Linen love.

I love linen!

I’ve been trying to find a linen background for my blog for a long while now — like a year? Or more! But I never did find any that seemed quite right.

I tried to make my own by scanning some linen, but that didn’t work. :(

Then I stumbled across this tutorial from Elixir that shows how to make the ones like in iOS. (If you have an iPhone and use the multi-tasking you’ll see it behind the icons in the toolbar. Love it!)

Then I used this tutorial from Design Shack to turn the texture into seamless tile.

Hooray! (Check it out over there on the sides. I changed the colors to make the background for the photo collage above, too.)

More resources:

  • I learned how to make a heart by watching this tutorial from Katrina over at Pugly Pixel. I’ve learned so much from her! (Thanks a ton, Katrina!)
  • The color palette was made over at Colour Lover — something else I heard about from Katrina. This cool site lets you create color palettes — even from photos. So fun! I plan to use it for crafty ideas too.
  • The digital stitches are a brush — also from Pugly Pixel. Check out Katrina’s Pixel Pointer Embroidery Effects post for more.
  • Oh and the doily is from the Paper Buffet pack from Katrina. (See, I told you I learned lotsa good stuff from her!)
  • The linen is some that I picked up at Pea Pod Fabrics in San Francisco when I was visiting Mon. It’s from Japan — I’ve been hoarding it, can’t quite bring myself to cut it. eep!
  • The bunnies are an ebay find — they were made in Japan. (Hmmm, I see another pattern here.)
  • I started a linen board over at Pinterest. (Are you on there yet? So addicting.)

I’m almost done with my spring blog makover, whew! Let me know what you think :) I especially want to know what profile photo you like better, I’m having a hard time deciding. The one on the left is how I usually wear my hair. The one on the right was taken on the day when I got my new glasses. I’m wearing one of my vintage shirts — you can’t tell from the photo but it has chicken wire on it — it always makes me happy. (It’s a vintage find from a shop down the street — next to the cupcake shop — double yumminess!) I’d use the photo on the right in a flash, but since it’s not how I usually wear my hair then I don’t know if people would recognize me, ha ha!

Can’t wait to hear what you think,

19 Replies to “Linen love.”

  1. The linen look is great and I love those bunnies. As far as the picture goes, I vote for the one on the right, it has personality. If people come to your blog and don’t recognize you, that is OK. People change all the time. Hair color, weight……. Hope you have a fabulous weekend.

  2. love the linen and i love your style!! thanks for sharing all the links, too! someday i might just get brave enough to learn some new skills.
    i vote for the photo on the right…it’s got a fun retro-kitsch style that is so perfect! of course you are adorable in both photos…
    bless you~

  3. your blog header is adorable lisa!
    and i vote for the pic on the right…your hair looks cute pulled back like that.

  4. Lovin’ the photo on the right, too! And I really want to see the chicken wire shirt up close!!!!!!!!

    Sweet linen things and blog makeover….
    xo

  5. i love the soft gray linen you have going on here (i love linen too!). And my vote is also for the photo on the right–it has a bit of spunk, just like you! :)

  6. I love linen, too……..I used to be able to cross-stitch on it back when my eyes were younger. Love how your blog is looking. It’s hard to choose which picture I like best. The one on the left is how I “see” you (never having actually met), but the other one is more 1950’s or something. Why don’t you alternate them a month at a time? Hugs!

  7. Love your linen background and the gray color. I like both photos but the one on the left is the real you. Great blog makeover!

  8. I love linen, too! Your blog looks great, and your header is genius!
    I think the photo on the right “matches” the yummy linen. I’m with Lin….alternate!

  9. lovely new look on your blog, Lisa! i like the photo on the right more. well, it’s because we don’t get to see you wear your hair like that! =) have a lovely weekend!

  10. ohhh love the new linen background, Lisa!!! I also learn a looooot of things reading Katrina´s blog she is such a great teacher lol, and yep Pinterest is addicting o.o you are not the only one lol
    have a nice day!
    Agus

  11. you’re an angel, lisa — i’ve been trying to make my own linen bg FOREVER. thank you for this — i’m will spend the afternoon creating line. :)

    and, thanks for the shout outs!! ♥ ♥ ♥

  12. Hi Lisa! I love linen too. . .it has such a fun textured look! Love the way it looks on your blog! It’s hard to choose which photo I like best. You look so cute in both! I’ve always loved the one on the right. . .the expression on your face is just so you! Hugs! :)

  13. barbara lassiter says:

    I love linen, too! I’m designing a cross-stitch sampler for my youngest grandson and will soon be stitching that on linen. I love the picture on the right!!!!

  14. Tiffany Johnson says:

    Your blog background looks amazing! It’s cool that you were able to find a way to make it seamless!!!! LOVE your banner too :)

  15. hi lisa! loving how your spring blog makeover is coming along! and my vote is the pic on the right…..shows off your pretty face!

  16. Love the linen … those bunnies are adorable too!! Use the pic on the left … it is perfect! Hurry up and finish so we can see new card creations LOL!!!!! :-) I am missing your inspiration!!!

  17. Angie Hall says:

    Lisa, I like both pictures but I always think of you as the one on the left. I really enjoy your photos. Thanks for sharing them with us. I can’t stay away for the linens in antique stores, myself.

  18. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!! I’ve been looking around for FOREVER to find a nice professional looking linen background for my blog… and I found your post with tutorials! Can’t wait to get home and try it out!! You’re a life saver… thanks a million for sharing!!

  19. Thanks for the tutorial. I’m forever searching for new themes and have often wondered about creating my own but never knew how to do it.

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