I did a little redecorating around here this weekend. (If you’re reading via an RSS reader, click over and have a peek.)
This redesign is actually a bit of a big deal. I actually purchased a theme and modified the CSS myself to make it look more like me. I learned the basics of CSS years ago, but my skills got rusty as websites got more automated. I’ve been taking lessons at Codecademy to catch up to how things are done today, and it’s coming back to me bit by bit.
(I designed the new logo and background too, but I usually do that so that’s not really news.)
For me, blogging is writing, design, and technical skills coming together to create something interesting and usable. Since I’m a hobbyist, anything I pay for comes out of my pocket. I don’t have the money to hire a pro to do it right the first time.
I’m doing this for love people. Like a sucker.
I’ve learned a lot about patience and have built my skill set by doing my own website for the last 13 years*. To be clear: I’m not a pro developer at all. To say otherwise would insult so many talented craftspeople and I don’t want to do that. I’m a print designer by trade so I understand the importance of making content visually appealing. I’m always surprised at how much easier it is to create websites that look like real websites – not the Geocities-style stuff of the late 90s and early 2000s I produced. It’s honestly getting easier and easier in a lot of ways. It’s more complicated in other ways, but I love learning how to uncomplicate it.
I got this site completely redone in less than 24 hours. I did a lot of other things in those 24 hours too – I wasn’t completely glued to the computer. It’s the fastest revamp I’ve had in years, if ever. The future really is amazing.
* There was a period between 2007-2009 where I was on a web service that provided pre-made templates that didn’t allow for much deviation. Whenever a customization feature was introduced, I always tried it out. I discovered I liked having more control over the output.
I love redesigning my blog. I try to do it at least once a year. It’s always fun and I find I want to blog more when I’ve got new digs to hang out in!
I envy your 13 years, Melissa. You’re truly a vet and I’m totally a n00b! 😉
I tend to blog more after a redesign too. 🙂
I would never call you a n00b. You’ve been at this awhile and you’re doing great things professionally. I’m thrilled for you and so many others that have achieved so much and so quickly. I need some of that drive and hustle!
My early years in blogging weren’t great. There were a lot of one line posts and I had a couple years where I barely posted at all. Still, having that record of my early adulthood means something to me and I’m grateful I discovered blogging to get it.
Congratulations, Melissa! I love the new site! Especially the new colour. It’s so warm and inviting.
And the fact you did it all in 24 hours — so impressive! I hope you feel more at home here now that it’s more like you! I eagerly await you to go through your blogging resurgence with the new design!
Thanks Sarah! I’m so grateful to all the developers out there working to provide both free/open-source and for-profit code, themes, and plugins. Makes this layman’s job so much easier. 🙂
Looks snazzy!
Thanks Emma!