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Thanks to my sweet, dog-loving blogging friend, Jeanne, I discovered a new online photo editing website that’s more fabulous than the day I had my first taste of Asiago cheese!

Thanks, Jeanne…x

Oh, and did I also mention that it’s F-R-E-E?

Well, it is!

It’s called PicMonkey. And it’s a great alternative for those of us who used Picnik.

Honestly? I think it’s better than Picnik because there’s more features.

Holy monkey.…ever since I found out about this place, I’ve been spending all my nights uploading photos and playing around until 1-2 o’clock in the morning. I’ll tell ya, it’s freakin’ ADDICTIVE!

Besides offering their basic photo editing stuff like, resizing, cropping, exposure, sharpening, and color adjusting tools, it also offers the coolest special effects, framing, and touch up features.

It’s almost like owning a copy of Photoshop!

Today, I would like to share several photos that I edited with PicMonkey. But what I decided to do this time was to show you the before and after photos because one of my other sweet blogging friends, Babs, suggested it in her comment on my last photo editing posts and I thought it was a GREAT idea.

Thanks, Babs…x

So here they are, folks!  Please enjoy....



Stunning Philadelphia architecture



Interior of the retail store Anthropologie



Upper level of Anthropologie



A flower shop on 19th Street, between Walnut and Chestnut Streets



An old home in the Chestnut Hill area of Philadelphia



And old English pub on 18th Street, between Walnut and Chestnut Streets



An old abandoned coffee house on Sansom Street




Have a monkey-fun weekend everyone!
X

58 comments:

  1. Isn't it a riot Ron???? I freakin' LOVE it!!! And YES it is totally addicting!!! I spend WAY tooooo much time on there, but I figure...it IS art...in a way...right?? Your pictures are terrific I'm tellin' ya! Picnik used to have a premium feature and PicMonkey will have the same...it is in introductory mode right now, so I expect they will be offering the premium feature in a short while. Enjoy, my friend, and thanks for the shout out!! xo
    Jeanne

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  2. It is amazing what we can do with our pictures. I like the way the hydrangea appears to be painted on a wall. I have visited PicMonkey but not had time to play around with much. I am too busy trying to fathom the new Blogger - which is supposed to be easier to understand but is already defeating me. I had to post on my WI blog yesterday and got in a right mess. I am so glad I programmed A Mixed Bag for a several days in advance! But to get back to your pictures, keep up the good work, I'd love to see more. Have a great day.

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  3. You did have fun with it didn't you? :)

    Have a great weekend Ron. x

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  4. Your Anthropologie has TWO levels?? I love that store! This site is way cool. I'm off for ONE WHOLE WEEK starting at 5:00 today (my mental vacation) so I'll put it on my list of fun things to do. Thanks!

    Have a great weekend, Ron!

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  5. Cool stuff, Ron! The Chestnut Hill house turns into a spooky mansion in the second photo!

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  6. Thanks so much for the great recommendation! I will have to check out the site. I keep thinking I should just buy Lightroom but I never get around to it. This is probably even more than I need.
    I love the photos. I've got to come visit sometime soon.

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  7. Boy, Ron, you really want bananas! And what great photos! I especially love those shots of the old buildings--I can't enough of those! I work in a great old building in Lower Manhattan and I love it! Thanks for the tip about PicMonkey, buddy, and have a great weekend!

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  8. Oh My Goodness Ronnie, you are a lifesaver ! Here, have a Life Savers.
    I was sad when Picnik closed and I missed the photo effects I so loved.

    PicMonkey is so much awesome and so much easier ! I love it.

    Thanks Ron !

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  9. Looks like you had a lot of fun.

    Very few people really need, or use most of the features of Photoshop. As a professional, I only use a few features really. It also isn't a programme that gives you instant special effects. There are dozens of far less costly programmes out there that are easier to use, including free online services - proof here :)

    Well done Ron!

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  10. Gooood morning Jeanne~

    I can't thank you ENOUGH for turning me on to PicMonkey! Ever since you shared the link on your blog a few weeks ago, I've been over there almost everyday playing around with my photos. And even without the premium feature, they still seem to offer more than Picnik did.

    Thanks again for introducing me to PicMonkey, dear lady. I LOVE IT!!!!

    Have a faaaaaaabulous weekend!

    X to you and the girlz!

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  11. Yes, I had a BLAST! :)

    I'm warning you though, it's HIGHLY addictive!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, m'dear!

    Have a grrrrrrreat weekend!

    X

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  12. Hey there Chrissy!

    Actually, the Anthropologie here in Philly has FOUR levels! It's their flagship/original store, so it's REALLY, REALLY cool. The store is a converted mansion - it's STUNNING!

    Yes, I love that store too! And not only their merchandise, but also their whole atmosphere!

    "I'm off for ONE WHOLE WEEK starting at 5:00 today (my mental vacation) so I'll put it on my list of fun things to do. Thanks!"

    Woot! Woot! Enjoy your week off, girl! You deserve it!

    Thanks for stopping by and have a stellar weekend!

    X to you and gang!

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  13. Good morning Valerie~

    It's funny because when I first discovered PicMonkey, I so thought of YOU because I know how much you enjoy playing around with your photos. But I'm warning you....it's HIGHLY addictive!

    " I am too busy trying to fathom the new Blogger - which is supposed to be easier to understand but is already defeating me. I had to post on my WI blog yesterday and got in a right mess."

    I so know what you mean because when Blogger permanently switched over to their new interface this week, I made several posting mistakes. If you can believe this, I was still using the 'original' post editor because I got so use to hand-placing my posts into the HTML and adjusting the code myself, that I was TOTALLY lost working with the new editor. I also almost accidentally hit "publish" SEVERAL TIMES before I was ready to publish - UGH!

    But I have to say, after working with it for a week, I REALLY like the new interface now. It's a lot like Wordpress.

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by, dear lady. Have a glorious weekend!

    X

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  14. Hey there Bijoux~

    Thank you.

    "The Chestnut Hill house turns into a spooky mansion in the second photo!"

    Isn't that the COOLEST effect? I had such a blast playing around with these photos.

    Thanks for stopping by, my friend, because I know you are VERY busy right now. Have a great weekend!

    (((( You ))))

    X

    P.S. hope all is going well with your house selling!

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  15. Hey Jen~

    You are so welcome, my friend!

    "I keep thinking I should just buy Lightroom but I never get around to it. This is probably even more than I need."

    Yes, I thought the same thing. But using PicMonkey has been such a great way for me to learn photo editing, without having to download software and taking up space on my hard drive. I may still eventually do that, but for now this is perfect.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Jen! Have a faaaaaabulous weekend!

    X from Philly!

    (((( You ))))

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  16. Hey there Rob~

    HA! Yes, didn't I???? I went Monkey banana's!

    " I especially love those shots of the old buildings--I can't enough of those! I work in a great old building in Lower Manhattan and I love it!"

    Isn't that one of the coolest things about living in these older, historical cities, like NY and Philly? The architecture is GRAND!

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by, buddy! Have a SUPA' weekend!

    X

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  17. Hey there Jaffer~

    "Oh My Goodness Ronnie, you are a lifesaver ! Here, have a Life Savers."

    HAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!

    Yes, I too was sad when Picnik closed. I've been using Lunapic (and enjoying it), but PicMonkey is so much more awesome and so much easier. It's like having a copy of Photoshop!

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by, buddy! Always so nice to see ya!

    Have a grrrrrrrrrreat weekend!

    X

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  18. Happy Friday, Ron!

    Again, what great pictures of your city. You live in a wonderful place with such great architecture. I particularly adore the English Pub! I would love to belly up to the bar for a bottle of Boddingtons. It is so charming.

    I don't do much photo editing because of such a hectic schedule. Working, cooking (and I cook; I don't heat up food from cans and boxes), cleaning, and running errands takes up so much of my day. The effects are really cool though.

    I saw above that you have a whole week off! I hope you enjoy every minute of it! You deserve it!

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    XOXO

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  19. Hey there Babs~

    Yes, I had a BLAST!

    "Very few people really need, or use most of the features of Photoshop. As a professional, I only use a few features really. It also isn't a programme that gives you instant special effects. There are dozens of far less costly programmes out there that are easier to use, including free online services - proof here."

    Thanks for sharing that about Photoshop. And you're right, I've discovered so many free, easy, and very advanced online photo editing services that don't take up space on our computers - like, PicMonkey!

    Thanks for stopping by, my friend. And once again, thank you for your suggestion that I post the before and after photos. Great idea!

    Have a faaaaabulous weekend!

    X

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  20. Happy Friday to YOU too!

    Thank you. Philadelphia has some of the most wonderful architecture that just BEGS to be photographed.

    "I particularly adore the English Pub! I would love to belly up to the bar for a bottle of Boddingtons. It is so charming."

    HA! Isn't that the coolest-looking pub? Philly has so many charming English and Irish pubs throughout the city - you would LOVE them!

    "I don't do much photo editing because of such a hectic schedule."

    I totally understand. But if you ever need to do some photo editing, try PicMonkey. It's faaaaaaaabulous!!!

    No, I don't have off for a week, it's Chrissy that has off.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl! Have a super weekend! And I hope you got your power back on!

    XOXO

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  21. Ron, I love these photo edits. Especially the ones of the old buildings. That house looks so spooky, like out of a horror movie!

    Also, the photo of the flowers that look as though they're painting on brick. Cool!

    Thanks for sharing, Ron. I always enjoy your photo posts. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  22. Hola Denise~

    Thank you. Yes, the one of the old house (in Chestnut Hill) reminds me of the house in the movie The Amityville Horror - HA!

    And the one of the flowers I actually made by mistake because as I was trying out all the special effects, I accidentally pressed that button and VIOLA...it came out that way!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Always a delight to see ya!

    Have a wonderful weekend......X

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  23. Oh Ron! These are FABULOUS and I am signing up for PicMonkey right now!

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  24. Thank you, Meleah!

    OMG...you've gotta check this site out! You'll have so much fun!

    And you don't even have to sign up, you can just start uploading your photos and editing them. But I'll tell ya...it's ADDICTIVE!

    Have a faaaabulous weekend, girl!

    X

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  25. Wow - you made that old home look like something out of The Addams Family. Love it! It's fun to play around with photos...I think of it as art. Have you tried Instagram yet? I have not, but it seems to be all the rage these days.

    Have an excellent weekend, Ron!

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  26. We really shouldn't mention "bananas" around Ron...

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  27. Hi there Ronnie,

    This is as much fun as... a barrel of monkeys! I really enjoyed the results.
    It is crazy how one detail, streaks or cracks or patterns can totally change the feel of a photo.
    I am quite new in photo editing. I have used Picasa occasionally and your last recommended photo edit site(Luna pic). I have not yet "graduated"
    to Photoshop. I am quite a purist most of the time when it comes to doing radical edit changes. But, we all can change.

    Thanks for sharing, hon and happy weekend to ya!
    xo

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  28. Bwhahahahahahahaha!

    Mark...you CRACK ME THE HELL UP!

    Thanks was HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!

    Touche'!

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  29. Ron, thanks for the tip on the photo software. I tried it out and it's SO cool! I have two different photo softwares, that I PAID for because neither have ALL of what I want in ONE package. PicMonkey looks like it does! I can't wait to try it out on my own photos!

    I just love YOUR pictures! The home in the Chestnut Hall area is so beautiful and in the 2nd photo it looks haunted!

    The coffee shot is adorable. Too bad it's closed, I could see us sitting there sipping on some java! The 2nd pic reminds me of the 30's!

    It's amazing what the RIGHT photo software can do. I like the wrinkle remover myself. I can stay young FOREVER! tee hee!

    Have a fantabulous weekend!

    ((You))

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  30. Howdy Mark~

    OMG...yes, it does look like something out of The Addams Family!

    "It's fun to play around with photos...I think of it as art."

    You're right...it is an art! I don't think I ever fully appreciated or understood the awesome things you can do with photo editing until I got my camera last year and started playing around.

    " Have you tried Instagram yet? I have not, but it seems to be all the rage these days."

    No, I haven't. But thank you for letting me know because I'll check it out sometime this weekend!

    As always, thanks for stopping by, buddy!

    Have a SUPA-DUPA weekend!

    X

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  31. Hi there Barb~

    HA! It is as much fun as barrel of monkeys!

    "It is crazy how one detail, streaks or cracks or patterns can totally change the feel of a photo."

    You're so right, my friend.

    I too am new to photo editing. And like you, I always thought myself quite the purist when it came to doing radical edit changes and never thought I would get into it. But ever since playing around with some of the online editing programs, I can totally see the advantages and ART form.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Barb! And again, congrats on your 200th post! Looking forward to your next 200!

    Have a happy weekend......XOXO

    ((((( You ))))))

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  32. OH what fun!!! I can see myself hanging out there for a bit. I've been using the upgraded Picasa for a few things that Picnik did but am always on the lookout for something better. I love the effects in the Chestnut Hill house and the Rittenhouse one too!
    ENJOY.
    And have a wonderful weekend. xo

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  33. Hey there Pam~

    You are so welcome, my friend. If it weren't for Jeanne, I would have never discovered it myself!

    "I have two different photo softwares, that I PAID for because neither have ALL of what I want in ONE package. PicMonkey looks like it does! I can't wait to try it out on my own photos!"

    I'm not sure what all you have on your two photo softwares, but you'll be amazed at what PicMonkey offers - and for FREE. Plus, I like the fact that I don't have to download any software that takes up space on my computer.

    Glad you enjoyed the photos. You would LOVE the Chestnut Hill area of Philly. It's got so many wonderful old, historical homes!

    And yes, it's sad that that coffee shop closed. I walk by it almost everyday and think, "God...that would make a great pub/bistro!"

    "I like the wrinkle remover myself. I can stay young FOREVER! tee hee!"

    HA! Isn't that a great feature? I haven't tried it yet, but I will.

    Thanks for stopping by, my dear friend. Have a fantabulous weekend too!

    ((((( You )))))

    X

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  34. Hey Mary~

    "OH what fun!!! I can see myself hanging out there for a bit."

    OMG...you would LOVE this place! Although, you always do such an amazing job with your photo editing. I always enjoy your photos!

    I've never tried Picasa, but hear it's great. Basically, I was using the photo editing software on my computer and Lunapic.

    "I love the effects in the Chestnut Hill house and the Rittenhouse one too!"

    Thank you. Don't you just LOVE those parts of Philly? There is so many wonderful things to photograph!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor! Hope you're feeling better!

    ((((( You )))))

    Have a wonderful weekend....X

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  35. Fabulous! looks like you've been having some fun!

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  36. Hey Suzi!

    Thank you. And yes, I had so much fun!

    Have a terrific weekend, my friend. And thanks for stopping by!

    X

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  37. OOOOO...i see they are up and running...when i realized i would not have picnik any longer thanks to good old google, i was upset but almost immediately i was invited to a flickr group and discovered that the monkey was going to pick up where they left off...and free "for now"...hoping it stays that way.

    love love love the frames you've used. how fun is that? i cannot, will not even go there. last time i was there they were still finessing the site. looks like it's way better....no no no...i must get off butt and move a little. xoxoxo

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  38. Hey there Linda~

    Yup...they are up and running!!!! I too was a user of Picnik, so when I heard they would be closing down, I was MAJOR bummed :(

    I've been using Lunapic these past months because I wanted to get use to using another photo editing software before Picnik closed. I like Lunapic a lot, but I have to say....PicMonkey blows it out of the water. And I think it's even better than Picnik!

    Thanks, glad you enjoyed these photos. I had so much freakin' fun editing them.

    When you have some time, try it out because I know you like to fiddle with photos, but I warn ya....it's ADDICTIVE!!!!!

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by, dear friend. Have a stunning weekend!

    (((((( Linda ))))))

    xoxoxo

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  39. Love these pics! My fave is a toss up between the English pub and the flowershop. Not only do you have a great photographic artistic eye, you're great at the photoshop effects! This website will definitely come in handy. I just got a new laptop and my Photoshop cds are still stashed in a box. Yay!

    Hope you have a super great weekend!

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  40. All right......

    I've gone, I've played, I'm in deep trouble.......LOL

    There's STUFF to do and buttons to push and FUN things to play with!

    And it's a windy, cold, gray day for a Saturday.
    HOWever--LOL I have a small child who will undoubtedly wanna see someone wear the tutu on their head again. ROFL And breakfast to toss together.....and hair to desnaggle.
    That's AFTER her highness finally manages to actually GET UP.

    In the meantime, it's a windy, cold, gray day. :-)

    *snickering* Maybe she'll sleep in!
    Nahhhhhhhhh......I'll poke her and terrorize her into getting up so I have a playmate!

    Oh.
    And I can't figure out why you felt a NEED to alter the photos--geeze, they're perfectly wonderful zackly as IS.

    <-- thinks editing is for messups one wants to salvage.

    Yes.....I live in the dark ages. LOL

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  41. Hey there Tara~

    Thank you. I had so much fun playing around with these pics.

    " I just got a new laptop and my Photoshop cds are still stashed in a box. Yay!"

    Yaaaaaaaaaaaay! Don't you just LOVE when you get a new computer? It's like having a new TOY! I got a new one back in December and stumbled upon a great deal. My older one was so SLOW (6 years old) and was getting ready to crash. The thing I love about getting a new computer is that it runs fast!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Always great to see ya!

    Have a faaaaaabulous weekend!

    X

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  42. Hiya Mel~

    "All right......

    I've gone, I've played, I'm in deep trouble.......LOL

    There's STUFF to do and buttons to push and FUN things to play with!"

    HA! I KNEW you would love this site because it's like playing with a TOY!!! But be forewarned....it's HIGHLY addictive!

    "*snickering* Maybe she'll sleep in!
    Nahhhhhhhhh......I'll poke her and terrorize her into getting up so I have a playmate!"

    Bwhahhahahahahaha! I bet you two are gonna have a fun-filled weekend! And PLEASE take a photo of yourself wearing that tutu on your head because I'm DYING to see it!!!! And funny you mentioned a 'tutu' because earlier this week, I took a photograph of a kids clothing store window and guess what was in the window?

    Yup...TUTU'S!!! I kid you not!

    "Oh.
    And I can't figure out why you felt a NEED to alter the photos--geeze, they're perfectly wonderful zackly as IS.

    <-- thinks editing is for messups one wants to salvage."

    Aw...thank you, dear lady. But I didn't want to necessarily alter them to 'fix' them, I just wanted to alter them to show how many cool things you can do on PicMonkey.

    Thanks oodles for stopping by, Mel! Wishing you and the Big a faaaaaaabulous Saturday!

    (((((( You & Bug ))))))

    X ya's!

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  43. I love all your shots
    the befores and absolutely the afters

    the texture you added to the flowers is wonderful
    the coffe shop shot now looks like an old newspaper photo
    the Chesnut house looks scary

    amazing how edits can alter the mood and enhance what the photographer saw

    it's like painting your photo

    well done!!

    Funny thing, I've been using the monkey for awhile now and never mentioned it to you because I was positive it was you who told me about it!

    Hope sends hugs

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  44. Hey Lady Dianne~

    Thank you....x

    "amazing how edits can alter the mood and enhance what the photographer saw

    it's like painting your photo"

    Exactly! You said it perfectly....it's like painting your own photo; altering the mood!

    "Funny thing, I've been using the monkey for awhile now and never mentioned it to you because I was positive it was you who told me about it!"

    No, I had heard that Picnik was closing but didn't realize they were going to replace it which is why I was using Lunapic. But when I read on Jeanne's blog about PicMonkey, I was so very excited to try it. I LOVE IT!!!!!

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by, dear lady. Hope you're enjoying a faaaabulous weekend! Aren't you lovin' this cooler weather?

    X and hugs to you and Hope!

    P.S. hope Siren and Isadora are doing well.

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  45. Those are fabulous! I really loved the old building ones, especially the old house in Chestnut house and the old coffee house on Rittenhouse. AMAZING!

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  46. Hiya Peg~

    Thanks, dear friend!

    I love the old building ones too. Especially the coffee house on Rittenhouse because after editing it, it looked like a vintage photo from the past!

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by. Hope all is going well with your opening on Tuesday!!!!

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

    X to you and Dwight!

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  47. Ron,

    Well, first of all, you have an amazing eye. These photographs are spectacular to begin with. But the effects you have applied make the pictures fill them with such sentiment. I am going to check the site out now. Thanks for the tip Ron!

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  48. Good morning Bill~

    Thank you, buddy. I love the word you used....sentiment. I hadn't even thought of that, but you're right!

    I had so much fun playing around with these photos; experimenting with the various effects.

    Hope you enjoy PicMonkey!

    Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a spectacular rest of your weekend!

    X

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  49. oh my, I love playing with pictures too so thanks for sharing this resource! The before-after combos are remarkable - a lot of versatile effects. ... That monkey sort of freaks me out a little bit though. >laugh< anyway, sending a hug & I'll be back to read tomorrow's post tomorrow! xo, diane

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  50. Hey there Diane~

    Thank you, and you are soooooo welcome! If you have time this week, stop by PicMonkey because it's so much FUN! But I'm warning you....it's ADDICTIVE!

    "That monkey sort of freaks me out a little bit though."

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Yeah, he is sorta freaky-looking isn't he?

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl! Hope you and Cristybella had a flawless weekend! I thought of you today because I was out this afternoon taking photographs of flowers and kept thinking about your beautiful garden!

    Much X to you and C!

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  51. i actually like your pictures naked, without the added stuff. tho' it is fun to play with. experimenting is fun!

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  52. ((( You )))

    Thank you, Val!

    You're such an inspiration for me!

    Have a faaaaaaaabulous week....X

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  53. I particularly like what you did with the Chestnut Hill home. Looks like something out of a history book. I've been playing around with PicMonkey for a while today. You're right...it *is* addictive! Love their sense of humor over there.

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  54. Hey Herman~

    Thank you.

    OMG...I had no idea you knew of and were using PicMonkey!?!?!

    Isn't it the coolest place?

    And you're right...LOVE their sense of humor over there. The website is a HOOT!

    Thanks for stopping by, buddy! Hope you had a super Monday!

    X

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  55. Oh no Ronnie how could you?!? You got me started on a new addiction! I already had an instagram addiction and now this?!!? Oh goodness what are you doing to me?!

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  56. Hey Shae~

    HA! Isn't it something all the stuff that's on the Internet to get ADDICTED to???

    I've heard of istagram, but haven't checked it out yet. And yes, I hear it's VERY addictive.

    Thanks for stopping by, girl. Hope you're having excellent week!

    X

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  57. Since Picnik closed, I've been using PicMonkey - it's GREAT! I told them I'll even pay for it when they start charging!

    Your pictures are AMAZING!

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  58. Hey there Nitebyrd~

    Thank you.

    Isn't PicMonkey faaaaaaabulous? I actually like it better than Picnik.

    Yes, eventually they're probably going to charge; especially for their more advanced editing stuff.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Sis! Hope you're having a flawless week!

    X ya!

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