The winner of the blog design makeover is...
#51 Mamacita, from Big Tall Fresh Air.
Thanks to everyone who entered, and Pretty soon, I'm going to unveil some FREE Blogger templates that you are welcome to use, so check back!
Bloggy Giveaways Winner
Initial Questionnaire
Please answer these questions as thoroughly as possible.
1. What are your favorite and not-so-favorite things about your current blog design? What things would you like to see in the new design? One or Two Sidebars?
2. What are your top three favorite blog designs?
3. What are your favorite colors, and what one color would you like prominently featured in your design?
4. Is there a theme or image you would like to see in your design?
5. What style would you describe as your favorite? Modern and Sleek? Scrapbook-ish? Elegant? Whimsical? Other?
6. Is there anything else that would help me in the direction of your design?
How did you hear about Real Life Design?
Natural From Home
Judi recently bought the Natural From Home website, and wanted to update it for her own personality. She didn't give much direction except that it had to say "green" and "natural." I decided to go with the concept of various forms of lavender. Judi was stunned, and she said, " I am not sure how you knew that lavender is one of my all time favorite herbs and colors!" Well, I didn't really know, but I'm sure I had some divine guidance.
Bloggy Giveaways: Full Blog Design!
Yay! It's time for another Bloggy Giveaway Carnival! Real Life Design will be giving away another Full Blog Design ($65 value!)
Here's how to enter!
- Click here to browse our past designs
- Leave a comment saying which one is your favorite!
- That's it!
For hundreds more Bloggy Giveaways, head over to BloggyGiveaways.com
THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED
Update Your Blog Design
Did you know we can update your current header? Ehlenberger blog needed an update on the family picture. Cute Family!
Right About Now
Right About Now, in just the right time. Cute pieceful design really reflects Allison's personality & lifestyle. Scrapbook kit was purchased at Digital Design Essentials.
Lovin' The World
Lovin' The World describes just what Lisa does. As a career missionary she needed a full blog setup to keep up with family and friends. Scrapbook kit came from PolkaDotPotato.
All Full Up On Crazy
Now, that's a Blog Title right there! Jan, from All Full Up on Crazy has a crazy-good new design, done by Jaime. She used a scrap kit from Designer Digitals.
My Home is My Castle
Stephanie, from My Home is My Castle, needed a complete redesign, including a new title. It's fun for me to brainstorm titles, so if you need help thinking of something, let me know!
Making a Blog Button From Your Header Image
Welcome to the first tutorial here on Real Life Design. I get lots of basic questions about the "how to's" that you may not need to hire a designer to do, so I thought I'd start sharing some of what I've gleaned along the way.
Do you want one of those cute blog buttons you see everywhere? The ones that have a nifty little box for other bloggers to grab the code? Well, it may be easy to make from your header image. Here's how:
1. Be sure you have permission to use the images in this way. If you're not sure, it's a good idea to ask your designer. Kari, from Just Another Day in Paradise emailed me about this the other day. I didn't mind at all, but it was nice of her to consider it.
2. Open your header image in Photoshop, or other photo editing software. Don't have a usable image? Right click the image, and choose "Save Image As." It's best to work with a flat image, or else you'll have to adjust the shadows on the smaller version.
3. Choose the crop function. Enter the desired width for your button. Anywhere between 125 and 150 pixels is probably good. Select the area you would like to use as your button, like so:
4. Crop the image, and add a border if you like. So, now it looks like this:
5. Now, upload it to your blog, or Photobucket. Refer to this post on Blogging Basics 101 for adding the code in a scroll box.
Remember: When you insert the button code into the scroll box code, you must first make it "postable." Go to this website, paste in your button code and click "make it friendly." Then insert that code into your scroll box code.
Here's another example, done by Kari, with the header I designed for her.
Do you want one of those cute blog buttons you see everywhere? The ones that have a nifty little box for other bloggers to grab the code? Well, it may be easy to make from your header image. Here's how:
1. Be sure you have permission to use the images in this way. If you're not sure, it's a good idea to ask your designer. Kari, from Just Another Day in Paradise emailed me about this the other day. I didn't mind at all, but it was nice of her to consider it.
2. Open your header image in Photoshop, or other photo editing software. Don't have a usable image? Right click the image, and choose "Save Image As." It's best to work with a flat image, or else you'll have to adjust the shadows on the smaller version.
3. Choose the crop function. Enter the desired width for your button. Anywhere between 125 and 150 pixels is probably good. Select the area you would like to use as your button, like so:
4. Crop the image, and add a border if you like. So, now it looks like this:
5. Now, upload it to your blog, or Photobucket. Refer to this post on Blogging Basics 101 for adding the code in a scroll box.
Remember: When you insert the button code into the scroll box code, you must first make it "postable." Go to this website, paste in your button code and click "make it friendly." Then insert that code into your scroll box code.
Here's another example, done by Kari, with the header I designed for her.
Leave a comment if you make one, so we can come grab it! And while you're at it, grab my blog button! Here's the code:
<a href="http://www.reallifedesign.net" target="_blank"><img src="http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk253/RealLifeDesign/Real%20Life/BlogButton.jpg" border="0" alt="Real Life Design"></a>
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This was also written as part of Works For Me Wednesday. For more Works For Me posts, visit Rocks In My Dryer.Sarah is on Vacation, But We're Still Designing!
I'm going on vacation for a week, so I won't be taking any new projects until I get back. However, go ahead and contact me, and I'll let you know when we're ready! Also, Jaime will be available; you can look at some of her designs here.
If you'd like a Wordpress install plus design, take a look at our packages. Then go ahead and contact Alyssa, at Wordpress Installs for Hire. She can get you going on your installation.
See you in a week!
If you'd like a Wordpress install plus design, take a look at our packages. Then go ahead and contact Alyssa, at Wordpress Installs for Hire. She can get you going on your installation.
See you in a week!
Button It Up
You don't need a totally new design to work with us at Real Life Design! We do blog buttons and ads, too! Buttons are $10 plus any graphics we have to buy.
We can work with any size; we can use your own graphics, or find a new one! We can even put it on your sidebar with a little scroll box, so others can grab it! Let us know if we can help you!
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