How to Install a Makin’ Cute Blogs Free Blog Background

Makin’ Cute Blogs has decided to ramp up the Free Blog Backgrounds!  The Best Part: My backgrounds don’t have a button displaying in the top corner of your blog!  You get to choose where you want to display the button in your sidebar or footer.  Or, you will now have the option to purchase a background and have no button or credit required at all!

All of the Backgrounds are located here in my shop.  It is really simple and easy to install any of my blog backgrounds.  Just follow these steps:

Download Your File:  Select your free blog background from my shop, and click on  “Free Download” (no sign up needed)Step 1: Go to your Dashboard and Select Template and CustomizeStep 2: In your Template Designer, Select Background and Your Background Image.Step 3: Select Upload Image and Choose File.  This is where you upload your free blog background.Step 4: Change Your Background Settings as Follows:  Center Alignment, Don't Tile, Uncheck Scroll with ImageStep 5: Go to Adjust Widths, and adjust your sizes to fit your new background.Color Changing Backgrounds Only: Go to Advanced and Backgrounds and Change Your ColorDon't Forget!  To save your changes, make sure to select Apply to Blog

Give Credit (required): Go to your Layout Page and Add a Gadget (anywhere you would like)Select HTML/JavaScriptCopy a Button Code Below (pick the one that you like).My Free Blog Background was provided by Makin Cute Blogs

<center><a href="http://makincuteblogs.com/"><img title="Makin Cute Blogs: Free Blog Backgrounds" src="http://makincuteblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/MCB-BackgroundButton-1.png" alt="My Free Blog Background was provided by Makin Cute Blogs" width="150" height="200" /></a></center>




My Free Blog Background was provided by Makin Cute Blogs

<center><a href="http://makincuteblogs.com/"><img title="Makin Cute Blogs: Free Blog Backgrounds" src="http://makincuteblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/MCB-BackgroundButton-2.png" alt="My Free Blog Background was provided by Makin Cute Blogs" width="500" height="50" /></a></center>




My Free Blog Background was provided by Makin Cute Blogs

<center><a href="http://makincuteblogs.com/"><img title="Makin Cute Blogs: Free Blog Backgrounds" src="http://makincuteblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/MCB-BackgroundButton-3.png" alt="My Free Blog Background was provided by Makin Cute Blogs" width="125" height="175" /></a></center>




Paste it in your HTML/JavaScript content area, like seen below.  Then Save.

Congrats!  Now you have a cute background!

How to Create a Seamless Border around your Blogger Blog Layout & have a transparent background behind your Header

This tutorial was requested. If you would like to request a tutorial, visit our “Make a Request” page.

In this tutorial, I am going to show you how to take a standard blog layout (with the white section all the way down the middle, and replace it with a Header that has a transparent background, a post section and a footer section.  This way, you have a border all the way around your posting area, from the header to the footer (Like seen below).  Click here to learn how to make these elements using Pixlr.com OR Purchase a Set in my Shop for less than $5!

Blogger Blog Layout with a Transparent Background behind the Header and a Border all the way around the Header, Post Section, and Footer.

 

Step #1

The first thing that you need to do, is to change your template to the White Simple Theme.

Template, Simple Theme, White

 

Step #2

Next, you need to add your chosen background.  I am adding this Chevron Background from my shop.  If you need detailed instructions on how to add a seamless pattern background to your blog, check out my tutorial here.

Upload Seamless Pattern Backgroun

 

Step #3

Upload your Header.

Upload your Header in Blogger. Click on Layout and Edit.

Header Added in Blogger(Don’t worry if your header is cut off, or not centered like my example above… we will fix that later)

 

Step#4

We are going to move our header above our “content-inner” and we will also move our Footer below our “content-inner”.  This is how we do that.  Go to your Template and Edit HTML.

Template and Edit HTML

Then you are going to scroll way down until you see <header> and you are going to select from <header> all the way down to </header>.  Then you are going to Cut (right click > CUT) all of that text…

Cut Header Code

…and Paste it directly under <div class=’content-outer’>.

Paste Header Code

 

Next, we also need to move the Footer Code.  I you scroll down some more, you will see <footer>.  You need to select from <footer> all the way down until </footer> and Cut it (right-click Cut).

Cut Footer Code

Then you need to Paste it (right-click Paste) right below the first </div> after <!– content –> (like seen below).

Paster Footer Code

 

Now your blog should look something like this:

Screenshot of Blog Thus Far

 

Step #5

Now we need fix the sizing and add your images.  So head over to your Template Designer, under Template and Customize.

Select Template and Customize

Click on Advanced and Add CSS.

Advanced and Add CSS

There you will add this Code:

.header {
width: 1000px;
}
.content-inner {
background: url('POSTING BACKGROUND IMAGE URL HERE');
background-color:transparent;
padding-bottom:10px;
padding-left:40px;
padding-right:40px;
padding-top:10px;
width: 920px;
}
.footer-inner {
background: url('POSTING BACKGROUND IMAGE URL HERE');
background-position: bottom;
width: 1000px;
}
.footer-outer {
background: url('FOOTER IMAGE URL HERE');
background-repeat: no-repeat;
background-position: 2px bottom;
border: 0px;
padding-bottom:59px;
width: 1000px;
}

Then you will need to customize the code to suit your blog. If your header is 1000px wide, then all the number values are correct, if not, then use the info below to set yours up right. **If you need to know how to host your images, or find your “Direct Link – Image URL”, I have a tutorial here.

Code Description

Phew! Did you get through that :) That is it, now you should have a lovely seamless blog design!

Blogger Blog Layout with a Transparent Background behind the Header and a Border all the way around the Header, Post Section, and Footer.

How to Remove Shadows from the Simple Theme in Blogger.

I have found that the Simple Theme is a really great theme to work with when designing blogs, but I always need to get rid of the pesky shadows to have a nice clean slate for designing.

Get Rid of these Shadows in the Simple Theme of Blogger:  Post Background Shadow, Header Text Shadow, Post Image Shadow, Sidebar Image Shadow

 

All you have to do, is go to your Dashboard, and select “Template” and “Customize“…

Select Template and Customize

 

That brings you to your Template Designer, where you will need to go to your “Advanced” tab and click on “Add CSS“.

Advanced and Add CSS

 

Here are the codes that you need to paste in that section.

To get rid of the Header Text Shadow, paste this:

.Header h1 { text-shadow:none; }

 

To get rid of the Post Area Background Shadow, paste this:

.content-outer { -webkit-box-shadow:none; box-shadow:none; }

 

To get rid of you Post Image, Sidebar Image, & Profile Image Shadows, paste this:

.post-body img, .post-body .tr-caption-container, .Profile img, .Image img, .BlogList .item-thumbnail img { -webkit-box-shadow:none; box-shadow:none; }

 

That’s It :)  Super Simple!

How to Make a Sidebar Header Layout on your Blogger Blog

In this tutorial, I want to show you a super simple way to take a standard blog layout (with the header at the top, and the posts and sidebars below), like the image below:

Blogger Layout

…and change it to this…

Sidebar Header Layout

 

Step #1:

Go to your Template Section and select Customize.

Template > Customize” width=”580″ height=”434″ /></a></p>
<p>Next, go to your <strong>Advanced</strong> Section and <strong>Add CSS</strong>.</p>
<p><a href=Advanced > Add CSS” width=”580″ height=”311″ /></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Paste</strong> the following code in the <strong>Add custom CSS</strong> section:</p>
<p><code>header {display:none;}</code></p>
<p><a href=Header Display None in Blogger

Then Click on Apply to Blog.

 

Step #2:

Go back to your Layout Section, and Add a Gadget.

Layout and Add a Gadget

 

Choose Picture, and upload your sidebar header there.

Picture

 

And there you have it!

Sidebar Header Layout

 

Credits:
Header Graphic is from Free Pretty Things for You
The Template used is the Awesome Inc. Template

You want the Cutest Blog on a Budget…. Learn to Do It Yourself!

Now offering a full blown DIY Blog Design Course! Not only will you get training on blog design, I am even throwing in tips on how to grow your readership. This jam packed course is now being offered Starting Next week, and will be on going, for as long as it is in demand. It is a 2 week course (2, 2 hour classes), the First Date will be Wed. Sept 28th & Oct. 5th @ 7pm-9pm MST.


To kick this off, if you sign up before Sept 27th for this first course, you will get it all for only $49!!! That’s $26 off (34% off)! Sign up quickly, the class is limited to 25 attendees.


DIY Blog Design & Revamp Training Course  |  In 4 hours, you will learn how to design a super professional looking blog + get tons of great tips to grow your readership!  |  Is this class only for super computer geniuses?  No Way!  This class is for anyone that feels like they don’t have a clue, and for those that sorta have  a clue, but need a push.  |  What do I need for the class?  Not Much:  • Internet • Phone or Computer Headset  |  If I do not need software, what will I use to design my blog?  pixlr.com  Totally free, no download required, no registration required.  Go Check it out!  |  What should I expect after signing up?  The class is broken up into two 2 hour sessions.  When you sign up, you will recieve a PDF Packet outlining the first session with “homework” to get you ready for the first class.  You will get a second outline for the next session after the first session is complete.  |  What is the Cost, & is it worth it?  The full Course costs only $75.  Getting your blog designed by a professional costs anywhere from $100 - $1000.    If you have the desire to DIY, you will save money and be able to design your blog for years to come without the high cost of Custom Blog Design.  |  + get a $5 Gift Certificate to my Shop!  (after session 1  is complete)


Register Below (Make sure that you are available for the days and times before you register! – Currently I offer one morning class, and one evening class):

Click Here to Register for 9/28 & 10/5 at 7-9pm MST