Little Tips for Bloggers (The Pop-Up Window)

I have had people ask me different things about their blogs. I know the answers may be somewhere else, and yes, I was lucky enough to find them, but sometimes I just had to ask someone. Sometimes I find the answer, but it's not the easiest way. For some this is not easy at all so...................

I am going to attempt at times to post what I think will help bloggers like 'us' so:

1. Let me know if it helped you. If you have additional questions email me at the EMAIL ME on the side bar to the right. I will place it on a list if there is one. Ha! Maybe I am the only one who thinks this is needed.
2. Let me know if you have found a quicker and better way. I will post and everyone else will love you and I will too.

3. I will most likely post these when I can. In the meantime I will have a label for these posts and list them in my side bar under 'My Blogger Tips'?

TIP #1 For Bloggers Using Google (How to Get a Separate POP-UP WINDOW)

A separate pop-up window means that the person visiting you blog can comment
while looking at your art. It is really helpful when there is more than one photo or scan posted. It is really helpful with those of us who have so much knowledge our short term memory goes wacko! It also might encourage more people to visit and comment too!

1. Go to your Dashboard if that is where you go before posting, etc.
2. Click on the Settings Tab
3. Click on the Comments Tab
4. Go down to Comment Form Placement
5. To the right of that click on the 'Pop-Up Window' choice
6. And the last most important MUST before leaving the page:

GO DOWN TO THE BOTTM OF THE PAGE and click on SAVE SETTINGS
If you don't do this nothing has been changed.
Don't you dare ask me how I know? Because the answer is how I know most of what I know because I have done it!!

Hope this advice was helpful. Thanks for stopping by the blog to look and share!

 

 Shirley

 

Catching Up With the Images

Sometimes I buy stamps without any rhyme or reason. The card below is the result of that! (Smile) I was visiting Michelle Zindorf's blog and saw this card. It led me to Cornish Heritage Farms. I purchased the stamp I saw at Michelle's site and Double Delicate Lily (Unmounted with Repositionable Cling). I have not used the lady yet and can't find her on the CHF site. Now tell me you have never done that? Hee hee. I now have 2 stamps, one I used and one I haven't yet.


The cardstock for image was was first run though the Cuttlebug using a frame stencil. It was trimmed down to the frame shown. The image was then stamped, painted and the stamens highlighted. The pearls were added. The words were stamped.

The embossed background was done with a Cuttlebug Folder and the raised parts painted. The Pink background paper was mounted on the Green background paper. The image was mounted with the ribbon taped under it and then it was mounted to the embossed background, which was mounted on the Pink and Green cardstocks, and then the ribbon attached behind that. Then the three corners were punched. That was mounted on the white folded inside card and the corners were punched again. Four thicknesses would be too much for the corner punch. This way it only has to actually go through the 2 white cardstocks and used the already punched to match it up.


The Stickpin was assembled and mounted on the ribbon. The clutch was sealed with Glossy Accents and added to the end of the pin. The bow was mounted over the Stickpin. The last pearl was mounted in the lower right hand corner.

Frame Around Image:
Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb cover cardstock - I order by the ream. It is so much cheaper. Sometimes a friend will want to share and that is really great for my pocket book.
Marianne Design Passe Partouts Stencil EH1814 I bought mine at my local stamp store. The sandwich I used is the .pdf in the first post here.

Image:
Brilliance Galaxy Gold to stamp image.
Cornish Heritage Farms Double Delicate Lily (Unmounted with Repositionable Cling)
Twinkling H2O's Cherry Sorbet, Green Moss, Solar Gold
Impression-Obsession Sentiments I
Stazon Olive Green
Stickles Orange Peel

Background:
Cuttlebug Leafy Branch Embossing Folder Trimmed to 3.75"X5.0"
Twinkling H2O's Cherry Sorbet and Green Moss
Bazzill Basics Princess Pink 4"X5.25"
Stardream Fairway text weight paper 4.25"X5.5"
EK Success Iron Eagle Corner Punch

Card Body:
I generally use Domtar 80 or 110 lb. cover. I purchase 11"X17" from a local paper supplier and then cut it down to 8.5X11. It costs me about half of what I pay for the Neenah, but it doesn't do watercolor well at all so I use it for the inside fold, 5.5"X8.5" folded.

Embellishments:
Ribbon is from either SU retired or Michaels.
Mark Richards Crystal Stickers Elements Pearls 3MM and 5MM
1 2" Gold filled Headpin
1 7x4mm Gold Plated Flower Filigree Bead Cap
1 6mm Czech Pressed Glass Heart bead
1 3mm round faux pearl, 1 5mm faux seed pearl from local hobby store, jewelry section
1 Gold Stickpin Clutch - A gold bugle bead, earring back, etc. can be substituted. Sealed with:
Rangers Glossy Accents
If you should comment, could you let me know if you would rather I went back to the old format, or stayed with this one that lists all of the supplies used at the end. Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share and have a great weekend too!

 

 Shirley

 

Great Blog Candy I Received

I received the following 'Blog Candy' from my friend, Chris Frasesr in the UK, at Craftlings Cosy Corner for my reply on her blog post about Blog Verification. I didn't win either. She decided to include some runner up candy and I was fortunate enough to be one of them. The first item is one of Studio G Series 11 sets:

This is the perfect set for writing or stamping small words on my cards! Next I received this beautiful card designed by Chris:

I hope you can see how really elegant it is. The Designer paper is just so beautiful and mounted on an embossed gold foil paper. The flower has a wonderful jewel stone in the middle. I don't know what it is, but its not a Dew Drop. The white cardstock itself is lovely and super smooth. I almost forgot to tell you about the beautiful Gold embossd Flourish around the flower. And if that wasn't enough, she enclosed several stamped images from stamps I have always wanted to try, but wasn't sure. I will make those surprises to all of you as I use them. Thank you so much, Chris, for all of your pleasant surprises. I haven't used Studio G before, but I can certainly understand why they are the rave.

Thank you all for stoping by 'the blog' to share my wonderful surprise with me.

 

 Shirley

 

Its Not Too Late - Visit My Blog.com

Carolyn King, Cammie to those who know her, who designs for Gina K. Designs, has pledged that 100% of her proceeds from her newest set "Whimsical Autumn" will always go to the Alzheimer’s Association. To understand the determination and good will Cammie has for this organization you need to visit her blog.

The second reason to visit her blog is the LARGE amount of Blog Candy, that has been made available by different donors, for the winner who follows Cammie's rules. You can see more donars when you visit the site. I am going for the Blog Candy with this pledge:

I lost my Aunt Laura to the complications of Alzheimers. I am pledging that, if I should be fortunate enough to win, ALL of the BLOG CANDY will be raffled off and all of the proceeds will be donated to the Alzheimer's Association. Details to follow. If others would like to make the same pledge, email me. Once the list has started I will keep it at the top of 'the blog' until the winner is known.

Do you need ideas to see what can be done with stamps from this great set? Below is a list of bloggers that have made cards using "Whimsical Autumn". If you know of someone I have missed, please let me know. You may have to search down on their blogs because some have done more than one card. You will love their blogs too, if you haven't visited them before. Lots of eye candy:

1. Cindy Haffner's Corner

2. Explore, Dream, Discover

3. Feeding My Soul

4. Hands, Head, and Heart

5. Inky Paws

6. One Happy Stamper

7. Out to Impress

8. Paper Delights

9. Rainy Day

10. Running With Scissors

11. Scrap 'n Extras

12. Sew Flake Creations

13. Seaside Creativity

14. Stampin' With Markie's Mom

15. Stamp Owl's Studio

16. Stamp Talk With Tosh

17. The Caruso Manner

18. The Creative Closet

19. This Is My Story

Let's grow this list. Below is the card I made with the set. It really does not do the stamp justice nor does it even hope to compete with the Card Artists above. The set has some really wonderful stamps and you will see them by visiting the above links.


The paper used is Neenah Paper Classic Craft Natural Super Smooth 80 lb. cardstock and Stardream Fairway text weight paper. The backgound papers were run though my Cuttlebug using the Textile Texture folder. The center punched circle was created using instructions from Becca on her video at Amazing Paper Grace. The image was stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold and painted with Twinkling H2O's Orange Peel and Sweet Alfalfa. The ribbon is Stampin' Up Grosgrain and the fringed edge for the ribbon was done by pulling on one of the end threads to unravel it! I got from The Rhinestones are from Mark Richards Crystal Stickers Elements. The scalloped edges were created using Martha Stewart's Doily Lace Edge Punch. The white dots were done using a White Signo Uni-ball pen. The little orange dots around the pumpkin are Stickles Orange Peel glitter glue.

Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

A Week Full Of Surprises

I had a wonderful email yesterday morning from my TJ buddy, Beth Ullman, at Nana's Memories and More. She has awarded me with, not one, but TWO awards as you will see below.

I love giving and because I do I am splitting the awards, which means I get to give to 14 people. Whoopee! So much for that. It took me forever to try to find new blogs that hadn't received the awards below and it was so time consuming, time I didn't have, that I finally gave that criteria up. The rules of the I Love Your Blog award are to link the award back to the Blogger from whom you received the award. That person is Beth at Nana's Memories and More for both awards. Next I name 7 Bloggers to receive the above award.

This is the hard to do for 2 reasons. The first is that everyone who has worked their way into the world of blogging deserves this award. Not everyone finds computers and the different programs easy. The second one is some already have awards and some do not even though they deserve them. I try for first time awards, but alas, I am not perfect. I also go down my "FEED" list alphabetically. I am going to give one last instruction and I hope I am not offending anyone. It took me forever to try to find new blogs that hadn't received the above awards and it was so time consuming that I finally gave that criteria up.

The 7 bloggers for the I Love Your Blog Award are:

1. Lyn at Arty Aspirations

2. Candy at Candy's Land

3. Ret at Cards 'n Crafts

4. Theresa at Crafting the Web

5. Donna at Dee's Studio

6. Jennifer at Jennifer's Sweet Designs

7. Dina over at Mama Dini's . She is the new Guest Designer at Impression-Obsession.

Now the 7 bloggers I chose for the Brilliante Award, who should also link thier award back here.

1. Amanda at Happy Accidents

2. Jorunn at Jorunn Sit Hobbyhjome

3. Maria at Joyful Stamper

4. Kim at Kim's Kards

5. Carol at Carol's Paper Playce

6. Cat at Cat's Creations..............She will work for stamps ! LOL

7. Chris at Craftling's Cosy Corner................She has a new look!.......oh, it was lovely before too!

Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' and if nothing else, you have the names of some wonderful blogs with some great eye candy. Congrats everyone.

 

 Shirley

 

Its Beautiful Card Week

It must be, because I had another beautiful card in the mailbox, and it reminds me of the last warm roses of Summer. A surprise is the sweetest gift I think. I hope you can see the beautiful sparkly thread that she has wrapped for the Spirelli. I just love her cards. Every one is always so different. She has a way with making different designs I wish I could think of. LOL The pink I think is Bazzill and I am not sure who makes the olive green, but it is just so lovely. Inside has a really beautiful verse of friendship. Connie teaches classes at our nearby stamp store, Stampers' Alley. Thank you Connie. I will treasure this.

And thank you all for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

Its A Fall Thing

Well, here we are again folks! And its not Halloween or Christmas!!! The main image, Cattails by Impression-Obsession, was stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold on Curious Ice Gold text weight paper and then painted with Twinkling H2O's Golden Opal, Warm Pecan, Moss Green, and Sweet Alfalfa. Sparkle 'n Sprinkle Dimensional Glue was used on the Cattails, then Stampendous Fun Flock Caramel Latte Tan was applied and allowed to dry. It wasn't dark enough for me, so when it dried Twinkling H2O Warm Pecan was applied. Rangers Glossy Accents was applied to the bottoms of the acorns. Some areas as shown were highlighted with Rangers Stickles Cinnamon and Gary Burlin Lime Green. Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip cardstock was used with Martha Stewart's Doily Lace Edge Punch to create the edge for each side of the main image.

The background, on Curious Ice Gold text weight paper, was stamped using Stampin' Up Craft Chocolate Chip with Impression-Obsession Large Swirl background stamp. Clear Embossing Powder was added and heat embossed. It is 5"X6" and I love it. There is always extra left over, when trimmed down, to edge the inside of the card and the envelope. Stickles Cinnamon and Gary Burlin Lime Green glitter glues were used to highlight parts of the back ground after the main image was mounted as shown.

I wanted to learn a new way to tie a bow without using 2 pieces of ribbon. I found it here. You can also do the same thing with by joining 2 pieces of ribbon too. I love the way they turn out using this technique from Martha Stewart. The woman does know a thing or two, or three, or four, etc. Doesn't she? Hee hee!

The word tag is from Spellbinders Ribbon Tags Trio was used with SU Chocolate Chip cardstock and Curious Ice Gold text weight paper. I used the inside of the die to trace the Ice Gold portion of the tag. The words are from Impression-Obsession Clear Stamp Sets Sentiments I and were stamped with Stazon Timber Brown. The Pearls are Mark Richards Crystal Stickers Elements 5mm pearls. The same glitter glues were used to highlight the words area of the tag. Both of the ribbons were purchased from Michael's in their ribbon section.

 

 Shirley

 

A Holiday Break!

I wanted to do a quick card and break from the coming holidays for a moment. Here is an image I have had for a while. Its the Stampendous Peony Panel image. It was stamped with VersaMark on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb cover cardstock and then embossed with Rangers Gold Pearl EP. It was painted with Twinkling H2O's Garnet, Lemon Yellow, Dreamsicle and Mallard Green. When the watercolors were dry, Dorland's Wax was used over the centers of the Peonies. It seals the watercolor so it won't run or leak color into the Diamonds glitter glue. Then Stickles Diamonds glitter glue was used over the centers. Stickles Yellow glitter glue was used for the centers of the orange blossoms.

The Stardream Chiara Amber background behind the main image was cut with a Spellbinder's Nestabilities Long Scalloped Rectangle. If you want a great price on Spellbinder Nestabilities, etc. , you better check out the link I just posted. They also carry most of the border punches and other stamping supplies too! If you check under Ritz Camera they sometimes will have what the other doesn't. And if you find a better deal, please let me know. The white dots are from a White Signo Uni-ball pen.

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb cover cardstock was used with the Cuttlebug Textile Texture folder. It was then scored horizontally and vertically with the Scor-Pal . The scalloped edges were drawn with a Sweetwater Scribbles Doodling Template and then Trimmed with scissors. The ribbon from Michaels $1 bin was then mounted to the embossed piece and then mounted on another piece of the Stardream Chiara Amber cardstock.

The 3mm pearls mounted on the scallops are Mark Richards Crystal Stickers Elements that were painted with a Niji waterbrush filled with Ranger Alcohol Blending Solution and dipped on the tip of a Senorita Margarita Jaquard Alcohol Ink bottle. I got the idea of painting them from a fellow card artist - Connie Thorson. She teaches classes at Stampers Alley in Mooresville, NC. Thank you for the tip Connie. She paints her pearls with Copic Markers. The secret to the whole thing is the alcohol ink. I don't have any of the Copics yet. LOL

Tip - You will read directions telling you to use drops of the alcohol ink in watercolor wells or on pieces of foil, etc. mixed with the blending solution to get your colors. To me, it seems easier and less wasteful to just dip the brush tip against the dried ink or a little pushed out of the top of the bottle. When I am done I swish the brush until its clean on paper. Very very easy. I store my brush covered brush side up in a separate place from my regular Niji waterbrushes. If you have questions email me.

The image was then mounted on the finished background. Both of the ovals for the word, which is from Word I Plate by Rubber Stamp Tapestry, were cut using Spellbinder's Nestabilities Large Scallop (small) Oval, if you know what I mean by small. Hello was stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold, heat embossed to dry, and then painted with Twinkling H2O Garnet.

Thank you for stopping by 'the blog' to look.

 

 Shirley

 

Guess Who?

The main image, Pumpkin Patch by Impression-Obsession was stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb cover cardstock, that had been cut with a Spellbinder's Nestabilities Large Scalloped Rectangle, and painted with Twinkling H2O's Orange Peel, Lemon Yellow, and Moss Green. If you want a great price on Spellbinder Nestabilities, etc. , you better check out the link I just posted. They also carry most of the border punches and other stamping supplies too! If you check under Ritz Camera they sometimes will have what the other doesn't. And if you find a better deal, please let me know.

The Owl, also by Impression-Obsession, was stamped twice with Brilliance Galaxy Gold, mounted on top one another, and then painted with Twinking H2O's Warm Pecan, and Icicles. He was covered with a light coat of Glossy Accents. His eyes were done with a Gelly Roll Metallic Gold pen with a dot of Black placed with a Black Sharpie for his pupils. His beak and feet were done with a Gelly Roll Copper Startdust pen. He was mounted with a dimensional glue dot.

The words, Guess hoo? from Sweet 'n Sassy, were stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold. She has some of the cutest owl stamps and sayings I have seen anywhere. The holes in the scallops were hand punched.

The image was mounted on Stardream Fairway text weight paper. The white dots are from a White Signo Uni-ball pen. The ribbon is 5 years old and I don't make me remember where I got it! LOL

The Stick Pin was made by stamping a medium sized pumpkin on Lucky Squirrel Canvas White Poly Shrink with Brilliance Galaxy Gold ink. It was heat embossed to shrink. It was turned over and heated again until it looked shiny and then a jewelry gold Eye Pin was pushed into the back and the back of a wood stamp was pressed down against it. When cool it was sealed with a clear drying glue and then turned and painted with Daler Rowney Sun Orange Pearlescent Acrylic ink. A black Sharpie was used to outline the eyes and mouth. It was sealed with Glossy Accents and then Gelly Roll Stardust Gold was used to highlight the eyes and mouth again. The beads on the pin are Czech 5mm glass beads. The bead used to cover the tip is a white bugle bead and it was sealed with Glossy Accents.

The background paper is Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb cover cardstock embossed with Cuttlebug Pumpkin Harvest, then painted with Twinks Orange Peel and Moss Green. It is mounted on Stardream Fairway text weight paper I used the same White Signo pen for the dots.

Thanks for stopping by 'the blog'.

 

 Shirley

 

All Ready For Christmas

Lottie, by Impression-Obsession was stamped with Stazon Timber Brown on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb cover cardstock and painted with Twinkling H2O's Warm Pecan, Rubilite, Black Orchid, Moss Green, Sweet Alfalfa, Natural Linen, Pink Crocus. The faux pearls in her hair and on her neck and arm ribbons are Rangers White Opal Liquid Pearls.

The green matte behind Lottie and the cardfront is Stardream Fairway text weight paper. The BG paper on the top half is Neenah Paper Classic Craft Natural Super Smooth 80 lb. cardstock that was embossed with the Cuttlebug Textile Texture folder, and then a Mica Magic Regal Red ink pad was lightly dragged across the top embossed area. The Regal Red was also used on the edges of the cardstock behind Lottie. The paper on the bottom is half of the cardfront is Curious Ice Gold text weight paper that was scored on Scor-Pal every 1/2" using a Copic At You Spica Olive Glitter pen.

This is embarrassing. I can't remember where I saw the Scor-Pal technique. I think it was on video. If it was you, please email me privately so I can give you credit. Lyn from Arty Aspirations just let me know it was Mel Stampz blog and here is where I saw it. Thanks, Lyn, for the memory!!!

The corners were punched with an SU Ticket Corner Punch. The Pearls are Mark Richards Crystal Stickers Elements 3mm pearls. The snowflake is Cuttlebug Snowflake #2 Die and was cut from White scrap cardstock (thinking Green) and painted with Twinkling H20 Black Orchid.
The iridescent ribbon is May Arts and is a beautiful polyester blend of a Deep Pink and Moss Green. In one light it looks mainly Deep Pink and if you turn it you see mainly Moss Green. I love it and it doesn't wrinkle ever. The Stick Pen was made using a JoAnn Sew Essential Pearlized Leaf Straight Pin. They are not found online, but can be purchased in the area stores. They come with 6 different colors and 6 of each color in a pack for $1.49 plus tax. (all of this information was given to me by Kathie MaGuire and you can see how she used the pin here. The pearls and glass heart are Czech glass beads bought at hobby stores or EBay. I used Glossy Accents squeezed into the end of the pearl on the bottom to attach it to the sharp part of the pin.

Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look.

 

 Shirley

 

Its All About the Word Verifications

Okay, Here's my story and I am sticking to it. I got this information from Christine at Crafting's Cozy Corner, who got it from Allison at Stampin' When I Can, who got it from Julie at The Land of Lost Luggage.

Long story short is that someone else must have felt they were trying out for a typing test. I know that dates me. I have often felt this way. I just had my eyes checked so I know it isn't that with me.

I know its to protect us, but sometimes it is so hard to read I hit enter just to get something that isn't. Does this ever frustrate any of you. If I had any idea about who to talk with on this I would. If they could just make them a little more legible sometimes. I swear I think some bloggers have even paid them off, LOLOLOL, because theirs are always easier to read.

So, vent here, if you have any thoughts about this and I will try to truly investigate it if I think I am not just being a lone complainer. Thanks for your thoughts in advance. :-)

Back to finishing some cards!!! Thanks for stopping by 'the blog'.

 

 Shirley

 

Last Summer Fields or Halloween Too!

This was my first try at a Zindorf and I didn't like it at all at the time, but then when I was trying to find a background for another card.............well, you know what can happen. I found the Cuttlebug folder used behind the image in my box and thought wow, that would go with that image I didn't like. Duh!!!
The image is Summer Fields by Impression-Obsession and was stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb cover cardstock, heat embossed, then painted with Twinkling H2O's Orange Peel, Fern, Sweet Alfalfa, Icicles, and Lemon Yell0w. I went over the daisies, jack-o-lanterns, stars, and moon with my Ranger Bullet Perfect Pen, added Clear Embossing Powder and heat embossed, like Michelle Zindorf. She uses a Versamark pen. This was done to protect the images when the sky was brayered.
The sky was created using SU Night of Navy, Brilliant Blue, and Ballet Blue Classic inks. I wasn't really happy with the results so I tried adding a little watercolor to the moon. I also didn't like the way the grass area looked so I went over it with a Green Sharpie and liked the result.
To finish the image Stickles Yellow glitter glue was added to the fireflies, eyes of the jack-o-lanterns to me (remember my last card using this stamp). Stickles Diamonds was added to the little flowers below the daisies in the grass, and Stickles Orange Peel was added to the centers of the daisies. Glossy Accents was used over the daisies and the fire flies.
The background behind the image was done using the Cuttlebug Spots and Dots embossing folder and then dragging a Mica Magic Burnt Orange ink pad over the top. The cardstock behind that is Bazzill Bling. The ribbon is Michaels $1 bin. The beads are Czech 5mm Topaz glass hearts with Stickles Yellow glitter glue applied. The dots on the White cardstock are Gelly Roll Stardust Marine and the dots on the Bazzill Bling are White Signo Uni-ball pen.
Thanks for stopping by the blog to look and share!!

 

 Shirley