Meet our 6th and Final DIY Custom Blog Design Contest Judge!

Our 6th Guest Judge is Amanda Padgett

from Beautiful Blog Designs!

Where do you live?
Rural South Carolina

Are you Single, Married, have Kids?
Married with four kids ages 12-5

Tell us about your blog.

I have two blogs, Beautiful Blog Designs and Everyday Elements. Beautiful Blog Designs (BBD) is a resource for bloggers to find free, premade or custom designs by various designers, as well as find tips and tutorials on blogging and social media. Everyday Elements is about photography and Photoshop Elements, with free tutorials and actions and also online workshops.

When did you start it? 

I started BBD in January of 2009 and Everyday Elements in May of 2010, although the blog side of it did not start until September, 2010.

Is your blog your job, if so, is it your only job?
Yes, both BBD and Everyday Elements are jobs for me, but I also do the online workshops for Photoshop Elements and photography.


Wild Card Questions:

What was the last movie you went to see?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1

What would I find in your refrigerator right now?
A milk carton with no top on it because my 5 yo took it off and lost it.

What is the last book you read?
Read with my eyeballs? LOL Harry Potter book 7. But, I listen to a lot of audio books. Life with four kids, homeschooling and an online business does not leave me a lot of sit down time to read, so I am a member of Audible and get audio books instead.

What is your favorite color? 

Purple

Any advise for the DIY Blog Designer?
Think simple but attractive. Pay attention to load time, use a navigation or menu bar to help your readers find information, create an about page, constantly view your blog as if you’re a new visitor and improve on things you find are confusing or distracting.

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Meet our 4th DIY Custom Blog Design Contest Judge!

Our 4th Guest Judge is Laura Jane

from Laura Jane Designs!

 

Where do you live?
Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Are you Single, Married, have Kids?
Married for 4 and a half years and we have one 18 month old son, Mason, that keeps me constantly on my toes. *runs to take scissors out of his chubby hands... again*

How long have you been a Blog Designer?

Since June 2010 (I'm still fresh meat)

How did you get into Blog Design? 

I had been blogging consistently since January and wanted something new and fresh for my own blog. I was a stay at home mama at the time and extra $ for a blog design just wasn't something we had laying around. I took it upon myself to use Google and a book from the library to learn some HTML and CSS fun, played around with digital scrapbook kits on GIMP, and found my niche.

Is Designing Blogs your only job?
Right now, no. I work full time at a pediatrician's office on weekdays. Blog Designing is my moonlight position, though I am actively seeking for it to be my full time job. And being a work-at-home mama is the main reason I decided to start designing blogs for others. We're working through the Dave Ramsey money makeover plan to pay off ridiculous amounts of debt so I can be home with my kids.

What is your designing program of choice?
GIMP and Photoshop Elements. I also use ColourLovers for color scheme inspiration. (GIMP is an awesome kept secret. Totally free software online and when I've used exclusively until just last month).

Show off your favorite blog design that you have done, what is the URL?
Does my blog count? lol (www.callmelaurajane.com) I swear I'm not trying to plug, but it truly is my all time favorite.


Wild Card Questions:

If you were an animal what kind of animal would you be?
If I were an animal I would be a Golden Retriever. Because I love them, I am fiercely loyal, and love catching ducks. Actually, scratch the duck catching part...

What was the last movie you went to see?
Little Fockers. Not as good as Meet the Parents, but worth the $8.50 movie ticket. =)

What would I find in your refrigerator right now?
A few gallons of milk- my son and I can kill a gallon each in less than a week, SWEET tea (with Splenda, of course), applesauce packs... and some funny looking tupperware containers that have been shoved back there for who knows how long. I'll admit it- I throw those things away before I open them and clean them.

What is the last book you read?
Master of Swords. (LOL) I'm a closet paranormal romance freak. I will read any paranormal of fantasy genre romance I can get my fingers on, with a few historic romance novels thrown in here and there. I saw one on the shelves in passing just last weekend called Must Love Kilts. Not gonna lie- I would totally read that. When no one else is looking.

What is your favorite color?
Blue.

 

No, green.

No... grey.

No, blue. yeah.


Any advise for the DIY Blog Designer?
My advice is to never be afraid to ask someone for help. Google anything you have a question on and be specific. Really utilize free help, like Makin' Cute Blogs, April Showers, and soon, myself for free tutorials and design resources. Oh- and less is more. Always. =)



Our DIY Custom Blog Design Contest is coming up fast, you only have until this Sunday to enter!  CLICK HERE for details and to enter!  **If you aren't done yet, you can still enter now, no Judging will happen until January 10th.

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Meet our 3rd DIY Custom Blog Design Contest Judge!

Our 3rd Guest Judge is Katie Lane

from Lemon Cherry Blogs!

Where do you live?
Orlando, Fl

Are you Single, Married, have Kids?
Married, no kids yet (been trying for over 2 years now, but still hopeful - most days).

How long have you been a Blog Designer?

About 2 years and 2 weeks

How did you get into Blog Design?
My friend Ashley owned a design shop and needed some help, I loved it so much I started my own shop (and now we have merged)!

Is Designing Blogs your only job?
No I also cook, clean, shop, blog.. do those count as jobs?

What is your designing program of choice?
I adore adobe photoshop and illustrator, I also use bridge and dreamweaver daily

Show off your favorite blog design that you have done, what is the URL?
My favorite design is my personal blog @ http://sunshineandbubblegum.blogspot.com/ because, well, it's mine and I can do whatever I want with it. I also LOVE these two @ http://mypixieblog.com/ & http://kristaleephotography.blogspot.com/


Wild Card Questions:

If you were an animal what kind of animal would you be?
A pink baby cartoon zebra cause it looks so cute in my head!

What was the last movie you went to see?
Despicable Me, it was amazing!

What would I find in your refrigerator right now?
Some milk and that bottle of NyQuil Hubby put in there.

What is the last book you read?
I've been re-reading The Time Travelers Wife - it's one of my favs.

What is your favorite color?
Pink!


Any advise for the DIY Blog Designer?
Honestly I'd say, 'hire me to do it instead because you know I rock!' Or else I'd say, 'You're blog should represent you and put a smile on your face, so take your time and have fun with it! Make sure you like what you are doing and don't fall into the because everyone else did it this way trap.'



Our DIY Custom Blog Design Contest is coming up fast, you only have until this Sunday to enter!  CLICK HERE for details and to enter!  **If you aren't done yet, you can still enter now, no Judging will happen until January 10th.

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Meet our 2nd DIY Custom Blog Design Contest Judge!

Our 2nd Guest Judge is Julie Farber

from Deluxe Designs!

Where do you live?
Rockville, Maryland

Are you Single, Married, have Kids?

Married with a 15 month old!

How long have you been a Blog Designer?

Just about a year

How did you get into Blog Design?
I paid someone for my own blog design and decided I did not want to pay for tweaks and that I could figure it out myself. I created some blog buttons for a PR site and started getting business from there. I work independently and with Etsy and just love it.

Is Designing Blogs your only job?
Graphic designing is all that I do besides stay at home with my princess. Beyond blogs I also design logos, business cards, invitations, and more :)

What is your designing program of choice?
Photoshop for sure

Show off your favorite blog design that you have done, what is the URL?
Hmm, I love the simplicity of this one: http://northhillphotography.blogspot.com/ and the whimsical-ness (that's probably not a word) of this one: http://www.thirtysomethingland.net/
That one is an older design I did but people always refer to it when looking at my designs.


Wild Card Questions:

If you were an animal what kind of animal would you be?
A dog.

What was the last movie you went to see?
I have a 15 month old. Haha actually I saw Burlesque. Wow I just admitted that ;)

What would I find in your refrigerator right now?
Whole milk for the babe. You'll be lucky if you find much else - ugh. I need to go shopping, speaking of...

What is the last book you read?
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

What is your favorite color?
Blue!


Any advise for the DIY Blog Designer?
Google! There are SO many tutorials out there (um, hello, Makin Cute Blogs…). If you can follow step by step directions, you can make a cute blog design!



Our DIY Custom Blog Design Contest is coming up fast, you only have until this Sunday to enter!  CLICK HERE for details and to enter!  **If you aren't done yet, you can still enter now, no Judging will happen until January 10th.

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Meet our 1st DIY Custom Blog Design Contest Judge!

Our DIY Custom Blog Design Contest is coming up fast, you only have until this Sunday to enter!  CLICK HERE for details and to enter!  **If you aren't done yet, you can still enter now, no Judging will happen until January 10th.

Our 1st Guest Judge is April Durham 

from April Showers Blog Design!

                        

Where do you live?
Twin Falls, Idaho

Are you Single, Married, have Kids?

Married, no kids (yet!)

How long have you been a Blog Designer?

A little over two years.

How did you get into Blog Design?
I started tweaking my own blog design, and offering free headers for my followers.  Then set up packages, pricing, etc...etc..and the rest is history!

Is Designing Blogs your only job?
Yep!  Went full-time in June 2010.

What is your designing program of choice?
Photoshop mostly, and Illustrator (sometimes!)

Show off your favorite blog design that you have done, what is the URL?

What! Just ONE?!  Sigh - okay.   This one was pretty recent and I think it's cute! It's Blogger. http://www.thethinkinspot.blogspot.com/    

This is my favorite Wordpress one so far!  thesuburbanmom.com....oh and this one thelovebugadventures.com

Wild Card Questions:

If you were an animal what kind of animal would you be?
A panda.  Exotic and chubby. 

What was the last movie you went to see?
Burlesque.  Don't judge - Christina is my teenage idol! *does Genie in a Bottle dance*

What would I find in your refrigerator right now?
Lettuce.  Lots and lots of lettuce.  You decide whether it's there because I love it - or it's STILL there because I don't eat it.

What is the last book you read?
*sheepish*  I read books out of obligation - and the last one was the first Twilight book.  My husband wanted me to read it because the author is his cousin.  (Not like 54th cousin twice removed....like the kind that shows up to family reunions.) So I think he wanted me to get into that, but it didn't happen.  LOL!

What is your favorite color?
You're asking a graphic designer their favorite color?  Pink. Duh.

What is the last book you read?
I'm Confused by Deja Vu  (hee, hee...just kidding! repeated question)


Any advise for the DIY Blog Designer?
Yep!  Take a class instead of trial and error! LOL!  Just kidding - but seriously....I offer workshops and classes because it took me two years to design blogs using trial and error and I figure people would appreciate quick tutorials and videos instead! LOL!

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