Goodbye "Picture Window" ~ Hello "Simple"

Recently I'd noticed that the Picture Window template had changed and the tutorial I wrote several years ago didn't seem to be working anymore. The problem seemed to be in the Html area and the built in presets, including a white center color, weren't disappearing the way they once did. This might have been fine except the awful white center  sat directly over my pretty themes, humph!

So the time had come to do some research and see if I couldn't come up with something better.  After many hours of playing and tinkering I'm happy to say that I've come up with a new tutorial. This one uses the "Simple" template and the best part is it's even easier, yay!  Now bloggers won't have to tackle the scary Html code area anymore.  The template even offers some added customization which is nice too.

So if you're interested in taking a look or have that awful white center on your own blog then click the title below to view the newest addition to my tutorials library:
How to: Setup and Modify the "Simple" Template.

Gone Missing? Here's the Fix~~

It seems the internet gremlins have been up to no-good and many of my lovely Plumrose Lane images have gone missing, humph!!  If you find they're missing from your blog and you installed the images yourself then use the steps below to easily fix them.

If I installed the theme for you, then click my signature at the bottom of this message to send me an email and we'll get things back up for you~ ♥

To fix the missing images you will be replacing a single word in some code on your blog. Here's a quick key of where to find the different codes for each image type.

Background
Click on the "Layout" section of your blog then locate the "Html/Java Script" gadget for your background.

Post Divider
Click on the "Template" section of your blog, then click on "Customize". Click on "Advanced", then scroll down to "Add CSS". The code should appear under the "Add custom CSS" area.

Blog Signature
Click on the "Settings" page of your blog. Click "Posts and comments", code will be found in the "Post Template" area, 2nd choice from the top.

Button, Badge, or Tag
Click on the "Layout" section of your blog then locate the "Html/Java Script" gadget for missing button, badge, or tag.

The Fix
Once you find the code to fix the missing image you will simply need to replace the word: "prl-images" with "plumroselane". This word may appear several times within one snippet of code so I recommend using the "Find" feature in your browser to make sure you replaced them all.

Here are quick search links to help you find this tool for the most commonly used browsers:
Chrome
Internet Explorer
Fire Fox
Safari
Opera

Once all of the words have been replaced then click "Ok" or "Save". The missing image should now be back.

Please feel free to contact me if you  need any additional help ~ just click my signature below to open an email message.

Face Lifts~

While I may not be a fan of face lifts, I certainly enjoy giving them... at least to some of my older themes, in much need of an updated look.  Joining this group are "A Fondness" and "A Heart for You".

A Fondness

A Heart for You

Both don brighter colors with more exquisite elements to help add even more whimsy. You can view them by clicking the titles or images above.

Enjoy~

New Themes ~ Sea Gypsy & Scholastic Delight

Two new themes are making their debut today ~ the first is titled "Sea Gypsy" and features a lovely sea theme with magic abounding.  From shells and smashing waves to sandy shores and a haunting romance of lost lovers at sea, this theme is sure to enchant any summer blog!

Next up we've got a more down to earth theme, both in color and concept. This one's titled "Scholastic Delight" and features a soothing color scheme with a scholastic ensemble. It comes in three background colors, features two sets of sidebar tags, including one especially designed for school blogs, and the banner is customizable to include two of your own school photos, making it truly personal and one-of-a-kind banner.

Both are available for either WordPress or Blogger platforms. You can find more info by clicking the titles and/or images above.

Enjoy~

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~

More Newness

Just like my spring garden, we've got more newness popping up here at Plumrose Lane and that's in the form of some brand new blog themes (crowd goes wild!).*smile* These new themes are bursting with beauty and  gobs of intricate details... I love the darling little blue bird with patina-ed crown in Cotton Butterfly and how about those shells, feathers, and bones in Featherly? ~ sheer bohemian delight!

Cotton Butterfly

Waking Dream

Featherly

To view all the goodies for these newest themes and spruce up your springtime blog, just click the images or linked titles above.

These newest themes are also packed full of color which makes them a perfect submission for Creative Everyday's monthly challenge ~ "Color"!  Participating in Leahs's monthly challenges is my little way of stepping outside my busy custom-work schedule to create something "just for fun".  You can stop by Leah's blog to check out all the wonderful submissions for this month's challenge and be sure to look over her own artwork which always leaves me thoroughly inspired.

Enjoy~

On the way...

A funny thing happened on the way to the challenge ~ I missed it.  *frowny face*  Even in the midst of March's craziness I was soooo hoping to participate in Creative Everyday's Challenge. Leah chose "Black and White" for March's theme and it sparked such fun responses in my mind ~ none more so than the childhood riddle, "What's black and white and read all over?"

I remember getting my first riddle book ~ how much fun it was to tell jokes and how patient my parents were listening to them over and over again, always as though I was telling them for the first time.

I've wanted to do a newspaper theme for quite awhile now so this was the perfect tie-in for that and the challenge sparked this new theme ~ "Read All-over"...

I enjoyed coordinating a collection of printed objects and making the faerie ~ see her there, sitting on the swing inviting visitors to read the accompanying blog?  She was a bit of extra work but I really love how she came out.

So even though I missed this month's challenge there's a new one already posted for next month and heaven knows I should be able to pull that one off. So, what's the theme you may ask? Why my favorite thing of course... "Color". *smile*

Wishing you all a wonderfully colorful weekend!

Enjoy~

Celebrate OZ - Altered OZ 2013

My goodness time is flying by so fast I nearly missed this wonderful event, Oma Linda's "Celebrate OZ - Altered OZ 2013" ~ my sweet friend over at Olde Baggs 'n Stuft Shirts holds an annual shin-dig celebrating all things OZ!  Fortunately I'm flying in just in time to participate.  Since things have been so hectic I've just got a short little post to share and a fun new theme that's perfect for the OZ lover ~

Great n' Powerful

It boasts loads of elements from the new movie which I actually haven't had a chance to see yet but can't wait to!  I studied the online imagery a bit and tried to pick up some key aspects to this new (an visually stunning) OZ movie.  To view the new theme just click the title or image above and be sure to hope of over to Oma Linda's blog to find more wonderful Oz giveaways and goodies ~ here's the direction link for those of you using mobile devices: http://lindaomasoldebaggsnstuftshirts.blogspot.com/

Best~

Important ~ New Updated Background Codes

The following prefab theme background codes have been updated:

A Fondness
A Heart for You
August Mist
Autumn Slumber
Binding Journey
Blissful Harvest
Blitzin'
Blueberry Plumcicle
Bound Together
Cherish
Cotton Delight
Country Christmas
Cozy
Downton
Effervescent
Fanciful Filly
Fanciful Love
Forgotten Journey
Garden Party
Gilded Love
Glitter & Ice
Je T'aime
Knicky Knack
Love's Elixir
Marleque
Mother's Treasures
Night Vision
Nuptuals
Peafowl Whispers
St Patrick's Day

Click a title above to be taken directly to the theme's page.

If you are using one of the backgrounds listed above it will be necessary to update your existing code to the new codes.  It's easy to update ~ just replace your old background code with the new code for your background size.  This change is taking place as this blog migrates over to a new website due to Photobucket's recent change with large image handling.

If you're using a Plumrose Lane background and do not see the theme title listed above then check back for upcoming announcements. All codes will be switched over before in the even they are deleted by Photobucket.  You can also Subscribe to this blog or follow on the Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/PlumroseLane ~ updates will be posted as they occur.

Best,

New Themes ~ Nuptials & Garden Party

With all the extra work I've been doing lately; revamping blog themes, keeping up on custom orders, and working on challenges, it's been a struggle to get in here and post as much as I should.  So I'm happy when I do have something completed and ready to place in the spotlight. Today I'm focusing on a couple of new themes I recently created ~ Nuptials and Garden Party.

Nuptials

Nuptials just kind of fell in place with it's soft hues boasting an elegant yet natural wedding theme.  I love this color combination, they blend so beautifully together ~ I can't help but think of a beautiful afternoon in the countryside with flowing white chiffon.  And it's nice to finally have an addition to stand along side my Cherish theme which up until now was the only marriage theme I offered.

Garden Party

Garden Party was a different story in that I've had this theme in my mind's eye for quite awhile now.  I knew I wanted to create a theme that set a stage for some enchanted yet cozy event, filled with whimsical elements and adorned with glowing lanterns.  I'm really please with how these sets cam out and I hope you enjoy them too.

You can view all of the elements for each set by clicking on the titles or images above.

Enjoy~

New Tutorial, Themes and Section

The faeries and I are just popping in between projects to let you all know about some new goodies here on the lane ~ after a long wait I've finally rewritten the tutorial for adding sidebar tags.  I know many of you newer bloggers were anxiously waiting for this posting so you can now find that under this title "How to: Install Sidebar Tags" in the Tutorials section of my blog or at this direct link: http://plumroselane-tutorials.blogspot.com/2013/01/how-to-install-sidebar-tags.html

I've also created a new tutorial titled "How to: Setup Your Blogger Profile". While many of you are using your Google+ accounts there are those of us die-hard bloggers who still love the layout and all inclusiveness of our Blogger profiles.  You would also be amazed at how many bloggers simply don't have their profiles turned on or linked to anything.  I can't tell you how many times someone leaves me a nice comment and I while I want to reciprocate instead I hit a dead end as I can't reach their blog. *sigh*  So give the tutorial a look over and maybe you'll find it helps with activating or setting up your own profile.  You can find the tutorial by clicking the title above or using this direct link: http://plumroselane-tutorials.blogspot.com/2013/01/how-to-set-up-your-blogger-profile.html

For the new themes portion of this post I have two to share with you today... The first is a warm and cozy ensemble that's just perfect for chasing away those mid-winter blues. It features a distinctive knitted style with crafty sewn and paper accents and is titled "Cozy".

You can find it by clicking the title or image above.

The second theme was inspired by the popular British series Downton Abbey.  It boast a deep rich color scheme with decadent accents and is titled "Downton".  You can view all of the elements included in this set by clicking the title above or image below.

Lastly I wanted to mention a new section on the sidebar of my blog titled "New Themes".  Now all of my newest prefab designs can be found in one location so no more tiring searches through the A-Z List, although I understand for some of you that's a favorite past-time. *wink*

So that's it for this posting I hope you're all enjoying a nice beginning to the new year!

Best,

Creative Every Day Challenge

For the past several years I've posted about participating in the Creative Every Day Challenge and had set out with the best of intentions to actually participate. I'm not sure why I never did, whether it was feeling that my world of digital creations didn't quite fit into the other beautiful artistic imagery or if I was just too swamped with work, but whatever the case each year the badge remained a part of my Inspirational section, nothing more.

This year Leah of Creative Every Day is back again with more challenges and it's a really great way to work through a creative block or two.  Who wouldn't be inspired simply by Leah's gorgeous creations alone, as in the case of her painting for this month's challenge shown below?

I've decided to push through whatever fears or preconceptions I may have had and actually follow along this year and so this is my fist posting for that.  Participation is open to anyone and you can find out more by clicking the images or links above.

Challenge Theme Submission for "Dark"

The theme for January is "Dark" and I was surprised to find out that some people are uncomfortable with that word.  Personally I like the word dark because it makes me think of deep rich jewel tones and starry night skys filled with stars. 

In keeping with the later I've created a new blog theme titled Night Vision.  This theme is in a new style I'll be working with this year and while I'm still planning on creating the scrappy realistic themes I'm best known for, I also plan on incorporating more of these surreal themes into my repertoire.  I'm really excited about this new style and all the fun possibilities it holds. 

Leah breaks the challenges out by week and so this is my submission for this week, December 31st - January 6th.  I'm hoping with the addition of painting in my life that I'll also have a chance to play and submit something in paint for this as well.  To view the theme and all the goodies included just click the image or title link above.

A big thanks goes out to Leah for providing such a wonderful source of inspiration.  I can't wait to see the creativity unfold throughout the year!

Best,

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 Seasonal Themes

There must be a good 25 themes roaming around my brain at any given time.  It's not that I don't want to set them free, it simply boils down to a lack of time.  So you can imagine the resounding cheers from my muses as I've finally created some new themes ~ what a delight to finally set a few free. Themes that is, not faeries.  And it's just in time for holidays too which is great since I can't remember the last time I created a new prefab holiday theme!?!

So here's the new assortment of seasonal goodies, just in time to spruce up your blog...

Glitter and Ice

Country Christmas

Blitzin'

 

...and hopefully I'll have a chance to set a few more free in the very near future, we have to beat Santa's sleigh now! To view the individual themes simply click on the images or titles above.

Enjoy~