NEW ENDEAVOUR

I ask myself: what number is this “new endeavour”.  I can’t count that high.

So, today I’m learning how to put a shopping cart on this site.  If I’m successful you will be able to purchase the cute little digital prints that I produce directly from you stopover here on my blog.  By the way – thank you for dropping by.  I think it’s absolutely amazing that anyone finds me so you are definitely > ONE IN A MILLION!

Gotta go right now – gotta be learning.

I’m back because I’m trying something new.  It may work – it may not.

I’ve listed a couple of items on eBay as a trial run but I wanted to look professional with a classy Description page.  I can make it, I can save it a as a JPG, or any other file type, but its getting it to load on eBay that’s the hassle.

In order for it to be found by eBay it has to be on the Web – so – I’m thinking: “What if it’s on my WordPress site here?

This is the image I’ve made:

(If you want to read it – you need to click on it)

Now all I have to find is it’s HTML and I’m flying.

I KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN
Right from the beginning I feared that I wouldn’t keep up what is required of a blog. Namely dedication.
I get so involved in all the other digital things I do that this poor blog gets neglected.
O.K. so I was thinking as a filled an order the other day. (Glad I was thinking!) Would it be helpful if I posted the instructions I have for buyers who purchase my editable images?
These instructions are for working in WORD. I have instructions for doing the same with Open Office on YouTube
Surely it would be helpful to some – so here goes.
Let’s see if I can copy and paste:
Insert Text into Images by Phyllis Inward Page 1
INSERT TEXT INTO IMAGES
© By Phyllis Inward
Of Art to Art
How many times have you thought: “Yes I like that image but I would like to personalize it with MY OWN words.
Now you can with a program that you probably have on your computer:
Microsoft WORD.
It’s very easy.
1. Open up Word
2. Go to INSERT > Picture.
3. You will have saved the JPG file that you wish to edit to somewhere on your computer. Access this file.
4. It will appear on WORD’s page:
5. You can type on ANY image, but it’s better if there is an open space for YOUR WORDS.
6. Still with INSERT tab open – Click on the TEXT BOX. Select the “SIMPLE BOX”
Insert Text into Images by Phyllis Inward Page 2
.
7 Click inside box and start to type.
Insert Text into Images by Phyllis Inward Page 3
8 To remove the text box BORDER: Click on the TEXT Box to make it live. Click on the FORMAT TAB – Click on the “Down Arrow” beside SHAPE OUTLINE > Select NONE. The Text Box outline will disappear.
9. Now all that’s left is to format the FONT . This must be one that is installed on your computer. The procedure is the normal method for changing font, type, size and colour in WORD.
Highlight the word you have typed – chose font and size and colour. It’s usually best to have the word/s centred.
Insert Text into Images by Phyllis Inward Page 4
That’s all there is to it.
This method also works if you wish to add information to a photograph.
To remove the white background of the Text Box.
At #8, when you are removing the Shape Outline – the button above is where you must also remove the Shape fill to NONE.
Beautiful Church in Finland

If at first you don’t succeed?

Well of course the answer is: try, try again. So here goes:

I truly did mean to offer that image for free. But I recognise that – no one would want it. It’s so small and completely useless, and yet I managed to do fine with my first post on the “freebie” page.
I really do have to try, try again .

I’m still not sure if this is suitable. I would love to know if- by right clicking and copying – it survives at a 300 dpi resolution and can be printed at 8.5 x 11 inches.

Someone, somewhere, please tell me. I can receive a convo at my Etsy store.
Thank you

Mistake number: (Oh Gosh I must be in the millions by now!)

I tried to post my latest free offering on my Freebies page. Can’t figure out how.
Hope the prior post is sufficient.
It’s the thought that counts – isn’t it?

Trawling instead of Doing

Well as you can guess I’m not doing my trawling in a boat. My trawling is strictly confined to the Internet. I spend a lot more time than I should hovering over Pinterest. It constantly amazes me the variety of interests that I find there.
But, what else should I be DOING? Perhaps keeping up to date with blog might be a start!
When I started this blog I knew I would not be a prolific as I wished to be, because I get sidetracked too easily. Nevertheless I feel bad that I have not posted any FREEBIES since the first post, so I’m putting that right, right now!
I’ve made a compilation page of some of the items I offer on my ETSY STORE.
I’ll show it here and also on my FREEBIES page.
Just click and copy – no restrictions – just enjoy.

Use It Or Lose It

I don’t want to lose it. I love my new toy!
Finally I’ve manage to figure out a few things, just enough to get me started.
The pen is fine once I’ve learned that it’s very definitely is NOT a mouse with a finer nose. It works in REAL space and now I do too.
I’ve made some cute little Christmas circles. One set with green backgrounds and the other set with beige.

I’ve also made them as ‘inchies’ but I haven’t listed those on ETSY yet.
Today I completed a little sketch of a little girl who loves her Teddy Bear so much that she takes it with her wherever she goes. Unfortunately she takes it out in the rain and the poor wee bear gets a little wet.

Not Just Boys Who Love Toys!

Speaking for myself I know that statement to be true. I’ve just bought an Intous pen tablet and I love it.
Of course I don’t yet know how to use it, but I can love it, can’t I?
It looks so black and so mysterious as it sits on my desk. It’s beckoning me to grab that stylus and start something, start anything. Of course I’m willing and anxious to do so but as of now I’m lost in a wilderness of confusion. Where do I start? How do I start?
I’ve done the registration so it’s truly mine now.
I’ve downloaded the manual and as

Shakespeare said “There’s the rub”.

For the benefit of my younger readers let me mention that at one time hardware and software manufacturers would print the manual and include it with the purchase. That no longer happens.
O.K. that’s fine. I just wish they would go a step further. Instead of downloading said manual to my computer I wish, (I fervently wish) it could be downloaded to my ancient brain. Because, as much as I love learning and I’m looking forward to making newer and better digital images with this new toy, I want to be able to do it yesterday!
Alright I know that’s not going to happen, so perhaps I should just show my latest creations that I’ve listed on ETSY (done without my new toy).

and another one:

I have to go now. I’ve a lot of learning to do.
So ’til new time
Thanks for dropping by.

New is Nice

It’s true. New is nice. Of course old is very nice. That I know for sure because I’m old.

Today I’ve been trying to add some newness by updating my Art to Art store on Etsy. I’ve managed to design a new header, offer a new discount as well as added a couple of new listings.
If your sense of humour is similar to mine you might get a giggle out of my ‘Retirees Bookmarks’. As a retiree myself I know that I can have something in my hand and still be looking for it!
That’s how I thought of these bookmarks. It seems to me that if you have the bookmark in hand then the book should be close by!

I needed a cleaner looking header, one where I could mention my monthly discount special – so this is what I’ve decided on for now:

By the way the discount code for August until the 31st (30% OFF Wow!) is: AUGSPEC

Thanks for reading. Gotta go. Designing calls.

WHAT’S IN A (ROYAL) NAME?

Well, the Royals have had their baby boy and today he has a name. No doubt his name will influence a lot of baby boys born this year. It always happens. My father’s name was George and he was born at the time of another British king name George.
Congrats to the happy couple!
As for me, the only way I can make babies nowadays is to produce digital images of their lovely faces.
I’m showing some. I hope you like them.

Easily Distracted

I hate it when I prove myself right! My first comments when I started this blog mentioned that I often start things – then everything goes to blah! I figured out it’s because I get easily distracted. Not in a bad way, I’m just so interested in EVERYTHING. I see a digital image that I admire and before I know it and trying to do something similar. Not copying – that would be nasty. But getting the light just right, or the colours vibrant, or learning how to make a line drawing from a photograph. It’s the constant learning process that keeps me alive. While I may never reach the epitome of a Rembrandt or any Master Artist I can admire and I can emulate.
So, with all this emulating I’m afraid this very new and very fragile blog has been left out in the cold for two weeks.
It’s so hot and summery right now in Ontario that it must surely be the time to watch Beach Volleyball.
I’m adding some images from my ETSY store – let me know if you like them.

Haggle

HAGGLE verb: dispute or bargain persistently, especially over the cost of something.
Origin: late 16th century (in the sense ‘hack, mangle’): from Old Norse hǫggva ‘hew’.

(REMEMBER – always click on pictures to enlarge)
In some cultures it is not only accepted it is expected. And if we are to believe that the word’s origins date back to the 16th century then we can’t dismiss it as a Johnny Come Lately.
Do you Haggle?
Most people haggle over the price of a car. Some are very good at it. Some people haggle over the price of other large purchases. Fewer people will haggle over the price of a small item.
Where do you fall in this spectrum?
Have you ever haggled at a flea market? You have? It’s fun isn’t it!
I must admit I don’t come from the ‘expected’ kind of culture, but hey, why not give it a try. I’m willing. Are you?
For the next month I’m open to any kind of haggling. The more haggling the more fun.
The way to do it:
Go to my store on ETSY. Select a digital image item you are interesting in buying such as JAZZ AGE tags, presently priced at $2.50.

Then convo me through contact at ETSY with the dollar amount you are willing to pay. If I think it’s too low, I’ll convo back with my offer. Back and forth until we agree. Once we come to an agreement I’ll make a new exclusive listing just for you with a new price. Voila – we will have HAGGLED.
Whadda you think?

Freebies

Freebies.

Moving along – Building the Blog

I’ve added pages.  I’ve added links.

Presently I have no idea what “Categories” are meant for, but I’m sure that in time all things will be revealed.

Today I would like to show examples of some of my work and also set-up a free image.  so here goes:

This first set of images is called “Home Help”.

They are all of darling children characters doing adult tasks.  Of course children love to copy adults at work.  Unfortunately,  as soon as they are capable of completing the task with any degree of precision they are no longer interested in doing it!

Nevertheless, it’s nice to remember.

As always – if you click on the picture it makes it larger for viewing.

I’ve chosen the Head Chef tag as a freebie.  You’ll find it on the Freebie page.

Getting Started Full of Hope

I remember that saying about second marriages after divorce: “The triumph of hope over experience”.

That’s how I feel about this BLOG.  I’ve tried before and I know from experience that I’m not to be depended on to devote a regular daily habit of blogging, yet here I am hoping that I can triumph over my natural inclinations.

I want to succeed, but there is this little demon who resides in my psyche who whispers to me: “Why are you doing this?

To answer him honestly I have to admit that I consider MY blogging to be what I call “Three EEEs”: An Extremely Egotistical Endeavour.

Nevertheless, I’m hoping.

I’m hoping that the contents of this blog will serve some useful purpose.

I’m hoping that it won’t be entirely about ME.

I’m hoping that I won’t sound like a “Know it All”, even though I am 🙂

I’m hoping you, the ones who have taken the time to read so far, will find something of interest enough that you will come back again.

Phyllis