Di Mill

Free Facebook Page Tabs & Tutorial

 

I have to say, I have been struggling a bit with my facebook page. Apart from posting photos that were work related and a few comments, it didn't really do much else.  I knew what I wanted my facebook page to be able to achieve - being able to direct readers of my facebook page to my blog, twitter, instagram, and pinterest accounts, but I just couldn't work out how to do it.  Then I read about facebook page apps! Where have I been? I had trialed a couple of programs previously but the tabs were boring and it seemed like money was just being wasted as you had to pay to use them.  I still couldn't work out how to custom the page to suit my needs.  I don't know about you, but I am on a budget, so I don't have the extra cash to be spent on facebook applications, especiallly those that I'm not happy with.

Finally I found out that there are applications you can use and add to your facebook page that will enable your readers to follow your blog, read your tweets, look at your instagram photos, see your pins on pinterest and go to your etsy store if you have one....and they are FREE! So I made my own little tabs and uploaded them and although they are simple...I like them! A few customers asked me how I did it, so I decided to try to write a tutorial and give you some images that you can download and use if you like them.

 

There are many apps available for facebook pages but below are the facebook page apps that I used:

 

Blog: NetworkedBlogs has an app that will allow your readers to see your blog feed. I was not a member of NetworkedBlogs so I had to add it to the side bar of my blog first. They will give you the HTML code and instructions on what to do. In Typepad you add it under "widgets". Once your have added it to your blog, and followed the instructions given, the app is added to a tab on your facebook page. This app allows you to have your blog feeds posted onto your wall if you wish.

 Twitter: I have used this app. It was easy to install and will display your recent activity or "tweets". You can automotically have your tweets posted on your facebook wall if you perfer but I chose to just have them available for the readers to read if they wished.

Pinterest: I used this app to attach my pinterest account. It's easy to install and once your readers click on it, all of your pinterest boards are there for viewing.

Instagram: This is the app I used to attach my Instagram account. Just follow the instructions and your instagram photos will be downloaded.

Shop: If you have an online store that you would like your facebook page readers to have access to, then try shopify.

There are many more facebook page apps available and if you google what you are after, I'm sure you will many options to choose from.

Now you have the facebook page apps on your page but you are not particularly fond of how they look? This is the fun bit where you get to change them to a style that suits you and your page.

I've had a play around and designed a few simple tabs that you I am happy to share with you if you are not sure how to make your own. If you would like to make your own, your image needs to be 111px x 74px.

 

 

 

You can download the pops of colour facebook tabs at the links below:

Aqua tabs

Pink tabs

Butter tabs

Red tabs

 

I've also designed a chalkboard set & a paint stroke set:

 

You can download the tabs at the links below:

Chalkboard tabs

Paint Stroke tabs

(The files are zipped so you will need to unzip them once you have downloaded them)

 

How to add style to your facebook page app tabs:

 

Ok now you have downloaded the apps onto your facebook page and you've downloaded the images you would like to use, so lets make our facebook page a little bit prettier!

 

1. Click on the small arrow that is at the right hand side of your app tabs (mine has the number 4 beside it as I have another 4 apps that are hidden)

 

Once you click on that arrow, your page should look like this:

 

Note: you may have different tab images at this stage and they will probably be in a different order.

 

If you hover your mouse over the right top corner of the app you wish to change, a small pencil image will appear - click on that.

A drop down box will appear like the one below:

 To move your tabs around (the photo tab cannot be moved) just click on the tab you wish to swap with. Your tab you are editing should swap into it's new position.

To add one of the images you have downloaded, click on  "edit settings" . A new box will appear like the one below:

 

 

This is where you can change the wording of the tab name or change the image. Click on the word "change" that is beside "custom tab image" and follow the directions and upload your new image. Then it's just a case of clicking "okay" and you will have a new image for your tab.

NOTE: The downloads free and are for your own private use on your facebook page. If you would like to share these with your friends, please don't put the zipped download on your blog... please direct them to this blog page. The images are also not to be sold.

 

I hope you have found this tutorial easy to follow. If you have any questions then please leave a comment below as others may have the same question and I will answer to the best of my ability.

Leave a link to your facebook page if you use the tabs so I can pop over and see what you have done.

Have fun,

 

Di

 

 

 

 

Planning

Are you a "list" maker? Do you plan your week?

Yes - I do love a list and any tool that helps me to be just a bit more organised. Being a single parent for so many years, I found that if I wasn't organised, I just created stress in the house. I'm still nowhere near as organised as I would like to be, but I do try. I thought when I bought my iphone, I would use the calendar for appointments and reminders etc but I found that I actually get a lot of satisfaction out of writing my goals or jobs down and crossing them off the list.

I try to find time at the end of the week to work out:

• a menu plan - check the pantry, fridge & freezer first and try to work meals around what's in there already
•  grocery list
• all the jobs I need to get done - housework, yard work, errands etc
• work appointments
• budget for the week - this is one I always struggle with but I do try :)

When I take the time to plan...I achieve more, I spend less money on last minute meals, gifts etc, I waste less food as I check the pantry and fridge when planning my meals, and I'm a bit more aware of what's going on in our household over the next 7 days. Although I would love to do this every week, there are times when it just doesn't happen but I just try and get back on track the next week.

I found this post over at designfinchwhich has a great list of free downloadable lists for weekly planners, weekly menu planers, cleaning check lists, and blog planners.

 

 

So pop over to designfinch and start downloading and take some time today to plan your week. Let me know how you go! Life will always throw you curve balls that mean that some weeks that plan gets thrown in the bin...but it's great to have some goals written down and try your best to to achieve them.

Take care...Di

Tutorial - Pinnafore dress for little girl & New Toy!

I've seen photos of this cute pinafore baby dress popping up on Pinterest everyday so I thought I would pass it on to you. It is very sweet and Maggie from Smashed Peas and Carrots has provided a tutorial for you so go to her blog and print out the PDF pattern and follow Maggie's instructions.

 

 

 

 

 

I have a new toy! Actually I'm a bit embarrassed to say it's not exactly new - I've had it for about 4 years but I've never used it. It's a Wacom Tablet:

 

 

 

I found it the other day and decided to try and learn how to use it. Well it's not as easy as it looks and I am hoping that practice - lots of practice - will ensure a better result than the one below, but I thought I would give it a go anyway. I've traced one of the above photos and substituted some of my favourite fabric designs from the Northcott range: Emma.  Emma will be arriving in November.

 

 

 

floral print: 6817-23.   Pink swirl tonal: 6823-23

 

And also the Pam Kitty Morning fabric range by Lakehouse- soooo cute, fresh and perfect for our spring/summer season that we will be in when the fabric arrives in October.

 

 
 

Blue floral - LH110022-blue.   The pink/red with white circle print - LH11018-red.

So what do you think aboutmy new toy??? I'm hoping I can perfect my tracing technique and be able to bring you some fun designs where I can give you a vision of how it will look using other fabrics. If you use a wacom tablet and have any tips...please forward them to me. :) It's such a different type of eye/hand co-ordination as you are watching the computer screen and not your actual hand. I'm all for learning new skills and taking on a challenge...so fingers crossed.

Take care...Di