Tutorial: How to Add a Custom Signature to Your Blogger Posts

Ever wonder how people get those spiffy signatures on their blogs at the bottom of each post? It's easier than you might think. Here's what to do, friends...

1. Create your signature. This needs to be sized correctly because Blogger will not adjust it to fit. I wouldn't suggest going bigger than about 170 x 70 pixels, but I'm not a fan of humongous signatures so play around with it and see what you like best. :)
2. Upload your signature to the image hosting site of your choice and copy the URL (or "direct link" if you are using Photobucket)
3. Log into your Blogger account
4. From your dashboard, click on "Settings"
5. Now click on the tab that says "Formatting"
6. Scroll down to the bottom of the page where you will see a text area next to the words "Post Template"
7. Enter the following code:
<br /><p><br /><img style="border:0;" align="right" src="SIGNATURE URL" /><br /></p><br />
8. Replace the section of code that says "SIGNATURE URL" with your own image URL
9. You can change the alignment (right) to "left" or "center" depending on where you would like your signature to appear
10. Click the spiffy orange button that says "Save Settings"

That's it! The next time you create a new post, your custom signature will be there waiting for you like an old friend. Ha! Just make sure you write your post above it.

If you would like a custom signature, but don't want to mess with creating one yourself, check out this site.

Just as a side note, my "signature" is actually a post divider- which I'm planning on showing you how to add in another tutorial. I'll give away a ton of free dividers that match our backgrounds. So fun! I'm also going to be posting a tutorial on how to get your own "peek-a-boo" navigation bar like the one at the top of my blog. Loooove that! :)

Sidebar Frame Freebie

Here's a little frame for those pictures we all love to put on our blog sidebars. :) Using any program that supports layers, just plop your own photo in, merge the layers, and away you go! (You could use it for a favorite quote too!)

This frame was made using goodies from Michelle Underwood...who is currently hosting a giveaway on her blog. Check it out for a chance to win a gift certificate to her shop!

Sidebar Frame Freebie:
Download

Yay for new stuff!

So I spent the last day or two converting my spiffy "regular" backgrounds into 3-column designs for all of you with wide layouts. I also added 7 new designs for everyone created from kits by the spectacular Michelle Underwood. Have I told you how excited I am to dig into my stash of Michellishness? (Okay, I know I did.)

In the next day or two, I'll list some coordinating tags and a header for the Shabby Blooms background and some tags and a button that match the Young At Art background too. Just FYI. I'm also preparing to post some cool new tutorials here and even more free goodies...so stay tuned! :)

Happy blogging!

Featured {Shabby} Blogger

The cool thing about getting to choose who to feature here is that I get the opportunity to spotlight some people that most of you probably don't know. Don't get me wrong- blogs with 10,000 followers are great too. It's just that sometimes the coolest people are the ones who are out there, just quietly doing their thing, totally unaware of how remarkable they are. That said...

Meet Julie!
Blog: Mom. Wife. Camera.

Julie is awesome. I know I use that word a lot, but it's true. The girl is awesome. I didn't know her before she left a comment here, but I followed her back to her blog (yes- I do that!) and I am infinitely glad that I did. The second I saw her blog, I felt happy. Her music, her writing, her photography...oh, her photography! I could write a novel on how much I adore Julie's photos. She has got incredible talent, that girl! Her pictures have a sun-kissed quality that makes me want to sit on a big old porch and sip raspberry lemonade. They are dreamy like the most perfect days of childhood frozen blissfully in time. I actually found myself asking my husband how far it is to New York from where I live in North Carolina. If it wasn't so far, I'd be on her doorstep asking for a photo shoot and a lunch date...in a totally non-creepy way, of course. :) Besides possessing mad photography skills, Julie is just the kind of person you want to know. As Anne of Green Gables would say, she is a kindred spirit. She loves and appreciates the simple things in life. She is an optimist. She has a kind and open heart. I am so glad I met her and so glad I have the opportunity to introduce you to her as well. You will love her!

Here is my interview with this week's Featured {Shabby} Blogger herself:

Me: When and why did you start blogging?
Julie: Every mom will tell you, life speeds up with kids and it's very true. My home is circus-like and very loud. We're always on the go. Writing and blogging helps me feel like I am documenting things otherwise I might forget. And, in knowing how fast these kids grow and that someday this house will be lonely of the pitter patters, I can go back and remember, relive, and give thanks once again through pictures and words! Blogging started about a year ago. Our third-born was growing so fast and I realized I was already regretting not writing things down more. Every once in a while I would write about something that made me laugh or if I was just overwhelmed with the mooshy love I feel from the gift of mamahood! I have a 4-year-old, 3-year-old, and 1-year-old and I can't tell you how many times I thought, "Oh, I have to write that down... I don't want to miss this!" But I didn't, mostly due to the busyness of our lives. I began writing in a journal before bed at night and throughout the day I jot down thoughts, quotes from the kids, and events on pieces of paper, and slip them up in my journal for when I have time to elaborate more. Blogging for me really started Winter 2005 after Aiva was born. I was writing novel-length emails to girlfriends who were in college. They loved hearing about my adventures and the amount of love I was being filled with. They were so good to humor me, but I think now they're grateful they can pop on my blog and get a "shorter version with pics!" (A big shout out to Erin currently in Texas & Charlotte, in Germany!) * Sometimes I fear that others might get the feeling that I am "bragging" about my life through blogging, but really I'm just sharing my heart, loves, and mishaps in motherhood, and my pursuit in photography.

Me: What is your favorite thing about your blog?
Julie: Of course, the shabby blog layout, silly! I love the colors, swirls, and playfulness of the layout. And just how easy it was to install! (For the record, I did not pay her to say that.) I am thinking since you wrote me this request, I have to start blogging more often. I never thought really anyone would appreciate the things that unfold in my life. I am very blessed in this time and I can't be any more grateful or appreciate more where I am and where our lives are going. If someone else hops on my blog and gets a laugh or inspiration or an "aww" moment, that is pretty darn spiffy. I'm glad I and my little lovies under this roof could provide someone with a drop of sunshine for the day.

Me: What 3 things most inspire you?
Julie: My children (Aiva, Aidan, and Maive), nature, and God. All these things fill me up daily. I feel closest to God while I'm holding and loving on my little ones and when outdoors lost in the woods or weaving my way through a meadow. These are the things I love and that keep me going and what I probably will " blog" about most. I am currently in the works at becoming a professional natural light photographer. This past year I've been photographing families for free, which is a blessing to me and to them. I've learned so much and am looking forward to pushing my passion to a business. Learning to be a mom, striving to do the best with the privilege and responsibility of Motherhood. I appreciate it so much because when I was a baby myself, I had to go through a lot of testing to figure out what was wrong with me at the time. Doctors told my parents that I would never bare any children as a result. Now, 25 years later, here I am in a little home in the country with three children, two of which I would daydream of and pray for. God blessed me with the desires of my heart. I never even dreamed of Maive... and I'm glad I didn't because what a surprise to have a nurse place a bundled up blanket in my arms with a teeny face peering out at me with bright blue eyes and a RED MOWHAWK on top! She is my cherry on top!

Me: Besides blogging, what interests/hobbies do you have?

Julie: Reading, writing, photography, hiking, and I'm currently learning fly fishing from the hubster.

Me: Do you have any advice or tips for new bloggers?
Julie: I really am not one to talk. One of the things I want to even figure out today is how to do the tag list thing, then go through and tag all the past blogs. Only tip I have... blog from your heart. We all read blogs and think, "Wow, that is what I was thinking!" or "She writes really well. I wish I had thought to write that." You are you. Let "you" shine. Your life has something to give to the world so when you have something to write, blog from your heart. Apparently, as I am finding out from Megan's request, others will read, connect and appreciate it!

Please click on over to Mom. Wife. Camera. and give Julie some shabby love!!!

Moms rock!

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope all of you have an awesome day filled with sloppy kisses and dandelion bouquets...whether you're a mom or not. Who doesn't need weeds and wet kisses? :)

A special "Happy Mother's Day" to anyone who may be a birthmother- especially "ours." Words cannot express how grateful I am for the sacrifice my daugther's birthmother made almost exactly six years ago today. I love you, Lindsey.

I made the frame above using goodies from Michelle Underwood's digital kits... and you can have it too! :) I included a plain version as well. Just plug in your own photos using any software that supports layers and off you go! Please note that these freebies are sized for blog use only and not intended to be used for your digital scrapbooking layouts. For that, you'll have to visit Michelle's store. :)

Fancy Frame Freebie:
Download

Extreme Awesomeness

For all of you who are into digital scrapbooking, I'm sure you know who Michelle Underwood is. The girl is crazy talented. Not only is she a total sweetheart, but her designs are awesome! Aw. Some. So I'm sure you can just imagine how elated I am to announce that her rad designs will now be used at Shabby Blogs!!! I'm cooking up a bunch of new backgrounds and goodies that are going to totally rock your socks off! Seriously. You know that really annoying thing people do when they put their arms up over their heads and pretend to raise the roof? I am totally doing that right now...and I don't even care how obnoxious it is.

Here are a few of Michelle's designs so you can see the kind of awesomeness I'm referring to:

Admit it. You're as stoked as I am. :)

You can check out Michelle's blog here and visit her shop here.

You got it!

I just added a bunch of new buttons and blinkies.
Thanks to everyone who gave me input!
Get over there and take stuff! :)

Shabby Extras

Hey guys! I just added a few new headers to the shoppe! Is it a shoppe if everything is free??? It's probably not, but I've just always wanted an excuse to use that word and spell it all goofy like that. :) "Head" on over and check it out! Ha!

Also, I'm adding new buttons and blinkies, but I wondered if there was anything in particular you'd like. Leave a comment with your suggestions and I will totally steal them. :)

Happy blogging!

Shabby Shout-Out

My oldest girlie is turning SIX this weekend! (I love you, Miss Ryen Olivia!) Because of our birthday festivities, Yours Truly is running a little behind. :) In the interest of time, I'm trading a Featured Blogger for a Shabby Shout-Out. ("I see your Shabby Shout-Out and raise you a Spiffy Spotlight!" JK) I just couldn't let the week go by without at least mentioning one of you awesome bloggers. So, without further ado, I would like to give a shout-out to Ellebows and More! This is a pretty new blog, but one that is filled with sweet little things. If you have a little girl, you're going to loooove all of the super adorable hair goodies! It is clippie heaven over there! :) But besides the cute hair stuff, I just LOVE the Tuesday Tutorial posts! There are some great resources and really fun ideas! Check out Ellebows and leave some shabby comment love!