Have you guys heard the Google Plus
buzz?
I ignored it until Google went and announced they would be yanking my favorite free photo editing software - Picnik. After that announcement, and the rumors Picnik would still be available if you belonged to G+, I decided to sign up just to check it out.
For all you guys who have already jumped on board I thought I share how I made my G+ icon.
First you need to make the icon image, and there's a few ways.
Then it's a few simple steps to turn the image into a working G+ icon. [THESE SAME STEPS WILL WORK FOR ALL ICONS EXCEPT RSS -
here- AND EMAIL-
here-]
Make the icon: WAY #1 {How I made mine}
1]
Upload one of your existing button images to Picnik {or photo editing program}.
2] Make a patch to
cover the old emblem.
Go to:
Stickers, then to "
Shapes." Next, select a
square to cover the existing label, whether it's a "P" or "T" or whatever. Then use the dropper to
color match the square to the rest of the icon.
3] Edit the icon to
add a "G+"
Now- Go to "
Text" and select "
Georgia"
It's not an exact match, but it's the closest I could find! You want a lower case "
g" and place it so it's hanging off the icon a little.
Next add the
"+" symbol
Make the icon: WAY #2
1] If you don't have an button you can upload a pic of the outline of a square {or whatever shape you want.}.
2] Edit the square to look like your other icons
If your other buttons have rounded edges, like mine, you should do step 2: Select "Matte" and round out the corners of the square.
3]Go to "Duo-Tone" and select the colors for your square that will match your blog.
4] Edit the icon to
add a "G+" Now- Go to "
Text" and select "
Georgia"
You want a lower case "
g" and place it so it's hanging off the icon a little. Next, add the
"+" symbol
Make the icon: WAY #3
1] You could
upload a stock icon--they can be found for free all over the web. -O
r- You could also just grab
drag any of the free icons below {by dragging it
onto your desktop. }
2] Edit the square to look like your other icons
Go to
"Duo-Tone" and select a
color for your square.
3] Edit the icon to
add a "G+"
Now- Go to "Text" and select "Georgia"
You want a lower case
"g" and place it so it's hanging off the icon a little. Next, add the
"+" symbol.
-NOW-
A] Your image needs a HTML code
Upload your image to a photosharing site, like Photobucket, and "save a copy" then you can get an URL for the pic. COPY the "HTML code".
B] Get your
Google+ account URL
Pop over to your Google+ account and grab the web address for
YOUR profile page.
Now that you have an image URL for the icon you made and the URL from your G+ account insert them into the
red portions specified for this sample code. Easy Peasy, yes?
I also like to center my icon on my side bar. If you want yours centered it's easy to do- just insert the underlined code onto both sides of the code you've just inserted your information into.
C]
Add your new icon
to your blog.
For Blogger: Go into Layout for blogger. "Add a Gadget" and open a new "Configure HTML/JavaScript"
Now you can input your new icon using the code above. Just add your info where the red writing is. First the URL for your G+ account, then add the html code for your new icon.
Inserting the HTML code is where Blogger and Wordpress will differ. If you have Wordpress then upload your icon how you added your other social media icons. Sorry I can't give a better description!
My last tip- I put my "G+ code" in the same "Gadget" as my code for my Pinterest, RSS, and Email buttons. I just added it right in at the end and then made sure the "center code" was behind the last icon I added.
It should look something like this when you're done. The buttons all lined up and centered in the middle of the sidebar- or where ever you've put it.
Need any other gadget tutorials? Want to make your own working
Email or
RSS icon? Or add a
blogging signature to your posts?
How about personalize your favicon?- you know, that little symbol that shows up at the tops of the browser window when people are reading your blog- DIY one in a few minutes.
Here's the thing about this little blogging design stuff, isn't very hard! There's no need to pay people to make these small gadgets and icons! You
CAN DIY it!!
In case you missed this post I did for Jennifer at a Place 2 Call Home- here it is. She invited me to talk about my design style, so pull up the computer, get cozy!
The Old-New-These are the things we already have that get a makeover to resurrect an old item and make it into a new one. The lamp on my front table in the livitchin was a brass monster, but had these gorgeous lines. I used a 20 cent clearance can of spray paint to makeover the lamp and also the mantel clock beside my couch. It was this ugly old thing the hubs received as a gift ages ago.
I gave both a fancy little face lift and
transformed the look. 
the absolutely gorgeous marble backsplash that touches the ceiling!! Kelly got it on Ebay and I think it's my favorite pattern I've seen- not to mention it's {I think} herringbone. Herringbone is my huge favorite over the trendy chevron, so this is right up my alley. I am freaking out over the subtle texture it adds.
The cabinetry you're looking at is all custom. Kelly worked straight with the woodworker and say it saved her a ton of money. Don't you LOVE how she accessorizes the room. 
other direction. Kelly really thought of every detail. I love that prep sink and look at that glass front fridge!! 
Do you all remember Lindsay? I featured her awhile back for her super fab painted plastic storage buckets. If you get a second today. pop over to check out her bold and fabulous dresser makeover for her daughter's room. It makes my pieces look pale in comparison. 
1] You could upload a stock icon--they can be found for free all over the web. -Or- You could also just grab drag any of the free icons below {by dragging it onto your desktop. }
My last tip- I put my "G+ code" in the same "Gadget" as my code for my Pinterest, RSS, and Email buttons. I just added it right in at the end and then made sure the "center code" was behind the last icon I added.
