"Waterlogued"....

..... just like the child who plays in the water until their hands look like raisins; that's pretty much what happens to me when I start playing with this app that magically transforms photographs into almost realistic watercolors.

Given I am certainly not a talented watercolor artist; it is amazingly cool to see our family's memories transformed into art.  I've test printed them out on actual watercolor paper on my home printer and I'm quite pleased. (I can't wait to try it out with a more professional printer).

 .... a great addition to a gallery wall..... they would also make charming note cards and gifts.

A big "thank you!" to the folks who designed this app!

Technology: Postagram

I was excited to check this out after a friend mentioned it to me recently..... the clever melding of what some would consider  'old school' correspondence - the postcard.... with up-to-date digital photography and printing allowing one to send ultra-personalized hard copy greetings from a phone or computer in virtually 2 minutes flat!  The photo even pops out for keeping.... clever; those postagram folks.  I love their tag line.... "because reality is awesome"..... I think grandma would agree. :)

Another thing that's awesome.... the first 5 postcards are free!

iPhone app: Red Stamp

I think I will always be a traditionalist when it comes to correspondence.  I love peering in the mailbox and seeing a hand-written address peaking out among the bills.  I love pulling out old cards and notes that have been tucked away in a drawer every once in a while to reflect and reminisce about an occasion or event in life.  I love taking the time to sit down with a piece of personalized stationery preparing to write a note..... yet, ALAS I realize I need to recognize that "times, they are a changin" and in a world of texting, tweeting, e:mailing and facebooking I'm getting dust kicked in my face!

Enter the Red Stamp iPhone app.  It has helped me take a baby step toward getting up to date in that it offers the look of stationery so your recipient can feel that you've taken a small additional effort to make an electronic invite, thank-you, birthday greeting, etc. special; while taking advantage of technology and delivering it via an e:mail or tweet.

With over 400 designs to choose from; it's not as cookie cutter as you might think.  Here are a few I've used:

And to appeal to traditionalists like me, they will even print out a postcard for you if you'd like and send it with a stamp for a small fee. The app is free. You can find out more here.

All in all, I guess it doesn't really matter how a message is sent; just so you let your reader know how you feel.

What's your vote?  snail mail or e:mail?

Instagram iPhone app

...... so some people are addicted to Angry Birds but I have a serious addiction to the Instagram iPhone app.  It allows you to choose from 16 different filters to give your photos a vintage or otherwise artistic appearance (my favorites are the Lomo-fi and Nashville).  Photos are then automatically saved to your Camera Roll and can be easily shared via Facebook, Twitter or e:mail.  Best of all, it's free.  Don't say I didn't warn you!

image source:  House of Marlowe