WordPress

I'm not sure if I should jump for joy or collapse in exhaustion but after over 2 months of grueling work I've finally finished my first WordPress custom blog template.

Much of the time was spent learning the ins-and-outs of working with WP themes and child themes, a lot of which was through online college video training (thank you Jordan♥).  I also had the occasional assistance of a techy who's help I could not have done without (thank you, you know who you are).

I ran into other issues with this particular project, in that this blog runs on the Genesis Framework. It's a fantastic array of built-ins but makes for some very complicated coding and dissecting too.

All-in-all I've learned so much it blows my mind and I'm really looking forward to transferring all of my prefab themes over to this new platform.  I've begun accepting orders from my previous customers who've migrated over to Wordpress and I'm looking forward to filling some long awaited custom orders too, as I've had so many requests throughout the years that it'll be nice to finally say "yes" to them.

You can check out the migrated theme at this link: http://thejohnsonfamilylive.com/

Best♥

Customer Shout Outs

We're pleased as punch to be offering up a viewing of two recently completed projects.

The first is this ethereal theme created for Earth Mermaid.  For this theme we were given permission to use some original artwork created for our customer by the ever talented Erin Darcy Design.  Modifying original imagery for custom blog themes is always a challenge as so we're delighted with the outcome.  Other elements added to her custom theme were two blog badges and and an original set of social networking links.  You can grab a closer look at: http://www.earthmermaid.com/

The next theme was for Butterfly Kisses and included one of our original shelf banners, a modified version of our Je T'aime background, and several other custom coordinating images. Working on shelf banners is such a treat as we have the opportunity to truly personalize the look so each comes out quite different and oh-so unique!  Add-ons for this whimsical theme include a top navigation bar and personal blog signature.  You can take a closer look at: http://butterflykisseswithlove.blogspot.com/

We're currently wrapping up several indepth custom orders and hope to have more Customer Shouts for you in the very near future.

Best~

Customer Shout Outs

Gee it feels like forever since I last wrote a customer shout-out. It's not that I haven't been swamped with work it just seems that so much of it has been related more to Helping Hands projects and helping customers set up their blogs.  The custom projects I've been working on have also taken longer lately as my creative envelope gets stretched further with each new theme.  Still, writing these shout-outs is always such fun because not only do I get to share some of my creative work but I get to introduce you to a great group of customers. So here's a smattering of some recent work and customers...

Snips and Threads

This theme took nearly a year ~ yes, it's tough to believe but some projects do take that long. We bounced a  lot of ideas back and forth and finally wound up with the perfect combination for this blog about quilting and other crafty projects.

Strange Vellum

This project was filled with fantastical imagery as we dove into the world of the macabre and supernatural.  The ogre was loads of fun to create as well as the other intricate details (note the swimming koi under spyglass) in this truly unique theme.
On a personal note, I feel bad as the customer took ill shortly after finishing the theme and hasn't had a chance to enjoy her blog yet.  I do hope she recovers quickly and am asking that you all send her some healing energy.

Crystal Tree

 This return customer was in need of an appointment card to coordinate with the business card I created for her a few months back so we wound up with this energizing set, just perfect for her Reiki sessions.

Glitter Tart Designs
This custom project involved creating two original images, the first was this social links bar with a vintage flair.  I chose to create what looks like a lovely piece of vintage jewelry to host her social networking links.

 The second piece was her custom blog badge which includes the customer's own artwork incorporated into some other images.

Green Witch with Sprinkles

I don't usually do shout outs for smaller image projects but this one was especially fun since we included one of her actual products in this custom post divider. It's always a challenge working with actual product images but the results can be so fantastic!


Oracle Reading by Kawehi
Language barriers can often prove a bit complicated and while several of my recent customers have not spoken English I thought I'd give a special shout out to this extended theme project.

 Kawehi began with one of my prefab themes and then selected to have me created a custom blog badge and coordinating business images including a business card and thank you card.  

She provide the text for her custom badge so her local visitors could understand and share.

So that's a sampling of some of the recent projects I've worked on ~ I do hope you'll take the time to click through some of the titles and images to discover some wonderful indie businesses and even make some new friends.  Meeting other bloggers and online indie venues is simply the best part of this online world we all share!

Enjoy~

The Daily Journey of Creativity

"Whatcha doing?"
"Making a faerie... and a pot bellied pig."
"Weren't you making a mermaid?"
"Yeah, that was yesterday."

And so goes the path of any given chat here at Plumrose Lane.  I have to laugh at the places I go in my day-to-day work. From fantastical creatures to mystical meanings, it's a fun job and one I truly enjoy, most of the time. Of course there are those projects that take a temporary tailspin but the universe usually manages to kick-in at the last minute and save the day.

The work can be challenging at times, especially if I'm venturing into uncharted waters  ~ case in point, this custom project I'm working on for a lovely return customer.  Her beautiful landlubbing lady was created by an artist to represent a certain part of her business and while it fits, she also needed a water fairing version too.  My job was to come up with one that fit well within the artist's original work, to then use in a custom theme.

Working on these type of projects is always a discovery process ~ in part I'm discovering the image hidden within the original work, but at the same time I'm discovering more about my own skills. You see, I honestly haven't a clue whether I can actually accomplish the task and I really don't even question it.  I just go on a sort of blind faith that the skills will kick in when I need them most.  It's a gift I readily accept from the universe and one I treasure immensely. And so it's the delicate path I walk each day in my creativity and although there might be more secure paths to follow, I rather enjoy this one ~ it's laced with uncertainty but filled with the sheer delight of new discovers and bringing happiness to others.

Enjoy~

Beautiful Etiquette

Being raised by a socialite, etiquette always played a key roll in my life.  Knowing when and where to exercise the proper sentiments was a key part of my childhood training.  Fast forward 50 years and the world has changed dramatically from that once proper place my mother dreamed of. While many of us still try our darnedest to squeeze in those "pleases" and "thank yous" there are simply far too few of them these days.

Still I'm all about being the change and so you can often find my visual thank yous around the internet  ~ whether it's expressing gratitude to a social networking friend or leaving feedback for a purchase, I like prettying up the sentiment with my own whimsical imagery.

And so in keeping with this I thought it might be nice to start a new series of images that could be used in this manner. Whether you're looking to include a thank you at the bottom of your blog or just want to say "thanks for your friendship" on a social wall, these images will suit the situation nicely.  You'll find them included in an upcoming "Inspirational" category I have planned for the new website, but in the meantime you can grab some copies below.

<center> <a href="http://www.plumroselane.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="PrL-Cupcake Thank You" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/prefab/inspirational/PrL-ThankYou_Cupcake.png" /></a></center>

<center> <a href="http://www.plumroselane.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="PrL-Mermaid Thank You" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/prefab/inspirational/PrL-ThankYou_Mermaid.png" /></a></center>

<center> <a href="http://www.plumroselane.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="PrL-Enchanted Thank You" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/prefab/inspirational/PrL-ThankYou_Mirror.png" /></a></center>
Using the code below each image you can insert them at the bottom of your blog using this tutorial: http://plumroselane-tutorials.blogspot.com/2013/03/how-to-install-blog-badge-or-add-html.html  or by right clicking on the image you can save a copy to then post on a friend's wall like on Facebook.  Just remember to play nice ~ these images are subject to my terms of use and are not meant to be altered in any way.

Update: Originally created for the bottom of blogs and social sites, I've now included smaller versions below so these can be used in blog sidebar areas...

200 x 200

<center> <a href="http://www.plumroselane.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="PrL-Cupcake Thank You" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/prefab/inspirational/PrL-ThankYou_Cupcake-x200.png" /></a></center>
<center> <a href="http://www.plumroselane.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="PrL-Mermaid Thank You" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/prefab/inspirational/PrL-ThankYou_Mermaid-x200.png" /></a></center>
<center> <a href="http://www.plumroselane.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="PrL-Enchanted Thank You" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/prefab/inspirational/PrL-ThankYou_Mirror-x200.png" /></a></center>

Since this month's theme over at Leah's Creative Everyday Challenge is "Color" I thought these might also make a nice entry for that too.  So I've submitted this post in this week's challenge posting and plan on visiting the participants to see what delicious creations have been whipped up by this week's entries ~ hope to see you there!

Enjoy~

New Trinkets & Happy Holidays Sale!

I just finished creating a new selection of my handmade key holders and I absolutely love how they came out!  That shimmering beauty in the bottom right corner already sold...

That's because I'm holding my Happy Holidays Sale with 30% off everything in my Etsy shop!! It's a great time to save BiG on all sorts of goodies ~ from a new blog look to custom print images, like business cards and event banners, or one of my fabulous handmade treasures. 
You can even save on gift certificates! 

So just stop by my Etsy shop at  www.PlumroseLane.etsy.com and pick up some gorgeous goodies (even if it's a treat for yourself ~ you know you deserve it!) and best of all they'll still arrive in time for Christmas!

Enjoy~

Customer Shout Out!

Once again I have the pleasure of giving a few shout-outs to some recently completed projects.  These are always so much fun because not only do I get to show off some fun themes I've been working on but I get to introduce you to some really wonderful creative souls!

Projeto Corujinho

First up is this theme created for Projeto Curinho.  Now if htat title sounds a bit foreign, it's because that's Portuguese.  Not many of you may know that I lived in Brazil many years ago so this project was extra special to me.  This blog theme was created around a charitable cause ~ offering golfing lessons to underprivileged children in Brazil.  Visiting the blog you'll see photos of the children having fun and it's easy to see how much this special project means to all of them!  I was honored to have an opportunity to work on this theme.

The Johnson Family Live

Next we have The Johnson Family Live ~ a delightfully homey blog centered around family, fun, and food.  If you've ever had a project just flow then you'll understand how happy I was when this one simply fell together at every turn.  The end result is a wonderfully elegant yet down-to-earth theme that offers a cozy backdrop to this fabulous family's life and adventures.

Bonnie's Heart & Home

Lastly we have Bonnie's Heart and Home ~ it's funny how some themes just seem to take a bit longer, not because of any one particular aspect or cause but simply how putting the individual theme plays out and this theme was one of those. Starting on our journey nearly a year ago, Bonnie and I worked together to bring her personal vision of home and spiritual beliefs together in one lovely theme.  The outcome was a multifaceted theme that fits her lovely style to a tee.

As always a huge thanks to my wonderful customers, not only for selecting me to create for them but for allowing me the honor of bringing their personal visions to life ~ it's always such a pleasure! I do hope you'll take the time to visit each of these wonderful blogs and comment and Follow ~ it's one of the ways we can reach out and make this blogging community a little more friendly and personal. 

Enjoy~

New Customor Shout-Outs

Seems like only yesterday I was posting a new customer shout out and sure enough it nearly was ~ just goes to show how busy I've been lately and that's always a good thing.  Not only do I get to be creative but I also have the pleasure of making a few more visual dreams come true, whoot!  So here's a sampling of some of my latest completed projects...

The Olde Farmhouse 

This theme was centered around Joy's love of country elements and high contrast colors.  Working in elements like a personalized crock, rooster, and charming home added a welcoming feel to the set.

 For the banner I began by creating an original country scene to work as a fitting backdrop for the charming shelf, valance and window ensemble.  Joy then selected a simpler background as to not detract from the main focal points.
 

Kimi's Jewelry & Gifts 

This theme involved pink, pink and more pink! Kimi's love of all things glittering, flittering, and pink really brought life to the gorgeous collection of roses and other shimmering accents in her original theme.

We carried this ensemble over into a large selection of additional digital creations, from Facebook and Twitter images to shop sets and business cards.

Flip Flops & Pop Tarts - Seasonal
 
Doing up a seasonal change is one of my personal favs and for this changeover Dawn selected to begin with one of my original shop sets, Tattered Christmas.  Building upon this weathered seasonal theme I created a selection of top navigation tags, along with a banner, background and seasonal signature image.

It's always such a pleasure posting these shouts-outs and I hope you've enjoyed this newest selection of eye candy.  I hope you'll take a moment to visit all of these wonderful bloggers and say "Hi" ~ making new friends in blogland is certainly one of the greatest gifts of all!

Best,