Pretty up your blog.

Today I am taking a little diversion from the usual
fabric/ girly/ sewing tutorial and attempt to explain 
something so over my head.
But if I can do it, so can you!
If you are an awesome HTML whiz please leave.
Certainly don't mock.
This is not for you.

But, if you want to update the look of your blog in a
few minutes for free, I have a few tips.

Mind you, I am no blog designer.
That is what the amazing Marina is for.
But for many of you, paying for a blog 
makeover isn't in your current budget.

Boo economy.



We are going to use my neglected Aqua Apron Sisters blog 
as an example.  I mainly just registered the name for the
future, so there isn't anything to read there.

Anyway, this screen shot above is how it comes courtesy of Blogger.
Yawn.

Here is where you start:
Sign into Blogger.
Go to Dashboard
Then Layout
Then Edit on the Header section


Here is what it looks like with a picture uploaded 
straight out of my camera into the header section,
shrunk to fit and with the picture placed
behind the title and description.

Better, but still... meh.


Now, I took that same picture, uploaded it to Picnik,
messed around with the exposure,
added a frame and
used the text feature for the title.

I then came back to my blog,
uploaded the new and improved version in the header section,
checked both
shrink to fit as well as
"instead of title and description."

Much better.

Next, add some fun buttons from
Seriously, Cathe is one of the most
talented and generous graphic designers out there.

She simply explains how to add each gadget.
You will wonder how you lived without her!

You can see the full version here.
I spent about three minutes on it.
For reals.

No go cute up your blog!
Please.  
No more ugly font stock Blogger yuckiness.  
Think of how fancy and nerdy you will feel!


Posted in , ,

15 Comments

  1. Tegan | Celebrate Twelve13June 11, 2009 at 4:54 PM

    Thanks for the tips! (For those of us who don't do much more than copy and paste...)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Shell in your PocketJune 11, 2009 at 5:02 PM

    I love Just Something I made...such a giving and unselfish lady!
    sandy toe

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kelly O.June 11, 2009 at 5:04 PM

    Do you know how much I appreciate you? Seriously. Do you know?!
    the bestest. that's you. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. ~ Lisa @ AbidingThere~June 11, 2009 at 5:08 PM

    You rock, Julie! What would we do without you :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Cora Anne DesignsJune 11, 2009 at 6:20 PM

    Thanks so much, this was waaaay easier than Photoshop! I made a new header for our family blog www.meulenbergs.blogspot.com

    Now off to do more creating!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. alexandraJune 11, 2009 at 6:31 PM

    I think you need to make more of those Celebrate signs!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. JillJune 11, 2009 at 6:33 PM

    Oh! Thanks so much for sharing all your great tips! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. ChanceJune 11, 2009 at 7:53 PM

    Thanks! I blinged out my blog with a few buttons!

    ReplyDelete
  9. DenissaJune 11, 2009 at 9:20 PM

    I LOVE picnik!! It is the best :) Since you are on the subject of prettying up blogs...how did you get or create your button? I'm in the process of starting up a blog for beaded jewlery that I make and would love to have a button for friends & family to post.
    Thanks for all the great things you share! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. hawkeyejlpJune 12, 2009 at 4:32 AM

    Thanks so much! I can't wait to try this later today.

    ReplyDelete
  11. B.janeJune 12, 2009 at 10:48 AM

    I have been wondering where bloggers get that cute little"Sew nice to recieve your comments" button. Thanks Girly!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Heather @ Glitter and GlossJune 12, 2009 at 8:25 PM

    Done. Just prettied it up a bit: http://leilasmom.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  13. Liz MaysJune 13, 2009 at 3:17 AM

    There is a part of me that's terrified to try what you just said and the other part of me that is so completely fired up!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Jenny ColbornJune 13, 2009 at 10:29 AM

    the one true mark of a saint of God is the abundance of inner creativity that flows from being totally surrendered to Jesus Christ.

    hope that encourages you greatly, julie

    ReplyDelete
  15. Mom2ThreeBoysJune 13, 2009 at 12:33 PM

    Cute ideas I like cute blogs, mine isn't cute. Maybe I can make it cute with these tips, thanks so much.

    ReplyDelete