitally – the video above shows you an example of how it works. This is perfect for me – I have a lot of friends around the country, like my fave bloggy buddies and business partners – that I don’t have addresses for. But I DO have their email addresses. So this is an inexpensive way to quickly send some holiday cheer their way.

Treat logo

 

And, just for fun, because I totally love you guys – I’ve got a giveaway! One lucky winner will get their choice of favorite photo mug from Treat, personalized with their own pics and text, plus a set of personalized stationery too! This is a great little “treat” for yourself, or you can personalize a set to give as a gift. Either way – I know you’ll love what you get. I’ve never been disappointed with my purchases with them. Use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below to enter, and be sure to take a minute afterwards to check out the BIG list of other prizes I’m giving away this month, all listed over in my sidebar. Have fun, and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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Spring Celebrations Worth Remembering

Big thank you to Tiny Prints for trusting me to share my story about baby shower invitations and other spring event invitations. I received a thank you gift for my participation in this campaign – but as forever and always, all opinions are 100% mine….

Spring is in full swing – and summer is approaching quickly too. And that means… It’s the time of year for parties, events, and celebrations! Whether you’re celebrating endings {graduation} or new beginnings {weddings and baby showers} – one thing you’ll need for sure this time of year is invitations and announcements to kick off all of the fun!

Spring celebrations - invitations for weddings and baby showers [Read more…]

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Magically make family videos on your smartphone in minutes

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting, to share how Magisto makes it easy as magic to create family videos on your smartphone. I received a promotional code for premium features to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

New app for smartphones makes editing and creating family videos super simple: Meet Magisto!!… One challenge that most of us  as busy moms have is figuring out what to do with all of the million photos and videos we take of the family on our smartphones. {I have HUNDREDS of family photos on my iPhone!} And so many of my videos are just random clips, short moments, long videos where there are only a couple of fun parts – you know what I mean, right? Well – I have a super smart solution that you’re going to love, I just know it. {I’m crazy in love, and I’ve only been using it for a couple of days! It’s called Magisto – it’s available for Android and iPhone, it’s free, and it magically takes any videos and photos you give it, and edits it all together to make super fun videos. You can check out an example below…

[Read more…]

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Personalized Indie Design & Free Mother’s Day Card

“Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs in my field, since the payment is pure love.” –  Mildred B. Vermont… I agree – being a mom is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my life. Totally changed me as a person – made me better, stronger, kinder. But, while being paid in pure love is a blessing – being a mom means you have a lot of messes and tantrums in between all of that love too, and totally deserve something special at Mother’s Day. {It’s coming up on May 12th, can you believe it?} So, to celebrate the mother’s in your life this year, I wanted to share a few of my fave personalized gifts from Minted – and the have a free bonus with every purchase right now too. Check it out…

Mother's Day Indie Gifts [Read more…]

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