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Ariala - your images

Again; let me know when you have had a chance to save them and I will delete this comment. There is a blank header included again as well in case you want to try your artistic flair.

And keep in mind that if you ever want to take a stab at designing your own template, it is as simple as taking one of the concept images from earlier comments to use as a grid to overlay your images on. The important considerations are to maintain the width of the images as you crop them from the concept image and that the sidebar and content backgrounds repeat vertically to stretch with the length of the blog. Also, there is very little control over the color of text and links outside of the template making the use of light colored body backgrounds the only practical solution for light colored content areas.

Give it a shot, I'd bet that you would come up with something impressive and I'd be happy to do the coding for you.

posted by gomedome on January 24, 2009 at 11:32 AM | link to this | reply

I got it, thank you again!

posted by Ariala on January 23, 2009 at 12:51 PM | link to this | reply

Ariala - it's ready to go

To see how it will look on Blogit: HERE . . . again I will remove it from this temporary location once you install.

To get the code: HERE

I may have to wait until tomorrow to post the images for you to save.

posted by gomedome on January 23, 2009 at 8:38 AM | link to this | reply

Gome, yes, that's it! And a big LOL to the nag-o-meter...hope you got a

good bunny sitter lined up

Thanks again for these templates!

posted by Ariala on January 22, 2009 at 12:34 PM | link to this | reply

Ariala - is this what you meant?

 

 

 

As for Cuba; Yeah, I'm starting to look forward to it, I haven't done anything like that in a few years and I've always wanted to see Cuba. It also turns down the wife's "nag-o-meter" for a few years.

posted by gomedome on January 22, 2009 at 11:24 AM | link to this | reply

Excellent...thank you and have a great time in Cuba!
(I saw your headline in another blog)

posted by Ariala on January 22, 2009 at 11:11 AM | link to this | reply

Ariala - so that would be a browser cache issue, settings can be changed

in any browser but if Firefox is the easy answer, I'd stick with it.

I'll shift the font soon, the template will be ready for use tomorrow sometime.

posted by gomedome on January 22, 2009 at 10:34 AM | link to this | reply

Gome, I was able to suggest trying another browser and they were able

to view it easily and quickly using Firefox...so all is well.

The template looks great!  My final suggestion is to right justify Matthew 25:40,  and then it's ready to go!!  THANK YOU SO MUCH, Gome...you're really good at this!

posted by Ariala on January 22, 2009 at 9:03 AM | link to this | reply

Ariala - how about this?

posted by gomedome on January 22, 2009 at 8:03 AM | link to this | reply

Re: gomedome, I've heard from a regular reader that no matter how long they
Ariala - it is more likely a security setting issue specific to their computer. That is the risk of presenting a web page that has images served from another site. Some security programs treat the images as third party banners. The only real option is for the individual to adjust their security settings. Where this would be enough of an issue to render the templates we are using as ill advised for a public site, you will find that this type of occurance is rare on a private site. Most people that stop into our blogs either have their security settings adjusted or are willing to adjust them.

posted by gomedome on January 22, 2009 at 6:21 AM | link to this | reply

gomedome, I've heard from a regular reader that no matter how long they
wait, they cannot view the text on my Life According to Ariala blog.  They have high speed, but the page will not load for them...is this a browser issue?  I will ask them to try a different browser.  Thanks.

posted by Ariala on January 22, 2009 at 4:00 AM | link to this | reply

Re: Gome, I wonder if that passage might look better underneath the title...it
Ariala - I'll try a few things with it.

posted by gomedome on January 21, 2009 at 9:26 PM | link to this | reply

Gome, I wonder if that passage might look better underneath the title...it
can take up two or three lines if need be.  See what you think, otherwise, this is fine!  Thanks!!!

posted by Ariala on January 21, 2009 at 1:18 PM | link to this | reply

Ariala - I've got the next one mocked up

There is a bit of a challenge in adding that passage in being able read it. Extremely small font on that dark background is very difficult to work with. What I did instead was simply increase it in size until it was clearly legible. Keep in mind that anything can be moved or changed.

 

posted by gomedome on January 21, 2009 at 9:02 AM | link to this | reply

yay! I FINALLY GOT IT! Thanks for your patience and all your help!

posted by Ariala on January 20, 2009 at 8:30 AM | link to this | reply

Re: Gome, I seem to have screwed things up a little...that's what I get for

Ariala: an easy fix, you have two choices.

You can find the following block of code and replace it as below:

Currently it looks like this:
<h5><p class="k22">Blog Description</h5>A blog expressing my thoughts, feelings, opinions, dreams, and rants.
<p class="k22"></p>

(The Blog Description title now thinks it is a k22 element as defined in the stylesheet at the beginning of your blog template code)

It should look like this:
<h5>Blog Description</h5>
<p class="k22">A blog expressing my thoughts, feelings, opinions, dreams, and rants.</p>

Or you can re-install your blog code (including the blog description variable) from HERE . . . and then go into "Change name, description or category" on your edit page and place your blog description there.

posted by gomedome on January 20, 2009 at 8:14 AM | link to this | reply

Got the images saved. Thank you!

posted by Ariala on January 20, 2009 at 8:02 AM | link to this | reply

Gome, I seem to have screwed things up a little...that's what I get for
messing with code...I need to get the Blog Description title back to white and bold. I think I know which code to do that with, but I'm not for sure...I was going to copy it from down below on Recent Posts, but I'm afraid to...can you tell me how to do it so I don't mess it up? Thanks

posted by Ariala on January 20, 2009 at 7:50 AM | link to this | reply

Re: Gome, LOL...yeah, scary thing...I went into the code and added words...I
Ariala - trial and error is the only way to learn the Blogit code, it has so many little things unique to this blogging interface. I'm going to post your blog images here so that you can save them (right click and save to the folder of your choice). Once you tell me that you have done that, I will delete the comment they are posted in. Then I'll move onto the next template.

posted by gomedome on January 20, 2009 at 7:49 AM | link to this | reply

Gome, LOL...yeah, scary thing...I went into the code and added words...I
could tell they weren't exactly margined right and I'm so glad you told me how to fix that...time to reread what you said and "get" it LOL

posted by Ariala on January 20, 2009 at 7:36 AM | link to this | reply

Ariala - it took me a few minutes to figure it out

But you must have gone into your blog code to add your blog description. You will notice that the margins on either side of your blog description have defaulted to the side column margins of 5 pixels. This means that the words were placed outside of the stylesheet code controlling their position (k22). The description segment of code looks like as follows:

 <p class="k22"><$BlogDescription$></p>

If you would like to add the margins back to the blog description paragraph you can either write it into your blog description field in your Blogit interface or remove the variable (the segment in bold) and put it there in it's place.

posted by gomedome on January 20, 2009 at 7:10 AM | link to this | reply

Re: Thanks, Gome...btw, another question...if I want to change my mugshot

Ariala - yes, that's the easiest way. If you use imageshack.us . . . once the image is uploaded, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the advanced link option for an URL direct to the image without a backlink. Simply crop or reduce whichever image you use to the same width as the current mugshot.

I noticed one final tweak that needs doing on your blog template in the positioning of the words for the blog description. I'll take care of that first, then post your template image links so that you can save them. Keep in mind that we are relying on a 3rd party to serve the template images, it is always prudent to have them saved somewhere.   

posted by gomedome on January 20, 2009 at 6:28 AM | link to this | reply

Thanks, Gome...btw, another question...if I want to change my mugshot
do I just go to that image place you recommended and change the code in the template?

posted by Ariala on January 20, 2009 at 4:46 AM | link to this | reply

Re: Gome, If you're still giving these out...I wouldn't mind the following
Ariala - no problem, I'll have some time tomorrow to get started.

posted by gomedome on January 19, 2009 at 9:54 PM | link to this | reply

Gome, If you're still giving these out...I wouldn't mind the following
for Random Acts of Kindness...no mug shot needed.

Can you also add the verse, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me."  (Matthew 25:40) in small print across the water...the main title towards the middle top...or whatever you think.  Thanks!  You got me fired up with these...I may be back...you'll have to shew me off with a stick!

posted by Ariala on January 19, 2009 at 5:39 PM | link to this | reply

Gome, thank you SO MUCH!!! It looks great!

posted by Ariala on January 19, 2009 at 5:27 PM | link to this | reply

Ariala - oops, I corrected the spelling error

If it works for you now, the code can be copied and pasted from: HERE . . simply drop the code into your blog code field box.

I have to scoot right now but will post a blank version of the header image later. This will allow you to make any changes you like or replace the image entirely. I'll check back to see how things are going later.

posted by gomedome on January 19, 2009 at 10:53 AM | link to this | reply

I've cleaned up the first 10 or more blogs, made photos smaller, took

out ~~~~ etc. 

This looks really neat...you've done a fabulous job and I like that header a lot better!  Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!

posted by Ariala on January 19, 2009 at 9:32 AM | link to this | reply

Gome, I'll go through and clean up the older blogs with pics...
Is it the font or is Ariala misspelled?

posted by Ariala on January 19, 2009 at 9:27 AM | link to this | reply

Ariala - I've finished the tweaks and I think it's better

I simply dropped a nicer font dead center on the header image, it's a little more subtle as I think you were asking for. I also found a different body background image which I think compliments the overall look. . . . HERE

I have yet to put the Recent Posts archive back into the code, there is no point in doing so until you edit your blog title where you used ~~~~~~~ in a continuous string. You may not have realized that the temporary location of your template on one of my blogs was using an RSS feed from your blog to create the archive.

Again the limitations of this type of template are few but images wider than 560pixels posted as content will distort it. This means that if you have any images in your first 10 posts that are wider than 560pixels, visitors to your blog will be greeted with a distorted mess. Blog titles as I mentioned, are picked up by the RSS feed and will appear in the side column as a 6 entry archive under "Recent Posts" . . . sometimes an extra long word or a long string of uninterrupted characters will cause distortion of the side column. Aside from these two physical limitations, the only other concerns are cosmetic. Blog subject titles for example work on the same limits as the Blogit input in terms of how long you can make them but in the template they will wrap left. I think they look better if they are all on one line, so I shorten mine by a couple of words.

These things may sound like a bit of a nuisance but they do become second nature.

posted by gomedome on January 19, 2009 at 7:14 AM | link to this | reply

Okay! Thanks!

posted by Ariala on January 19, 2009 at 4:44 AM | link to this | reply

Ariala - I've had a chance to get back to it

All of the template images are served from imageshack.us with direct links to the images, there are no back links. To be honest, I wasn't happy with the blog title, I sometimes draw a blank on things like that but fortunately I always keep a blank image handy to redo it if necessary.

One thing I should explain are the limitations to a blog template such as this. Images posted in the blog content must be of a certain width (560px or less) or they will distort the template. That is about it for blog content but also watch out for extended use of symbols without breaks, for example: in your last blog subject title you used ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Which would normallly be no problem but: your new blog template is utilizing your blog's RSS feed to create a "Recent Posts" archive in the side column.  The new archive will not break what it thinks is one word and presents the entire string of symbols in its entirety, in doing so it will distort the side column.  It is easily fixed with a simple edit by placing a space between say; every 5th symbol ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ I've removed the RSS feed/archive from the code for the time being.

I'll try a few more things as final tweaks.

posted by gomedome on January 18, 2009 at 9:50 PM | link to this | reply

Gome, I've been looking at this again and you know what? I think I like
it just as it is! LOL  Sorry, but it is really nice...if you can add the photo or tell me how so no one can click and get to my Photobucket, I will go with this!!! Thanks again!

posted by Ariala on January 18, 2009 at 6:19 PM | link to this | reply

Gome, I like all of it, but I don't want the word Life According to Ariala

to be that big or prominant...can you make it smaller and place it across the bottom or near bottom of the photo and make it the color of the sea or the side blue?  

This is really cool!  You've done an awesome job!  Also, I'm not sure I want to have my picture on the side...the reason being everytime I try to do that, people can click on it and then they can go into my actual Photobucket account and see all my pics...I don't want that...Can you stick this photo in there for now? Thank you!  Let me know if there's anything else you need from me...I'll check back!

DSCN02771.jpg picture by trishwater

posted by Ariala on January 18, 2009 at 6:12 PM | link to this | reply

Ariala - I'm almost finished

I'm just stuck on a couple of things; the title font and a nice background to finish it off. I've temporarily dropped it into one of my seldom used blogs HERE

Any ideas or suggestions are welcome.

posted by gomedome on January 18, 2009 at 1:10 PM | link to this | reply

gomedome
I'm happy to have obliged:) good luck with it.

posted by mneme on January 18, 2009 at 5:12 AM | link to this | reply

mneme - the one positive is that I now know we must go back to 2005
The humerous part of it is that I did a fair bit of work with templates back in the time that you joined Blogit. As I was tweaking the code and finding out what worked and didn't work, (working with a few bloggers that had been here for awhile back then), what I was doing was at the time already redundant. Then it takes me 3 years to realize it . . . that's funny.

posted by gomedome on January 17, 2009 at 1:45 PM | link to this | reply

Ariala - okay, I'll complete it based on this image
The accents, background and title font will add a lot to the overall look. You will not need to do anything other than copy the code into your blog's code field box.

posted by gomedome on January 17, 2009 at 1:38 PM | link to this | reply

Re: mneme - absolutely, all things are possible
Hi gomedome, thanks for being so quick - sadly it looks like I can't access any code, I only have the basic template option and it brings up boxes rather than code.  Better luck next time eh? - no harm in looking :)

posted by mneme on January 17, 2009 at 1:28 PM | link to this | reply

Gome, I want to use it...let me know the code and anything else I should
know...I may be good with design, but code is another story for me!

posted by Ariala on January 17, 2009 at 12:25 PM | link to this | reply

mneme - absolutely, all things are possible

I'd be happy to whip up a blog template or two for you, if you are on the same format. Verifying your format is the very first step, to do so read this post HERE and see if you can access your blog source code.

Assuming that you are on the same format, you will not need to know anything about the code. I'll set it up as a simple copy and paste, as for the flower . . . let's verify the format first.   

posted by gomedome on January 17, 2009 at 8:33 AM | link to this | reply

Ariala - Re: Gome, it's very attractive...! I'll be back later

A couple of things I should mention are that I cannot be offended if you do not like a mock up and once the template is coded for a specific blogger, it takes all of 10 minutes to drop another template into the same code. What this means is that you can be blunt about your likes and dislikes, I consider that guidance and not criticism. Also, nothing is etched in stone or permanent in a blog template, as everything is so easily changed. 

You also have some experience in web design and are far more talented than I am in that area (I'm missing the design gene), going through the process of developing a template may inspire you with some design ideas.   

posted by gomedome on January 17, 2009 at 8:24 AM | link to this | reply

Hi gomedome,

I am a relative latecomer but joined in Feb 2006 with the older formatting... if at all possible I'd be interested in the pink flower template... would I be able to change the flower to a frangipani blossom if I were able to find one?  I am a complete novice at code and such things and just happened to see this post today. 

Best wishes, Mneme


posted by mneme on January 17, 2009 at 7:28 AM | link to this | reply

Gome, it's very attractive...! I'll be back later

posted by Ariala on January 17, 2009 at 5:07 AM | link to this | reply

shelly_b - Re: They are nice.
Thank you and if you have any interest in one just let me know. (It doesn't have to be one of these either) . . . if you do have an interest, the first step is to make sure you can access your blog source code by followng the steps HERE (follow the red arrows). After that it is simply a matter of copying and pasting the code I would edit for you into the field box.

posted by gomedome on January 16, 2009 at 9:18 AM | link to this | reply

Ariala - Just to give you an idea of what I'm speaking of

I used the image you provided in a quick mock up. Notice that I had to resize, crop it, then distort it a bit but when all was said and done, it didn't come out too bad. Sometimes the banner image makes the template, other times the details such as blog title font and heading background images complete the look. I'll be out for a time today but will pick this up again tomorrow.

posted by gomedome on January 16, 2009 at 9:11 AM | link to this | reply

They are nice.

posted by shelly_b on January 16, 2009 at 8:36 AM | link to this | reply

Okay, great! Any beach image with a hammock and palm trees is
fine   Thank you!

posted by Ariala on January 16, 2009 at 8:17 AM | link to this | reply

Re: gomey, I've been thinking about it and wondered if it was too much to ask
Ariala - it is not too much to ask, I love doing these templates and it would be an honor to do one for your long running blog. Your beach scene image is however not the most suitable for a template but I think I know where a very similar image cropped to banner size is. Leave it with me for a few hours and I will whip up one for you. Once I put together something you like, it will be ready for use tomorrow sometime. I'll keep you posted with comments here.   

posted by gomedome on January 16, 2009 at 8:00 AM | link to this | reply

gomey, I've been thinking about it and wondered if it was too much to ask

for one with a beach scene on it?  Like this and blues to match for Life According to Ariala

All these are very pretty though...I like this one

posted by Ariala on January 16, 2009 at 7:44 AM | link to this | reply