Final week of drops: Sketching and Journaling with Facebook

Next week, I go for my final cataract surgery follow-up: one more weeks of drops twice a day; new eye glasses prescription; and hopefully the green light to exercise again.  My friend had cataract surgery done with a laser and her healing process has been very different and fast.  Remember it's important to know those options.  I am happy with my doctor and results, in turn no complaints.

I have been surfing the Internet looking for sketch book and journaling app and right under my nose has been the answer.  While out walking in this beautiful weather, I was taking pictures and sending them to my friends who are working; Retirement is great!  Right there in front of my eyes, the editing tools on Facebook, did the trick.  One can edit, doodle, add text, make albums, nothing sophisticated, but it works.  I think you can only doodle on a picture that you take while on Facebook.  Pictures you upload to Facebook can be cropped, color filter,  and text added.  Now I just need to create a Facebook group or page just dedicated to my journaling for my art quilting.

5 weeks and Sketchbook Apps

Almost 5 weeks since the beginning of my cataract journey.  I am getting use to my new eyesight, I think my brain is getting use to my new lenses.  I don't think my eyes will totally settle down until I get my new glasses prescription.  I am happy with my close up vision; I can see details very well.  I have to admit my far-sighted vision is a little worse than I thought it would be, but it was a choice I made.  The trade off of seeing up close is worth it.


Most of the Apps I reviewed have many more features than what I need.  They appeared to be designed for people who want to do intricate detailed drawings and didn't have the capability for inserting pictures.   I wanted something quick and easy.  Then once in a while I get one of those moments and I Googled apps for architects and viola:

• Morpholio Journal: Design & Architect Sketchbook

By Morpholio Apps

This app allows you to write on photos and images, sketch, and collage in a journal format.

 For iPhone and iPhone; found on iTunes (no link, can't get it to work)

Week Two (and 1/2); The Search for Apps

Week 2 1/2; I am beginning to turn into a vegetable following doctor's orders to take it easy, lots of sleep, and do basically nothing.  But, and the big but, I know the end result will be worth it.  I am seeing details in both eyes that were lost with the cataracts.  Also, I hate the thought of beginning all over again as far as getting back into shape; things could be much worse.

Today, I feel half alive after taking my first very short shower (no hair washing for five more days) since the second cataract surgery.  It is very important not to get water or anything in either eye.  One has to remember that my eye is an open wound and the chance for infection is very great.  I wore the huge sunglasses they gave me in the shower to protect my eyes.

I have been scouring blogs and iTunes looking at apps.  I have presented a small variety of apps in my posts since taking on this journey.   In my surfing, I have become very interested in the "sketchbook" type apps.  I think I will concentrate my energy and time researching those apps.  I would love to have an app where I can easily take pictures, mark it up, and record ideas for future wallhangings.  Let the hunt begin.

• Skitch-  Snap. Mark up.  Share. 

This app reminds me of an electronic sketchbook.  You can take a picture; make it up with shapes, annotations and sketches.

For Mac; found on iTunes  Rating: current version, 25 votes 5 stars

• How Much Thread  by Superior Threads Inc.

This app will help solve the mystery of how much thread is needed to complete a quilted project.  You input the size of the  quilt and the amount of quilting; it will estimate the amount of thread need.

For iPhone, iPad: found on iTunes  Rating 4+ stars

During Recovery; the Hunt for Sewing/Quilting Apps

Surgery number two is done and over.  The recovery continues from the first surgery and now I  begin the process all over again with the second surgery.  Basically overall, one feels great after the anesthesia wears off.  The restrictions during recovery are a killer: first week absolutely no hair washing, and no showers.  After the first week appointment when the doctor said I could wash my hair and do some light walking I thought I had hit the jackpot.  Continuing into the second week or so: keep head above the heart, no lifting, no real exercising no bright lights, no sewing,  etc.  Now to someone whose hip is attached to her sewing machine, this is plain torture.   In other words sit, look pretty, watch TV, and do projects on the computer.  Reading a book was a little straining in dim light.  I am following the doctor's  orders to a "T"; something new to me.  The computer has become my new friend for now.  When not working on scanning old photos and making a picture book using Mixbook, I am browsing the web looking for sewing/quilting apps.

I like to make my life easy especially when it comes to anything dealing with math.  Thank goodness for apps, as I find them on the web,  I will share them on my blog.  Let the hunt begin.

• Quilting Calculators  by Robert Kaufman Fabrics and Quilters Paradise

 This app sounds like a quilter's math lifesaver.  The tools in this app will assist quilters with a variety of mathematical calculations: Backing and Batting Calculator, Piece Count Calculator, Pieces to Yardage Area Calculator, Binding Calculator, Border Calculator, Square-in-a-Square Calculator,  Set-in and Corner Triangle Calculator, Pieces to Yardage Area Calculator,  Binding Calculator, Border Calculator, Square-in-a-Square Calculator, and Set-in and Corner Triangle Calculator.

This app is for Androids: found  on Google Play Android Apps.  Rating: 554 votes, 4.4 stars.

For iPhone and iPad; found on Apple iTunes.  

• Quiltography : Quilt Design Made Simple By Christopher Oxley $14.99

The description reads as if it will do almost everything for you except actually sew your quilt.  This app features:  designing quilts, estimating yardage for quilts, scanning the fabric in your stash with the capability of  searching  and auditioning your fabrics,  templates, tools for designing your own block templates, creating and editing quilts, tools for turning a photo into a quilt and many more features.  For more information on this app, visit the publisher's description on cnet.

This app is for the iPad; found on Apple iTunes.  Rating: All versions, 629 votes, 4.5 stars.

• Color Wheel- Basic Color Schemes by Dmitriy Polyakov

This is a color wheel at your fingertips.  This app features: a cross functional helper, and a color palette using six different schemes.

For both iPhone and iPad; found on iTunes.  Rating: N/A

• Colour Wheel

This is a color wheel at your fingertips.  This app features:  palettes based upon the standard color designs of: Monochromatic, Complementary, Split Complementary, Triad, Tetrad, Analogic and Accented Analogic.

For Androids: found on Google Play Android Apps.   Rating: 886 votes, 4 stars