Does your weblog own you?
Designer & Digital Artist @ Pixels, Zazzle, Society6, RedBubble & FineArtAmerica www.charmainezoe.com
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Friday, October 31, 2008
Does your Blog own you?
I knicked this quiz from Archies Archive and got an interesting result. It would appear my Blog does own at least 75% of me - so I am very close to full assimilation - as my Hubby can testify! Which makes me largely Cyblog (I 've suspected as much for quite a while now:-)
My weblog owns 75 % of me.
Does your weblog own you?
Does your weblog own you?
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
New 3 column look for Blog!
As anyone who has visited in the last few days will have noticed, the blog has been undergoing something of a transformation. I have been in the process of converting from a 2 column layout to 3 columns. Not an easy process, especially with all the 'stuff' I have on my sidebar.
It was precisely because of these that I made the decision to try for a 3'er as my sidebar was becoming far too long. Initially I created another Blogger blog that I called 'Test' then downloaded a 3 column template from an excellent website called Webtalks. Here you will find a good selection of free to download XML templates which will work with the new Blogger {blogger beta}.Most of them are 3 columned ones.
Having created this layout I then copied over all the widgets and settings from this blog to it, thinking I could then carry it back over once set up. As you can imagine this is a very time consuming and fiddley way to go about it, with no guarantee of success when you try porting it over to the original blog. Especially given Bloggers propensity to have a hissy fit and produce error messages left & right!
However, on Monday I found a much easier solution to the problem while Googling about 3 column blogging. I came across a great site called Blogger Buster and an article titled 'Create a 3 column Blogger template', which of course was exactly what I was looking for!
With the advice provided I was able to insert a couple of very short pieces of code into my existing html template for this blog, to create the 3rd column. I had a few problems initially with the spacing and columns not appearing in the right places etc. But after reading all the comments, several of which had the same problems, I was able to sort it out using the solutions provided.
Having got all 3 columns in the right places and with the right sizing and spacing I then had to resize a lot of my widgets, which mainly consisted of going back to the original providers and either resetting the code provided or remaking the widget to fit.
This process is now complete and I am very pleased with the result. I have also reinstated my peacock background - I missed it and was only using the other one as a Halloween theme.
All this also explains why I have not had time to post for 'My Diet Monday', 'Ruby Tuesday' or 'Wordless Wednesday' this week, or doing much EC card dropping. But normal service has now been resumed and I will be posting regularly and try and catch up with all my EC card droppers as soon as possible.
It was precisely because of these that I made the decision to try for a 3'er as my sidebar was becoming far too long. Initially I created another Blogger blog that I called 'Test' then downloaded a 3 column template from an excellent website called Webtalks. Here you will find a good selection of free to download XML templates which will work with the new Blogger {blogger beta}.Most of them are 3 columned ones.
Having created this layout I then copied over all the widgets and settings from this blog to it, thinking I could then carry it back over once set up. As you can imagine this is a very time consuming and fiddley way to go about it, with no guarantee of success when you try porting it over to the original blog. Especially given Bloggers propensity to have a hissy fit and produce error messages left & right!
However, on Monday I found a much easier solution to the problem while Googling about 3 column blogging. I came across a great site called Blogger Buster and an article titled 'Create a 3 column Blogger template', which of course was exactly what I was looking for!
With the advice provided I was able to insert a couple of very short pieces of code into my existing html template for this blog, to create the 3rd column. I had a few problems initially with the spacing and columns not appearing in the right places etc. But after reading all the comments, several of which had the same problems, I was able to sort it out using the solutions provided.
Having got all 3 columns in the right places and with the right sizing and spacing I then had to resize a lot of my widgets, which mainly consisted of going back to the original providers and either resetting the code provided or remaking the widget to fit.
This process is now complete and I am very pleased with the result. I have also reinstated my peacock background - I missed it and was only using the other one as a Halloween theme.
All this also explains why I have not had time to post for 'My Diet Monday', 'Ruby Tuesday' or 'Wordless Wednesday' this week, or doing much EC card dropping. But normal service has now been resumed and I will be posting regularly and try and catch up with all my EC card droppers as soon as possible.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Coming or Going?
Well, I don't know whether I am coming or going at the moment! I have so much on the go I'm beginning to know how a hamster feels running in circles in it's wheel - and it has my sympathy!
Since joining Entrecard my visitor numbers have increased dramatically, which is great, I love having so many people from all around the world drop in, even if it's only to drop their card. But I like to think my blog is interesting enough for some to stop and pause a while and they must do judging by the number of comments I get, which is lovely. I have now installed a Recent Droppers widget and a new Chatterbox for anyone that want's to say hi!
Plus I have my other 2 blogs, News, Views, Thrills & Spills & Family History for Beginners on the go as well! And I spend a good couple of hours in the evenings going round dropping my cards and always try to read as many blogs as possible. I spent hours at the weekend tweaking the coding for this blog and installed dropbars on the sidebar to hold my galleries of blog buttons & blinkies plus the BlogCatalog, MyBlogLog & SpicyPage widgets and an over 50's blogroll. If you haven't already, do check them out. I also managed to install a fancy post divider - but haven't worked out how to stop it overlapping the comments etc :-( Give me time though!
Then of course I compile family histories for family and friends. I am in the middle of winding one up now for a friend. She wanted one for her father in laws 80th birthday next month. I have been working on it for a couple of months and have a couple of branches back to the 17th century. Now just as we are coming in to the home stretch she has handed me 4 pages of tiny writing with details of all the grandchildren which I have to decipher and add to the tree tonight, and which I have been trying to get her to produce for weeks. Then I have to produce a narrative that makes sense and print it all out plus at least half a dozen different diagrams. I use 4 different programs because some produce better diagrams for one aspect than another and so on, bind it all and burn a CD with the complete tree produced like a web site that can be opened in a browser. Whew!!
I also like scrapbooking and enjoy producing something for Scrapbook Saturday. I have just bought a new program I am enjoying playing with at the moment which is a bit different and am hoping to have something decent ready for this weeks SS. I intend writing a post about it when I have some spare time (she laughs hysterically!)
I work full time and have 2 dogs to entertain when I get home (fortunately no kids at home now!)as well. Hubby often has to leave early in the morning to go on a software installation and has a long journey. This morning he dropped me at work at 6.30am (fortunately the building is manned 24/7 so I was able to get to my desk and log on for a couple of hours :-) But he had a 3 and half hour journey to go down to Clacton on the south coast, and won't be back until nearly 8pm.
At least in 3 weeks time we are taking the caravan to the Lake District for a week and have a nice pitch on a lovely site right on the banks of Lake Windermere - where there is no internet! And I can't wait :-) (It'll probably pour with rain knowing our luck!!)
Since joining Entrecard my visitor numbers have increased dramatically, which is great, I love having so many people from all around the world drop in, even if it's only to drop their card. But I like to think my blog is interesting enough for some to stop and pause a while and they must do judging by the number of comments I get, which is lovely. I have now installed a Recent Droppers widget and a new Chatterbox for anyone that want's to say hi!
Plus I have my other 2 blogs, News, Views, Thrills & Spills & Family History for Beginners on the go as well! And I spend a good couple of hours in the evenings going round dropping my cards and always try to read as many blogs as possible. I spent hours at the weekend tweaking the coding for this blog and installed dropbars on the sidebar to hold my galleries of blog buttons & blinkies plus the BlogCatalog, MyBlogLog & SpicyPage widgets and an over 50's blogroll. If you haven't already, do check them out. I also managed to install a fancy post divider - but haven't worked out how to stop it overlapping the comments etc :-( Give me time though!
Then of course I compile family histories for family and friends. I am in the middle of winding one up now for a friend. She wanted one for her father in laws 80th birthday next month. I have been working on it for a couple of months and have a couple of branches back to the 17th century. Now just as we are coming in to the home stretch she has handed me 4 pages of tiny writing with details of all the grandchildren which I have to decipher and add to the tree tonight, and which I have been trying to get her to produce for weeks. Then I have to produce a narrative that makes sense and print it all out plus at least half a dozen different diagrams. I use 4 different programs because some produce better diagrams for one aspect than another and so on, bind it all and burn a CD with the complete tree produced like a web site that can be opened in a browser. Whew!!
I also like scrapbooking and enjoy producing something for Scrapbook Saturday. I have just bought a new program I am enjoying playing with at the moment which is a bit different and am hoping to have something decent ready for this weeks SS. I intend writing a post about it when I have some spare time (she laughs hysterically!)
I work full time and have 2 dogs to entertain when I get home (fortunately no kids at home now!)as well. Hubby often has to leave early in the morning to go on a software installation and has a long journey. This morning he dropped me at work at 6.30am (fortunately the building is manned 24/7 so I was able to get to my desk and log on for a couple of hours :-) But he had a 3 and half hour journey to go down to Clacton on the south coast, and won't be back until nearly 8pm.
At least in 3 weeks time we are taking the caravan to the Lake District for a week and have a nice pitch on a lovely site right on the banks of Lake Windermere - where there is no internet! And I can't wait :-) (It'll probably pour with rain knowing our luck!!)
Monday, August 04, 2008
Charmaine plays the Needs Meme!
I got this meme from Diane at Much of a Muchness. She found it at Kim’s @ Laketrees who in turn borrowed it from Sandee @ Comedy Plus who was tagged by Mimi of Mimi Writes. Mimi was tagged by Shannon’s Moments of Introspection who was tagged by Dawn’s Daily Life ……
This one is pretty simple and looks pretty silly.
The rules: All you have to do is Google your first name with the word needs behind it and post the results.
It sounded fun so I decided to play along too. I googled ‘Charmaine’ followed by ‘needs’ and these are 12 of the 379,000 results I got. (Not a lot compared to the 17+ Million Diane got!)
1) Charmaine needs a home.
2) Charmaine needs to look this thin. (I wish!!)
3) Charmaine needs to realize that shes old. (!)
4) Charmaine needs our help raising funds.
5) Charmaine needs a place to hide out. (I kid you not!)
6) Charmaine needs one now!
7) Charmaine needs a ride!
8) Charmaine needs help. (ain't that the truth!)
9) Charmaine needs a miracle right now! (Amen!)
10) Charmaine needs an exclusive buddy.
11) Charmaine needs someone to take over.
12) Charmaine needs round- the-clock care. (Oh dear!)
Well that was a bit of fun- mind you it's harder than it looks, especially if you have an unusual name, but I got there in the end! Thanks Diane :-)
This one is pretty simple and looks pretty silly.
The rules: All you have to do is Google your first name with the word needs behind it and post the results.
It sounded fun so I decided to play along too. I googled ‘Charmaine’ followed by ‘needs’ and these are 12 of the 379,000 results I got. (Not a lot compared to the 17+ Million Diane got!)
1) Charmaine needs a home.
2) Charmaine needs to look this thin. (I wish!!)
3) Charmaine needs to realize that shes old. (!)
4) Charmaine needs our help raising funds.
5) Charmaine needs a place to hide out. (I kid you not!)
6) Charmaine needs one now!
7) Charmaine needs a ride!
8) Charmaine needs help. (ain't that the truth!)
9) Charmaine needs a miracle right now! (Amen!)
10) Charmaine needs an exclusive buddy.
11) Charmaine needs someone to take over.
12) Charmaine needs round- the-clock care. (Oh dear!)
Well that was a bit of fun- mind you it's harder than it looks, especially if you have an unusual name, but I got there in the end! Thanks Diane :-)
Of Bling & Blogs, Peacocks & Weddings!
I hope you like the new look of the Blog.I've had it cream for a while which I was bored with and was playing around with new looks over the weekend. I had put together what I thought was an elegant and restrained colour scheme involving beige and cream diagonal stripes. At the precise moment I finished, Hubby walked past. "What do you think?" I asked. "That is just so boring, I really hate it, it's just not you, you should have more bling!" was his reply. Needless to say I wasn't best pleased. I had spent several hours assembling all the components and adjusting the html.
But it got me to thinking - and I realised he was right. Restrained is not really me:-) So I decided to go with it and pull out all the stops. The obvious answer that came to mind was peacock feathers - you cant get much more blingy than that. Besides peacock has always been my favourite colour. I got married in a velvet outfit that colour, and even the Rolls Royce wedding car I hired was that colour! Most of the carpets in our previous house were also a lovely rich peacock/turquoise colour.So I knuckled down and this is the result after several more hours searching for the right background pic, the right shades and combos of colours and making all the relevant changes to the html code, testing & retesting until I was happy with the finished effect. Very bling, very me :-) I hope you all like it.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Kick Ass Blogger Award!
I've been nominated by MammaDawg for the Kick Ass Blogger Award - thanks Mamma!
Do you know any bloggers that kick ass you'd like to nominate?
Maybe they've got incredible, original content. Or they're overflowing with creativity. Is it someone that helps you become a better blogger? Or a bloggy friend you know you can count on? Or maybe it's someone who simply inspires you to be a better person... or someone else who sends you to the floor, laughing your ass off.
Whatever the reason may be, I'm sure you know at least a couple of bloggers that kick ass. Well... why not tell 'em so?
Here's how to send them some love:-
* Choose 5 bloggers that you feel are "Kick Ass Bloggers"
* Let 'em know in your post or via email, twitter or blog comments that they've received an award
* Share the love and link back to both the person who awarded you and back to www.mammadawg.com
* Hop on back to the Kick Ass Blogger Club HQ to sign Mr. Linky then pass it on!
To get codes click on the button above which will take you to KABC HQ - don't forget to link up the person who nominated you for the Kick Ass Blogger Club.
My nominations are:-
1. Midlife Misfit
2. The Balancing Pole
3. The Midlife Gals
4. Mom's Crazy Life
5. Much of a Muchness
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)