Saturday Sessions: The About Me Gadget

I get so excited when I get an email notification saying someone has requested a Saturday Session tutorial. I really don't know what you guys want to learn, so don't hesitate to request a tutorial here. This week's request was from Rachael over at Pretty in Pink asking for info on installing the about me sidebar gadget. Rachael's blog is already so stinkin cute, not sure that she even needs my help :) 

1. The anatomy gof an about me gadget

I'm all about keeping things simple. Since I first started this blog I have run the gamut on about me widgets. (Is that the correct way to use that expression? I'm not sure, oh well, you know what I mean.) 

I figured I'd give my feedback on my various past gadgets...  that first one... woof.

2. So, who do I think has a great about me gadget?

Life of Meg 

CommuniKait 

The Nectar Collective

Treasure Tromp 

In The Pink and Green

Southern Living, Our Way

3. Designing An About Me Gadget in PicMonkey.

Although I  do all my designing in photoshop, I rarely do any tutorials in photoshop. I want everyone to be able to recreate any of my Saturday Sessions posts, so I use picmonkey. I'm not the most experienced with PicMonkey so I apologize if I take more steps than needed, this is the only way I know how. Ok, let's get started! 

Step 1: Go to PicMonkey and choose edit a photo. You can pick any photo at all, it doesn't matter right now because we are just going to resize it. Change the dimensions to 300x600 and uncheck the option "keep proportions". Next you will go to the option on the left side called overlays. This will allow you to start with a white, blank slate.

Step 2: Click to add your own overlay. This will be the picture you've decide to use for the about me gadget. Then resize and place where you want it to be.  

Step 3: Time to add your text. I suggest mixing no more than two design fonts, and one basic print text (i.e. Georgia, Times New Roman, Arial) at one time. See my guide to pairing fonts here.

Important :::::: Always save as PNG. No need for us to get into this, just trust me. JPG isn't your friend.

Step 4: Upload it to your blog!

Go to you dashboard, select layout, then add a gadget to your sidebar. Then choose add an image. Before you upload, be sure to uncheck "shrink to fit". Upload your png file and click save! 

Then admire your handiwork! 

Feel free to ask me any questions :)

Happy Saturday << Go Vols and Cowboys! >>