January 2011

New to the blog for 2011 is Craft Geek. Each Tuesday I will share some of my favorite crafty, techie tips, apps, and techniques. This is not about digital scrapbooking really – but about how to use technology to enhance your creative and crafting experience. I do start with a little disclaimer that this this post will be iphone and ipad app heavy, but not exclusive. Bottom line is, I blog what I know, and well… apps are  big part of my daily life! That said… here we go!

PRINTING FROM THE iPHONE and iPAD

The ability to print directly from the iphone (and ipad) is such a joy. Particularly awesome when I just want to get that memory off the camera and onto a page, or into a card to send off. There are quite a few ways to accomplish this. The two simplest ways – the methods I use, require that you have your printer on your wireless network. If you print from your laptop to your printer without having to plug in… you are already good to go.

1.  Epson iPrint

If you have a wi-fi Epson printer (I am running an Artisan 700) this is the way to go. The app is free and allows you to adjust all the print settings, such as paper type, size, output, etc.

Keep in mind, this free app only prints pictures. So if you play around with your images in another app – like plastic bullet, be sure to save the image to your photo library. At this time, Epson iPrint does not support document, web, or email printing.

2. Print and Share

This app allows you to print to MOST wi-fi printers and ALL printers that are on your network via the free WePrint software that works together with this app. It is a fully features app, that for most crafters is more than they need. (see here for full list) But this app is great for printing pictures, emails, snippets from the web, documents, and more.  If the list of features leaves your head spinning, or is simply just more than you want/need – I recommend Print for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. Brought to you by the same peeps but much.

This is a great app, but does require some set up. After installing, take some time to read the getting started info at theEuroSmartz.

3. AirPrint

With the last version of the iOs, Apple enabled AirPrint. If you have not already – be sure to update your phones software. Once you do, when you go to your photo library, you have the ability to print directly from this spot – in theory. The problem at this time, is that you have to have an airprint compatible printer. For more info check out the Apple website for more info. I don’t own any of these printers, so no AirPrint for me…:(

Do you print from your iphone or ipad? What method do you use? If you try one of these, please leave a comment and let me know how it goes! And be sure to join me next week for more Craft Geeketry!

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Operation AWESOME!

by coconutgoddess on January 11, 2011

in life

Here I AM! Since Christmas I have been pretty low tech. Taking time to hang out with my fabulous family and enjoying the winter break.

Once the kids were back in school… OPERATION AWESOME is underway. Basically it is my multi point resolution to be a better me. As so many people do this time of year… I have chosen a “word”… BALANCE. I have chosen this word before, and quite honestly failed at attaning anything that even slightly resembles it. This year I am hoping it will be different. The big thing is that my mindset is different. My goals are about long term improvement. So rather than simply losing weight – I am resolving to get healthy. I have set some ambitious goals for my professional life, which in the past felt like I was working against balance. But the reality is that “balance” is different for everyone. I am a single mother of three awesome and active daughters. So what balance means to our family will be different than what it may be for yours.

Other resolutions revolve around enjoying life a little more. Taking time to soak in the little moments that are so easily missed in a crazy busy life.

To be better equipped to make these goals and such… step one is operation organization, leaving my studio for last.( Of course I will share the journey once I get to it. ) And getting each room in the house clean has left little time for anything else.

Phew. So let the journey begin… and I wish you well on what ever journey you are embarking on yourself!

In short…

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