Beautiful Etiquette

Being raised by a socialite, etiquette always played a key roll in my life.  Knowing when and where to exercise the proper sentiments was a key part of my childhood training.  Fast forward 50 years and the world has changed dramatically from that once proper place my mother dreamed of. While many of us still try our darnedest to squeeze in those "pleases" and "thank yous" there are simply far too few of them these days.

Still I'm all about being the change and so you can often find my visual thank yous around the internet  ~ whether it's expressing gratitude to a social networking friend or leaving feedback for a purchase, I like prettying up the sentiment with my own whimsical imagery.

And so in keeping with this I thought it might be nice to start a new series of images that could be used in this manner. Whether you're looking to include a thank you at the bottom of your blog or just want to say "thanks for your friendship" on a social wall, these images will suit the situation nicely.  You'll find them included in an upcoming "Inspirational" category I have planned for the new website, but in the meantime you can grab some copies below.

<center> <a href="http://www.plumroselane.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="PrL-Cupcake Thank You" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/prefab/inspirational/PrL-ThankYou_Cupcake.png" /></a></center>

<center> <a href="http://www.plumroselane.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="PrL-Mermaid Thank You" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/prefab/inspirational/PrL-ThankYou_Mermaid.png" /></a></center>

<center> <a href="http://www.plumroselane.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="PrL-Enchanted Thank You" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/prefab/inspirational/PrL-ThankYou_Mirror.png" /></a></center>
Using the code below each image you can insert them at the bottom of your blog using this tutorial: http://plumroselane-tutorials.blogspot.com/2013/03/how-to-install-blog-badge-or-add-html.html  or by right clicking on the image you can save a copy to then post on a friend's wall like on Facebook.  Just remember to play nice ~ these images are subject to my terms of use and are not meant to be altered in any way.

Update: Originally created for the bottom of blogs and social sites, I've now included smaller versions below so these can be used in blog sidebar areas...

200 x 200

<center> <a href="http://www.plumroselane.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="PrL-Cupcake Thank You" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/prefab/inspirational/PrL-ThankYou_Cupcake-x200.png" /></a></center>
<center> <a href="http://www.plumroselane.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="PrL-Mermaid Thank You" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/prefab/inspirational/PrL-ThankYou_Mermaid-x200.png" /></a></center>
<center> <a href="http://www.plumroselane.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="PrL-Enchanted Thank You" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/prefab/inspirational/PrL-ThankYou_Mirror-x200.png" /></a></center>

Since this month's theme over at Leah's Creative Everyday Challenge is "Color" I thought these might also make a nice entry for that too.  So I've submitted this post in this week's challenge posting and plan on visiting the participants to see what delicious creations have been whipped up by this week's entries ~ hope to see you there!

Enjoy~

Connecting

I'm feeling a bit off this weekend ~ a bit disconnected. It's probably from all the work I've been doing lately that's kept me glued to this desk.  With Pink for October in full swing, a massive "To-Do" list of custom projects, and classwork to get through, it doesn't leave much time in the day for outings and frivolity.

Honestly the few moments I spend connecting with friends throughout each day have been through Facebook lately. It's almost embarrassing to admit, until I realize how much happiness it brings me.   I'm lucky in that most of my friends are very positive and post a wonderful assortment of uplifting imagery, messages, and quotes.  I've always been a big believer in "we are what we eat"  ~ or think, or speak, or hear ~ and it certainly seems to be the case for me as I always feel better after reading their posts.

"...there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can put in the freedom of my mind."

 

"...não há portão, nem fechadura, nem trinco que você consiga colocar na liberdade da minha mente."
(Virginia Woolf)

Today I found a video on Facebook about, well... Facebook.  It made me stop and realize that even though I've been known to put-it-down right along with all the other naysayers, that in truth Fadebook really is a tool I use each day to connect with friends and family, to bring a bit of happiness and beauty into my life and others.


So maybe it's true, like everything else in life, that it's what we make of it. While I don't have time to play games or get involved in political squabbles I do find the joy of encouragement and connecting with others.  Whatever the case I shamefully admit that I'm thankful for Facebook ~ it helps me connect to those I truly love, like, and appreciate and my life would be far more lonely and isolated without it.

Best~ 

Photo http://www.morguefile.com)
Art http://kingabrit.deviantart.com/ 
Quote http://www.facebook.com/cafecomconhaque)
Translation - Google Translator

Got Pink?!

Have you got your pink on?  October is quickly approaching and you know what that means ~ time to "go pink" and spread the word about breast cancer awareness!  There's no better time than the present to spread the word so others can get on board too!

As many of you know I recently took over the PinkforOctober.org website and together with a lovely group of pink souls we've been working away to update the site and bring you new content. 

I've just added a fresh supply of pink badges, backgrounds, and goodies to help you turn your own blog, shop, or profile page pink for October.  You can find them listed on the "Go Pink" page at: http://pinkforoctober.org/go_pink.html

Choose from a selection of....

Buttons

Facebook Covers

Twitter backgrounds

 

and so much more!  So stop on over and grab some pink ~ why there's even a festive selection of Halloween items for those of you who love to go goulish in October!

Enjoy~

From Blogger to Facebook ~ new banners

Just when you thought Facebook couldn't get any more complicated they go and change things up... again! Yes, for those of you using Facebook, either to socialize or promote your handmade business, you may have noticed they've recently gone over to a new format.

First they offered us the choice of 'trying out' the new layout on our personal pages and then that hard-to-miss message showed up on business pages letting us know the 'official' change over would take affect March 31st.

Being a graphic artist I personally enjoy that large blank space at the top of my Facebook page because to me it's like a blank canvas waiting to be filled but for others it's a little more difficult trying to figure out how to fill that space. So for those of you struggling I've got just the answer ~ now you can use one of my prefab banners for the top of your Facebook page and even personalize it with a favorite quote or verse!

Just choose a theme title from my A-Z list, then grab this listing from my shop and include the title along with a favorite quote, saying, or verse. I'll get your new Facebook banner right out to you with instructions included ~ what could be easier!?!

Oh and if you're using one of my custom order blog themes, no problem, they're included in this listing as well!

If you're looking for something a bit different ~ say a totally original look and want a one-of-a-kind custom banner or Welcome page for your business, I've got that covered too ~ just checkout the new Facebook Images section in my shop!

See you in the social arena...

Enjoy~

Some Fun ~ a Holiday Giveaway

I know the mood has been a bit gloomy around here lately... and I just couldn't be more appreciative of all your love and support ~ so I thought it might be nice to give a little back and have some fun at the same time!

Since I didn't get a chance to post a monthly giveaway and you're all so wonderful that I wish I could gift each and everyone one of you, I've decided to hold one fabulous giveaway with a selection of several lovely prizes ~ just in time for the holidays too! So here are the details, there are loads of ways to enter and win but first the prizes...

~The Prizes~

First Prize - Bracelet~
Some of you may not know this but long before I dabbled in Graphic Design I was a published Jewelry Artist. You could find my colorful handmade bracelets and key holders in jewelry stores, boutiques, and I loved participating in the art show circuit during the warm summer months as well. While time doesn't permit much playtime these days I still enjoy creating with lovely artisan lampwork beads and winding wire when time allows. And so one lucky winner will receive this one-of-a-kind wire wrapped bracelet...

Second Prize - Scarf ~
Next up we have one of my original woven fiber-wear scarves. My hands are seldom at rest but sometimes my mind likes to take a break from the computer and so when I'm relaxing I can often be found weaving one of these colorful delights...

They're luxuriously soft and super warm and one lucky winner will have their choice of any one they like from my Etsy shop.

Third Prize - Keyholder~
The next prize is one of my original wire wrapped key holders...

These key holders are incredibly whimsical and fun to use either as a keychain with a handy spring hook for hanging on your purse or if you're really hard on your keys they make beautiful sun catchers by hanging in your window and come with an alternative suction cup. One lucky winner will receive this prize.

Forth Prize - Gift Certificate~
Next up is a $20 gift certificate good toward the purchase of anything in my shop ~ yep, you can use it on digital images, some fabulous custom business tools, or toward some of my new trinkets and treasures ~ whatever you like! One lucky winner will receive this prize...

Fifth Prize - Digital Holiday Pack~
Lastly we have a selection of seasonal goodies which include three lovely vintage label sheets in red, green, and blue along with a set of my holiday bookmark/tags...

These all work so beautifully for seasonal gift giving and craft making and add that elegant personal handmade touch. One lucky winner will receive this prize.

So let's see... that's a total of 5 prizes ~ pretty sweet! Now let's move on to you enter...

~To Enter~

The first step is a must so I know that you've entered and every other step is to gain more entries if you'd like so enter as much or as little as you'd like, the choice is yours.

❀Be a Follower of this blog and leave a comment on this posting if you want to be entered for a chance to win. (Be sure to include your blog address or email so I can contact you if you win.)

❀Follow my Facebook page for an additional entry and leave another comment.

❀Follow my Twitter page for an additional entry and leave another comment.

❀Favorite my Etsy shop for an additional entry and leave a another comment.

❀Post the little badge below on your own blog for an additional entry and leave a comment. (And let's be fair... the badge needs to be posted on an active blog and towards the top of your sidebar)

<center><a href="http://www.PlumroseLane.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="PrL Holiday Giveaway" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Badges/PrL-Holiday_Giveaway-1.png" /></a></center>

Just copy and paste the code above onto your own sidebar and if you need help, click here to view a a simple tutorial to install the code.

❀And here's the last step with some real fun... For every person you refer to this giveaway, I'll give you an extra entry yourself ~ just be sure they leave your name in their comment here ~ that's a must! So if you blog about the giveaway and 10 people enter and leave your name, you'll get 10 more entries without having to leave any more comments! Whoot!

~Other Info~

The giveaway will run from today through Sunday, December 11th, so all the prizes have time to arrive for the holidays. The winners will be selected by a random number generator and I'll post the giveaway winner names in a follow up posting, about a day or two after the giveaway ends to allow me time to tally up all the entries. All winners will be notified immediately and must respond within a five days of the announcement post or a new winner will be selected in their place. Prizes will be awarded in order as they appear.

So... that's it~ 5 fabulous prizes, loads of ways to enter and win! I hope we all have tons of fun with this and you spread the word too, but most of all I hope you know how much you're loved and appreciated! Good luck everyone!

Enjoy~

New Tutorial ~ Blog Posts on Facebook

Recently a customer contacted me with a question about whether she could add her blog posts to Facebook. Naturally I went to refer her to my handy step-by-step tutorial and was absolutely stunned to find I had never written one?!?

Setting up your blog posts to show up on your Facebook pages is easy as pie, and that's saying alot for Facebook (my arch nemesis when it comes to ease of use). So I've finally written a tutorial for adding your blog posts to Facebook and this includes both both personal profile pages as well as business pages.

I find having my blog posts show up on my Facebook profile is a great way to gain extra exposure for my postings *waves to all my FB Friends*. I do try to keep in mind though that whatever shows up in the Notes area can be viewed by everyone and their mother. This is because Facebook has it set that everything that shows up on the Notes pages is entirely public, regardless of your privacy settings so be sure to keep this in mind before moving on to this new tutorial:
How to: Setup Blog Posts on Facebook

Enjoy~

Fun Facebook Tool

As a member of Facebook I see so many people playing games ~ you know, like the ones with farms and mafias or is it mafias on farms? Who knows. For me, time is always a factor and I just don't have much to spend outside of customers, family, and creativity. So... when it comes to fun applications I like the fast ones, you know ~ 2.3 seconds or less.

Fitting neatly within that time frame is this fun little gadget called ~ Fun Wheel. The app uses algorithms and coloring to match all your FB friends and the way they link together, and all in a matter of seconds. What you end up with is something that looks like this...

That's mine shown above and I think it's really fascinating (or maybe I'm just a pushover for pretty colors, hah!)

Anyways, if you're on Facebook and want some quick fun you can give it a whirl by visiting this application link.

Enjoy~

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(¸.•´ (¸.•´✻✻✻Reminder ~ don't forget to enter this month's giveaway and share your own thoughts on "back-to-school" - fun or frenzy?! (¸.•´ (¸.•´✻

Something New - Facebook Splash Banners

Here's something new & fun ~ Facebook Splash Banners. While roaming around Facebook recently I noticed there were images with messages across the top, where a series of personal photos would normally appear ~ what a fabulous idea! And so I've created a new whimsical assortment of free images with seasonal themes and celebratory sayings.

These new creations can be found under a new section title called "Other Stuff", yes, I know... not very original but hopefully these whimsical FB add-ons will help make up for my lack in creative verbiage.

Each image leads to a download which includes a banner image, 5 individual mini images and instructions for use.

And if you're feeling a tad creative, feel free to leave any ideas you may have for catchy or inspirational phrases you'd enjoy ~ I'll be sure to credit you if I end up using your idea.

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(¸.•´ (¸.•´✻✻✻Don't miss a chance to enter the June Giveaway for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate in my Etsy shop(¸.•´ (¸.•´✻

Enjoy!