Sneaky Momma Blog Design

Giveaway Winner and A Pretty Suite Deal!

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:38:00 +0000

Thank you to all who entered the My Memories giveaway! The winner of the digital scrapbooking software download is...

Jennifer at Town and Country Living!

Congratulations, Jennifer! Please respond to the email that I sent to you by Wednesday morning in order to claim your prize!

Didn't win? Really want the software? My Memories is offering the readers of Sneaky Momma Blog Design a really suite deal! Use coupon code STMMMS22491 at checkout to save $10 off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and get a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store - a $20 value! Pretty cool! :)

My Memories Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:53:00 +0000

This giveaway is now closed!

What am I thankful for? Family, friends, faith......and YOU, my blogging friends and faithful readers!

When I was contacted by My Memories about doing a giveaway and review of their digital scrapbooking software, I jumped at the opportunity! I had heard good things about it and wanted to check it out. I was also excited about being able to give the software to one of you guys!

I use Photoshop Elements to design my own layouts. It took me forever to learn the program and at times I still run into problems that I have to figure out a solution to. I was curious to see whether My Memories Suite would be easier to work with. I was dreading having to spend a lot of time learning how to use the program. Much to my surprise, I was able to whip up a sample page within minutes of downloading the software.

Take a look!

Check out how easy it is to use!

I was given a full, downloadable version of My Memories Suite Version 2.0 digital scrapbooking software (a $39.97 value) to give away to one of my readers! To enter, you'll need to visit the My Memories website and take a look through their products. Then come back here and leave a comment below telling me what interests you the most along with your email address so that I can contact you if you win.

You can earn additional entries by doing the following and leaving a separate comment for each:

Follow the My Memories blog
Like My Memories on Facebook
Follow My Memories on Twitter
Follow Sneaky Momma Blog Design on Google Friend Connect
Add Sneaky Momma Blog Design to your blog list
Put a SMBD button or blinkie on your blog
Subscribe to Sneaky Momma Blog Design in a reader or by email
Like Sneaky Momma Blog Design on Facebook
Follow bbsneakymomma on Twitter

Want to increase your chances of winning even more? Head on over to Random Thoughts of a Supermom and enter Kelli's My Memories giveaway!!!!

One winner will randomly be chosen from the entries on this blog at 10:00AM CST on Monday, November 28. I will email the winner to notify them that they won. The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize. If the winner does not contact me within that time period, a new winner will be chosen.

Be advised that My Memories terms of use denote that this software can be used to create items for PERSONAL use only. You may not use this software on any projects in which you will earn a profit.

Thanks for entering! Good luck!!!!! :)

Where Did My Sidebar Go?

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:21:00 +0000

Recently, one of my blogging friends contacted me with a problem. She has a three column template and her third column had dropped down below her post section. She had made no changes to her template or sidebar items. One day the column was in the right place, the next it was at the bottom of her blog. Weird!

I tried everything to get the third column back in the right place. I reinstalled her template, installed a different template on her blog, removed her sidebar items, tinkered with the widths of her post section and sidebars......nothing worked. I was stumped! It had to be a Blogger glitch...didn't it?

We gave it a little time and the problem did not correct itself. Finally, I started going through her posts and seeing if one of them had perhaps caused the problem. I went to the homepage of her blog and clicked on her first post title. The sidebar popped back up into the right place! Then I went back to her homepage and clicked on another title and so on and so forth until I found the post that made the column drop down again. I went in, saved the post as a draft, and the problem was solved.

What caused the problem? Turns out there was a lot of extra code in the html of the post that didn't show up in compose mode. This happens when you make a lot of changes to your post before publishing it. For example: Have you ever have spacing issues within your posts? When you click enter to go to a new line of text, a code is created that can only be seen in edit html mode. When you delete that space, sometimes the code remains. It must be deleted in order for it not to show up on your post.

It's a good idea to either write your posts in edit html mode or to click to that mode and delete the extra code before publishing. It's sometimes hard to see what code is extra and what needs to be there. If you are not familiar with simple html code, I would not even worry about deleting extra code unless you have a problem.

Hope this helps! Happy Blogging! :)

Related Posts:
Align The Buttons In Your Sidebar
Spacing Issues In Posts
Back Up Your Blog

Have you been helped by my tips?Consider sharing this blog with others by adding myblog to your bloglist or by grabbing my button!
Want to share this specific tip with others?I would be honored for you to link back to this post!
ALL CONTENT © SNEAKY MOMMA BLOG DESIGN Please do not copy and paste my content onto your blog.I work hard on my tips and want everything to stay here. Thank you for your cooperation! :)

Promote Your Blog With Pinterest

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:55:00 +0000

Pinterest can be a great way to spread the word about a blog. I've noticed that some of the bloggers that I follow on Pinterest have posted some awesome tutorials/recipes on their blogs, but have not pinned them to their boards. If it's an informative, interesting post, I say, "Pin it!"

That being said, you don't want to promote too much. Promoting your blog all of the time will be a HUGE turnoff. Do it too much and you may lose followers. It drives me crazy when I log in and see pin after pin from the same person promoting their own stuff. I do not recommend pinning all of your posts to Pinterest. If I had a personal blog, I would limit the pins of my own posts to those that could be helpful to others (ex: recipes, tutorials, etc.).

If you've never been on Pinterest, you may be wondering how it works. Here's how I use it: I'm interested in recipes, saving money, learning activities for my preschooler and kindergartner, DIY gift/craft tutorials, and blog tips (of course!). I follow the boards of friends who are interested in these things. When someone I follow pins something to their boards that I may find helpful, I pin it to one of my boards. If one of my followers thinks that the pin is something they'd like to check out, they'll pin it to one of their boards. And so on.

Just imagine if someone pinned your post to one of their boards. And then one of their followers pinned your post. And then some of their followers pinned your post. See how fast word could spread about your blog????

Tips for promoting your blog through Pinterest:

1. If you want people to go directly to a specific post on your blog, be sure to link to that single post, not just your homepage. Click here for help linking to a single post.

2. Go back through your blog and pin older, informative posts. Just because they were posted a year ago does not mean that people won't want to check it out. Click here for help linking to a specific post.

3. Limit pinning your own posts in one sitting. Better to hold yourself to pinning a couple a day or even less frequently than that. If you pin a bunch at a time, you risk people losing interest in your pins.

4. Be super descriptive when describing your pin. Sell it!!!!! Oftentimes, people will repin something that looks interesting without actually clicking on it. I know I do!

Examples of good descriptions:
Amazingly simple apple pie recipe
Hand turkey cookies for the kids- SO CUTE!
How to prepare old furniture for painting- SO EASY!
Adorable FREE backgrounds!
Tips for getting your kids to eat their veggies - More please!

Not so good descriptions, unless you pin a photo that visually describes the post:
Check it out!
Visit my blog!
Make a superhero cape for $2! When you include a dollar sign in a description, it put a banner across the pin so that it looks like you're selling something. This can be a turnoff.

5. Choose a great photo to pin. The prettier the photo, the more likely people will be to click on it.

6. Install a Pin It button on your blog. This will allow your readers to pin your entire blog, not an individual post. Click here to get one!

7. Pin others' stuff, too. Don't use Pinterest just to promote yourself. Ugh.

Just in case you're wondering, I have not been asked by Pinterest to share any of this with you. I just wanted to share my experience in the hopes that it might help someone out. Need an invitation? Leave your email address (you at whatever dot com) in a comment and I'll send you one. :)

Do you pin? What advice do you have for someone wanting to promote their blog with Pinterest?

Related Posts:
Linking to a Single Post
Fun Facebook Symbols

Have you been helped by my tips?Consider sharing this blog with others by adding myblog to your bloglist or by grabbing my button!

Want to share this specific tip with others?I would be honored for you to link back to this post!

ALL CONTENT © SNEAKY MOMMA BLOG DESIGN Please do not copy and paste my content onto your blog.I work hard on my tips and want everything to stay here. Thank you for your cooperation! :)

Returning to Blogger's Old Interface

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:42:00 +0000

Have you checked out the new Blogger interface? A couple of weeks ago, I took the plunge and was quite surprised at how different everything looks. Clean, simple....yet I could not find anything at first glance. After poking around a bit, I was able to locate a lot of things, but ugh, what a hassle. I decided that the new interface was not for me (not yet, anyway) and was able to return back to the old interface quite easily.

Well......

Yesterday I was working on a blog that has the new interface. When I logged back into my account, I was shocked to see the new interface peeking up at me. No biggie, I thought, I'll just switch back to the old interface by clicking on the same link I clicked on last time. So, I looked up at the top of my dashboard and *gasp* IT WAS NOT THERE! Instead there was a little box that I could check that said I could make Blogger in Draft my default. Um, no thanks. So I clicked on it, assuming that it would take me back to my old familiar dashboard, but it didn't. After several tries, I finally figured out how to switch back to the old interface. I had to uncheck the box, then leave feedback. Apparently, the feedback step is very important. I wish I had a couple of pictures to show you, but there's no way I'm switching over to get them for fear that I will not be able to come back!

Have you made the switch to the new interface? Do you like it better? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Have you been helped by my tips?Consider grabbing my button or adding my blog to your bloglist!

Want to share this specific tip with others?I would be honored for you to link back to this post!

Blinkie Giveaway Winner

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:19:00 +0000

Thanks to all who entered the blinkie giveaway! The winner of a blinkie by Tezza's Blinkies and Banners is.....

Lattedahdesigns, please contact me by Wednesday to claim your prize! :)

Ugh......Commenting Problems

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 02:54:00 +0000

I've heard that some bloggers are having trouble commenting on my blog. If you would like to enter the blinkie giveaway and are unable to do so, please send me one email that contains all of your entries to blogsbysneakymomma at gmail dot com and I will add them for you. I don't want you to miss out!

Seems like this commenting problem is happening on a lot of different blogs. Hope Blogger figures it out soon! I don't even want to think about having to install another comment system. I loved Disqus for awhile, but it took WAY too long to load and I didn't like that my readers had to jump through so many hoops to leave a comment. Have you installed a non-Blogger commenting system on your blog? Do you like it?

Blinkie Giveaway!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:25:00 +0000

******This giveaway is now closed.******

Check out my new blinkie! Isn‘t it adorable????

I wish I could take credit for it, but I cannot. I’ve never made a blinkie and haven’t the foggiest idea of how to do so. A couple of weeks ago, I visited my friend’s blog and noticed her new blinkie. I knew I had to have one! I was absolutely blown away when I learned that she only paid $5 for it. I asked her who made it for her and she referred me to Tezza’s Blinkies and Banners.

I contacted Tezza to see about getting a blinkie made for Sneaky Momma Blog Design. It wasn’t long before I was filling out a design form and selecting which of my images I wanted to use. Within a week of contacting her, I had my blinkie. Tezza was so friendly and efficient. I just knew I had to share her with you!

Tezza makes banners like the one above for $8. She is also a talented digital scrapbook designer. She’s created tons of templates, scripts, and digital scrapbooking kits. Click here to visit her scrapping blog, Tezza's Tagger Scraps. You may find a freebie or two!

Tezza has kindly offered a free blinkie to one of my lucky readers! To enter, you’ll need to first check out her terms, then leave a comment below saying that you'd like to enter. I have removed my pain-in-the-rear comment system in order to make it easier for you to enter. You can earn additional entries by doing the following and leaving a separate comment for each:

Follow Tezza's Blinkies and Banners on Google Friend Connect
Follow Tezza's Tagger Scraps on Google Friend Connect
Follow Sneaky Momma Blog Design on Google Friend Connect
Add Sneaky Momma Blog Design to your blog list
Put a SMBD button or blinkie on your blog
Subscribe to SMBD in a reader or by email
Like SMBD on Facebook
Follow bbsneakymomma on Twitter
Tweet this: Enter to win a FREE blinkie for your blog or website!!! http://www.sneakymommablogdesign.com/2011/10/blinkie-giveaway.html @bbsneakymomma
Mention and link to this giveaway in a blog post (click here for help)

One winner will randomly be chosen at 10:00AM CST on Monday, October 10. The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize. If the winner does not contact within that time period, a new winner will be chosen.

Thanks for entering! Good luck! :)

An Announcement....And Other Stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:48:00 +0000

I am taking a break from new makeover orders so that I can spend more time with my family. I hope to start taking orders from new customers again within a month or so, but for right now, I must lighten my workload. Tennis, Awana, football, dance, storytime, art class, homeschooling.....whew! We're SO busy!

I will continue to take orders from existing customers during this time. If I've worked with you before and you need help from me, please do not hesitate to ask. I will still be working, just not as much.

I'll still write tips and offer free blog help through the comments section on this blog. I completely removed the Disqus comment system to make commenting easier. Be sure to click on subscribe by email in the comment box so that you will know when I reply to your comment.

I'm hosting a REALLY COOL giveaway here next week. I can't come right out and tell you what's being given away, but I'll give you a hint. Up for grabs is something adorable that's been recently added to my blog. Hmmmm.....can you guess what it is??????

Making Your Blog Private

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:04:00 +0000

Getting the heebie-jeebies about strangers visiting your blog? Worried about your family photos falling into the wrong hands? Sick of spam comments? All of these are valid reasons for wanting to make your blog private.

How a private blog works:

Private blogs are not password protected. You'll have to send invitation emails to via Blogger to the people that you want to be able to view your blog. The people that you send invitations to must click on a link in their email in order to access your blog. They can view your blog for up to a month as a guest if they do not have a Blogger account. If they have a Blogger account, they can view your blog until you delete their email address under your permissions tab.

You should consider keeping your blog open to everybody if:

You have readers who have a hard time on the computer. They'll have to jump through a few hoops if they do not have a Blogger account. If you really, really, really want technologically challenged Great Aunt Frieda to read your blog, you need to make it easy for her to do so. Otherwise, she'll give up if it's even remotely difficult. Trust me.
You're trying to build a readership. Blogger restricts the number of email invitations to a private blog to 100.
You want your readers to be able to view your blog updates through a reader or subscribe by email. Feeds do not work with private blogs.
You're trying to make money on your blog (advertising, small business).

How to make your blog private:

1. Click on the design link in the upper right hand corner of your blog's homepage.

2. Click on the Settings tab.

3. Click on Permissions.

4. Select "Only people I choose" under Blog Readers. You can switch back to a public blog easily by selecting "Anybody" when/if you decide to do so. Notice that there is an option to restrict access to blog authors only. Why on earth would anyone want to do that? I have several practice blogs where viewing is restricted to me only. I like to practice my skills without anyone watching. : )

Click on image to enlarge.

5. Enter the email addresses of the people you wish to view your blog into the box. Separate each email address with a comma.

6. Click on INVITE. You can add new readers at any time.

Have you made your blog private? Tell me about your experience! :)

Related posts:
Protect Your Photos!
Protect Your Email Address
Blocking a Follower

Have you been helped by my tips?Consider grabbing my button
or adding my blog to your bloglist!

Want to share this specific tip with others?I would be honored for you to link back to this post!

Link Lists- Beginner

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:38:00 +0000

A link list can be a great organizational tool for your blog. It can help you group information so that your readers can find things easier. The tips by category and all tips sections in my sidebar are set up as link lists.

How To Create A Link List

1. Decide upon the purpose for your link list. Here are some items that you may want to group together:

individual blog posts from your blog or the blogs of others
labels (perhaps you only want to show one or two labels instead of all of them)
favorite blogs or websites
your contact information (email address, facebook profile, twitter profile, etc.)

2. Compile a list in a word processing document (Word, Works, Wordpad, etc.) of the urls (web addresses: http://.......) for each place you want to link to. Click on a linked item in step 1 for help getting the url for that item.

3. Go to your page elements page and click on Add A Gadget. Scroll down and select Link List:

4. Fill in the information in the box that pops up:

a. Give a title for the gadget, if desired. This will appear above the link list in your sidebar.
b. I never write anything in this box and suggest that you do the same. :)
c. Select a sorting option, if desired.
d. Type in the url for one of your links.
e. Type in what you would like for your readers to click on to be taken to that url.
f. Click on ADD LINK.
g. Repeat steps d-f for every link that you want to add. Once all of your links have been added, click on SAVE.

5. Move the gadget if you desire to do so. When you create a new gadget, it always appears at the very top of the section you created it in. For help with moving gadgets, click here.

If you chose not to sort the links, you may wish to rearrange them. To do this, click to edit the gadget from your page elements page or the wrench and screwdriver below the link list on your home page. Click on the up and down arrows beside the links to put them in a different order. Once you have everything the way you want it, click on SAVE.

Link, link, link away! :)

Related posts:
Linking to a single post
Linking to an email address
Linking to a label
Rearranging the gadgets in your sidebar

Have you been helped by my tips?Please consider grabbing my button
or adding my blog to your bloglist!

Want to share this tip with your readers?I would be honored for you to link back to this post!

Linking to A Label - Beginner

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 13:42:00 +0000

Did you know that you can link to a label? Getting the url (web address) to a label is a fairly simple task. Why would you want to do this? Perhaps you'd like to link to all of your reviews from your navigation bar, like on Modern Day Lucy. Or maybe you'd just like to direct your readers to all of your recipes with a certain label. Every label has a url and can be linked to. Here's how:

1. If you have not already installed a labels gadget in your sidebar, you'll need to do so. Go to design-->add a gadget-->labels. Don't worry. You can remove this gadget once you've got the url for the label that you want.

2. Right click on the label that you want to link to. Select 'Copy Link Location' or 'Copy Shortcut'.

3. Create a link on your blog where ever you want to link to the label. Paste the url of the label that you copied in step 2 in the Enter URL box and save. Click here for help with links in a post.

4. Remove your labels gadget (if desired).

That's it! Label and link away!

Have you been helped by my tips?Consider grabbing my button or adding this blog to your bloglist!

Want to share this tip with your readers?I would be honored for you to link back to this post!

ALL CONTENT © SNEAKY MOMMA BLOG DESIGN Please do not copy and paste my content onto your blog.I work hard on my tips and and wish for everything to remain here. Thank you for your cooperation! :)

Uprinting.com Labels Giveaway Winner

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:17:00 +0000

Thank you to all who entered the Uprinting.com labels giveaway!

The winner is.....

Mary Jo, please contact me soon to claim your prize! :)

blogsbysneakymomma at gmail dot com

Uprinting.com Labels Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:52:00 +0000

*This giveaway is now closed. Winner will be chosen shortly! :)

I've noticed that many of my readers have online businesses. When I was contacted about doing a giveaway for labels from Uprinting.com, I just couldn't pass it up! Uprinting.com offers label printing, product templates (for those of you who would like to print your own labels) and other printing services.

Up for grabs is a set of 250 customizable print labels from Uprinting.com. These labels would be perfect for shipping boxes and retail bags for small business owners. As a mother, I can think of several items that need to be labeled with our family name. School supplies, sports equipment, gift bags, the possibilities are endless.

Prize details:
250 Print Labels for One (1) Winner
2" x 3.5"
70lb Label Matte
Front Only Printing
4 Business Day Turnaround

Restrictions:
If you have won Uprinting.com labels on another blog/website within the last six months, you are ineligible to win this giveaway. Limited to US residents 18 years old and above only. Sorry foreign friends! :(

To enter:

Leave a comment telling me that you'd like to enter - required

To increase your chances of winning, you can earn additional entries by doing the following and leaving a separate comment for each. Be sure to leave your email address in one of the comments so that I can contact you if you win:

Add Sneaky Momma Blog Design to your blog list
Put a SMBD button on your blog
Follow Sneaky Momma Blog Design on Google Friend Connect
Subscribe to SMBD in a reader or by email
Follow bbsneakymomma on Twitter
Like SMBD on Facebook
Tweet this: Need help with your blog? http://tinyurl.com/2al2bfz @bbsneakymomma
Sign up at Giveaway Blogs
Like Uprinting on Facebook
Mention (and link to) this giveaway in a blog post (click here for help)

I will choose a winner at 9:00AM CST on Friday, August 26. Good luck! :)

Disclaimer: This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive labels for hosting. Check out product templates on UPrinting.com.

Awesome Istock Coupon Code

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:30:00 +0000

I love working with istock images on blog/scrapbooking projects. They can be super expensive, though! I recently stumbled upon a pretty sweet coupon code for 20% off any credit pack from now through August 31. Most coupon codes that I find on the internet are too good to be true, but this one really works!

You can grab your coupon code by clicking here!

The opinions expressed above are entirely my own. I was not paid to pass this information on to you. Just thought it was too good not to share! :)

Have you been helped by my tips?Consider grabbing my button or adding this blog to your bloglist!
Want to share this tip with your readers?I would be honored for you to link back to this post!
ALL CONTENT © SNEAKY MOMMA BLOG DESIGN Please do not copy and paste my words and images into your own posts.I work hard on my tips and and wish for everything to remain on this blog. Thank you for your cooperation! :)

Link Within

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 13:29:00 +0000

Ever wonder how people get the "You might also like..." images/links below their posts? It's called "Link Within" and is SUPER EASY to add to your blog!

Why should you Link Within? Your readers are visiting your blog because they are interested in your content. Putting those links at the bottom will encourage them to check out more of your posts, which means that they will be viewing more pages and staying on your blog longer. Linking to your own posts is NEVER a bad thing!

Here's how to install the gadget:

1. Go to http://www.linkwithin.com/learn.

2. Fill in the information in the light blue/purple box and click on "Get Widget".

3. Follow the four easy steps on the next page. They're pretty self-explanatory.

That's it! Enjoy your new gadget!

Related Posts:
Rearrange Your Sidebar Items
How To Link To A Specific Post
Cool Stuff

Have you been helped by my tips?Consider grabbing my button or adding this blog to your bloglist!
Want to share this tip with your readers?I would be honored for you to link back to this post!
ALL CONTENT © SNEAKY MOMMA BLOG DESIGN Please do not copy and paste my words and images into your own posts.I work hard on my tips and and wish for everything to remain on this blog. Thank you for your cooperation! :)

Check 'Em Out!

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:43:00 +0000

I've been blessed by getting to work with some great people this summer! Click on the images below to see some of my recent designs:

Want a makeover for your Blogger blog? Now's the time to get on my waiting list! I will be accepting a VERY limited number of blog orders once school starts. Click here to see how I can give your blog a new look for as little as $35!

Side-By-Side Buttons - Intermediate

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:50:00 +0000

Take a look at the sponsor's section in my sidebar. Notice how the buttons are arranged two-by-two? This tutorial will show you how to do that! Want to be a sponsor of Sneaky Momma Blog Design for only $5/month? Click here for details!

This is an intermediate tip only because it can get pretty frustrating. There is no risk to your template. I advise you to back up all of the buttons you wish to include in the gadget before beginning. You will be altering the codes and it is very easy to make a mistake. I would create this gadget on a practice blog, then copy the code and install it on your real blog.

A few things to keep in mind before you begin:

1. You'll want to make sure that the place you wish to install the button gadget is wide enough to accommodate it. For example: My button gadget is approximately 256px wide (2 125x125px buttons, plus a 1px space). My sidebar is bigger than that, so I know the gadget will fit.

2. All of the square buttons in my sponsor's section are exactly the same size. If you use buttons that are not the same size, they will not line up perfectly. If straightness and order are a big deal to you, (misaligned buttons on my blog would drive me CRAZY!) then you can certainly create the gadget with different sized buttons. Best to create the gadget with four buttons first to be sure that you like that look, though. You can resize buttons in a photo editing software program or free online photo storage site, like Photobucket. Caution: Resizing can make images blurry. If you are wanting to create a sponsor's section, it's best to only accept buttons that are the same size if you are wanting to put them beside each other.

3. You'll need html codes for all of the buttons/images. If you need html codes, you can get them from an online photo storage site, like Photobucket. Click here for help with this.

4. This gadget can be slow to load. If you have a lot of buttons, I suggest breaking this gadget up into a few different gadgets. I also advise placing the buttons as low in your sidebar as possible. Mine is at the top of the sidebar so that my sponsors will get maximum exposure.

Preparing the buttons for the gadget code:

1. Open a new word processing document on your computer. You can use any program, such as Word, Works or Notepad.

2. Copy and paste all of the button codes that you wish to include in the gadget into the document. Put spaces between each one so that you will easily be able to tell them apart. Rather than using all of the buttons in my sidebar gadget as an example, I will only be using the top four. Here's what the button codes look like in the image above:

Click on images to enlarge.
3. Remove the centering tags from each button if applicable. The centering tags are underlined in orange in the above image. Click here for help.

Writing the code for the gadget:

1. Paste in the codes for the top two buttons, one code right behind the other. Add <center> before the first button code and </center> behind the second one. If you'd like a tiny space in between the buttons (like mine) you'll need to type   in between the two button codes. Surrounding each pair with centering tags will ensure that they will be alone on the line. This is what the code for my top two button codes look like:

2. Repeat step one for each pair of buttons. I suggest putting plenty of space in between the pairs so that you can tell them apart. I would save the individual pairs of button codes for reference. You may wish to add spaces or make other modifications later and it will be so much easier to find the individual buttons if you keep them in pairs.

3. Once you have written the code for each pair, delete the spaces and lines between them so that they are all right beside each other. It should look like a big paragraph. Here's what the code for the above button gadget looks like:

Installing the Gadget:

1. Go to your Page Elements page and click on Add A Gadget. Select HTML/Javascript.

2. Be sure that you are in html mode. If the upper right corner of the box says Rich Text, then you are in in the right mode. If it says Edit HTML, you'll need to click on that link to be in html mode.

3. Copy the code that you created above and paste it into the gadget. SAVE.

4. Move the gadget to wherever you want it to go. Click here for help.

You can put buttons side-by-side anywhere on your blog. If you want to string together more than two buttons for each row, all you have to do is move the <center> from behind the second button to behind the last button that appears on each row. Add   between each button if you want a space.

Troubleshooting
This tip didn't work for you? Start over from scratch, taking your time to read through each step. If you miss one tiny character, the buttons will not work. Make sure that your sidebars are big enough to accommodate the width of your buttons.

Do you have a side-by-side button gadget on your blog? Did you do it differently? Please share! :)

Related Posts:
Advertise on This Blog For Only $5!
How To Center HTML gadgets
Get A Grab Box For Your Button
Get An HTML Code For Your Button

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Want to share this tip with your readers?I would be honored for you to link back to this post!
ALL CONTENT © SNEAKY MOMMA BLOG DESIGN Please do not copy and paste my content onto your blog.I work hard on my tips and and want everything to remain here. Thank you for your cooperation! :)

Store Backgrounds For Free On Picasa

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:00:00 +0000

I stumbled upon this tip a couple of months ago. I modified it a little bit to get it to work for me. I have been using it ever since and have been surprised at how easy it is to store full-sized backgrounds on Picasa. Goodbye, Photobucket Pro!

Intimidated by Picasa? Don't be! If you don't think you have a Picasa account, you probably do and don't know it. Every time you post a photo/image on your blog using the Blogger upload photo tool it is stored in a Picasa web album. Who knew?

How To Store and Link to a Full-Sized image on Picasa

1. Go to https://picasaweb.google.com/home. If you are logged into your Blogger account, you'll be taken to your albums. If you are not logged in, please do so using your Blogger username and password (same info you use to log into your blog).

2. Upload your file by clicking on the gray upload button at the top. Create a new album or select an existing one. I have a separate album just for backgrounds so that I can easily find them.

3. Click on the blue button to select a background to upload from your computer. Once it is uploaded, click on OK down in the lower right hand corner. This will take you to the album where you can find the image.

4. Click on the uploaded image.

5. Click on "Link to this photo", located on the right side of the screen at the bottom of the sidebar. Click on images to enlarge.

6. Check the box beside "Image Only: No Link".

7. Copy the code directly below "Embed Image".

8. Paste it where you intend to install the background code on your blog. Change the s144 in the embed image code to s0 (zero). VERY IMPORTANT!

9. Preview and save!

If you see a striped pattern instead of your background on your blog, make sure that you completed step 8. I often forget to do this and panic every time before I realize how quick and easy it is to fix. :)

Related Posts:
Easy Background Installation
Move Your Background Code For Better Load Time
Create a Header With Picasa

Have you been helped by my tips? Consider grabbing my button or adding this blog to your bloglist!
Want to share this tip with your readers?I would be honored for you to link back to this post!
ALL CONTENT © SNEAKY MOMMA BLOG DESIGN Please do not copy and paste my words and images into your own posts.I work hard on my tips and and wish for everything to remain on this blog. Thank you for your cooperation! :)

Easy Code For Installing Backgrounds

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 14:45:00 +0000

The one thing that I dislike about most custom backgrounds is that they are large in size, which means that they are slow to load. I used to place background codes directly within the body section in the html of a blog template until I discovered a way to install a background using an html/javascript gadget. Now the blogs that I design seem to load so much faster because I position the background code so that it loads last instead of first.

This tip assumes that you already know how to create your own background as well as how to get a direct link for it. The tip itself is beginner, but the background concept is advanced. For help with creating your own background, check out this tip by Kevin and Amanda or this video tip by Teresabelle Designs. Warning: Making a blog background can be VERY frustrating. You have to have the proper software as well as a general knowledge of how to use it.

How To Install A Background - The Easy Way

1. Remove the current background code from your blog (if there is one). If you have a direct link to a background in the body section of your template, it will show up before the new code. It is important that you delete the existing url before beginning. You can leave the rest of the background code in your template in most cases. Just delete the url. Be sure to download a copy of your current template before making changes to it!

2. Copy the following code and replace the purple section with the direct link to your background image. Be sure to keep the parentheses around the url.

<style type="text/css">body {background-image: url(
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_rVxqe4eGKc0/TX-JJu4d_NI/AAAAAAAACy0/1AGyCe6Wth4/s0/bck.jpg); background-position: center; background-repeat: repeat; background-attachment: fixed; }</style>

3. Paste the code with your background link into a HTML/Javascript gadget. Save.

4. Move the background gadget to where you'd like it to go. I prefer to put it at the very bottom of the rightmost sidebar. Most blogs load from top to bottom, left to right. I would rather my readers be able to view my content while waiting for my background to load. Click here for help moving gadgets.

That's it! Hope this tip helps! :)

Related Posts:
Backgrounds: Move That Code!
Improve Your Loading Time
Rearrange The Gadgets In Your Sidebar

Have you been helped by my tips? Consider grabbing my button or adding this blog to your bloglist!

Want to share this tip with your readers?I would be honored for you to link back to this post!

ALL CONTENT © SNEAKY MOMMA BLOG DESIGN Please do not copy and paste my words and images into your own posts.I work hard on my tips and and wish for everything to remain on this blog. Thank you for your cooperation! :)

Having Comment Problems?

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:54:00 +0000

You're not alone! A quick trip to the Blogger Help Group shows that MANY people are still having trouble commenting on the posts of others. Normally, problems like this are fixed within a day or so of Blogger hearing about them. Not this time!

Fortunately, there are a few bloggers out there who have worked hard to come up with a temporary solution to this frustrating problem. If you're having comment woes, check out this post. Hope it helps! :)

Now Accepting New Makeover Orders!

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:47:00 +0000

Click on image above to see an example of a basic makeover!

I will be taking a limited number of orders from new customers this summer. If you have been thinking about hiring someone to help you with your blog, I'd love to be your gal!

I offer one basic makeover ($35 excluding cost of design kit/images) with tons of add-on options. My add-ons (odds and ends) are available to everyone, regardless of whether you are ordering a makeover package or not. Order two or more odds and ends and take 10% off your entire order!

Please take a look through the following pages to see if I might be the right fit for you. Who knows? We might be working together real soon!

Makeovers
Odds and Ends
FAQ/Policy
Portfolio
Place an Order

Questions about a potential order? Feel free to contact me!

Please note: Due to an overwhelming number of requests, I am unable to give free blog help via email. Please submit your question in the comments section of any of my posts so that many may benefit from my answer. Be sure to subscribe to future comments so that you will know when I reply to your question.

Why You Should Move Your Background Code

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Mon, 23 May 2011 14:51:00 +0000

There are so many free backgrounds out there. The only problem is that they often make your blog load slowly. If you like to decorate the sides of your blog with backgrounds made by others, this tip is for you!

Most blogs load from top to bottom, left to right. A custom background code will often be the heaviest image on your blog. I don't know about you, but a background is the last thing I want my readers to see. I would rather my content load first, then my background.

Most sites instruct you to paste their background codes into an HTML gadget, but seldom do they encourage you to move the gadget once you've installed it. I suggest pasting the code into an HTML gadget, then moving the gadget to the very bottom of the rightmost sidebar. This will help your content load faster, which will give an impression of a faster loading blog. Click here for help on moving the gadgets in your sidebar. SUPER easy!

Coming Soon:
How To Install Your Own Background
Store Your Full Sized Background Images For Free!

Related Posts:
Improve The Loading Time Of Your Blog
Awesome Links For Blog Help/Free Backgrounds
Rearrange Your Sidebar Gadgets

Have you been helped by my tips?Consider grabbing my button or adding this blog to your bloglist!
Want to share this tip with your readers?I would be honored for you to link back to this post!
ALL CONTENT © SNEAKY MOMMA BLOG DESIGN Please do not copy and paste my words and images into your own posts.I work hard on my tips and and wish for everything to remain on this blog. Thank you for your cooperation! :)

Links: Photos and Images

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Mon, 16 May 2011 15:36:00 +0000

Did you know that you can link photo/images in your posts to another website, blog or post? If you use your blog to promote your online business, this tip can help increase the traffic from your blog to your site. Post a photo of one of your products and link it directly to where it can be purchased. Doing this will reduce the amount of work your customers have to do to find and purchase your product. Never a bad thing!

How to link up a photo - new editor

1. Upload the photo to your post while in compose mode.
Click on any image in this tip for an enlarged view.
2. Click on the photo/image. The image will become highlighted and a thin placement box will appear below it. While the photo/image is highlighted, click on the blue word "Link" on the editor toolbar.

4. Type in the url of the site/blog/post that you want to link the photo/image to. Click here for help linking to another blog/site or here for help linking to a specific post.

5. Click on OK.

How to link up a photo - old editor

1. Upload the photo to your post while in compose mode.
2. Click on the photo. A thin box should appear around it.
3. Click on the link button, circled in blue below.

4. Type in the url of the site/blog/post that you want to link the photo/image to.

5. Click on OK.

Want these links to open in new windows? Follow this tip! It's a good idea to make the links on your blog open in a new window any time they link to another blog/website. :)

This tip can be helpful for those of you who often link to other blogs/sites. For example: I wanted to share some awesome, easy-to-understand blog tips by Donna over at Funky Junk Interiors. I copied her button image and linked it to her blog tip page. If you click on the image above, you will be taken there. Go check 'em out!

Related Posts:
How To Easily Switch Between Old and New Editors
Format Your Links To Open In New Windows
Linking To Another Blog/Website
Linking To A Specific Post

Have you been helped by my tips?

Consider grabbing my button or adding this blog to your bloglist!
Want to share this tip with your readers?I would be honored for you to link back to this post!
ALL CONTENT © SNEAKY MOMMA BLOG DESIGN Please do not copy and paste my words and images into your own posts.I work hard on my tips and and wish for everything to remain on this blog. Thank you for your cooperation! :)

Share Buttons For Customized Templates - Intermediate

noreply@blogger.com (Jill @ Sneaky Momma) — Mon, 09 May 2011 15:39:00 +0000

If you have had difficulty adding the share buttons to the bottom of your posts, this tip is for you!

A little while ago, Blogger came out with a super easy way to add share buttons. To get the buttons, all you had to do was check a little box in your edit posts section. These buttons appeared instantly if you had an original, untouched Blogger template. Problem is that once the post footer section (for signatures, post separators/dividers) has been changed, the share button trick probably won't work.

I figured out an easy way around that issue. It's not very hard to add the buttons, but it does require that you make a change to the HTML of your template. Be sure to download a current copy of your template before beginning.

How To Add Share Buttons To A Tweaked Template:

1. Download your template, then click on Expand Widget Templates.

Click on images to enlarge.

2. Scroll down until you see
<div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-3">

Windows users: Click here for a tip on how to find things easily within the HTML of your template.

3. Paste the following code directly behind the above code: <span class="post-share-buttons"><b:include data="post" name="shareButtons"></b:include></span>

4. Preview and Save.

Don't like where the share buttons appear? You can experiment with pasting the code in other lines of your post footer. For example: I pasted the code immediately behind the quick edit pencil icon on post footer line 1 because I wanted the share buttons to appear after the comment line instead of below it. Modifying the placement of the code makes this an advanced tip, so use extreme caution and go super slow.

If I have put a signature or post separator on your blog and you desire share buttons without the hassle, I can add them to your blog for $5.

Oh, and a little unrelated bit of information: I will be accepting new makeover orders this summer. More details to come!

Related Posts:
Add Share Buttons To Your Posts!
Add Tweets To Your Sidebar!
Fun Facebook Symbols

Have you been helped by my tips? Consider grabbing my button or adding this blog to your bloglist!

Want to share this tip with your readers?I would be honored for you to link back to this post!

ALL CONTENT © SNEAKY MOMMA BLOG DESIGN Please do not copy and paste my words and images into your posts.I work hard on my tips and and wish for everything to stay on my blog. Thank you for your cooperation! :)