A Simple Photo Becomes Fabulous Art

If you follow me on instragram or Facebook you may remember me sharing this image - my new UPrinting canvas print!

Yep, I used UPrinting and had one of my photographs turned into a canvas! Seriously, I still can't believe the results! It's amazing.

So hear is how I order it it. I first went to UPrinting.com.

Selected canvas prints, then rolled canvas, and then chose the size I wanted.

I selected the 16x20. A little over $25, not too bad for custom artwork.

After that I selected the image that I wanted. And uploaded to their system.

Within a week or so the print was at my door and ready to be unrolled!

Seriously, as I mentioned above, I can not tell you how impressed I am with the quality of this canvas. And to think, I actually took this photo with just a regular point and shoot camera!

I had an extra frame that I wasn't using. I couldn't wait to see it all framed up.

I removed the glass and matte, and popped my new caves in the frame.

It was that simple!

It almost doesn't even look real in this pictures.

I love it!

Even though it looks amazing here, this probably isn't where this is going to stay.  I already have a series of three pictures already in this spot. (I cleverly cropped them out.)

But I know I want it in this space. It's too perfect!

Have you ever had one of your pictures printed on canvas?

If you want more information on UPrinting you can check out their site or visit them on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.

I wrote this post as part of a paid campaign with Uprinting and Blueprint Social. The opinions in this post are my own.

Thank you and $100 Target Giveaway

First, things first, last week Apartment Guide announced the winner to the first design board round on Facebook. Thanks to all of you and your amazing support, my design board had the most votes!

Apartment Guide also announced the two $250 winners for the first round. Congrats to those to ladies. (Linda and Madalene - Are you Inspired by Charm readers?? Let me know in the comments below. - That would be so exciting!!)

Remember a couple weeks ago when I had my chat with Kim Myles and I mentioned I hear the passion she has for design in her voice? Well, Kim created some videos with Apartment Guide and I wanted to share them with you so you could get a sense of what I mean.

Apartment Guide and Kim Myles: Color Wheel Intro from Apartment Guide on Vimeo.



Apartment Guide and Kim Myles: Mix Up Decor Styles from Apartment Guide on Vimeo.

Do you hear that passion!? Love it! I would totally love to spend a day designing and shopping with her. It would be a blast.

Feel free to follow along with Apartment Guide's blog for more decorating advice from Kim. I, along with the other bloggers, will be posting on there as well. I let you know when my post goes up.

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When you are finished on the blog, don't forget to take a moment and head on over to Your Picks. Your Place. to vote and you will be automatically entered to win. It's that simple.

This is what my board looks like on the site ...

As promised, this is where I'm shamelessly asking begging you to vote for me! (I feel like I'm running for class president or something.)  There are some other fabulous bloggers participating and I don't think I actually win anything other than bragging rights, so winning isn't a huge deal, but it would still be pretty amazing.

 Your votes for my boards are beyond appreciated.

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You can also visit the three other fabulous bloggers who are participating in this project...

Jamiely from I Heart Naptime

Diane from In My Own Style

Maryann from Domestically Speaking

From now through August 14th I will share two more design boards (Office and Bedroom) at which time you will be able to vote on those as well. Remember you can vote once a day, so do expect a couple reminders here and there. I promise to keep it to a minimum. 

So head on over and get voting!

I can't thank you enough for your support and your votes during this sweepstakes. You are amazing! Thank you!!!

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Okay, now for the part you've been waiting for - This weeks Giveaway. Here are the details..

*The Prize*

A $100 Gift Card for Target

*Enter to Win*
TWO chances to win:
1. Visit Your Picks. Your Place. and vote for your favorite Dining Room Design Board (Round Two). Feel free to vote for the Board you like best. Though, bonus points will be awarded to those voting for Board #1 - Coastal Escape. (Hint - this is my board) Then leave a comment below telling me what you'd buy with your $100 Target Gift Card.

2. Share this giveaway with a tweet, a blog post, a PIN or spread the word on facebook. Then, come back here and leave an additional comment saying you did. 

This giveaway is open to everyone! Should you be a 'no reply' or 'anonymous' commenter, remember to include your email address in your comment so that I can contact you, should you win.

Enter now through 11 pm (EST) on Tuesday, July 17th. I will announce the winner in a post of Wednesday, July 18th.

*I should note the Bonus Points don't actually count for anything. Things are just so much cooler when you can earn bonus points. Right? I really, really appreciate your votes. Thank you! 

Thank you again and Good Luck!!

Apartment Guide is owned by Consumer Source, Inc. Apartment Guide partnered with bloggers such as me to participate in its “Your Picks. Your Place.” Sweepstakes. As part of that program, I received compensation. They did not tell me what to select or write about my featured design boards, or what to write in my blog posts. Apartment Guide and Consumer Source believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations. The winner of any giveaways in this program will be randomly chosen and gift card fulfillment will be handled by a third party. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  Sweepstakes ends @ 9:00 PM on 8/14/12, subject to Entry Periods outlined in Official Rules. Must be a US legal resident of the 50 US or DC and 18 years of age or older. Sweepstakes subject to full Official Rules available at www.yourpicksyourplace.com. Void where prohibited.

Your Picks. Your Place. Sweepstakes :: Round 2 - Dining Room

Wow. Lots of exciting stuff happening today. First, thanks to everyone that voted for my rustic cottage inspired living room via Apartments Guide's - Your Picks. Your Place. Sweepstakes. You are amazing! Voting has closed for that round, which means a new round has begun!

The next design board that I was asked to create was for a Costal Inspired Dining Room. I don't know about you, but I love visiting the beach. There is special feeling I get when I'm on the shore. I'm not sure if it's the sounds of the waves, the almost perfect breezes, the relaxed atmosphere, or the amazing sunsets. It's been about four years since I've been to the beach and I desperately miss it.

I really enjoyed this challenge because I have dreams of owning a little shack steps from the beach someday. A casual place where you can put your feet on the furniture and leave your bed unmade for days. A place where work doesn't exist. Where you can drink wine, read books, and relax all day long. Sounds pretty magical, right? A boy can dream!

At least I'm one step closer to my dream beach shack. I already have my dining room designed. So, here are my picks for a Coastal Inspired Dining Room...

Pretty fabulous, right? I have lots of favorite pieces in this space. First that dinning room table paired with red chairs and a red bench. Love that! I have this strange obsession with red dining room chairs. I just love them!

I also adore that light fixture. I'd probably have two of them above this dinning room table. Speaking of lighting, I'm also totally swooning over the new rope lamps from Pottery Barn.

Anyway, that's my space. What do you think? Would you join me at my beach house for a relaxing weekend? I promise to whip a delicious breakfast too!

Now, onto the sweepstakes and how to vote for this space.

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First, here is a quick overview of the Sweepstakes... 

Is your place in need of a style update?  Apartment Guide has partnered with TV host and design expert Kim Myles for the second annual Apartment Guide Your Picks. Your Place. Sweepstakes.  

From now until August 14, visit YourPicksYourPlace.com to vote once per day for your preferred room design showcasing furniture and home décor items selected by featured bloggers.  The site will feature four different room designs every two weeks. 

By voting, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a $10,000 grand prize or one of eight $250 weekly prizes to go towards your own selections for your home. 

While you’re on the site, you can find design and décor tips from Kim Myles, Apartment Guide and featured bloggers to help you design a room that’s uniquely you.

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Take a moment and head on over to Your Picks. Your Place. to vote and you will be automatically entered to win. It's that simple.



This is what my board looks like on the site ...

As promised, this is where I'm shamelessly asking begging you to vote for me! (I feel like I'm running for class president or something.)  There are some other fabulous bloggers participating and I don't think I actually win anything other than bragging rights, so winning isn't a huge deal, but it would still be pretty amazing.

 Your votes for my boards are beyond appreciated.

....................................................

You can also visit the three other fabulous bloggers who are participating in this project...

Jamiely from I Heart Naptime

Diane from In My Own Style

Maryann from Domestically Speaking

From now through August 14th I will share two more design boards (Office and Bedroom) at which time you will be able to vote on those as well. Remember you can vote once a day, so do expect a couple reminders here and there. I promise to keep it to a minimum. 

So head on over and get voting!

I can't thank you enough for your support and your votes during this sweepstakes. You are amazing! Thank you!!!

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One more thing! It's time to announce the winner of last week's Home Goods $100 Gift Card Giveaway. Drumroll please....

The winner is....

Congratulations Melody!!! I'll be in touch via email to coordinate the details of your winning. Who knows, maybe you'll run into Kim Myles when your spending your winnings. 

A Huge thanks to everyone that entered!! 

Apartment Guide is owned by Consumer Source, Inc. Apartment Guide partnered with bloggers such as me to participate in its “Your Picks. Your Place.” Sweepstakes. As part of that program, I received compensation. They did not tell me what to select or write about my featured design boards, or what to write in my blog posts. Apartment Guide and Consumer Source believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations. The winner of any giveaways in this program will be randomly chosen and gift card fulfillment will be handled by a third party. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  Sweepstakes ends @ 9:00 PM on 8/14/12, subject to Entry Periods outlined in Official Rules. Must be a US legal resident of the 50 US or DC and 18 years of age or older. Sweepstakes subject to full Official Rules available at www.yourpicksyourplace.com. Void where prohibited.