Tools
Here are a number of ways to acquire and edit images.
I advise that you only use your own images. They are copyrighted to you. The use of any other image is a copyright infringement, whether it is used in whole or part. I.E. School Photos-When you purchase those packages you are only purchasing a copy of that companies, photographer's work. You must have permission to duplicate or use those images.
If you have any questions about Copyrights you may wish to view
The United states Copyright Office http://www.copyright.gov/register/visual.html
Visual Arts would be the category pertaining to Cross-Stitching.
Store Your Photos
You can have your photos put on to a CD
at the minilabs while you have your roll of film processed. It's quick and inexpensive at Wal*Mart.
http://photos.walmart.com/helpphotowmcd
If you have a cd burner on your computer, you can try the steps at the following link to create your own Photo Cd
http://www.ehow.com/how_2044760_create-backup-photos-using-computer.html
or you are welcome to use some of my images at Webshots. You won't require permission for the use of my photos and encourage you to apply your creative ideas to them.
I would love to see what you've done with them.
http://community.webshots.com/album/266764179INnbTo
Scanner or Digital Camera
For more information on digital editing you can refer to the many subjects on this subject in Wikipedia including the freeware programs you can find on this page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Editing_digital_images#Image_editing_programs
If you have a scanner you can scan an image or in some cases the actual item such as a flower, jewelry-let your imagination go wild. Check your user's guides to utilize all the features. It may have come with some photo editing software.
A basic rundown of what a scanner can do and some reviews of scanners can be found here:
http://photographic.com/productreviews/scannersprinters/1103scanners/
Most Windows based computers come bundled with a paint program. Don't be afraid to play with it and get to know how to use it. You can aquire images from your scanner or camera or from saved files on your computer. It's lots of fun.
Cookie cutters are fun to scan
and then in your
image-editing program
you can play and learn
how to use all the functions.
Image Editing Programs
PhotoFiltre
Some great features come with this image editing program.
You can read all about it and download a version from this site:
Image Forge 3
If you don't already have a preferred Image Editing program here's a Freeware Image Editor Program (ImageForge3) from Cursorarts.com that's packed with lots of features. It may take some time to play with and master, but once you do, you'll wonder how you managed without it.
http://www.cursorarts.com/ca_imffw.html
or GIMP-GNU-Image manipulation program
As close as you can get to PhotoShop for free.
http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/
Here's a site that offers a tutorial on Getting started with GIMP
http://www.mozillaquest.com/OpenSource04/Gimp-Photo-Edit-Tutorial-01_Story01.html
ArtRage
If you want to try your hand at painting try:
A free downloadable paint program from Ambient Design
http://www.ambientdesign.com/artragedown.html