There are MANY photos in this post. Really, LOTS. It’s all about COOL APPS. YAY!!! But like all good things, you have to be patient because I have a story to tell you first. Okay? Good, then let’s get to it. 

We’ve got an old sofa. It’s the most COMFORTABLE sofa on the planet. In the entire universe. In the entire spread-your-arms-this-big realm of existence.

Really, I am NOT exaggerating. Except it’s not really a sofa, it’s a sectional. Which means there’s this long part you can lie down on, an adult can sleep on and not wake up with a back that’s all catty-wumpus. Which makes it even better.

God made this sofa. I would not lie about that.

But after 14 years, 2 kids, many, many, many sleepovers, 4 dogs and 2 cats…well, it’s looking a wee bit worn around the edges. Which isn’t too big a problem because the sofa itself is sound. Solid. And slipcovered. That’s the way it was made and over the years all I’ve had to do when someone peed, puked or spilled wine was unzip and throw it in the wash.

It’s not only comfortable and attractive, it’s practical.

It’s also time for a new slipcover.

Problem is, the store we bought it from is no longer around. The nearest store that had the manufacturer’s swatches was up in Lake Tahoe. Well, not in the lake but right there on the edge. So Mr. Spouse and I ran up there yesterday. Not quite as dramatic as it sounds, we’re only an hour away. Although considering the way Mr. Spouse takes those mountain curves, umm…well, it was dramatic enough from my point of view.

After picking the fabric we had an hour to kill before dinner. An hour with scenery–gorgeous gorgeous UNBELIEVABLE scenery and a camera. Ahhhh, for an artist who likes to take pictures it doesn’t get much better than that.

Except for some reason, some unfathomable reason, most all the photos came out crappy. Especially the ones that featured my index finger–of which there were many.

Must’ve been the altitude.

So today’s post is about taking a crappy photo and making it better. Or at least interesting. Making lemonade out of a lemon.

It involves apps. And Photoshop. And MAGIC!

This is the original photo. See what I mean? Meh. Shrug. Boring! Really, like for this I went to art school?

Here it is with a little help from the JixiPix app Simply HDR. It punches up the color, evens out the shadows. I consider this the base for further play.

At this point I shift over to Photoshop. JixiPix apps also come as Photoshop plugins so I can continue what I began with the iPhone. 

A  painterly look with Artista Oil.

Now vintage. But not just any vintage. This is a combination of JixiPix Vintage and a whole bunch of effects from onOne software. From here on that’s what I’ll be doing, combining apps and effects from different companies. A bit of this, a bit of that. I’m sorry I can’t tell you the exact recipes because I just start playing. 

I cook the same way.

Ummm… I think this is from JixiPix Romantic Photo. Something brooding about this one, like an English novel.

This one is straight Moku Hanga, again from JixiPix. It’s supposed to give the effect of a Japanese woodblock.

And this one is starts with JixiPix Grunge and ends up a few more layers in  onOne. It’s one of my favorites.

But not all of the photos needed editing.

Like this one. This thing was monster huge and heavy on the Macadamia nuts, hot fudge and whipped cream. Yes, we shared. And even left a little on the plate.

So, excluding the obvious draw of the fancy-ass hot fudge Sundae, which of the altered photos is your favorite?  You can tell me in the comments below.

And I’d love to hear about any favorite apps or Photoshop plugins you may have.

As always, my best beloveds…xoxo