Wednesday, April 8, 2009

A Little Change

Yep, I've pimped my blog.

While I would not move a stick of furniture from it's place for my entire life, I really like experimenting with the look of the blog.

I learned how to use digital scrapbooking pieces and I designed the layout here. I don't have all the kinks out yet, I lost one little element at the bottom, but I can fix that. It was fun fooling around with all the different combinations. Who knew that stuff was even out there?!?!

Anyway, I worried that if it was too frou-frou I would diminish any shreds of credibility I have after posting LOL Cats. So I tried to find a line between being over the top, but expressing hopefulness about the future.

Writing this blog has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. Connecting with readers, getting feedback about how what I have written has inspired people has been magical for me and that is what I wanted to reflect in the background. It has been so good to be writing so much. I just got my first paying freelance writing job!! AGGHH!!!!

Let me know what you think! (Unless what you think is really bad. In that case, lie to me. :) )

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23 comments:

cimmonz said...

beeeeautiful message!

congrats on your first paying piece!

change up anytime ~ learn, grow, express!

blessings bee yours!

manju said...

The new look is lovely, Marie1

And congratulations!

Anonymous said...

I like it! Congratulations on the job.

Da Old Man said...

I like the new look. I finally recovered from the LOLcats.

The Mother said...

Congratulations, Marie.

But I'm not sure how I feel about the smutz on my screen that doesn't scroll down. Weird.

Sorry. You said to be honest.

Margo said...

i think it looks great, but like mother, I found the stuff that didn't scroll down a wee bit disconcerting... but what do I know? But seriously, other than that I love it. Congratulations on paid writing gig! always reason to celebrate!

Marie said...

Oh thanks everybody!!!!

I was afraid it was too new age-y.

Joe, laughing at LOL Cats is what threw your back out. I knew it you were a secret LOL Cats admirer.

Hmmmm, now Mother and Margo, do you mean the fact the background stays stationary and the rest of the stuff moves? Yeah, umm, I have no idea why that is happening. This is the first layout I did myself, so I will have to do some investigating.

Thanks for indulging me!!

Vic said...

I like it!

Also, congratulations on the paying gig!

Barbi said...

I love the new look, very nice. I added a link to your CATS on my Facebook status. I am still laughing at the last one. Can you do a layout for my blog? (seriously, you could charge for such nice work!) And congrats on your new job!

Jennifer said...

I absolutely love the new look! I'm in the middle of a redesign and doing it myself as well, so I'm nervous! But you've inspired me! :-)

Marie said...

Vic: Thank you!

Jennifer: Go for it! There are tons of sites with step by step instructions on how to do it along with MILLIONS of pieces of art work.

Barbi: I'd be happy to help, but this was my first try and as we can see, it's not perfect. I don't know why the background stays stationary while the rest of the blog moves.

But if you tell me what you like, I could try something. :) It was really a lot of fun.

Jane Turley said...

Well done on getting that writing job! That is fabulous news!

I like the new look of the blog too - and hey it's just fun doing all the changes isn't it?!

HappySkinnyGirl said...

What did I miss? The new look is lovely! :) I agree with other about the background and the scroll..have fun experimenting :)

Jen said...

I like the look but have a hard time reading with the stuff that doesn't move.

Marie said...

Thank you Jane and Jessica!

Jen, good point and I have finally figured out how to fix it. As soon as I'm done working for the day I will dig in! :)

Marie said...

Ok, I think that is better. I just had to change the dimensions I was using.

I am such a girl! I want to add all kinds of ribbons and hearts, but I am restraining myself in the interest of credibility. lol

aniceplaceinthesun.blogspot.com said...

I'm impressed...I'm afraid to do anything with the layout of my blog for fear it may disappear. And congrats on your first paying piece. You're just too cool for me.

That's why I have two awards for you at A Nice Place In The Sun. Come and see when you have the chance.

Congrats~

Annie

Marie said...

Annie, you silly goose, I am not cool at all!!! I am the biggest nerd on two feet. I still wear Birkenstocks for Pete's sake! lol But thanks for the sweet words.

I am so happy to see you back and posting! (((hugs)))

hammy said...

I like the look.

I had a lot of trouble when I changed the look on my blog too. In fact, I'm still sorting it out whenever I get the time...

:)

And congrats on your freelance writing job.

Lin said...

Oh, it's lovely! And even more impressive that you did it yourself--I'm jealous of that. I broke down and paid someone to do a make-over on mine. Good job!

Marie said...

Hammy: Every time I look at it I want to adjust something. lol But I will stick with this for a while, maybe change it seasonally?

Lin: I was going to pay someone, but I thought I would give it a try. I am so happy I did. I am having the best time fooling around with this stuff.

However, there is no mistaking a professional job, and yours looks great. So that definitely was a good investment. :)

The Wheelchair Kamikaze said...

Marie, I think the redesign looks great.

Congratulations also on the freelance gig. What have you been hired to write about?

Marie said...

Thanks Marc!! I feel like that is high praise coming from you, an expert!

Re the freelance job, I have been asked to write one article a week for a local health care business.

Of course, in my life there is always a catch. lol I will actually be ghostwriting. But hey, I am retaining the rights and I'm getting paid, so I am still thrilled. I can still say "I am a writer"!!