Blog Buttons

*Please Note: This page will only be available to the public for a short amount of time*

I know.  This is not at all related to nature!  But I suppose in a way it is related a bit to photography.  

Katydids and Bluebirds asked:

"I was wondering... how do you make blog buttons for your blog?"

 That's a GREAT question!  It took me a while to figure out how to make them with my standards:

1. I was NOT willing to pay anything.  (who is?)

2. I wanted to do it myself.

3. It had to be one of my pictures that I used.  

You might have different standards but these are mine.  A friend suggested a site called Picnik.  It has worked for me ever since and I make all my buttons using it.  Sadly, Picnik has decided to close on April 19.  :(  This is especially sad for me because this means that I will have to find something else to make my buttons on.      

But until then it can be used!  And the good thing is that you can now use all of their "premium" stuff for free, because they are closing down!!! 

I'll show you by steps how to make your own blog button:

*Note: For this tutorial I'll be using this photo:

1.  When you get to the home page of Picnik you'll see the button "upload a photo".  And like I said.. you won't be paying for ANYTHING!!   

2. When your photo is uploaded you can start editing.  The first thing you should do is "resize" your photo.  Don't be confused by "crop" and "resize".  For a blog button you'll want anything around the size 150x171:

3. After resizing you can adjust things to your liking, like sharpen, adjust colors, rotate, etc...

4. Then you can explore your options!  Effects, Stickers, Touch-up and Featured have plenty of options.  I chose not to add anything to my photo from there though.  

5. Next you can add text.  

6. Then I add a pretty frame.  I chose to add "rounded edges" to mine:

7. Then you save your photo!!  And you have your button!!  

Here's how to put it on your blog:

1. Go to your blogs "layout" page and click "add a gadget".

2. Find the "add a picture" and upload the button that you just created. 

3.  Right above your picture you should have a little box that says you can put a link on your picture. In this box you put your blog's URL.  

There you have it!!  A happy blog button for your blog!!  I hope this tutorial was helpful.  If you have any questions then please don't be afraid to ask me!!  :)