Here’s how to participate:
1. Create your signature, using whatever “natural” or digital media you like.
2. Scan the results, if necessary (preferably at 200 or 300 dpi) A digital photo might work, also, if you have a steady hand.
3. Send by email to gapa @ musefanpage.com (except without the spaces)
OR if you have no way of scanning your signature, you may send it by U.S. mail to: Rebecca Lasley c/o P. O. Box 3, Jamestown NC 27282.
For those of you who email us PLEASE USE DESCRIPTIVE TEXT IN YOUR SUBJECT LINE, i.e., “Rebecca’s signature.” Avoid generic phrases like “my signature” and such.
ONE signature per MuseBlogger, please.
We have not established a deadline yet. Best guess based on current data is that it will be sometime in September.
No last names on the signatures, please–blognames and/or first name plus last initial only. Plain or embellished, as you prefer. Take a look at the previous edition to get the idea.
DESIGN GUIDELINES
LINE WIDTH: the graphics will print best if the lines are not too thin or light. For drawing with natural media, something at least as thick as a “fine” Sharpie (not “ultra fine”) is perfect, though you may have to write larger letters than you’re used to. Pencil and fine point pens will simply get lost, especially when reduced to fit on items smaller than shirts. For digital drawing, use a brush that is at least 5 pixels, 10 or more is better, for those programs which allow you to specify (medium or large on MS Paint).
SIZE: make it big. Probably bigger than you think. There are so many variables, it’s hard to be specific, but if the file size is smaller than 80k, it’s likely too small. Most of those that proved easiest to work with last time ran from 150k up to 1 MB. No one has ever sent anything too big. It’s much easier for us to reduce a graphic cleanly than it is to enlarge one that is too small.
If you can, print a hard copy at 200 dpi or higher to see how it looks. Most signatures should print out to at least a couple of inches wide and no less than half an inch in height. Do not judge size by what you see onscreen.
Onscreen appearance can be very misleading.
FILE FORMAT: Most any graphic programs will support the following: JPG, BMP, PNG, or GIF. (When you save the file, look for “save as” or “export” in the file menu). Some allow TIF. Rebecca has Photoshop CS2, Adobe Illustrator CS2, InDesign CS2, CorelDraw suite X3, Corel Painter IX, and Paint Shop Pro XI, among other things, so you can send a file in their native formats. PDFs are also fine. Ask if you have something else. (If at all possible, avoid MS Word and AppleWorks. Their results are unpredictable.)
IF THESE INSTRUCTIONS DON’T MAKE SENSE TO YOU, DON’T WORRY. Just do what you can and send it in. We’ve learned a trick or two since last time and will find a way to make it work.
In general, keep your designs bold and simple. Don’t let details get too fine. DO NOT add tag phrases longer than a word or two. They simply will not show up.
Previous Participants: You may send in a new design or request to reuse your old one. Just let us know if you want to be included.
Uh, I think I’m gonna have a problem with sending mine in. I just used the Snipping Tool and than Microsoft word, will that work? Or should I just print it out, scan it, and than send it, wait, that would just be more work to do the same thing *is confused*
Maybe I should just download a tool. *goes off to find good software*
I think I’ll send in a new one. If I can’t get a scanner hooked up, I’ll use good ol’ snail mail.
Oh, what fun! Will our signature be on the Musery Loves Company merchandise?
*begins working*
Hmmm….I drew a new one which is a whole lot better, so I’ll send that in, I just need to get the internet to work for more than five minutes.
I drew mine digitally last time, so I think I’ll make mine “naturally” this time. Hmm…
3-most likely
Has Rebecca found mine from it’s safe hiding place yet, or should do it over and send it in? Also, I did it in pencil, should I just do it over again anyway?
(7) Well, it wasn’t in my laptop bag, but I haven’t had time to look anywhere else. It’s up to you. There’s no rush.
By the way, if you decide to do it over and don’t have a scanner, you can try taking a photo.
How do you send files?
9 – You put them as attachments on e-mails that you can send to the GAPAs.
8~ Methinks we have a scanner…..meknows I don’t know how to use the beastie.
I could try taking a picture…..anyway, see of you can find it, and I’ll work on making a better one with thicker writing, if I get one that’s so amazingly wonderful that it absolutely HAS to be the one, then I’ll get it to you somehow….if I have to walk it to your doorstep. (well, maybe not, but you get the idea…)
I think I shall do something. Hmmm…
*muses*
Digital or natural?
…Either way, it’s just going to be AvalonGirl.
Ooh. I’m probably just gonna do something with Word… *ignores comments like “SLACKER”*
Ooo, great! I’ll make mine tomorrow…sorry, I just got home…
I’m doing something natural. I think we have a scanner, but if we don’t, snail mail always works. Should I keep the swan theme, or go off on a wild tangent which has no relevancy whatsoever??? *muse, muse, muse*
I’m going to use MS Paint, as I’m trying to figure out the Drivers for the scanner. and a photo won’t help as I have only FILM!
I live in the 20th century for big part.
*Starts Working*
*Finshes*
*Saves*
*E-mails*
*Hopes It works*
11- I have a scanner and don’t know how it works, either.
I’m going to make another attempt at using it when I get home.
12- Try a hybrid of the two. That’s what I did, and it turned out great. If the GAPAs allow, here is Rebecca’s photobucket site, full of almost all the artwork she’s done for MB. It’s spectacularicious. Lady Bunniful can vouch that’s it’s kosher.
(19) Thanks, Piggy. Yes, I can vouch for the site’s being Mostly Harmless. Several of the subalbums are dedicated to MBers’ work; there should be plenty of inspiration there as well.
I do a lot of hybrid stuff myself.
By the way, regarding the two images on the root album. The one on the left is a photograph (made during the recent eclipse), and the one on the right was painted digitally.
I’m definitely doing a new signature, but if the deadline isn’t until September I won’t start on it just yet.
Rebecca- you posted the eclipse picture on the blog awhile ago, didn’t you? It looks very familiar. I’ve never been able to take pictures of the night sky — usually it’s a matter of light pollution, but mostly the pictures just don’t look anything like what you’re seeing with your eyes.
I’m sending a new one in!
I ought to do this. My old signature is rather shabby. Eh, we’ll see if I remember.
(21) Yes, that’s the same photo. I don’t know much about night photography myself, but I’m used to working with available light and always use manual settings. The camera’s preset for nighttime doesn’t do what I want it to do.
Of course, a tripod is a must for this situation. Even so, there’s some ghosting around the moon, though I don’t mind it in this case.
If you’re interested, you might want to look around for a photography or astronomy club; one or the other is bound to have someone who can give you some pointers.
Ok, I’m just gonna send in what I have right now. Should I just send it attached?
I just got back. I shall send one in… eventually…
I remember the eclipse picture, I stole it and it’s the background for a folder on my computer now
None of the pics I tried turned out, I couldn’t get close enough, tough I did use the tripod.
On-topic, I may edit my si a bit to make it more readable/better lines, but if I forget/am banned from comp forever just use my old one?
I think most of the lines/size are good, but if it’s not big enough/ect I can change it also.
NOTE TO ALL RE: EMAILING SIGNATURES (or other graphics).
Please use a descriptive subject line, something like “Jadestone’s Signature,” not just a generic. We’re getting a stack of “(no subject)” and “signature” messages and they’re clumping together and confusing my Inbox. Plus it makes it difficult to find the emails again if I need to.
Thanks!
I’ve gotta send in my updated one.
28 – guilty as charged… Tell me if you need me to send it again.
(30) Don’t worry, you weren’t the only one. But you need label your graphics file clearly! No need to resend.
I created my signature on paint and it turned out to be only 4k, which is probably waaay too small. Should I send it as-is or try to enlarge it first?
(32) Enlarging it may give you a pixelated mess. Better to redraw if that’s not too much trouble.
Start with a new, larger file. I don’t know what version of Paint you have, but in mine, you go to the Image menu, select “Attributes” and in the resulting window make the file AT LEAST 800×600 pixels, larger is better. Use the medium or larger brushes for drawing, and stay away from the pencil. It’s lines are much too thin to print decently.
I think I was around for the previous two signature things…but never got around to making one myself. Guess I’ll do it now then.
33 – Thanks! I enlarged before drawing this time, so hopefully it’s big enough now. *sends*
Going to draw the signature soon, I’m the queen of procrastination apparently…
Can you just use my old one for now, and if I can get access to a computer I will send in a new one. Thanks!
I’m making one on GIMP. I think.
Raynpho, please teach me how to use it!
who should I email it to? I made a coolio one on MS paint and I am attatching it to an email. should I just email it to the web site?
(39) See instruction step #3 at the top of the page.
Did you get my signature, GAPAs?
(41) Yes. Also in the latest batch, we have signatures from Adeia, groundhog22, Eccentric the Afterthought, and TNO.
Now for the most important question: will it work?
42 – Was mine big enough this time? I thought I had enlarged the file before I started drawing, but when I attached it to the e-mail, Gmail said it was still only 5k.
I think I did send in a simple typed “Eccentric the Afterthought” as my signature last time, but the latest one should be the one that only says “Eccentric.” 8)
I sent mine in.
I can’t think of what to do for my signature.
Any ideas?
46- A Cat with an open mouth, inside the mouth the words Cat’s Meow
Or you can write “Cat’s” with you know, ears, whiskers, and a tail. But I like Adeia’s idea better. Mine’s just the letter’s B E A T L E S R O C K R drawn over pictures of The Beatles..
I sent mine in! Let me know if I should remake it.
46-You could draw the letters to look like a cats tail.
I’m going to make a new one, my old one still has “The Great” on it.
I sent mine in… not sure if it will work…
sorry I sent in too many lady bunniful. could you still put the earthgirl one up?
Did you get mine yet GAPAs?
Now I must go off to make a sig…
I’ll ask Leafy in school to make one, then I’ll add my own and send it in. *thoughtful*
Um I sent in a signature a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG (think January or Febuary) ago. Do yo guys still have it or should I resubmit it?
(56) Yes, we do still have it.
Thank you!
Any chance we could see what
thy havethou hast so far, great GAPA?[Correction provided by the Proper M.E./Elizabethan Enforcement Gnome. –Admin.]
I’d like to see the one you have now too. I just sent mine in.
Did you get mine yet GAPAs? Did it work?
Yay! It is in motion!
How???
Leafy wants to post on MB, but she does’nt have a computer, so i’m posting for her. Can I get her to make one at school and send it in with mine?
63) Well, there’s a thread now right? So it’s in motion. Right?
Did mine work?
Aha! I finished mine! It’s a swan (no duh) with my name on the side and 2 swords crossing behind it. yayayay! I have no scanner, so I’m sending it to you guys.
I guess I’ll just keep my signature as it is. I was thinking of making a new one, but for this round, it’ll stay. I’m too lazy.
where can we see our and other muser’s signatures? this round’s I mean. it is my first, so I want to sort of find out what it’s about
69) Yes, I am in total agreement. Where CAN you see the signatures?
(69, 70) Most but not all of the signatures can be seen in one of my Photobucket albums. It’s not a public album, but guests can log in with the following password: woodnesse
Sweet!
I think I’ll make a new one, seeing as I’m not “the Great” anymore. Do we have a deadline yet?
Um, I sent mine in around the 14th. Did you get it GAPAs?
(74) We got it, but Photobucket doesn’t accept the WPS format, which is why it’s not posted there. Alas, your signature can’t be used as it is. CaféPress will not accept copyrighted material for which we don’t have license — therefore no images of Beatles albums, logos, the Beatles themselves, or anything of the sort. Sorry.
Maybe you could create a psychedelic background with colors from an album cover or something along those lines.
Where’s mine? I can’t see it. Shall I resend it?
(76) Could you please send it in a different format? I can’t open the file you sent. Any graphics program should be able to save as JPG, GIF, BMP, or PNG. At 200 dpi if you can.
77 – I will. Eventually.
No rush.
Hm. Mine is smaller than expected. Is there any way to enlarge it a bit, or is that too much to ask for?
yay! thank you for putting up two of mine lady bunniful!
Agggrfishi, your’s is COOL!!!
my earthgirl one got a wee bit shrunk, but clicking on it resolves all conflict!!!!
they are all soo COOL!!!!!!!!!
(80) The size is fine. In real terms it’s about 2 1/2″ x 2″. Remember it will have to fit within a 10″ x 10″ area with a bunch of other names. You can always make a bigger one if you like.
(81) Only one can go in the final design, but on Photobucket, it doesn’t matter.
82- That’s okay. I was just a bit worried about it. All the squiggly lines and such, I didn’t know if it would show up right.
THE SIGNATURES ARE AWESOME.
!!!!!!!!!
75- Ok, thankyou! I’ll try making another one.
Hm, I just sent mine. I emailed Leafy to tell her to *quote* “MAKE YOUR BEEPIN’ SIGNATURE!!!!” *unquote* I tried to be as delicate as possible.
86- YOU TOOK THE LEAFY OUT OF YOUR NAME???!!!???!!??!?
Hey, GAPAs, did you get mine?????? I e-mailed it last night…..Also, is it big enough? I hope so, cuz I don’t have time to make a new one (that’s the one I made previously, ages after the deadline for round 2). Anyways, di dyou get it?????
I went to the website, but none of the items are big enough for me to see the individual signatures. Is that as good as it gets, or am I just missing something?
Is there a deadline for this yet? I promise you, I’m going to make one, but I’m just not sure when. Probably when I’m doodling at school, or something.
87 – Leafy’s real now.
90- And she’s back in my name, as she’s grounded for the computer for another month for insulting and hitting her little brother, whom I call Cow Pat.
Did you get mine? Did you like the stationary?
91 – Dang, really? My parents have never grounded my brother or I. They ban us from the computer sometimes, but it’s usually only for a day or two. Or take away our allowances, which really doesn’t matter to me much, because I’m not in dire need of my weekly $2.75 anyways.
I’ve never been grounded…but there’s lots of worse things. At least if you’re grounded you just stay in your room and read…
And yes, she drew a signature. And now I have to copy it best as I can onto Paint, as our scanner is maluctioning.
I WANT TO SEE THE SIGNATURES!!! Can someone please tell me how?
Oh. Got it. Sorry to double post (?), I think I’ve been doing it too much lately. Not a good habit.
Yeah, I do it a lot too.
I sent Leafygreen’s signature in. She says you can shrink it a bit if it’s too big.
Awesome signatures so far!
Did you get our sigs? Huhuhuhuhuh? Didja? *impatient grasshopper making Wicked music chirps*
(100) Yes, we got them. We also received Luna the Lovely’s signature.
Leafygreen: your name may need to be rewritten with a thicker brush. I’m afraid the line is too thin to show up.
Luna the Lovely: we will probably have to omit some or all of the added text. As we have learned from previous editions, tag lines and quotations are simply too small to be legible when printed.
*sigh* ok….
no, seriously, that’s fine, I kinda figured a much–any chance the dirigible plum and the witch’s hat can stay???
(102) The drawings themselves, you mean? That should be no problem. I can tweak them if need be.
I’ll do mine sometime, I’m just so BUSY! I do have an idea for the signature, I just need to color and scan it…
Hey, lady bunniful–I just sent you a new signature–hope it’s not too late for you to use it instead….Some of the words are a little bigger, if that makes a difference in whether it can be included with my sig. I kinda cheated with the dirigible plum and hat, though, since i was having no luck drawing good ones today–i copied andpasted from my previous sig.
103: Yup, I meant the drawings–I’d completely forgotten I’d even given the dirigible plum a caption–prob’ly figured nobody would know it wasn’t a radish….
I will be sending a file… if that doesn’t work, the same as part 2 is fine.
…never mind, I’ll just use the signature from part 2. Only the Dodecahedron part is necessary, if space saving is necessary.
The lines would’ve been too hard to see on the new version.
101- Oh, well that’s just marpy. I’ll have to try again. *goes to Paint*
Hm, just spoke to her. Said she’ll try something that’s easier to convert to Paint. *sigh*
I just sent mine in.
RAYNPHO! RAYNPHO! ATTENTION!
In honor of making my signature for me, I hereby award you 100 piepoints. (I now have 500.)
I’ll post it again on the random thread.
Signatures: I was considering just sticking with my old one, but after looking through that album, I’ve decided to make something new. I’ve been especially inspired by Adiea’s, but If I do miss the eventual deadline, please include my previous version.
GAPAS-
I made a new signature that I like a bit better than my old one. It’s a bit big, and I don’t know how well it’s going to show up (as compared to my other one), but if you can, if you have time, would you please please please try to fit it under your deadline? I’m sending it in right now.
When’s the deadline? I still need a little time………..I left it for last minute, so now…………………..:(
I need to snailmail mine, ASAP!!!!!
Rebecca, do you have mine, if so, is it acceptable, and should I make another? I’ll make one and send it snail mail if you let me know, and I can make it bigger and darker. You could send me an emal or something, since I may not remember to check this thread (or have the time) since I’ve had a little more than usual to try and remember lately……..anyway, please do let me know, thanks!
Didja get mine, GAPAs?
Everyone- There is no deadline as of yet. Fell free to procrastinate making & sending your sigs until the deadline is announced.
“As yet” or simply “yet,” please, Piggy. “As of yet” is a barbarism.
‘Tisn’t a barbarism. Simply an expression. Besides, it got my point across.
118 – ‘Fell’? ‘Fell’?! You’re not a GAPA, are you?
119 – ‘As of yet’ is bad grammar? *shudder* I never knew that.
(121) It’s not that big a deal. (NOT “that big of a deal,” which is another barbarism, as far as I’m concerned.
But yes, the “of” in “as of yet” is extraneous. “As yet” or simply “yet” is correct.
Ugh. Enough of this nitpicking. The Romans called anyone who did not speak Latin a barbarian. So technically, any English word, phrase, or sentence is a barbarism. Now begone, all of you.
mine won’t scan. *pouts* and I worked extra hard on it. *pouts some more.
(123) I can’t begone. You need me to moderate posts. Italics alone do not a GAPA make.
(124) Lady Bunniful does accept signatures by snail mail. Maybe she can scan yours. She has some remarkable talents.
When will the signatures be posted?
A GAPA I am not. Nor will I ever be. As you stated, “Italics alone do not a GAPA make.” But lo! I must be off. Fare thee well.
As of yet; I’ve not seen that having poor grammar makes one a barbarian. Its anyhow not that big of a deal. Now if you’ll excuse me. I need to go around and be an warlike, and an uncivilized individual.
127- G’night, Gnomey.
Wait – has there been a deadline established yet? Because I still don’t have mine done… (Or even started, for that matter)
128- Carefully reread post 123. And “anyhow” is not a word in the English language. Kindly use “anyway.” And your final sentence, save your salutation to me, is not quite “up to par,” as they say, grammatically speaking.
129- No deadline yet. (Happy, Robert?) But the GAPAs say they may create one towards the end of this month, so I’d get started, were I you.
Fare well, dearest brethren, and may all your sentences be grammatically correct. And please understand, Robert, that all I say I mean in a somewhat sarcastic and out-of-character way. I meant no disrespect to anyone. Fare well.
130 – Oh, all right. Thank you.
130- Au Contraire, cybergnomey. Unless the American Heritage Dictionary, Webster’s New College Dictionary, and Microsoft Word are wrong, “anyhow” is most definitely a word in the English language. Perhaps you should consult the dictionary gnome.
Oh, dear, yes. My mistake. I was thinking of “anyways.” Quite right. Spit spot. Cheerio.
133- Please change my religion in the Religions thread to Church of the Museblog Gnomes. I beseech myslef before thee o great Grammar gnome. Don’t forget the HTML gnome either, although he hasn’t shown up recently.
133–the grammar gnome–“anyways” is a word–I just looked it up in my dictionary. it is an informal version of “anyway”
Okay, I’m going to address the envelope and take it out to the mailbox now……..
133- It is slang. It is not standard English. Technically, any collection of letters could be considered a word, but I think we can all agree that phlebdinionology is most certainly not a word. And, Master Eagle of the Cliffs, do stop your groveling. It is most unbecoming. And “beseech” is not the word you for which you are looking. “To beseech,” according to Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, means “To ask or entreat with urgency; to supplicate; to implore.” Ergo, you would use “beseech” were you asking a favor of me. Now, I bed thee all a pleasant evening, and I hope your morrow is pleasant as well.
137–If it’s in the dictionary, then technically it is a word. For instance, “Muggle” is now considered a word in the Oxford dictionary, as well as “orcs”. Personally, if it’s in the dictionary, it’s a word, even if it’s not one you might use in regular speech. Therefore, I declare “anyways” a word.
As far as phlebdinionology, that would be the study of phlebdinions, or mayhap the study of veins (phleb- is a prefix referring to veins, and -ology is a suffix that means “study of”–and yes, dearest gnomey, I realize that “phlebdinionology” is not a word, but it is so fun to debate that fact with you…..)
I just finished! Sending……………..
138- Didst thou not read my post? I agreed that, and I quote, “Any collection of letters could be considered a word.” Thus, “anyways” is a word, but not a word in standard English. In the dictionary, this will be designated, if you would care to look closely. Now, enough of this talk. I know you are aware that these words are not standard, and therefore I do not wish to debate a fact on which we both agree. And I will have you know that “phlebdinionology” is the study of wungs, their habitat, et cetera. Good night.
Oh dear. Is the deadline passed? If not, you can use my old one. Actually, just use my old one anyway.
OMG! I missed this during my blogging lapse this summer! I reeeeally hope it’s not too late to send something in.
I’m going to send in my new one (if I haven’t already, in which case I’m going to send in my new one again).
Don’t worry, everyone. It’s not too late. The GAPAs still haven’t set a deadline. I’m sure they will announce it when they make one, but at the moment, you’re good.
Will the signatures be out for Christmas? *is hopeful*
Any news on the sigs? Please? I mean, this thread has been open for over two months. Even for MuseBlog, this procrastination is getting a bit tiring. Oh, well, I know you’re all very busy.
GAPAs? Hello? In the words of the former davidude, “Earth to MuseBlog!”
(147) Sorry, Piggy, this is one of those jobs that requires a large block of time and a clear head, and both have been scarce lately. Right now, name something, and I’m behind on it. Like right this minute, I should have been home two hours ago.
What do you think is a fair deadline to give everyone who wants to a chance to participate?
148- I understand. As for a timeframe, I think two months has been plenty. Don’t make the shirts your first priority, but don’t wait on them just because you think people still need to make sigs. I guess Xmas is a good 63 days away or so. I’ll let you get back to your work now.
(149) Well, I think we probably need at least a couple of weeks with a new thread to remind everyone. But don’t worry, I’m looking out for the holidays and will find some way to get this together with plenty of shipping time beforehand.
Sounds good to me!