Free/Cheap Creative Arts Software

We all have our creative side and the computer is a great tool for personal, business, and school projects. Most computers come with the extra ordinary paint program that allows users to perform simple creative tasks, but the common user wants to do more without shelling out the extra cash to do so.


Free Photo shop Alternatives

You don't need photo-shop for photo editing you can download many programs off the internet that can produce many of the same results photo-shop can deliver. My advice would be to test out each program and see which one works best for you.

Gimp: 

This program is probably to closest to photoshop. It might not be able to do all the things photoshop can, but it comes pretty close. The program can be a tad bit complicated at times, but once you get the hang of it things aren't that difficult.
http://www.gimp.org/

Gimp Tutorials:
http://gimpology.com/

http://www.gimp.org/tutorials/

http://gimp-tutorials.net/

Aviary:

Another image editing program that I honestly don't know much about,but I've heared good things  about it.

http://www.aviary.com/

Tutorials:
http://www.aviary.com/tutorials

flaunr R:

A simple photo editing program that is probably best used for personal projects than scholarly ones.

http://www.flauntr.com/

Pixlr:

This program is supposed to the mist popular editing program on the web.

Tutorials:

https://sites.google.com/site/pixlrgrabber/pixlr-tutorials

 Picasa

http://picasa.google.com/
A much more simple editing tool, but is great for photo touch ups.

Other:
A list of even more editing programs not listed. There are many out there so find which one is best for you.

http://www.guidetoartschools.com/tips-and-tools/free-photo-editing

http://www.snap2objects.com/2007/07/20/45-best-freeware-design-programs/

Illustrator Alternatives

Illustrator is an amazing program that allows you to create spectacularworks of art that you can't always produce by hand. Unfortunantly the program is really expensive, but there is good news! There are now several sites that allow you to download their creative drawing software for free.

InkScape

Inkscape is a vector graphic editor that is kown for it's great uder interface. It's basicly the GIMP of Illustrator.

http://inkscape.org/download/?lang=en

SmoothDraw

SmoothDraw is another great program that allows you to create works of art onyour very own computer screen.

http://www.smoothdraw.com/product/freeware.htm

Serif

Another great illustrator like program. This program makes it easy for you to create the quality type of work you'd find on other Adobe Programs.

http://www.serif.com/free-graphic-design-software/

Still want Adobe Software?

All of the programs listed above are descent or excellent subsitutions for the Adobe programs, but they still can't replace them 100%. There are loads of ways you can save money when puchasing these programs. Check out the student discounts that Adobe offers on their website.
http://www.adobe.com/education/students/

Check with your school as well and see if your school can offer you an even better discount than the Adobbe website provides. If you are an art student make sure to check with your school because many times the schools offer spectacular deals on Adobe software.  Also feel free to check out http://www.academicsuperstore.com/ and http://www.gradware.com/

I bought my creative suite from http://www.journeyed.com/ for only $200. That's five programs for under the price it would cost to puschase one program.

If you are not currently a college student chek out http://www.buycheapsoftware.com/ and purchase most of the Adobe aftware at a discounted price.

Like all things it's best to shop around and compare prices. Always check out RetailMeNot.com to see what coupons are available for online purchasing.  You can purchase last years edition for a fraction of a price and many times the programs are just as good as the brand spanking new edition.

Try Corel

Corel is another software company renound for their creative software. It might not be just like the Adobe programs, but they are most likely just as good and not as costly. http://store1.corel.com/corel/?storekey=us

Good Luck!

Birthday Freebies!

 

Your Birthday only comes once a year and you might as well take advantage of it. Many businness's have special deals or give out free items on your birthday. I just had my birthday and got a couple of items this year for free without having to pay a single cent.

If you are lucky enough you'll live by one of these malls that are part of the mybdayclub. The mybdayclub will give you a certificate on your birthday month that you can take for a ten dollar gift card at your chosen mall. There is no catch,but you must redeem the certificate that same month. It's a free ten dollar gift card so you would be a fool not to check it out. 

http://www.mybdayclub.com/

Free package of Lofthouse cookies. :)

You can get a free package of Lofthouse cookies on your birthday. All you have to do is join Club Lofthouse cookies. You'll get a coupon in the mail a week or two before your birthday that you can take to pretty much any grocery or food store. (Walmart and Target usually carry Lofthouse cookies as well.) The coupon will cover the cost of cookies to up to $4.00. Lofthouse cookies hardly ever reach the $3.50 mark so you should be fine. Lofthouse cookies will also send you other coupons in the mail through out the year that you can also use.

http://www.lofthousecookies.com/contact/contact.aspx

Many restaurants will give you a free meal or dessert on your birthday so why not check out this list of  restaurants and see if there is perhaps something for you.

http://www.frugalliving.tv/free-stuff/birthday-freebies.html

http://www.heyitsfree.net/2006/10/03/birthday-freebies/ 

 Disney World and Disneyland give free admission on your birthday all you have to do is sign up and bring your ID as proof. (They might not do this anymore sadly.) Medieval Times also gives free admission as well. AMF bowling also offers a free gift on your birthday. Check out your local museums and zoos as well because many of them give free admission on your birthday.

Want more birthday freebies? Check out this site that is completely dedicated to birthday freebie.

http://www.freebirthdaytreats.com/default.aspx

Your birthday doesn't have to be a snooze due to the fact you have a lack of funds. Just check out all the wonderful free things you can take advantage of. You might be poor and broke,but at least your birthday can be something special.

Girly Freebies

Girly Freebies

As much as I hate to admit this, but I have a subscription to Seventeen magazine. I bought it from my little brother when he was selling magazines for his school. I did this two years ago and I'm still getting an issue a month. They just don't know when to quit. -_- Anyways this isn't about how my subscription to Seventeen never ends this is about how you can gain some freebies and what not.

I tend to overlook all the coupons,contests, and freebies the magazine offers,but this time I actually paid attention and I wanted to share them with you.



20,000 people will receive earrings from MakeMeChic from August 2nd to September 13th.

You must be a female between the ages of 13 and 29 to get the earrings. To see if your lucky enough to get a pair go here.

Also check out MakeMeChic as well. They have some terrific deals and everything is fairly priced.

Also enter to win some of these contests on Seventeen.com while you're at it. You never know you could be one of the lucky winners. Also a lot of these contest entries on Seventeen will ask you if you would like a free issue of Seventeen and you might as well. I don't know if yo should subscribe though because you could be like me with a subscription that will never END!

The Famousfootwear Sweepstakes

1. FAMOUS FOOTWEAR "RUNWAY TO HALLWAY” SWEEPSTAKES: How To Enter: Beginning August 3, 2010, at 12:01 AM (ET) through September 11, 2010, at 11:59 PM (ET), go to seventeen.com/famousfootwear and complete and submit the entry form pursuant to the on-screen instructions. Winner Selection: On or about October 15, 2010 one (1) Winner will be selected in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received. Drawing will be conducted by Seventeen magazine, whose decisions are final. Odds of winning will depend upon the total number of eligible entries received. Prizes & Approximate Retail Value: One (1) winner will receive the following prize package: (a) roundtrip coach airfare for winner and one (1) guest from major airport closet to winner’s residence; (b) two (2) tickets to a fashion event or concert the week of New York Fashion week 2011, as determined by the Sponsor, plus one-way limousine service to the event or concert; (c) Hotel accommodations for 2 nights (one room, double occupancy). Hotel accommodations at Sponsor’s sole discretion, accommodations and travel subject to availability and blackout dates may apply; (d) meet-n-greet with the Seventeen style pros at the offices of Seventeen magazine, (e) a $1,000 shopping spree and a $500 Famous Footwear gift card for winner. Total ARV: $4,600. In the event the winner is a minor, guest must be winner’s parent or legal guardian. All travelers must possess valid travel documents. Winner must travel on dates specified by Seventeen, otherwise, an alternative winner will be selected. Arrangements must be made at least 30 days prior to departure. Once scheduled, the itinerary cannot be altered. Winner will be notified via phone, e-mail or postal mail, at Sponsor’s discretion, on or about October 15, 2010. Winner’s List: For winner’s name, send a separate self-addressed, stamped envelope to Seventeen, Promotion Department, 300 West 57th Street, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10019 by November 12, 2010. Entry forms that have been tampered with will be disqualified.

Win a 10,000 dollar shopping spree!

Or Enter

The Ultimate Summer Vacation Sweepstakes!

I kid you not this contest goes all the way to 2012, but you can enter this contest daily. At least one entry is chosen a month to win $1000 so it might be worth a try.

Oh yeah if you are interested check out the Seventeen covers from throughout the years.

Also check out Seventeen's Back to School discount's DIY and Freebie list