Camerabag2 Review and Giveaway

Happy Friday Everyone! I have a fun giveaway for you today! 


We all know that pictures are a big part of our blogs. Good looking pictures help get our point across and engage our readers. There is a lot of photo editing software available out there today and I want to share a really exciting one with you today.


If you haven't heard of CameraBag2 it is a full suite of photographic tools, from simple exposure and cropping to advanced vignetting, color correction, and curves. It works with both Macs and PCs.


I'm always on the lookout for new ways to edit my photos. CameraBag2 was easy and fun to use. The interface was easy to use, I was able to jump right in and get started. There are lots of filters to play with and they have a mobile app as well so I can edit photos on the go. 


Check out some pictures I edited using the software:

Here's a screen shot of all the adjustments you can make to your photo. CameraBag2 gives you an idea of what your photo will look like with each adjustment so you can decide which to work with. Then you can play around with them- Exposure, Contrast, Light Curves, Color Saturation, the list goes on!

Screen Shot

Original Photo from our recent Quartz Mt family hike

 Saturation

Brightness/ Lightness

After playing around with the photo you can then add borders:

Or give photos a different feel with filters. Again there are lots to choose from and you can preview any of them before you decide which one you want.

I currently use Photoshop to edit photos but I only know the basics. CameraBag2 seems easier to use right off and theres lots of options to play around with.

So the exciting news: The awesome folks at CameraBag2 are generously giving away 5 licences for the software to 5 lucky readers!! Woo Hoo! 


To Enter:


1. Comment on this post (Easy!)


Extra Entries:


2. Enter a photo in their Camera Giveaway Contest (see below you don't want to miss this!!)


3. Follow CameraBag2 on Facebook


4. Follow CameraBag2 on Twitter.


*You need check out the giveaway they are having on their website as well. You can enter to win a Canon 5D MKIII camera. Say what!?!?! The camera is worth $3499! All you have to do is enter a photo you edited using CameraBag2 software (you can download a temporary licence if need be) to their Pinterest Page. (Hurry- this contest ends May 22nd!)*


My giveaway for the CameraBag2 licences starts today and ends Friday May 25th. 5 winners will be chosen using Random.org and will be announced shortly after. CameraBag2 gave me 1 complimentary license to try the software to review. All comments in this review are my own.


Good Luck!!

What I'm Digging Right Now

I haven't had a Friday post in a while- sorry about that. Upholstery class gets out at 10pm and if  I don't get this post up before class I'm pretty wiped afterwards. I'm trying to get better about it.


Today I wanted to share some things that have caught my eye lately:


I've always had a thing for concrete in design. Whether it be countertops, flooring, ect. I really love the way Obelisk on Etsy is using concrete in unusual ways:

Concrete Bowl

Floating Shelf

Geodesic Planter

I came across this article in Anthology Magazine featuring feature from designer Thomas Wold and fell in love. I love how it seems collected over time then thoughtfully put together. I want some in my house!

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And finally I loved this whole house tour from Design Sponge but what really caught my eye was the desk made from a slab of raw edge cypress. The home owner said he bought it at a farmers market. Why doesn't my farmers market have giant slabs of wood?!?! Jealous!

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What's been catching your eye lately?

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Feature Friday: Paint Speckled Paw Prints

Happy Friday Everyone! I hope everyone has had enjoyable week. It was Spring Break here in Alus so Con-Man had no MDO. So that meant no wood shop for me this week. I hoping to get in there on Saturday and work on our Basketball Floor Dining Table. 


Do you have any plans for the weekend?


I also wanted to share with you another awesome DIY Blogger I came across- Kristen from Paint Speckled Pawprints. She and her Hubby are fixing up their new home and have lots of fun DIY projects to share.


I'm a sucker for Pallet projects so when I saw their Floating Pallet Shelves I was hooked. How cool are these?

Kristen also framed out the builder grade mirrors in her bathroom. She was tired of the plain look and took on the job herself! I love the new look.

Kristen does lots of fun crafty stuff as well. I love these Silhouettes she painted of her puppies! So cute!

And a fun Springtime Wreath: I love the colors even though Kristen makes sure to note that she and her husband are not LSU fans. What?! I thought everyone was an LSU Fan- I guess that's just my family...

She also has lots of great tips like Refinishing Cabinetry: (Love the bold paint color)

Using your tools:

Even car safety basics!

So if your looking for DIY adventures and fun projects go check out Kristen's Blog Paint Speckled Pawprints!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Feature Friday: Birds and Soap

Woo Hoo! Anyone else excited that the weekend is right around the corner? Freeeedooommm!!! What are you weekend plans? I'm hoping to make it into the wood shop to work on Con-Man's bed. And I'm super excited to show you something next week that I've been working on. 

In the meantime it's time for another Feature Friday. This week's Girl Power is coming from Jenny from the blog Birds and Soap. She lives in Idaho with her hubs and 2 daughters. She's extra crafty, a budding DIY'er and soap maker! 

Her blog caught my eye while I as perusing Anna White's website. She built this awesome Farm House bed using Anna's plans. 

Farm House Bed

Doesn't it look Fab-U-Lous? I think it looks similar to the one I'm building for the Con-Man and gives me hope that there is light at the end of this bed building tunnel!

She also made this adorable dress hanger for her daughter's dress up clothes:

Dress Hanger

I think it's awesome to give something for your child- I think they cherish it even more.

And the project that got it all started; picture ledges for her living room. Hmmm, maybe I should make some of these for our future family photo wall?

Picture Ledges

Jenny, all I have to say is well done and You Go Girl!! If you want to see more of Jenny's craft adventures check out her blog Birds and Soap.

And if you know of any one who has Girl Power or if you want to be featured on Feature Friday just let me know! I'd love to hear from you!

Have a great weekend and to any Oklahomians out there stay warm!!

Feature Friday and a Shopping Spree

Hey Everyone! Hope everyone is having a Fabulous Friday! How could it not be fabulous? The weekend is right around the corner. YESSSSSssss!


Before we jump into Feature Friday this week I wanted to show you some goodies I bought on a recent shopping spree. I only bought like 3 things so it's not a spree so much I guess... There is a neat little store here in town called The Enchanted Door. They are one of the few places in Altus who sell home accessories. They have lots of cute stuff but since they are one of only 2 places in town they can afford to be pricey. 


So I was excited when they had they're after Christmas sale- all Christmas Decor 75% off! Score! I knew one thing for sure I wanted. These berry bush branches:

I had been eyeing them before Christmas thinking I could use them as Valentines Decor. Lucky for me they still had some left.

I also bought some ornaments that were grossly expensive before the sale but are super awesome. I thought I could keep one for me and use one for our family ornament exchange next year:

Bring the Bling!

And I also picked up a few of these glass balls for $1 each. They looked more Easter-y to me than Christmas. Not sure what I'm going to do with them but I'll figure it out. 

And now, without further Adeau today I want to introduce you Betsy Speert owner of the Betsy Speert's Blog! She's a retired designer and is now decorating book author, antique business running, chair upholstering bad @ss!

I am so jealous of her mad upholstery skillz! You know I have a chair fetish; check out this chair she redid for a neighbor:

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Dang girl! I wish you were my neighbor.

Some other awesome upholstery projects:

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Upholstered walls anyone?

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Besides awesome upholstery skills she has done some pretty amazing renovations as well. Check out her budget kitchen makeover:

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And look her gorgeously remodeled Florida Home:

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Nice! If you want to see more of Betsy go on over to Betsy Speert's Blog for more great projects!

So are you now thinking of learning upholstery yourself after seeing Betsy in action? Anyone else score some great after Christmas deals?