This is the SUGAR PLUM blogger theme custom created by Budding Blogs.  This is a 2 column (right sidebar) theme in shades of purples + blue.  Slightly dark with a feminine touch just right for your personal blog yet can be used for other blogs such as couponing, product reviews, mommy blogs and much more.

This theme includes:

• Template coding – Fancy fonts, solid color background, matching text + links
• Header – to be personalized with your blog title + slogan
• 125 x 125 grab button – to be personalized with your blog title
• Matching social icons for twitter, facebook + RSS feed

Purchase yours today!

Options

As Is $25.00 USD With Color Changes $50.00 USD

Blog URL:

Blog Slogan:

Looking for a new design for the New Year? We have just added new Premade Blogger Templates to our shop for those that want a new look, without having to empty their pockets!

Our premade templates are created for use with Blogger.com. This one up for grabs is called “Sunny Days” in yellow, teal and a touch of bright pink. The template is completely code already so once it’s purchased, the header + button will be customized with your blog title + slogan, then installed for you within two business days (excluding holidays + weekends). These templates are currently priced at only $25.

There is an option for purchasing the template “with changes” for $50. These changes include colors of the header, background and matching button as well as font styles. Additional items such as signature graphics, column changes (from left to right or upgrading to a 3 column template) can be purchased separately.

Here’s your chance to win this template “as is” (with header + button personalization), just in time for the New Year!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Type: Blogger
Services Provided: The Blooming Blogger Package

Design Specs: Red, 3 Column Theme. Graphic Design such as Header, Graphic Navigation, Background, Social Icons + Grab Button. Post Title + Sidebar Header style customizations.

Launch Design: http://savingadime.com

This is the SUNNY DAYS blogger theme custom created by Budding Blogs.  This is a 2 column (left side) theme in teal, yellow and a touch of pink.  Bright + cheery, perfect for your personal blog yet can be used for other blogs such as couponing, product reviews, mommy blogs and much more.

This theme includes:

• Template coding – Fancy fonts, solid color background, matching text + links
• Header – to be personalized with your blog title + slogan
• 125 x 125 grab button – to be personalized with your blog title
• Matching social icons for twitter, facebook + RSS feed

Purchase yours today!

Options

As Is $25.00 USD With Color Changes $50.00 USD

Blog URL:

Blog Slogan:

Blog Type: Blogger
Services Provided: The Budding Blogger Package

Design Specs: Red + Orange, Darker, Fire / Flames, Simple, 2 Column Theme. Graphic Design such as Header, Background, Social Icons + Grab Button. Post Title + Sidebar Header style customizations.

Launch Design: http://FlaminHotCoupons.blogspot.com

This project also included a matching Facebook Profile Page image:

Unfortunately, blog design does have a few “no-no’s”. We’re going to take a look at some basic, though often violated, designing “no-no’s” that you are going to want to tuck in your back pocket.

1. Too Much Goin’ On

Try to keep your design and overall layout from getting too “busy”. One of the most unattractive things in the blogosphere is a cluttered blog. You’ve seen them; you know what I’m talking about. Eye-popping backgrounds, too many ads, too many colors, more than three fonts, and a jumbled header design all lend to “clutter,” and you want to avoid them like the plague.

Keep things simple. When you decide on a header design, opt for no more than one to two images and one to two fonts. Keep your colors simple. Two to three main colors in your overall design should do the trick. Consolidate your ads – choose which ones are actually bringing in the money and stick with those. You may also consider resizing all of your ads to the same size (150x150px for example) in order to give your “ad block” a uniform look.

Group, group, group. Give your sidebars some order by grouping. This will keep your readers from having to search high and low to find something in your sidebar. Group ads together, then group feeds, subscribe buttons, stat counters together, etc. I think you get the idea.

2. Hot pinks, Hot Greens…Hot Anything

Yes, many of us grew up in the 80’s, but that doesn’t mean that it is a good idea to brandish hot pinks and greens on our blogs. Hot colors are hard on the eye and generally unappealing. Steer clear from these if at all possible. Note: Using these sparingly and wisely can be done without straining the eyes such as for a logo, sidebar graphic, etc.

3. Red on Blue, Purple on Green

If you want to use up a bottle of Excedrin within a week, try reading a blog that uses red font on a blue background. You’ll go cross-eyed. Have pity on your readers and stick with a basic dark font on light background. Which brings me to the next point….

4. Dark Background with Light Font

This is a rule that I see violated often. While white font on a black background is not as hard on the eyes as red on blue, it is still hard on the eyes. Stick with a light background and dark font – your readers (and their eyes) will thank you for it.

5. Background Music

While I have to admit that there are at least two websites I have run across with nice background music that fits their “look”, background music is a generally a no-no. People do not like to be “forced” to listen to your music. Perhaps they don’t like your style of music, perhaps you startled them with your music when clicked to your site, perhaps they can’t concentrate on reading while the music is playing. Unless you can find a subtle sound that is generally appealing to most people and that fits your blog’s “feel” and “theme,” you would be better off restraining yourself from adding any music.