Happy Summer everyone!! I think I can officially say that to all of you now, right? :) And summer freedom means more time to join in with Tara for her weekly Monday Made It, one of the best parts of summer!
So, like any teacher, I have a looooong list of things to work on during the free time of summer. And one of my first tasks was to tackle my boards on Pinterest.
Because I seriously had to be the worst pinner in the world.
My boards were a mess, my pins were totally intermittent, and I literally cringed every time I looked at my boards.
So I decided to get on track as a pinner by reorganizing my boards and bringing a little cohesion to everything:
I am a HUGE admirer of so many boards that are gorgeously organized,
with the perfect photograph chosen as the cover image. But I am not very
good about that part, so I went with the other option and designed my own
board covers.
I designed all of my covers in Fireworks, a graphics software I use for practically everything I make. But you can also design these covers in Powerpoint (my other true love!) and the steps are as follows:
1. Set Up the Board Image
Open a new file in Powerpoint. Using the Shapes tool, draw a rectangle. I found this excellent site that shares all of the sizes of the various Pinterest features: The Pinterest Cheat Sheet to Image Sizes
The board covers on Pinterest are 217 x 147 pixels...which is roughly 3.01" x 2.04" so I set the rectangle to this size:
2. Text Time
Then I used a couple of textboxes to write the board name. For mine, I left a lot of space on the bottom and I'll explain more about that at the bottom of this post:
3. Take a Picture
Well save it as a picture, really. Use the "Select All" command, then right-click (or control + click on a Mac) to get the "Save as a Picture" option:
4. Name It
Name your new little picture, so it will be ready for uploading:
5. Upload Your Cover
Head into the board you would like to customize first (in this example, I am in my Admire Beautiful Classrooms board). Click on the + sign to add a pin:
Then, click on the arrow for the Your Computer option:
Next, upload the image you created:
Make sure your image is on the board you would like it to appear on:
Then describe the pin...I just give it the name of the board, as it is the new cover for that board:
Edited to add another important step!!!
Much thanks to my sweet friend Diane from Fifth in the Middle who has done this process in the past. Diane tells us that you can link your board itself to the cover images you design.
Simply go to one of your boards and grab the URL of that board:
Then paste that link in the box next to "Source":
Your board cover will now take your fellow pinners right to that board! Thank you so much Diane!!!
All that is left is to set your new image as your board cover:
A couple of things to consider:
- Branding: If you are a blogger and would like your boards to represent you and your brand, you can use a color scheme that matches your blog. The end result will be a page that looks like your blog and is easily recognized by your readers, which is great for branding.
- Layout: I am a tad obsessive over these kinds of things, but there is really is a lot you can do with the layout and design of your cover. You can crop the images/graphics for that look everyone loves. You can use a variety of fonts for a fun look, or the same fonts for cohesion. Even of the positioning of the images and text on the cover can have an impact. I left some space at the bottom of my covers so that number of pins text could stand out nicely on its own:
As you can see by my boards (Ladybug's Teacher Files), I still have a lot to learn and a LOT to pin! Do you have any tips you would like to share with us about Pinterest? I would love to learn more from you!
so, so, so GORGEOUS! Ahhh! I thought my boards were in pretty good shape but you are definitely making me rethink some things.
ReplyDeleteYour boards have the best photos for the covers, I love them and have admired them so much Maria!!! Thanks for the message :) :)
DeleteThis is so awesome! I will need to try this! I think it would fun to include the branding from my blog...I just need to figure it all out first! You always have such inspirational ideas Kristen. BTW...I am leaving up my academic morphology bulletin board so it will be there for my new students in September. I LOVE it so much I can't possibly take it donw!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ms. M, as always!!! I definitely don't feel inspirational this year, but you made my day in saying so. Thanks again! ♥ ♥ ♥
DeleteOh my goodness, LOVE! Are we allowed to use these (or can you make others)? I would pay for them! So cute. You've inspired me to really work on my Pinterest!
ReplyDelete-Molly
KinderMolly
Thanks so much Molly! I made these to go with my blog specifically, so they aren't for use in that way I'm sorry!!!
DeleteI tackled this last summer - took a long time but soooo worth it. I can find things so easily now! Your boards look fantastic - I love the rainbow colors with the black!!
ReplyDelete✿Sue✿
✿Science for Kids Blog✿
Your boards look incredible Sue!!! I'm following yours now, so glad to have seen them! :) :)
DeleteLove your pinterest board covers - thanks for sharing how to do it and the tip about having them match my blog - that may have to go on the to-do list for the summer. I think you are right - we are all finally on summer holidays - we just finished Friday at 2 p.m. Hope you are having a great summer : )
ReplyDeleteHappy Summer!! I hope you are already relaxing!! Thanks so much for stopping by :)
DeleteOh my goodness, I love it. I guess trying to be as cool as you goes on my to-do list!
ReplyDelete- Sydney
Lessons Learned
KRISTEN!!! My dream is to be as amazing as you when I grow up :D
ReplyDeleteOkay, so you just gave me a Sunday project to complete...thank you!!! lol
ReplyDeleteJasmine
Buzzing With Mrs. McClain
Thanks so much for the easy tutorial! I can't wait to do this to mine and make it look more cohesive and PRETTY :D
ReplyDeleteAnisa @ Creative Undertakings
I could not adore you more if I tried. PS I need the down low on where you got the white graphics with your titles. I am so in love with them...and you...already said that..
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE! And can't agree with Reagan more. I've been going back through your old posts from when we started blogging and admiring your evolution.
ReplyDeleteI already have mine with covers but I did it the amateur way, of course. Now I am going to go back and do them again now that I know what size they have to be. You are SO good!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, another thing I want to do now! It's a great idea. Thanks for the tutorial! Many of your tutorials have been so helpful!
ReplyDeleteChrissy
First Grade Found Me
Wow! Thank you for this idea! I never would have thought of it! I am going to have to try this now. :) My boards are a mess, too! Ugh...You are always so inspiring.
ReplyDeleteJamie
Thrills in Third Grade
Absolutely love this idea! Thank you! :-)
ReplyDeleteJamie
Life As I Know It
I Love this! And would never have thought of doing it, but I'm going to start now! I love having things organized :)
ReplyDeleteSarah
Teachingiscolorful.blogspot.com
I did covers last summer, but yours are much prettier. One tip that I have. Go in and edit your cover pins so that when someone clicks on them, it goes to that board. For example, link your admire board cover pin to http://www.pinterest.com/ladybugblogger/admire/ That way if people repin your board cover, it takes them to your board.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. One thing I want to do this summer is get a real blog going with a real design and maybe I will tackle my pinterest boards as well. I have THOUSANDS of pins and the organization lacks cohesion.
ReplyDeleteGreat job~
Same here Cindi!
DeleteWhat an COOL idea! I've been needing to organize my pins as well and can't wait to organize my own...Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLove this Idea. It looks so clean and organized. now I need to redo mine. Thanks for the inspiration
ReplyDeleteSimply beautiful!! :)
ReplyDeleteLove this, but you have kicked my OCD into overdrive and I cannot get started on this tonight. Moving my nephew off to college tomorrow, he starts a summer academic success program to get a jump start on college life/management.
ReplyDeleteRandy
The Middle School Mouth
Sooo neat!!! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteCourtney
Ramona Recommends
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThis will be so helpful and will definitely be added to my to do list this summer!
ReplyDeleteI really need to do this! Thanks for the directions. Very helpful.
ReplyDeleteDiary of a Not So Wimpy Teacher
I have covers for mine but they do NOT compare to yours! Well done!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous. I love the cohesive look of it all. Thanks for showing us how you made them.
ReplyDeleteMels
Ms. K/1 ELL
I have never really thought about this much! Now it's added to the to-do list!! Thanks Kristen!!
ReplyDeleteRachel
Hii! I love these and the CRAFT strategies! Can I get a copy of the CRAFT STRATEGIES those are the only things I cant seem to retrieve! Ckmccoy22@gmail.com. Thank you for all the WONDERFUL ideas!
ReplyDeleteThank you my sweet friend for linking up this fabulousness!!! Love it! I have already started...started I say trying to make my new covers....not nearly as cute as yours...still working....could hire you...lol:) Hugs and so glad your summer started:)
ReplyDelete4th Grade Frolics
What a great idea! My Pinterest seems a little overwhelming, but this is the perfect time of year to tackle it. Thanks for the step by step directions!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous Kristin, as always! Thank you so much for sharing these tips!
ReplyDeleteLinda
AroundtheKampfire
This is amazing! Your brain just works on an amazingly organized level! And, all of your graphics and photos always pop! You have a gift for it!! Thanks for sharing this amazing tip!! They look fantastic!! You're so good!
ReplyDelete:O)
Amanda
Collaboration Cuties
This is awesome. Thank you so much for the how-to. I've always wondered about all the great organized boards! Now this is on my to-do list.
ReplyDeleteMeagan
oodlesofteachingfun
You know how much I love your work and your amazing talents! These looks so incredible! Thanks so much for the tutorial!
ReplyDeleteAloha,
Corinna (✿◠‿◠)
Surfin' Through Second
OH. MY. GOSH. Seriously!! You are the best!! Organizing my boards has been on my list...now if I only I can make some covers as beautiful as yours!!
ReplyDeleteNicole
Rowdy in Room 300
What a great idea to brand the pinterest covers. I never thought of that.. I see a rainy day project in my future!
ReplyDelete-Maria
Absolutely FABULOUS! I can't wait to do something like this. I don't think anyone's will turn out as awesome as yours...seriously!
ReplyDeleteAlison
Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'
OMGoodness! I am seriously in love! Now, I have another item on my summer to-do list! Your covers look awesome!
ReplyDeleteAshley
One Sharp Bunch
I'm going to make a board with your "admire" pic ... and it will be I admire Ladybugs ... actually, can I have that changed to ADORE? You are seriously too awesome - everything you do is GOR-geous! Happy, happy summer, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThis was the BEST tutorial! I was wondering how people did that! Thank you for the inspiration! Your boards look amazing! Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteMichelle
A New Day of Learning
Just totally ADORABLE!!! Love this idea and can't wait to try it!
ReplyDeleteYour boards are fabulous! I just finished mine, and I love the new look! Thank you so much for the tutorial. I featured this tutorial on my blog (I hope that's ok). Thanks again for the inspiration and tutorial!
ReplyDeleteI just did this yesterday! Now I need to figure out the link myself to myself part :) I'd recognize your design work anywhere, my BloggyBuddy... and that just makes me happy!
ReplyDeleteKim
Finding JOY in 6th Grade
Thank you, Kristen! I NEEDED this!!! What a great tutorial!
ReplyDeleteCarrie
i Heart Second
Amaze-sauce!!! I am totally inspired! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteAnyone can answer this question:
Q: What are some great sites for purchasing clipart?
I don't have powerpoint. Can I do this same thing in pages or keynote? Are the directions very different?
ReplyDeleteThanks
Karen
I'm honestly not sure Karen, I'm sorry! I don't have those programs so I'm not familiar with how they work. I hope you can figure it out!
DeleteLove your Pinterest ideas! Do you know if there is a way to organize your boards/put them in a certain order? It makes me crazy that when I create a new board, it goes to the end of my board page, when I'd prefer it to land elsewhere. Other than hand dragging and putting in order, which I've done and it took FOREVER, there's got to be a better/faster/saner way. Right?
ReplyDeleteHaha! I'm not sure, I go with the hand dragging way too--it drives me crazy as well!
DeleteThank you for this wonderful tutorial! I am so thankful because now my boards look soooo much better because of you! :)
ReplyDelete-Beach Teacher
Primary Classrooms are Oceans of Fun
My boards are such a mess - this is my motivation to get it organized!! <3
ReplyDeleteYou inspired me to do this! Yours look great! This is what I came up with- Fourth Grade Lemonade's Pinterest
ReplyDelete-Caitlyn
Fourth Grade Lemonade
Oh my! Thank you so much for showing us how to do this! I was just thinking that I needed to clean up my Pinterest page (it's a MESS)...and now I can't wait to! Thanks a bunch!
ReplyDeleteJanet
Mrs. D's Firsties
Thank you for this tutorial! I'm changing my boards now. I wish I could send out a little message to all my pinterest followers to be prepared for a picture flood :o)
ReplyDeleteMichele
Jackson In The Middle
These are AMAZING!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Kristen! I LOVE your daily schedule sheet. It was on pinterest and it has one sheet for each day and it is customizable by time. Could you email me a link to purchase, I can't find it! THanks!! amandaleb617@yahoo.com is the email I usually use.
ReplyDeleteAmanda
kristen! you are incredible...really this is amazing
ReplyDeleteit really is amazing.
ReplyDeleteif you want edit image on pc you can download a software at here : http://betdownload.com/ca-image-graphic-49
This is an amazing idea! What fonts did you use?
ReplyDelete