Guest Post: Pick Up Some Creativity....

Chris over at Pickup Some Creativity 

has always posted the most amazing tutorials. 

She has an amazing knack of making tricky tasks seeming easy.
She's also very lovely indeed. 

So, natch, I had to get her over here to do 

a guest post for you about putting together a tutorial......

Hello Modern Country Style enthusiasts! My name is Chris. I blog about creativity and life at my blog, Pickup Some Creativity.

Dear Sarah asked me to share a tutorial on how to write a tutorial. It sounds a bit daunting, yes?

I thought the easiest way to go about this is to share with you how I write tutorials.
First, you need an idea to share. If you're worried about sharing something that's been overdone, do a quick google blog search, and find out what's already available.

image via statesman sentinel

Second, create your project, taking as many pictures of you can of each step in your process. I take multiple pictures so that if one turns blurry or the lighting isn't great, I hopefully get another that looks better.  You don't need a fancy pants camera.  I use a Canon  Powershot A530.  I never use the auto settings, and always use natural light.  I generally get great pictures.  You'll be surprised at what a good little point and shoot can do.

image via eastcoast photo

Third, take notes as you go. Write down measurements, any other tips you want to share.  I keep this little notebook with all my tutorial ideas.  I often have several projects in various states of completion, and this is how I keep it all straight.

Fourth, edit your pictures. I wish I could say I am a photoshop queen, but alas, I don't have a lot of money to give to Adobe. So, I use a few free options. First, Picassa. I love this program. It allows you to organize your photos, and gives you lots of great tools. I always use the tuning option.

Second option, Picnik.  This is a great online photo editing tool.  There is even an option now in Picassa that allows you to use Picnik through Picassa.  Heaven!  A third resource, use the paint program included with Windows.  The newest version included with Windows 7 is the best so far.

Fifth.  Don't be afraid to write on your pictures.  I think adding a bit of text, or summarizing a step is a great way to add to your tutorial.  This is easily done in Picassa.  For example:

There are so many wonderful free fonts available.  I have found several great ones at FontSquirrel.  Just be sure to find the folder on your computer where fonts are stored, and you can easily add them.  Picassa will draw from that folder, and you can write on your pictures to your heart's content.

Sixth, write your instructions.  Start with a catchy, descriptive title.  Be sure to list all the materials that might be needed to create your project.  I found a great little html trick that lets you make a bullet list.  You can use this example, but be sure to add your own materials...and not copy word for word!

You can see examples of my tutorials on my tutorial page HERE.  I have definitely gotten better at it, the more I blog.  My first few were definite learning experiences!

Seventh.  Edit and then link up/share.  Use the preview option in blogger to see what your post looks like before you hit that publish button!  Also, be sure to save your draft as you go.  There are so many great linky parties and other sites that share tutorials.  Be brave and email links and descriptions to your favorite blogs.   They just might feature you!

I hope this helps any budding writers out there.  The key ingredient is to just DO IT!  I believe that each of us was born with a divine need to create.  Find what medium works for you, create something, and share with us.  The craft/design blog world is such a positive, happy community to be a part of.  We're excited to see what you have to show us.

Thanks, Sarah, for inviting me.  We need to figure out a virtual way to share a cup of tea!

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Guest Post: A Rosy Note

That's decided, then: it's a date. Next week is Modern Country Style's Wreath Week. I'll share with you how to put a wreath together from scratch, and then all sorts of beautiful ideas for decorating them.

Thank you to those of you who've emailed me questions and suggestions, I'll be adding those in for sure. Keep 'em coming!

Today, I am so pleased to welcome Tricia here from A Rosy Note. She is so awesomely talented: gorgeous crafts, amazing rooms and brilliant ideas. Is there nothing this girl can't do?

Hi everyone!  I am so happy to be here today at Sarah's beautiful blog.  Sarah has always been such a supportive and sweet blog friend, so when she asked me to guest post I was thrilled.  To give you a hint of what my blog, A Rosy Note, is all about, Sarah asked me these questions.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hmm...this question kind of makes me feel like I am on a job interview.  What to say?  What to say?  Okay...how about I just give you a top ten list about me? Here goes, in no particular order, of course.  I...

1. love drawing, design, decorating and photography.
2. am the mother of two wonderful children and love, love, love my family.
3. go to Target far too often.
4. have owned my own business, a home furnishings and gift boutique.
5. am a vegetarian.
6. love to decorate model homes...my husband is a builder/remodeler.
7. live in Minnesota, but would prefer to be somewhere warmer and more exotic.  Italy sounds good.
8. like to organize...sad, but true.
9. love to travel.
10. have a degree in Psychology.

Whew...it's hard to define yourself by ten items, but for right now this is my list.  I'm sure I'll want to change it the minute it gets posted though :)

What gave you the idea to start your blog, A Rosy Note?

Well, I lurked around some sewing, crafting and design blogs for about a year and absolutely loved them.  I have a severe magazine addiction and looking through blogs seemed similar to looking at magazines...all the stories, crafts and style...I was in love.  I had been wanting to do something creative and really felt like I was meant to start a blog, I don't know why...hopefully it leads me somewhere, like to the place I am meant to be.

{Yes, me again! Isn't this room gorgeous? I love the books on the beautiful shelf above the bed.}

What is your favorite style of decorating and why?

Nothing I can really define for you.  I like a variety of things...European country, modern contemporary, Scandinavian design and even colorful, artistic decor.  I think my bedroom is a good indicator of my overall style, it has a mix of old and new, as well as a simple palette with a little splash of color.  To my eye, it does need a few more modern elements though.  Everyone else seems to like it too, since it was one of my most popular posts.

Can you tell us about your best crafty project so far?

Hmmm...probably the felt flowers.  They were simple, turned out so cute and didn't cost much either.  The nice thing about them is they can be used in a variety of ways...on a pillow, a gift or maybe as a pretty accent to a purse or coat.

Well, that's it folks.  I so enjoyed visiting with everyone here at Modern Country Style today.  Thanks for having me, Sarah!  I would love it if you all popped over to visit me too.  Tricia♥

Aren't Tricia's photos beautifully put together? They're so dreamy. I could just stare and stare! 

Do you remember this cinnamon and heart garland from a few posts ago? It's the first of our decorations to be put up and it looks so lovely in it's new home! Very Christmassy and, kind of Country, but in a Modern way. Does that sound like my cup of tea?!!

{Modern.....Country....see what I did there?!}

;-)

I can't wait to show you, gorgeous chickadees!

 

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Guest Post: Signal Hill Interiors

Well.....? Did you notice any changes around here?

Haircut? Well, yes...and thank you for spotting that, you sweetiepie, but try again. And this time, look up....

I've got myself a brand new Header. I cobbled it together  myself.  I did like the old look but because it was only a Blogger template, it wasn't unique to me. 

Plus I decided that I should really smarten up around here a bit.

So....what do you think? I'd love your feedback if you have a moment.

Today I have a surprise for you. It's Modern Country Style's very first guest blogger! Meet Courtenay who only started her blog, Signal Hill Interiors, October. She is so gorgeously lovely...and funny too.

Take it away, Courtenay.....

Hello Modern Country Stylers!

 Courtenay here from Signal Hill Interiors. The lovely and talented Sarah has asked me to talk about my gift wrap ideas for this year so I'm just gunna do what she says. Cause this is her blog, that's why!

Let me just start by saying that I am no expert gift wrapper. Evidence of this can be found here in my original post on the subject. That being said, I think it's important for a non-wrap expert and also a slightly spaz-attack prone person such as myself to plan ahead to get the best results. I want to test what's going to look good and work now, so that when the pressure's on, I know exactly what to do and I can get all my gifts wrapped beautifully lickity-split.

The plan starts with a box.

I made a mock up of a gift, wrapping it in brown paper because that's what I'm planning to use this year.

It's important that it be wrapped exactly as I would do it in real life so I can see how it's really going to look. This is really how I wrap my presents. Really. It's that bad. Just trust me though, it's going to turn out good.

Next I gather up all my embellishments and get to work.

My first idea for this round was to just try out some extra ribbons that I have and love, but haven't found a use for.

This is simple, but cute for moms and other such people.

Sarah really liked this one and so do I. I like the impact to effort ratio here.

This idea will be used a lot.

I had an idea to use up extra bits of scrapbook paper so I cut out a whole bunch of petals from my scraps.

Then I just started placing them around like a flower.

I made three different layers.

I like this one too. This would be super fun for kids. I might actually think about putting this onto a separate piece of paper first and then attaching it so the flower can be saved after the gift is open.

I thought I'd try a little tone on tone action here.

I am crazy for this one. It took no work, just a simple double bow and it looks like a million bucks. And that tag? I just cut it from a scrap of paper and strung it on with some twine. I'm never buying tags again! This is so much cuter and actually even easier than peeling those little sticky tabs off of store bought tags.

So there you have my wrapping strategy. It's simple and totally easy, but I'm actually excited to wrap my gifts this year instead of a little fearful of the possible ridicule. 

I hope you've enjoyed your time with me today as much as I've enjoyed being here. Hope to see you again soon!

Ooooh, isn't she great? Reading Courtenay's posts always puts a spring in my step. I like blogs like that, don't you?

I'm torn between the charcoal ribbon and the tone on tone action (gotta love that title). I just love the brown paper and the simple styling. Stunning.


Please will take a minute and pay her a visit at Signal Hill Interiors....?

Have a look at the amazing chalk-board boxes they've made to hold their daughter's toys....ooh, and her amazing table make-over....and...and.... 

They just seem to produce one amazing project after another with seemingly no effort at all.

Jealous me?...... No, my face is always that shade of green....

And what's this all about?......I can't wait to show you what I've been up to over the weekend....

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