Advice about Starting & Promoting a Fashion Blog - See Post #1 for Thread Rules

[Susanna-Cole]

Can I download Paint from internet?

Why don't you download Gimp instead? It's free and it's miles more comprehensive than Paint.

 

[Susanna-Cole]

Apologies for double posting, however, I'm in the midst of changing my blog's layout, and was wondering, do any of you know a code fix for png alpha transparency issue in older IE browsers, that would work with Blogger/Blogspot?

 

[sedirea]

I dont think there is a code fix. Older I.E. versions just cant handle transparent PNGs correctly.

 

[Susanna-Cole]

I dont think there is a code fix. Older I.E. versions just cant handle transparent PNGs correctly.

I did some research and there are fixes, often with javascript, it's just that I don't know how to install/insert those codes on Blogspot, because the instructions for them pertain to hosted sites, using FTP and such, I believe ... coding has never been my strong point.

Thanks for the response though! For now I'm faking transparency with jpg images, though I can never get the background colors to match precisely (the image background and the Blogspot background), despite using the same HEX color code...I mean it's a near match, but if you look closely, you can see the slight difference. Oh, well.

 

[EnVogueLove]

Why don't you download Gimp instead? It's free and it's miles more comprehensive than Paint.

I installed Gimp.
So I just open images that I want and then save that ?
Sorry, I don't know really have to work with phootshop and that kind of stuff

 

[Susanna-Cole]

I installed Gimp.
So I just open images that I want and then save that ?
Sorry, I don't know really have to work with phootshop and that kind of stuff

Oh, no need to apologize! I was a beginner once, as well.

If I'm understanding correctly, you're looking to make a banner with multiple images, yes?

Once you've opened up Gimp, it'll be easiest if you create a new (blank) image to work on. It's File > New, then you can type in the pixel size you'd like. For example, my header is 900 x 170 pixels. If you've seen a blog with a banner size you like, you can always see what the dimensions are and begin with that.

Next you'll want to open the photos for your banner: File > Open. Depending on the original size of these, and how many you want on your banner, you may need to resize. To do this go the Image > Scale Image..., enter the pixel size you like.

Beforehand, if you'd like to crop any of the images, you can go to Tools > Transform Tools > Crop, there are also many effects and tools you can play around with to edit photos, if you like, see especially the Colors tab.

Now, if you'd like to start adding this images to your blank banner, go the the image (you want to add), and up in the tabs bar Edit > Copy. If the copy is a light gray and disabled, you may need to select the image first, it's Select > All, then copy.

Switching to your blank banner, go to Edit > Paste As > New Layer. Arrange it to your liking. Use the Move tool if needed, it should be located in your Toolbox, which is (at least on a Mac) in a separate pop-out frame. If you hold your mouse over any of the tools there, it should reveal the tool's purpose in an extending box of text. And of course, repeat these steps for the rest of your images. There should be another pop-out frame, that says Layers, Channels, etc..., if not, check under Windows > Recently Closed Docks or Dockable Dialogues where I believe you can build one. This box is helpful, as you can easily access various layers and switch from one to another, or drag and drop a layer above or below another.

When you're finished, it's of course File > Save As.

Gimp is actually a very comprehensive program for being free, and offers many of the same tools as paid programs, if you're interested in expanding your skill set, you can always play around, trial and error, or look up tutorials for Gimp or see if they have any demos, I think they might, not sure though. I started using photo programs when I was about twelve, and have always been mostly trial and error, which has resulted in many headaches, however, I'm relentless.

Let me know if you have any questions, and I'll try my best to answer them. I hope this makes some sense, you can always search online for video tutorials or ones with screencaptures may be easier to swallow than this.

 

[nita-karoliina]

Thanks guys for the help. I think cos my blog is more about the photos so the clean "no picture header,only text" suits better..

 

[EnVogueLove]

Oh, no need to apologize! I was a beginner once, as well.

If I'm understanding correctly, you're looking to make a banner with multiple images, yes?

Once you've opened up Gimp, it'll be easiest if you create a new (blank) image to work on. It's File > New, then you can type in the pixel size you'd like. For example, my header is 900 x 170 pixels. If you've seen a blog with a banner size you like, you can always see what the dimensions are and begin with that.

Next you'll want to open the photos for your banner: File > Open. Depending on the original size of these, and how many you want on your banner, you may need to resize. To do this go the Image > Scale Image..., enter the pixel size you like.

Beforehand, if you'd like to crop any of the images, you can go to Tools > Transform Tools > Crop, there are also many effects and tools you can play around with to edit photos, if you like, see especially the Colors tab.

Now, if you'd like to start adding this images to your blank banner, go the the image (you want to add), and up in the tabs bar Edit > Copy. If the copy is a light gray and disabled, you may need to select the image first, it's Select > All, then copy.

Switching to your blank banner, go to Edit > Paste As > New Layer. Arrange it to your liking. Use the Move tool if needed, it should be located in your Toolbox, which is (at least on a Mac) in a separate pop-out frame. If you hold your mouse over any of the tools there, it should reveal the tool's purpose in an extending box of text. And of course, repeat these steps for the rest of your images. There should be another pop-out frame, that says Layers, Channels, etc..., if not, check under Windows > Recently Closed Docks or Dockable Dialogues where I believe you can build one. This box is helpful, as you can easily access various layers and switch from one to another, or drag and drop a layer above or below another.

When you're finished, it's of course File > Save As.

Gimp is actually a very comprehensive program for being free, and offers many of the same tools as paid programs, if you're interested in expanding your skill set, you can always play around, trial and error, or look up tutorials for Gimp or see if they have any demos, I think they might, not sure though. I started using photo programs when I was about twelve, and have always been mostly trial and error, which has resulted in many headaches, however, I'm relentless.

Let me know if you have any questions, and I'll try my best to answer them. I hope this makes some sense, you can always search online for video tutorials or ones with screencaptures may be easier to swallow than this.

Thank you so much. It's really easy
But without you I wouldn't know what to do at all

I have just one question....how to put images next to each other...cause when I paste another image into my blank banner that image is on my first image...how to move second image next to first one ?

 

[Andrea.RL]

hi guys!
FrenchCactus recommended me to come here to ask questions so here I am.
I wanted to know if you guys have advice on how to write for your blog...
I have a hard time with it, and I have a lot of ideas and things I want to share. Most of the time I write articles and then go back I wonder if I should have posted it or not...
Also wondering how to post nice big images on blogger... For some reason the column on the right cuts them up, even videos...

thanks in advance!

 

[Susanna-Cole]

Thank you so much. It's really easy
But without you I wouldn't know what to do at all

I have just one question....how to put images next to each other...cause when I paste another image into my blank banner that image is on my first image...how to move second image next to first one ?

Aw, yay! Happy I could help, and that it was easy for you!

Oh, you should be to click down on it, and don't lift up while you move around the image, then release when you have it where you want? If that doesn't work, make sure you've clicked the Move tool in the Toolbox, you certainly should be able to move it with that. Once you add a new layer though, I believe the only way you can move a previous layer is to switch layers using using the Layers box, over in the other pop out frame.

Let me know if that's still not working!

 

[Susanna-Cole]

Also wondering how to post nice big images on blogger... For some reason the column on the right cuts them up, even videos...

thanks in advance!

It's cut off because of the frame you're posting into has a set size, and isn't made to stretch. There are two ways you could go about fixing this, one, if you know how, I believe you could go to the template, find the codes that regard to the frame size and edit them, easier though would be to go to your Dashboard than the Designer link and simply pick a different template with a wider frame. Hope this helps!

 

[Andrea.RL]

^YES it does! Thank you very much!

 

[EnVogueLove]

Aw, yay! Happy I could help, and that it was easy for you!

Oh, you should be to click down on it, and don't lift up while you move around the image, then release when you have it where you want? If that doesn't work, make sure you've clicked the Move tool in the Toolbox, you certainly should be able to move it with that. Once you add a new layer though, I believe the only way you can move a previous layer is to switch layers using using the Layers box, over in the other pop out frame.

Let me know if that's still not working!

So I made it and I saved it as: mylayout.xcf and when I try to upload it on my blogspot it's not working. Should I try open my gimp layout with some other program?

Sorry for asking so many question. I use my laptop only for internet... I don't know how to work with programs at all

 

[Boots & Perfume]

hi guys!
FrenchCactus recommended me to come here to ask questions so here I am.
I wanted to know if you guys have advice on how to write for your blog...
I have a hard time with it, and I have a lot of ideas and things I want to share. Most of the time I write articles and then go back I wonder if I should have posted it or not...
Also wondering how to post nice big images on blogger... For some reason the column on the right cuts them up, even videos...

thanks in advance!

I agree with French Cactus - I think you're being too hard on yourself. Your blog is really coming along, and soon you'll find your own style/voice. My only advice would be to make your pictures bigger so they stand out more (I'm on Wordpress so not sure how to do this on blogger, but sure someone else on here will be able to help with that).

Re: knowing what to post about - I always have ideas floating around in my head (usually so many that I only get around to posting half of them before they're outdated) and mull over most of them before I actually write a post. If it's something you've been thinking about, just write it, scan a preview to proofread and check you're happy with how it looks and reads, then post it. If it's something you've just thought of, maybe write it, save a draft, then come back a day later. If you're still happy with it then post it then.

Hope that helps

 

[Susanna-Cole]

So I made it and I saved it as: mylayout.xcf and when I try to upload it on my blogspot it's not working. Should I try open my gimp layout with some other program?

Sorry for asking so many question. I use my laptop only for internet... I don't know how to work with programs at all

Aw, it's okay, don't worry! It's likely your file type (sorry, didn't think to mention what to save it as), open it again in Gimp, and try re-saving by switching the file type to either a .png or .jpg file type. If it's important to preserve quality you'd best save it as a png, however, png file types can load slowly on some computers and browsers, and you may want to consider that since it may be frustrating to visitors of your blog if the banner has trouble loading or loads very slowly. With jpg/jpeg images the quality will be lowered a little (depending, sometimes it's not very noticeable), unless saved with Photoshop or a similar high end program in which you can save it as a high quality jpg, but they load quickly for most everyone. Save it as png, then jpg, if you want to compare the quality between the two. (I always save as png first, as quality is perfect, if you do jpg first you may not be able to get the original quality back later).

If you really want a high quality jpg and don't have Photoshop or any program that will do the trick, if you like, you can send me the banner in a PM or leave me a comment, and I can save it as a HQ in Photoshop and send in back to you. (I used to always have friends do that for me, before I had a program that could. )

Sorry this was a bit overwhelming long. I'm lousy at writing short and to the point.

 

[EnVogueLove]

Aw, it's okay, don't worry! It's likely your file type (sorry, didn't think to mention what to save it as), open it again in Gimp, and try re-saving by switching the file type to either a .png or .jpg file type. If it's important to preserve quality you'd best save it as a png, however, png file types can load slowly on some computers and browsers, and you may want to consider that since it may be frustrating to visitors of your blog if the banner has trouble loading or loads very slowly. With jpg/jpeg images the quality will be lowered a little (depending, sometimes it's not very noticeable), unless saved with Photoshop or a similar high end program in which you can save it as a high quality jpg, but they load quickly for most everyone. Save it as png, then jpg, if you want to compare the quality between the two. (I always save as png first, as quality is perfect, if you do jpg first you may not be able to get the original quality back later).

If you really want a high quality jpg and don't have Photoshop or any program that will do the trick, if you like, you can send me the banner in a PM or leave me a comment, and I can save it as a HQ in Photoshop and send in back to you. (I used to always have friends do that for me, before I had a program that could. )

Sorry this was a bit overwhelming long. I'm lousy at writing short and to the point.

Now it's working and I have a new layout
Thank you so much

 

[FrenchCactus]

Re: knowing what to post about - I always have ideas floating around in my head (usually so many that I only get around to posting half of them before they're outdated) and mull over most of them before I actually write a post. If it's something you've been thinking about, just write it, scan a preview to proofread and check you're happy with how it looks and reads, then post it. If it's something you've just thought of, maybe write it, save a draft, then come back a day later. If you're still happy with it then post it then.

We definitely agree on many things
I write down the topics I want to blog about so I don't forget about anything. This gives me time to think about them, how I could present my ideas, etc., while writing other posts. And sometimes you come across an article or a website about the topic you want to blog about, so the list I have reminds me to save those as they can help me write in a more detailed manner.
I also write my posts in advance and come back to it a few hours later before actually posting them, because I find it easier to judge if they're OK that way.

 

[YSMR]

We definitely agree on many things
I write down the topics I want to blog about so I don't forget about anything. This gives me time to think about them, how I could present my ideas, etc., while writing other posts. And sometimes you come across an article or a website about the topic you want to blog about, so the list I have reminds me to save those as they can help me write in a more detailed manner.
I also write my posts in advance and come back to it a few hours later before actually posting them, because I find it easier to judge if they're OK that way.

You guys are so organized, some of the time I do write down my post ideas but for the most part just follow my in-the-moment-inspiration because when I let things simmer I tend to forget or get bored and not get around to them at all.

 

[EnVogueLove]

http://theonlyfashionprincess.blogspot.com/

So on this blog you can see right where it says:send me an e-mail and there is a picture of it.

I am also on blogspot and I would like that on my blog to, so people could send me e-mail if they want to ask me something.

Please help me , dear tfs-ers

 

[Susanna-Cole]

http://theonlyfashionprincess.blogspot.com/

So on this blog you can see right where it says:send me an e-mail and there is a picture of it.

I am also on blogspot and I would like that on my blog to, so people could send me e-mail if they want to ask me something.

Please help me , dear tfs-ers

Try the following code in a HTML/JavaScript gadget. Fill in with your email address and a link to the image you want people to click to send you mail. I adjusted this code a bit, from another code I've been using, let me know if for any reason it doesn't work.

<a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px dotted" alt="Click to email me." src="YourImageURL" /></a>

Though, may I kindly advise, if you use this, still list your email address beneath the image, because when using this code, the email address will only open in a program like Outlook, and for anyone who doesn't use/have a desktop email program, they may have a hard time obtaining your email address. By making it visible, as well, it gives the option of people the option of copying and pasting the address into whatever email server they use.

Or instead of an image, you can make it a text link with your email address (which is what I do), gives the option of either a quick click, or copy + paste.