Hello and welcome to the 2015 Holiday Gift Guide.
If you haven’t noticed, I’ve not been around the interwebs lately. I’ve been ill but am getting back on track slowly. But rather than go into that, because boring…how about we focus on something good! With just over a month until Christmas day, let’s start this week off with a big ol’ POP!!
Are you ready?
This giveaway is amazing (hint: it has something to do with printing photos on canvas) and I know you’ll want to enter as many times as you can, come back often and share, share, share! Entering multiple times increases your chances of winning this PERFECT gift for that someone special in your life.
But first I wanted to tell you about why I am running this contest. I want it to inspire you to unleash your creativity. I want you to connect with your inner artist. Yes, you have one! We’re all artists I’m told; we’ve just lost our way. And as with anything, we’ve got to struggle before we discover what we need to know.
Turning photos into art
I enjoy photography and art and love the idea of displaying beautifully composed photos I’ve taken, along with whimsical paintings I create (in my head) but translating that into an actual piece I am proud of just hasn’t happened. It’s not for lack of trying, I’m just stuck.
I got myself a sweet Canon EOS Rebel T31 and lighting set up to use at home, thinking that it would help me get excited but without a dedicated space in our apartment it doesn’t get used much. And because I like to share my photos with ya’ll on social media it’s just more convenient to use my Samsung Note 3. It takes great photos in perfect light but in low light it’s horrendous.
When I do use my digital camera outside I sometimes get lucky but for the most part I struggle with lighting, angles and composition etc., like other amateur photographers. And unless I get them printed they get lost in the black hole that is my computer’s photo gallery. And don’t get me started on all the paints and brushes and sketch books I have.
So I was excited when canvaspop contacted me to say they enjoyed the photos on this site enough to offer to print one for me. But the pressure! I have tens of thousands of photos on my computer and most of them aren’t worthy and of good enough quality to blow up and put on the wall. For the digital space they are ok but who wants a huge cr*p photo on their wall staring back at them forever?
I took the photo below one day this past summer when my little family went on a walk together. It was a gorgeous, sunny day in our neighbourhood and although we live in the city we are blessed with pockets of green everywhere which makes living in the city bearable.
My son spied these grasses swaying gently in the breeze and I was drawn to the silky texture and the vibrant shades of green. He insisted it was wheat as he picked a few. I doubt that’s true but who am I to say that wheat doesn’t grow beside an empty parking lot in our fair city?
Printing Photos on Canvas
I have to say I was still nervous about getting this photo printed. I’m not sure why but I think the recovering perfectionist in me isn’t quite in remission. As in, anything creative I attempt rarely gets finished because well, it’s never good enough I suppose. Sigh…I really thought I had let that go.
Putting this project in the hands of professionals then, just may be the thing I need to get inspired. All I needed to do was send in a few choice photos to the good people at canvaspop. They suggested I used the photo above as it was the clearest and suited the size I asked for.
My first original piece of artwork
Ten days or so after I placed my order my first original piece of artwork arrived. I don’t know a lot about canvas quality however I knew the moment I opened the box that this was really, really good. Its matte texture and bright white colour really bring the colours to life and I am told they will NEVER FADE. Guaranteed. FOREVER. Nice!
I also love that the print is ready to hang, including gallery-strength piano wire and protective rubber bumpers. They’ve even include the nail.
The only thing I would change about my canvaspop canvas print is the size as I’d hoped 16″ x 24″ would fill this space better. It looks better in person although in this photo the rhino dominates. And then there’s the skeleton in the window. Did you see that? LOL!
I have another spot that’ll be perfect for my new creation so I’ll probably move it. I may just order another canvas print, maybe framed this time!
Which reminds me…
If you’d like to order your own canvas print or fully framed print you can, of course. Just go on over to the canvaspop website and when you decide to order use MOMPARADIGM35 for a special discount just for Mom Paradigm readers.
This code expires on December 31 2015 so don’t delay! Order your canvas print today.
[Tweet “Turn your photos into art! Get 35% off @canvaspop when you use this special code. #printing #inspiration”]
And if that isn’t enough..
I’m giving a 16″ x 24″ canvas print, valued at $117.00 away to one lucky reader!
GIVEAWAY
Please note that you must complete the entire entry form to qualify for this giveaway. This giveaway is open to Canadian residents only and ends on Monday December 7th at midnight.
The world is your canvas.
Visit the canvaspop website and follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.
Disclaimer: I was given a canvas print to sample but opinions are mine alone.
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