Design Reveal - Frankly My Dear

Happy clients make a happy designer. And this design was so much fun to do. Once M and I got started talking about the direction of her blog during our text session, I immediately knew I wanted to work with her. Her inspiration for the design... wait for it... Gone With The Wind!! YES! We totally bonded over having it as a fav movie. Vintage and classy and simple. Yes. Yes. Yes. 

I had to finish up Mar's design before I could start working on it fully, but I just HAD to play with fonts and colors for M just a little to make sure we were on the same page for the feel of the design.

That dress. I so wanted my mom to make me a dress like that when I was little. It never happened, but I still dream about it. Back to the design. I pulled the colors from the dress and some gold foil texture. M said she wanted to incorporate wind somehow and I think I captured it elegantly without making it appear kitschy, with the swirly elements in the Header. Then I accented the script font with a clean sans serif and a cute handwritten font. 

M wanted the Deluxe Package, so then I got to work on her pages and extra customization for the sidebar elements. I loved the gold foil paired with the kelley green, so we ran with that for the feature images. Then we worked on the content and layouts. For the sidebar I coded the email subscription and search bar to match the color scheme, and customized the popular post section to flow with the design better with the round images rather than square. 

Go check out the live design at Frankly, My Dear. Keep up to date by following FMD on Bloglovin', and you can get other awesome updates on M's social media accounts.

Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest

What do you think? Did I capture the film in the design?

Knock on Wood Designs now has pre-made templates! Go check those out here.

To get your own custom Blogger design visit the Knock on Wood Designs website.

Design Reveal - to & fro

I totally dropped the ball here in this space last week, but I think my excuse it pretty good. I was boobs deeps in another blog design, and it turned out so lovely. I hope you'll forgive me.

Not long after I started work on the design for Cattails, Rabbit Trails, & Thistlefish, I received another inquiry. I was elated. My books are filling up and it's great. Keep them coming! Anyway, Mar from To & Fro was in need of something fresh and new, as well as a little rescue from broken links and disappearing images. I'm still so honored when a blogger chooses me from the vast pool of talented designers.

Earthy tones of greens and blues paired with soft water color strokes. I've been dying to do a watercolor design and was super excited when that's exactly what Mar was looking for. At first I was a little worried the colors were too bright, but then I thought that nature gives us bright colors as well a muted ones, and everything in between. I also love that she chose a font that from the same font designer of the font that I choose for my own blog.

I always learn something new with each design I complete. We should all strive to learn something new every day, and with a little research, trial and error, hair pulling, and eurekas I was able to not only meet the expectations of my client, but to meet my own as well. I'm much harder to please than most people; I am my own worst critic.

You can see the live design HERE. You can keep up with Mar on Instagram and Twitter, and never miss a blog post by following To & Fro on Bloglovin'. To find out how you can get your own custom design, or to see some pre-made templates visit Knock on Wood Designs.

I think the new look suits her well. What do you think?

Design Reveal - Cattails, Rabbit Trails, & Thistlefish

About a month ago, a lovely lady named Casey contacted me about a new blog design. Little did we know how long this process would take us. She had travel plans, I had travel plans. She had finals, I had finals. But, amid the road trips, paper writing, working, and studying we managed to get in a few emails here and there about the direction she wanted to go with her design. I'm not gonna lie, she totally kept me on my toes, and I liked it. Casey knows what she wants, and I admire that about her.

The images she gave me as inspiration are gorgeous! We went through several different header ideas before she sent me the photo of the petals on the wood deck. I fell in love with it, and we ended up choosing that one for her header. I pulled a slew of colors from it, and tried them all out until we found a combination she loved. Then we paired a sweet script with a wide set serif font and we were on our way.

Once my finals were over, I was finally able to devote some real time to the design. A few revisions later, Casey and I finalized the look and scheduled the install. She was a joy to work with, and I'm so pleased she chose me for her first ever blog design. I always learn something new with each design I complete, and this one was no different. Plus, I got to work with some colors that normally don't get requested, which was awesome!

So, without further adieux, I present to you Cattails, Rabbit Trails, and Thistlefish.

View the live design HERE. You can also keep up with Casey and all of her shenanigans by following her on Instagram, and never miss a post by adding her on Bloglovin'. To find out how to get your own custom blog design, visit Knock on Wood Designs.

What do you think about this bright and colorful design?

Design Reveal: The [NEW] Rambling Llama

I'm so excited to present to you the brand new design I created and installed for Melissa last week! Designing for her is so fun, mainly because I know her so well, but I love when I'm able to transfer a blogger's vision onto the computer screen. She's also been a guinea pig for when I learn new things. So huge props to her for putting up with me always wanting to tweak things. 

Melissa has had some huge life changes lately and she's making her way back into the blogging world slowly but surely. And it occurred to me that she might want a fresh look for her blog that matches the fresh start she's making for herself in her personal life. I pitched the idea to her and she was totally on board. 

Via email over the course of a week, I think, we narrowed down fonts and colors. I created. I coded. I designed. Then I re-created, re-coded, and re-arranged things until she was happy with the design (and until I was satisfied with the functionality). A happy client makes a happy designer. She later told me she liked that it was a lot more "grown up" feeling than her past designs which had a young and fun feel to them.

So, without further adieux, I give you The [NEW] Rambling Llama!

What do you think? Does it suit her?

To see the full design visit The Rambling Llama. To find out how to get your own custom blog design, visit Knock on Wood Designs.

An Awesome April

Everything in life isn't always awesome, amiright? But, in order to stay positive, and not let the not so awesome stuff get you down, we have to focus on all the great things that are happening in our lives and in the world around us. Anne's Awesome linkup is perfect for doing just this, so today I'm sharing with you some of the Awesome things going on for me.

1. Bathroom Remodel

I could be all irritated about not having a working sink and falling through the floor while the demo is happening, but I have to keep the end goal in mind. Once we are done, it's going to be beautiful and relaxing. If you follow me on Instagram, I posted a little sneak peek of the design elements we've chosen yesterday.

2. Blog Designing

I'm getting my head back in the game here guys! I did a complete overhaul on the design website a few weeks ago, I had a consultation yesterday, and I'm finishing up a new design for Melissa at The Rambling Llama today, so go check that out tomorrow!

3. School

I'm not thrilled with my choice of classes this session, but I need the credits for my degree. I'm still learning though, and that's always a positive thing.

4. Alpha Sigma Lambda

I found out last fall that I made it into the Omega Zeta chapter of this national honors society, and later this month there will be a recognition ceremony. I'm kind of excited about it!

5. It's April

It's a special month for Hubs and I (well the end of March thru to April really). We met in person for the first time Easter weekend of 2013 (March 29-31), We got engaged on April 9, 2014 and Eloped April 21, 2014. I guess we just really like this time of year.

6.Natural Herbal Tea and Supplements

Boy am I grateful that God gave us the plants to make these things. I like knowing that I can first try an natural remedy for any minor ailment I may have before having to go to the doctor for other medicines.

7. My Brand New Target Red Card

Did you know they have a debit card option rather than a normal credit card? I didn't up until a couple of weeks ago when a nice cashier explained it to me rather than giving me a nasty look when I said I didn't have a Red Card. So then I explained it to Hubs, he liked the idea of saving 5% on my Target excursions, and I got the nifty new card.

8. Best Friends

I have two really amazing besties. You all know my lovely Llama. We've been friends for, golly, nearly.... hang on let me count.... 10 years now. OMG TEN YEARS. Wow. Ok, well, anyways. She moved into her new apartment this past weekend and, once again, I am not able to help because I live in another state now. It kills me that I haven't been able to be there for her in person during this really tough period of her life, so I send her a giant new apartment care package.
My other bestie, Kaity, lives here in Missouri. I met her about two summers ago at school. She's ALSO moving, but later this summer. So I've been helping her pick out all the cute things she wants to get for her new apartment. Shopping is fun, guys.

9. Waffles with Peanut Butter

YUM. This has become one of my go-to breakfasts lately. I get two multi-grain waffles and toast them up. Once they pop up out of the toaster, I spread some peanut butter on each one. Lots of fiber and protein.

10. Bullet Journaling

I started one in January and used it along with my Day Designer. By the end of that first month I was leaving my Day Designer at home and using my Bullet Journal for everything. *GASP* I know! I think what I like about bullet journals is that they are 100% customizable for YOUR needs. And you can change things up whenever you want, you're not stuck with things you tried and didn't like, and you can add new things as you go along. Seriously, best (organizational) decision I ever made.


What's Awesome in your life right now? Are you linking up with Anne today?

Twelve Months of Bliss - August

One special lady from my #tribe developed this awesome challenge: Twelve Months of Bliss. While I wanted to participate the first two months, life sorta got in the way. That's no excuse, really. I should have made the time to work on myself via Emily's challenge. Anyways, I did it this month. I made a space on the wall in my guest room/office to display all the things keeping me going right now.

 I have grown to love this little space, and what's awesome about the placement, is that I can see it from the bathroom when I'm getting ready in the mornings. I was amazed at how much I found strength and peace through such small items as these. And I have to thank Emily for bringing such a wonderful habit into my life.

1. This is the birthday card I got from my mom this year. The message inside reflected a little on the big conversation we had earlier in the month. The words brought me to tears and reminded me how lucky I am to have such a wonderful relationship with my mom now.

2. Priorities. I had written that on this little post-it note during one of our Blogger Pow Wows a few months ago, and it's been on my desk ever since. My priorities have shifted so much since I've moved here and then even more once I got married. Having them set and not wavering on them have brought me great strength and comfort.

3. Think Positive! This has been my mantra this month. You can't go wrong with that!

4. This little tag says "#WoodsGoCruisin, 12-26-15, From Missouri, To the Caribbean"
I am so excited about our cruise and am constantly thinking about what I need to do before we leave and making lists about what to pack. We also are spending a week with my parents before the cruise, and we're looking forward to that as well.

5. I was debating a new look for the blog, which I did implement earlier this month.

6. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. Jeremiah 29:11
Sometimes it's hard for me to let go of what I want and the time line I want it in, and trust that God will provide the things I need exactly at the perfect time.

7. My puppy calendar! Who doesn't love adorable pictures of puppies??

8. The 17th was my first day of school. I am loving school, and so enjoy working for my degree. I always look forward to my classes each session because you never know who you'll meet or what you'll learn outside of the set curriculum.

9. This weekend we are going on another weekend getaway to Branson, MO. We had such a wonderful time over the 4th of July, and we wanted to get away just one more time before our big vacation at Christmas.


This should really be a board full of happiness for me. Do you have an inspiration board?

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10 Steps to a Better Blog

So much work goes into a blog. Can I get an Amen? And Sometimes it can be a little overwhelming. Have no fear! Today, I am teaming up with Kristyn from Chits and Giggles to give you some tips to help you have a better blog.

We can all use a little love on our own blogs for those pages that we just don't think about after they are posted. I know you know what I'm talking about.

Design

I'm sure you have read this before, but your blog design is the first thing readers see when they find your blog. You want something appealing, yet fairly minimal. Think about the reader if you are designing your own blog design. You don't want a super busy background if it will make your content difficult to read. If you hire a designer (like ME #ShamelessPlug) make sure to give them a clear direction as to how you want your blog to look.

Fonts

Pick easy to read fonts. I know the curly swirly embellishments can sometimes be fun, but you still want your readers to be able to actually read things. This goes for your Banner/Header, post and gadget titles, signatures, and the fonts you use on your images. You can still let your personality shine and use a readable font.

Colors

Get creative! But choose 1-3 MAIN colors you want to use in your overall design. Having a cohesive and consistent color pallet really makes your blog flow better. When styling your buttons and other pages you'll want to incorporate your colors in some form or fashion.

Sidebar

Oh that bar (or bars) that we all have. Did you know you probably need to update how things are layed out on your sidebar? It's true! Think about your sidebar as real estate. You want the highest things at the top (like your picture, social media icons, categories) and the lower things (like your archive list, button, and affiliates) at the bottom. Also be very intentional about what things you put on your sidebar. Don't just put things there to put them there. Make sure they add value to your blog.

Navigation Bars vs. Category Buttons

This is one of the easiest ways to simplify, but still have your favorite topics reachable. Your Navigation bar should only contain the most important pages of your blog: Home, About, Sponsor, Contact. These are must haves! If you have an Etsy Shop or do freelance work like I do, putting a link to that site is also a great idea for your Navigation bar. If you have a niche or a consistent topic you blog about (ex: Kendra and Sarah blog about their diseases), it might have a place on your Navigation bar, but everything else should be a Category Button on your sidebar.

Category Sidebar Buttons

If you have a category that won't fit well on your Navigation bar (like mentioned above), you can put it on your sidebar. The sidebar buttons are important because they help readers find content that they might have missed. If you make these yourself - like I did - make sure that you use colors similar to your blog colors. You don't have to list all of your categories here either. Be smart about what you include on your sidebar.

About Page

You need one. Your readers need a place to catch a snippet of what you and your blog are all about. Include a picture or two, and some links to your story and favorite posts, but don't go crazy! You also want to add extra grab buttons and your social media icons somewhere on that page.

The Search Bar

You need this. It doesn't matter if it is on your Navigation bar or on your sidebar, but you need one. If this is on your sidebar, make sure that it is high up - remember that high real estate we talked about above? The search bar is pretty darn high real estate. It doesn't have to be the first thing - and it shouldn't be - but it needs to be high enough so readers don't have to go searching for it.

Sponsor Page

If you offer sponsorships, you have a sponsor page and this page is just as important as your About page. From a design aspect, you want this page to be eye catching, yet informative proving that you are the blogger that brands and other bloggers want to work with.

Disclosure

I have a little section on my sidebar dedicated to Disclosure. You could also have a complete page dedicated to it. This basically tells someone that you have a for-profit blog and that you might include affiliate links in posts. It also states that the content on my blog is my own unless otherwise stated. I think these statements are important because they say very straight-forwardly what your intentions are with your blog. You are for-profit and you could use affiliate links.



Still lost?? Kristyn offers Complete Blog Consultations and can help you make some of those tough decisions. Sometimes a second pair of eyes on your blog can make all the difference. Click HERE to see more details. ( I totally did this, and she helped me so, so much. Definitely worth it!)

What else should be added to this list?

Grateful Heart

Sometimes I forget that in all the business of everyday life, God is there looking out for me. The past couple weeks have really proved that. So many wonderful things have happened, some as a response to something negative.

Lets start at the beginning, with the interesting conversation I had with my mom two weeks ago. Something she said really upset me. While she said she didn't have any underlying motives, it still felt like she did. When I recounted that conversation to Hubs, he felt the same way I did about what she said. I tried to let it go, but the seed Mom planted in our heads kept growing and eventually sprouted into a pretty intense argument between Hubs and I. We got a lot of things out on the table, and you know what? It has made our relationship stronger.

I did ask my mom to explain exactly what she was trying to say, and it still came across a little offensive, but knowing her intent and her feelings behind it helped a lot. She apologized and everything is a-ok now. And funny enough, a job kinda fell into my lap as a result as well.

During all of this several great opportunities were offered to me in regards to this little space of mine. I am overjoyed to see it growing and excited to share my new adventures with you over the next few months. So be on the lookout for that!

I'm also excited to announce the latest blog design I just installed for Meghan. She was a doll to work with and I had some much fun bringing her vision to life.

If you don't know, the Blogger Pow Wow was last night and this month's topic was SEO. Christine offered up some great advice, and much to my surprise I was able to help her out with some insight for the Blogger users in our group (Christine is a WordPress blogger). Who knew I was an "expert"? That means you guys will be seeing an "SEO for Blogger blog" post from me in the next week or so. Thank Christine for that.

And finally, my new MacBook Pro is fixed and back in my possession. I am so glad that it was able to be repaired! Poor Mable (my old '07 MacBook White) just can't keep up with all the software updates anymore, and is going to be happily retired once I get all my files transferred over. I'm trying to think of a name for the new MacBook. Suggestions?

Grateful is only one of the emotions flooding me right now, but it's definitely a big one. God really does give us exactly what we need.

What are you grateful for today?


P.S. I'm also offering 25% off with the code SNOWDAY25 on the Mahogany and Chestnut ad spots through the month of March! Click HERE to take advantage of this awesome sale!

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Praise for a Grateful Heart

There is victory in the Lord! Yes, my friends, there is. And my wonderful Husband made a very important commitment to God, to me, and to the world yesterday. Yesterday, a long with 3 others, Philip was baptized. You guys, I can't tell how how much joy this has provided, but it brought me to tears. I am so, so grateful for Jesus and His saving grace.

I am also grateful that Bear is doing so much better now after his "surgery" on Friday. #nomoreballs
Poor baby was so pitiful and lethargic until Sunday afternoon, but this morning he's almost back to his normal self.

In other news, I've installed two new Blog designs in the past couple weeks! The latest being Kendra's over at Kenji is Here. (I did Grady's over at Gradybird last week) The more I do them, the more I learn and it's a wonderful thing.

Working with my clients is the best part of the design process. By having open communications with them, I have the privilege to get to know them beyond their blog content and comments. It's magical to bring their personalities to life with colors, fonts, and images. And their sweet words of praise just melt my heart and reassure me that my decision to start doing designs was a good one.

What are you grateful for this week?

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Currently...

Loving: Lora's new design I installed last night! Go check it out! >>> Heart of Life <<<

Reading: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion for February's Between The Lines Blogger Book Club. It's so good.

Feeling: Productive. I've got three more designs on my list, I had a wonderful and enlightening conversation with Hubs this morning, and school is going really well so far.

Watching: Galavant. This show is so freaking funny you guys.

Writing: Besides this post, I'm taking notes from my textbooks.

Listening: Honey I'm Good by Any Grammer. This song is so catchy and upbeat, plus the message is a good one too. The video is Amazing and I tear up almost every time, especially at the end.


Wanting: a new Macbook. Mine is about 7 years old now and it's time. The hardware just can't keep up with the software anymore.

Needing: More hours in the day. I've got so much going on, I can't even imagine how you mothers do it. Kudos to you!

Hoping: I get one of the part-time jobs I applied for Monday.

Avoiding: Putting the laundry away... #dontjudgeme

Wishing: For an endless supply of design images. I want ALL. THE. THINGS.

Trying: to understand why people don't want to help themselves sometimes. It's hard watching the people in your life make bad decisions out of spite or guilt. You want to help them so badly, but they have to want your help for it to work.

Hating: That I haven't received a package I am expecting yet. It should have been here by now and the tracking info hasn't been updated since Jan 5th!!!

Missing: My Llama.

Praying: For an answer. God will give us what He thinks we need.

Thinking: That I need to give Bear a bath soon. He's getting stinky.

Considering: Changing the name I go by to Ammy. It's sorta like Annie, but with Ms. What do you guys think? Could I pull it off?



P.S. I'm answering some very important questions over on All the Joys today, so be sure to check that out too!

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A Grateful Heart Full of Praise

Happy Monday! Classes start tomorrow and I am so ready. I definitely will have to stop for coffee though as my first class is at 8:30 A.M. and that's when I've been getting up lately. #dontjudgeme

A few things happened over the weekend. First, I finished and installed Kathy's new blog design! I love it! It is fresh an has a slightly latin feel to it, which is so fitting since her family is from Argentina. I'm so glad she is so pleased with it too! She was a doll to work with and I'm so grateful to have her as a friend.

Second, we tried out a new church on Sunday. I seriously think God wanted me to be there for that sermon too, because boy did I need to hear it. The Pastor talked about making room for God in your life every single day and learning to trust him with things outside of your control. One of the things the Pastor asked us to think about was "What do you think is on God's mind today?" We all have so much to think about ourselves, but I can't even imagine the number of things on God's mind!

While I know I have a lot on my mind, it does not compare to God's mind, and I am grateful that I do not have to bear that burden each day. Thank you, Lord, for taking all of our worries as your own.

Third, we finalized our vacation dates for our trips to Georgia this year! I am so, so, so, so, so, grateful that we are able to take two trips this year and I am ready for the first one to come. I miss my mom and my Llama so very much.

What are you grateful for today?

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I Told You So

TA-DA! 

Isn't it pretty?? How 'bout that new name?? I'm just loving my little chickadee too.

As I was contemplating my need to scaled down my blog posts, I also thought really long a hard about re-branding. Peaches in Missouri just didn't fit the content I was producing and it bothered me. As much as I loved that name, I knew it was time to move on. All these BIG changes in my life (i.e. getting married and going back to school) inspired the new name: Knock on Wood.

AND in honor of the newy new newness around here, I'm offering a discount on my large sponsor option! Just use the code NEWKNOCKER to get 50% off.

If you have grabbed one of my buttons for your side bar, please make sure to update it with the new ones.

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Now I'm just going to sit back and enjoy my labor of love. Don't forget to come back tomorrow for Throwback Thursday!

What do you think? Do you like it?