The Beauty in Design Challenge Kickoff!

The challenge starts today! Check out the rules for this week and be sure to enter! Submissions will be accepted until December 4th, and voting will begin on the submissions on December 5th.

We Have An Announcement To Make

Emily Grace and I have come up with something new – a challenge for all serious designers, amateur designers, and those who just have a bit of an interest in graphic design. We’re calling it the Beauty in Design Challenge – a fun way to experiment with graphic design and to learn from others about it through weekly contests. So go check out the full story here! We’d love to have you join!

An Update

I’m back for another update! I have four new designs to show you all, but first I want to say this.

Some of you may have noticed it already – but Blogger has put the “Edit HTML” button back up in Blogger in Draft and the new Blogger home! We all had quite a scare a few months ago – but they have thankfully reverted back to the original capabilities they provided. However, I will still send them the petition that you all signed, so they can know how much that feature means to us.

Alright – on to the latest designs!

Hannah’s blog was fun to design – and she was fun to work with! She asked for a vintage look with soft pinks and brown – and I think we pulled it off. Be sure to check out her blog!

 

Arianna had a specific color palette in mind when we started working on her design, which was great to have. We had fun experimenting with different fonts, colors, and styles until the design was perfect!

 

Some of you may have seen my Twitter and Facebook posts about working with Tori on her fashion blog – it was neat working with her! I enjoyed creating the fresh look, especially with the Eiffel Tower in the background. ;) Can’t go wrong with that, can you?

 

Ruth asked for a simple, clean design with soft colors and a pretty font. She also provided a great list of blog designs she loved, which was a great help in creating her design!

*I now have a personal blog – check it out here!*

It Doesn’t Rain But it Pours {or, “Sorry for Disappearing”}

I just dropped off the face of the earth last month, didn’t I? Sorry about that – it wasn’t planned. ;) But it happens, unfortunately – dropping off the earth, that is. Good news is that I’m back, and I’m going to do my best to stay on top of all my blogs! =D And because I’ve been gone so long, you all are going to be bombarded with freebies and lots of new blog designs for the portfolio. The freebies are up here - http://freebies.beautydesignstudios.com/2011/09/it-doesnt-rain-but-it-pours-freebie.html – and here - http://freebies.beautydesignstudios.com/2011/09/fall-background-for-blogs.html.

I loved working with all my clients these past two months – they were all wonderful to work with, and the process was fun. Be sure to check out their websites and blogs!

Holly and I are still working on putting up site content, but the design of the website is complete! It was great creating a more crafty-looking design.

Stay-At-Home Daughter was my first Wordpress design, and Ashley was so sweet and gracious with me as I worked with her on her blog design!

I re-designed the Bloom! Magazine staff blog to match the new website, and enjoyed the challenge of matching everything up. ;) Don’t forget to visit the new website, too, designed by Amanda from FarmgirlWrites.com!

It was an honor to design Emily’s blog for her – and it was fun creating the summery theme!

Ellie was so sweet and fun to work with! The designing process went very quickly – and I loved playing around with a different color palette.

It was a great honor to design CWRC’s website. Check out the site – there’s some great material up there!

(And P.S. – I just created an account on DeviantArt! Do you have one too? I’d love to connect with you there! My page – beautydesignstudios.deviantart.com)

Back on Board!

I'm finally back after quite a long time, to let you all know that Valerie over at Savories of Life is hosting a giveaway - the prize being a complete blog design from me! So head on over and enter!

I've changed the design of this entire website and all the blogs - and have even changed most of the content. I'm working on moving in a more professional direction, and want my website to reflect that. I also want to focus more on general graphic design as well as websites - creating logos, newsletter design, business cards, etc.; and I've gone and tried to showcase those services. So check out the new site and let me know what you think! (I'd love your opinions. ;) And isn't the background photo gorgeous? The photographer was very gracious to allow me to use it!)

*Many more portfolio posts to come, as well as more freebies and tutorials!*

Photography Website and Blog {parting is such sweet sorrow}

I just finished up designing Sarah Elizabeth’s website and blog! We had a lot of fun working on it – she wanted something swirly and coral for the logo, while keeping the website professional, and we based the rest of the website and blog on that logo design. Sarah was so sweet to work with and I greatly appreciated her flexibility and graciousness! =D

Unique to this website was the incorporation of flash slideshows and a custom portfolio gallery. Her stunning photos are displayed on the main page of the website in a slideshow, while there’s another one on the about page. =) I enjoyed adding those new elements!

Check out her sites and don’t forget to follow her!

*This will be the last post until August, so I bid you all a fond farewell! ;) I’ll be back in August with new tutorials and posts.
Have a great summer!*

Shoppe Closing in July

But not for good. ;) Starting on July 1st and ending on July 31st, the shoppe will be closed and I will not be accepting any orders. During that month I will work on finishing my novel, taking advantage of “Camp NaNoWriMo,” a July version of the regular NaNoWriMo. This will also be a good summer break to have, and I will be back in full force in August!

I will finish the designs of everyone who I am currently working with before breaking for July. This might run over the month of June, but I will still finish with these people. (And let me tell you, I’m having fun with these designs! We have two website/blog combinations in the works, and one will be done in the next few days. I can’t wait to share it with you all!)

I am accepting one more client between now and June 30th, so hurry and get your order in before July!

Cowgirls and Yes, I Forgot

First, I published yesterday’s post, completely forgetting to mention what was probably the most important thing of all! Maeve is hosting a giveaway this week, as part of her Photographer’s Week, and the prize is the Professional Package (curtsey of yours truly), worth $80, and consisting of a website, blog, logo, watermark, and Facebook integration! You have until the 23rd to enter. Alright – go check it out!

My sister finally decided that she wanted to get a blog. She’s in the process of starting a craft business, and thought it’d be fun to have a personal blog along with her website. =) So I designed her blog today (it was a different experience to have your client sitting next to you as you work) and we finished up tonight! =D She wanted a cowgirl/Carrie Underwood look, and I think we pulled it off. ;) Check it out here and follow her – she’s already pining away because she only has two followers! ;)

News, Giveaway, a Blog, and More…

A lot has been going on around here lately! Rachel and I just finished up her blog design, there are three new tutorials up, two new freebies, and the homepage has some important changes.

Maeve is also hosting a giveaway! Check it out here and enter to win the Professional Package (formerly the Photographer’s Special). The package is worth $80 and consists of a website, blog, logo, watermark, and Facebook integration!

First off, check out Rachel’s new look! She asked for blues, grays, and whites, and wanted something simple but elegant. The process was fun and went very quickly! =)

Check out the tutorial and freebies blogs for more of all that, and stop by the homepage, too. I have so many blogs that even I get a bit confused sometime, keeping up with everything. ;) What I’ve done is set up a news section on the homepage, so that at one glance you can see everything that’s new, whether it be a blog post, freebie, tutorial, or general announcement.

And last but certainly not least, the petition. I was so delightfully surprised by the big response I got within the first few days of the announcement, and I continue to be! Everyone’s support and help in this endeavor has been great. Now, can I ask you all a quick favor? I would love it if you guys could write a blog post, summarizing the point of the petition, and linking to the petition so that your own readers can sign it. This is something that will impact every person who uses Blogger, and I think that if we can spread this as far as possible, our influence will grow. The more people who protest Blogger’s actions, the greater chance we have of overturning this. I’ve set our goal for 2,000 signatures. I know that’s a lot, but I think we can do it, with all of you helping out! And thanks in advance! You’ve all been so wonderful. (And I’d love it if you’d all comment and let me know if you blog, and leave the link to the post! I’d love to read your posts. =) )

If you want you can take the code for the widget that’s on the right of my blog – here it is -

<script type="text/JavaScript">var Care2P_Parameters=["http://www.thepetitionsite.com/xml/petitions/221/357/537/feed.rss", "small", "single", "341213001", "0", "#7cbb42", "#eb6924", "#c739e"];</script><script type="text/JavaScript" src="http://dingo.care2.com/petitions/widget/common/petition_embed_br.js"></script>

And the link for the actual petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/5/give-us-back-edit-html/

Thanks, everyone! You’re all troopers!

A Petition

I got up this morning ready to do a lot of writing…I was set to get at least 2,000 words written. But I checked my Blogger home first.

I use Blogger in Draft, as I know many of you do. The advantage is that we get to experience Blogger’s new changes right before they’re released to the general public. I discovered today that Blogger has completely changed the design, format, and layout of the dashboard, and they have removed our ability to edit the HTML of our templates.

Now, they are currently asking for everyone’s opinions on the new changes, and, of course, have not released the new design to everyone. But after reading all the documentation I could find on the subject, all I could come up with is that they want to release the new design soon, and are excited about it. There was no mention of restoring the ability to edit HTML.

Because this would destroy many web design businesses, I have created a petition (widget on the right), asking Blogger to restore the “Edit HTML” capabilities for good, in draft home and regular home, and to not change that ability. I would greatly appreciate it if you, my loyal followers, would sign it. All information provided is kept private, and is only used for verifying that a real, actual person is signing for themselves and not making names up. =) Thank you all so much!

(Want more info? Check out the page here - http://www.thepetitionsite.com/5/give-us-back-edit-html/ – or email me at petition@beautydesignstudios.com for more information.)

Changes

I know what you’re thinking - “Aw, no! Not again!! Is this girl crazy or what?” Yes, the time has come again to make some changes.

So, obviously, I have changed the name, design, domain, and packages. Very quickly – we are now Beauty Design Studios, the complete url is http://www.beautydesignstudios.com, and most important of all, I have removed the free package.

I knew this day would come, but I still wish I could leave the free package up. Why can’t I? Well, I unfortunately just don’t have the time. It was so fun for me to offer free designs, and I really enjoyed it, but with all the things that need doing in my life, I need to shore up my packages. And just to remind everyone – those who have ordered free packages are still getting them free of charge. This loss of the free package only affects those who have not ordered yet.

So, check out the rest of the site! I have made changes to nearly every page. And let me know how you like the new name and design!

But…before doing that, look at Iona’s blog. We finished up her design a few weeks ago, and I really enjoyed working with her again!

And I just finished designing a website for my Dad’s latest book. (Note that the video on the front page is currently under construction)

And as if that weren’t enough, I went and redid my own blog and website! (At least I’m getting some good practice that you all will benefit from. ;) Hopefully.

From Under My Little Umbrella – Giveaway!

Lucia (From Under My Little Umbrella – the sweetest blog and girl ever) is giving away the Photographer’s Special package, worth $60! So head on over to enter – and be sure to check out the rest of her beautiful blog, too!

It’s a Wide Field…

…designing is. Clothes, web, interior…and this week I’ll be switching gears from graphic to sewing. Some of you know that I am entering the JoAnn prom dress contest this year, and I’ll be taking the next few days to finish that up! Because of that, I’ll be pretty much completely absent from the designing world. I’ll be back either late this week or early next week – with photos of the finished dress! ;)

There are so many designs in the works right now, and I’m having a blast doing them. There are about seven ladies who are working with me right now, and some of their designs are almost complete. Photos are coming soon of the finished designs!

Our designers’ community is growing rapidly, which is so exciting to me! We’re already enjoying hearing from all kinds of designers about who they are, and how to excel at graphic design. Be sure to check that area out if you haven’t! And there are some more freebies for you (Owl City wallpapers, to be exact ;) ) here.

*Those of you who I am currently working with – I will not stop the process this week, but it will slow down considerably. Don’t worry though – I’ll be fully back in just a few days! ;)*

Milestone Reached and More

We have hit fifty followers! Katie was our fiftieth follower today. Thank you all so much for your support – you all are the best. =) This blog has gone from one or two followers to fifty so quickly, and it’s all because of you guys. So congratulations. =D Now, can we make it up to one hundred?!? I’ll tell you what.

As soon as we hit 100 followers, Beauty {Free blog designs} will host another sale and giveaway!

Sound cool? Alright. Let’s make that goal! =D
Some of you already know about the “just for designers” area on the blog. Today I decided to expand it and completely turn that area over to all girls interested. What do I mean by that? Well, read the first post to find out! ;)

Giveaway Winners!

Time for the big announcement! =D There were two winners for this giveaway – one person won the Photographer’s Special package (worth $20), and another won the flash website (worth $60). The participation was great and everything went very well thanks to you all! And I loved reading everyone’s answers to the questionnaire. Great job, guys!

The winner for the Photographer’s Special is…*drumroll please*…

 

 

 

Sarah elizabeth from Daughter of the king! congratulations!

 

 

 

The winner of the flash website is…*another drumroll please*…

 

 

Emily Grace from A life worthy of the Lord! Congratulations!

 

 

 

Congratulations, winners! Please email me at beautyblogdesigns@live.com to claim your prizes! And thank you to all the participants – you all are wonderful.

Last Day!

Just wanted to remind you all that the giveaway and sale end tonight at midnight – so if you haven’t entered yet or haven’t commented with your entries, be sure to do that very soon. I’ll be announcing the winners (chosen with random.org) tomorrow afternoon!

There’s also a new tutorial up on the blog – How to Create a Blog Background. Ever wondered how bloggers make such beautiful backgrounds with all those textures and colors? Well, I’ll show you how to make one just like that in the tutorial. And you’ll also learn how to install your new background on your blog! =D

And enjoy this last day of April!

Giveaways, Sales, and Tutorials, Oh My!

Yes, a lot is going on! Today marks the first day of Beauty’s first ever sale…and wow is it big! Everything in the shoppe is 50% off! So all the packages, regularly priced from $5 to $60, will be half as much, from $2.50 to $30!

In addition to having the sale, I’m giving away two packages – the Photographer’s Special (worth $60 – has website, blog, logo, watermark) and the Designer’s Collection (worth $20 – is completely custom with all the trimmings).

Interested? I thought you might be. ;) Here’s how to enter the giveaway.

1.Blog the answers to these questions {mandatory entry}

Questionaire type giveaways have been very popular…so we’re going to be doing that here! Here are ten questions – answer whichever ones you want to.

<center><a href="http://beautyblogdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/04/giveaways-sales-and-tutorials-oh-my.html"><img border="0" src="http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/hannahrosephotography/beauty%20blog%20designs/april-showers-2011.jpg" /></a></center>When you’re done writing the post, put the link to it in your comment below, or it won’t count. And you must include the button in your post.

1. Do you like being outdoors or indoors?
2. Hot or cold weather?
3. Favorite color?
4. Favorite song, and why?
5. One word that describes you.
6. One song that describes you.
7. What’s your biggest goal in life?
8. Sweet or sour foods?
9. Favorite movie, and why?
10. Greatest accomplishment so far?

2.follow this blog {+1 entry}

3.like beauty {free blog designs} on Facebook {+1 entry}

4.put the giveaway/sale button in your sidebar {+1 entry}

5.tweet or post on facebook about the giveaway/sale{+1 entry}

For each action you do, leave one comment. So if you blogged and put the button up, you’d have two comments. Make sense? Good. ;) You have until April 30th at midnight to enter. I’ll announce the winners on May 1st!

Now. Quick note about tutorials. The drop-down/accordion/toggle menu tutorial is up!! Check it out here. In addition, I’ve created a new place on this blog – a place for all kinds of designers. You can read more about it here, but the point is for everyone to help each other out with designing. We need to be a community of designers who help each other and aspiring designers, so I’m hoping that with the forum I just put up we’ll start that.

So, what are you waiting for? Start answering those questions! =D

A Fresh Look for Everyone

Well, many bloggers have been getting new looks this week, including me! I finished Kendra’s design up a week or two ago. The process went very quickly, and I do like the finished product if I do say so myself. ;) The design is actually down for now – she’s experimenting with different things – but do check out her blog! =)

Another design I just finished was for Jenny’s blog. We took our time fine-tuning everything until it was perfect! =) This design was different for me – it’s definitely more simple and fresh. I enjoyed doing it, and it was a pleasure to work with Jenny! Check out her blog.

In other news, there’s another tutorial up on the blog, and while you’re browsing, would you mind voting on the polls I have in the sidebar? I just changed my drop-down menu (the one in the sidebar), and it should work in all browsers. If it does, I’ll do a new tutorial on drop-down menus, but if it doesn’t we’ll have to wait and figure something else out. =) So vote and tell me if it’s working! (Note: only vote on the second poll it the menu does not work. Thank you all!)

*I am planning to have a sale very soon, and will be releasing some new packages as well! And there might be a giveaway involved…so keep checking back!*

An Explanation

I have something very important and exciting to tell you all – something that will explain my *ahem* rather slow progress design-wise for the past two weeks. Ready?

I am in the process of rewriting/editing/refining my historical fiction novel, With a War Between Them.

Some of you already know that – but what I’m excited about is how quickly this is all going. I started NaNoEdMo (National Novel Editing Month) on the twentieth, (it began on the 1st) and have already logged fifty hours of editing! And I have been so blessed to have the words just come – everything is flowing so smoothly that I’m amazed.

How does this relate to designing? Well, my goal is to have my book completely edited and ready for publishing in four or five months, and because of that big goal, I’ve been spending much more time writing. In fact, on Monday that was all I did! So designing has gotten a little less attention from me recently. (This is the problem with having four major hobbies. ;)  ) I’m working out a schedule, though, and the pace will be picking up in the next week. Right now I’m working with about four lovely ladies, and you can be looking for posts in the next week with photos of their designs!

So, that was the newsflash for the day. Are you curious about my project? If so, you can check out my profile on Inkpop (a writing community with more info about my and my book) and read the first chapter from my book. You can also check out my writing blog if that interests you. =D Thank you all for your patience and great support!!

Katie’s Princess/Elven Blog

Katie is one of my very dear friends and it was a great honor and pleasure to design her new blog for her! =D She asked for a blue, sparkly design – so that’s what we did! I used an Elven font (LOTR elven) for the header and post titles, and combined sparkles with deep blue lace patterns and grunge patterns to create the background. I’m pretty convinced that Katie is a princess, too, so I worked on the design with that in view. ;)

Check out her blog and do follow her! She is a wonderful photographer and already has some great posts, too – I know you will enjoy her blog. =) I do!

Coming up in the next few weeks are Iona, Rachel, and Emilie! Can’t wait to start working with you girls! =)

More Freebies!

There are some more freebies up and ready to grab! Check them out here.

You can also follow both the tutorials blog (more tuts coming soon!) and freebies blog - so that you have control over what updates you get!

In other news I finished Sierra's blog. She asked for blues, browns, and greens for her doll blog. The process went very quickly and she was a pleasure to work with!

Holly and Christine–New Designs!

I’ve had a great time working with some very fun, sweet ladies for past two weeks. Of the four or five designs that I’ve been working on, two have been finished in the past two days!

Christine

I was very excited to work on Christine’s blog. She won a design package from my New year’s giveaway – and I tried a different kind of header with hers. We started with a logo and went on from there – developing a top-and-side header, complete with some of her photos. Christine was incredibly patient with me as I worked out the kinks that invariably came with designing a completely different header – it was a pleasure to work with her! Check out her blog and leave her some love!

 

Holly

I had a great time working with Holly. She had heard about Beauty {free blog designs} through Stephanie Smidt, and she ordered the Sweet and Simple package, a logo, and a floating header. She wanted brown and pink as her colors, and I had fun using those colors in her entire design. The whole process went very quickly – in less than 24 hours we’d finished it all and I’d installed it!! She was very sweet and easy to work with – check out her blog and maybe follow it!!

 

Be looking for more portfolio posts – there are plenty to come! And while you’re at it, don’t forget to check out my packages - you could have a design just like these two for as little as $14!

Just an Update

Just wanted to check in! This week has been very busy and productive for me - design-wise and school-wise. ;) I've been so thankful that I've been able to get back into a pretty solid routine - motivation, discipline, and sleep have been pretty lacking during the past few weeks. So I am so grateful that the Lord has restored my determination to complete my tasks quickly and thoroughly.

In design terms I've been working on some exciting projects!! =D Allie and I are working on her blog - with some special extras; and Christine and I are working on fine-tuning her design! Both designs are new and special in their own way - and you'll be able to see the finished designs in about a week! For now here's a sneak peek of one of the designs -

In other news I've been going through all the submitted forms from October to last week. When I began this business in October of 2010 I had absolutely no idea that it would be even mildly popular - I was hoping for just one or two design requests!! Well, I was completely and totally surprised to receive my first two requests the night I launched the blog and as I continued to receive an average of five requests a week. Since then I've changed a lot on this blog - I've added and modified packages, started charging fees, and reorganized the whole blog. Because of all that organizing I ended up getting a bit disorganized (I know, I know - sounds very contadictory!! =D) with all the orders.

So I want to let you all know that I am going through all the forms, finding those that ask only for accessories, or "A la Carte" items, and I will be designing those in the next week or two. I've also been able to get a better schedule for myself to follow.

And because of that, you wonderful people who are waiting so patiently for your designs will receive them sooner than I had originally planned.

 I can tell you, though, that if there is an advantage to your long wait it is that your design will be much better than it would have been had I done it a few months ago!! =D So thank you all for your incredible patience with me as I have figured out this business and put you all through the wringer with my frequent changes and adjustments!! You all are the best.

Stephanie's Photography Blog

A few months ago Stephanie, one of my dear friends from Minnesota, asked if I would design her photography blog for her. =D We started working on her logo first, and after that came the watermark and overall blog design. Steph wanted her colors to be burgundy, silver, and black - some of my favorite colors to work with! ;) We had a lot of fun working on it - it was also fun to catch up via email!

Stephanie is a professional photographer and does absolutely beautiful work - go check out her blog, and maybe follow it! =D

I'm Back Again, So It Would Seem

I ended up putting the new packages up tonight - I felt it would be best. ;) The new special package? The Photographer's Special - including a custom website, matching blog, logo, and watermark! Check 'em out!

*Note: Those who have already ordered a blog design will still receive their package for the same price, with the same parts. These new packages and prices apply only to those who order on or after 2-9-11. So if you ordered before you read this post, you have nothing to worry about!! Questions? Don't hesitate to email me at beautyblogdesigns@live.com!*

Newness

I'm back with a new design for the portfolio! Lauren from Spinning Barefoot won a design package through Iona's giveaway - and we just finished it! She also got a very neat drop-down menu with her design - and I am now designing these seperately for only $4 apiece - they're the new addition to the "shop!" So be sure to take a look at that.

 Check out Lauren's blog and leave her some love!

I'm also working on adding some packages...*hint - one will have to do with photographers...and will be extra-special!!* So be looking for those.

What tutorial do you guys want next? Feel free to comment and tell me, or you can use the chat box on the tutorials page sidebar to let me know! I'll be putting up a new tutorial, based on your requests, by the end of the month.

ALSO, I completed designing my new logo, website, and blog for hannah.rose.photography! I'm very excited about it - and I'd love for you to check it out and tell me what you think! *hint #2 - the new site has something to do with the package!!!*


That's all for now, but I'll be back in a few days with some new, very cool, designs for some very cool people!! ;)

New Freebie!

I just posted a new freebie! Click here to check it out!

I announced the winners of the giveaway on Sunday - read about it here. I'm also working on completely changing my personal photography logo, website, and blog. *bits lips nervously* I love blog design, but it seems that even when I can design really well for other people, I have a hard time doing it for myself. =P Well, we'll see how it goes. ;)

I finished Katie's watermark and signature a few days ago. She wanted daisies incorporated in the design, so I took a photo of a daisy, converted it to gray scale, applied a drawing filter, and fiddled with the coloring until I liked it! It was fun and easy to do and I really enjoyed it. ;) Go check out her blog!

Want to Win a Free Makeover?

Well, it happened, folks. I decided to have my first giveaway over at my main blog, Hannah Rose Photography. I'll be giving away two CDs, one necklace, and one "Whole Shoot 'n Match" design package! For complete instructions on how to enter, click here.

Have fun!