Using Canva and ChatGPT to create social media graphics

I spend a lot of time in Canva creating graphics for all of my social media. Awhile back, a social media marketing coach introduced me to ChatGPT and my brain instantly got busy with ideas of how to use it! That same social media marketing coach later taught me how to use Canva and ChatGPT to save time by bulk creating graphics and I've been using this feature ever since. (Brenda Ster is an ahh-mazing coach! If you're not following her, you should! Go search her on Facebook NOW!)

I thought I'd share it with you in case you are in the same boat I was in. I was constantly looking for ideas to create graphics for engagement in my Facebook group, pages and Instagram. I absolutely LOVE this feature and use it often. It does take some time, but it takes much LESS time than if I were to try to create individual graphics without this feature. Okay, lets get started ...

First, you need ChatGPT. It's a free online AI tool that you can access and sign up for right here ...

ChapGPT Link

Once you sign up, click on the box at the bottom that says 'Message ChatGPT'. This is where you type in your request. I'm making some good morning/motivational graphics that I'll be posting every Monday. I kept it simple, but would like specific parameters ... I typed in '10 short happy monday motivational quotes. Return list with no quotation marks, no emojis, and unnumbered' If you don't include that last part, it might generate a list with emoji's, numbered, etc.

After typing your request, hit send and the list will generate instantly. If you're happy with the results, highlight and copy this list.

Next you'll need to open your spreadsheet software. (I use the free Google docs app.) Create a new sheet and copy the content into the sheet, then make sure to save it as a .csv file ...

Now you'll need a Canva account. (You can sign up for the Free version) Here's the link ...
Canva

I like using square designs, so I created a custom size design of 2000x2000 px. You can create your design whatever size you prefer.

Begin your design with a background (I used a solid color), then add any text you want (I added the good morning). Add a text box where you want your quotes to appear. And don't forget to add your watermark or logo if you have one ...

Now here's where the magic happens lol! Over on the left size of Canva, scroll until you find the Apps button and click on it. Then search for the Bulk Create button and click

Click on 'Upload Data' and navigate to where you saved your spreadsheet. Once you find it, click on Open. You'll see it added to the left of Canva ...

Now right click on the text box you added for your quotes. Click on 'Connect Data' and you'll see your list in a little pop up. Click on your list and it will be connected. You'll see the name of your list on the left hand side. Click on that, then click on continue ...

Once you continue, you'll see the list of quotes with checkmarks on them all (if they're not all checked, click select all). Once they're all selected, click on 'Generate 10 Designs' (or however many you selected)

A new window with your new design will appear. You can click at the bottom to show the designs in grid view to see all of the quotes ...

Now you can leave them as is, save them, and start using them! Or you can change them up. I decided to change the background colors and fonts for each one by using the design styles. Just click on a quote design and choose a color/font palette ...

I ended up changing all 10 of them with different colors and fonts ...

and then of course, I had to add a little element to each one. I found some simple flowers and stuff to add a little somethin' somethin' lol ...

When you're happy with your design, save them and start using them!

So, what do you think? I know it sounds complicated, but it really isn't. Once you've done it a few times, it becomes easier and quicker. Seriously, I can create these designs in minutes now ... except for when I decide to change each design with added fonts or elements lol. Sometimes that takes me forever to decide on what to add!

Here's one I did with a daily motivational theme. I created 45 of them! Yes, that was a big one and took me forever to change backgrounds, fonts, and add different elements lol

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and are able to try it yourself. If you do, I'd love for you to share with me. If you have any questions, or if I wasn't clear enough in my instruction please feel free to leave a comment below or contact me (links below)

Until next time!!

xoxo

Dawn

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Bowmanitaville Buzz: May Color Street & Stampin' Up! News and Updates

Happy May!! It's finally feels like Spring and the weather is breaking soon! It's been fairly chilly here on and off, but it looks like its going to start warming up to the 70's-80's and I cant wait!! It's been a pretty busy April for me, so I haven't had much time to post. But I have lots to tell you today!

It is going to be an Ah-MAY-zing month and I have all the updates! Brace yourselves, because Color Street and Stampin' Up! have some thrilling promotions and new products lined up to elevate your nail and crafting game! Read on ...

**All of the links are at the end of this post, or you can click on highlighted text to bring you right to the product

💅COLOR STREET💅

NEW PRODUCTS!!

• Foot Care Bundle - I haven't received any details yet, but the preview looks like it includes a cute callous remover
• Patriotic Collection - no details yet, but I can assume it'll be appropriate for the upcoming Summer holidays - Memorial Day, 4th of July, Flag Day, etc.
• Summer Collection - The new Summer Collection, Retro Resort will be released Friday, May 3rd. The collection consists of 10 new shades, including Pedicures! Here's a little sneak peek ...

SPRING COLLECTION REMOVAL - with the new Summer Collection release, will come the removal of Pretty Tough - Spring Collection. All shades in the collection will be removed from the website on May 21st so if you've had your eye on any of them or have a favorite, get them now before they're gone for good

MAY JOIN SPECIAL - if you join Color Street during the month of May, not only will you receive an amazing collection of products for just $99, you'll also get a $50 product credit if you earn 150 PV during your first month!

MAY HOST SPECIAL - host a qualifying party during the month of May and you'll unlock the exclusive set River Fairy, a pale turquoise with magical flecks!!

💕STAMPIN' UP!💕

NEW CATALOG - The brand new Annual catalog has been released on May 1st! Oh my gosh, these new products are sooo amazing! There are way too many to show here lol, but here are a few ...

• Two new kits! - Hello Hollyhocks and City Sights. Each kit includes everything you'll need to create beautiful cards
• In Color Collection - In Colors are limited edition colors that are only available for 2 years. This years release (2024-2026 In Colors) are Peach Pie, Petunia Pop, Pretty in Pink, Shy Shamrock, and Summer Splash. Each of these colors are available in cardstock, ink pads, markers, blends and patterned paper and makes coordinating super easy.
• Pocket Thoughts Bundle - includes the Pocket Thoughts Stamp Set and the Pocket Thoughts Dies. Add paper pockets on card fronts, tags, and more, and fill them with whatever you see fit! Then pair with the cute imagery and greetings from the stamp set to send family and friends personalized, heartfelt messages to make them feel loved on special occasions! (item #163553 in the catalog)
  
• Designer Series Paper (patterned paper) - there are 16 new DSP collections available in the new catalog! The come in gorgeous nature, abstract, color collection (Brights, Subtles, etc) and so much more!

CLEARANCE RACK - the clearance rack has tons of retiring products at greatly reduced prices! Save up to 60% on stamp sets, embellishments, paper and more!

PAPER PUMPKIN - a crafting subscription kit that delivers creativity to your door every month. Each box includes everything you need to make a stunning project. We’ll surprise you with projects like cards, gift packaging, home décor, and more for just $25.00 a month (shipping included). Talk about happy mail! Subscribe by the 10th of the month to receive that months kit. The preview for May's kit is titled 'The Best There Is' and makes 9 cards (3 each of 3 designs) great for Fathers Day and more.

MAY JOIN SPECIAL - when you join as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator you get to choose $125 worth of ANY Stampin' Up! products. For the month of May, you will also receive the brand new 2024-2026 In Color Collection of products for FREE! You'll get Classic Ink Pads, 8 1/2"x11" Cardstock Paper, 6"x6" Designer Series Paper, and Stampin' Write Markers - in ALL 5 NEW COLORS!!! I joined Stampin' Up! in 2015 and I have never seen this deal before. If you've ever thought of joining, even as a hobby or just for the kit, now is the time to do it!!

HOSTESS REWARDS - Stampin' Rewards are the product rewards you receive based on sales. You can pick out any exclusive Hostess Products, or any products from the catalog based on your earnings. Did you know that you can earn rewards on your own order? Just place an order for $150 or more and you qualify for Stampin' Rewards! You don't even have to hold a party!

Whew, that was a lot of new things happening! As I said, it is going to be an Ah-MAY-zing month and there is so much more to come. Are you following me over on Facebook? My page and group is where I post the most up to date specials and information. If you're not following me, all of my links are below.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I appreciate it so very much. If you ever have any questions, please don't hesitate to comment below or contact me.

Until next time!

xoxo

Dawn

ALL OF MY LINKS

Bowmanitaville Buzz: Feel the Excitement with Stampin' Up! and Color Street Updates

Are you ready to add a splash of color and creativity to your March? Brace yourselves, because Color Street and Stampin' Up! have some thrilling promotions and new products lined up to elevate your nail and crafting game!

COLOR STREET

Dazzling New Shades: Get ready to indulge in a kaleidoscope of colors with Color Street's latest nail polish strips. From vibrant spring hues to chic neutrals, there's a shade to suit every mood and occasion.

New Releases:

• Gel Eyeliner is coming in early March. There are 6 amazing colors to choose from (I will probably get all of them lol)
• New Cheek Balm shades are launching in late March (I don't have any details at the moment)
• April Color Play box is called Sweet Tea Social, and the hinted theme will be an afternoon tea party with sweet, pastel glitters to embrace the season's beauty

Buy More, Save More: Stock up on your favorite strips and enjoy enticing discounts when you purchase multiple sets. It's always Buy 3, get 1 free on the website! Just add any 4 (or more!) to you cart and the 4th one will automatically zero out! 

Join Special: Start small and dream BIG with a limited-time Mini Kit! The Mini Kit offers essentials to start your Color Street journey for just $49 USD ... only available through March. The Mini Kit includes everything seen here ...

Mini Mascara, Cosmic Orchid - Hy-Gloss Lip Oil,
2 Full sets of Nail Strips, 2 Sets of 25 pack 2-finger Testers,
Set of Core Catalogs, Bag of Nail Files, Nail Buffer

Host Special: host a qualifying party in March and unlock Purple Passion, a perennial blue coated in purple glitter. And hosts who go above and beyond and increase their sales to $300 will receive a mini Hy-Gloss Lip Oil in Cosmic Orchid for FREE!! ...

Purple Passion Nail Polish Set PLUS Mini Hy-Gloss Lip Oil

**All links are at the end of this post

STAMPIN' UP!

Discover a treasure trove of new Stampin' Up! products designed to spark your creativity. From whimsical stamps to intricate die cuts, there's no shortage of inspiration for your next crafting project!

Exclusive Kits: Stampin' Up! offers exclusive kits that contain everything you need to create beautiful projects, taking all of the guesswork out! They're perfect for the beginner crafter, and even better for the experienced that just wants to create something quickly. There are various themes and occasions to choose from. Check out the entire line at the Shopping tab at the link below

Online Specials: Exclusive, limited-time specials are offered on the shopping website. To see the current specials, check out the shopping tab at the link below

Paper Pumpkin: One issue crafters often run into is feeling overwhelmed by their project. Lack of inspiration, proper supplies and crafty know-how might discourage you from even starting a project and unlocking your creative potential! Among the items in each Paper Pumpkin monthly craft kit is a reusable rubber stamp. So after you’re done creating your monthly craft, you’ll have a valuable stamp to add to your collection. You even get a free clear stamping block with your first craft box. Plus, you get a different color ink pad every month as well.

Join Special: When you sign up as a demonstrator with Stampin' Up!, you can choose your own Starter Kit! That's right, you can pick any products you want! Choose $125 worth of products and just pay $99. That's amazing, right? For all of the details, check out the opportunity tab at the link below.

Hostess Rewards: Stampin' Rewards are the product rewards you receive based on sales. You can pick out any exclusive Hostess Products, or any products from the catalog based on your earnings. Did you know that you can earn rewards on your own order? Just place an order for $150 or more and you qualify for Stampin' Rewards! You don't even have to hold a party!

With so much excitement in store, March is shapiin,ng up to be a month full of creativity and self-expression. Whether you're a nail aficionado or a crafting enthusiast, Color Street and Stampin' Up! have something special just for you! For updates, promotions, and exclusive offerings throughout the month, come follow my Facebook Page or or join my Facebook Group (links are below). 

March awaits, filled with endless possibilities and delightful surprises!

Until next time!

xoxo

Dawn

Links to all of the above specials can be found right HERE

I'm Making Homemade Dog Food

Sometimes I feel like I'm doing something wrong with raising my dogs! It seems like almost every dog I've had, needed some sort of special diet. Either from allergies or illnesses, I've had to cook for them! I've even had to make homemade treats for one of my dogs! Pumpkin Biscotti he absolutely loved, but was soooo time consuming to make. Here's my Hogan (he passed away at age 9 years), who developed food allergies and would get terrible ear infections from store-bought treats ...

A few months ago, my vet told me that my Paisley was overweight and I needed to change her diet. Now mind you, just 2 short years ago when Margo was a puppy I was told she had food allergies that were causing her failure to thrive. The food she was eating was going right through her instead of absorbing into her system. She was constantly hungry, had diarrhea, ate the other dogs poop all the time and wasn't gaining any weight. I went through soooo many dog foods trying to find something that helped. After numerous brands and products, I finally found one that worked and all 3 of my dogs have been on it since. These are my 3 current furbabies (Paisley age 3, Chesney age 7 and Margo-Rita age 2) ...

Now, my vet was telling me I had to change Paisley's diet, so initally I shrugged it off. However, the last couple of weeks I finally admitted that she was overweight and I started looking into healthier food. Well, that 'fresh food' that we keep seeing advertised? Yeah, that would cost me over $200 A WEEK!! for all 3 of my dogs. If I only order for Paisley, it would be over $60 a week. I figured I'd try homemade first.

I remember my vet explaining that most dry dog food is made up of mostly carbs, which causes weight gain. He suggested that I cut her dry food down from 1.5 cups a serving to 1/4 - 1/2 cup, add 1 cup of leafy vegetables, and 1/4-1/2 cup meat protein. I remember laughing at the time imagining feeding my dogs a handful of lettuce.

But I decided to give it a try. I checked my freezer to see what meats I had on hand. I ended up grilling 1 pound of hamburger, a boneless porkchop, a boneless chicken breast and 1 pound of liver and chopped it all up. Then I steamed some sweet potatoes, spinach and green beans, and chopped them all up. I grabbed some baggies, measured out about 1/2 cup of meat and 1 cup of veggies. I only used about half of all the meat when I ran out of the veggies and came out with 7 servings. Which if I only feed Paisley this, would last 3.5 days. I added 1/2 cup of dry dog food at feeding time and she loves it! I also added a little spoonful to the other dogs dishes and they love it too!

Today, I decided to try a new (hopefully cheaper and longer lasting) recipe. I took the leftover chopped up meat, a container of fresh Spring Greens and some frozen berries. I know, the berries are added sugar, but it's all I had lol. I chopped everything up, measured them out and came up with 12 servings! That sounds much better to me lol. I'll be starting Paisley on this new diet tomorrow, so hopefully she likes it. The vet had suggested adding a little bit of beef broth if she doesnt like it, so I'll try that when I mix in her dry food if needed.

Funny side note ... today is Wednesday, I just started Paisley on the new diet on Sunday night. The hubs was laying on the couch, petting Paisley last night (Tuesday night - so only 3 full days on the diet) and says to me "Do you think she lost any weight yet?" I just kinda looked at him dumbfounded and said "If she did, we need to eat this diet too!"

Have you ever made dog food? I'd love to hear your story. And if you have any recipes, I'd love to try them out! Feel free to share below, or add them to my Facebook page (link below).

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Here's a picture of Paisley as she is now at 88 pounds. Hopefully she'll be a lot thinner and healthier the next time I share a pic of her ...

xoxo

Dawn

Mini Pot People Shelf Sitters

Here's one of my latest craft projects ...

It all started by winning this box of pots at an auction for $4 … it’s a box of 48 2-inch terra cotta pots. I looked it up on Amazon and they go for around $20.

My first thought was to add succulents to a few and put them on my little kitchen shelf the hubs recently made me. However, this is how my brain works …

----> potted succulents  ----> painted pots for succulents ----> pot people! ----> pot people with succulents for ‘hair’ ----> my kitchen is wine themed - pot people with wine!

So that’s when I began searching my craft stash to see what I had. I found the paint, paint brushes, twine, and wooden balls. Then I went on Amazon and found fake succulents and mini wine bottles & glasses (I put a link to everything below)

I began by painting the pots. I envisioned stacking the 2 pots with the smallest end of each together to form the head and body, and adding a succulent for the ‘hair.’ So I painted one pot completely to create the clothes, and the other I just painted the top rim. (2 coats of paint)

While those were drying (& because I’m terrible at drawing/painting) I went to my Cricut Design Space and created faces out of permanent vinyl. When the paint was completely dry, I added the faces to the pots ...

I attached a small wooden ball to twine, fed the twine through the painted pot and attached the larger wooden ball. I repeated that to create the hands and feet, adding a dab of glue to hold. Making sure the twine was in place, I used glue to add the pots together. Once the glue was dried, I added some small fish tank gravel to the top pot and added a succulent. 

List of items ...

Found on Amazon

• 2-inch Terra Cotta Pot (2)
• Twine
• Assorted Acrylic Paints
• Wooden Balls - 2 small, 2 large (I just picked 2 sizes I thought would work)
• Small Gravel (I had fish tank gravel on hand)
• Mini Wine Decorations
• Glue (I used e6000)
• (optional)Cricut Explore 2
• (optional)Cricut vinyl

**Of course, if you're able to paint/draw you don't need a Cricut. You can just paint the faces on.

And that's it! Thanks so much for stopping by today! If you create pot people, I would love to see them! Feel free to post them on my Facebook page (link below). And of you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Until next time!
xoxo
Dawn

Click HERE for all my links

My Fairy Rock Garden

My fairy rock garden! I absolutely love it and can't wait to create it again this coming Spring. 

Have you ever created a rock garden? Or a fairy garden? I've been wanting one for years! A couple of years ago, I finally gathered a bunch of miniatures and created a fairy garden in front of my house. The hubs and I had created a flower bed along the front of the house years before, that I had my Lilac and Peony planted. I always put my large fountain there and added big pots of flowers.

I had a bunch of gift cards for Michaels Craft Store, so I bought some miniatures and supplies from there. I also used some bird houses that I had collected to create little houses for my fairies and gnomes. Here's what it looked like ...

I absolutely loved how it turned out! However, by Fall I realized that I was hardly out in front of my house to fully enjoy it. Most of my time was spent on my back deck and in my backyard. As I gathered everything up to put away for the Winter, I decided that the next Spring I would find a place to create one in my back yard.

The following Spring, we were doing some yard work and decided that I wanted to dig up my hosta plants that I had in front of my back deck. They had become so ever grown, and I just didnt want them any longer. 

The moment the hostas were cleared out, I knew this would be the new home for my fairy garden!

I spent the next several days designing it in my head. In the meantime, we were putting up a privacy fence along our back property line. While digging the holes for the fence posts, we came across many (many!) rocks of all sizes. I began stacking the ones I wanted to keep 'for something'. The hubs just laughed and rolled his eyes at me and my obsession with saving rocks. As my pile grew, it dawned on me - A rock garden! And that's how I came up with the idea of my Fairy Rock Garden.

I started by adding pea gravel for the base ...

My old 'rock' fountain was perfect to add, and we found the gorgeous garden fencing (with a gate!) at our local Menard's (home improvement store) ...

I then began adding, stacking, and arranging my rocks. I picked out small pots from my collection and planted some small plants and flowers to add ...

I really had no set design, so I just kept adding, stacking and arranging/rearranging the rocks and plants until they fit ...

I added my birdhouses, fairies and miniatures. My grandchildren came over one day and painted some of the rocks as a little craft project, so I added them in. The grandchildren now search for cool rocks when they're out and they bring them to me to add to our garden lol

I was really sad last Fall when I had to take it all apart and pack it up for the Winter. But I am sooo looking forward to creating a new one this Spring. Fortunately we don't have to wait too much longer, just 3 more months! In the meantime, I'm on the lookout for new miniatures and decorations (and more rocks!) to add this year.

And again, here's the final garden ...

Thank you so much for stopping by today! Feel free to ask any questions or leave a comment below.

Until next time!

xoxo

Dawn

ALL OF MY LINKS