First of all, y’all are awesome. I can’t thank you enough for your sweet comments on the last post.
Second of all, I may be on the verge of a serious, life-changing obsession.
It all started innocently enough. A few weeks ago I was trying to figure out how to post pictures with words on them (does that make sense?) (I feel like there’s an easier way to say that.) on Instagram. It seemed like a good way to get the word out about pre-orders and free stuff and book signings, so one night I sat down with my photo collage app on my phone and figured out how to get words on there. It didn’t necessarily look that great, but it worked in a pinch, and I was sort of proud of myself because WELCOME TO THE 21ST CENTURY, MAMAW – WE CAN PUT WORDS ON PICTURES NOW.
So today I started wondering where people are getting their very beautiful / stylized quotes that they’re putting on the Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter / Facebook / Facerest / Pinbook / Instatwit, so I opened the app store on my phone and typed “put quotes on pictures” or something equally eloquent. I came up with InstaQuote, and in no time I’d made this little number.
I don’t know when I’ve ever felt fancier.
Honestly, I felt a little weird putting something I wrote on there, but it seemed like a good alternative to “WORDS GO HERE” or “I AM WRITING WORDS ON TOP OF PICTURES AND OTHER BACKGROUNDS.”
For the rest of the day I continued to think about what other little signs (printables? Instagrams? I do not know the lingo) I could make, and then, late this afternoon, several people on Twitter said that I should try out an app called Word Swag. Of course I immediately downloaded it since I do pretty much every single thing the internet tells me to do.
And OH MY GOODNESS. I had no idea that words could have quite that much swag. After supper tonight I probably spent a solid hour on that app, and I think it’s safe to say that I got a little carried away.
Have decided to quit all writing & ministry activities in order to pursue my dream as a professional Word Swag user. Prayers appreciated.
— Sophie Hudson (@boomama) February 10, 2015
I feel like it’s opened up a whole new creative outlet. You know, the creative outlet where I pretend like I’m a deeply gifted graphic designer but in sort of paint-by-numbers way.
And finally, there are two critical pieces of information I need to share.
Melanie’s second (and very hilarious) book, The Antelope in the Living Room, is a free eBook this week. You can find it at Amazon, BN.com, christianbook.com, iBooks, etc. and so on and so forth. FREE AMERICAN DOLLARS. There’s a story in this book about one time when Mel’s husband had to speak at a wedding, and it makes me laugh so hard that I can only read it in small doses. Read a little bit. Laugh my head off. Breathe. Read a little bit. Laugh my head off. Breathe. The whole book is a delight.
Also.
Dave Barnes’ new EP is out today, and if there was ever a time to treat yourself, THIS IS IT. This music is so beautiful, y’all. We can’t stop listening to it in our house. The EP is called Hymns for Her, and it’s gorgeous, confident, honest, and vulnerable. You don’t want to miss it.
Hope y’all have a great day.
Love,
Mamaw
aka
MamawSwag
oh Mamaw, YOU make me laugh so hard I can’t breathe! Can’t wait to check out Word Swag, but SOOOOO can’t wait to meet you on Saturday!!! Safe travels to Nashville:)
I’d leave a much longer and detailed comment about how much I enjoy you, but I’m too busy downloading the Wordswag app. :)
Laughed so hard at all of this as I have to let the younger generation clue me in on all things app-wise as well. I will definitely be getting my swag on al well. Haha!
Hi, Sophie! Your words and pictures are called “memes” (pronounced “meems”).
Glad you will now be able to share your bits of life this way!
THIS INFORMATION IS HELPFUL. :-) I had no idea! I remember blog memes way back in the day, but I didn’t know what to call the word picture stuff. Thank you!
Oh Mamaw, I love you so much! Talking about reading something in small amounts, this advice is a little late for me. I was working in Birmingham when your first book came out. I was sitting in Lloyd’s Restaurant(please don’t judge) reading your book as I ate dinner one night. I was reading the story about your mama’s “toot.” Needless to say, I was laughing so hard I was crying. When I got up to pay, the lady asked me if I was laughing our crying. I told her both. Then I proceeded to tell her off the little gem of an author that was living in their midst and they should really check her out. I so love your books can’t wait for the next one.
This is great. This whole thing made me smile. Instatwit. Oh good grief.
About 3 months ago I searched an equally eloquent phrase on the Apple App Store and came up with InstaQuote. Now I can’t wait to try out Word Swag.
Word Swag. At last, an answer to the age old question: “I’m sitting down watching television what do I do with my hands?”
You swag words. As the Lord intended.
Sophie, this absolutely makes me laugh because I’m in the same boat as you. I spent an entire Sunday afternoon Googling things like “how to make word circles on pictures” and stuff like that. I didn’t get very far. But I have a daughter who is 23 and smart, so she helped me some (although I still have to go back to the ten pages of notes I took). But then I found Canva.com and with some playing around am finally JUST starting to figure out an easy way to do this. Thanks for the new suggestions. One of these days I might end up in the 21st century!
Bwahahahahaha! I, too, crave “the creative outlet where I pretend like I’m a deeply gifted graphic designer but in sort of paint-by-numbers way.” Oh, Sophie, you make me laugh and cry and feel all warm inside. I think you’re my best friend I’ve never met! Rock on, Mamaw!
I am SO far behind on anything tech related! But, I’m thinking you must be creating something along the lines of Jeff Foxworthy’s “what’s your sign?” So, now I’m waiting for Sophie’s “fancy signs”!
I have been wanting to put words on pictures forever, but I am a whole decade older than you are, and do not have a facebook or any insta thing, and certainly don’t know how to do anything fancy on the computer!! Just today I emailed a quote to my daughter and told her to put it on a picture for me to give to her daddy for Valentine’s day. She emailed it back all done in about 2 minutes. I was thrilled and kinda miffed all at the same time. I’m going to try those 2 apps. Maybe it’ll make me feel like I belong in this century! Thanks for recommending them, and thanks for the life tip. I will begin living by that wisdom from tis day forth! :)
this mamaw is about your age and I have no idea whatsoever what that Swag is all about and what in the world I would do with it. Probably because I don’t have a blog/don’t want a blog/don’t like to write. give me numbers and I’m happy.
You have just answered ALL of my questions.
Your unbridled enthusiasm compelled me to spend money on an app. That’s pretty big in my world :).
Thanks for sharing!! OH my goodness this could be life changing and so much fun!
It was dotmom 2011 where I fell in love with you and Melanie and have been following along ever since.=) I have yet to read Antelope in the Living Room and well, FREE so I squealed and ran to get my kindle… did I miss the deal!? Doing something wrong!? It’s saying $9.99 on amazon.
I also jumped up and got my kindle. Amazon says $9.99. I’m sure I would enjoy the book at least $9.99 worth, but I’d rather get it free!
Same here!
New to your blog. I can blame you for my last hour of unproductivity sitting here reading it. I can thank you for the laughing out loud. Laughing is good!! How do I get a copy of Mel’s *free* ebook this week? I couldn’t find the free part on amazon. Looking forward to your book too! Found you from your guest post on AV today.
Please tell me how to get the “free” ebook this week. Amazon says $9.99. Do you have to do something special. Is the week up tomorrow? I just discovered you yesterday and am so glad I did. Thank you.
I, too, am trying to figure out how to get the “free ebook”. At least I know I’m not the only one! Help a sista out.
Same here! Amazon has it for $9.99, but free is always better!
$9.99 on I books too. My thirteen year old has to help me with posting things sometimes. Glad you have figured out a new skill.
The free eBook offer for Melanie’s book was only through Thursday, apparently. I just assumed it went through the end of the week since mine did. Sorry for any confusion!