Graphically Designing

Welcome to Graphically Designing!

2009-06-12T08:13:00.003-05:00

Thanks for stopping by! THE QUEUE IS BACKED UP UNTIL SEPTEMBER AND IS NOW CLOSED! I anticipate the queue will reopen in September.

Graphically Designing.com offers blog design, web design, graphics, logos, branding & identity for many popular platforms!

and more!

I'm ready! How do I get started?

2009-03-04T20:11:00.000-06:00

Great! Here's how to get started:

1. Spend some time surfing the blogosphere, looking for what you love.
2. Read my Terms of Service.
3. Choose a blog package.
4. Fill out my New Project Questionaire - the more details and examples you provide, the better!
5. Make a deposit. A payment of half your balance will hold your place in the queue.
6. Email me if you have any questions. darcy at graphicallydesigning.com

Thank you for your business. I look forward to working with you!

Warmly,
Darcy

Design Queue

2009-03-04T16:27:00.002-06:00

THE DESIGN QUEUE IS STILL CLOSED.

But stay tuned... it's opening soon. Very, very soon.

Terms of Service

2009-03-04T15:05:00.004-06:00

PAYMENT
Credit card payments can be made through Paypal. I do not accept personal checks.

REFUNDS
Due to the nature of the services, Graphically Designing will not issue refunds for any reason.

QUEUE
Client wait time varies depending on the number of clients before you. If you have a project deadline, please contact me before ordering to see if it will work with the current projected queue times. Alternatively, there is a rush order available a la carte. Purchasing a rush order bypasses the queue and puts you next in line.

QUESTIONNAIRE & DRAFTS
All clients must fill out a New Project Questionnaire. The answers and examples provided act as a design compass to determine style, colors and preferences. Please fill this out thoroughly and thoughtfully. Failure to do so will make your project design guesswork. Client blog makeovers include up to 3 revisions. Additional drafts will be done at an hourly rate of $25/hour for personal blogs and $45/hr for business blogs.

COMMUNICATION
The design process is a rapid-fire of email and online communication. It requires clients to be at the computer much more than usual. Progress requires client acceptance at frequent intervals. If the client fails to respond in a timely manner, that project may be delayed until a time when regular communication is possible. I am available for IM chat on a case-by-case basis on Gmail. I do not conduct business by phone.

COPYRIGHT & CREDIT
All templates, graphics, logos, premade blog kits and design work remain intellectual property and copyright of Darcy and Graphically Designing. Wordpress theme copyright belongs to theme creator. These terms require that all parts of the design remain intact. Clients may not alter, change, sell, share, or copy any part of the template, layout or design elements in whole or in part. The purchase of a makeover, a la carte items, premade blog kits, template or any service offered by Graphically Designing is meant to be used for single project on a single URL. The client is granted a license to display the work, but the client doesn't own the design. Clients may not copy the template, code or elements and transfer them to another blog, website or online format of any kind. Use of Wordpress themes is dictated by theme owner.

Clients may not keep the template and allow another designer to design over the Graphically Designing created template and layout. No derivative works of copyrighted property will be permitted. If a client removes any part of the design, client must completely start over and choose a new standard Blogger template or standard Wordpress theme. Clients are welcome to provide photos or purchase royalty-free (stock) images provided that they are responsible for complying with license agreement(s) and photography copyrights. Neither Darcy nor Graphically Designing will be liable for photos or design elements provided by the client. Client is responsible for complying with U.S. Copyright Law - even if the client lives outside the U.S. Failure to comply may result in legal action.

A button announcing the client's blog was designed by Graphically Designing will be placed in the sidebars. Clients may relocate it within the sidebars, but may not remove it. A template credit will be placed in the footer of all templates created by Graphically Designing. These terms require that both remain intact. In some cases, theme owners, photographers or non-royalty free graphics will require acknowledgement. Graphically Designing complies with all copyright and license agreements; clients are not permitted to knowingly infringe on other artists' work while licensing a Graphically Designing design.

BROWSER COMPATIBILITY
Designs are created to be compatible with the most recent release of Firefox, Safari, Chrome and Internet Explorer. Clients are responsible for running the most current version of the preferred browser before the design process begins. Darcy and Graphically Designing make no guarantee that designs will work properly on outdated or obscure web browsers. Currently designs are guaranteed on Safari 3 and above, IE 7 and 8, Firefox 3 and Chrome (which updates automatically).

LIABILITY
Graphically Designing does not guarantee sales or success of websites or blogs. Clients are responsible for sales, promotion and income, and neither Darcy nor Graphically Designing are liable for business or personal blog success.

WEBSITE AND MARKETING
Client agrees that design projects may be featured on Graphically Designing blogs, websites or promotional materials.

ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS
By submitting your questionnaire and deposit, you agree to the terms and conditions listed here. You are responsible for adhering to the terms and conditions listed here, even if you didn't read them.

Frequently Asked Questions

2009-02-19T00:55:00.001-06:00

I'm Hooked! How do I get started?
How do I pay you?
How long is your queue?
On which platforms do you design?
Where can I see examples of your work?
I've paid. How soon will you start?
I bought a dot com name. Can you design a blog on it?
Do you install music and third party widgets on my blog?
Do you have a glossary? I don't understand all the items in each package.
I don't even have a blog yet! Can you help me?

Q I'm hooked! How do I get started?
A The steps to get into the queue are:
1. Read my terms of service and make sure you are comfortable with them.
2. Pick your blog makeover package.
2. Fill out the new project questionnaire.
3. Pay a deposit of half your balance due. A la carte items and premade blogs need to be paid in full.

Q How do I pay you?
A I accept Paypal in US dollars only. There is an add to cart button on my Packages & Prices page. You do not need a Paypal account to pay with credit card.

Q How long is your queue?
A The length of my queue varies from week to week, sometimes even day by day. If you have a deadline for your project please email me prior to getting in the queue so make sure I can meet your deadline. Otherwise, I will give you an approximate wait time when I get all the parts and you are in my queue. Please remember this is only an estimate and my queue will move along faster with prompt email responses.

Q On which platforms do you design?
A Blogger, self-hosted Wordpress (.org), Homeschool Blogger, and Ning. I do not design templates for Wordpress.com or Typepad blog platforms. I do make a la carte headers and graphics for any platform. If you need help finding a host, I use and recommend DreamHost.

Q Where can I see examples of your work?
A I have a few selected examples of my work highlighted in my Portfolio. Alternatively, you can browse an extensive client list. I have done well over 100 blogs and my clients can be found on 5 continents: North America, Asia, Europe, Africa, and Australia.

Q I've paid. How soon will you start? How long does it take?
A The wait time depends on the number of clients before you. I can generally get through 2 - 3 projects a week. The time really depends on how timely you respond to emails. If you've answered the questionnaire thoroughly, the process goes faster. Once we start your project will take anywhere from 2 -7 days, typically. You will need to be at your computer frequently during those days. Please let me know if there is a period when you will not be at your computer, so I can work around you.

Q I bought a dot com name. Can you design a blog on it?
A Yes! On Blogger, it is easiest to buy the domain directly through Google/Blogger. To have a dot com name on a Blogger blog, the cost is $10/year. If you have bought your name through a place like Go Daddy, please follow these steps to import to blogger:
You may need to adjust a setting at Go Daddy (or the domain seller).
At Blogger - Go to Customize> Settings> Publishing> Custom Domain and follow the steps to direct your blog to that address.
Here is a Blogger tutorial: http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=55373

For WordPress, you will need to have both a host and a domain name. It is typically easier to buy your domain through your host. I use and recommend DreamHost. Contact me before you get in the queue, if you'd like my help setting that up.

Q Do you install music, library thing, etsy, third-party widgets or plug-ins on my blog?
A I don't install anything that requires an off-site account or a password to set up, or that is not built into Blogger or WordPress. Those are considered third-party and will not be installed. (Most blog readers do not appreciate music that plays automatically; I strongly caution against having music installed on your blog.) If you need help creating or installing a third-party widget or Wordpress plug-in, I can do that for a small fee. Please email me and let me know what you have in mind.

Q Do you have a glossary? I don't understand all the items in each package.
A Coming soon!

Q I don't even have a blog yet! Can you help me?
A Absolutely! Please do the rest of the steps to get in the queue. Add an hour of blog consult time to your cart in addition to your makeover package. When it is your turn in the queue, I will work with you to choose the right platform for you, introduce you to how the blog works and talk you through the steps needed to get started. I will teach you the basics to get you off on the right foot in the blogosphere.

Premade Blog Kits

2009-02-18T19:36:00.001-06:00

Thought having a beautiful blog was out of your price range? Not anymore!

Premade Blog kits are an affordable alternative to custom design. They are unique templates and layouts with beautiful graphics at fractions of the cost and very little wait time. In most cases, designs can be install within 72 hours from when payment has been received. This will vary depending on my travel and project schedule. Premade blog kits are for personal bloggers only.

All Premade Blog kits are bound to my terms of service; please read them carefully. This means, swapping out your own background or header over the design or template at any time is not permitted.

The Design Queue is closed!

2009-02-15T10:48:00.000-06:00

In order to allow me to catch up a little bit - and to make sure the wait isn't too long for those at the end - I am temporarily closing my queue and not taking any orders until I can catch up. I am post-dating this post, please look for new content and before and after makeovers below.

I will take this down and announce when the queue is back open - hopefully soon!

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday!

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Client Projects

2009-02-14T22:11:00.005-06:00

This is the current list of active clients and their makeovers. Links are configured to open in a new window.

Please let me know if any of the links are broken. Thanks!

4 Reluctant Entertainers

A Soft Place to Land

At the Wellsprings of Traditional Life

The Bend in the Road

Between Loads of Laundry

The Blessed Nest

Blog Around the World

Blue House Academy

The Broom Closet

But, I Had a Tiara!

Christen Jones Photography

Chrysalis Academy

Cinnamon & Honey

Come Have a Peace

Curriculum Choice

The Decorating Voice

Divin' In

The Dough Nut

Everyday Occasions

Everything Rodgers

The Extra Step

f/11

FACE School

Finding Our Way

Flotsam and Jetsam

Forever Cottage

Frugal Feasts

Full of Answered Prayers

The Genco Journal

Good Intentions

Happiknits

Home Sweet Home... Sometimes

Imparting Grace

InTents Life

InTents Life Ministry

Iowa Moms.net (Ning network)

It's My Purse

Journey to Family

Koinonia Academy

Life in Grace

Like Merchant Ships

Laura from China to Scotland

Life With the Queens

Many Little Blessings

Miss Dilettante's Playground

Mocha Moments

Mom is in the Fishbowl

Monkey Hugs

Morgan Roof Photography

Mrs. New Jersey America

My Life with Boys

My Recipe to Life

My Tree Boys

Nesting Place

Our Homeschool Home

Our Lifestyle of Learning (Ning network)

Pages of Our Life

Pam Warden Art

Pastanbul

Pearls and Grace

The Pilot's Wife

Really Good Bread

Run for AMC

Sassafrassery

The Sassy Mom

Sensibly Sassy

Short On Words

Sparrow Journey

Sprittibee

The Sweetest Gift

The Striped Rose

The Sun-Kissed Savages

Sunshine and Lemonade

Sweet Pea Wanderings

Tales from Afar

Tales from the Homefront

Tales of the Times

Texas Word Tangle

Thirteen Months of Sunshine

This is the Life

Ticklish Mermaids

Tied Up in Ribbons

Time Well Spent

{transforme}

Treasured Anew

Two by Two

Überjoy

Valarie Lea from Tennessee

Webajeb

Wellman Life

The Young Florida Naturalist's Guide

How To Change Your Blogger Gmail / Email Address

2009-02-02T07:42:00.001-06:00

I really hope you're Googling this ahead of time and not after making a colossal mistake. ;)

If you have a Gmail account and hope to create a new Gmail address or want to transfer your blog to another email address - DO NOT JUST DELETE your Gmail account. By doing so you will inadvertently delete your blog and that is nearly impossible to recover. Before you attempt anything, always download and save your template. And, ummm... I refuse to be responsible for you losing your blog.

Proceed with caution.

Transferring your Blogger blog from one gmail / email account to another is really quite simple. But done incorrectly, it can be disastrous.

Did you back up your blog? For real? Don't think it can't happen to you.

Here are the steps to transfer your Blogger / Blogspot blog to a new email address:

1. Sign into your old Gmail account, the one currently assigned to your blog.

2. Go to your blog. Customize > Settings> Permissions>

3. "Add Author." Add the new Gmail account as an author.

4. Sign out of Blogger and Gmail. Sign into your new Gmail account.

5. Accept the authorship to your blog. Don't stop here!

6. Sign back into the first (old) account. You will need to go back to Customize> Settings> Permissions.

7. Grant your new email address Admin Privs. Both email addresses now have equal blogging control.

8. You may now sign into your new Gmail address and control your blog.

9. If you plan on deleting your old Gmail address, you may now remove it from your Blog by repeating #2, then clicking "remove".

10. Once there is no association to the blog, you can safely delete your Gmail account without losing your blog.

Lastly, if you lost your blog and are Googling after the fact: I'm really sorry. But, umm... I knew a decent blog designer who can help you make your new place pretty. ;)

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Mrs. New Jersey America: Parker's 2-column Super Makeover

2009-01-31T14:33:00.005-06:00

Parker is Mrs. New Jersey America 2008-2009. She wanted a place to blog about her year with the crown. She already had a black background so we kept the dark theme and matched the peacock blue to her gown. Stop by and visit Mrs. New Jersey America to see the blog in person!

After:

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Chrysalis Academy: Denita's 3-column Pro Super-Scrappy Makeover

2009-01-26T14:10:00.004-06:00

I'm always on the lookout for new and different scrapbook designers. So when Denita found this one made by Amy C. Designs, I had to email Amy hoping she'd let us it. It's one-of-a-kind and unlike anything I've seen on blogs before. Amy joined the resource list here at Graphically Designing... and Denita's blog looks divine! It reminds me of the Fairy Tale castle in Germany.

Before, a free template place blog:

After, a custom one-of-a-kind look:

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Pearl's & Grace: a 3-column Pro makeover

2009-01-24T13:34:00.000-06:00

Pink and feminine, beauty and grace. Add the pearls and it's practically a girly paradise. And this blogger has the most beautiful family photos on her blog. Her story about the name "Pearls & Grace" is also very touching. I hope you'll go visit her just to see her photos... then you'll want to stay for the rest: Pearls and Grace.

No before shot on this one, sorry!

After:

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Nester Fans - This one's for you!

2009-01-22T00:14:00.004-06:00

"Whaddya mean not everyone adores a blinkie button???"

Okay, okay. Not every one loves animated buttons. They are pretty fun, although time consuming to make - each 0.2nd of a second... umm.... 2/10ths of a second... is a new frame.

So, by request here is a static button for all you Nester fans. You can copy and paste the code below into an html/java widget in your sidebar. Then you, too, can get your Nest on.

<center><a href="http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/"></a></center>

For those of you who still love the pizazz of a blinkie (animated) blog button... This one is for you!

<center><a href="http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/"></a></center>

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Young Florida Naturalist's Guide: Karin's 2-column Pro Makeover

2009-01-17T14:53:00.000-06:00

Created to help teach a book by a similar name, The Young Florida Naturalist's Guide is a Florida educator's dream. Karin is working hard to fill it with local resources that would be indispensable for families in Florida eager to learn about FL's resources.

Furthermore, Karin is about to board a (luxury) RV and chronicle her adventures. She wanted her blog to look like a notebook.
Here is the screen cap. I hope you'll stop by and see the space in person!

Before:

After:

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The Broom Closet: Beth's 3-column Super Scrappy Makeover

2009-01-15T14:44:00.000-06:00

Picking a digital scrapbook kit from Shabby Princess, Beth chose brown, aqua and lime for her blog makeover. The colors are divine! Goodbye blah Blogger blog... hello pretty scrapbook blog! And how cute is the photo in the header with the family actually peeking out from their *broom closet*.

Please visit Beth over at The Broom Closet!

Before:

After:

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Between Loads of Laundry: Margi's 3-column Dream Makeover

2009-01-13T14:32:00.000-06:00

This project is actually not a new client. Margi and I go waayyy back... to like 2008. ;)

Margi already had a similar header and color scheme but she wanted a new template, a wider, cleaner space. And she wanted to have a 3-column Blogger blog instead of two. So this is a *redo*.

She and I have the same taste in fonts. :)

Please visit Between Loads of Laundry and her recipe site Loads of Recipes, which I also did in a coordinating look.

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The DoughNut: MJ's 3-column Pro Makeover

2009-01-11T22:43:00.000-06:00

Count this one, for sure, (and maybe twice) in the string of blog designs I've had lately that has left me sitting here with my mouth watering. I sure hope I haven't been drooling all over my laptop.

MJ makes cookies. Really yummy looking cookies. And I sat, for about 4 days solid, looking at them all day long. Did you know she can ship her dough anywhere in the country?? Sorry, but it's true. I almost dare you to go and not want a warm cookie or three.

So swing on by... check out MJ's cool retro-vibe look and yummy looking dough at The Dough Nut.

But you know how the story goes... if you give a blog designer a cookie, she's going to want a glass of milk to go with it...

Before:

After:

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Ticklish Mermaids: Kim's 3-column Super Makeover

2009-01-09T22:30:00.003-06:00

Take some color, a little bit of whimsy and a whole lot of mermaids... what do you get?

Ticklish Mermaids!

Kim is a painter who wanted a blog to go along with her website. She sells her mermaid paintings and blogs about her clients and business. Check it out! :)

Before:

After:

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InTents Life: Leigh's 2-column Pro Makeover

2009-01-07T21:55:00.006-06:00

When Leigh approached me with the makeover for her blog and church's ministry, I knew this was going to be a great project. First I love her color choices (don't they echo another blog I know?). Besides her awesome makeover project, I got my hands on a print project for a brochure for InTents Ministry as well.

Please stop by and visit InTents Life and check out Leigh's blog.

Before, one of those pre-fab templates:

After, totally custom for her:

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Win a button or favicon at A Pondering Heart

2009-01-06T23:27:00.003-06:00

Miss Jocelyn is hosting The Winter Bundle and is giving away ~ $700 worth of goods and services from some really great small businesses. You know I love to be part of something that promotes the entrepreneurial spirit.

You can win a blog button or favicon from yours truly by clicking the link: Graphically Designing give away.

And go check out all the other partnerships and small businesses and win your share in nearly $700 worth of prizes.

I feel the need to mention - Miss Jocelyn is young, bright, teen-aged woman. Please go give her some love for all this planning and her generous spirit to organize and promote all these goods and services. My hats off to you, Miss J!

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Everything Rodgers: Natalie's 2-column Super Scrappy Makeover

2008-12-26T21:43:00.000-06:00

G'day there, Mate. Throw another shrimp on the barbie and check out this makeover!

Natalie is in the process of moving over to Blogger from expensive ol' Typepad. Did I mention that Natalie is from Australia? And now I am one step closer to having my work on every continent on the globe. I am a bit concerned about finding a blog makeover in Antarctica - but if you know someone blogging from their ice hut, let a girl know, would ya'??? ;)

So, back to Natalie. We found this scrapbook kit, Coley, made by none other than Kari Hentzelt. It was perfect!

Head on down under to Everything Rodgers. You may even get a good giggle that her favorites are listed under "favourites". ;)

Before:

After: (her background is actually fixed, but I couldn't screen cap a fixed background - visit it for the real thing, please!)

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Forever Cottage: Jill's 3-column Super Makeover

2008-12-23T21:22:00.002-06:00

There is no 'before' on this one. I got to start on a clean slate. Jill is a brand new blogger. In fact, she hadn't posted anything at the time of this being written. Stop by Forever Cottage and welcome Jill to the blogsphere!

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Photo Retouching: You don't always get a redo...

2008-12-21T23:53:00.007-06:00

You don't always get a second chance to make a first impression. Oh wait...

that's a different lecture.

This one is about photos.

You don't always get a reshoot. Often, those fleeting moments only get one chance. Like this... my sweet boy's teeth. Already the grown-up teeth are pushing their way through. This sweet gummy smile only lasts a couple days.

But, what if the photos don't turn out?

Ack! This photo turned out too yellow, shadowy, not as crisp and clear as I'd like. The colors are all off. How do I fix it?

But with a little photo magic, via Graphically Designing Photo Retouching... it was salvaged!

If you need your photos rescued, shoot me an email. ;)

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Pastanbul: Didem's 3-column Pro / Scrappy Makeover

2008-12-17T21:13:00.004-06:00

Bet you didn't know I spoke Turkish! Okay, okay I don't. In fact, making some of those foreign characters was a work of art in itself. Didem runs a bakery... yes, in Turkey. She loves the look of a scrapbook blog makeover, but needed the features of a Pro makeover. So we found the gorgeous Bella collection at Shabby Shoppe and this was the stunning result.

Warning... try not to visit Pastanbul on an empty stomach. This makeover made me hungry all. the. time! ;)

Before:

After:

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A la Mode Designs: Shannan's Pro Blog Makeover

2008-12-12T21:05:00.000-06:00

Interior decorator. Mom of boys. Amazing taste. Love of zebra.

What's not to love about Shannan?! This was a saucy, fun makeover!

Before:

After:

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