Your Photos Made Easy with Easy Canvas Prints

Framed front view edited with text and c

As a blogger, I get pretty excited about photos, especially if they are ones I like (or have taken) and can share to enhance the story I want to tell or my blog’s appearance in general. And, now with Instagram and Pinterest, it is even more fun to share the photos we take on a moment’s notice with the rest of the world. Once in a while, I even capture a shot that I wouldn’t mind hanging up in my house – one might even consider it a work of art. Easy Canvas Prints lets everyone turn their treasured photos into works of art. In an easy four step process you can have your photos printed on high quality canvas, professionally stretched and gallery wrapped for a stunning look that anyone would be proud to display.

I recently captured this photo, which I love because the cardinal was my mom’s favorite bird and they will always remind me of her, as they reminded her of her mother, my grandmother.

Orig Cardinal Photo

When Easy Canvas Prints contacted me about reviewing a canvas, I was really excited to give it a try with a photo. Last time I worked with Easy Canvas Prints, I made a text canvas, which I love and it is still hanging on my ‘wall of inspiration’ today.

The Design Studio is really simple to use and you can now upload your photos directly from Facebook or Instagram-

Design studio uploading

And the art gallery style wrapping options are definitely the most fun to select-

Design studio image wrapping

Here is what I decided to create using the Easy Canvas Prints Design Studio-

Front view of canvas edited with logo and text

I’m really happy with how my photo turned out-

Canvas with crochet heart 2 FAV orig

Side-Bottom view of canvas orig

Back of canvas orig

The only thing I would caution you is to select an image that is of high quality (the Design Studio will help you with this too). I chose an image that I had blurred for effect on my phone and I was not able to undo the edit so I had to choose a smaller canvas. Mine is an 8 X 8, which fits nicely on an otherwise crowded office wall. The customer service representatives at Easy Canvas Prints are very helpful and patient, and actually contacted me by email before my canvas went into production to let me know 8 X 8 was the largest I should go without losing image quality based on my original photo.

My photo shipped promptly within a week and was well packaged so there was no risk of damage in the mail. It also came with wall mounts so I wasted no time in hanging it!

Easy Canvas Prints are really affordable beginning at around $30 and make great gifts, especially with Mother’s Day, graduations, and weddings coming up this spring and summer. Be sure to connect with Easy Canvas Prints on Facebook  to take advantage of frequent specials and discounts they offer. You can also give back with Easy Canvas Prints Canvas for a Cause. By ordering through Canvas for a Cause, a percentage of the retail value of your order will be donated to the non-profit partner of your choice.

Happy designing!

Until the next mile marker,

*Please note, I was not compensated in any way to write this review, and I was not asked to write a positive one. The opinions and image appearing in this post are expressly my own. I was contacted by Easy Canvas Prints and asked if I would like to review a canvas of my choice. Thank you to Easy Canvas Prints for this opportunity.    

Wellness in the Woods Race Report and My First Blogger Meet-Up!

After such a great day on Saturday, I decided to get my race-on for a 2 Miler on Sunday. I had never participated in a 2 mile race before, but I thought it might be a fun way to race without all the pressure of ‘distance,’ plus it was two-billionity degrees outside with 146% humidity in the air so I wasn’t feeling like pushing it in the heat.
I ran a race from the Greenswell Wellness in the Woods Series at Scioto Audubon Metro Park. It is the first time I ever ran a Greenswell race, and I will definitely be running another one in the future. The 2011 Wellness in the Woods running and walking series brings together individuals, families, communities and organizations for healthy and fun activity and social connectedness at the parks around Central Ohio.
First of all, I really like Greenswell and what it stands for. It was founded by Craig Thompson with the vision to create a positive approach lifestyle company that brings individuals, families, and health professionals together into a community working in partnership to provide education, resource information and event activities to guide and inspire individuals to achieve a healthy and whole life. Their events are definitely family-friendly and cater to a wide variety of interests including walking, running, duathlons and triathlons. I like that the running/walking events offer a 2 mile option in case you want to bring children or are just starting out on your fitness journey or would even like to place in your age group for the first time. The races are also pet friendly and showcase local parks and programs – something I don’t think people pay much attention to as it is. Metro parks are enjoyable, beautiful and a great way to have a day out without spending any money.
The race was simplistic in nature, but still with timing chips and bibs, and featured an out and back course. The crowd was small – about 100 racers – which I often prefer, especially if I need a change of pace, if you will. The atmosphere was that of a gathering of friends who share the same interests – I even ran into Bobbi, which was a pleasant surprise!
The course was nice – and slightly uphill, but I wish it would have started earlier. By the time the horn sounded at 8:30 a.m. it was already hot and muggy. I found it hard to breath and I tried to finish the race as quick as possible – which didn’t quite happen, to say the least. I finished in about 28 minutes, but I enjoyed the scenery and the company of my Race Club friends. It wasn’t by fastest race, but I had fun!
Fleet Feet Race Club at the Scioto Audubon Wellness in the Woods Race
After the race, I went to my very-first-ever blogger meet-up with Sarah from Running on Words and Michelle from The Running Jewess. We went to First Watch for breakfast along with Sarah’s husband and a friend of Michelle’s. Keep in mind Sarah and I had pretty much just finished racing:
Sarah, Michelle & Me
Michelle is practically a genius and my hero – she ran the Boston Marathon. You can’t get much cooler than that, really. Plus, she’s about the nicest person you will ever meet and she took time out of her day packing to meet with smelly me! The bad news? She’s moving to California to attend Grad school at Stanford (I told you she is a genius) and we just met in real life. The good news? There are a lot great races in California and now Sarah and I have a friend to run them with!
Michelle and Sarah tagged me in a 7 Links Post, so here it goes:

My Most Beautiful Post: 
I don’t know if this post is as beautiful to me as it is to anyone else, bit I really like it. It reminds so much of my mother and the things that made her happy. Cap City was a beautiful race because I ran it in memory of her, along with so many others who are part of he Central Ohio running community.  
My Most Popular Post:
My Easy Canvas Prints post is pretty popular because I was one of the first blogs to chose a canvas prints with words on it so Easy Canvas Prints uses it as an example for others! I love my canvas, by the way!
My Most Controversial Post:
Let’s face facts, here, I am not a controversial writer by any means, but I probably should not have run this race!
My Most Helpful Post: 
I got a lot of positive feedback regarding my Hot vs. Cold Post. I didn’t know when to do what either until I started reading about it and wanted to pass on what I learned to others! 
A Post whose Success Surprised me:
I am surprised by the support I received regarding this recent post about feeling burned out and     being stuck in a rut. I am so thankful for the support I have found from the online running community – thank you!
 
A Post that Didn’t Get the Attention it Deserved: 
My running friend Wendy wrote a great race review of the Arizona Distance Classic – a race I may never get to. Her review is well-written and insightful, but I don’t think it got a lot of reader responses.
The Post that I am Most Proud of: 

Okay, I cheated and it is a toss up between this race review and this race review. I think I really enjoy writing race reviews – anyone want to pay me to do that?!

Now for the fun part! I want to hear your 7 Links:
Pain, Pride, and Perseverance
Thanks for bearing with me through this post!
Until the next mile marker,

Finally Friday and the Big 1-0-0

Welcome to the weekend – the Long. Holiday. Weekend.
I’m starting this weekend off with a BANG and a few of my favorite happenings!
Red, White & Boom 2009
  • It’s the Fourth of July!!! For those of you who don’t know, this is my favorite holiday – I. LOVE. IT. I have a lot of good memories of this holiday. Ever since I was a child I enjoyed watching fireworks, burning sparklers, camping, cooking out and being with the dearest friends and family. I love summertime and it is the perfect summertime holiday. My husband and I went on our first date on the 4th to see the fireworks in 2003 (Wow!? Have we been together that long, for real!?!). And he asked me to marry him under the same fireworks in 2006. We got married on 07/07/07 – I was on a continuous high that week from all of the excitement! I am thankful for the principles and beliefs our country was founded on and the people that have perished throughout history to preserve those beliefs. My wish for today is that we, as a nation and as individuals, do not take for granted what the founding fathers stood for and that we uphold the Constitution and it’s principles in the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness.
Fourth of July 2009
  • Thank YOU followers! There are 100 of you now! Wow! I remember whining to my husband when I started this blog about who would follow me? He said “give it some time and see what happens.” I’m sure glad I did! I can’t thank each and every one of you enough for joining me on this journey. I am so grateful for the love, support, kindness, encouragement and advice I have found from the online running and blogging community. I think of you guys often and you have a special place in my heart – runners and bloggers are special folks! 😉 And just to say thanks, I am putting together an awesome giveaway, as promised, so stay tuned for details coming soon!!

  • Um, no holiday is complete without a RACE! I’ll be running in the local Westerville Rotary 5K on the 4th with my sister and a bunch of the Lucky 13’s. I’m not sure if I can handle running and my favorite holiday and fireworks all in one day! It’s going to be awesome so stay tuned for a full race report.
Mom, Me & Dad after the Rotary 5K 2009
  • Nothing to do once the excitement dies down? Check out these new and upcoming BLOGS from some of my dear friends for running fun, great stories, tips and pictures. Show these ladies some of the blogland love you have already shown me! 

Running on Words by [the other] Sarah – I’m a 20-something first-time blogger trying to cope with the uncertainty by running.
The Adventures of the Little Running Bohemian by Judi  – I don’t run to win. I run to finish. There’s something quite insane about running 13.1 miles to find the path to my own peace….or just to be able to say that I did something that most don’t.
Running for Two by Mandy- The bottom line – can you run while pregnant? ABSOLUTELY!  Different things will be sore after runs then pre-pregnancy though. 
Finish Strong by Amy – Finish Strong no matter what running throws at you! I just finished running my first half marathon and will be training for another one in October.  I am also training for a sprint triathlon in June.
Manic Murray on the run by Jenn – twin mama. crafter. wife. sister. niece. daughter. runner. protector. land agent. friend. check her out.  
One Girl One Dog Running by Wendy – I’m a runner, skier, snowboarder and all-around athlete and lover of life. I recently picked up and moved from Columbus, OH to Salt Lake City, UT to take advantage of the outdoor lifestyle.
My Running Journal by LeDawn – New to running, mom of 3 teens. Likes to play racquetball, run, bike, journal in Moleskine & yes even knit. I also love technology & reading via my latest cool gadget – a kindle3!
Runner Moose by Deb – I’m a newbie runner in Columbus OH, training with MIT.
Running My Life by Heather – Run a Marathon Change your life? Catchy little slogan right, but it has proven true for me. This is my little corner of the blog world to share about my training and my life.
Jessica’s Training Blog by Jessica – I’m a journalist and new-found jogger in Central Ohio. Just another running blog? I don’t think so! 
 My Thoughts on Everything by Keri –  Adventures of my kids (because I know you all want to know how awesome they are);  the wiener-beagle, because, let’s face it, you never know what she’s gonna do next; and running and the triathlon training because that what keeps me sane.
From Twins to Thin by Sara – No more excuses. No more daydreaming about getting fit.  No more thinking I am fit (until the mirror shows me the real truth) – this is a blog about my journey to get back to the old me. Healthy. Thinner. And maybe picking up a new hobby or two along the way (wait, I can run now???). 

The lovely Deb, LeDawn, Sarah, Amy & Mandy

 Happy Fourth Everyone!!

Until the next mile marker,

Run to Easy Canvas Prints (your heart will follow)!

Once again, I was contacted by the lovely Megan at BuildASign to try out a custom canvas print on their recently launched website Easy Canvas Prints. I was so impressed with my Stickers to Run By (there’s still time to get yours today!) that I jumped at the chance to create a canvas print.

Easy Canvas Prints offers high quality, gallery-ready prints at an affordable price. My head was spinning with ideas – Easy Canvas Prints also offers an extensive idea gallery – a wedding picture, a beach picture from our Honeymoon to St. John, a picture of the pups or a nice family photo. The possibilities are endless. I knew I wanted to keep my canvas running related, but I didn’t have a race photo worthy enough to be blown-up and cast onto fine-art canvas. After all, I would be all sweaty.

I decided to make an Expressions canvas and I must say, Megan helped me a lot with the design. The customer service at BuildASign is unmatched, in my opinion. I knew what I wanted it to say and look like, but needed a little help putting it all together (enter: Megan, she’s good at that). I was hesitant about how words and computer graphics would look on a canvas material (I almost considered going back to a photo), but I am completely amazed at how it turned out. I love it!

 

It looks so professional and looks like it was actually painted on the canvas. My favorite part of the canvas is the red edging:

 

The colors are vibrant and eye-catching. It literally looks like something I would purchase from an art store. I have never owned any type of artwork with words or sayings on it, but I can tell you now, I am hooked thanks to Easy Canvas Prints. My canvas even became the focal point of my (redesigned) office:

 

 

The canvas is high quality and once again, came pristinely packaged in less than a week after I placed my order. The canvas material Easy Canvas Prints uses is archival quality and has a specifically designed coating for superior color gamut and resolution. Canvases are only intended for indoor use, but even in display of direct window light should still last for decades to come if cared for properly, per their website. If using a photo of your own, Easy Canvas Prints also offers a variety of enhancements including Black and White or Sepia Conversion, Retouching, and Photo Collages. Take a look – these would make awesome, personal, and affordable gifts, especially for something like an anniversary or special occasion!

I love being in my office now and when I look up from my computer screen, I am reminded of my motivation – running is what I enjoy the most:

As you can see, I also added my own motivational/goal board:

It has some special things on it: a picture of me, my mom, and Bart Yasso; my stickers; favorite blog stickers, pictures of me running my first half marathon, and my future business card, among other things. I love it!

I also added a second board for upcoming races, training schedules, coaching questions, and things I need to remember:

No more tape on the walls for me! 😉

I hope you all are having a great week – Running and non!

Until the next mile marker,