Free Blogger Tile Background

In search of inspiration for my new blog design, I came across this pattern:

So simple and yet I think it is stunning. Just had to make it. It's also a nice change from the typical pinstripe backgrounds.
I have spent very little time online this past winter...and was feeling totally lost as to how to even write a blog post! Searching for some blogger tutorials I came across this site Simple Blogger Tutorials. Though most of the tutorials are for adding code to customize your blog, some show simple steps for using the bloggers Template Designer. Before altering your blog...be sure to save it!!
Here are the steps to add one of the tiles to your own blog: Download and unzip the backgrounds below, log into your Blogger Template Designer, Click on Background, click on Background Image little down arrow, Upload image, Browse to find the tile on your PC or Mac and start uploading your image ( I am using the Simple template in the template options). Under Alignment, choose Tile. I have also checked off Scroll with page, but this is does not need to be checked off for a tiling pattern. Here's a screen shot:

The freebie is a low resolution repeating/tiling pattern in several colors at 96dpi. I included the low res photoshop .pat file too. There is also a transparent png file included for customizing your own colors for this. For personal or commercial use. Please don't resell as is though! Download the zip file from mediafire.
Here is a preview of most of the patterns included:

Download from Mediafire

Each tile in the set is only 36px by 22px...super tiny so that it loads super fast! The preview shows the pattern used as a fill. Like the pattern on my blog today? Right click and view the background image...that super tiny image is an exampe of the tiles found in the download.
Look for the high resolution printable version of this later this week.
Oh...while on the subject of blog backgrounds, here are two of my favorite sites for blog design freebies....I'm sure most of you have heard of them...but just in case:
Pugly Pixel
fuzzimo

Giveaway winner!

Congratulations goes to Leslie! Please contact me via etsy convo or email to collect your prize!

 

Busy creating some new stuff for my etsy shop...in between cleaning out the dead plants from last years vegetable garden, and doing the regular spring cleaning.  Here's a little photo of my crafting corner all neat, tidy, and ready for crafting! It never looks this clean.

 And a sneak peak at whats to come. I think I have finally figured out the best way to scan, extract, and convert my doodles into digital format. Too many failed experiments, including re-doodling using a finer marker. Here is a doodle project in the works, almost ready to convert to digital format!

Tomorrow will be a busy work day for me...lots of doodles have been scanned ready to convert to some sort of digital format for playing with in Photoshop. I am hoping that this next doodled woodgrain will turn out nice...we'll see.

iNSD weekend Giveaway

 A little note...this post is mostly geared to those that are interested in getting started in personal digital scrapbooking. Looking for the contest giveaway? Skip to the end of the post!

I am a little sad that I will be missing out on iNSD (inter National Scrapbooking Day) this weekend. We are heading up north for the weekend...and will likely not have an internet connection.

There will be some great freebies and sales to be had this weekend for iNSD. Persnickety Prints has a roundup of a bunch of the digital deals going on. The Daily Digi usually has a list of great deals too.

iNSD weekend is a great time to get started in digital scrapbooking. There are lots of high quality freebies and super discounts. It can be hard getting started though...as the learning curve is high if you've never used a program that uses layers before. I get lots of questions from customers about how to get started. I started a pinterest list of tutorials. My Digi Scrap Tutorials board has lots of links to some great tutorials found on the web.

Here are a few more tips on getting started:

1. Find your scrapping style.
This way you don't waste money, time, and harddrive space on stuff you won't use. Here are some links to free, open, digital scrapbooking online galleries.
My Scrapbook Art Gallery
The Daily Digi's Flicker Pool Digital Scrapbooking Inspiration

Open means that you can post layouts that contain digital supplies from any and all sources. There are also "closed" galleries belonging to digi scrap stores where you can only use digital items from their store designers...or a minimum amount (say 50%) from their designers on the layouts you share in the gallery.
Find some layouts that you really love and you will get an idea of the type of kits you will want to get started. I love pinterest for this part...you can get an idea of my personal style here. One warning...it's a large mish mash of a pin board!!

2. Read through the Daily Digi's Digital Scrapbooking Manual

3. Pick a program that has the ability to utilize transparent layers. It is very easy to find tutorials for using Photoshop Elements, and I suggest using this as your starting program...but up to you if you would like to give something else a try. Most programs have a free trial.

4. Download a few free kits and start learning how to use that program! Find a tutorial for creating your first page (link is for an Elements tutorial). This is the hardest part...learning how to use layers...ect. I am still learning new things years later btw.

5. Start a shopping list! This is where the open galleries come in handy. A list of the digital products used in each layout are added to the layouts description in these online galleries. (You will need to learn how to do this later if you wish to share your finished layouts in an online public gallery like one of the ones listed above.)

6. I am totally in love with The Daily Digi monthly membership. The Digi File members get over $50 of digital scrapbooking supplies, layout ideas, techniques, tutorials, and exclusive collections for only $7.50 per month.  Usually you get at least 7 full kits per month, plus extra goodies each month. There is a variety of different kit/designer styles each month too. The following is my personal affiliate link:

 (for those that don't like affiliate links....go here to signup or find out more)

7. Sometimes...try as you might...it may be too time consuming to get layouts done. Or the learning curve is just too great. There are also kits out there that contain what are called Quick Pages...or QP for short. A quick page is a finished scrapbooking layout...with a cutout area for you to plop your photo(s) into. Some designers will have a whole set of matching quick pages so that you can create an entire album in a very short amount of time. 

Here is a tutorial on how to use a Quick Page in PSE from the Designer Digitals site.

8. Starting something new can be overwhelming at first...take your time...go at your own pace...drink your tea (or other calming beverage of choice), and most of all have fun. Oh..and you might want to join a forum. The Digital Scrapbook Place has a Beginners Learning Digital Scrapbooking forum. There are hundreds of forums out there for you to find...simply do a google search for "digital scrapbook forum".

9. Need more help? There are also online classes that you can take. The JessicaSprague site has some great classes. Again...hundreds of online classes can be found by doing a google search for these. I suggest asking in the forums about a particular class first to be sure is it at the level you are looking for.

And last but not least is my iNSD giveway. 

It's been a while since my last contest/giveaway...but here it goes. Contest is open to all...One grand prize of digital kits worth $30 from my etsy shop are up for grabs. To enter once...add a little reply to this post ( a simple "hello" will do). To enter a second time you can do one of the following:

1. Follow me on pinterest or one of my pinterest boards

2. Pin your favorite product from my etsy shop and reply below with the link

3. Reply with a list of 3 of your favorites from my etsy shop

4. Reply with a link to something you've made using one of my kits (does not need to be 100% made with my digi products...Even a little snippet that you printed, cut and pasted to a card).

Contest closes at midnight EST May 7th 2012. Winner will be chosen at random...and announced May 8th. Good luck to everyone!