PainterWoman

New Blog Design - Thank you Carlos (Suntana)

Wednesday, 18. March 2009, 15:37:54

It is official. I love my new blog design incorporating some of my favorite colors: turquoise, green (sort of a terre verte), red violet, cobalt blue, and a hint of buttercream yellow. Thank you Carlos!

I had to let it gel for a day and look at it many times. Since I've gotten older, I've noticed my reluctance to change, get out of my comfort zone. After looking at it over the last 24 hours, I am quite comfortable with it. In fact, I'm saying it again, I love it.

Several days ago, over in Glenno's blog, Glenno was discussing his new blog design with Javean and Suntana (Carlos). I suddenly realized Carlos had designed Glenno's blog. After my comment, Carlos said he'd already taken my painting 'Underwater Blues' and had been playing around with it. He likes doing this sort of thing and says it is like a puzzle to him. He loves doing it. He sent me the link to two different designs and I loved them both but chose this one with all my favorite colors. He changed a couple of things, adding the red violet in the title and making the Modigliani quote in turquoise, keeping the author in yellow. He found a beautiful underwater scene for the stationary background. I loved it as soon as I saw it because it incorporates the blues. It even has hints of orange at the bottom which match the orange in some of the text in the sidebar.

I was scared to do the final process of adding the design to my blog but with his excellent and detailed instructions, I did it without a hitch. I made sure to do it in the day time because at night I tend to turn into a putz and make mistakes. Carlos, you should write a manual for beginners because your instructions were better than any instructions I've read in computer classes. They were very precise, step-by-step instructions.

Thank you Carlos!

Earth HourPaintings from the Other Side I - Chimeras

Comments

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Léazz # 18. March 2009, 15:50

Wonderful Lady Pam but unfortunately cant view it with my mobile but definitely check it out soon. Congrats Carlos for beautifying the already fantastic blog of Lady Pam

Mit # 18. March 2009, 15:54

Really impressed! Congratulate to your new blog design

PainterWoman # 18. March 2009, 16:01

Thank you Leazz and Mit.

Andy Wilson # 18. March 2009, 17:07

PainterWoman # 18. March 2009, 17:18

Thank you Andy.

Suntana # 18. March 2009, 17:36

You are very Welcome, Pam!

I'm glad I could capture your Artsy nature, style and personality and create a Banner and theme for you with which you are excited and satisfied.

If after a while you want to feature another Pic of a different Painting of yours or a different quote, just let me know and they can be changed.

As for the instructions, I actually didn't realize until after the fact that I should have asked you if you had MS Word. Cuz if you do, they would have been even better. When I write procedures like that on MS Word, I'll incorporate different Colors and Text Attributes to enhance even more the different parts of the Steps.

That's been my style of writing instructions for a long time. But, it was drilled in even more and etched in my mind after talking with an Engineer friend of mine once. He said that at this place where he used to work, their Boss had specified that when they wrote Procedures, they had to be done in such a way that when they were finished, the Procedure had to be able to be slapped in front of whoever was going to use it, and the person had to be able to follow it beginning to end without any questions. If they had questions, then you didn't write it correctly and had to take it back and fix it. So, I sorta take that approach.

PainterWoman # 18. March 2009, 17:59

I do have MS Word but the instructions were excellent even without your signature color enhancements.

What is funny is that I printed them out but my printer needs new ink cartridges so the printout was terrible. I thought 'Oh no! It's not right in front of me. What am I going to do?'.

Once I got passed the irritation of needing ink, I copied and pasted into a word document to save it, then read them over several times and memorized it.

lokutus_prime # 18. March 2009, 17:59

Pam - Very very good! Excellent design and colors Pam

and I like your blog title too

and also well done indeed Carlos

I wish I had your knowledge/skill in doing such things but we all do, what we all do best.

Allan # 18. March 2009, 18:24

Good for you, Pam. Nice looking stuff.

PainterWoman # 18. March 2009, 18:38

Loku: Thanks. I'd always liked the word 'muse' and 'musings' so wanted to add that.

Allan: Thank you.

glenno # 18. March 2009, 18:45

Very nice, cool sea theme

He is good isnt he?

Linda # 18. March 2009, 18:47

This is beautiful, Pam. Have been wanting to personalize my own pages since I joined Opera, but have no conception of how to do that. This is great!

PainterWoman # 18. March 2009, 19:05

Glen: Thanks. Yes he's good. I love the 'fireside chat' he did for you.

Linda: Thank you. We can personalize only so far with the Opera designs but to go any further you have to know the....html coding? Which is 'hyper text markup language'. A class I took at ASU was the first one, out of three that I didn't walk out of. 30 people in the class, one teacher. The other two classes were in a large room, or a pit, 50 to 100 students, one teacher and one assistant. I don't do well in large classes, never have. I need one on one, someone to say: go here, click there, type this, etc.

Suntana # 18. March 2009, 19:15

At least I know for next time, Pam. Next time you'll get the instructions in MS Word. What you can do in a case like that where your Printer is out of ink or whatever is ... bring up the MS Word Doc. Then via the Buttons on the Windows Taskbar at the bottom of your screen, you can alternate between the MS Word Doc and your MyOpera as you read the instructions and perform the individual Steps.

Angeliki # 18. March 2009, 19:16

Congrats Pam for the new design,
(I did comment before on it..I was in love with it the moment I saw it ).

My hat off to Carlos!

Amazing job ! You should be very proud of your work Carlos

lokutus_prime # 18. March 2009, 19:25

Pam this is inspirational. I keep telling myself to stop and focus on learning more of this. It's a wild idea but wouldn't it be marvelous if we had a sort of 'CSS Chalk Board' in Opera on which we could play around with our attempts to edit our CSS templates and see how they developed? In the present setup we all have to save our original CSS template before we dare try out anything that might go wrong.

A couple of years back, demiphonic designed changes in my original template and then I added photos in the header and a few, very few cosmetic changes. I like the present combination that I'm using, but whenever I see other brilliant changes e.g. yours here

e.g. Princess Lea's Castle

- I am both amazed and very impressed and then I start to think...hmmm wouldn't it be nice to have a new update/change

PainterWoman # 18. March 2009, 19:29

Carlos, in fact I did do that but I'd read it over so many times and done a few 'mock' set ups that I didn't even have to refer to it.

Angeliki, thanks, my hat goes off to him too.

PainterWoman # 18. March 2009, 19:35

Loku, I thought there was someplace on Opera we could do that. Hmmmm........maybe not. It might have been just people talking about. To be able to add photos or make cosmetic changes, you must know some html and where and how to go about typing it in. I know nothing. It took three people several days of explaining to me how to add a link in a post without actually putting in the URL.

Suntana # 18. March 2009, 19:53

Thanks, Lokutus!

Just to clarify, I don't actually know how to write any CSS Code myself. In that department, I did as the Beatles say, "Got a little help from my friends."

In my 8 months here on the Opera Community, I've acquired bits & pieces of CSS Code from various OC Members, with permission, of course. You might even know these guys from whom I got the CSS Code: Andrew (Southern Cross), Mik Furie and Lorenzo Celsi. From them, I acquired just enough CSS Code for installing the various aspects of the Blog themes with which I care to mess around with.

What I DO engage in is the actual creating of the Banners, Sidebar Headings ... cropping the Backgrounds to the right size and look, Etc. In other words, the creative part. Once I create the different images and the general LOOK that the person for whom I'm making the theme had in mind ... I install it with my friends' CSS Code.

Suntana # 18. March 2009, 20:12

Thanks, Angeliki! I hope to one of these days use Computer Apps from this century to make these creations.

I use MS Word,

which is the last thing anyone would think of using. I just about guarantee you no one else on the OC is using MS Word for putting together Blog themes. Eveyone else is using Photoshop, PAINT.net and who knows what else. I don't know what Amir uses, but I'm sure it's State of the Art.

Jen # 18. March 2009, 20:14

Pam! It looks wonderful. Even better than in the lab. I'm always so flattered that Carlos let's me see how things progress. . And goes great with your avitar too!

Carlos does have a sweet gift!

And of course, you have good taste and are a very talented artist!

I'm Jen, by the way.

Suntana # 18. March 2009, 20:29

Lokutus, this CSS Chalkboard of which you speak ... I guess I actually have something like that now. About a month ago, I took a good idea from Andrew (Southern Cross) and implemented it myself. I read in his Blog that he had a Test Blog where he experiments with creating New Themes. So, I followed his lead and created myself a Test Blog. Now I can conduct all sorts of wild & crazy, brainstorming Blog theme experiments over there without messing up my Blog.

Now I get to do Test Runs of how a New Blog theme looks before I install it in my Blog or release it to whomever I'm making a theme for.

Lokutus ... Linda (L2D2), if y'all wish, I can take a crack at creating Banners / Themes for y'all. I probably wouldn't be able to start on y'all's projects until late next week. I have 2 projects going right now. My priority right now is that I have to fix up / redo my sister's Résumé. At the same time, I already started a Blog theme for someone last night.

If y'all are interested, let me know what y'all have in mind.

Darko # 18. March 2009, 20:34

*claps hands*

Linda # 18. March 2009, 20:54

Yea! Will message you when I think it through, but since I love plants, has to be a garden or flower theme, with colorful birds. Not sure I will be able to see it thru since what I don't know about computers fills the continent. All I have is time, so, absolutely no hurry! Thanks.

Jen # 18. March 2009, 21:10

L2D2- ha. You'll see, once he has the time: . Carlos will light a fire under your paverbial rear end.

. I told him the same thing, even dragged my feet, and it was still up in mere days!

He likes to complete things. And I bet from what you said, he's got a good idea of how to start. Or two. Or three.

I predict . *rubs temples* he will have you looking for a good graphic/ picture link to be sending him.

Linda # 18. March 2009, 21:21

Well, he may have met the impenetrable dense brain with me. I am well known to be technologically challenged. I have a friend who always comes to my place and fixes things and installs new things on my pc's. I have tried to get him to install Opera, but he doesn't like change, so may not succeed there. But, anyway, we will see what happens.

Linda # 18. March 2009, 21:22

Pam, I like the glowy look to the design.

lokutus_prime # 18. March 2009, 21:28

Carlos - thanks

- I'll get back to you

Edward Piercy # 18. March 2009, 22:06

Wow, Pam, it's really nice. It is just so colorful. Congrats!

And thanks to Carlos -- thanks for helping Pam!

PainterWoman # 18. March 2009, 22:16

Oh wow, everyone's been talking about this and Carlos's abilities since I've been at work and running errands. Love it!

Thanks everyone. I really do love all these colors. It's just so me and Carlos saw that. Ever since I studied the Fauves one summer and did a bunch of copies of their paintings, I've loved color.

Suntana # 18. March 2009, 22:19

You know me so well, Jen. You HAVE been keeping that 1 chameleon eye on what I do. Linda, Jen is telling the truth. She dragged her feet and fought me all the way. She was like, "I don't need no steenkeen' Blog theme. I'm a simple woman. Now get outta my face and outta my space. You're hovering, Carlos. If I give you a Taco Bell Taco, will you go away for at least a couple of hours and let me breathe?"

PainterWoman # 18. March 2009, 22:21

lokutus_prime # 18. March 2009, 22:23

rofl

"we all gotta be as shy as I am, Carlos"

Edward Piercy # 18. March 2009, 22:32

BTW I was just looking at your banner, and it seems to be covered over a bit by the Links bar.

You might try adjusting this line

#top2 {
height:178px;

increasing the height pixels to whatever it currently is plus about 50 more pixels. Then see how that looks, then adjust more pixels or less pixels according to what is needed. A few tries, you'll get it right.

And just like posts, you have to REFRESH before you see the new results.

Linda # 18. March 2009, 22:34

Well, given my trepidation about trying anything "techno", I will do whatever I can, including getting Calvin over here to follow your instructions when you get ready to do this--please, do NOT, I repeat, NOT HURRY! Feel free to do Lokutus Prime's place first. And anyone else who may need your service. Ha.. I am already feeling a panic attack coming on!

Suntana # 18. March 2009, 22:38

Pssst! Lokutus ... Shhhhhh!
Legend ... Ummm, that is to say, lifelong allegations within my family claim that between my 5 siblings and I ... I am the "Shy One."

Suntana # 18. March 2009, 22:42

edward ... to whose Banner are you referring?
Mine, Lokutus' or Pam's?

Edward Piercy # 18. March 2009, 22:48

Pam's.

Angeliki # 18. March 2009, 22:52

Carlos,
I have no idea what Amir uses either,
and to be honest with you even if he told me I wouldn't get it!

what I know for sure is ,
you both are extremely gifted.

One day when you are rich and famous,
I will say "I knew Carlos and Amir when they we one of us

"

*I am proud of you !*

PainterWoman # 18. March 2009, 22:55

Ed, I'm not sure I know what you mean plus I would have no idea how to do adjust anything.

Edward Piercy # 18. March 2009, 22:59

Perhaps Carlos will get back to you on it.

None of my business anyway, I guess.

Jen # 18. March 2009, 23:01

Carlos!

you weren't like that. I was all trying not to be a burden, and you.... Are just a hell of a great, nice person. You make so many people happy with your bloggy blog magic.

Anyhow, if you work it out right, you could get free for life stuff at each blog and you'll be set.... (He gets free on the house Dr. Peppers at my joint! ). I happen he likes a certain "Dancing with the Stars" dancer!!!

Suntana # 18. March 2009, 23:19

Edward, I'm not sure to what you are referring.
Are you saying that you're seeing Pam's Banner being covered a little bit by the Menu below it? Are you saying that part with "Blog Archive Photos Friends About" is covering the bottom of her Banner? Cuz I'm NOT seeing that on my end. Not once since it went up have I seen a hint of that. I'm using the exact same Banner Size Template that I have always used. It's the same dimensions as my Banner.

I also see the Menu in its entirety. So, I'm NOT seeing either the Menu or the Banner infringing / overlapping on the other. I'd be glad to make an adjustment if I knew exactly what the glitch was.

Anyone else seeing ANY part of Pam's Banner missing ... like especially the Bottom?

glenno # 18. March 2009, 23:25

Looks good on IE7

Edward Piercy # 18. March 2009, 23:28

If you look just above the link bar you will see little filigrees of blue and yellow type sticking up. Not to mention that the entire bottom of the "frame" is missing.

Or at least that's the way it is on my browser -- Opera.

It's a banner height problem. If you don't set the height of the banner to how high the banner actually is, it will jam up whatever is below to whatever height is set. So if the height is set too shallow, part of it will be cut off.

Edward Piercy # 18. March 2009, 23:32

It looks to be fixed now.

I also tried it out on IE and it looks okay there too.

glenno # 18. March 2009, 23:37

I think I know what ya mean, just dont see it on IE7...

Edward Piercy # 18. March 2009, 23:40

Well it's fixed now, Glenn.

lokutus_prime # 18. March 2009, 23:44

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day

(Bob Marley)

glenno # 18. March 2009, 23:44

Ooops, commenting out of sequence