| The fate of many a baby photo is to be relegated to | | | | software on a home computer, special effects can |
| an empty shoebox. For super-organized families, | | | | transform your photograph into a striking watercolor. |
| photos may find their way into a photo album, to | | | | With a few clicks, you can print it out on canvas and |
| collect dust upon a shelf. Unfortunately, it's all too easy | | | | hang it right in your home. And what a great holiday |
| to forget precious baby photos when they're hidden | | | | gift for grandparents! Another idea is using transfer |
| out of sight. With the coming-of-age of digital | | | | paper, also usable on a home printer. With only a hot |
| photography, many more possibilities now exist for | | | | iron and a towel, you can transfer your pictures to tote |
| those precious baby photos. So before you tuck them | | | | bags or tee-shirts, or to any other item made of a |
| away where they'll sit, unorganized and unseen, | | | | cotton-based fabric. It's a fun and easy way to bring |
| consider a few great ways to make your beloved | | | | your favorite baby photos to life. For those |
| photos a part of your daily life. Many photo shops | | | | technophiles among us, why not upload a selection of |
| offer services beyond just transforming your annual | | | | baby pictures to a photo-sharing website. A quick |
| family portrait into a personalized Christmas card. Now | | | | search on your favorite search engine should turn up a |
| options include calendars created from a selection of | | | | whole bunch. It's a great, inexpensive way to share |
| photographs, or transforming your photos into | | | | photos with friends and family all over the world? |
| mousepads and mugs. For those families who have | | | | Some photo editing software packages also have a |
| gone digital, or who have a scanner available to scan | | | | slideshow option that allows photos to be viewed as a |
| photos onto your computer, many of these items (and | | | | slideshow on your monitor. Slideshows can often be |
| much more) can be ordered online at sites such as | | | | emailed as well, allowing others the benefit of your |
| Snapfish or Cafepress. It's simple, too. Upload a photo | | | | photos. And by all means, set them up as a |
| -- or photos -- of your choice, and choose the items | | | | screensaver. The screensaver can be updated and |
| you wish to buy. The choices range from wooden | | | | changed as you take new photos. These days, the |
| boxes to Christmas ornaments, from sweatshirts to | | | | options for enjoying photos of your child are as |
| tote bags. For the more adventurous among us, there | | | | boundless as your imagination. So keep those photos |
| are many creative, do-it-yourself prospects for those | | | | out of that old shoebox. Instead, transform them into |
| charming baby pics as well. Craft stores and even | | | | something wonderful, something to be enjoyed on a |
| office supply stores have large selections of special | | | | regular basis. |
| photo papers these days You can buy canvas that | | | | Marie Christianson is a senior business analyst at Build |
| can actually be run through a home printer, for | | | | a website for your family! |
| example. With simple, commercial photo editing | | | | |