CraftyPod has a whole new look! (FINALLY.)

by Sister-Diane on December 30, 2009

in Lifey Stuff

I don’t think anybody would deny that the ol’ CraftyPod has needed an overhaul for quite some time. It’s one of my biggest failings: I get involved in so many projects all the time, I always get behind on maintenance things.

Anyway. This new layout is a work in progress, but already orders of magnitude better than what you’ve been putting up with for the last three years. For the curious, I used a WordPress theme called Thesis, which is the bomb-diggety. (Not cheap, but endlessly customizable.)

I have a punch list several miles long, and will be tweaking things as I have time. So now’s a good moment to ask you:

What features and functionality would you like to see on this here blog?

…And thanks so much for your endless patience with the old layout. :-)

…Now to redesign my shop!

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  • Hi, I've been reading this blog for a few months now. It's wonderful! Your photos and writing are a bright way to start my day, and I love your new banner. Which leads me to a question: I'm about to switch to Thesis for my blog, but I'm having the hardest time figuring out how to install the photo for the banner. How did you do it? I realize you're busy, so if you know of a link or a tutorial somewhere, please let me know. (Or if you had someone do this for you, may I please contact them?)
  • SisterDiane
    Thank you so much, Mari! And good luck with Thesis! You might find these how-to's helpful for customizing your header:

    http://www.doublemule.com/how-to-add-banner-image-thesis-theme-header-css-custom/
    http://wpbandit.com/tutorials/thesis-custom-header/
  • tsoniki
    It looks great!

    Did you do the customization yourself? I struggle with Thesis and thus haven't even implemented it yet! :)
  • SisterDiane
    Thanks! I customized the header, and made a lot of adjustments to the
    sidebar display. I also tweaked the page display on the main page vs.
    the pages in the nav bar.

    Holler if you have any specific questions - I may be able to help!
  • ooo, super clean! I like this layout! Happy new year from Italy!
  • Congrats Diane! It looks great!
    Happy New Year!!
  • geekxnerd
    Nice new layout - I love it. I'm in mega need of a blog spruce up myself...
  • Loving the new look Diane!
  • futuregirl
    Love the new look! That header photo is beautiful. I, like iHanna, love the podcast page. I'm always trying to refind podcasts. The tutorial page is awesome, too (... making notes for my redesign ...). Wooohooo!
  • I like the way it looks, very fresh. Love your work!
  • I will think about what features could possibly be missing here, although right now, it looks like you got everything, even the twitter gadget! Maybe lots more videos of you, talking, showing us books and turning pages, showing us your projects, and showing us Pushkin in a variety of positions.

    That's just me, of course.
  • SisterDiane
    Oh, yeah - the Pushkin Webcam Page is coming soon.

    Just kidding. :-)
  • very pretty :D very easy to read and navigate
  • Wonderful! The new layout is so fresh and spring-like, really good work.
    Lucy
  • Nice! It's always a bit of a stress to overhaul a blog! Nice work!
  • Yup, I've been waiting for this, and so far it looks great! Love the podcast archive where you can listen directly to the shows - how neat that is! You'll need to add a kanzashi page, a page about your e-books and I thought maybe you should make your about page more fun? You're more than that I think, I would at least make a list of all the sites that you've written for and/or a press page with mentions and reviews? But I guess that will be a huge project to put together coz we all love everything you do! :-)

    Happy New Year! And Big congrats on your blog update/new look - I love it!
  • SisterDiane
    All great suggestions - thanks so much, Hanna!

    Heh - I totally need a better About page. It's just the hardest thing
    in the world for me to write. I'm terrible at bios in general.

    Working on that "Books" page right now, though - that one's easier! :-)
  • teacherre
    So cheerful!
  • Looking great, Diane! Keep up the good work!
  • coffeemomma
    Awesome! Great job!
  • pam
    Yaaaaay! It's up! And it is beautiful! See - it's NOT because I am your Mother! Other people already said so!

    Love the direct link to the tutorials. And to the Podcast page. And the direct link to Make and Meaning - a very, very cool blog. O yes and the search thingy!

    Over all it is easy on the eyes. Maintenance well done!
  • It looks great, it's definitely a lot cleaner and easier to spot stuff. I especially like the podcast page, which is much more usable and easier to navigate now.
  • SisterDiane
    Thank you - and Amen to easier podcast navigation. :-) Now all I need to do is install some thumbnail images on all those previews, and all shall be well.
  • Nice! Very Nice!
  • Looks really good!
  • michaelhawkins
    It looks GREAT! So neat and clean. Love it.
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