If we were having coffee, what would you tell me?

If you’re joining me today, please

- link directly to your post, not your blog

- include a link back so others can join in the fun

- go visit some new friends today + leave them some words of encouragement

The post Coffee Date Friday appeared first on Rags to Stitches.

I’m a huge advocate of sponsoring other blogs each month to drive new traffic + readers to your own blog. With that said, sponsoring even 2-3 different blogs means that you’ll, most likely, need different sized buttons for each. When I started blogging back in the dark ages of 2007 I had no idea how to do any of that. Photoshop Elements was, and still is, overwhelming + Adobe Illustrator is far too expensive to use just for making blog buttons. PicMonkey makes resizing images and creating several sized blog buttons so easy! And yes, to use some of their Royale features there’s a low monthly cost, but I’m tell y’all, it’s with every penny.

Here’s how I create blog buttons using PicMonkey…

Upload Your Image

Upload your image into PicMonkey. It’s very simple. On the front page of the website, simply click, “edit a photo.” This will allow you to upload the image you want to use. I always recommend using an image that will appeal to the blog you are sponsoring. Often times I have different images on each blog I sponsor. PicMonkey makes this so simple and easy to do.

Crop Your Image

How you crop your image depends on the shape of the button you need to create. I’m going to show you how to create a narrow, horizontal image, but you’ll be able to get the idea how you could use these same steps to make a vertical or square button. Don’t be afraid to play around with how you crop your image so it will be appealing to new readers.

Resize Your Image

On the Basic Edits page, the bottom tab will allow you to resize your image. I always resize my image before adding any overlays or my logo because I want all the wording to be visible.

Add an Overlay

An overlay is a shape, image or your own wording or graphic that you want to add to your image. There are many images you can add without paying for Royale, but keep in mind you can do so much more by paying the small fee. I added a white rectangle, made it as narrow as it could go and then faded the white color. It adds a little detail, but doesn’t distract from the image.

Overlay Your Logo

Last step, on the Overlay page, you can add your own overlay directly from your computer. I added my Rags to Stitches logo + voila!

Here’s the final product…. a 350 x 150px blog button all ready to go.

See how simple and easy using Pic Monkey can be?! I promise you’ll be thanking me because this site is so easy to navigate and you’ll be surprised now many amazing things you can do with it!

What are you waiting for? You go try it!

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Check out my amazing feature sponsor this month, The Printed Palette. She’s incredible + so is her clothing line. Please be sure to check her shop out + follow her everywhere.

shop | facebook | twitter | pinterest | instagram

The post Creating a Blog Button with PicMonkey appeared first on Rags to Stitches.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post May Giveaway appeared first on Rags to Stitches.

| Denim – Paige Ankle Skinnys // Top + Sweater – Anthropologie // Chervron Necklace – Lisa Leonard // Wedges – Charles David |

I’ve been learning a lot about my style lately. I see all these adorable flowy, long tops, I try them + I can’t figure out why they look good on other and not on me. It’s simply because our bodies are all different and just like one size doesn’t fit all, neither does one style. This has been a really hard concept for me to grasp because I’ll see something and I want it to look so cute, but when I try it on, I know it’s not the most flattering thing I could own. I’m learning that rather than wasting my money on things that look cute, I’m saving it for things I love that really cater to my shape. I’m also realizing that this is going to be a long process since I’m on this fitness journey and my body is always changing.

I recently purchased this top + sweater and, for me, this was a good purchase. Since my waist is the smallest part of my body, the roping around the waist shows off how tiny that part of my body is. V-necks, I’m learning, also look better on me than scoop neck tops. I’m not going to say that I have it all figured out, nor do I always get it right, but I’m learning. I think that’s the first step to feeling comfortable in your own skin and feeling confident in what you wear.

Do you ever feel like it’s hard to figure out what style works best for your body shape?

I’m linking up with Lindsey + Abby today for some fashion inspiration

This post contains some affiliate links.

The post Style appeared first on Rags to Stitches.

I am so excited to tell you all about this incredible giveaway brought to you by an even more incredible group of bloggers! But only because we love ya!

This giveaway is for not one, or two but

THREE WINNERS!

Two of you will win a $50 Amazon gift card and One of you will win this fantastic camera!

We are especially excited about THIS camera (the samsung NX1000) because of how Amazing it is AND it’s pink…(which is a HUGE bonus)! This little goodie is the perfect marriage between convenience and quality. The biggest thing that will instantly improve anyone’s photography is the lens, and this little beauty takes interchangeable lenses!! Yet, it’s still small enough to fit in the front pocket of your purse (or diaper bag!) We love it so much and are excited to give it to one of you lucky readers!

Here’s how to enter:

Step 1: Come and “like” all of these awesome bloggers! (We really like you too!!)

{Mom 4 Real}~ {My Mommy Style}~ {A Little Tipsy}~ {Kitchen Meets Girl}~ {Bird ala Mode}

{Sweet Treats More} ~ {Smitten By} ~ {Love by Lynn} ~ {MOMentity}

{That’s What {Che} Said}~ {Little Miss Fearless}~{Walking in Memphis in High Heels}~{Sweet Solstice}

{Lolly Jane} ~ {Rags to Stitches} ~ {Style with Shannon} ~ {Glitz & Gold}

Step 2: Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. For additional entries, follow us on Pinterest too!

**Sometimes rafflecopter gets bogged down, so be patient if it takes a second to load.

Click here to Make your Entries NOW!!

Good luck my friends!!

xox

The post Think Pink appeared first on Rags to Stitches.