::Indie Biz tip:: How to make a Grab Box

Want to make a grab box for your blog/website? It's super easy, and I've made it even easier with some simple coding!

First off, what's a grab box? It's a box that offers a visitor to copy/paste a code that puts your button on their blog or website, like the ones in my "Sponsors" sidebar. Here's an example:

<center><a href="http://www.whimsy-lane.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="WL150x150" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d175/LaurenHultman/button150x150.jpg"/></a></center>

When a visitor copy/pastes the code in the box all that shows up is your pretty button. So here's what you need to make one: a photo editing program. (If you don't have Photoshop don't worry! You can find free ones online like Picmonkey.com) and a free Photobucket.com account. That's it. Here's how to make one!


1. First, you'll have to make a button. I use PicMonkey.com. In Picmonkey you can adjust the size of your photo. The standard sizes for blog buttons are 125x125, 150x150, 200x100 and pretty much any size you have your blog set up to fit. Make sure your button's width doesn't exceed the width of your sidebar or it wont fit properly.


2. After you've edited your button to your liking, save it to your computer and log in to Photobucket. Upload your photo. Now you're ready for the grab box code.


3. In Blogger, open an HTML gadget in your sidebar or if you're going to make multiple boxes, hit "NEW POST" and use the text body for your code. Make sure it's in HTML and not Compose or else the code wont take properly. You're not going to publish this post, you're just using the HTML format so click "save" at the bottom and not "Publish" when you're done.

4. Copy/paste the following code into your HTML..

<div align="center">
<a href="YourURLgoesHere" target="_blank"><img alt="YOURNAME" src="PhotobuckeyDirectLinkGoesHere" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">
<form>
<textarea cols="20" rows="6">&lt;center&gt;&lt;a href="YourURLgoesHERE" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;img alt="YOURNAME" src="PhotobucketDirectLinkGoesHere"/&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/center&gt;</textarea></form>
</div>







5. Fill in the colored fields with what it says, making sure to keep in the quotations. There will be two of each for a total of six replacements:
"YOUR URL GOES HERE" this is where you put the URL you want the button to link to. It should be your blog, your shop, etc.
"YOURNAME" This is where you would put your blog name or the size of the button. It's handy for keeping the sizes straight. This is more for reference as this doesn't link anywhere.
"PHOTOBUCKET DIRECT LINK GOES HERE" Now go back to your Photobucket uploads. On the photo you're using there should be four ways to copy it. You're using the second one called "Direct Link". Copy/Paste that one and put it in the code above where it says to.


Now if you used a sidebar gadget, click "save" and you should see a grab box displayed. If you used a "New Post" click "compose" to verify the grab box looks right. If it does, click HTML again and copy the whole code to where you want the grab box. If you ONLY want the button without the grab code, then just copy the code in the box and put it wherever you want the button to show up.


There you have it!
Let me know if anything wasn't clear or if you need more help!
♥♥♥

::Tote Giveaway!::

Hey guys!
I've been MIA lately while I got some stuff done around here.
You may be noticing some changes to my blog and shop... I've redone my logo with the help of Fabulous K Creative AND am in the process of switching my shop from Etsy to BigCartel (so scary!) but more on that later...

Right now I'm sharing with you a great giveaway I'm so excited to be a part of! Tricia Williams of Tricia Williams Photography has put together a group giveaway for local Arizona vendors but anyone can enter! Woo Hoo!

I'm giving away a tote//laptop bag- winner's choice!

I'll be making more this week so make sure you check out the new shop for more! Bear with me as I figure out BigCartel's customization- it's a learning process and my shop isn't super cute yet! ;) The etsy shop is still open and my older products will remain in there.

To enter the giveaway you must "like" the facebook pages of all the vendors participating (including mine!) Head over to Tricia's blog for official rules of entry :)

Thanks guys! Your continuing support is what keeps me focused on those busy busy days! Thanks for helping me achieve my dreams- I love and appreciate every one of you :)

♥♥♥

::Big Pouches!::

I'm so excited to show you the newest product in the spring line up!

I am loving this new, bigger size! These babies can hold a lot!

Modern Peacock

Abstract

Checkers

Petals

How it works: My new shop is set up a bit differently than Etsy. I'll be making multiple items in different colors/options. With these, you will select your ruffle color at checkout. If a color is not in the drop-down menu for selection that means it's sold out. So if there's one you want, grab it now!

I'll be transitioning to the new shop for a while and my Etsy store will still stay open for the time being. I'm still deciding if I'll leave it open to sell certain products. But all my new stuff will go into the new shop. Bear with me as I'm learning BC customization- my shop is coming along verrrry slowly!

Cute Valentines Day Card Idea ♥

We sent this Valentines Day card out last year and it was a big hit!
I thought now would be the perfect time to share the How-to post again :)

I think sending out cards for smaller holidays is a clever idea, since not many people receive them.
Unlike Christmas time, a Valentines (or St. Patty's Day) card is an unexpected surprise!

And you can make this one on the cheap! Here's the original post.
♥♥♥
((I never pay an outside source to make my cards- I just design them myself on Picnik.com then print them out on quality cardstock. But if you want a glossy photo finish, just upload them to a photo lab (like Target.com) and have them printed like you would regular photos.))