beginning bloggers . . . i have found the answer to 'how do I get my treasured blogging badges to scroll?"! ah, getting misty again . . .

I love my bloggy friends' blog buttons. I think they are pretty and I love anything that showcases peoples' creativity. Over the two months or so that I have been blogging, I have developed quite a collection of great buttons of lovely blogs. I have been admiring the scrolling marquis approach on many a sophisticated blog for some time now and was keeping that in the back of my mind as My Next Great Blog Adjustment Project. Lo and behold, McKlinky sends me a note with all of the clues -- literally fell out of the sky. Love that! Here it is for everyone else that might want to give it a go . . . (Oh, and minor tweak -- I widened the pixels from 125 to 185 to fit the wider badges favored by some of my friends -- you'll see what I mean when you review the code.)
McLinky's Scrolling Marquis Widget Advice
Enjoy!

thanks, brown couch, for the puppy! ;) (and the words of encouragement . . . )

Brown Couch took the time to make this little guy for her blog-hopping friends on the McLinky blog hop this week -- very sweet! You can pick up the code at her site at comfortjoydesigns. Thanks, Brown Couch, for spreading some love!

beginning bloggers unite :) . . .

It has been a delight to visit many sweet blogs and visit my new button made especially for me by She Designs, She Inspires, She Creates. I thank each of you for sharing your support with me. I struggled for the past six weeks of my blogging experience to figure out a way to create my very own grab button. I could not figure it out to save myself. In a single weekend, 'She Inspires' turned around a beautiful button that completely reflected my blogging home. Fellow bloggers, especially for my fellow beginners, please peek into her little nest. She has freebies (see my precious new blinkie above my girls?) and links to her Etsy store. Her "she inspires" button on the left of my site will take you straight there . . .

my tiny studio in reflection . . .

After a month or so of beginning a blog and developing a little jewelry studio, I find myself even more excited about what lies ahead. It has been lovely to visit so many spots in the world. I am making progress forward in something that, while separate from my family, can accommodate the many demands of being a mom. The laundry hasn't stopped, the running to dance classes continues, food shopping keeps getting done and I am still coordinating my mothers' group. But, I have found something that is unique to me. An opportunity to use my brain muscles in new ways while still treasuring the gift that it is to be with my sweet little girls at home. This week has been full of surprises. I have made new friends and am so grateful for the lovely women that have chosen to follow and support me. I am grateful to their example, their advice and their guidance. I have honed my blog a bit. Added favorite music through Playlist. Participated in my first Blog Hop through MckLinky. Joined several Mommy Blogging Communities and hope to meet more friends there. I have opened up a PayPal account and ordered my very own "Grab My Button" from Oh My Gluestick. (So excited!) I held my first giveaway and look forward to hearing from "the mommy" with her mailing address. I photographed and crafted more jewelry. I am crafting two speciality orders that will be completed by next Friday. Finally, I began my Etsy shop. This is a great feeling. It is exciting to be part of a giant community. I continue to look forward to continuing to honor all that is pretty and to making connections with other moms. May your weekend be blessed! Thank you for being you!

it is time . . .

I feel officially ready. It is time. Yes, it is time for my own grab button. ;) After a few weeks of getting my feet wet, I am tickled at the thought of having my own button to share. It is with great anticipation and excitement that I am going to go peek into "Oh My Gluestick's" sister site, She Inspires, http://sheinspires.blogspot.com, to place a button order. And, while I am there, I simply must take a minute to visit everything else in her Etsy shop. :) Just lovely, lovely treasures. And, my new goal? An Etsy shop by this time next year . . . ;) Tiny steps forward, sweet friends, tiny steps forward. Now off to "She Inspires" . . . oh, please come follow me! Her absolutely picture-perfect button is to my left . . . have you SEEN all of her pretty buttons?

Learning about button-making . . .

There are tons of different sites with information about templates and buttons. It can be a bit overwhelming. Lots and lots of beautiful backgrounds. The button (free) templates have been a bit more elusive -- but then again, the pretty ones are mini-pieces of art and the creators, artists! I found a great site that is extremely user-friendly and therefore right up my inexperienced alley. It is www.cooltext.com. Just can't quite figure out how to do the cool button on the side of my website, link back, etc. Time for laundry and dishwashing. Oh and the kids are here for a pool party!