Let me know if you’re using it or if you made improvements to it.

Here it is. Put the html right before the </body> tag, and the css at the bottom of your .css file.

<!–[if lt IE 7]>
<div id=”upgrade”>You are using an outdated browser. For a faster, safer surfing experience, please <a href=”http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/default.aspx”>upgrade for free</a>.</div>
<![endif]–>

/*-- IE6 --*/
#upgrade {
	position: absolute;
	top: 0;
	left: 0;
	width: 100%;
	background-color: #ff0;
	}

I found Shopify, a hassle-free solution, based on Ruby, a solid platform for apps like these. All I had to do for this was understanding the themes, and Shopify would take care of the rest for me. Sure, it might not be the cheapest to run and it’s not for every business, but I’m convinced it’s so user friendly, pretty much anyone can use it and it’s fairly complete.
Another thing that won me over was the fact that the head office is in Canada. Although Ottawa is about 3000km from here, I still like supporting “local”

I finished my first design for a client’s Shopify store* a few days ago. The structure is based on the ripen theme, and I’d like to create my own theme framework eventually. My client is still filling in the blanks, but you get the idea.

* = Just because I made the theme doesn’t mean I endorse the product. Before you start calling me names: I’m a vegetarian..

What does that have to do with Dribbble? Well, not that much, but let me explain how I felt and now feel about Dribbble.
At first, I was skeptical. To me, Dribbble was just another website where you can dump your stuff, and you’ll move on in a few months, like every other website. The invite only system didn’t help me like it either. If I can’t get in, I’ll use something else.
Let me say, since @meredithmarsh hooked me up with an invite and started exploring the site, it all made sense to me.
Because you’re only allowed 24 “shots” per month, you’ll have to be selective with what you post, so you’ll make sure you post only your best shots. Because it’s invite only, there are no spammers. Only “worthy” designers get in, although, I think “worthy” is a big word, and I don’t think I can compare my work with someone like Jason Santamaria or Veerle Pieters, but I did manage to get in.

Keep track of the redesign on Dribbble here: http://dribbble.com/shots/84615-The-redesign-of-my-personal-blog

My cousin Kim and her hubby Gerr had a design for a card in mind, and found a very small image of a card that they liked online. They asked me if I could make something like it and make it so that the printer could print a good quality card out of it. I based this design on the image they sent me, and sent them the .PSD, to forward to the printer, so they could edit the final text on the card (like name, weight, length and of course, date).

They were kind enough to send the finished card over the big pond to announce the birth of their second girl: Isis. Congratulations!

Here’s the result of my design.

Although I love working for my clients, and they’re all awesome to work with, I’m not designing “for fun” anymore. You know, having a baby project, or a poster for an event that will never happen, or even designing a button-set nobody is going to ever use. Silly? Perhaps, but I’d like to get back to that. So, from now on, I’ll try to dedicate more time to “design for fun”. Hopefully it wil trigger my creative juices into a new stage of awesomeness.

This probably sounds easier than it is, but I’ll prioritize, and hopefully, I’ll be posting at least 1 new item per week. This means, I have 1 week to complete a design, that I’m designing just for “shits and giggles”. I would really appreciate your support and feedback on the items I’ll be designing.

Subscribe to the RSS feed, or follow me on Twitter, and I’ll keep you updated on my situation.

</mark> <!– That was really cheesy –>

To make money?

If I did that, I’d create illusions for myself. Only the really great designers make good money off designing (I’m not talking blogging, just designing). Sure, I think I’m creating nice designs, but I’m not fooling myself by saying I’m great.

My boss?

Good thing I don’t have one. The reason why, is because I don’t want to be a pixel pusher, working for someone who tells me what to do, even though I know it’s wrong. I rather sell electronics during the day, and design websites for MY clients in my spare time (I used to do this).

Impressing someone?

Sure, I love hearing clients go: “Oh, that’s perfect”, but I know they don’t have a clue how much effort I put into that tiny little detail on the left they never noticed. Creating a web site for a client is filling their need for a good looking website, but even if you skip insane details only other designers would recognize, you’ll still impress them.
Speaking of other designers; I’m not convinced that I’m the designer other people look up to, and sure, I probably created something other designers can pull inspiration from, but impressing them? Nah, there are tonnes of designers out there that are truly inspiring to others. I’m just another web designer looking forward to create another new design, which brings me to my final statement.

For myself?

Yes, I’m designing for me and only myself. This might sound egocentric, but it’s true. I got into this business well over 10 years ago because I was intrigued by designing stuff on my computer. I started off designing ASCii-art. The stuff you see on Twitter now is not even getting close to the awesomeness we created at the end of the 90′s. We formed groups that would “release” ASCii-packs to show to the world through BBS.
Then came the internet available at my parent’s place. A whole new world opened up and I started fiddling around with web design. You know, with tables in Frontpage. I got degrees, recognitions and pads on the shoulder for finding something I really liked doing, and I kept pushing forward into making my career out of it.
Now, about 10 years later, I’m still planning big things for my company, but I will always be designing. Either for web or for the next generation of the web (whatever that may be). I just enjoy doing what I do.

What about you? Who are you designing for?

Introduction to Typekit from TheWebSqueeze on Vimeo.

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