Beyond the writing
While preparing this announcement the song “Hey Look Me Over” started playing in my head. It’s been ages since I’d thought of this song and I realized how much it illustrated my feelings about blogging and the new header design.
Blogging encourages my natural voice to be expressed. It gives me a freedom with writing that I never had before. I can write AND share. This is exhilarating!
I’ve grown to realize that blogging is about more than writing. It’s about marketing a blog and its voice. A blog needs to illustrate what a blogger is about in just a few seconds.
It goes beyond the writing and the name of the blog. The “look and feel” of a blog is what catches a reader’s attention even before they start reading.
I found the right designer for this creative project with the help of my social media goddess, Kathy Hendershot Hurd.
My first conversation with Richard Leach lasted more than an hour. We spoke about everything from the blog’s header, to his art and our lives in general. My intuition told me that he was the right person to design my header and I hired him on the spot!
It wasn’t long before Richard emailed me a series of different designs. It took me only a few seconds to make my choice.
The person behind the blog
This header is how I like to think about myself: light-hearted, warm and fun. The two hearts hint at “the sharing”, while the sunglasses and the bit of my face you see shows off my playful and teasing nature. Richard captured the essence of who I am as the person behind the blogger.
Most importantly, this header makes me smile. Its playfulness and sense of humor pleases me. It is happy and positive and this is why I think the song, Hey Look Me Over, popped into my head.
The last few words of this song tell my story:
I figure whenever you’re down and out,
The only way is up.
Up like a rose bud,
High on the vine,
Don’t thumb your nose folks,
Take a tip from mine,
I’m a little bit short of the elbow room,
But let me get me some,
And look out world,
Hear me shout world,
Hey look out world,
Here I come!
So, look out world, here I come:~)
* * * * * *
p.s. If you want to contact Richard, here’s his contact information. I highly recommend him:~)
Creative Edge Design
Richard Leach, Designer/Illustrator
Toll-Free: 1-866-213-3330
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Looks great Sara! Love the hearts.
@ Jim — Thank you. I also love the hearts:~)
Love the new header, Sara! It’s fresh and sassy and sweet just like the writer behind this wonderful blog!
@ Talon — What a nice comment. Thank you and I’m glad you like the header:~)
Your header is memorable. It’s unique and it says “fun.”
I like it…well done.
@ Tess — Well I can’t compete with your wonderful goldfish, but I was hoping that people would pick up on the playfulness and fun aspect of this new look…so thanks:~)
Love it!
Thank you Dani:~)
Hi Sara. I love the font that Richard chose, and the shadow affect applied to it. That one descender falls almost perfectly in the middle of the line… great balance of typography. And the two hearts on your glasses… fabulous accent of colour. Great new header. Woohoo!
@ Davina — You saw so much in the design — Richard will be pleased! I am very glad that you like the new header:~)
Made me smile right away and then “Holly Golightly” at Tiffany’s just popped right into my head…
SWEET!
I am shamelessly promoting my learning how to play by designing a fundraiser for UNICEF…a Harvest potluck e-book…will you consider submitting a recipe and a picture of your food love? Hope Hope!
@ Patricia — Thanks so much your comment. Breakfast at Tiffany’s was one of my favorite movies! Of course, I’ll participate in UNICEF…I go to your site and check things out. However, I must confess…I’m not actually a very good cook. My partner, JC, does most of the cooking in our house. He is a chef after all…I’m the dishwasher:~)
It’s beautiful. And lots to think about: “a blog needs to illustrate what the blogger is about in a few seconds.” I’m new to serious blogging, so haven’t thought much about that yet. And by the way, I love that song!
@ Patty — Take your time….and just enjoy blogging for awhile. You’ll know when you want to dress things up. It took me ages to really know what my blog was about…I mean I thought I knew many times, but it would change. I sort of believe a blog grows with time. It slowly becomes a reflection of yourself and who you are and what you want to say:~)
Hi Sara,
You and your header are both beauties. I can see why you picked what you did as it truly expresses who you are.
And you now have the new avatar, too. Looking goooooood.
@ Barbara — You are so NICE. I have a big smile on my face because of your comments:~)
Hey Sara,
The new header is fantastic – and I think the hearts on your glasses really do it!
@ Lance — I agree and that was one addition that I requested from Richard. The original sunglasses did not actually have the hearts. Although I probably would have worn them if it did:~)
It’s perfect!
@ Serena — Thank you. I do love it:~)
Sweet! Thanks for sharing your update – I am so happy for you! And yes, the header is great – a perfect expression of you . . . and isn’t that just what it is supposed to be???
.-= Carol´s last blog ..6 Powerful Strategies For Lasting Weight Loss (Video) =-.
@Carol — I’m happy to be able to give that update! Thank you for saying the header is an expression of me — that’s what I hoped it would be:~)
Your shades look awesome. It sure gives you a playful look
.-= Evelyn Lim´s last blog ..Abundance Tapestry is Live =-.
@ Evelyn — I like the shades too and the little hearts. I was pleased that Richard picked on the my playfulness…sometimes I don’t let it out to play enough. Hopefully, this header will serve as a reminder that it’s good to be playful:~)
Rats, I should’ve come back sooner… everyone’s already said some of the things I would’ve in regards to your new blog header!
Still, I can at least say that I like it very much. It has a sense of fun and friendliness about it. A dash of cheekiness too, methinks. Me likey!
.-= Tony Single´s last blog ..Infertile, Not Dead =-.
@ Tony — Even though people have said things, getting your comments always makes me feel good. I really like the idea of cheekiness, especially since it’s defined as bold, impudent and saucey — I can be that way, at times! I am very glad you liked the header:~)
Sara…
I love your new header. Very quickly…without reading a thing I can feel love, laughter, teasing, playfulness and a joy for life.
That’s what your header says to me!
I’ve copied the information and I just might be using your designer!
Kathy
.-= Kathy Dobson´s last blog ..Companionship =-.
@ Kathy — Richard is so great. After a long talk and with little instruction on my part, he came up with this idea. I hadn’t even been thinking of using my own picture. When I saw this design, I knew it was right! I hope you will use Richard. The best thing is to give him a call or email him:~)