Erin Bradley
DIY Web Graphics

Unsure if the DIY social media sets are right for your blog?
Here are some of my uploading tips.

These instructions are meant for customizing blogger’s “Simple” template which is what I’ve found to be the easiest way to upload DIY graphics & customize a design on blogger.

If you have started a brand new blog chances are you are already on this template. If you are currently using one of blogger’s previous templates (around March/April ‘10 or earlier) or if you have a custom design I would first recommend BACKING UP your current design before switching to the “Simple” template (as some of your custom CSS or html codes, if you have them, could disappear). If you have anything currently on your blog that you simply cannot lose (like a custom font, etc.) I would recommend adding the background design in via html code instead of switching the template over.

GETTING STARTED

UPLOAD YOUR AVATAR
If you would like to change your profile picture to the avatar included in the package, click on the “edit photo” link on your dashboard to upload the new design.

UPLOAD YOUR BLOG HEADER
While logged into your dashboard click on the “design link”. On the “design” page you should see the name of your blog and to the right of that an “edit” link. Click on the edit link.

This is where you will upload your new blog header. Choose the image from your computer (which will be the file I send you titled “banner”) and then save. Once the file has successfully uploaded you’ll be prompted to choose the placement of it. Choose the “instead of title and description” option and click save.

UPLOAD YOUR BACKGROUND
While you are still on the design page go to the “template designer” link at the top. The first thing you’ll see is a “templates” link. You’ll want to choose the simple template. Again, if you are not already on this template or if you have anything on your current design that you cannot lose like custom fonts, I recommend adding the background via html code.

Now move down to the “background” link. You’ll see a box that says “background image”. Click on that and then choose “upload image.”

“Browse” to choose your background. (Titled “background” from the files I send you).

Once you see your background in the box, click on it so it is highlighted and then click “done”. You can leave the alignment as is, but change “don’t tile” to “tile”. Also make sure the “scroll with page” option is NOT checked, otherwise it may make your background look choppy on some web browsers.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR COLORS/LAYOUT
Refer to the “layout”, “adjust widths” and “advanced” links on the left as well as your color chart to customize the rest of the design to your liking. When finished click on “apply to blog” and then view your new design.

ADDING TABS

Blogger also has a great new feature called tabs which I love. This is so you can add some quick & easy reference information to your blog for FAQ’s, contact info, etc. To add tabs go into the posting screen like you were going to start a new post, but instead of a new post, go to the “edit pages” link to the right.

Then choose “new page”.

Here is where you can enter the title for your new page and the text you want on this page (it is really similar to writing blog posts). When you are done click on “publish page.”

Now blogger will ask you how you would like your new tabs set up. I choose the “blog tabs” option so these show up at the top of the page. You can have up to 10 tabs so repeat these steps for adding in the rest of your pages.

Ink Obsession Designs by Erin Bradley specializes in unique, modern and trendy invitations, announcements and graphic design goodies including but not limited to printable baby shower invitations, bridal shower invitations, birthday party invitations, moving announcements and more. The collection also includes graphic design items and services for personal and commercial use including logos, business card designs, blog and website templates, etsy shop sets, photoshop templates,clipart and digital paper packs.

Designs protected under United States copyright law. Any attempt to recreate and distribute these designs will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

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