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!

Gift Giving 101

 Still don't know what to give your loved ones for the holiday season? Well here are some more gift giving tips and ideas for the holiday season.


To go with my post on holiday shopping here are a few articles on other great deals for the holiday season.

Items under $30.
http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/471/great-holiday-gifts-under-30/

Too Fast is having some great deals for their 12 days of Christmas. From December 10- 21st you can get some spectacular deals.
http://www.toofastonline.com/

Have a geek in your life? Then check out ThinkGeek. You can find the most spectacular and interesting items and you won't just find things for your geeky/nerdy friends. Think Geek is sure to have something for everyone and all at a reasonable price.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/

This coffee mug is perfect for anyone who has gotten into  The Walking Undead craze and best yet it glows in the dark. This certainly one coffee mug that wont be dropped off at the nearest GoodWill at first chance. Price: $9.99.

 

You'll love one will be feeling lighter than air when you get them this butterfly in a jar for the holidays.  Price:$19.99

If all else fails get that person a gift card. Many shopping centers have a place where you can buy giftcards for Target, Starbucks,AMC theater, etc.

Also check out the gift card mall. 

https://giftcardmall.com/

You can also purchase giftcards at a discount at giftcard rescue. You can even sell back those unused gift cards from last Christmas and get a little something from them.

http://www.giftcardrescue.com/#buy 

 If gift giving isn't your thing or that person on your shopping list doesn't want anything for x-mas, why not take them out to a movie or a meal on you. You'll get to spend time together and have a chance to treat them as well.

Christmas Shopping on a Budget

The Holiday season is a time of giving, but that giving can put quite a huge dent in your wallet. When you have so many people to give gifts to it can be hard to stay on a budget. Here are some tips and tricks on how you can make the gift giving season a little less stressful.


Finding Gifts for everyone on your list for $30 or less.

ABC Distributing is a great place to find useful thong for a reasonable price. If you take a good look around this site I'm sure you can find something for everyone on your gift list and the best thing is they will have no idea that you got their gift for such a low price.

http://www.abcdistributing.com/

Cupcake Hats: $4.95 +Shipping

Set of Two Throws: $7.95  + Shipping

Price: $7.95 to $10.95+ Shipping.

Have a Disney freak or a youngin on your shopping list? Check out the Disney outlet; a place to get Disney merchandise at a discounted price.

http://www.disneystore.com/mn/1001152/

Nightmare before Christmas Ornaments

Price: $12.95 +Shipping

 Tinker Bell Pajamas

Price: $15.00 + Shipping

Personalized Spider-man Backpack

Price: $12.99

These cute little buggers are $10 a piece and there is such a huge variety you'll be sure to find at least one to fit everyone on your shopping list.

http://www.kamibashi.com/products/dolls/stringdolls/#sd1108 

 All $10.00

Other Great Shopping Sites:

http://www.chocomize.com/ (Personalized Chocolate Bar)

http://www.yourmusic.com/enroll/enroll_200605_maroon_features.html (Hottest Cds for $6.99)

http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/shop/index.html (Books classic and contemporary)

http://www.tcm.com/shopping/index/?shopref=TCM.com%20Nav:Shopping%20Home (Find classic and contemporary movies here.)

Does someone on your wish list want something like the new Rock Band or some other expensive item? Why not get everyone they know to pull together $20 each and get the item they really want. Trust me it's a much better investment in the long run.

DIY

If your the crafty type why not take a crack at making some gifts yourself.

If you can sew make something simple like pillows or a totebag.

If you can bake try your hand at making delectible treats.

Other ideas:

Soaps

Jewlery

Knitted Items

Hair Acessories

Just take a look at a craft store like Jo Ann's,Micheal's, and Hobby Lobby for some inspiration.

Finding the Perfect Gift 

Finding out what everyone wants can be stressful. If worse comes to worse just ask and get an idea what that person wants. If you don't want to ask you do have options. If they have a Facebook you can see what their likes are and get an idea with that. You can also just ask your friends and family to create an amazon wish list. You can either purchase something off their list or you get a pretty good idea on what they want.

Do you have to send gifts from afar?

If you have to send out your gifts I'd suggest just purchasing a gift card,money or a check. It may not be the most personalized present,but you won't have to pay all insane shipping fees either. If you are buying their gift online in the first place you can probably send it from the website directly to wherever you  need and often times you can even get your package gift wrapped.

Wrap it up

 I have to admit 'm not too big on gift-wrapping. Thank goodness for those gift bags. The great thing about gift-bags is that you can just  keep reusing them. They are fast,efficient, and environmentally friendly. 

Even better yet purchase one of those eco-friendly bags. Forever 21 and Disney have a few great ones to choose from ranging from $1.50 to $5.00. The bags are so great looking they are often like a gift by themselves.