Let's Get Technical //23

This week's free wallpaper was inspired by my love for bold colors, and newfound love for a font called Nevis.

Download the wallpaper by saving the image above, or by clicking here.

View the previously featured wallpapers here.

Let's Get Technical // 22

This week's free wallpaper was inspired by my latest obsession with black and white stripes. They're clean, classic, and go with everything.

Download this week's free phone wallpaper (compatible with all phones!) by saving the image above, or clicking here.

View all of the previously featured wallpapers here.

Let's Get Technical // 21

Happy Monday! This week's free wallpaper was inspired by one of my favorite pieces of advice. As I've gotten older, I've realized one of the most difficult skills to learn is to be able to accept things you cannot control. I mean, wouldn't it be easy if we could all just move on from tough situations? Yeah... if only life were that simple.

Download this week's free wallpaper here, or simply save the image above.

View previously featured wallpapers here.

Let's Get Technical // 20

After working on a few graphic design projects for one of my co-workers, I was inspired start making wallpapers again. For a while, I was really good at producing a new one each week, but then life got hectic. Things are getting better now that it's summer. I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things soon!

This week's free wallpaper was incorporates colors from this season's trends in clothing: contrasting shades, like nudes and darks, combined with a splash of neon.

Download this week's free wallpaper here, or simply save the image above. Enjoy!

Note: This wallpaper is compatible with any phone. Not just iPhones. :)

Let's Get Technical // 19

Spruce up your phone with this week's free wallpaper download, inspired by my favorite makeup item: nail polish!

To download this week's free wallpaper, simply save the image below, or click here.
View the previously featured wallpapers here.

Let's Get Technical // 17

This week's free wallpaper was inspired by the start of spring, and my excitement over daylight savings. I can't explain how nice it's been to be able to come home from work at 6:30pm and still have it be light out. I feel like I can do so much more, like take Oliver outside, and snap Instagram photos without them being super grainy.

Download this week's free wallpaper here, or simply save the image in this post. You can also find a second version, where the flowers aren't textured, here!
Check out all the previously featured wallpapers here!

**Curious to know more about the graphic? Here is a fun fact about it:
-- All flowers and letters were hand-drawn and written by me, using a Bamboo Tablet.

Let's Get Technical // 16

This week's free wallpapers were inspired by my latest obsession with watercolors, and the talents of  Eva Black and Breanna Rose, two designers I've been religiously following since I discovered them last month. The text is handwritten by me, and the watercolor brushes, you can find here.

Download this week's free wallpapers here, here, or here, or simply save the images in this post.

Also, don't forget to check out the previously featured wallpapers here!

Let's Get Technical // 15

This week's free wallpaper is dedicated to two of my best friends E, and B, who have taught me how to have unconditional positivity and optimism.

"Everything is wonderful." --Everclear

Download this week's free wallpaper here.

View the previously featured wallpapers here.

Be Happy

Let's Get Technical // 14

Last month, I was presented with an awesome opportunity to design 10 phone wallpapers for The Girls of Lincoln Park. View and download them all here!

Have a great week!

Let's Get Technical // 13

This past weekend, G and I watched the movie, Amelie. The setting takes place in France and features a 20-something waitress (Amelie) that spends her free time going on adventures to improve the lives of others. Along the way, she even finds love. The plot is basic, but the characters and events are unique enough to capture your attention.

A quote that stuck out to me was, "You can't be a vegetable. Even artichokes have hearts." You'll have to watch the movie to learn about the context of the quote, but all in all, I highly recommend it. The story is quirky, comical, and lighthearted. Perfect for a quiet night in!

Click here to download this week's free wallpaper, or simply save the image below.
Check out the previously featured wallpapers here!

Harry Potter Cards for Charity

Last week, I had the opportunity to design eight Harry Potter-themed cards for an upcoming charity event for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. As embarrassing as it is to admit, I've only read the first book in the series, so I had to do quite a bit of research to find relevant themes and symbols before I started making the cards. Despite the hurdles, in the end, I was more than happy with the outcome. Thank the design gods for friends who love Harry Potter, and the internet!

Let's Get Technical // 9

In light of the upcoming Superbowl, I found it more than appropriate to dedicate this week's free wallpaper to the Seattle Seahawks!

To download this week's free wallpaper, click HERE and HERE, or simply save the images in this post.
Click HERE to download all the previously featured wallpapers.

*Note: wallpapers are compatible with most phone models, and not just iPhones.

Let's Get Technical // 8

This week's free wallpaper was inspired by my latest obsession: watercolors. I've been experimenting  with them on real paper, and finally found a way to replicate the look, digitally, with Photoshop.

To download this week's free wallpaper, click here, or save the image above.
Click here to download all the previously featured wallpapers!

*Note: wallpapers are compatible with most phone models, and not just iPhones.

How Save and Print Instagram Photos with iPhoto

What you'll need: 4"x6" photo paper, iPhoto.

Part 1: GET YOUR PHOTOS!
1. Go to your Instagram Webstagram webpage (this is different from your actual Instagram webpage) by searching "[insert your Instagram username here] Instagram". It should be the 2nd or 3rd option in the results. Make sure the link begins with WEB.STAGRAM.COM...

2. You'll notice you can't right click to save the images. When the images are viewed in a list, you'll also notice that in the corner of each photo, it says [T | M | L] aka "tiny", "medium" and "large". Click on the L, to get the largest version of your photo. This will open the photo in a format you can save.

3. Right click, and SAVE to your desktop and drag it into iPhoto, or SAVE directly into iPhoto.


Part 2: PRINT THEM!
1. Open iPhoto.

2. Double click on the icon of the image you want to print.

3. Go to FILE, PRINT, and click on CONTACT SHEET

4. Change the paper size and type to 4"x6" photo paper, then click CUSTOMIZE. Refer to the image below if you're confused.

5. Once in the CUSTOMIZE window, go to SETTINGS. Uncheck TITLE to get rid of the caption.

6. Next, look for the scale below the photo labeled COLUMNS. Drag the ticker all the way to the left, until it says "1", on the right side. Refer to the image below if you're confused.

7. Hit PRINT, and then PRINT again.



8. Once the photos are printed, you can trim the white edges around your photo to your liking (I used a paper cutter to get extra straight lines), and voila! You've got your printed Instagram photos!

Have questions? Leave them in the comments, and I'll help in any way I can.

Stay tuned for a tutorial on how to make an Instagram photo display. Coming next week!

Let's Get Technical // 5, New Years Version

This week's free phone background is dedicated to the end of 2013. It's been a great year full of new opportunities and chapters. I hope next year will be just as good, if not, better! Cheers to 2014!

Click here to download this week's wallpaper, or simply right click and save the image above. As always, all the text in the graphic was handwritten by me, on a Bamboo Tablet. Enjoy!


**This graphic can be used on any phone as a background, not just the iPhone.

Let's Get Technical // 4 (Holiday Edition)

With Christmas being next week, I felt that it was time to create a few holiday-inspired wallpapers. This week's phone backgrounds feature a mixture of hand-drawn holiday plants (spruce trees and holly berries), and handwritten text. I still can't decide which one I'll be using!

Download 'be merry' here, and 'be bright' here!

On a more personal note, today is my first day at my new job! It's the first position I've gotten since getting my master's degree. I'm excited, but nervous about being able to make time for everything else in my life. How do you guys balance work, friends, family, and blogging? 

Interview with Sparrow & Nightingale, DIY Blogger

I recently had the opportunity to interview one of my favorite local bloggers, Kimber, of  Sparrow & Nightingale. Kimber is your go-to gal when it comes to DIY projects, decorating your home on a budget, and making home renovation possible without professionals.

Be sure to check out her blog here. She recently posted a home tour, which is definitely worth checking out! Included in this post are also a few projects from her Pinterest, all of which, she has successfully conquered.

1. Where did the name Sparrow & Nightingale originate from?

Sparrow & Nightingale actually came from an episode of Doctor Who! I also have a niece who is nicknamed "Sasa Bird" and I knew I wanted my shop/blog name to be inspired by her so Sparrow & Nightingale was a great fit!

2. What is the inspiration behind your work (for both DIY projects and home improvement)?

I really wanted my home to be inviting, pretty, and cozy. I get a lot of inspiration from my favorite blogs, Young House Love, Ashley Ann, and of course Pinterest. I think Pinterest can really help you refine your style and narrow down what designs you like and don't like.

Most of my DIY projects come about because I think of something and can't find it in a store, so I make it instead. Or I see something in a store that can easily be replicated so I make it for myself instead. Like throw pillows, I NEVER buy throw pillows! I change them so often that it would be silly to spend $20 on one so instead I buy nice pillow inserts from Ikea and make my own covers for them from cute fabrics.

3. Have you ever had a "failed" project? What did you do about it?

Yes! Sometimes even the best laid plans go awry. For instance, we had a cement slab with carpet over it for the floor in our family room. The carpet had seen better days and I really wanted a floor that was easier to clean. So we decided to rip the carpet out and stain/buff the slab so we'd have a polished concert floor. I've seen this all over Pinterest and on tons of blogs so it seemed like a great idea! But after we ripped the carpet up we discovered that the concrete wasn't in good condition and would need a lot or work and equipment to make it look good. So we ended up scraping the concrete floor idea and plan on installing a floating wood floor instead. So sometimes what you envision just won't work out and you have to move on to plan B.

4. What advice do you have for people struggling to decorate their home on a budget?

Goodwill, Craigslist and the clearance section at stores! The clearance section is great if you have room/time to store stuff because you can buy things at the end of the season to use next year (ex: summer decor, holiday things) Craigslist is also amazing, almost all my furniture is from Craigslist! Sometimes it takes weeks or even months to find the perfect item so you have to be patient. But there are so many great pieces on Craigslist, you just have to sort through all the junky stuff. But it's completely worth it. I also believe in "high/low" decorating which means you mix high end pieces and low end pieces together and it makes a more balanced house. So if you can't afford a super expensive sofa, look for one on Craigslist and pair it with more expensive accessories.


Thanks so much for all the wisdom, Kimber!
XO, SSDS

images via 1/2/3/4/5/6

Let's Get Technical // 3 + the Very First Free Desktop Wallpaper!

Today's phone background and desktop wallpaper were inspired by my love for geometric shapes. I came across a photo on Pinterest that used the concept of triangles really well with overlapping and opacity adjustment techniques, and decided to try it out for myself.

As for the flower photo, it was taken at E and B's Aunt J's house. She has a huge property full of beautiful structures, plants and animals. I've been going there for years with my friends for her annual summer BBQ, and each visit is always one to remember. Oh, and the quote. I'm going to assume you all know where it's from, but just in case you don't, please watch Toy Story! It's a classic.

Click here to download the phone wallpaper (or just save the image below), and click here to download the desktop wallpaper!

Let's Get Technical // 2

This week's free iPhone wallpapers were inspired two things: the art of drawing a herringbone pattern, and vintage textures.

My friend K, who has impeccable taste, taught me how to draw a herringbone pattern during a Crafternoon we had over the weekend. Inspired to create more, I decided it would be a cool idea to replicate what I had learned, digitally. Hence, the herringbone pattern in the first wallpaper. The second wallpaper, I created, for those who prefer a warmer color palette. I also added a grungy texture over both designs to strengthen the intended vintage-inspired vibe.

Download this week's wallpapers here (design 1) and here (design 2)! Enjoy, and be sure to share these wallpapers with your other tech-saavy friends!

Now playing: 'Heart's Content' by Brandi Carlile