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Sunday, June 21, 2009

I Did It!

In an earlier post I shared with you the activities required for my library's adult summer program. Activity #9 was 'Learn to Blog'. Since I had been blogging for over 3 years, I decided to do something else related to my blog - I designed my own layout and header. This July 4th layout is my own design. I'm quite tickled with it. Although I think the red star paper is a little too distracting when trying to read the posts. I'll look for 'quieter' paper to go behind the posts in my next layout.

I also designed the layout for one of my other blogs, In Season. It didn't turn out quite as well - the column lines don't measure up quite right. Something else to improve upon. I didn't get a header made for In Season, though. All-in-all I've had a lot of fun learning how to do this and I didn't have to buy a program to help me, just relied on some good online tutorials and my thimbleful of html knowledge.

***Note added later: I changed the red stars for a plainer paper which makes it easier to read the posts.

19 comments:

Melissa O. said...

The layout looks awesome! Though I do have to agree with you about the stars in the background, lol. BTW, do you have links to any of these online tutorials? I've been wanting to try out blog design myself and was thinking I'd have to buy a program but am intrigued to know that's not necessary... Congrats again on the new design, it really does look incredible :-)

Anonymous said...

You did a great job! I'm really impressed.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic! I'm with Melissa - I'd love to find those online tutorials.

Kristi said...

Wow! The header and layout looks great! The stars in the center column are a little distracting but I LOVE the bigger ones on the sides (and how they don't move as you scroll down - very cool). Love the colors, too. You did a great job!

Susan said...

I love the layout and the header! Like the others, I need help - I can't get my blog to accept the three column layout, which I desperately need to cut down on my poor left margin busyness. If there are online tutorials, please let us know where they are!!! Thank you! And really - I like the new look.

Staci said...

That is totally awesome!!!!! love the new look but most impress with the fact that you made it yourself!!

Suko said...

And you did a great job. Congratulations on mastering #9!

Anonymous said...

You did a fantastic job!! It's beautiful!

Stephanie said...

Nice job!!

Booklogged said...

Gee-wilacurz! Thanks so much for all the positive feedback. I tried to change the star background but I didn't save the finished copy in photoshop. Another lesson!

Here's the tutorial I used to make the background.

Here's the 3-column tutorial.

This site helped me with how to add my own header.

There are lots and lots of places that offer layouts that you can copy and paste. Just do a search for free blog templates. A couple of my favorites are Simply Fabulous Blogger Templates and The Cutest Blog on the Block, but there are a gazillion more, just do searches.

Best wishes to you all. Please let me know how you are doing and when you post your new look.

Zibilee said...

I really have to learn how to do some of this. Your blog looks great, I am very impressed!

Kailana said...

Congrats! I am hopeless with stuff like that. I get other people to do it for me...

SuziQoregon said...

You did a great job. It looks fantastic.

Iliana said...

This is great! Congrats on doing it yourself.

Natasha @ Maw Books said...

I'm totally impressed that you did this yourself! I'm just thrilled when I manage to change the color of something. Great job!

Les said...

Very, very nice!! I love the header. I've been stuck in a rut with my template from day one, but I can barely keep up with posting book reviews, let alone mess with my template. Maybe someday.

Lisa R.D. said...

I love the new look... it's so patriotic! Almost inspiring enough to get me to change my blog's look... (almost!).

Thoughts of Joy said...

LOVE IT!!! You are an inspiration! :) I plan to make changes to my blog, but probably not until Fall.

3m.michelle said...

Looks wonderful!