Wordpress Custom Design :: Firefly Confections

When Sandy of Firefly Confections first contacted me about a new design for her website I was pretty excited. I've heard so many yummy things about Sandy's caramels and her cookies are so cute and she is JUST as sweet! She sent over some ideas, indulged me in filling out my questionnaire and showed me an ad that had been designed for her so off I went. The chalkboard background is quite popular and I absolutely love how this turned out from the rotating home page images to the chalk line borders on her gallery photos. Show Sandy some love - and definitely contact her with your caramels order!
// michele
(website best viewed in any browser other Internet Explorer)

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I'm hosting a Blogfete Webinar!

I am so excited (and a bit nervous) to be hosting a Blogfete webinar this coming Tuesday at 8:30-9:30pm.

It's so important to make a strong visual impression on your blog. Blogs rely heavily on photos to engage visitors. This course is titled Photo Editing Tips and Watermarking and I'll be sharing some basic techniques on how to make your photos the best they can be using tools found in most editing software. We'll go over Exposure, Contrast, Temperature, Sharpening, just to name a few, what they mean and how they can be used to edit your photo.

To top it off, I'll go through a demonstration of how to use your logo or text as a watermark to protect those photos as much as possible.

So put those darling little ones to bed, grab a pen and notepad and I'll meet you there! Oh - first you'll need to sign up HERE! heehee

p.s. Don't forget, even though the previous webinars on the great topics of Social media and SEO have already passed, you can still purchase the recording and pick up some insightful info! How great is that?!

Blogger Custom Design: The Petite Soiree

It's official! Stefanie of The Petite Soiree has a new blog design and it's sweet and soft and lovely! Her design included roll-overs in her menu bar, a gadget header design, customized networking icons and a whole lot more!

Stefanie knew exactly what she was looking for and I'm happy I was able to make it happen. I encourage you to take a look around her blog as she has put together some wonderfully designed parties and has lots of inspirational eye candy!

Without further ado - here's the new design!

 

Here's the "before"

Blog Design - First Wordpress Design - One Stone Events

Well - I've been excited, anxious, nervous, stumped, stressed, frustrated, elated, worn out, confused, thrilled and finally at peace this last year. Elissa Stone of One Stone Events challenged me around March. She knew I designed for Blogger blogs and after working on a logo for her event design company, she insisted I learn Wordpress and create her website. She had been working with another designer who promised a lot but didn't deliver. There were times that I felt I was doing the same thing, though it was not intentional!  It has been a busy, busy year for me and I did my best to get my head in the game when working with Wordpress. I finally had a breakthrough, a little less design work, and toward the end of the summer was able to devote a ton of time to working through and learning how to make the site work for Elissa. I started out with the style and layout and then made wordpress follow me - at times with much resistance. LOL

 

I'm such an eclectic person that I love all types of styles, including Elissa's trademark loves of nature infused, vintage and rustic elements.

At the end of the project I looked back and said - what was the big deal? Why did I have such a struggle with this to begin with?  Do you ever feel that way at the end of something? Wondering why it took so long, or what the big deal was? It's not just me right?

Along with the website Elissa requested some additional stand alone elements such as an Info Graphic about Elissa and also an online brochure. Click on the images to see them 'in action.'

 

 

All in all I had a great time learning this new platform and though it was a tedious process getting everything just right, I'm thrilled that Elissa stuck with me and allowed me to work on this. (My husband thought I was a little batty at times as one minute I was doing a little jig, excited to get something to work, and the next minute I had my head in my hands saying "Whyyyy, Whyyy??" LOL) Please, check out One Stone Events and if you haven't checked out Elissa's portfolio, be ready for some major inspiration. (click here) She's one hugely talented creative and it shows in everything she does. Not only that - she's a sweetheart!

Need a blog design? Hope over here to send me a note!

Blog Design - the Purple Pug

A few weeks ago I was able to work, once again, with the humorous and witty Purple Pug. If you haven't stumbled upon one of her pages (facebook, twitter, etc.) you're in for a treat. Kristy is funny, clever, very creative,  and shares what's on her wonderfully glittery mind! I've worked with Kristy on several projects such as a logo update, her business card and several ads.  It was fun to hear her make oohs and ahhs over the proofs all the while mingling in some specific details she wanted changed. She knows what she wants and is good at what she does.

Below is the "before", chock full of the harlequin pattern she loves, followed by the current new design. I used her logo as inspiration and knowing how much she loves glitter I used that throughout the design, even photographing glitter myself to get just what I wanted for use at the bottom of the blog and as a divider for the sidebar. I am really pleased with how it turned out. :D

 

To visit her blog, click on the image. The Purple Pug is a glitter queen in the crafting world and can create some party drama for your next event! A big thank you to Kristy for allowing me to create this for you!

Did you roll over the menu bar when you were over there? hehe

Next post: My First Wordpress Custom Blog Design!

If you're in need of blog design, feel free to contact me for more information by clicking here!

The Big Adventures of my Birthday Boy!

(Warning: I'm not taking my own advice and keeping the info short. I always like to know how a party played out so I'm sharing it with you as well. Enjoy!) 

My son's favorite thing, it seems, is to re-enact every story he watches or reads. At the end of each he always says "can we play that game?" It's amazing to see his little mind spin through the possibilities of who can play what part and what we should be doing. He's our little director and often switches roles multiple times through our little dramas. When it came time to plan his birthday celebration we used this concept along with what I would consider every child's fun + favorite activity - DRESS UP!

We called it "The Big Adventures of Jack: The Boy who turned 5" and invited guests to be Cast Members and join in on the fun. Adults and kids alike were invited to have a part in this performance and I was pleasantly surprised (ok, really excited) that everyone played along and were such great sports.

Outside we lined our driveway with "Celebrity Parking" signs and guests entered through the door to Jack's dressing room.

Once inside the kids enjoyed decorating a mask for their secret identity (of course) and the adults were able to join the fun adding stickers to other items like shooting stars.

Moving on... Time for Concessions and CAKE!

To my disappointment, even with both my husband's mom and my mom's help, I was unable to accomplish all that I had envisioned for our "Concession Stand." Life just happens so you make the best of it! I appreciate their help and willingness to help SO much and even my dad jumped in and finished making the cake pops I had started (they weren't too shabby either! Go Dad!)

After snacking and some play time outside my husband gathered all of the children and shared the story they were about to act out. The adults also played a huge role (the audience of pirates) and took their parts very seriously. Arghh.

The kids were helped into the costume of their choice and they were in heaven! With a tiny budget it was very helpful to use items already on hand. I used some of Jack's masks and found dollar store costumes as well. My mom helped with a batman cape and had little wraps we used as tutus for the girls. They were sooo cute! Definitely my favorite part of the party!

It was quite rainy the week leading up to the party. We hoped to set up the stage area outside but decided not to chance it so at practically the last minute we set up the stage area on our patio. A little bummed, just for photo purposes, that the sky paper didn't reach to the outsides of the red curtain and the tacks were oh so visible but oh well. My dad and husband did their best and the kids didn't care! The good thing was even though it rained the morning of the party the weather was great in the afternoon.

I found some fun 'silent movie' music for the 'drama' while my husband narrated. The kids looked so cute wiggling their fingers (and toes) and trying to get the "pirates" to laugh since those pirates looked so 'mean.'

We let the kids play in their costumes and after a little time had passed we had Jack open his gifts with his friends' help. On the way out each guest got one of my star cookies and our young guests took home their cups along with a little trophy for being a star performer!

I feel so unbelievably blessed. I'm so thankful for all of our friends and family and everyone made Jack feel so special. I'm so.. so grateful.

All in all I absolutely cannot complain. My son kept telling me it was his 'favoritest' party ever and that is the absolute best thing a mom can hear. It was all COMPLETELY worth it!

P.S. Thanks to Elissa of One Stone Events for all the help with references - she's my Broadway guru. :D
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I am offering this printable party design in my etsy shop and thought I might share a few of the ideas I didn't get to employ in case you had the time for your own event.

1) For the cake pops, I envisioned them standing up (ball up) and in a little base. I was going to have a red ribbon swag from each pop, lining the front of the table to appear as a stanchion for the "red carpet." (here's my rough sketch. lol)  I was going to have a red runner leading back to the cake.

2) The pretzel rods were also supposed to have a chocolate coated top half to look more like orchestra conductor batons.

3) I wanted the cake to be the "box office" (fondant accents) and the cupcakes were to have toppers in the shape of 'tickets'. (the tickets are a part of the printables set)

Pirate cardboard hats, eye patches & trophies, sky paper, mask crafts: Hobby Lobby
Director's red horn, red straw cups: Party City

Recent Magazine and Online Ads

Just a quick post on some of the designs I created or updated for a few great gals who advertised in Bird's Party Magazine this Fall, as well as other places online. I also worked on a few different sizes of this blinkie online ads for Posh Baby Boutique! Have a great day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

Be sure to head over and flip through Bird's Party's latest issue (here) for all kinds of inspiration! You'll love it!

Recent Logos & Blog Design

Hello there! It's been a crazy 6 weeks. Work mixed in with planning and accomplishing my sister's wedding in about 4 weeks was overwhelming! A blog post on that to come soon. As I looked through my posts I realized this one was still in draft mode! So, here are a few things that I worked on 'before the wedding'. LOL

Besides many wedding related design pieces (for other brides) that I will feature in their own post, I was able to create some logos for some great ladies!  Check out Melissa's new logo, just in time for her blog design update. I was able to help with a background and other elements she needed for the blog design. Isn't it great?! (click on the logo to be magically transported to the Truly Chic blog) 

Then, a design for a new project I've been a part of - unveiling set for mid-September (hopefully!)

I also finalized a new blog design for Janelle of Never Dessert You. I must say I'm very pleased with how this turned out. The colors are different and the brick backdrop gives it a lot of character. I hope you'll stop by to check out Janelle's wonderful sweets!

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Customer Party> Country Baby Shower

Look at the spread at this Country Baby Shower complete with checkerboard tablecloths and paisley napkins! I love how Brandy, Rita and Michelle put together this shower for their friends. The Onesie and photo banner is adorable and the diaper cake adds the perfect touch! Thanks for sharing Brandy!

Interested in these printables? They are available in my shop! (click here)

 

Circles & Buffet card

Invitation:

How cute is this diaper cake!

Advice Card flip book for the couple to keep the many cards from their friends and family.

Advice cards, some pre-written topics and some blank cards for the guests to give their own.

The happy parents-to-be!