Cupcake Wrapper Freebie

Happy Easter!!!

{Feel free to snag this blog button!}

In our little family, we celebrate a holiday I made up called "Preaster." We do all of our "commercial" stuff the Saturday before Easter and save Sunday for what matters most to us. I buy a puzzle I think my girlies will love and place the puzzle pieces in plastic eggs for their Easter egg hunt. I looooove hunting for eggs, but hate arming my kids with MORE candy...or discovering rotten eggs in my yard months later. Gaaaack! They love this idea and then we get to spend our time together working on the puzzle. :) I so love this time of year!

Right. So I made you another freebie. I couldn't help it. I like you! I whipped up some lovely cupcake wrappers for you to use in your Easter baking/crafting. It seems like I always end up making a gazillion cupcakes for my kids to take to school and I looooove dressing them up a bit with cupcake covers. You just print them, cut them out, add bit of glue and you are good to go! You can also use these as candy cups or put a little fake grass in there and plop a Peep in them as a fun little treat. Maybe I should have called them Peep Ploppers. Isn't that fun to say? Well, whatever you call them and however you choose to use them, have a blast!!!

Cupcake Wrapper Freebie:
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Spring is heeeere! {FREEBIE}

Are you as excited as I am to welcome SPRING? Oh my gosh! I've done my share of frolicking and now I am inspired, rejuvenated, and raring to spiff up some shabby blogs. :) I have designed more spring backgrounds than I know what to do with- which I will be adding to ShabbyBlogs.com within the next few days. (So I guess I do know what to do with them.) I'll also be adding new buttons, blinkies, and some fabulous matching headers. Yaaaay! (I'm sorry my site re-design isn't ready yet so those pages are getting mighty long, but like I said...I had to fit in some family frolics. :) Totally vital.) In the meantime, here is some fresh new blog candy just for you! I created this little pretty using digital scrapbooking kits from the amazingly talented Michelle Underwood. (If you are digi-scrapper, head over to her shop and snag some of her awesome work!) You can customize this lovely any way you want. Just right-click and save it to your computer. It's large enough to use in your posts or it can be shrunk to fit in your sidebar...or both. Your call. Enjoy!!!

Twitter Background Freebie

First of all- I'm sorry. I've been meaning to get some St. Patrick's Day goodies uploaded to ShabbyBlogs.com for weeks, but something always seems to come up. Mainly, I blame the sun. Remember the sun? That blessed, beautiful, luminous thing that made my children's eyes sparkle and the whole world all green and lovely? Yeah. That sun. Well, he has decided to show up here in Michigan and you can bet your muddy boots I have been outside to greet him! My girlies and I have been jumping in puddles and smashing our snowmen to bits. Tonight, I even talked my hubby into putting up our big trampoline...which is a sure sign that another blizzard is on it's way. :) Until then, we are soaking up every single sign of SPRING. We're even learning how to make maple syrup! Seriously, how awesome is that? Our yellow farmhouse is completely surrounded by bucket-laden trees just drip-drip-dripping away. The old man who farms the land around us gets together with all of his friends and they laugh and tease and work until the sun sets. When I first introduced myself to them, the operation seemed to consist of three elderly gentlemen. I went to the "sugar shack" behind our house this afternoon to say hello and they had multiplied! There were nine of them out there in that tiny little shed, just chatting away and having a good old time. See? How can I sit in front of my computer with a party like that going on just steps away from my back door? :)

I hope you understand! I promise to get back to work full-force soon. Still working on the site re-design and lots of new things I know you're going to loooooove! Want proof? Check out this Twitter background I made just for you! It's sort of St. Patricky, but not so much that you can't use it all the time. (Did that make sense?) You can see a full-sized preview on my Twitter page. I hope you have fun with this...but don't spend too much time on it because Mr. Sun is the jealous type. :)

Shabby Twitter Background:

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Valentine Treat Freebie

For those of you who haven't finished those valentines yet, here is a little freebie I think you'll totally dig! Just add your own text and/or photo, print and cut them out, and plop them over a lollipop for a super sweet treat everyone will love! Or, if you want to skip the "computer stuff" just print them out as-is and let your kids personalize them by hand. You can even embellish these with ribbon or whatever your crafty heart desires. Enjoy and have fun!

Included in this free download are two separate designs with two options for each. There is a text-only version and a version that allows you to add your own photo...which my kids always looooove! :) Enjoy!

Lollipop Cover Freebie:

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*I used digital scrapbooking kits from the talented Corina Nielsen for this freebie.

The Valentine Line {& Freebie}

Hello shabby bloggers! I can't believe how quickly Christmas came and went this year! I took some time away from Computer Land so I could give my sweet family my undivided attention. So...if yours is one of the 2,000+ emails currently in my shabby inbox, I'm sorrrry! My 3 little girlies are growing so fast. It's easy to miss out on all of those little moments when you are staring at a computer screen all day. While I feel horrible about not being able to respond to each of you, I just can't turn my little ladies away. It would be awesome if I was one of those women who could juggle everything and wear high heels while doing it, but I'm just not. Frankly, I feel fortunate just being able to leave the house without a lollipop stuck to my rear. I hope you understand!

Now, our Christmas decorations are packed away and it's time to start thinking about candy hearts and love letters. Don't you just looooove Valentine's Day? I've been cooking up all kinds of fabulous Love Day goodies just for you! I can't wait to get them uploaded to ShabbyBlogs.com! Why aren't they up yet? Right now I am literally waiting for the dryer to buzzzz so I can throw some clothes in a suitcase and run to the airport. I'm hopping on a plane to Salt Lake City, Utah so I can attend the Altitude Design Summit. Soooo excited about that! While I'm there, I'm going to collaborate with my brother/web design genius to make Shabby Blogs even more fabulous in 2010! You're going to love it and all that's ahead at ShabbyBlogs.com! We couldn't do any of this without your support and I appreciate you more than words can say!

Our Valentine Line will be released as soon as possible (hopefully tomorrow) but until then, enjoy this Shabby Love Letters freebie. Just right-click on the image below and save it to your computer. You can customize it any way you'd like by adding your own text. You can use this freebie in your sidebar or blog posts. Sweet, huh?

*If you don't have PhotoShop or a similar image editing/layering program, you can add text using a free program such as Picasa, Picnik, or Fotoflexer.

Christmas Card Freebie

Merry Christmas! I so love this time of year! I have spent barely a second on my computer lately because I have wanted to soak up each moment with my little ones. They are growing so fast! Still, I just had to hop online to wish each of you a very merry Christmas!!! So many of you have supported me by spreading the word about Shabby Blogs, visiting my advertisers, and leaving me so many lovely comments and emails. I know I always say this, but truly, THANK YOU!!! I wish I could personally send each and every one of you a Christmas card, but I had to settle for this instead... a Christmas {blog} card! And, of course, I also turned it into a freebie for you! :) Included are two separate cards- one is a photo card and the other is just for text. Though I created these for your blog posts, they can be used for all sorts of things! Enjoy them! And, from me to you, may this holiday season be full of fun, family, and everything fabulous!

Christmas {Blog} Card Freebie:

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Counting Blessings

Thanks for your support of Shabby Blogs!
I'm giving you a freebie!

Whether you are preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving or not, here is a little freebie just for you! It's always good to count your blessings and this frame collage makes it easy as pumpkin pie to show off the things and people you are most grateful for. I used my little family as an example, but you can use whatever you want! I've also included in this download an additional set of frames in pink and in blue. :) I hope you enjoy them and put them to good use! Happy Thanksgiving from Shabby Blogs! (And watch for the release of our holiday backgrounds coming later this week!)

Blessings Frame Freebie:
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Halloween Header Freebie

Lots is going on at ShabbyBlogs.com! More buttons and blinkies are on the way as well as headers to match your favorite shabby backgrounds. I have had so much fun cooking up new goodies for you! While I get ready to post them, please enjoy this spooktacular freebie- a Halloween header for you to customize any way you'd like! I can't wait to see your bootiful creations! :)

Halloween Header Freebie:
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Shabby Chalkboard Freebie

Okay, am I the only one or are there others out there totally addicted to chalkboard paint? I'd paint a square of it on my own forehead if it wasn't most likely toxic. I recently bought the most gaudy frame known to man at a thrift store and, with a can of pink spray paint and a brush loaded with chalkboard paint, turned it into a spiffy chalkboard for my daughter's room. (I know, right? Check me out!) Don't worry though. I didn't leave you out. I cooked up a little shabby chalkboard goody for YOU to use on your blog. It's sized for the average sidebar and ready to be customized any way you'd like. And, just because I love you thaaaat much, I made it in six different colors. :) Just a little thank-you for following my blog, leaving such super sweet comments, and just generally being the coolest people on earth. Enjoy!

Shabby Chalkboard Freebie:

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*I'll be releasing new buttons and blinkies next week along with some fabulous fall designs. Looove this time of year! :)

Sidebar Titles Freebie

I finished a new set of sidebar title tags and couldn't wait to share them with you. Introducing: The Rachel Collection! I threw in every title I could think of (they aren't all shown in the preview)...and an extra blank one for good measure. :) They are deliciously flowery and shabby and just fun. I'll add them to ShabbyBlogs.com eventually, but for now they are just for YOU, dear followers. Go. Download. Enjoy!

The Rachel Collection:

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Make Your Own Button Freebie

I'll be releasing oodles of new designs in the next week or two, but in the meantime, here's a cute little button I made just for you! It's sized to fit in your sidebar and ready to be customized any way you want. Use it for your favorite quote, family name, or any other text you'd like to shabbify. You can make as many different buttons with this freebie as there are finds at a flea market! I only ask that you do not redistribute it por favor.

Make Your Own Button Freebie:
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*Not sure how to add your own text? Try Blogger's BFF, Picasa. :)

Freebie: Flea Market Frame

Holy smokes! I have been soooo busy lately! Our little family is moving back to my home state of Michigan- which I am totally stoked about. What am I not stoked about? Packing. Ugh. Packing is now on my list of things I hate...right next to cellulite and mosquitoes. There are so many improvements and additions I want to add to ShabbyBlogs.com, but cardboard boxes have stood between me and my lofty goals. I haven't even had time to do our next Featured Blogger and I feel so terrible about that! I may just have to give some little shout-outs to some of the cool blogs and bloggers I have discovered through your comments until the dust settles and I can properly rave about you. :) In the meantime, please enjoy this shabbilicious frame I created for you using my latest flea market finds. It is sized to fit in your blog sidebar and can be customized using any program that supports layers. Have fun with it!

Flea Market Frame Freebie:

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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:
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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:
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Collage Frame Freebie

I am a pathological picture taker. When one or two photos would suffice, I take twenty or thirty. (Can I get an amen?) Sometimes that makes blogging my photos difficult because I simply have waaaay too many to choose from. That's when I like to bust out a trusty collage. If you haven't tried this technique- trust me. You'll love it! I consider collages a blogging must-have. I'm sure I'll be giving out tons more of these in the future, but for now, here are four perfectly shabby collage frames that are both cute and functional. Enjoy them!

Shabby Collage Frames:
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*Click here for a free starter book on digital scrapbooking
*Click here for a tutorial on layering your photo with another image (like my frames)
*If you don't already own photo editing software that supports layers, such as Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro, you can download a free trial version or a free program like Gimp or Paint.NET

Here! Have some tags.

I have tons of new goodies to add to the site, but heaven only knows when I'll get around to it. Not toooo long- I promise. :) In the meantime, here is an early peek at some new tags I made for you to use as sidebar titles. Aren't they cute?


I know that creating tags with white backgrounds seems kind of funny. In digital scrapbooking that would be just plain weird. But I do it for several reasons. 1.) The content area of my backgrounds are all white so it doesn't matter. 2.) Nope. I guess it's just the one reason. So why do all of my designs have white content (post) areas? Because then, no matter how funky the background, YOU are still the main focus. Your text and images are clean and clear for all the world to see. Also, with a pattern or color in the content section of your blog, it can be hard to view transparent images or images that are odd-shaped. They often display with white around them, which looks pretty icky on a colored background. But you won't ever have to worry about that. I'm looking out for you. Aaand, by giving you a white content area, I am also giving you the gift of super easily getting rid of those lines that are around everything in Blogger. I'm referring to the borders... borders everywhere! Just go to your "Fonts and Colors" page under "Layout" and change the border color to white. See? Looking out for you. ;)


On a totally unrelated note... I'm going to start featuring bloggers next week. Anyone who uses one of my backgrounds and leaves a comment on this here blog is in the running. So many of you are truly talented and deserving of a shout-out. I'm really excited to share your brilliance with our fellow shabby bloggers! :)

Sweet Life Tags:
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It's all about YOU!

Finding a blog design that really reflects who you are can be difficult. Hopefully, you've been to the Shabby Blogs site and were able to find something that represented your own personal style. Adding a customized header, gadgets, and most importantly- posts, is what really makes your blog a reflection of you. Shabby Blogs is taking blog couture one step further. How about a totally customizable background that features your own photographs? I've created this design, but YOU get to make it your own. In the photo editing program of your choice, layer photos beneath the frames to create a one-of-a-kind layout that is all about you!

Here is an example of what this design will look like when finished...using my own shabby girls as models. :)

If you are new to digital scrapbooking, you can check out this video tutorial for basic instructions on how to add your photos to an image like my background.

Here's what to do after adding your photos to this background:

1. Flatten the image and save it as a .jpeg- but be sure you adjust the image quality to be less than 1 megabyte. Anything 1.0 or higher won't display right.
2. Once it's saved, upload it to Photobucket, making sure that you've selected the 1 megabyte file size upload option.
3. In a new tab, log into your Blogger account and click on "Layout"
4. Now click on the tab that say "Edit HTML"
5. Scroll down in your code to where you see something like this:

body {
background:$bgcolor;
margin:0;
color:$textcolor;
font:x-small Georgia Serif;
font-size/* */:/**/small;
font-size: /**/small;
text-align: center;
}

and replace the line I highlighted with this:
background:url(YOURLINKHERE) top center no-repeat;

6. Now, in your Photobucket account, copy the direct link to your customized background and paste it in the above code where it says YOURLINKHERE.
7. Select "Preview" to make sure everything looks right. Depending on the size of your monitor, some of the background may be cut off, but don't worry! It's impossible to size background images of this nature to fit everyone's screen perfectly and the same way. Put photos in each frame so that even if you can't see it, others who have larger screens can!
8. If it looks good to you, save it. If not, don't blame me. Just kidding! Review these steps and try again. I'll do my best to answer any questions!

*It's always a good idea to save a copy of your template before playing with the code...just in case. You don't even want to know how many times I've gone all kung-fu on my HTML only to discover I did a bad, bad thing. Save it first so you can always return to Old Faithful if you get a little too carried away. :)

Happy blogging!!!

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Flea Market Frame Freebie

First of all, thank you to everyone who has stopped by to visit, become a follower, left a comment, and everything else you've done to show your support! I know my digital doors don't officially open until the 1st, but I couldn't resist sharing some goodies with you a little early! Enjoy this Shabby Blogs freebie from me to you- five super shabulous frames to use in your digital scrapbooking layouts and, most importantly, on your blog! Adding frames to your photos before posting them to your blog adds interest and style. You can use these in so many different ways! Can't wait to see what you do with them! :)

Happy blogging!

Download

*Click here for a free starter book on digital scrapbooking
*Click here for a tutorial on layering your photo with another image (like my frames)
*If you don't already own photo editing software such as Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro, you can download a free trial version or a free program like Gimp or Paint.NET