Monday, June 30, 2014

Blog Makeover

A couple of days after my last post, my lovely friend Christina, sent me a Facebook message to let me know that my blog looked like this.

So you can imagine my shock and dismay. It appears that the girl that designed my blog 6 years ago has decided to go out of business and stop paying for the image hosting which supported my blog background and overall look. It would have been nice of her to let me know in advance but...

I'm a bit sad but had been thinking it was time for a change...just not like this. So I've gone with the simple white background until I have time or money to go a different route. I'd love suggestions of free templates or inexpensive blog designers. Please, please send them my way. In time, I'll switch up the look for something more me. 

And craft night was a wash. Always fun to see the ladies but I am frustrated with the small I picked up (SB Tall Sheep). First the linen provided was too dark and now I have two greens next to each other that blend too much. With time to stitch being so limited, I really need stitching to be smooth sailing. So I'm in a stitching funk. I should just concentrate on the apartment re-org and get it over and done with. 

Hope you all had a fun weekend!! Until next time...

24 comments:

Meari said...

That's bummer about your blog layout. Hopefully, you'll find something that fits you.

Margaret said...

Oh yikes! That must have been a real bummer to find your blog all screwed up! I have no help for you. I just use whatever blogger has. lol And I'm afraid to redo my blog, which hasn't been touched for years. Sigh.

Barb said...

How very frustrating about your blog. I get my sides from Hot Biggity Blog and I usually use a photo for the header. But the white looks just fine to me.

Jackie's Stitches said...

Gosh - you'd think she'd thank you for your business and give you the heads up. Ugh!

I do like the simple white background and everything on the sidebar seems to be working. Maybe a picture on your header to personalize it/represent you more?

stitchersanon said...

Blogger has some nice templates which are easy to add on; you could also try just look at other people blogs; those who use free templates from other sites, usually have the company displayed top left corner. There are loads of freebies out there.

cucki said...

Hopefully you find something soon
Big hugs x

Maggie said...

It can be a bit of a chore changing everything on your blog, but like others have said, blogger templates are better than they used to be and you could use a nice photo of your own for your header.
Good luck :-)

Cath said...

I get my background from The Cutest Blog on the Block . They are free and very easy to use.

Cathy said...

Hot Bliggity Blog is great! They have lots of different backgrounds, and are easy to use. Payment is by donation.
Cathy
CraftyCat

Giovanna said...

I hope you find something you like soon - but simple white looks good to, perhaps with a nice header.

gracie said...

I know I am not an expert, but I use Blogger and find it easy and it is free!

Christina said...

Woo hoo, I can now read your last post! :0)

I'm in need of a change too. I really like my current background/header but it doesn't seem to be compatible with my ipad so I guess those who view blogs on their iphones can't see the backgroud either...bummer. :0( I'll let you know if I find a good site!

Ann at Beadlework. said...

I did wonder what had happened when I stopped by last time, at least you're sorted now. I hope you find something to stitch that you enjoy, I know the feeling.

Sharon said...

Well a heads up would have been nice... Take your time, I used a blog designer last time I changed my blog (because I am clueless in that dept.) I spent way too much money!

Anonymous said...

There are several free background sites. I have used Cutest Blog on the Block, Dotty Dot Dot, and Hot Bliggity Blog.

But, the white looks good too. It lets the content be the star.

Carol said...

That must be so frustrating, Valerie! I just used backgrounds from the same places Dee mentioned and put in one of my own photos for the header. Nothing fancy, but it works :) Good luck!

Melanie said...

Ahhh. Makes sense now. I'll let you in on a little tip: I ALWAYS host those blogger backgrounds myself. I don't mess with their watermarks if they are on there but, instead of copying their source code over for the photo, I use my own. That way *I* control the hosting on it. Because, yeah. :(

Rachel S-H said...

I stick to Blogger templates. They are the easiest for me to use, and they don't mess with my posts.

Anne said...

Eek!! What a shock it must have been. Now making a new one will take some time. I do the same as Carol and Dee and sometimes change up the backgrounds. It's pretty easy to do. If you need help give me a holler! Hugs! Hope you are enjoying your summer so far!!

Marie said...

I too use Hot Biggity Blog:

http://hotbliggityblog.com

It is so easy, has a decent selection and it's FREE!

Hope you find your way to a newly design blog soon.

Hazel said...

There are quite a few free templates around so just have a go on a separate blog to play around with it before deciding. It is awful though. I am still smarting about the whole Webshots thing. x

~Narita said...

I just use the blogger stuff, Valerie. And I keep my background black because I have other colorful things to look at and I like the way they look on black :)

I'd be happy to help you with it at the next get together, if you like (though I can't make it to Mary's in August, but we will meet at Mary's again in Sept. and we can work on your blog, if you haven't fixed it by then)

Kaisievic said...

Hi Valerie, I am so sorry, I have not visited your blog for a while. I do think of you often, though. So sorry that you are having blog issues - how annoying of her not to have told you. The plain white is very classic and clean, though.

Christine said...

Hi Valerie ~ I agree with others that blogger has some pretty simple ways to add a background to your blog. But what a bummer to suddenly have this happen to you!

I sent you an email in reference to the Drawn Thread pattern "Full Moon". It will be from artlvr52 so that you know it isn't spam.