Pic Collage - So Many Apps, So Little Time!

with distressed wood background

with sand background

I realized I needed a quick way to resize and add text to my product and art pictures that I share on social media. I also needed to be able to do this on the run,  without having to go into Photoshop.

I did a little research on photo editing apps and found one called Pic Collage.

I played around with the free option for a while and liked it so much, I upgraded to the paid version.

I have to say that it has been indispensable in helping me quickly convert my images into content for social media, my blog, newsletter and my website.

You can create collages "freestyle", with grids or by using their templates. You can add text, stickers, backgrounds…it's very versatile and simple to use.

Here are some of my favorite features:

1. You can switch easily from portrait to square with one click, making it great for creating Instagram posts.

2. You can use their pre-formatted grid templates or toss and layer your pictures freestyle. There is a lot of flexibility.

3. You can add a colored border to each photo, flip images, rotate, bring to top, etc. They also have shaped templates that can create a square, circle or triangle border around your image.

4. You can add text with or without a background, change fonts and font size.

5. There are stickers (both paid and free) that can be resized and rotated, including generic and holiday themes.

6. There are a huge amount of backgrounds available (both solid colors and patterns) and you can search custom titles like "yellow glitter" or " dark, distressed wood". I think that the backgrounds give my product images a professional, styled look.

7. The images can be saved to your camera roll and can be edited in the app at a later date, as it saves all of your previous collages in the app.

Below, you can see some of my completed images using Pic Collage.

Do you have a photo editing app that you like?

Until next week,

Pam

showing a collection

creating an inspirational graphic with my art

showing art on a light wood background

showing a collection on a distressed wood background

showing the four seasons of Rhode Island

showing a sample of Mother's Day cards

with green glitter background

10 Questions with Accessory Designer and Artist Rommy de Bommy

I am so inspired by the work of other artists and I wanted to share one that really makes me smile. 

Rommy de Bommy is a super clever, talented artist that creates magical purses and accessories with a fun food theme. Every one is more realistic, more colorful and more whimsical than the last. Also, in my opinion, she has mastered the art of expressing her true self through her branding. 

Enjoy learning a little about Rommy!

10 Questions

Work:

1. How do you style your product photos...wardrobe, location and image backgrounds? Do you have tips to share or a certain format you follow?

Well I actually have a huge closet with tons of rainbow colors. So there is basically always something hanging in there which matches my designs. I know how to combine colors with each other. And besides that I always say: 'Everything is possible, as long as you wear it confidently'. I live in Rotterdam, a huge city based in the Netherlands. There is a lot of grey and white tones everywhere. Which will bring my colorful clothing and designs more alive.

2. Your branding is so strong and cohesive. I think that is what so many artists and crafters have a hard time with. What are your tips for narrowing in on your brand style and carrying that through all aspects of your business?

I actually wasn't part of the plan. I just happened this way. I guess you can say it's my personal style which has a strong connection to everything I make. The most important thing is to make sure you're outstanding and quite unique instead of the same as other designers. You have to think strongly about your unique selling point (USP). But as I said earlier, It wasn't a plan. The whole branding is just me and the thing I love to do the most. 

3. What is your favorite part of having your creative business and why?

For sure my favorite thing is the fact that I'm making cakes and other food purses all day in my studio. How cool is that!? And the way people around the world are dying for my food purses! They are saving money to buy one of them someday. 

4. Do you have a favorite creation or one that you are more proud of?

Yes! Probably all of my cake purses are my favorite purses!

5. Who or what inspires you creatively?

Pastry chefs on Instagram are a huge inspiration

Personal:

1. What was your favorite toy or item as a child?

Barbies!!

2. What is your favorite movie?

Into the Wild

3. What is your favorite food to eat?

Croissants, all day, everywhere... Love them!

4. Do you have other creative outlets?

I'm working on a skirt collection right now. All inspired by food of course. 

5. Do you have any personal advice for other artists that may be new or unsure about sharing their creative talents?

Two important things: Just do it! And dare it! Dare to do something and do not be afraid to fail. Being unique and starting something new which isn't on the market yet will give you more chances to stand out and reach the top.

See more of Rommy's work or snag your own creation! Would you go for dinner or dessert?

They are working on a update of her official site, so in the intirum you can visit her Etsy webshop:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/rommydebommy

She does special custom orders as well. Customers can send her an email through etsy or rommydebommy@gmail.com

New Title! The Big Easy Series Vol 1, Variety Collection Coloring Book

I'm excited to share my newest release! It is now available on Amazon and through my website. 

CLICK HERE for AMAZON

CLICK HERE to see a peek inside with my flip through video. 

(Just scroll to the bottom of the page.)

The Big Easy Series Vol 1, Variety Collection Coloring Book

Coloring for all ages and abilities. Featuring 40 assorted, 8.5” x 11” large format, simple drawings and patterns to color. Fun designs, that are less detailed and easy to see. Great for seniors, the visually impaired, beginners…or anyone that would like a stress free creative outlet!

The pages are printed on one side with a blank backside. All coloring images in this book are original drawings by Pam Vale, including a wide variety of themes, such as nature scenes, flowers, desserts, birds, tea cups, butterflies, simple patterns, hearts, dragonflies, and more!

Creating Coloring Books One Step at a Time

Almost exactly a year ago, I began creating my first coloring books. It was a series of three pocket sized coloring book journals with a 12 step, recovery theme.

Why three at once? With all of the information and art I wanted to include, I thought one would be too long and I felt like the content split naturally into three distinct segments. It was kind of fun to work on them together, as I learned the process of self- publishing.

I now have 13 published coloring book journals with one more in the works. My themes include inspiration, self-love, jewelry, travel, gratitude, recovery, mandalas and even my cats. The book I am currently working on is a large format coloring book with an assorted theme.

So, how did I do it? See my steps below.

Sure this is a super abbreviated list but I think it will give you an idea of the main steps I take when creating one of my coloring book journals on the self publishing platform "CreateSpace". They have all been pretty much the same process.

I am happy to answer any questions. You can see all of my books on my website www.pamvale.com

Until next week,

Pam

1. I pick a theme, topic or category for my book. For me, I stick to things that interest me or have special meaning in my life.

2. I research my subject and compile a long, loose list of drawing ideas. I try not to be too limiting in my list and include ANYTHING that might go with my theme, no matter how random it may seem. I would rather end up with too many ideas, than not enough.

3. I decide on the particulars for the project,  like the finished book size, number of pages and any added features like journal pages or dedications. This will tell me how many main images I will need to create and also any other smaller art for things like title pages.

4. I create simple pencil sketches for each page to layout my design and adjust proportions. This is loose but clean, so that I can see the balance and tell where more or less detail is needed.

5. I tape tracing paper over the pencil sketches and "ink" the final drawings using the pencil sketch as a guide. Sometimes I slip a blank white sheet of paper in between the pencil sketch and the tracing paper to see where I may need to add more details.

6. I remove the tracing paper and add any additional details or patterns. At this stage, I am looking to make sure there is an assortment of difficulties and a mix of shapes.

7. I scan the inked images into my computer at a high resolution and save them in my "Dropbox". I started using Dropbox as a main storage area for current work about 6 months ago (along with other methods of back-up) and I have really liked having access to my current work across all of my devices.

8. I open each image in Photoshop where I clean up any rogue marks, adjust the size, add borders, correct components and save as a finished piece of art. I save the finished art in both a layered Photoshop file and as a JPG file.

9. I download a formatted interior book template from CreateSpace for the size book I am creating and fill it with my art. It is then saved as a PDF.

10. I upload the complete document to CreateSpace and follow the simple, step by step directions on the CreateSpace site to finished the project. This includes setting a price, listing keyword tags and choosing distribution channels.