Tag Archives: How to

Ready to Start Blogging – User Friendly Resources to Get You Started

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OwUser Friendly Resources for New BloggersCongratulations!!  You have decided that you are ready to start blogging, and open up your little corner of the world to others.  You want your blog to be a reflection of who you are and what is important to you.  You have picked out your blogging platform, Blogger, WordPress, etc.  And, you have maybe even picked the Theme/Layout for your site and secured your domain and or blog name.  Now what!!

Well, if you decided to blog, I am pretty sure that you want people to both read and receive what you have to say.  In order to do that, you have to make sure that the first visit that they make to your blog is a memorable one.  You want them to return over and over again.  Even, if you are not blogging for profit, you still want to  develop a community, (a following of sorts).  If people are returning to your site, they are interested in the information or the opinions that you are imparting.  So, content is the most important part of blogging.

Style/Design is a very close second and equally important. I am by no means a professional Graphic Designer, but I have taught myself a thing or two or three(wink).  People are visual by nature. So, a relevant well placed photo to accompany your blog post goes a long way.  In addition to that, a well placed font over your photo draws attention to the pictures on your site.  They can even make them Pin Worthy (Pinterest), which in turn will bring traffic back to your blog. Whether you are using pictures that you have taken from your own camera or pictures that you find around the web,  Photo editing software can make all the difference.  Most people swear by PhotoShop and I use this software religiously, but it’s quite an investment right out the gate.  So, I’ve listed a few more economical options.  Lastly, the Fonts you use can be just as important as the picture.  Think about how many times the words and font draws your eye to an advertisement or a picture. See The Quote Below as an example – Note the Use of Different Fonts, as Well as Different Sizes.

Style - Rachel Zoe Quote

Here are a few resources that I think will start you on your way, at least they did for me.

Places to find free images:

Freepik.com

iStockphoto.com

Fonts –

Dafont.com

Myfonts.com

1001freefonts.com

Photo Editing –

Fotor.com

Picmonkey.com

Layouts/Templates – 

luvly.co

templatemonster.com

There you have it.  Jump in and get started and if you find anything else that you think should be added to this list, let us know.  Each one – teach one. Comment below.

Fun Friday – All About V-Day!!

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Free Valentine's Day Pencil Tag #valentinesday #valentinesdaygift #valentinesdayideas

Wow, did this week fly by for anyone else but me?  Today’s Fun Friday is ALL about Valentine’s Day!!

Do you miss those days when it was just the two of you?  But, that just isn’t the case anymore, now that you have little people running around, who seem to be sapping your romantic flow.  But, you want your guy to know that he is still #1 in your book.  No matter how tired you may be.

Most men are simple.  And, most men don’t really give a hoot about Valentine’s Day.  Even still, you care, so make sure he knows that you do too.  Keep in Mind, that this year Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday (what a treat). So, you have the whole day to make your love feel special.

Here are a few Quick & Hopefully Not Too Dirty Ideas:

Start with Breakfast — In Bed or Out (your choice)

It doesn’t have to be anything GRAND, you know your guy. Add a Sweet Card, a Love Note, or even an IOU (for later fun).  Running low on time in the morning, consider prepping your guys breakfast the night before.

Breakfast in Bed for Valentine's Day

Babysitter or Not –

Can you get a baby sitter to stay with the kids so you can have some alone time? What works better for your family?  Are you going to hit the movies with your honey during the day, or are you going to make it an official date night and don the heels and flirty dress??  Whatever you do, make sure the plan is put in place long before that weekend.  Remember reservations are nearly impossible to get around this time of year.

Of course, if a Baby Sitter is not an option for you, then you have to either plan V-Day around the kiddies, or include them.  When my oldest daughter was much younger, we both dressed up one year and had dinner with my hubby.  It was super sweet and we all enjoyed sitting at the table together for dinner. She enjoyed being included and making a Valentine for her Daddy.

Here are some fun ideas for sharing V-day with your little ones, that I found around the web.

12 Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Your Kids

4 Sweet Ways To Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Your Kids

To Dine –

If you are lucky, maybe you are one the of the couples who manage to get time alone, reserve your table far enough in advance, and are dressed to impressed for a Night On the Town.  Leave everything else on the back shelf for the night.  You have pulled off a major coup!!  Make tonight only about YOUR LOVE.  No talk of work, daycare, or diapers.  Relax and Enjoy Each Other.

Every Day is Special with the One You Love, but Valentine’s day should be even SWEETER.

V-Day Stories –

Sad Valentine's Day Story

Funny Valentine's Day StoryAnd, if you got all the way through this post, Good For You!!

So as promised, here is your Free Valentine’s Day Pencil Tag (PDF File) with instructions.  Click to Download and Enjoy!!

Valentine's Day Pencil Tags

What I learned about hosting the 2014 “Handmade with Love” Holiday Gift Guide?

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What I learned about hosting the 2014 “Handmade with Love” Holiday Gift Guide?

holidayfrontpage

 

  1. First and foremost the most crucial component of prepping a Gift Guide is TIME.  Make sure to give yourself enough time on the Front End and on the Back End, FOR LIFE.  Because, it is definitely going to go on regardless of what you have to do.
  2. Be Clear.  Decide up front who your target audience will be. Research and Reach Out to those who you feel will meet your criteria.  Pick Your Categories and Advertise in Places that you think you will find participants best suited for each category.
  3. Create a Detailed Marketing/Advertising Plan.  Decide on the front end what is expected from each participant, and what you as the host have to offer your participants. (Provide information on how many people you reached in previous years, if applicable.  And, what avenues you utilized to advertise)
  4. Create Realistic Deadlines.  Stop accepting Applications After that Time.  Provide Participants with Hard Deadlines that you can stick to.
  5. Work your Plan.  Use All Available Social Media Outlets to get the word out for your Gift Guide.  Create a HashTag (#stagepresentshandmadewithlove) and Encourage All Participants and Sponsors to Share Info Across the Board Using the Same Hashtag.

Things I would probably do differently.

  • I would probably charge a nominal fee for those wishing to be showcased in the Gift Guide.  For no other reason than, time is money. I would also hope that if you put money out for advertising, you would be more likely to do your best to promote the Gift Guide.
  • I would probably start the Entry Process out at the end of September, beginning of October.  I feel this would give applicants, more time to get their entries in.
  • I would publish the completed Guide Mid-November.  I feel this would allow the items and shops that are showcased a greater lead time to get their items noticed.
  • Now, that I have Year One, under my belt.  I have a template within which to work and I will request all necessary information up front, as to avoid the constant need to reach out to applicants, and wait for their responses. **I know everyone is busy during the Holiday Season.**

Things I would not change.

  • The completed project.
  • The amazing artist/shops that were showcased.
  • The opportunity to help share their talent with consumers.
  • The opportunity to promote Hand Made.

Again, I want to take the opportunity to thank all the participants and the Sponsors that contributed and participated in the Gift Guide, the corresponding Giveaway and its promotion.  I could not have done it without you!!

“I feel like every project I work on is a dream project, so long as I am learning.”
― Simeon Kondev

How to Install your Custom iPad/iPhone Wallpaper?

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BlueArgyleMockup

  1. Save your File to your Device.
  2. Open Picture in the Camera Section.
  3. Select Photo
  4. Click on – Use As Wallpaper
  5. Adjust to your Liking.
  6. Set as Lock Screen, Home Screen or Both.

Voila your Custom Wallpaper is Loaded!!

Did you know Our Etsy Shop offers a variety of Different Options to Dress Your Tech?

Here are some of the options available for purchase from $1 – $3.

PinkArgyleMockup

TRUST IN THE LORD WALLPAPER MOCKUP