Windows8 Start Screen Background Tutorial

Did you know that you can change the background of your start screen in Windows8?  It is pretty awesome.  This way you don't have to use the backgrounds which are cute, but pretty boring after a while. 

Here's the one I made today.  So, want to know how to do it?  Keep scrollin'!

The first thing you need to do, is go here and download the ModernUIStartScreen.exe.

Once you have this, install it while you are on your desktop.
Open the ModernUIStartScreen program.  From here, you can click "Load Picture"  and choose any of the photos you have taken and use them as a background. 

Now, after you load the picture, drag the outline which is showing up over your photo in the top left corner.    See where the little arrows are in the top left corner? 

 

Drag it down to the right edge.  Like this.

Then hit Apply & Save.

It will show up... like this! 

You can make your photo smaller and play with it in your photo editor software to make it look the way you would like.

If you do digital scrapbooking, you will can also make your own background like this one.

Now you need to open your graphics program (ie Photoshop or Paintshop Pro). 
Save the template below (by right-clicking) and  open it in PS or PSP and fill it in as you like with your choice of graphics.

This should fit perfectly into your background (I think!)  It fits my laptop. :-)  If it doesn't work size-wise, you can add to the top and bottom (or to the sides) of the template until it fits better.

 



Now go to ModernUIStartScreen and "Load Picture" and add it!  Pretty simple.
 
If you have questions, leave a comment and I will try to help.

Zelda's Link Costume

I was looking through some old photos and realized I had never posted my Link costume that I made for my son last Halloween. He loved it!  I had so much fun making it.  I just used fleece so there was no reason to hem.  Very easy! I used a pair of pajama to make the pants and undershirt the correct size.  I bought the green t-shirt and made the belts and the boot tops out of canvas. The buckles were the same material, just painted with gold paint.  The hat took some trying on... many times to get it just right.  I sewed the ears to the hat so they were in the correct place. 

The fleece was also great because it was warm on a cold night!  The shield and sword were from the dollar store and I panted them to match the shield and sword from Ocarina of Time.

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Mother's Day Thrifty Place Settings

This year we are having a lunch for my Mother-In-Law. I really wanted to do it out on our screened-in back porch, but it sounds like it is going to be too cold! Instead, I set the dining room table in pretty colors just for Mom. Pinks, greens and yellows. I really wanted a to use my chintz plates and creamers and salt and pepper shakers, so I tried to come up with a setting for 6 out of what is really a place setting for 4. I added in a few clear glass plates and a few extra pieces of chintz and mixed and matched a bit. Here is how it turned out. I also made cupcakes today and used cute little pearlized Sixlets which I got at our cute little local candy shop called The Parson's Daughter.

I am going to put one of these little azaleas on each plate before lunch.  The silverware is my father-in-law's parents' antique flatware.  The plates are pieces I have picked up at thrift shops here and there.  I don't use them often, but they are very pretty.  To think that this entire table setting as well as the dishes on the buffet are all from thrift stores.  I love a good bargain!

 
Not loving my flower arrangement.  I think I will take the narcissus out before the lunch.  I am not loving them, but thought they might add some height.  Not loving in so much.  I made the quilted runner and the end placemats.   The pink cake plate that is under the flower arrangement was my MIL's mother's.

You can see my attempt at making the end settings go with the 4 that match.  Not perfect, but they will work and men will be sitting at those two places, so they won't even notice.

My buffet table where I will sit the food.  Lots of cupcakes!

 

Yummy!

Hope you have a great Mother's Day!