monday's buttons - week 5

Welcome to another week of my favorite buttons!  I'm running behind on a few crafty endeavors this month, so I have had to cut down the time I spend searching for super buttons to feature.  Feel free to pass some on to me for consideration if you have one on your blog you love or run across a great one on another blog. 

I am just Lu This first button is more than just good . . . it's great!  I am loving almost every single element of it:  the color combo, the simple white background so that the little squares pop off the page, the geometric element, the way the blog title is placed, the fact that some of the squares are empty and some are filled.  I could go one, but I won't because . . . well, just because.  :)  If you love the look of this button, hop on over to Just Lu for more of the same in her blog banner.  (I confess that I secretly wish this were my her banner and button design  . . . oh, I guess it's not much of a secret anymore!) And check out her blog content as well.  I promise that she's one of those people that you will just instantly like!   

1) How would you describe your blog to someone who hasn't read it yet?

My blog just Lu is a little bit of everything that I do: I craft and sew, I read (mostly books for children or young adults), and I cook. I started blogging last year just to show off what I'm doing in my life as a new mom (I know, how vain of me!). As I've explored the many great blogs there are, I've discovered that there are so many people out there that are so much more innovative than I am. I love to take their ideas and combine them to make a creation (craft or otherwise) that fits me and my life. So, my blog is growing to reflect what I do best: borrow ideas and recipes and do things my way.

2) Did you craft your button or did you commission someone else to craft it for you? If you crafted it, what program did you use? If someone else did, who?
I made my button myself using Photoshop CS3. The font is Bookworm, and the squares are just good ol' wingdings. :)

3) What was the inspiration behind your button? What did you want it to say about you or your blog?
My button's color scheme was inspired by my blog background (from Hot Bliggity Blog). I love the colors, and I love the clean look of a repeated square motif. I feel like my button represents me and my blog well: I'm not particularly creative on my own, but I can take someone else's idea, like a square webding character, and put my own spin on it to make it mine.

4) What kind of buttons stick out to you when you are poking around in the blog-world?
I love blog buttons that are simple, with not too much going on, but use a unique shape or font or other element that connects them well with the blog.

5) What inspires you to keep blogging?
Finding new blog-friends! I sometimes get discouraged seeing all these fantastic blog and these wonderfully creative people who have such a natural knack for the crafty and creative, but I love the feeling of exhilaration that I get "meeting" new people through my blog and through the blogs I follow.

One Pretty Thing If you have not been to this next site, you must stop everything and go there immediately (after reading the rest of this post, of course).  One Pretty Thing is the brilliant brainchild of Rachel.  This is the first site I stumbled upon when I began checking out crafting blogs/sites, and it is the first button I displayed on my blog.  I probably turn to One Pretty Thing more than any other site to get my creative juices flowing.  I'm not sure how Rachel finds the time or energy everyday to keep this site up and running, but my hat is off to her.  I LOVE this site and I LOVE her button!  I think the thing I appreciate most about it is that it's clear and easy to read, and I like that the title is in white.  Some buttons have fonts that are difficult to read (like mine for instance).  But when I see this button I know exactly what it says and where I'm going when I click on it.  

 

1) What is your site about? What was your inspiration for this site?

One Pretty Thing is a site that aggregates links from craft projects all over the web. I hunt down the best tutorials, organize them in an easy to read format and share my findings with everyone! I was inspired by the crazy amount of time I spent at my computer hunting down tutorials. I wished that there was a site that had them all in one place. After a few days of wishing I just jumped in and created it myself.

2) What do you like best about your button?
I love the soft but bright colors in my button. The palate reminds me of the clothing I usually wear as well as the colors in my home. I'm a sucker for feminine brights!

3) Did you craft your own button or did you commission/inspire someone else to craft it? If you crafted it, what program/software did you use? If someone else did, who?
I created my button using Photoshop. I had created the flower for my banner, and the typewriter style keys for my Daily DIY post header. I combined those graphics to create the button I'm using now. I'm actually working on a more unifying logo right now, so I'll be doing it all again soon!

4) If you are looking for inspiration, what is the one blog you would turn to?
Lately I've been pulling so much inspiration from Prudent Baby. I've found so many fabulous party, decor and giftable tutorials there. Just in the last week I've added three Prudent Baby projects to my own crafty to-do list! It's a great site with a lot of DIY variety.

5) What kind of buttons stand out to you?
I think it depends on the website I'm looking at. If the site has a lot of white space, a colorful button catches my eye. On a busy site, a more restful button might grab my attention. I love buttons that let me immediately know what the site is about and I'm much more likely to click on those. That's something I hope to achieve with my next button and logo revamp!


A Cuppy Cake Life One look at Carolyn's button over at A Cuppy Cake Life and you can't miss the purpose of her blog.  I try to pop over and visit all those who sign up to follow twelve crafts till Christmas.  I love looking through these blogs for inspirations.  After Carolyn signed up as a follower here, I popped over to her sweet blog (pun intended).  After I wiped the drool off my chin and computer keyboard, I noticed her button right away.  So cute!  Carolyn was gracious enough to answer a few questions about her button.  I warn you . . . if you stop over at A Cuppy Cake Life (and you should) be prepared for some serious sweet treat cravings.

1) Describe your blog in five words.
Cupcakes, Recipes, Tips, Fun, Relaxed

2) How does your button reflect your blog?
At A Cuppy Cake Life the cupcake is the star. Having it as the focus of the button shows it's the focus of the blog.

3) Did you craft your button or did you commission someone else to craft it for you? If you crafted it, what program did you use?
I cannot take credit for anything more than the color scheme. Kendra at Key Lime Blog Design (http://keylimedesigns.blogspot.com) is the awesome designer of my button and my blog.

4) What do you like best about your button?
I love that it is fun and relaxed without being overly girly and juvenile. Cupcakes aren't just for kids!

Thanks to all the creators of the featured buttons for their willingness to put up with my button stalking and questions!  Go check out the blogs behind the buttons, be inspired and . . .

craft on!