IHeart FAQs

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED BLOGGING?

I have always loved journaling, projecting and creating, and when I started staying home full time with my kids, blogging became a creative outlet for me to provide some home and organizational tips.  It started as a way for me to spend my spare seconds bonding with a community that shares similar passions, and over the years it grew into so much more.  One small feature lead to another, and as I continued to blog faithfully, my audience grew as well.  The blog also lead to me opening an online Etsy shop, and between writing, running the shop and working with amazing magazines and brands, I have found myself in a position to stay home with my kids, while also being able to provide an income to help support our family.  I have never felt more excited or passionate about what I do, and I am thankful for the opportunity each and every day.

You can read more details regarding my blogging journey within the posts below:

Blogging: Ten Things I Have Learned Along the Way
Blogging: The Bread & Butter of the Blog 



WHO DESIGNED YOUR BLOG?

I started the blog on the Blogger platform in 2009 using the "Simple" blog template, and have been designing, tweaking and making updates to it ever since.  I have found the Blogger template to be fairly user friendly, and many of the items on the sidebar have been added through the widget feature or by inserting simple HTML codes (I create the graphic and insert it as an image or an HTML table).  In 2014, I worked with the ultra talented Angela from Saffron Avenue, and she designed a beautiful new logo for iHeart Organizing and I couldn't love it more, I highly recommend her design services. 


WHAT KIND OF CAMERA DO YOU USE?

About a year into blogging, I used a Canon Rebel XSi paired with the Canon kit 18-55 mm lens and the Tamron 28-75 mm lens.  I also love my little nifty fifty lens.  I recently upgraded to the Canon 5D Mark II and have never looked back.  I have a love for photography and I am rarely seen without my camera hanging from my neck, and having a blog has really given me the opportunity to learn a lot about picture taking as I continue to grow my skills.  You can read more about my photography equipment and tips here.

WHAT KIND OF SOFTWARE DO YOU USE TO CREATE YOUR PRINTABLES?

Working in a corporate industry for many years, I became a bit of a spreadsheet wizard and fell madly in love with Microsoft Excel.  Self taught with the guidance of the Microsoft "help" button, I found out that Excel had more capabilities than I ever thought possible and began making printables, labels and lists galore.  So in the beginning of my printable designing journey, many were created with Microsoft Office 2010.  I recently designed my 2015 Daily Planner Printables using Microsoft Publisher, and have found that to be even more enjoyable to work with.  I love to learn and try new software, but for now, those are my "go to" programs.

I CAN'T DOWNLOAD THE FREE HOUSEHOLD BINDER KIT FROM 2011, WHAT IS THE DEAL?

I am sorry sweet friends.  The binder downloads were free for one month only, as a special promo while I was working on the project with my readers.  They are now available in my shop and are one of the primary ways I am able contribute to supporting my family, so I appreciate your understanding in regards to the expired free trial.  I do offer a variety of free printables, which you can find here, and hope to continue to expand that feature in the future!


WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR... ?

You can find all of our home product sources by checking out our Home Tour page.

I recently added many of the product sources below each image, as well as majority of the paint colors we have used throughout our home on the walls and for our DIY projects.

WHERE DO YOU FIND YOUR CUTE FONTS?

All over the www.  A few of my favorite sites to browse are: Font Squirrel, My Fonts, Dafont, 1001FreeFonts, Urban Fonts and Lost Type.

WHAT KIND OF PRINTER DO YOU USE?

I print a lot of documents and labels, so I invested in a laser printer.  I was lucky enough to find my current printer on black Friday so I got a great deal! It’s the HP LaserJet CP1525nw color and so far I love it!  Prior to having a laserjet printer, I had a HP Photosmart printer which was great for projects around the house. Depending on your price point, I’ve found that most HP photosmart printers are excellent for high quality printing. 


WHAT KIND OF LABEL MAKER DO YOU USE?

I use this label maker. the Epson LabelWorks LW-400.  I combine it with the clear tape {since I like the streamlined look it offers}. The label maker offers many font sizes and types and I also find that it is very user friendly.  You can find more details here.

You can also find out more about the labels we use around our home by following the Labeling 101 series here.


Thanks so much and feel free to check back frequently to find more answers to those burning IHeart Organizing questions.

* Post last updated on 3/3/15