I had a designer in mind for my blog, but after contacting them 4 times with no response-I decided that I needed to take matters into my own hands if I really wanted to get it done:)
Yep, that's right...ME!!!!! I figured it out!!;) (Can you tell I'm proud of myself?;)
I had a vision of what I wanted my blog to look like. I wanted to keep my Little Warrior guy (Warrior is our school mascot) and keep my color scheme of oranges and blacks (school colors). So, I started searching Etsy for backgrounds and frames.
I decided on these backgrounds from SpringHillGraphics for $4.00. They have some SUPER cute stuff!
I found these cute little halloween banners that matched perfectly for $3.50 from digitalfield. If you're looking for cute little banners like this-she has all different colors and designs:)
And lastly, I decided on this HUGE set of frames for $7.00 from WhilstDigitalStash These will definitely come in handy!
Then, I got to work creating my header, sidebar titles, buttons and signature. THEN, for the hard part....installation. I am by NO means, a super techy person, but google is AMAZING!!! I was able to find tutorials on installing EVERY SINGLE element!!!!;) I think the trickiest part is creating a blog button...so, if you've done that, you could definitely install any of these other elements too!;)
So, that's it!!! I got a new blog design for under $15.00!! And, I'm pretty happy with the results! I think I'll keep it for quite some time:) Of course there are some things that are less than perfect...so, don't look too closely;)
What are your thoughts???
Look at you go!! I love it! I wish I had the time & patience to try & figure it out. Great job!
ReplyDeleteLisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure
Time?? Time is my greatest enemy!!! I really wish my body required no sleep!!!;) I stayed up til 4 AM working on this last night....NOT a good idea when I have 2 toddler boys that wake up at 6:30 AM and I'm 7 months preggo!;) LOL!
DeleteI LOVE it! I was a little worried when you announced you were changing your design because I really liked your old one. BUT now that I have seen your new one, I completely understand. Great vision, great creation! Well done Katie!
ReplyDeleteCamille
An Open Door
I love it! So cute and you are very clever to figure all of this out.
ReplyDeleteCindy
It turned out GREAT!!! I am so impressed. It must feel great to know that you figured out how to design your own blog. It really looks professional too! Hey, maybe you need to start up your own blog design business! :)
ReplyDeleteDelighted in Second
You did a fabulous job!!!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love it! Our colors are orange and black, too, so I'm really drawn to it! I love the polka dots and the banners! You should be very proud of yourself! :)
ReplyDeleteVery cute!!!
ReplyDeleteI think you rock! This is stunning! Good for you for doing it yourself! I don't think anyone could have done better!
ReplyDeleteKaryn
I'm totally impressed. I didn't have a clue how to go about doing it yourself, but now that you have explained about buying the different pieces, maybe I can tackle it myself. Thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteKelly @ I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher
It is super cute! Great job!!! I have had my fair share of all nighters too, especially when I am on the hunt to learn something new. I am inspired to give it a whirl myself, but not tonight. It's already very late. :)
ReplyDeleteMichelle
http://owlsareahoot.blogspot.com/
wow it really came out awesome...im your newest follower...drop by =)
ReplyDeleteJust Wild About Teaching
I live the warrior. It looks great!
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job! It is so cheerful and modern! I am so proud of you!
ReplyDeleteJennifer
kindertrips
It's beautiful Katie!!! GREAT job! =) And guess what! One of my awesome k-team members bought a Scentos marker today and I got all excited and was like.... "OMG! One of my blogging besties introduced those to the blogging world... {and she cuts me off to say:} Oh yeah! She used them to stamp on their center work???" I thought that was too funny! It's amazing how much the teacher blogs have grown since pinterest started! =) So cool! And one of the 1st grade teachers at my school came across my blog b/c she saw my writing portfolio posters on pinterest! Way cool!
ReplyDeleteAnywho, I'm writing a novel! Hope you are enjoying your summer friend! How's that baby coming along?!
Looks good! I guess if you want something done you've gotta do it yourself! Haha.
ReplyDeleteCaitlin
The Kinder Garden
It looks AMAZING!! I really should learn how to do this stuff, too! I LOVE the colors...LOVE!
ReplyDeleteYou did awesome!! Love your Little Warrior... it is so cute!!! Teach me??
ReplyDeleteJess
From Blood to Books!
I am very impressed. It took me 4 hours tonight just to upload a different premade blog template. My next big project is to make a button.
ReplyDeleteSharon
Dogdaysofkindergarten.blogspot.com
You did a great job!! It looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteBarbara
happyteachingfirst.blogspot.com
It looks AMAZING!!! Great job! Doesn't feel so great to do something new and do it successfully?
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing. I love everything that you chose and it goes great with your little warrior. :)
ReplyDeleteHeidi
My (Not So) Elementary Life
Very impressive, and inspiring!
ReplyDeleteRhea
Love the colors! Looks great!!
ReplyDeleteRobynn
BusyBees
Love the new look. I'm super impressed you did it yourself. I thought I might try to do it myself. But the first problem I ran into, I was annoyed and stopped. The backgrounds I had were too large of a file. Oh well. You've inspired me to try again. Thanks
ReplyDeleteMs. Kerri and her Krazy Kindergarten
Kerri,
DeleteEasy fix!!! Just open it up in something like paint shop pro or photo shop and resize your image!! Reduce it to like 500 pixels and you should be safe!;) I had to google all the sizes to make things too:)
Looks great! The internet is a great friend when it comes to "how to"! Awesome job!
ReplyDeleteYour blog looks amazing! Nice job, Katie! I'm jealous!!
ReplyDeleteSara
Miss V's Busy Bees
Katie - It looks great!!! I'm still too into summer to get anything done for school. I hope we can all get together again before it starts. I'll be off grid for a week while we go to WI. Hope to see you soon!
ReplyDeleteBecky
It looks great! I wish I had the guts to create my own blog design!!
ReplyDeleteWOW your blog looks great. I made my original design by scratch so I know how hard it was to figure things out. You really did an incredible job. . .you should be proud.
ReplyDelete✰ Stacy
Simpson Superstars
Your blog looks fantastic!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think you did a fabulous job! And came in at a price I envy, lol :-)
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job, Katie! You should be very proud of yourself! Everything is super bright and fun! The banners in each of your gadget titles is my favorite part! They just bring everything together!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Marlana
Lil' Country Kindergarten
Kindergarten Network
I LOVE it!!! I'm in the process of creating my own too. I think I need 1 full day of nothing else going on to do it. I keep trying to do bits & pieces, but it's not working. I began with a free template, but I'm not loving it at all.
ReplyDeleteI like it!
ReplyDeleteI think that the transformative works can bring a huge impact to the fans. This relation looks very different and they are depending by the impact produced by the transformative works.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Preschool - Little Millennium