Tuesday's Tips -Block Quotes

Today we're going to have fun by customizing block quotes.  This is one of my favorite parts in a blog design--really. =D I was so excited when I first learned this stuff. I'll include two different ways to do this. The easier way, is just as it sounds--easier. You can only create one design, but it is simpler to use in a post. The harder way lets you create as many different designs as you like, but it is slightly harder to insert into a post.

A blockquote is used to make a section of text stand out from the rest of the text. It is used for quotes, verses, and anything you want to stand out to your readers.

The Easy Way --you only create one design, but it is simpler to use in a post

1}

customizing the blockquote

Go to your dashboard > design > edit HTML.
Search for this bit of code:

.post-body blockquote {

This appears twice. When you change the code you need to make sure you change both.

For example, the blockquote that I used above uses the code:

.post-body blockquote {
background-image:url(http://i.imgur.com/DUj7n.jpg);
background-position: 0% 0%;
background-attachment:fixed;
border:2px solid #d4d4d4;
padding:15px;
margin-left:0px;
margin-right:0px;
color:#858922;
font-size:110%;
text-transform: none;
}

[Here are more examples of blockquote codes]

2}

adding the blockquote

Simply use the blogger blockquote button on the post editor toolbar.

Or use the <blockquote></blockquote> HTML codes.

The Harder Way --you create as many different designs as you like, but it is slightly harder to insert into a post

1}

customizing the blockquote

Go to your dashboard > design > edit HTML.
Search for this bit of code:

.post-body blockquote {

This appears twice. You need to look for the second one.
Right after that paste a piece code similar to this:

.blockquote-3 {
background-image:url(http://i.imgur.com/DUj7n.jpg);
background-position: 0% 0%;
background-attachment:fixed;
border:2px solid #d4d4d4;
padding:15px;
margin-left:0px;
margin-right:0px;
font-size:110%;
text-transform: none;
}

[Here are more examples of blockquote codes]
Be creative and you can add as many as you want, just make sure that each name is different.

2}

adding the blockquote

When you create your post you need to go to the 'edit html' format.

The code for the blockquote would be something like this:

<div class="NAME">CONTENT</div>

For example, the coding for the blockquote at the top of this post is:

<div class="blockquote-3">
A blockquote is used to make a section of text stand out from the rest of the text. It is used for quotes, verses, and anything you want to stand out to your readers.</div>

Have fun creating and designing your blockquotes! Let me know if you have any questions, and I'll get back to you asap.

Love in Christ,

Of Prayer & Sin

"Not only does sin hinder prayer;
prayer hinders sin.
The two are always opposed.
The more careless we are about sin,
the less we will pray.
The more we pray,
the less careless we will be about sin.
Both sin and prayer are powerful forces.
Which one is moving you?"

- Dr. Alvin Griend

Tuesday's Tips -a Resource

Today I thought I'd share another great resource. Hannah has a wonderful blog design community over at her design blog. I'll let her explain:

What's this "For Designers" page all about? Good question. During the few months that I have been designing, I have received numerous questions from aspiring designers about how they could do what I was doing. I answered every single one of those emails and loved it. I really enjoy helping aspiring designers learn different skills as I learn them. And that is what this blog is for - to help others.

"But, wait!" you say. "What if they start their own businesses and start doing better than you?? Do you really want that competition???"

Here's the thing. What sets me apart from you as a designer is my creativity. It doesn't matter how many things I know - how to center post titles, change fonts, add borders...if I have no creativity it's pointless. And everyone is different and will come up with different designs. So I will teach you what I know about designing - and it'll be up to you to make it beautiful.

Blog and website design are not about facts. They're not about knowing exactly what code to write to center text. They're about your creativity - about how you can take a plain old blog and turn it into a thing of beauty. The tips and tricks I can teach you are only simple tools to enhance that beauty - what makes the deign must come from you.

So keep coming back here - check out the forums and Hall of Fame - and learn all you can. Post questions, email me and others, ask for help, give advice. This is all about bringing designers together as a community of people who love to design for others.

I'm very proud to say that I'm apart of the designer community that Hannah has started. It is a wonderful idea!

Head on over to the Designer's Blog to read more. Also check out the Forums page and the Hall of Fame.

While you're over there, Hannah ha s some wonderful tutorials and freebies. She also has many different packages you can order from her--even a free one!

Have a lovely Tuesday!

Love in Christ,

Radiance -week 1

<-- Näna is hosting a lovely blog parade and giveaway. Click the button for details.

When did you give your life to Jesus? How did He reach out to you? What was your first response?

Growing up in a Christian home, I've been very blessed. However, I can specifically remember a time when I asked Jesus into my heart.

Laying on the top bunkbed, I stared at the ceiling wondering about death. Why on earth would a four-almost five-year old be wondering about death? Maybe it was because my baby sister had recently died due to a premature birth. I don't remember all the specifics. Just lying on my bunkbed, staring at the ceiling, thinking of my sister, remembering AWANA verses, sleeping at peace, waking up, telling my mom, marking a cross on the calendar, and most importantly that I had given my life to Christ.

Even though I was saved at a young age and it may seem like my testimony isn't anything amazing, it is. It is amazing that He would die for me. That I didn't and don't deserve it, but He loves me so much that while I was still a sinner He died for me. That is the amazing love of my Savior.

In Him,

Strength in Weakness

"So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."                                —2 Corinthians 12:7-10

I am weak. I have many faults. I worry. I stumble. I doubt. I fear.
Is it just me, or is it heartening to know that even Paul was weak? That even though he prayed and pleaded to God, that he was given the 'No.' answer? The fact that others have faults may be heartening to my humanness, but it is so comforting and reassuring to me know that:


If I didn't worry, then I wouldn't rely on His faithfulness. Because He cares for me.
If I didn't stumble, then I wouldn't rely on His grace and forgiveness. Because He forgives me.
If I didn't doubt, then I wouldn't rely on His Sovereignty. Because He even died for me.
If I didn't fear, then I wouldn't rely on His protection. Because He loves me.
If I can't __(anything)__, then I wouldn't rely on Him. Because:



In Christ,

Tuesday's Tips -Adjusting the Width of your Blog

This tutorial was requested by Eliza. Here you go, Eliza! =)

The width of your blog is made up of three parts; the entire width of your blog, the posting area, and the sidebar(s). To put it into perspective: width of your blog = posting area + sidebar(s) .

To find the width of your blog search for this piece of code(or something similar):

#outer-wrapper {
width: 1100px;

To find the width of your posting area search for this bit of code(or something similar):

#main-wrapper {
width: 800px;

To find the width of your sidebar, search for this bit of code(or something similar):

#sidebar-wrapper {
width: 250px;

Feel free to play with the codes to get your blog width how you like it. Just make sure to keep your blog in proportion by following the equation: width of your blog = posting area + sidebar(s) . Also, if you have padding between your posting area and sidebar, you need to include that in your equation.
(can you tell I've been doing Algebra this morning?! =P)


If you have any questions, let me know!

Just so you know, I wrote several tutorials(including one covering blockquotes) last week. When blogger had it's little glitch, I lost all of those posts. Sooo....I don't really feel like rewriting them all over right now, but they are on the list. Gotta love technology sometimes, huh...

In Christ,

Lethologica

Lethologica:
the inability to remember a word or put your finger on the right word.

My sister found this word the other day, it is one awesome word. I don't know about you, but lethologica happens to me a lot. =P

Have you come across an awesome word recently?

I'm off to dance now--pictures are all this week and I have three classes tonight! (read: craziness and chaos but awesomeness at dance tonight!)


In Christ,

Tuesday's Tips -A Note on Links

This first part is simply how to make a link in html.

Link code:

<a href="URL" target="_blank">TITLE</a>

Replace URL and TITLE with your information.

An example:

<a href="http://emilygrace-blog.blogspot.com/2011/05/tuesdays-tips-note-on-links.html" target="_blank">a note on links</a>

a note on links

note: you cannot include the target="_blank" attribute within blogger comments because it doesn't support it 

(that code just opens the link in a new window/tab)

This second part is just a quick little tip. It is something that I've noticed happening on a lot of blogs. When you go to click on a button you get an error saying that the link is not found.

Not Found

Error 404

The reason for this is that when people put the link in their button's html code they don't start with 'http://'. If the link doesn't start with that then blogger thinks that the link is a part of the existing url.
For example if the button's link is 'tuesdaystips.blogspot.com' or even 'www.tuesdaystips.blogspot.com' then if you clicked on that button while on my blog the url would end up looking like this: 'http://emilygrace.blogspot.com/tuesdaystips.blogspot.com' or 'http://emilygrace.blogspot.com/www.tuesdaystips.blogspot.com' . 

Another thing to note: if you have a button for a certain post(such as a giveaway, blog party, or contest) don't link to just your blog! You need to publish your post, then get that link and put it in to the button. Otherwise people can't find your post without wasting a lot of time going through all your more recent posts. If it is a button for your blog, then just your blog url is what you need.

If you notice something wrong with a button, it is best to correct it yourself on your blog then let the owner of the button know. That way others aren't left wondering what's wrong and why the button won't work. =)

In Christ,

Perspective

Perspective [per-spek-tiv] -noun
1. a visible scene, especially one extending to a distance
2. the state of one's ideas, the facts known to one, etc.
3. the faculty of seeing all the relevant data in a meaningful relationship
4. a mental view or prospect

So often my perspective in life is small and only focused on what is right in front of me.




As a detail oriented person I often fail to look up and see the big picture. The big picture is so much more beautiful and meaningful.




Being a detailed person isn't all bad. It is all the small details that make up the big picture. But I need to learn to step back and look at the bigger picture outside of my own little world.

My Own Little World
by Matthew West

In my own little world it hardly ever rains
I've never gone hungry and always felt safe
I got some money in my pocket shoes on my feet
In my own little world
Population me

I try to stay awake through the Sunday morning church
I throw a twenty in the plate but I never give 'til it hurts
and I turn off the news when I don't like what I see
it's easy to do when it's
population me

What if there's a bigger picture
what if I'm missing out
What if there's a greater purpose
I could be living right now
outside my own little world

Stopped at the red light, looked out my window
Outside the car, saw a sign, said "Help this homeless widow"
Just above this sign was the face of a human
I thought to myself, "God, what have I been doing?"

So I rolled down my window and I looked her in the eye
Oh how many times have I just passed her by
I gave her some money then I drove on through
in my own little world there's
Population two

What if there's a bigger picture
what if I'm missing out
What if there's a greater purpose
I could be living right now
outside my own little world

Start breaking my heart for what breaks Yours
give me open hands and open doors
put Your light in my eyes and let me see
that my own little world is not about me

In Christ,

Frolic -an epic summer blog party & huge giveaway

Guin over at Singing in the Rain is hosting a blog party with nine ridiculously awesome giveaways! =D

Favorite thing about summer?

well...warm weather, visiting family, swimming, more free time, beautiful weather, etc (I know it said 'thing', apparently I can't count =P)

In your opinion, the best scent in the entire world?

Right after a thunderstorm--awesomeness!

An embarrassing moment:

Let's skip this one as I don't want to have to recall any...because, you know, they're well...embarressing...and I try to forget them. =P

This is a bit overdone, but, what's your clothing style?

Um...comfortable?!

Deep question time: vanilla or chocolate?

Depends. Vanilla for ice cream, chocolate for cake.

Favorite quote?

Oh, I have tons of favorite quotes! Just one?! okay, how about this one:

"Let God have you, and let God love you - and do not be surprised if you heart begins to hear music you have never heard and your feet learn to dance as never before." --Max Lucado

Traveling: where would you want to go?

Anywhere and everywhere!

Favorite food?

Oh, that's such a broad question. I'll go with a broad answer, fruit. If I had to be specific I'd go with Raspberry Fluffy Stuff--I've been craving that recently, but it is a little to cold for it yet. =D

Canon or Nikon?

Cannon! I'm not biased at all either, considering I've never used a Nikon. =P

Are you a squeamish person? Any stories?

Depends...there are certain little insects that I can't stand. We'll forgo the story part...

Flipflops, bare feet, or heels?

Bare feet all the way. Flipflops are awesome too and heels are fun on occasion, but bare feet beat them by a lot. =D

Do you like old black and white films?

I have to say I like color. Old black and white films are fun, but not for watching all the time.

Skirts or jeans?

Jeans. =) But skirts are fun on occasion.

Fresh or saltwater?

For what? Drinking, fresh. =P Swimming, I'll take either--but I hate it when I get saltwater in my eyes/nose/etc.

Head on over to Guin's blog to join in the fun and look at all the prizes. =D

In Christ,

Before the Morning

Do you wonder why you have to,
feel the things that hurt you,
if there's a God who loves you,
where is He now?

Maybe, there are things you can't see
and all those things are happening
to bring a better ending
some day, some how, you'll see, you'll see

Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
that you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
can't compare to the joy that's coming

so hold on, you got to wait for the light
press on, just fight the good fight
because the pain you've been feeling,
it's just the dark before the morning

My friend, you know how this all ends
and you know where you're going,
you just don't know how you get there
so just say a prayer.
and hold on, cause there's good who love God,
life is not a snapshot, it might take a little time,
but you'll see the bigger picture

Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
that you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
can't compare to the joy that's coming

so hold on, you got to wait for the light
press on, just fight the good fight
because the pain you've been feeling,
it's just the dark before the morning
yeah, yeah,
before the morning,
yeah, yeah

Once you feel the way of glory,
all your pain will fade to memory
once you feel the way of glory,
all your pain will fade to memory
memory, memory, yeah

Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
that you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
can't compare to the joy that's coming

Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
that you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
can't compare to the joy that's coming

com'n, you got to wait for the light
press on, just fight the good fight
because the pain you've been feeling,
it's just the hurt before the healing
the pain you've been feeling,
just the dark before the morning
before the morning, yeah, yeah
before the morning

Before the Morningby Josh Wilson


This song played on the radio and it caught my attention--during the night it seems like the light of morning will never come but it always does.

P.S. Head over to Abby's giveaway where you could win a new blog design from me!

In Christ,