New Online Photo Editor

Rollip is a new site offering a simple online photo editing tool. You can convert your photo in a variety of ways and do so in two formats, either Polaroid, or regular size. The effects include various sepia tones, soft focus, and neon effect. Using the site is simple, just click on the image of the effect you want, and follow the instructions to upload your photo.

I tried out the editor on this photo

And converted it to a Polaroid as well as gave it a vintage look as you can see at left.

If you choose to make your photo into a Polaroid, you also have the option of adding text or decorations to the edges of the image as shown

Once the transformation is complete you have the following options

1. Download your photo

2. Share a direct link in email, on a website or in instant messaging

3. Share the photo in e-mail, on Facebook, MySpace or a variety of other social media websites

If you use Flickr, you can also share your Rollip creations in the Rollip group.

I quite like this site and can see myself converting a variety of photos. it’s simple and quick. My main reservation is with regards to the file sizes of the converted photos which are quite small (less than 100K in some cases, and only 400 pixels wide). I haven’t had a chance to print them out to see the quality, but according to the site you should be able to print the photos out.

I also would like it if the different conversions were given names, so that it would be easier to distinguish between them. Also suggestions as to what kind of photos work well with each conversion would be useful. But with a little time and trial and error I think that anyone can get neat effects on their favourite photos!

Click here to go to Rollip to try it out!

Lacing is a great fine motor activity, and most kids go through a phase where they enjoy working with lacing cards. It helps promote focus and is a great quiet activity for kids to do in the car or to fill time in the classroom. And of course knowing how to lace is the beginning of knowing how to sew, which is great for all kids to learn (more on teaching kids to sew here).

There are lots of ways to make your own lacing cards. This one is just a pin but it’s easy to make lacing cards with any shape a child is into using cardboard and a nail to poke the holes. This could be fun for letter and number recognition or spelling the child’s name. Or try this version from Hey Azka, which uses a hole punch to make bigger holes so you can lace with shoe laces.

You can also just do lacing cards with paper, but it’s a great idea to print them on card stock and/or laminate them to make them sturdier for little hands. Homeschool Share has a set of alphabet lacing cards, which are free with email signup. Deceptively Educational has a set of number lacing cards with numbers 0 to 10.

Picklebums has some basic shape lacing cards, too.

Living Life and Learning has a bunch of cute printable lacing cards, including back to school designs, shoes kids can lace and learn to tie and ocean themed lacing cards. She also has tips for making your own lacing cards.

A Rose Tinted World made their lacing cards with craft foam, which makes them a little more durable than paper and you can cut it more easily than cardboard. They used a die cutting machine but you can also cut shapes by hand.

I also love the cat and mouse cards from Seam Whisperer. They also have some spring themed designs. So cute!

If you want to make lacing cards that are more open ended, check out this tutorial form Pretty Life Girls to make lacing cards that are more like geo boards. Theirs are made with wood but you can also do this with cardboard, craft foam or card stock.

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