Saturday, November 24, 2012

CHRISTMAS COMES TO STONEGABLE~ THE BLOG!

StoneGable

Christmas begins at StoneGable... the blog... with my new Christmas header!

Many people ask how I create my seasonal blog headers. Here is how I create my images...



example of a "work in progress"~ wreath and snow created using picmonkey


Let me first say that I work with a fabulous blog designer, Julie from BLOGGER BOUTIQUE. I'm not a techie so I need a little help. Make sure to see the special offer from Julie at the end of this post.

To create this Christmas header I used pictures from my own stash and edited them with an old old program  called MICROSOFT DIGITAL IMAGING. A "chalk" filter was applied to each image.

If you don't have a digital imaging program you should check out PICMONKEY. I'm amazed how well this free, no registration, on-line editor works!  PicMonkey has some great new winter effects! Even if you are not a blogger this program is amazing for photos and scrapbooks!


Here is a before photo I took of Father Christmas in Williamsburg last year...




And here it is edited and the filter applied for the header...  I love that soft smuggy look!





Here is the wreath I used in my header... again, Christmas in Williamsburg...






And here it is edited and the chalk filter applied...






I will be working on my sidebar too... adding Holiday posts and images.  Keep an eye out for the changes!

Julie, my fabulous blog designer, is offering StoneGable readers a 25% discount on all blog designs (not on  singular add-on services).

Just go to BLOGGER BOUTIQUE and type in StoneGable25 when you contact her. The offer is good until December 31, 2012.

This would make a great Christmas gift for you from someone who is having a hard time knowing what to get you!!!! Sounds like the perfect gift to me!

I hope you find Christmas cheer, here at StoneGable, all holiday season long!



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42 comments:

  1. mzzbevNovember 24, 2012 at 8:30 AM

    Totally awesome. Ive never used picmonkey but only photobucket. I will pay them a visit! Thanks for sharing :)

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  2. AndreaNovember 24, 2012 at 8:38 AM

    love the new header. I'm so excited to see everyones Christmas decor and posts =)

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  3. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeNovember 24, 2012 at 8:53 AM

    I love it. I have used picmonkey and ribbet both great programs. Where do you find your fonts, that seems to be the hard part. Hugs, Marty

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    Replies
    1. Yvonne @ StoneGableNovember 24, 2012 at 9:03 AM

      Hi Marty, Fonts are from my old Digital Imaging Program.

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  4. Linda November 24, 2012 at 8:58 AM

    Looks Lovely!! Changed mine too!! Used Photoscape..

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  5. Patty @ That's So PrettyNovember 24, 2012 at 9:02 AM

    working on mine Yvonne...picmonkey is a wonderful FREE editing program for sure. Anything you do is outstanding! :)

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  6. At Rivercrest CottageNovember 24, 2012 at 9:09 AM

    I have to say I love both pictures of Santa!

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  7. SusanNovember 24, 2012 at 9:10 AM

    I LOVE it, Yvonne, and can't wait for all the Christmas blog posts!! Thank you for the information on Picmonkey, too, I do need help and this sounds great!!
    Have a great weekend!

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  8. Sam Hoffer / My Carolina KitchenNovember 24, 2012 at 9:12 AM

    Wow, so pretty. Love the "after" Santa photo. Thanks for the info.
    Sam

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  9. TerryNovember 24, 2012 at 9:22 AM

    Thanks for sharing,I always love your photos!

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  10. TerryNovember 24, 2012 at 9:22 AM

    Thanks for sharing,I always love your photos!

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  11. Preppy Empty NesterNovember 24, 2012 at 9:50 AM

    Love that picture of Santa. What a cute Christmas card that would make! Thanks for sharing your header tutorial.

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  12. Lillie and MossNovember 24, 2012 at 9:50 AM

    Hi Yvonne, your new headers looks really pretty for the Holidays! I to use pic monkey....love it, the possibility are endless!
    Shari

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  13. ℳartina @ Northern NestingNovember 24, 2012 at 10:07 AM

    Thanks for sharing Yvonne, I LOVE your header!!

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  14. Carlene @ Organized ClutterNovember 24, 2012 at 10:12 AM

    Love the new header!

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  15. OliveNovember 24, 2012 at 11:09 AM

    The header is gorgeous and festive. Headers build my character:}

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  16. KarenNovember 24, 2012 at 11:10 AM

    I love that effect Yvonne. My blog needs a little work, I need to get on it asap.

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  17. NonnieNovember 24, 2012 at 11:23 AM

    beautiful photos, both edited and straight out of the camera!

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  18. AprilNovember 24, 2012 at 12:33 PM

    I always wondered how you did that, it isn't as complicated as I expected! How wonderful! Thanks for showing us :)
    ~April

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  19. Andrea at Opulent CottageNovember 24, 2012 at 1:08 PM

    Beautiful Yvonne! I love the new header. This is great inspiration for me to finally redo mine for a holiday touch.

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  20. AnonymousNovember 24, 2012 at 1:15 PM

    Hi Yvonne! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I love your blog header and the way you put the wreath on it. I too am amazed at the free software we can use.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  21. SandyNovember 24, 2012 at 1:18 PM

    Great looks in the photos. I use PicMonkey
    for my editing and did play with the Winter
    editor this week.. it's fun and you can
    do so many cute things...
    Happy Holiday
    Sandy

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  22. AnonymousNovember 24, 2012 at 1:35 PM

    Thank you for sharing! Love your photos!

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  23. AnonymousNovember 24, 2012 at 3:11 PM

    I have totally loved the new way you are doing your headers...the smudged, hazy look. It really appeals to me. Thanks for showing us non-bloggers what goes on behind the scenes. I so admire all of your hard work.

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  24. Something Nice and PrettyNovember 24, 2012 at 3:33 PM

    So pretty...love the photos!

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  25. Miss CharNovember 24, 2012 at 3:54 PM

    Today you make me pine for Williamsburg Yvonne, I get there every cole of years but haven't bee for Christmas in several years. Love the beautiful new header and thanks for the info, I sure can use some help.

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  26. Miss KittyNovember 24, 2012 at 4:14 PM

    Thanks so much for sharing how you made your header images. I have never heard of the chalk tool...it makes your photos look like works of art!

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  27. Judy BiggerstaffNovember 24, 2012 at 5:40 PM

    Beautiful new header and thanks for sharing your tips.

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  28. SplenderosaNovember 24, 2012 at 5:44 PM

    You are the most generous person on this planet, to share your "secrets" with everyone. Tina @ The Enchanted Home told me how to do my header, and I'm so proud I accomplished that...and here you go with all the filtering devices to out-do all of us. Big congrats..the header is fabulous !!

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  29. micheleNovember 24, 2012 at 6:11 PM

    so creative and cool, lovely blogger!

    smiles to you.

    michele

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  30. NanaDianaNovember 24, 2012 at 8:37 PM

    Yvonne- That header is beautiful. I have been using PicMonkey to crop my pics and brighten them but I had no idea you could do all this stuff with them. I am always afraid of screwing something up so bad that I will ruin it and then not be able to undo it. I am SOOO untechy it is not funny. Love coming here- it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas- xo Diana

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  31. JulieNovember 24, 2012 at 8:44 PM

    Yvonne, you are so kind to include a shout out for me in your post (and on your sidebar)! Thank you so much. You are a great client to have and I have enjoyed creating your blog and your headers for you throughout the year! I hope you have a fantastic holiday season!

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  32. Terry @ La Bella VieNovember 25, 2012 at 12:33 AM

    Oh my this is just so inspiring and beautiful Yvonne! I have always loved your blog and this just makes me love it even more :)
    I've used PicMonkey quite a bit but never really tried the special effects and they just really make the photos!
    Thank you for showing us "novice bloggers" how easy it really can be!
    Happy Holidays to you and yours,
    Most sincerely
    Terry

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  33. DawnNovember 25, 2012 at 8:58 AM

    Great new header, it is just perfect:)

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  34. Ann from On Sutton PlaceNovember 25, 2012 at 9:03 AM

    I'm thinking about doing something with my header now...it looks a bit plain! Thanks for sharing how you did this. It's fabulous and perfectly you. I should be decorating but maybe I'll work in my header instead. :o) Happy Sunday Yvonne!

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  35. Shirley@Housepitality DesignsNovember 25, 2012 at 9:45 AM

    I love the pics you created...the "stone gable" and the Williamsburg wreath could definitely make gorgeous framed pictures!!...
    Love the new header Yvonne!!

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  36. BlissNovember 25, 2012 at 10:19 AM

    You are dressed in Christmas finery from home to blog!

    Bliss

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  37. CynthiaNovember 25, 2012 at 10:28 AM

    This is so beautiful and fun, I love it.

    Cynthia

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  38. On Crooked CreekNovember 25, 2012 at 11:06 AM

    Yvonne,
    I noticed your Christmas header as I was departing your blog during my last visit!!! I love that you change your header with the Seasons!!! Nice photos using your software program!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  39. Amy ChalmersNovember 25, 2012 at 1:57 PM

    That is a cool effect Yvonne. I like Picmonkey too~

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  40. Linda @ it all started with paintNovember 25, 2012 at 2:29 PM

    I love that idea and those effects! Thanks so much for sharing how the magic happens ...

    :)

    Hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday!

    Linda

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  41. Chubby ChiequeNovember 30, 2012 at 3:38 PM

    Can Julie give her offer to bloggers outside US?

    Let me know.

    Have a great w/end.

    Greetings from a cold Stockholm,
    /CC

    ReplyDelete