Holidays

Tips and Tricks #23

I was about to write how long it's been since I posted a tips and tricks - but it's actually been 2 weeks since I posted anything at all! A bit busy at work you see, and Miss M has suddenly decided to turn into a wild beast....anyway....here's a tip for those who are wondering - how to make a tag cloud (the address book over there in my sidebar). All it is really, is a list of links, without spaces in between and formatted with a bit of colour and font size. Easy! But time consuming....so make a cuppa and get get comfy!

There's a few things you need to decide upon first:
1) Your colour scheme. Choose colours from here or do a google search. Take note of the codes that start with the #symbol. These codes are needed for the tag cloud.
2) Your font sizes. As an example, my font sizes range from 10px to 20px.
3) Whether you write your tag cloud html directly into Blogger or use a text editor first then copy into Blogger later. I use a text editor because the code for my address book tag cloud is quite long. Here is my file that you can use as a template (right click and 'save target as').

Now you're ready to start. Either open up your text editor (or for direct entry into Blogger go to Customise / Layout / Page Elements > Add Gadget > add "html/javascript".)

Step 1) The opening code is as follows. You can change the items to suit your blog appearance (change width, background colour, font). The width amount needs to be equal or less than the width of your sidebar. You can find the width of your sidebar in the customise > layout > edit html area of your template. Email me if you need help with that.

<div style="width: 150px; background-color: #FFFFFF; text-align: enter; font-family: 'Arial', Helvetica;">

Step 2) Then you can start typing in links for the tag cloud. The following is the basis for all your links. Simply repeat the same code over and over, changing the colour, font size, link address and link name for each new link (highlighted in green).

Step 3) The last piece of code to type is:

</div>

This "closes off" your newly written tag cloud code.

Step 4) If you're in a text editor, copy the entire text and head back over to your blog to the customise > page elements > add a gadget > html/javascript and paste in the code. Save.

Step 5) Check out your DIY tag cloud and admire your work! As always, if you're having prob's, just email me.

End of the Show

Sunday saw the end of the Stitches and Craft Show. The most amazing people, the most amazing wares. Our Incubator area was full to the brim of talent and I'm rather chuffed to have been included! Thanks to everyone who popped in to say hi, it was lovely to meet you all!

The only downside was that 5 minutes before closing, I noticed that a pair of my baby shoes had been stolen...some sad stealing person must have hung around until the last minute...this would make anyone upset (same thing happened to Betty Jo) but my response was triple double quadruple magnified times 15 (due to something I can't mention as yet). I started to cry and then I got all embarrassed that I was crying. Then, that made me angry and then sad came around again, and, and - ... agh, I don't want to think about it anymore....as this gal says - "Karma's a bitch people"

So, anyway, again, thanks to everyone who came by, thanks to everyone who bought something, and it was a blast!!

There's a heap more photos over here.

Day 4 of 5

...of the Show and it's been a blast so far! Some pics so far, more to come!

The Home Straight

There is 1 day remaining until the start of the Stitches and Craft Show.

Hurdles have been cleared, the corners been turned and I'm about to make the run down the home straight! But, though the finish post is in sight, there are still a few big jumps to complete before everyone in the Leni and Rose household can relax.

Like a big race, the past month of preparations for the Show has required careful preparation and training. Neither event is a mad dash to the end where you run like the wind. No, it's a long race that requires endurance, strength, sustained concentration and the ability to pace yourself so you make it to the finish.

So, for the next 24 hours, stay on track, maintain energy and drink lots of tea!

See you on the flip side!

My Creative Space

...involves a little break from all the stitchin, mod podging and packing up kits for the Show.

Miss M loooves her new bracelet and proudly presents her arm to anyone she encounters!

More creative spaces over here

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Just a Minute in...

I was over at Tinniegirl's and she reminded me that February was over. I like the idea of a quick review of the month gone by (August Street's Just a Minute meme).

Making...bits and pieces for the Stitches and Craft Show. And trying to figure out the layout of my little space. I know my gorgeous wooden ironing board will feature along with the baby shoe tree (wait and see!). The fabric packs with the most delicious fabric inside will have to go somewhere, and so will the wooden baby blocks. The pencil holders and wooden spools might go here, and the Leni Shopper Bags might go there. And the cushions?

I'd also like to be making some more Liberty hair ties (and some make your own kits), but without the buttons...well, not really possible. Yes, I'm still waiting for the postman to arrive with my supplies and I'm starting to panic!

But, on the whole, I'm now quite relaxed and now looking forward to my little display of bits and pieces and other odds and ends. Most of my wares will be 'made to order', a little laundry line with hanging fabric swatches to choose from....well thats whats in the head anyway...

Watching...not much time for good old tv, just a bit of Playschool with Miss M here and there. I must admit, it's actually nice not watching tv too much.

Reading...my Bloglines, but not too much time for this either I'm afraid.

Listening...774 ABC Melbourne. This guy always is always interesting when interviewed.

Whatever-ing...gee, looking back it's pretty obvious whats been on my mind in February.

Head over to August Street for some more Just a Minutes!