As a blogger for a little under a year, I am always on the look out for some great new tools that I can use to beautify my own blog.
I also read many blogs daily through BlogLovin, which I admit has become my new go to blog reader. Truly just love it!
Well, I was reading one of my favorite bloggers, Leslie from Violet Imperfections last week. She mentioned in one of her posts her latest app purchase. I always love reading when she has purchased a new app, because quite frankly she usually has very good taste in her app purchases.
The app, she was discussing and showing off was called, A Beautiful Mess and is 99 cents for what she described as “pure happiness“. The picture that she edited with it was just exactly as she explained in those two little words!
I made a mental note and also commented on her post that I was going to purchase this app and try it out.
Anyone who reads my blog, Janine’s Confessions of A Mommyaholic, knows I love to take pictures of my girls (even have a whole page–1 Snap A Day) and to edit, add my own personal touches and even do photo collages, too. So, this app was truly right up my alley!
So, finally this weekend, I did just that, got to purchase the app myself for my iPad and play around with it, too.
The app, itself, was created by two awesome bloggers (Elsie and Emma) from the blog, A Beautiful Mess. If you click the link above, you can read more from them about this awesome app.
The app simply allows you to add filters, borders, text, doodles and phrases, too. As well as use different colors with all these features.
I thought I would share how to use it here with one of my pictures that I did indeed mess around with and hope to help others who are trying to do more with the photos they take and post on their blogs, because let’s face it a huge part of blogging is great pictures to help your readers relate to your post, as well as want to comeback for more.
I used the iPad version, but you can also use it on your iPhone, as well. The layout is a bit different, such as the menu bars are on the bottom instead of the left in the iPhone though as far as my short tutorial goes.
Here is the actual Beautiful Mess App, when you first open it up after you download it.
You will now be able to add photos from your camera roll or your photo stream.
Nest, you can begin to edit by using the left sidebar menu. I chose phrases to play around with first.
Now, you can add a word or phrase of your choice by clicking on the left hand side menu word, “Phrases“.
Now with your pointer and thumb fingers, you can size or make the chosen phrase bigger or smaller depending on where you want it to fit in your picture.
Again on the left hand menu bar, you can now change the color of the phrase font to whatever you desire.
Next step, you can add doodles to your photo from your left side menu. Here I added a conversation bubble.
I again used my pointer and thumb to size and place the conversation bubble where I wanted it.
Then, I also changed the color of the conversation doodle bubble to purple.
Again from one’s left side menu, you can now choose a border.
Here is the border, I chose with the color changed to purple.
And now you can save the photo and share it, too.
E-mailing the photo from my iPad to my Macbook to be able to post it in my blog article.
Here is the finished product above, all ready to post up!!! I just loved the way it came out and hope you get to try purchase this app and try it out real soon with your own photos.
Happy Photo Posting!!
I was not asked to review this app or compensated in any way, just a happy customer, who wanted to pass on what she learned here.
Bibi @ Bibi's C says
This is something I am going to enjoy a lot 🙂 Can't wait to get the app.
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J9 Designs says
Oh so happy Bibi, that you are going to purchase the app and hope this helps explain how to use it!! And if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me!! 🙂
Tracy @ Warratahstre says
Great app. You explained it really well. Thanks for sharing you experience with the app. I found you via Pin it Tues.
J9 Designs says
Oh thank you so much Tracy and so happy that you found me. And also so glad that this you liked this tutorial. Hope you try it and love it as much as I do!! 🙂
Joanne/Winelady Cook says
Thanks so much for this great information. I've been looking for a photo app I will give this one a try.
I just came from Pin It Tuesday.
Joanne/Winelady Cooks
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J9 Designs says
Oh so happy to share Joanne and do hope you try it and love it, too!! 🙂
Tricia says
That looks like a ton of fun, can't wait to try it! Thanks for joining us at Thursday Favorite Things over at Katherine's Corner.
J9 Designs says
Thanks so much Tricia and hope you do get to try it and enjoy!! 🙂
stephanie @ she turn says
This app looks like fun, I'll have to try it 🙂
J9 Designs says
Thanks Stephanie and hope you do. Enjoy!! 🙂
Kim says
Awesome! I am totally new to blogging (like 3 months in) and I need photo help! This app looks like a good start! Thanks!
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J9 Designs says
Oh I do hope this app helps you Kim and if you need any other help, please do reach out and contact me!! 🙂
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Angel says
Hi
Thanks for linking up at my blog hop. This looks great. I think I need to try it.
Angel
J9 Designs says
So happy to linkup and loved your blog hop. Hope you try this out, Angel!! 🙂
jellibeanjournals says
I saw this app advertised on A Beautiful Mess and was interested. I don't have any Apple gadgets at home, but if I did, it'd probably go on the wish list. Glad you love it.
J9 Designs says
Just saw they are realizing an Android version too and if you have that you may be able to still get it. Thanks so much Jelli and seriously hope you get to try this down the road!! 🙂
Nicci @ PowerfulMothering says
This is awesome! I saw this somewhere the other day and my eyes glazed over.
Thanks for sharing with us on Pin it Tuesdays! PowerfulMothering.com
J9 Designs says
My pleasure for sharing and hope I know that feeling all too well, Nicci!! 🙂
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Melissa says
I just purchased this app and fell in love instantly. It was really a hot app this week. Thanks for the breakdown, I picked up a thing or two!
http://www.paintingmariposasinthesky.com
J9 Designs says
Oh so glad you purchased it and that I could help out a bit, too. Honestly so happy to help and break it down a bit and it is truly is such a fun app!! 🙂
Susan Zutautas says
I have a few photo apps that I'm always using. This one looks like a lot of fun. I'll have to try it out.
J9 Designs says
Oh glad to help you out Susan and seriously this one is so much fun. Hope you try it!! 🙂
igotthismartha says
Thanks for the advice!
J9 Designs says
Oh my pleasure and hope you enjoy!! 🙂
Paula J says
I didn't realize you had this blog as well!! I was planning on downloading this app once it was out and then I forgot…it looks super cute and I can't wait to download and use it.
J9 Designs says
Paula, I just started this blog up in the last month, because I am now doing blog designs and extras. So, I thought I would make a separate place for that. IF you are need or know anyone who is looking for blogging services, please feel free to contact me. And thanks for stopping by and hope you do download this, because I just read they will be adding some new features for free soon in an update. So, this one really gives so much for the price paid!! 🙂
Kelly says
That's so adorable Janine! I have several APs I use for these kinds of effects…this one looks really cute! I love it! Now I'll have to go get it!
J9 Designs says
Awesome Kelly and hope you love it as much as I do. Truly having so much fun using it on so many of my photos in the last week alone!! 🙂
Corinne says
This looks like such a cute app! I might check it out =)
Found your blog through the blog hopm please feel free to check by blog out too!
Corinne x http://www.skinnedcartree.com
J9 Designs says
Corinne, I do hope you get to try it. And I just stopped by your blog, left you a comment and followed you back, too!! Thanks again!! 🙂
christyb says
This app looks awesome and I may just have to try it too! Love the phrases you can add!
J9 Designs says
Thanks so much Christy for your kind comment, the shares, too. Hope you get it and try it, too!! 🙂 🙂
Jessica says
Oooo! A iPad app! I just purchased a mini iPad yesterday and am learning all the basics of it. It's like a HUGE iphone! I love how the picture app can do all of that. I will download it and paly around with it. Thanks for the tip and thanks for sharing with us @ My Favorite Posts SHOW OFF Weekend Blog Party 🙂
The Wondering BrainJessica
J9 Designs says
Oh I did I review on the Mini and loved it. I have the latest iPad, but not the mini. They basically do the same thing, but mini just a bit smaller (in between the iPhone and the regular iPad). Love my iPad and this really is an awesome app for the iPad. Hope you get it and love it, too. And so my pleasure in linking up with you again. Thank you!! 🙂
Karen says
I don't see it available on my droid, I will have to check again. Or is it just for iPhones? 🙁
J9 Designs says
Oh sorry Karen. Right now I believe it is just iPhones/iPads, but from what I have heard from them, they will doing it on Droid soon, too.
Parenting Today says
I have been following Elsie and Emma at Beautiful Mess blog for over a year now. In fact, "Beautiful Mess" is my favorite blog ever. I knew they came out with a new app but I haven't had a chance to check it out. Thanks for your review. I think I am going to get the app now 🙂
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J9 Designs says
I am truly new to them by way of Leslie from Violet Imperfections and this app, but am also a huge fan now. And couldn't agree with you more on loving their blog. And the app is totally worth it and hope you do get it!! 🙂
Shelley says
Very fun app!!
J9 Designs says
Thanks and couldn't agree more. Used it again last night!! 🙂
Kae James says
This sounds awesome!!! I am looking for it but I can't find it on Google Play. Am I missing something? I'm using my Galaxy Tab if that helps. Idk but would really appreciate your help. 🙂 Thank You.
J9 Designs says
Kae, right now it is only available on Apple iTunes. I believe they are adding it soon to Android, so definitely keep your eyes open and when I find out I will be sure to try and post an update here, too!! 🙂
Marie says
Hi! New fan visiting from Sew Crafty Angel. This app looks like a lot of fun and easy to bring some more personality to photos. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers,
Marie
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Janine Huldie says
Oh my pleasure for sharing and the app seriously is so much fun. It definitely does turn your plain photos into something extraordinary!! Thanks for stopping by and following, too!! 🙂
Louise epi says
You cant resize the size of the border?
Janine Huldie says
You can totally resize the border by taking your thumb and pointer finger and pinching the outside corners of the border to make it smaller. You can do the same for the text and doodles, too.
Landscaping Images says
After going over a few of the blog articles on your site,
I truly like your technique of blogging. I saved it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near
future. Take a look at my website as well and let me know how you feel.
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Janine Huldie says
Thank you for your kind words. And heading over to check out you site, as well now. 🙂
Diane Roark says
Hey Janine,
You should have reshared this a lot time ago. I would love this app too.
Thanks for sharing on Wonderful Wed.blog hop.
Blessings,
Diane Roark
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J9 Designs says
Diane, it just dawned on me to re-share some of my early posts which others may not have read before and glad you could use this app, too 😉
Helene says
Do you know how this might be different from online photo-editors like ribbet?
J9 Designs says
This is more exclusively for your mobile devices where those work mostly on your computer unless they have a mobile app, too.