This goes back to the Fun Monday post this week where we were supposed to show our unfinished projects. Really there are two parts to FM - you post your story and then you go around and check out everyone else and their story. The second part is the fun one, by the way. You get to see how everyone else "lives", in more ways than one. It's better than walking around your neighborhood at night hoping for a good peek in people's lit windows.
So here's my question...
Why does my blog look so dull? It's like a big piece of pink and blue Wonder Bread. I don't even like pink or blue. Not here, anyway. And how can I be so clueless as to how to make it look better? As I went from blog to blog yesterday I was (once again) amazed at how (creative) people can take a plain old Blogger template and make it so uniquely them. There are incredible backgrounds, header pictures and graphics and I WANT TO KNOW HOW TO DO THAT TOO!!
I deliberately went for a neutral background here, but am a little (??) bored by it. (I didn't start out that way, not that anyone would remember it. My first page design was very different. Quite brown). I've debated going over to Typepad, which would rule out any time spent sprucing up the old Blogger page, but can't make up my mind. It just seems like a lot of work to do the switchover and I'm lazy.
It's not that I think my page is stick your finger down your throat bad - it's just really really dull. And the more I look at other pages the more I notice it. There are people out there who change their blog designs around by season, change their backgrounds like there's no tomorrow, have huge splashy headers (with gorgeous photos) and just generally look exciting. I get as far in directions as that nasty "HTML" thing and then I get scared. Can you say "Techno moron"??
I'm sure my general malaise has something to do with walking around my house with camera in hand looking for unfinished projects. Ha! A tougher assignment would have been looking for finished projects. (Not to mention a much shorter post). Revamping my blog would sure as heck be quicker than tackling my house. Better for the blood pressure, too. It would also take my mind off that whole diet thing.
Then there's the Project Runway angle. It's been a long wait for this season to start, but now that it has, I'm (once again) totally hooked. If you've never heard me spout off on this particular program you might want to leave quickly - while you still can. Yes, it's a reality show. Yes, it's edited to within an inch of its life. Yes, some of those contestants are freaks. Card carrying, registered freaks. No argument.
But...it's all about creativity. Of any kind. The show may be about fashion design (not a subject dear to my jeans loving heart), but it's really about expanding your creative horizons. Every week after I've watched it I get all fired up to do something different and exciting. Most of the time I sit down until the feeling passes, but lately it keeps coming back to my boring blog.
I need input. I need advice. I need help.
Got any?
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
top design
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21 comments:
hmmm. i have never thought there was anything even remotely boring about your blog in any way, shape, or form.
but if you're bored with the layout, why don't you just click on "new template" and see what happens?
(though i think you might lose some of your sidebar stuff; i'm not sure.)
some of the blogs are very creative, but sometimes all that creativity makes it a little, um, hard to read the actual words....
well, i tried to change my template once, and it said that all my posts would be gone...i just got to figure out how to do it w/o losing my posts. i usually just type in 'blogger templates' into the search box. it gives you some sites. now i'm not sure how you do it w any of your own photos. that's about all i can tell you.
i am watching project runway right along w you...and i don't know what it is, but i like christian. the 21 yr old w the black hair, glasses...maybe because he looks a little like my son except my son's hetero and doesn't design fashion lol
I am no help. It took me weeks to figure out how to post awards on the sidebar without them looking squatty.
Anyway, I like your blog just the way it is. I don't come over here for the layout or the colors, honey. It's all about the words.
My opinion on this, which I've given a few times in the past, is that it's not about the template it's about the content. A lot of the most popular blogs have templates similar to this one.
You've already got us hooked. You don't need to change a thing. You don't need flash, you have substance. :)
Well, thank you for not thinking I'm dull. I do appreciate that. Really.
laurie - I agree that sometimes it is hard to read the words. I guess it's the headers I like so much.
ciara - do you ever go to the Project Rungay blog? Funniest damn thing EVER!
kaycie - those awards can be a biatch to make fit. I've just managed to make mine not puffy and stretched out.
willowtree - I agree that content is more important than the template. But still...
ped crossing - you are too nice for words!
I'm with everyone else, I come to read what you have to say, not be wowed by fancy blinking thingies. I think your black on white is easy to read, and my over forty eyes appreciate that. You've always got a great lead photo, and I don't need/want anything more than that. It's up to you, but please, if you make any changes, be sure I can still read the content!
p.s. I really like the image of you at the top of the page. It bears quite a striking resemblance, when your hair was shorter, of course.
I dont think your blog's boring at all. I quite agree with Laurie - it's got to be easy to read and too much 'creativity' gets in teh way of that!
Ditto (ever the original commenter). Your blog is clean, simple, and easy to read. And reading it is why I'm here every day.
I have changed my format and picture header once. Then I pulled out half my hair learning to do things with the sidebar.
My blog is pretty bland. If I ever change anything, it might just be to intermittently rotate photos in the header (which you already know how to do).
I felt momentarily guilty as my blog definitely falls within the 'could do better' spectrum for creativity.
But hey, surely the point is to blog at all? If you've got time to fuss over the way it looks then you may not have much to blog about (she said, in a twisted, bitter and 'I really wish I could do that too' type of a way...). Leave it as it is, RC. We all clearly much prefer you to expend your energy on literary efforts than on graphic design!
It's the content that count, though it is great if you can be visually interesting too. I think your site looks great, don't worry about it.
headers are easy. and you must already know how to do it, since you have a photo there.
and if you and kaycie want to email me, i can tell you how to put those awards on the sidebar without having them squatty or stretched or whatever.
but who cares if they are? it's all about your brain, dear. we like seeing what's in there.
ps i emailed you pix of our fireplace.
Feeling the need to redecorate, huh? How very feminine of you. But I'm with everyone else. I like your blog the way it is. It's a very pretty photo on top, cool sidebar stuff, and great posts. It's all about the content, and yours is great. Go tile your fireplace instead.
I cheat. I punch free blogger templates into the google search engine. Then I copy and paste.
You think your blog is boring? Have you seen mine? And at least you can get photos and videos to go where you want them. And you can enlarge type and turn it into pretty colors.
Your blog is not boring at all. There is so many interesting things on your side bar, and I love your picture and heading.
Boring is a word I would NEVER, ever use to describe your blog.
I am pretty computer impaired when it comes to adding things. I can't be much help. But, like I said, I really love your blog, just the way it is.
XOXO
r.c., at least you don't have to worry bout making sure your font is the right color like i do because i have a green background and certain colors are a no-no. and you've already made the top special. hey, that's an idea...use different fonts, make a 'rainbow' of posts...hell, i don't know.
i haven't been to project rungay in awhile so i'll have to check it out.
Funny, I've just been thinking I need to do something about my blog template as I've been traveling through Fun Mondayers too...I managed to figure out enough HTML to get mine as a 3 column blog though, so I'm afraid to mess it up now!
Your Fun Monday post made me really tired by the way...boy, you do have a lot of work to do huh?
Heh. Personally, I find your blog lovely. If you want to talk boring, scuttle back over to mine next time you visit and really take a look--the definition of dull.
I have no idea how I'd want it to look and no idea how to make it look like I'd want it to (plus I have the fear that the whole damn thing will disappear if I mess with it too much), so this is how it shall be.
Given that, I find it's much easier to call it "minimalist" and leave it.
So, no. Your blog is not in the least bit dull. I like it. Lots.
Blimey RC. I think it's all been said. We're here or the words sweetie. But your site looks good too. It's clean and fresh and user friendly.
I've been advised to simplify mine as too much stuff slows down search engines etc.
Don't change a thing. It's perfect.
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