Blogs and Blings

A New Season

2011-10-03T22:46:00.000-07:00

A new season is finally here! I have been waiting out the heat, hoping for cooler weather. The fall weather has been such a nice break from the humid heat. It makes me want to start decorating for the holidays. We have been baking pumpkin bread almost every week for the past month. I was kind of going through a design hiatus. Blogs were beginning to post fall items and I just wasn't feeling it. With this change in weather, my design groove is back on track. I hope you enjoy these backgrounds!

Autumn Branches

1. Click on Layout.

2. In the Add and Arrange Page Elements screen. Click Add a Gadget.

3. A pop-up screen will give you the gadget choices. Click on the plus (+) to add an HTML/JavaScript gadget.

4. In the Configure HTML/JavaScript Screen, there is an empty box. Paste the following code in that space. Be sure to copy all the code from this page. Then click save.

5. Ta-Da! You have a new background!

Halloween Argyle

{Product Review}

2011-09-15T22:08:00.000-07:00

I am really excited today to share with you our first ever product review on Blogs and Blings. When I was contacted by this company I was really excited to participate since I love photography. Without further ado, let me introduce you to EASY CANVAS PRINTS.

Have you ever wanted to have your favorite pictures on canvas? Well now is your chance! This site was very easy to use. Your choices are clearly outlined and within a few clicks of your mouse your picture is transferred to a canvas and mailed to your home.

Thanks to the great people at Easy Canvas Prints, my canvas came fast and now it sits perched in the alcove along my stairs. Everytime I walk up or down my stairs it makes me smile. How could it not? It's a beautiful piece of artwork of five of my favorite people in the world. I was really worried about how the color would turn out since some pictures I have had made online haven't been true to color. I was really pleased that the color in this canvas looked exactly like the picture when I sent it from my computer.

They often have sales and deals on their website too! If you are interested in having some great art made from your pictures, check out EASY CANVAS PRINTS.

Setting on Summer

2011-09-01T19:30:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it's the first day of September?! The summer has gone by so quickly. The sun is starting to set earlier and all that summer fun is coming to an end. But who can't help but look forward to fall and all the fun it offers! I can't wait to start posting to fall backgrounds. It's my favorite time of year. Our background this week features a lovely sunset with a tropical flare. I only made it to the beach once this summer but the sunset was awesome. This background is a farewell to those long summer evenings and lazy days. I hope your summer was great!

Coming Soon!

2011-08-30T08:43:00.000-07:00

Up and coming on this site - product reviews! A couple weeks ago I was contacted by a company to do a product review for them! I was pretty excited especially since I love the product. Hopefully, the review will be posted in the next couple of weeks. If you are interested in being a sponsor or having your product reviewed, please contact me through email at blogsandblings@gmail.com.

2011-08-29T10:24:00.000-07:00

I try not to get too personal on this blog. But, even I like to know about the people whose sites I visit. I have been blogging since February of 2008. I was completely skeptical about the whole thing right from the beginning. I blame my sister for the course of events that followed. I blogged more. I became hooked. I loved blogging. From then on I have never looked back. I had recently learned photoshop and my blog became another venue for my graphic design and photography passions. I got a job designing internet templates for a company for a period of months. I never wanted the job to end. I was having too much fun. So, I started this site to continue designing. I wanted to design really good looking backgrounds. Ones that didn't look so generic. I am a little particular about quality work. It has to be something that I would personally use if it goes up on this site. Hopefully, my viewers have found this to be true.

Back to School

2011-08-18T10:37:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year when everyone is thinking about getting ready for school. I used to love school as a kid. Now it is fun to see my own children get excited about the big day. Our background this week is a school theme to celebrate the days ahead. Enjoy!

Watercolor Abstract

2011-07-13T15:04:00.000-07:00

It's been a while. Summer vacation has left me little time for designing. I managed to squeeze one background in today. I love all the color I see during the summertime. It really energizes me!

Background of the Week { Summer }

2011-05-31T12:27:00.000-07:00

Last week was an exciting week around here! The end of school for many of us and the beginning of summer. Of course it would be nice if it felt like summer. It's raining and I feel stuck in February! Usually it is hot and we are swimming by now. Here is a background to help us get the season started. Let's hope Mother Nature will cooperate!

Summer

Celebrating 200 Followers {Day Four}

2011-05-26T23:41:00.000-07:00

Here we are on day four of our celebration, and the number four spot goes to BRAZIL with over 2300 pageviews! When I think of Brazil I think of soccer and jui jitsu. I also think of Carnival! This background reminds me of all the colorful costumes that are worn during Carnival, made of feathers and jewels!

Carnival Rio

Celebrating 200 Followers {Day Three}

2011-05-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

Learning about the countries who visit this blog is giving me the traveling bug! I've got some serious plans one day to hit the road and see some of these amazing places. In our number three position is CANADA with about 2500 pageviews. Who can think of Canada without thinking about their majestic mountains and trees?

Brillant Red

1. Click on Layout.

2. In the Add and Arrange Page Elements screen. Click Add a Gadget.

3. A pop-up screen will give you the gadget choices. Click on the plus (+) to add an
HTML/JavaScript gadget.

4. In the Configure HTML/JavaScript Screen, there is an empty box. Paste the following
code in that space. Be sure to copy all the code from this page. Then click save.

5. Ta-Da! You have a new background!

Celebrating 200 Followers - Day Two

2011-05-24T10:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I posted a background as a tribute to my number one source of views, the United States. But, I get so many visits from all over the world. I thought I would say thanks for following this blog by creating a background inspired by that country. And the number two country, with almost 20,000 pageviews, is . . . . (drumroll) . . . MALAYSIA!!

This is a place I would love to visit. The pictures I have seen are simply stunning. I think I could get lost here.

Lost In Heaven

1. Click on Layout.

2. In the Add and Arrange Page Elements screen. Click Add a Gadget.

3. A pop-up screen will give you the gadget choices. Click on the plus (+) to add an
HTML/JavaScript gadget.

4. In the Configure HTML/JavaScript Screen, there is an empty box. Paste the following
code in that space. Be sure to copy all the code from this page. Then click save.

5. Ta-Da! You have a new background!

Hip-Hip-Hooray!!

2011-05-23T22:14:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all 200 followers of this blog! You guys keep me going! To celebrate I will be posting a new background everyday this week.

Background of the Week { Life and Liberty }

2011-05-23T14:24:00.000-07:00

1. Click on Layout.

2. In the Add and Arrange Page Elements screen. Click Add a Gadget.

3. A pop-up screen will give you the gadget choices. Click on the plus (+) to add an
HTML/JavaScript gadget.

4. In the Configure HTML/JavaScript Screen, there is an empty box. Paste the following
code in that space. Be sure to copy all the code from this page. Then click save.

5. Ta-Da! You have a new background!

Background of the Week { Easter Hunt }

2011-04-04T20:08:00.000-07:00

It's been a while seen we have had a background of the week feature. Duty called and I had to answer, but we are back this week with a new background just in time for the Easter holiday. Enjoy!

Background of the Week { Citrus }

2011-03-01T22:57:00.000-08:00

Some of you might have noticed that we didn't post a background of the week last week. But we took a spur of the moment vacation. It was some much needed time away, but we are back this week with a new background for you. It seems like a lot of items this spring are using this color for clothing, home decorating, etc. Every time I look at honeysuckle, salmon, whatever you are calling it, it makes me thirsty for orange juice or a grapefruit. Introducing - Citrus, a little bit geometry, a little bit of grunge, and a whole lot of color!

P.S. Did you notice I used that sunburst last week! Yeah, I love that sunburst.

Waiting For Spring

2011-02-14T10:42:00.000-08:00

It's raining here after teasing us for three weeks of beautiful sunshine. It happens every year, but every year it still seems wrong. So, I created this background this morning to give us all something cheerful (because I love yellow) to look at while we are waiting for spring to get here!

2011-02-12T14:02:00.000-08:00

You would think that starting a new feature on your site would be easy-peasy, but not for me. Too many things going on at one time I suppose. But, even though it is Saturday and this was supposed to be done by Friday, we are still posting our first featured site. Drumroll please . . .

For all of you heading into spring and summer a new site for all you water lovers just hit the web. Boat Mania is a comprehensive site for things you want for your boat. It also has items for fishing and water sports. A unique feature that Boat Mania offers is "Club Mania". Club Mania is an annual membership to gain access to exclusive pricing and benefits, including huge discounts on every item (over 10,000 items and growing), a low price guarantee, and a money back guarantee. I love how easy the site is to use! Use coupon code CLUB1 to get the first year of membership for $1. Feel free to spread the code around to friends and family but be quick because its only for the first 500 people! Click on the above logo to check it out!

Blogs and Blings Featured On Pocketchange

2011-02-10T10:14:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Chrissy from Pocketchange about featuring our site as part of a "Best of the Web" feature. Yesterday the feature was posted on their site. I was so excited. Go check out the feature article HERE! Thanks Chrissy!

2011-02-07T18:21:00.000-08:00

It's your last week to show some love through your blog background and our final background for Love Day. Happy Valentine's Day!

Background of the Week { Love Letters }

2011-02-01T10:13:00.000-08:00

I have always loved things made with paint chips. I love the monochromatic colors. This week's background is includes this look as well as some yummy paint names. Check them out!

If you haven't had a chance to vote on our new button for this feature, you still have a chance in the right sidebar. Scroll down below this post to see your options.

New Button For Background of the Week

2011-01-31T08:54:00.000-08:00

As with any redesign, new buttons, etc. are a must. But, trying to decide what you like is another story. I don't know which I like better. So, I thought I would let me followers decide. These are the two options. Which do you like best? Cast your vote in the right sidebar!

The Background of the Week will be posted on Tuesday, so check back tomorrow!

Grab a Button and Share the Love

2011-01-28T22:45:00.000-08:00

Background of the Week {Love and Adore}

2011-01-24T18:32:00.000-08:00

I think it is definitely time to bring on the Love Day backgrounds. I get so inspired looking at all the great projects and ideas that people are using to celebrate the people they love in their lives. This weeks background is "Love and Adore". We hope that this background adds to celebrating those special people.

Feature Fridays

2011-01-19T12:00:00.000-08:00

One of the new things I would like to start doing here at Blogs and Blings is called "Feature Fridays". Every Friday I would like to feature a blogger out there in blogland. I am continually stumbling upon great blogs and thought that I would like to reward those of you who use our backgrounds. Here's the details.

1. Send me an email at blogsandblings@gmail.com if you would like to be featured or leave a comment.

2. If you are selected, you will be notified. If you are featured you will need to post about our site Blogs and Blings with a link back to us while we are doing the same for you!

I think this will be a fun and great way to get to know all of you who use our backgrounds!! Our first feature will be a week from this Friday so send in your emails now.

Background of the Week - Teal Love

2011-01-18T19:49:00.000-08:00

I'm a day late, but I am loving this background. I think I am getting in the mood for Valentine's Day! Enjoy!

1. Click on Layout.

2. In the Add and Arrange Page Elements screen. Click Add a Gadget.

3. A pop-up screen will give you gadget choices. Click on the plus (+) to add an HTML/JavaScript gadget.

4. In the Configure HTML/JavaScript Screen, there is an empty box. Paste the following code in that space. Be sure to copy all the code from this page. Then click save.

5. Ta-Da! You have a new background!