Tuesday, June 21, 2011

how to change the width of your blog

Note: I did this using the Minima '06 template. 

Grace asked for this tutorial, but I thought I'd post it on here so others can see it too. *winks*

Good things about having a wider blog:


  • It looks cleaner. [At least I think so!]
  • You can add bigger pictures, for photographers this is great! Besides, who wants little bitty photos?! 
Here's the tutorial! 


1. Log on to your blogspot dashboard and click on "design". [*cough* Of course!]


2. Now click on "Edit HTML" 


3. [ALWAYS back up your template. You don't want to make a mistake and loose your blog! I usually highlight the entire code, copy it, and save it in a document.] Click on "ctrl" + "F" at the same time and hold them down. This should bring up a little search box in the right-hand corner. Copy this code into that box:

#header-wrapper {

And press "Enter".  That should bring you to the Header Wrapper part, under the Header section. It should look something like this"


4. See this code under the "#header-wrapper{"? 

 width:660px;
  margin:0 auto 10px;
  border:0px solid $bordercolor;
  }

I highlighted in blue the part you need to change. Your code should look something like this. Anyways, change the "660" to whatever you want your blog width to be . . . I usually go with 960 or 950 pixels. Note: Don't make it too high! Your sidebar will go disappear to the bottom of your blog.

5. Now that you've changed the header width, type copy this code into the search box:

#outer-wrapper {

Under it you should see something like this: 

#outer-wrapper {
  width: 660px;
  margin:0 auto;
  padding:10px;
  text-align:$startSide;
  font: $bodyfont;
  }

Do the same thing you did in step #4. 


6. Right under the "#outer-wrapper {" part, you should see a code like this:

#main-wrapper {
  width: 400px;
  float: left;
  word-wrap: break-word; /* fix for long text breaking sidebar float in IE */
  overflow: hidden;     /* fix for long non-text content breaking IE sidebar float */
  }

I have mine set to 700 pixels, play around with it! I'd do about 260 more pixels though.

7. Now copy this code into the search box: 

/* Footer

Under that, you should see something like this:

#footer {
  width:700px;
  clear:both;
  margin:0 auto;
  padding-top:15px;
  line-height: 1.6em;
  text-transform:uppercase;
  letter-spacing:.1em;
  text-align: center;
}

I'm not sure what most people's blog footer width is, but I have mine at 1000 pixels. 

8. Preview your changes. If you like them, save it! If something is wrong, leave me a comment or check out the questions at the bottom of this post.




Troubleshooting: 


1) My sidebar went to the bottom of my blog! What do I need to do? 


If this happens to me, I usually make the Main Wrapper, Footer, and Outer Wrapper smaller. [change the pixel width to "940" instead of "960" or something. Play around with it and keep previewing. This has happened to me once or twice only, so if anybody else knows a better solution drop me a comment!

2) My background doesn't fit, what happened?


What you need to do is get a 3 column blog background, or make your own hereThe white part on the background is probably 660 px, so you need more space.
****
I haven't had any other problems, but if any of you all do please tell me! Also, now that you have a "bigger" blog, you can add bigger photos! You'll need to have the new version of blogger, I think, and you click on the picture after you've uploaded it to your post. A little bitty window thing should come up, and when it does click on "Extra large".

I hope this tutorial was helpful, I tried to make it very clear. Also, no copying this tutorial. You may think I'm trying to act like Olivia from Robin Blogs, but no, I hate when people copy other's work. I spent a good amount of time, and no stealing it to claim as your work!

Good luck designing and let me know if you have any trouble!

how to make a signature

1. Find a site or a program to make your signature on (like Gimp, paint, or an online site like this one.) I'm going to use picnik, a free online photo editing site.

2. Find materials to make your signature. I'm going to use a paper from here. If you use Picnik you will have to have a background of some sort, though you can use a white image if you want.

3. Create the signature. After you upload your paper to Picnik, you will probably need to crop it. Just fool around until you have the size you want, there really isn't a certain size.


Add some fun text and sticker too, if you like. Picnik has all kinds of great stuff but be careful, not all of it is free!



4. Now when you save your image, make sure you change the name so you don't loose the paper!





5. Now upload your new signature to Photobucket, or any other picture hosting site. You will need the HTML code.


Yeah, I used a different image...I accidentally didn't save my other signature, but this paper will be fine for a tutorial. As long as you don't do it when making your signature! :)




6. Next you will need to go to 'Settings' in your blogger account, then 'Formatting'. Scroll down until you come to a box labled 'Post Template'.












7. Now, paste the code that you copied from your signature into that box, save, open a new post, and....






Question: How do I get my signature to go down? I can't write anything without deleting it!


Answer: Go to 'Edit HTML' right next to the window you're typing in. Click on the top and press enter a few times, then go back to the 'Compose' window.






Have any other questions or problems? Tell me and I'll try to help you!


Also, I'd love to see what you create, if you want, drop a comment and leave the link to your blog. 


Happy designing!

tutorial requests

If you're new to designing (or an expert) and have something you'd like to learn, but don't know how to do it, drop me a comment, and I'll do a tutorial on it, unless I don't know how to do it yet (I'm still learning too!). 

how to make a blog button



  1. Download Gimp if you don't already have it. 
  2. Go here and download the image (right click), then open it with Gimp. 



Add text & a color background. You can also find elements & papers for free by downloading them here. If this is your first time using Gimp, you might want to spend some time playing around with it before just jumping into making a blog button. You can also add text with Picnic.com, but I prefer Gimp, since you can make it your own. 

After creating your button and saving it, upload it to the web so you can get the image link (ie, photobucket, tinypic, blogger). 






<center><a href="YOUR BLOG LINK" target="_blank" title="BLOG NAME"><img alt="BLOG NAME" src="IMAGE LINK"/></a> <center>
</center>
<center><textarea id="code-source" rows="3" cols="13" name="code-source"><center><a href="BLOG LINK"><img border="0" src="IMAGE LINK"/></a></center></textarea></center>

Now, see where the colored text is? That's where you paste your links and name (ctr + c then crt + v to copy//paste). Make sure not to erase anything that is in black text, even quotes.

When you are done it should look something like this --


<center><a href="http://kendralynnestudios.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="Kendra Lynne Studios"><img alt="Kendra Lynne Studios" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7K0npLvT3bw/TgDNy354m2I/AAAAAAAACMg/IQbk7Tcaa1g/s1600/KLS.gif"/></a> <center>
</center>
<center><textarea id="code-source" rows="3" cols="13" name="code-source"><center><a href="http://kendralynnestudios.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7K0npLvT3bw/TgDNy354m2I/AAAAAAAACMg/IQbk7Tcaa1g/s1600/KLS.gif"/></a></center></textarea></center>

After adding your links (you could add them in a notepad or windows document) you will need to go to your dashboard>>design>>add a gadget>>then scroll until you see "HTML/Javascript". Then add the code above to the box.



Save, and tada! You made a blog button. Comment if you have any trouble, please, and I'll reply back to you. 

portfolio


My friend Hannah's blog. I actually surprised her with this one, since I did these before opening KLS.


My own blog, Imagine. I did a really simple design with just a picture header.


My sister Anna's blog. I also surprised her.




And of course, Kendra Lynne Studios (whoever heard of a designing site having someone else design their site?!). I went for something simple yet modern for this design.

Other designs over the past couple of months: {note:: these are older ones & I design better now}










Friday, June 3, 2011

order

CURRENTLY NOT TAKING ANY ORDERS. KLS IS CLOSED.

 I have one package that you can order from. It costs $5 for a complete makeover. To find out where you money is going to click here.


If you'd like extras (front changing, media buttons, ect. don't hesitate to ask me). 

You can also choose one item from the list below, if you don't want a full makeover. The extras are free, you can donate if you wish. I will only do one extra at a time. 


Once you know what you want, fill out this form below. I will do designs for other websites besides blogger (like wordpress, ect.) , but I might be limited on some things since I mostly work with blogger.


what item||package would you like?
what is the name of your blog and the link?
what style would you like for your design? [elegant, modern, cute, ect.]
any other comments?
your email (so I can contact you privately)?


and leave it in a comment. (comments will not be published if they contain orders). I will start on your design once you have paid through the button below. If you do not have a bank account and would like to send a check/cash through the mail, leave a comment letting me know.








rules 

  • I have the right to decline any design orders if I wish, without telling you the reason.
  • You will need to give me your password when I install. I never share passwords.
  • I will finish your design from 3 day to 4 weeks. 
  • this is not a must but it would be fantastic & lovely of you if you'd follow my blog when you order in return and spread the news about this blog. I really want to work on serving people so if you could help I'd love it. 
Thank you






Welcome

Welcome to Kendra Lynne Studios, blog design. Everything right now is absolutely free. I'll set up the site & have it ready for everyone to order soon. A new design & reviews also coming.

Kendra Lynne Studios will have free blog design tutorials, hints, and much more.

I will update here when I get my laptop fixed and we moved.

Soon Kendra Lynne studios will open, so make sure to follow and tell your friends!