3/1/12

Creating Some Curb Appeal!

Hey everyone!  Before I get started on this post, I would just like to ask ya'll if you have found a good alternative to "Picnik?"  Since I just discovered how awesome it is & was finally able to create a new blog header, I'm totally bummed that it's going away.  I do have PhotoShop Elements, but I find that it's a pain when it comes to doing collages.   I know it's probably my lack of knowledge, but Picnik was so effortless.  Anyway, I'm going to do as much as I can in Picnik before it shuts down in mid-April.  That being said, I thought it would be fun to do the photos for this post in a collage format.  We shall see how it goes!

We have what is known in Arizona as "desert landscaping," which means we have very little grass, lots of gravel, & low water-use plants.  We have this concreted area to the left behind the double gate that runs the depth of the house.  This is where The Man usually parks his little pickup & where we keep bicycles.  Well, we didn't like the way the tires scattered the rocks around, so we decided to have some pavers put down in that area & also an additional 2 feet on either side of the driveway.  So here are a few pics, the first two showing how it looked before, followed by the afters.


We were so happy with the results, that we were encouraged to do some planting in the front up close to our entryway.  We have more things to put in the areas on either side of the walkway, but we are happy with our start. 


Yes, I made my wreath.  Don't you just love grapevine wreaths?  They are so versatile, so inexpensive, & come in so many different sizes.  I bought the big letter "S"(our last name initial) at HL, painted it black & used one of my large stamps to add the obscure writing.  No need to worry, I have already repositioned the little bunny ornament to hang from the top of the wreath, but forgot to retake the pic.  Seriously, use your imagination.....lol!  I just love the bright colors -- it's so Spring!

Thanks for stopping by & allowing me to indulge my new found love of Picnik & their collage format. 
I do hope you will come again soon.

I'm happy to be linking to:
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31 comments:

  1. Diane WritesMarch 1, 2012 at 11:06 PM

    Hi Cas! I also love Picnik and as of the moment, I haven't found a perfect alternative for it. Here are a few sites though that can perform some functions with that of Picnik
    http://www.photovisi.com/ - for collage
    http://www.picture2life.com/ - for editing

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  2. Terriea KwongMarch 2, 2012 at 12:16 AM

    Your wreaths are so pretty. Yes it's pit Picnik is going away. I particularly love to do the Polariod picture look. Sign to see it going out. For pic collage, you can also download http://www.photoscape.org/ps/main/download.php. This is very good.

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  3. MariaelenaMarch 2, 2012 at 4:00 AM

    Good morning CAS...It all looks so wonderful and put together...what a great place to live...I'm a bit home sick for AZ even though I was only there for 6 days...I can't say enough about the area where you live...beautiful, convenient, much more lush than I was expecting in the desert...next time I come out, we will definitely have to make a plan to meet up...love all of your flowers and the edging on the driveway is perfect!!
    xo, Mariaelena

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  4. Maria ElenaMarch 2, 2012 at 4:31 AM

    Your home looks beautiful! That is the way I like it, little grass! :)
    We have a huge yard and it is so much work to keep it looking nice.
    I know what you mean about Picnik.
    I love that program. Here is the link to a post that Susan from "Between Naps on the Porch" did a little while ago about some other alternatives to Picnik.

    http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2012/02/14-free-photo-editing-sites-picnik.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BetweenNapsOnThePorch+%28BETWEEN+NAPS+ON+THE+PORCH%29

    Just copy and paste. She has great information. I hope this helps you!
    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  5. JoaniMarch 2, 2012 at 5:05 AM

    It looks great. Love the plants the plants you decided on. This time of year is great to be "outside." Thanks for sharing.

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  6. GinaMarch 2, 2012 at 5:27 AM

    The pavers look great! They add so much character to the landscape. Your pretty flowers & wreath add great pops of color. Everything looks wonderful.

    I haven't found a substitute for Picnik yet (probably because I don't want to think about it! LOL)
    I do know that Susan at Between Naps on the Porch had a lengthy post listing alot of other options. When I ready, I'm going to go take a better look at it.

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  7. Teresa@1800 Farmhouse RdMarch 2, 2012 at 5:30 AM

    Now you have me wanting to run out and do some spring sprucing up! But oh wait, I have a kitchen full of cabinets to finish painting :(, and ceilings to paint too!!!!
    Really busy here, so I am going to do a post and let everyone know that I will be out of pocket for a while. I have numerous comments that I just haven't had time to respond to, and I don't like that.

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  8. UnknownMarch 2, 2012 at 6:53 AM

    Love the new look and your spring touches are just what this Canadian needs to see right now!

    I use "big huge templates" to make mosaics, etc. Perhaps that would be a good alternative for Picnik (which I haven't used).

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  9. TraciMarch 2, 2012 at 10:05 AM

    It looks great!! I'm ready to start working in the yard. It's been in the 80's all week but of course rain is expected tonight & tomorrow will be only be in the 60's. UGH!

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  10. Ceekay-THINKIN of HOMEMarch 2, 2012 at 10:37 AM

    Love it....I love this time of year in Phoenix....all the blooming. Of course, my nose isn't crazy about it!!

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  11. momto8March 2, 2012 at 10:50 AM

    wow!! definite curb appeal!! you must just love it!

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  12. AprilMarch 2, 2012 at 2:46 PM

    I use GIMP for everything I do. At home and at work. It's nicely featured and very similar to photo shop and free. BUT it can take some practice. There are lots of tutorials online though!

    Picasa for collaging and even spacing combined with Gimp for the final touches can work VERY well for a pretty simple header too!

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  13. bjMarch 2, 2012 at 7:22 PM

    O, I am still about to die over losing Picnik. It was so EASY....bwaaaaaaaaaa

    I can't find the collage feature now in Picnik....how did you do these?

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  14. The Charm of HomeMarch 3, 2012 at 8:44 AM

    Nice touches! Love the wreath!
    Sherry

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  15. A Hint of HomeMarch 3, 2012 at 10:17 AM

    Love all your pretties at the front entrance! Things are blooming here as well.
    Love the new header!

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  16. The Polka Dot ClosetMarch 3, 2012 at 3:46 PM

    I have not used Picnik, but I know lots of people are going to miss it. I have photoshop too and for the life of me cannot figure it out, now why can't it be as easy! Your yard is lovely, I sometimes would like to throw gravel in mine here in Florida!!

    From one Carol to another!

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  17. AntiqueChaseMarch 4, 2012 at 10:09 AM

    Thank you so much Carol!! Nice to meet you.

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  18. KellyMarch 4, 2012 at 4:27 PM

    I love using Picnik for photo editing. I'm going to miss it! I don't know why they feel they need to drop it since so many people like it. I've never tried doing the picture collage before. Your new pavers make the driveway look awesome! They add a nice decorative touch in addition to the added function they give. I'll be glad when it warms up enough to start doing some yardwork outside. We just recently got hit with a cold snap and I really miss the warmer weather we were having. Looks like you're already enjoying some Spring cleaning outside.

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  19. Barbara Bussey {The Treasured Home}March 4, 2012 at 11:20 PM

    Hi there,
    I love the look of the pavers. So much more finished than the gravel! I'd love to replace our dreaded asphalt out front. Hate the stuff! I'll just have to keep dreaming!

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  20. Pinky at Designs by PinkyMarch 5, 2012 at 7:39 PM

    Found you on Pinterest so thought I would run over here to your blog. I am jealous that you live in Az. I have 2 friends there and it sounds perfect to me:) I'll be back. XO, Pinky My blog is www.designsbypinky.blogspot.com

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  21. Jennifer @ Town and Country LivingMarch 5, 2012 at 9:25 PM

    Love making grapevine wreaths! I use Photoscape for photo editing. It's free and you can download it at www.photoscape.org.

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  22. Honey at 2805March 6, 2012 at 3:23 PM

    Really nice touches! Thank you for sharing at Potpourri Friday!

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  23. The Vintage ChateauMarch 6, 2012 at 10:02 PM

    Thanks for being a new follower, and I hope you'll come back to my booth soon! I'm going to miss picnik too, but I've started experimenting with pixlr.com. Give it a try.It looks like we both have a weakness for toile!
    Karee

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  24. The Tuscan HomeMarch 7, 2012 at 8:53 AM

    Very pretty, I love the entrance and the wreath is very nice. Well done! xo ~Liz

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  25. Cindy (Applestone Cottage)March 7, 2012 at 10:52 AM

    Boy you did a great job on the landscaping Cass! I just got back from Phoenix and I am so impressed when I see some of the landscaping because it's not easy in the desert!
    Hugs,
    Cindy

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  26. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeMarch 7, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    Thanks for you gracious comments about the kitchen. Just wanted to let you know that the Brie Wax is available at Razmataz locally or on line. It will really exaggerate the grain in oak, so be sure to try it in a spot that you can conceal if you don't like it. My maple cabinets have no grain so it made a huge difference, but we did the inside of a door on a friends oak cabinets and the results were really harsh with so much grain and not very pretty. So just test it to make sure you want that look. You can't just wash it off once you put it on, so you are kind of stuck with what you get. Hugs, Marty

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  27. MelissaMarch 9, 2012 at 1:52 PM

    you brought Springtime to the desert! nice!

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  28. MelissaMarch 9, 2012 at 1:52 PM

    you brought Springtime to the desert! nice!

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  29. momto8March 9, 2012 at 2:17 PM

    your plants, your pavers, your wreath..wow..looks just great!! You have it going on for spring!

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  30. Ricki TreleavenMarch 11, 2012 at 9:40 AM

    Everything looks so pretty, CAS!!! :D I miss being a Zonie....I love dessert landscapes! Your home looks os welcoming. Great job!!!

    xo,
    Ricki Jill

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  31. Poppy @ With a Dash of ColorMarch 11, 2012 at 2:01 PM

    Love the look of the pavers! Your house is looking so beautiful with the latest updates.I love Picnik!I'm gonna miss it and haven't found a better alternative yet.Thanks for visiting me and your sweet note. Happy Sunday to you!~Poppy

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I truly love to hear from you and try to respond to each and everyone. If you have "no reply blogger," I will respond in my comments section and then visit your blog as soon as I can.

Make this a great day!
Carol