I Designed a New Logo for "A Blog of Goodies" Using Logo Garden

Some of you may not know that, in addition to 3G2S, I have a shopping blog called A Blog of Goodies.  This has always been a secondary blog for me and has never really received my full attention even though it is only a few months younger than my primary blog.  Every once in awhile, I will have extra time to tweak that blog a little with a small change that makes me love it even more.  The latest change has been for me to create an official ABOG logo and I did this using Logo Garden.

Logo Garden offers a free service to help you create a logo.  It is great for anyone who does not have a lot of experience in graphic design.  You simply choose a symbol, a color, your font and font size, plus any desired advanced effects, such as a shine, shadow, or reflection (I ended up using all three).  Overall, the process was user-friendly, except there was a glitch that occurred whenever I had one layer overlapping another completely.  Whenever that happened and I tried to click on one of the layers, the program seemed to freeze.  It was frustrating because I had to start my design all over again a few times before I figured out that I needed to move some of my layers aside before trying to edit the lower layers.

In the end, for a free service, I was happy with the logo I ultimately created.  With this free service, however, you only get a small low resolution .jpeg of your logo.  Mine was 222 x 222 pixels.  This might be fine if you just want to create a Facebook profile image, use a small version of the logo to print on basic fliers, or to create a small banner, but this cannot be used for high quality printing of any kind or for website designing.  In order to receive a high resolution (300dpi) .png with a transparent background and a high resolution .jpeg, you need to upgrade for a $19.99 fee, which seems reasonable considering what it costs to have a professional graphic designer create a logo for you.  With the high resolution logo, I was able to create a new header for my blog, change my favicon, make a banner, and create a new Facebook cover.

After you are finished designing your logo, you will be offered the opportunity to design a webpage.  Like the logo, this service is free, but will have upgrade options.  I did not explore this service because I usually do my own web designing.

Next, you will have the opportunity to create a business card with your new logo on it.  There are currently 25 different templates to choose from.  The software automatically uses the color you chose for your logo in the card templates.

You can receive 100 business cards for free, but you need to pay the cost of shipping.  Again, you have the option to upgrade your cards for a small fee.  The quality of printing and the cardstock of the upgraded cards can be seen below.  There is no set-up fee for card printing at Logo Garden.  I only wish that they offered 2-sided printing because I always feel like the space on the back of business cards is going to waste.

I also want to mention that I received an email solicitation for services to design and manage my website.  I do not recall checking a box that gave permission to be contacted, so I was a little surprised to have received this email.

To learn more about creating your own logo, webpage, or business cards, visit www.LogoGarden.com, where you can find a video demonstration.


Thank you to Logo Garden for providing complimentary product samples for us to base this review upon.

What Social Media Information Should Go On Your Business Card?

I have an opportunity coming up to design a new logo for my shopping blog, A Blog of Goodies.  This has always been a secondary blog to me.  I only recently started to focus on growing the readership and its presence on Facebook.  I never even included it on my business cards.  So, I was thinking that, since I will have a brand new logo, I should probably design a  separate business card for my second blog.

At first, I was thinking about printing the card for 3G2S on one side of the card and the information for ABOG on the other side.  Then I started to wonder if that would leave enough space to include as much social media information as possible.  Just take a look at this blog and how many social media sites to which there are links.

Here is what I currently have on my business card for 3G2S . . . 

• Name
• Title
• Site logo
• Site URL
• Email
• Facebook page URL
• Twitter handle

I would definitely leave off my personal Facebook page, my YouTube channel, and StumbleUpon, but what about LinkedIn, Google+, and Pinterest?  That is why I am considering having the standard business card on the front, but using the entire backside for social media.

What do you have on your business card(s)?

Giveaway & Review: Zazzle Custom Printed Business Cards ($25 GC) [CLOSED]

Since there was a long wait to get new business cards from work, my husband was given permission to have his own printed.  I created the design for custom business cards from Zazzle myself in 300dpi for both the front and the back.  I had the idea to print my husband's work schedule on the back since it was unused space.  I made sure I left plenty of room for jotting down notes.

Last fall, we had the pleasure of reviewing a men's geek t-shirt from Zazzle and both my husband and myself were  extremely impressed with the print quality.  I was expecting the same quality with the business cards.  There were two areas where I was disappointed.  I created my images in the exact dimensions of the business cards, building in a white border.  Still, both the front and back designs were printed very close to the edges, with the text being cut off on the back.  Had I been offered a preview or an electronic proof, I would have gone back and resized my image making the white border even wider.  The second thing that made me slightly disappointed is that some of the cards had faint lines on them, as if the ink from the back of one card transferred to the front of the adjacent one.  Other than those two issues, the cards were decent quality for the price.  The cardstock was a good weight and the printing was clear.

I do want to point out that we received my husband's cards quickly and there is even an option to rush the order.  You also receive a volume discount when you order two or more packs of 100 cards, which we took advantage of.  The cards we made were 3-1/2" x 2", but both the custom cards and select pre-designed cards are also available in 1" x 3" and 2-1/2" x 3-1/2".

Zazzle offers much more than just t-shirts and business cards.  They have some unique products that are available in both pre-designed and custom designs, such as postage stamps, several styles of Keds canvas sneakers, round and square pendants, photo sculptures, iPad and iPhone cases, and even skateboards.  Visit Zazzle.com to view the full selection of products.

Thank you to Zazzle for providing a complimentary product sample to base this review upon and for providing a gift code for our contest prize.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a $25 gift code to use on Zazzle.com.

Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:

Browse the selection of create-your-own products offered by Zazzle.com. Then leave a comment telling me the specific name of the item you would most like to customize. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1)  For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.


2)  For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3)  For 10 extra entries, sign up to receive the Zazzle newsletter by email. Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments telling me you did.

4)  For 1 extra entry each, if you are a Friend of mine on Facebook and/or if you have "liked" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here telling me so with the link to your Facebook profile.

5)  For 1 extra entry each, follow Zazzle on Twitter and/or "Like" Zazzle on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment for each with the link to your Twitter or Facebook profile.


6)  Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7)  Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8)  Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9)  Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:

This contest will be closed on Monday, April 11th, 2011 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

Giveaway & Review: Executive Gift Shoppe Personalized Leather Business Card Holder [CLOSED]

Executive Gift Shoppe offers business card holders, desk clocks, flasks, and other business gifts to fit any need. We were sent the Black Leatherette & Stainless Steel Business Card Holder to review, which I gifted to a friend to congratulate her for starting her business. This business card holder is attractive and its design is both functional and unique, sure to impress any business professional out there. The cover is black faux leather with white stitching and it features a stainless steel plate, which Executive Gift Shoppe engraves for free. It’s the perfect size to hold a standard-sized business card, and it holds up to 35 cards. It also has a stainless steel inner “liner” that retracts upon opening to make it easier to remove the cards.

This is, by far, the nicest business card holder I’ve ever seen. It is thick, durable, beautiful, and professional. I was not expecting something so nice when I opened the box and was pleasantly surprised. I picked this for a friend, and regret that I didn’t get it for myself. She hasn’t seen it yet, but I know she’ll be happy with it when she does.

You can find this and many other great personalized gifts online at www.executivegiftshoppe.com. This particular business card holder is currently on sale for just $17.10.  You will also receive Free Ground Shipping on all orders over $75.

Thank you to Executive Gift Shoppe for sending us a complimentary product sample to base this review upon and for providing a gift certificate for our contest prize.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a $25 Gift Certificate to Executive Gift Shoppe.

Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. & Canadian entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:

Browse the selection of gifts offered by Executive Gift Shoppe. Then leave a comment telling me the name of one item you might buy if you won this contest. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1)  For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.


2)  For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3)  For 10 extra entries, sign up to receive the Executive Gift Shoppe email newsletter (left sidebar). Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments telling me you did.

4)  For 1 extra entry each, if you are a Friend of mine on Facebook and/or if you have "liked" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here telling me so with the link to your Facebook profile.

5)  For 1 extra entry each, follow Executive Gift Shoppe on Twitter and/or "Like" Executive Gift Shoppe on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment for each with the link to your Twitter or Facebook profile.


6)  Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7)  Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8)  Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9)  Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

10)  Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

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(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:

This contest will be closed on Monday, February 7th, 2011 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

Holiday 2010 Giveaway: Photo Holiday Cards & More from CardStore.com [CLOSED]

It is officially that time of year! Time to, not only start thinking about your holiday cards, but also gifts, gift bags, gift boxes, and gift tags. Is your head spinning yet? One thing that I have learned is that photo gifts are always a hit. On a designer stationary site like CardStore.com, you can not only find photo cards, but you can also find a variety of personalized and photo products, like photo gift tags, to make occasions even more special all year round.

When I was invited to try out the CardStore.com website, ordering process, and one product, I was torn between several items. Having over 1000 different Christmas cards to choose from did not help my decision. One thing I strongly considered was a photo notebook. I thought for sure that one of our children would love to receive one of those. The problem was which child would I choose?

What I ended up choosing was a set of personalized business cards for my husband. I had offered to design business cards for him in the past, but he never knew specifically what he wanted. On CardStore.com, it was easy to figure out which design he liked best. Then I was able to customize the text, fonts, and colors for both the front and back of the cards for him.

We are both extremely pleased with the cards we received. The monogram is very modern. I love how the back of the card has the colors reversed. This is a very popular design trend. These cards are printed on a sturdy 130lb matte recycled cardstock, same as the personalized gift tags.

Through the end of 2010, you can receive 15% off holiday cards on CardStore.com when you checkout using Code: MERRY15.

Thank you to CardStore.com for sending us a complimentary sample product to base this review upon and for providing a second product for our contest prize. This article was written as part of a campaign for the Family Review Network.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a set of 25 Personalized Gift Tags.

Limitations:

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:

Browse the selection of holiday cards offered by CardStore.com . Then leave a comment telling me the name of the one holiday card that is your absolute favorite. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.

2)

For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) For 5 extra entries,

leave a relevant comment on the CardStyle blog

.

Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented.

4)

For 1 extra entry each, if you are a Friend of mine on Facebook and/or if you have "liked" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here telling me so with the link to your Facebook profile.

5) For 1 extra entry each, follow CardStyle on Twitter and/or "Like" CardStore on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment for each with the link to your Twitter or Facebook profile.

6)

Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7)

Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8)

Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9)

Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

10)

Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

<br /> <a href="http://www.3garnets2sapphires.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd206/Busymonkeez/Graphics4Me/NEWBlogButton125x125.jpg" /></a><br /><br />

(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:

This contest will be closed on Monday, November 22nd, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

Giveaway: 250 Custom Printed Business Cards [CLOSED]

Just six years ago, I would not have known what to do with a business card printing service, even if someone had offered the service to me free of charge. Things have changed drastically since. Now I need business cards to promote my blog and my businesses, and to exchange with other busy parents.



I have already been fortunate enough to experience the services of the online printing company UPrinting.com . Several months ago, I designed my own 2-sided business cards in the glossy cardstock. They turned out beautifully and exactly as the proof had shown. Let me tell you, since I've tried glossy cards, I'll never go back to matte.


Thank you to UPrinting.com for providing us with both a product sample and an identical contest prize free of charge.



What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive 250 Custom Printed Business Cards (plus Free Ground Shipping)

• 2"x3.5" or 2"x2" or 2"x3" or 1.5"x3.5"
• 14pt gloss cardstock or 14pt matte cardstock or 13pt recycled uncoated cardstock
• full color both sides
• offset press
• 3-business day turn-around
  

Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.


How to Gain Entries:
Leave a comment telling me what you will use these custom business cards for if you should win this contest. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.

2) For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) Add this blog to your Technorati Favorites. Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so and under what username. Add to Technorati Favorites

4) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post AND UPrinting.com . Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.

5) Friend me on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment with your Facebook username or a link to your FB profile.

6) Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7) Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8) Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9) Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

<br /> <a href="http://www.3garnets2sapphires.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd206/Busymonkeez/Graphics4Me/NEWBlogButton125x125.jpg" /></a><br /><br />

(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:
This contest will be closed on Monday, October 19th, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!