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Archive for January 2011

How to Add a Signature in Blogger

By Nicole · Comments (4)

Thursday, January 27th, 2011

Have you ever wondered how to add a custom signature to the end of your Blogger posts? Well, there is a way to add your name, a photo or a link…the possibilities are endless. And its automatic so you don’t have to remember to insert it each time.

This tutorial demonstrates the steps to creating and inserting a custom signature in Blogger. Below that you will find the code that I used in the video so you can copy and paste it exactly. Remember…when dealing with HTML, every character counts! If your image doesn’t show up correctly, retype the quotation marks (“) that you cut and pasted earlier.

Code needed for Blogger…

<br>
<br>
<br>
<img src=”image-url-here“>

Happy blogging!

Comments (4)

Love Is In The Air

By Nicole · Comments (0)

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

Valentine’s day is mere weeks away. Need a little inspiration for sending some heartfelt sentiments to the lovies in your life? (Incidentally, did you know there are some very smart people that delay their traditional holiday greeting cards until Valentine’s day? Ingenious!).

Take a look at some of my new designs in the Snapfish shop…

“Love You Frames”

“You’re A Hoot”

“Be Mine Birdie”

“I Heart You Cross Stitch”

“Groovy Valentine”

“xoxo”

“L.O.V.E.”

Comments (0)

Simpler Then

By Nicole · Comments (1)

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

I was getting ready for church a few days ago and staring into the mirror as I diffused this mop of curly hair. Suddenly a memory popped into my head that made me giggle.

My hair started to turn curly when I was a teenager and take on a mind of its own. And it wasn’t a pretty Taylor Swift/Debra Messing kind of curl either (though I’ve recently learned a trick to achieve this look…more on that later.) No, it was the kinky, messy, un-uniform kind of curl.

Anyway, I literally had the reoccurring thought during those teen girl years that if I could just get my hair under control, them my life would be perfect.

Perfect.

Can you believe that?

Oh, to go back to those times when my biggest vain obsession concern in life was my hair.

Life isn’t so simple any more. Don’t get me wrong…I have an incredibly charmed life. A loving husband, three healthy, respectful boys, a beautiful home, WiFi, a stupid-big walk-in closet and crushed ice whenever I want it. I have freedom and a job I love and blessings beyond compare.

But life is complicated, isn’t it? Like…

global and national concerns

following through with a consequence when its inconvenient

trying to explain why people do evil things

encouraging a friend or family member who has gone through a miscarriage

letting go of them a little bit more every day

knowing when to confront and when to keep your mouth shut

wondering, am I doing this motherhood thing right??

teaching your kids how to deal with difficult people

Yes, life was simpler then, when ignorance was bliss. But really? Given the chance, I really wouldn’t go back there. Life is fuller, richer, more stable now.

I guess that’s the trade off.

Incidentally, maybe this is old news to you, but I just recently learned about spiral “Taylor Swift” curls. Take a look at this tutorial. (I want that long, gorgeous hair…)

Comments (1)

Twitter – My New Philosophy

By Nicole · Comments (6)

Monday, January 17th, 2011

I’ve been using Twitter for two years now. It was at Blissdom ’09 that I took the plunge into the Twitter universe.

Since then, my “twitterosophy” has morphed a few times.

First, I started out basically in denial. Even as a blog designer, I didnt quite get the whole idea. Why was it important to my blog? How would it benefit me? How did the whole thing even work, anyway? I knew about it, marveled at it from afar, but I needed it explained a little more before I could really jump in with both feet.

From there I went into what I like to call the “bit obsessed” stage. Once I realized the powerful force of this social media tool, I started to follow anyone with a pulse. If you followed me, I’d follow you (not with an automatic follow tool, however). If I visited a blog once, I’d look for the twitter link. If you Follow Friday-ed me, I’d follow you for sure. Seems to me this is a pretty common Twitter practice.

But recently I’ve undergone yet another transition. I started realizing that following 2500 people was no easy task. I found myself not even checking my Tweetdeck columns because it was information overload, and if there is one thing I don’t need in life is overload. It really defeated the whole beauty of Twitter…the connections. I began to feel like I could never keep up or respond to the tweets I really cared about responding to. That was, if I even saw them in the stream.

So I did something a little radical. Some might say it was social network suicide…especially given my business. But I thought I’d at least try it and see if I liked it. One night I went through and cleaned house. I reduced my follow list by about 85%.

Here’s what has surprised me…

I still have most of my followers. Either they don’t mind that I’m not following them back or, more likely, they didnt even notice that I’m not following them anymore.
The ones that did unfollow me back called me a “quitter”. My, how quickly loved turned bitter. I was so hurt.
The time I spend on Twitter has increased and is now more reading than posting. I like that.

Its been an eye opening experience and I have to say this is the way it works for me. Not to say that I’m not constantly updating and following new and interesting people. What’s my “criteria” for following new “Twits” you may ask? Well, basically I will follow:

Blogging experts I respect
Great WordPress theme developers
Artists
WAHMs & SAHMs that write about their experiences, not just review products
New clients
My friends who tweet for a blog or business
Local bloggers
Bloggers I’ve met in person at conferences or local events
Companies or organizations I am interested in.

By no means is my “twitterosophy” some sort of exclusive, elitist mentality. Its nothing personal if I don’t follow you back or follow you first…for reals, promise. I simply know my limits and would rather be a good twit to some than a mediocre twit to many.

So tell me? Disagree? Agree? What’s your twitterosophy? What’s your criteria for following another twit?

Comments (6)

Reactions

By Nicole · Comments (2)

Monday, January 10th, 2011

We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions. -Ronald Reagan.

No doubt by now you have read and heard in great detail about the tragedy that occurred in my city Saturday morning.

It was shortly after 10 a.m. on a lovely, lazy Saturday morning with not much to do on the agenda. I had just finished trying a new breakfast recipe on my family when I sat down to do some work in my office studio. My husband was flipping channels when we landed on our local news station and heard the words… “Congresswoman Giffords has been shot.”.

19 injured. 6 dead.

What followed was a day spend mostly in front of the tv, trying not to be too obsessive, but that was difficult. This was in our backyard…our community…we needed to know more. Even now details of who and how and …why?? are still unfolding. But what is clear is there no lack of reaction. Everyone has one.

Some cry.

Some blame.

Some fear.

Some hate.

Some capitalize on the opportunity to push an agenda.

And some label.

I can handle reading and hearing just about any reaction…except the last.

There have been many statements made by public officials and tweeters alike, making blanket statements about our town…even our state. Our own Sheriff Clarence Dupnik went so far as to call us “the mecca for prejudice and bigotry.”

Really?

I respectfully have to ask, Sherif Dupnik, what about notable Tucsonans such as U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, artist Ted DeGrazia, John Denver and Jane Goodall? The men and women…including those under your leadership…who put their lives on the line day in and day out? The upstanding, productive, intelligent citizens that call this city home? Should we not also be using them as a measure of this community?

One…or maybe to be fair, a small percentage of the population who would be so vile and diranged as to go on a killing spree is not the measure of a community. Every town, every corporation, every everything where human beings are involved has its problems and its darkness. There is no utopia. I’ve definitely lived long enough to learn that.

We all react in a time of crisis…but is now really the time for blanket statements, labeling, pointing fingers and political soap boxes? Maybe instead, now should be the time to pray. To attend a vigil. To hope for a better future. To give and to give thanks.

Comments (2)

How to Create a Unique Business or Mommy Card

By Nicole · Comments (3)

Wednesday, January 5th, 2011

I was born with a business card in my hand. See, my father owned a printing business before I was even a twinkle in his eye and retired a few years ago after 35(ish) successful years. Now, my brother carries on the business.

Business cards aren’t just for the white collar executives any more. They can be an effective way to share whatever information you have to give. Moms, how many times have you been in the grocery store or the park and you want to give another mom your blog address? Business (or “Mommy”) cards can be pretty handy dandy.

But the traditional business card can start to get pretty pricey when you want to create something unique. Die cuts (fancy, unique cut outs) and embossing (raised graphics or lettering) are not cheap. Ooo…hope my brother isnt reading this post. (Sorry bro.)

With a little creativity and a trip to the stationary or craft store, you can create a pretty stunning and unique card that can set you apart for the rest. And who are we kidding…that’s usually the goal, right?

Here are some ideas that might help you come up with something dreamy…

1. Unique Shape or Size – No one ever said that a business/mommy card had to be 3.5 x 2 in. How about a round or square or some other unique size? Purchase an over-sized punch (like Martha Stewart’s amazing line of punches for paper crafters) and cut out your own. I also love moo.com‘s mini cards.

Photo credit: allgraphicdesign.com

Photo credit: moo.com

2. Make your Own Die Cut or Embossing – As I mentioned, die cutting and embossing can be very pricey and most mom or small business bloggers don’t have the budget to support that kind of expenditure. But another quick trip to the craft store and the purchase of a smaller paper punch or embossing tool can turn an ordinary card into something unique to you.

Photo credit: dailypoetics

Photo credit: creativebits.org

3. Give it a Little Somethin’ Somethin’ - Check out these cute ideas on adding just a little bit of character. Use your imagination…add ribbon, buttons, string, feathers, a brad or eyelet, heck…even googly eyes!

Photo credit: webdesignbooth

Photo credit: creativebits.org

Photo credit: dailypoetics

4. Do The Unexpected - A “card” doesn’t always have to be made of paper. I’ve been to conferences where I’ve received small gift bags, bandaid holders, chocolates and even cloth with all the vitals. It may take a little bit more time and artistic ability, but you could always make your own, very unique, card with a little more effort.

Photo credit: dailypoetics

Photo credit: allgraphicdesign.com

5. Get Clever with Text – There are no rules about what information you need to include, or how it needs to be included. Think outside the box. Display your text vertically, in bullet form, make a simple statement or sentence as your focal point.

Photo credit: dailypoetics

6. Less Is More - I love the idea of simple, clean…even sparse design. White space is your friend and can often times be more effective than a card chuck full of design and text. Take a look at these simple yet smart designs…

Photo credit: dailypoetics

Photo credit: webdesignbooth

7. Cooridnate! – Its always a good idea to coordinate all of your creative material with the design of your blog or site so you have a cohesive, recognizable brand. Sometimes its not always easy to accomplish that on a budget, but it makes a big impact in the end. You can find very inexpensive pre-made card designs on Etsy or vistaprint.com. Take a look at how Adrain’s Crazy Life went the other way around and used a pre-made design style from Vista Print and designed her blog to coordinate…

Photo credit: Adrain’s Crazy Life

8. Make an Investment - I may be a bit biased, but I firmly believe that a good, cohesive design is paramount in the success of your blog or business. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that creating business cards is one of my services (why yes…this is a shameless plug…). But for $50 and the cost of printing (or some nice stationary and a little bit of toner) I can help you create a custom design that’s all your own. Interested? Contact me.

Need more inspiration? Take a look at some of the unique “cards” I’ve come across lately. A little thinking outside the box can go a long way…

Badges from www.erskinedesign.com

Photo credit: webdesignbooth

An old domino

Bobby pin card from yukamakeupartist.com

Now its your turn! Do you offer unique business card creations on Etsy or another site? Or, do you have a card you’re proud of and would like to share? Then by all means…share in the comments!

This post includes affiliate links.

Comments (3)

Bloggy Spring Cleaning

By Nicole · Comments (2)

Monday, January 3rd, 2011

In the past week, I’ve cleaned out 4 closets and filled 3 Goodwill bags. What is it about the holidays and the new year that compels us to take stock and organize? I love it. Spring (or in this case “Winter”) cleaning is totally my thing. Love it.

Just like I catch myself neglecting my linen closet during the year, I find I often do the same with certain areas of my blog. Maybe now is a good time to take stock of your blog and do some sifting and sorting. Here are a few areas to thing about…

1. Sidebars: Have a couple out of date meme buttons still hanging around? Or even some sponsored button ads? Its easy to loose track of buttons in the sidebar. Less is more…dont waste precious real-estate with outdated buttons or text.

2. Affiliate Ads: If you are a part of affiliate ads like Share A Sale or Commission Junction, you can manage what ads you show when depending on the time of year or current campaign of the companies you advertise for. Remember to check on them and make sure your affiliate buttons and links are still up to date.

3. Static Pages: How up to date is your About page? Or your Disclosure Statement? Maybe you’ve been wanting to add a new page on update one. Dont forget your static pages (trust me…I’m preaching to the choir right now.)

4. Platform Updates: All the major blogging platforms perform regular updates and upgrades to their software. It isnt a good idea to ignore these alerts. You want to stay up to date with these so you don’t have issues with compatibility down the road. I know…it seems like there’s an update every 5 minutes (especially if you’re on WordPress). But it usually only takes a minute and a few clicks for most people.

5. Plugin Updates: Same thing here…if you’re on WordPress, occasionally check your plugins and make sure they are up to date with the latest published version.

6. Comments: Now is a good time to check your spam and pending comments. If you’re using Akismet for WordPress (and if you’re not, you should be!) it does a very good job of catching spam comments for you. Empty it out every once in a while after doing a quick scan for the occasional valid comment that slipped in. No need to take up this extra space on your database.

So what about you…what’s the hardest part of keeping things up to date and neat and tidy on your blog?