PIP Designs

New blog. New site. New look. New specials.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 15:26:00 +0000

This site will be closing. Please follow us at our new site.

Soon....

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 22:24:00 +0000

This site will be taken down, with only a redirection sign. I am going through some business changes. Don't worry I will still be doing the same thing, just going in a new direction, under a new brand, with a new start. When I started this, 7 years ago, I had no idea how well it would do. I never thought that I could actually make it.

I've made it. And we are moving on up!

Stay tuned.

You can always reach me via email: vball.chic14@gmail.com

My site URL and name will change, but email never will :)

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 23:26:00 +0000

Enjoy the Cyber Week savings!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 12:53:00 +0000

From now until Tues. Dec. 3rd, everything is 30% off. Custom projects or logos are included. Please message me for price quotes and scheduling. Currently, there is a one week wait period before your design can be started.

A great way to change it up.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 20 Oct 2013 12:30:00 +0000

Many people want to jazz up their blog depending on the season or holiday coming up. Many designers offer free templates you can use just for that occasion.

Here my top three pics for templates.

btemplates.com/tag/halloween

http://thecutestblogontheblock.com/category/backgrounds/blogger/halloween-blogger

http://leelou-blogs.com/2010/10/free-blog-templates-and-backgrounds-for.html

The second and third links are excellent for anything blogger related. They are amazing designers and provide many free templates etc.

First, you need to back up your template you currently have, in case you want to revert back to it.

a. Go to your blog dashboard. Click template on the left sidebar.

b. Click backup/restore. Then choose download full template.

c. Your template is now downloaded. Hopefully you have remembered where you saved it.

Now to install the template you want to use.

a. Go to your blog dashboard. Click on Template on the left sidebar.

b. Click backup/restore.

c. Click on choose your file, then find your file and upload it.

d. Done J

Want to revert back to the old design?

e. Go to your blog dashboard. Click on Template on the left sidebar.

f. Click backup/restore.

g. Click on choose your file, then find your file and upload it.

h. Done J

Great places for Halloween/Fall graphics:

Scrap Orchard

www.mygrafico.com – this is where I get a lot of my clipart. Make sure to watch the terms of use.

Pretty blog posts, please.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 12:30:00 +0000

Your blog post should be organized and presented well.

Here are some tips, that find very helpful.

Use jump breaks. The highlighted cut paper icon in your blog post editor allows the post to show a short summary on the main page, then when the reader clicks READ MORE, the full post is shown. It simplifies the main page, and allows for less space used by long blog posts.

2. Use window live writer. It’s a free program that can be used with any blog. Simply download it and log in using your password. This allows for editing your pictures and posts easier rather than using the blogger editor. http://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/download/details.aspx?id=8621

3. Make your pictures as big as possible, especially if you are doing crafts or recipes. This visually attracts the reader even before they get to the text. Live writer makes this much easier in my opinion.

4. Don’t oversize your photos. Keep them big, beautiful, but in your allowed space. You don’t want any images cut off.

5. Always preview the posts, then publish, then look at it live. Many times blogger plays with alignment and it will appear different live than it did with the preview. Its just a known bug or fact, but once you are aware, keep checking your posts. There is nothing worse than doing a huge post for an event, publishing it thinking its all perfect, then realize nothing is aligned properly. Epic fail.

(shh, don't tell, I didn't use live writer and the alignment sucks)

Function is important, too.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 13:27:00 +0000

Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.-----Steve Jobs

Last week, we focused on design. While design is important, we can’t forget the function of your blog.
It should be clean and free of any clutter. Clutter is the biggest no no. It’s okay to display your buttons of blogs you have collected, or any quotes you want to display on the sidebar. Just keep in mind if they are all jumbled together your message is not effective.

Your posts should be precise and should have a clear space differentiation from the rest of the blog. Use simple lines or designs to distinguish that space. The posting space is where your readers will hopefully spend the most time. The sidebar is important too, but let the posting space take precedence.

Have a navigation bar that lets the reader know the pages available, any links that are associated with your blog (like an etsy store). This user friendly option really makes a huge difference in the ease of readers finding your information that can sometimes become buried in your blog. Blogger has this option available if you use pages. However, it is limited with customizations.

Make your links clear. There is nothing worse than reading a great article and the link not working or its not clearly defined.

Many blog also have a blog button that readers can copy and paste onto their blog, thus visually saying, “Hey, I love this blog, go check it out.” They also are a great way to market an event or meme. However, blog buttons are the worst culprit of clutter. While they are great and help with readership/communities, they can be mismanaged and make the function of a blog slow due to the graphics. Want a blog button for free???? Email me today, the first ten people who comment on this post, will receive a free one. Make sure to leave me your email so I can contact you.

The easier you make your blog function and the cleaner the space is, the longer readers will stay. No one wants to read and stay in a cluttered up mess. Clean up those sidebars, don’t be a sidebar clutter hog.

Design is everything. EVERYTHING!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 22 Sep 2013 12:55:00 +0000

Anyone can start up a blog. It’s simple, easy, and a great way to get yourself or your business noticed. What sets bloggers apart, in my opinion, is the design of their site. Your design is a digital representation of you and your business. You would not go to a business meeting in a stained shirt, with buttons missing, and your hair in a crazy bird nest. Treat your blog like it’s your clothes. The first digital impression should be positive, if it’s not, you will lose potential customers/readers in a matter of seconds.

What design aspects of your blog should stand out?
a) Color scheme- chose a color scheme that not only represents you and your business but also goes with any existing logos or graphics you may have. Limit the design to 2-3 main colors and 2-3 accent colors. Keep in mind what colors are easy to read. Font colors are important too. Link color should stand out from the rest of the text. Many readers find dark background colors with light text colors hard to read. It’s not always about you, but find that balance that works for your brand as well as for your readers. www.design-seeds.com is a great resource.

b) Font- While your message might be important and great, if it’s in a font that is hard to read, or in a horrible color choice, it’s not even going to be glanced at. Blogger provides many fonts that will not be distorted in different browsers. Sometimes basic is best. Let the message to do the talking, not the font style. Save the detailed font for your blog title. You want readers to recognize your title. You are building your brand and you want your brand recognition to be high. Think of high profiled companies, we all can recognize their company name in that font. That is the goal you are after. www.dafont.com has tons of free fonts.

c) Graphics- Simple graphics/images can also set apart your blog design from others. You can choose to have a “seamless” background graphic that is shown on the outermost edges of your blog. Simple patterns or textures can always add a punch of pizzazz. eaSeamless backgrounds are always recommended as it keeps the pattern or texture uniform no matter what monitor size or browser. Graphics in your header or blog banner, perhaps your logo, give your blog readers a simple visual message of your business/brand. If it’s a more personal blog, perhaps a picture of your kids or your favorite things would do. Keep the images limited in the header and background so it does not distract from the main column, where the posts are. You want readers to stay and get engaged with your messages, not simply stay because they are mesmerized by your outrageous graphics choice. www.dreamstime.com has images you can purchase.

d) Leave it to the professionals- Lastly, if you find all this information too overwhelming simply turn to a blog designer. There are lots of DIY tutorials out there provided by designers, but sometimes you might want a professional. Google the designers, find one that fits with your needs and budget. Many designers have a niche, so it’s equally important to make sure you pick the right designer for your style/look you are after. If you need help ask, I would be happy to help you. Need a new design, just shoot me an email (vball_chic14@yahoo.com), mention this code as seen in the stew, and you can get 50% off your next design. www.blogmakeoversbytara.blogspot.com is my site.

Next week, I will have tips on the function of your blog as well as a freebie.

Personal blog- http://kenleysmomma14.blogspot.ca/
Website- http://blogmakeoversbytara.blogspot.ca/
FB Fan page- https://www.facebook.com/pipdesigns

Buy one. Get one FREE!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 02:09:00 +0000

Summer is here and it's time to update your look. Purchase a blogger blog design anytime between now and the end of August and receive a free design gift certificate. Host a giveaway on your newly made over blog or give it to a friend. Contact me to get started. Payment plans available.

Important information.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 19:03:00 +0000

Starting next week, Sept 26th, I will be offline for a week or two. We are moving and I will not have access to the internet. I will be able to check emails, but no designs will be touched during this time. Please email me if anything comes up, and I will get to as soon as I get internet at my new place. Thanks.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 15:55:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 19:06:00 +0000

package 3, giveaway winner

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:47:00 +0000

package 3

New designs.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:16:00 +0000

Click on the images to go to the live blog. Please be advised these are screen shots of the blog design to better show you the whole design, therefore, the images are a little fuzzy. All graphics are created in high resolutions.

package 4, includes a static home page

package 3, logo rework

package 3

package 3

package 3, fb welcome page, etsy package

package 3, etsy package

Happy Birthday T!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:54:00 +0000

Facebook cover images

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:48:00 +0000

Facebook timeline cover images- $60 dollars, and you get all files and copyright to edit as you wish or $35 dollars and you only get the jpeg file and additional changes will be at an extra cost.
Here are some examples.

Email me vball_chic14@yahoo.com to get started.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:16:00 +0000

Welcome to Our Princess in PigTails Designs, formally known as Blog Makeovers by Tara.

I have recently changed the look of things around here and have expanded my design business to include other creations than just blogs.

If you are looking for a custom design product without emptying your savings account, you have come to the right place. I believe in creating a unique product and experience without charging an outrageous price. I believe my packages and prices are very fair in price, but very extraordinary in design. I offer the following products:

Blogger designs
Etsy banners, avatars
Twitter backgrounds
Facebook landing pages
Facebook Cover images
Invitations and cards
Business cards
Business logos
Business ads

At this time, I am only designing blogs for the BLOGGER platform. I hope to add Wordpress designs in the future but as of right now they are not being offered. Feel free to contact me via email or through the contact me tab in the navigation area. I will get back with you within 24 hrs of your inquiry.

Want to win a makeover by ME?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:34:00 +0000

Then you better head over to Chubby Cheeks Thinks. There’s a giveaway sponsored by PIP Designs, as well as other great giveaways going on.

Chubby Cheeks Thinks part 2 and a giveaway.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 01:39:00 +0000

I love working with Kim over at Chubby Cheeks Thinks. She is so easy to work with and is pretty much open to whatever I feel like creating. She is having a little PIP giveaway soon too! Go over there, you won’t be disappointed.

Feeling lucky?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 17:57:00 +0000

Want to win a blog design from me? Here's your chance! http://singleworkinghomeschoolmom.blogspot.com/2011/10/were-back-were-celebrating-with.html

Single Homeschool Mom Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 12:54:00 +0000

package 3

Behind the scenes here at PIP Designs.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:45:00 +0000

Not very many people know what really goes on behind the scenes here at PIP Designs. Its chaotic, rewarding, and sometimes stressful. A typical days goes something like this:

7am- wake up, get K ready, let the dogs out, get breakfast for all the children
8am- K settles in her routine, the dogs are taken care of and are back sleeping. I start to tackle my email.
9am- Emails are finished. I start my to do list of design work based on who has sent in their proper payment and order forms etc.
10am-12pm- Work on designs while K plays. Answer emails.
12pm- Let the dogs out again. Get K some lunch. Get me some lunch. Bathroom break.
1pm-3pm- Work on designs while K plays. Answer emails.
4pm- Start dinner. Take a break for a few hours to spend with the family.
8pm- Return back to my computer to finish up any loose ends (designs or emails) before the next day begins.
10pm- Bedtime. Repeat the schedule the very next day.
-------------------------------------------------------
Seeing how long I work, and how dedicated I am, I truly should be charging my clients more. I believe in giving all my clients the best work that I can generate, even if that means I am working long hard hours at a rate of less than minimum wage. I take for granted sometimes that people appreciate and reciprocate the respect of my work and my business. I believe I am fair with my prices, my creativity, and my ability to work with people who are on a strict budget. I just wish people would stop taking advantage of this good hearted gal. It gets old, and quite frankly, ruins for the rest of the group. This is a business built on ethics and hard work, straight from my heart.

Nominate your designer.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 03:32:00 +0000

I love my job and it always feels good to know I've given you the creative space of your dreams. Don't feel obligated. However, everyone loves to be recognized and appreciated by their clients and peers. Wink. Wink.

http://theblogdesignernetwork.com/nominate-your-designer/

Smokey Oates BBQ

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:44:00 +0000

package 3

Három hónap

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:37:00 +0000

Project #3 with the beautiful Miss A from Hungary. Its always a pleasure working with her and her great ideas! Enjoy the blog, its got some great stuff.

package 3