RS Designs

*To view all of the posts in this series, either click on the following link, or type Blogger Tutorials into our search box.*

One of my most popular posts at The Porch Light is where I talk about discovering how to use in a post a font other than the default Blogger fonts.  Apparently, a lot of people want to know how to do that.

Before I divulge the secret, it is important that you know that specifying a font does not necessarily mean that your reader will see that font.  A font will only be visible to a reader if they have that font already installed on their computer.  Have fun with this new trick, but realize that not everyone will know that you have used it.

On to the good part.  Here are the steps needed to change a portion or even the whole post into a non-Blogger font.

1. Click on the Edit HTML tab for your post.
2. Insert your cursor directly in front of the first word that you want to be in a different font.
3. Type the following: <span style=”font-family:occidental, georgia, ‘times new roman’, serif”>
   
   Note: You should replace the font names I used with the names of the fonts you want to use. Names with multiple words, like Times New Roman, should be enclosed in single or double quotes, and I recommend specifying several fonts so that if your viewers’ computer doesn’t have the first font (or second), it they have additional options.  I also recommend having serif or non-serif as your last font in case none of the fonts you chose are installed on your viewers’ computer.
4. Now place your cursor directly after the last word you want in the special font and type </span>.
5. Click the Compose tab to see how it looks.
6. If you like it, publish your post.

If you want to write the whole post in a different font, simply place the code from step 3 at the very beginning of you post and place </span> at the very end of your post.

Please feel free to leave your questions and comments in the comments for this post or to e-mail them directly to revka@designsbyrs.com.

My next tutorial will tell you how to change your template HTML so that your whole blog is written in a non-Blogger font.  Until then, happy blogging!

In my last Featured Friday, Web Design on a Shoestring, I shared with you that I had recently realized that I could learn more about design, HTML/XHTML, and CSS for free simply by taking advantage of the books available in my local library.

This week, I want to introduce you to a great online design resource which is also free.  After all, why pay for something when you can get it for nothing, right?

About.com is a website that is absolutely stuffed with useful, free information on a wide variety of topics. Jennifer Kyrnin’s Web Design/HTML Blog is no exception.  There, you will find news, tips, and products relating to web design and HTML.  (It’s a whole blog of nothing but Featured Friday posts! *smile*)

Not only does Jennifer offer valuable information through her blog, but she also offers a complete section on Web Design Basics and has another section titled Learn HTML/CSS/XML.  In this section, you will discover what HTML is, what CSS is, what XML is, and how to use them.  Best of all, you can even sign up for three free courses: HTML, CSS, and/or XML.

I love free stuff, and I love learning more about web design, HTML, CSS, and XML.  About.com offers both the free part and the technical part.  I hope you take a look at this valuable and helpful resource.

Our last giveaway from Giggle Bug Boutique was such a success that Nicki asked if we would be willing to host another one.  This time, she is giving away the winner’s choice of a beautiful customized blanket by Zudi and Vi.  The pictures below are just two of the blankets available.

How to Enter:

1. This contest is open to those with a US mailing address only.
2. Entries will be accepted from September 1, 2008 through 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on September 15, 2008.
3. View Giggle Bug Boutique’s selection of blankets by Zudi and Vi and decide which one you would most like to win.
4. Return to this giveaway post and leave a comment stating which blanket you choose.

For up to 3 bonus entries (leave a separate comment for each extra entry letting us know which requirement you have completed):

1. Sign up for Giggle Bug Boutique’s newsletter.
2. Sign the Guest Book.
3. Blog about this contest.

Best wishes to all of you.

In 3 Steps to make your blog reflect your personality we talk about the importance of a nicely designed blog and how you can achieve it easily. This is part 1 of 3.

Many times we get questions from bloggers that say they aren’t sure what they need in terms of design, they just know they need something. Often they try to spruce up their blogs by adding lots of buttons and changing a thing here or there. But it never feels 100% personal and complete. To help you make your blog reflect your personality here are a few tips that can help;

The colors are everything. Take some time to figure out what kind of colors you would like on your blog. I like dark blue but honestly, blue might not be the best choice for my blog. Blue is a cold color and not very inviting so therefore I need to find a color that will feel inviting and that will be easy on the eyes. It is important that the colors you choose match so that your readers will feel you have taken the time to make sure everything looks right. Take some time visiting other blogs and see what colors you like. Go to colourlovers.com to see different color schemes and patterns.

Matching colors on links and buttons on your blog is also very important; you want to create a nice atmosphere where your reader can feel at home. A blog without colors are almost like an empty blog.
Make sure you take some time to discover the colors for your blog and you are halfway to success.

This is part 1 of 3 to help you make your blog better reflect your personality, in next part you can read about how important your header is.

It’s giveaway time again!  Michelle at Life’s Accidental Journey is giving away a $60 RS Designs credit to be used as the winner desires.

To enter:
1. Just look around RS Designs and then go to the giveaway post and tell Michelle something you love in the comment section of this post. It’s that easy.

and/or

2. Sign up for RS Design’s newsletter (in our sidebar), and let Michelle know in the comment section of the giveaway post that you have done so. That way even if you don’t win, you’ll be kept up on other give-a-ways and discounts. It’s a win/win!

and/or

3. Write your own post about this give-a-way and link back to the giveaway post, letting Michelle know in the comments that you’ve done so.

Do one of these things for one entry. Two for two entries. Or all 3 for 3 entries in this contest! Remember, you have to mention it in the comment of this post for it to “count” toward an entry. How else will Michelle know you’ve done it?

This contest is open to anyone with a blogging platform that allows you to customize your template yourself. Contest runs from blog posting time on August 15, 2008 thru noon EST August 29, 2008.

Winner will be chosen at random by Saturday August 30 and notified by email (so please be sure to leave a valid email address or blog address that has your email listed). Winner has 3 days to respond to email after which a new winner will be selected.

Please do not leave comments here at RS Designs in an attempt to enter this giveaway.  You must leave a comment at the giveaway post.

Linda and I are constantly working to improve RS Designs. Our latest improvement is the addition the WP e-commerce plugin.

With the plugin, we have been able to create an online store with a shopping cart and checkout. No longer do you need to e-mail us to place your order unless you need a custom quote.

To place an order, simply visit our Products and Pricing page, add your choices to your cart, and proceed to checkout. (You can also use the Product Groups links in our sidebar to browse by category.)

Happy shopping!

Thank you all for your participation in Linda and my giveaways. The nice comments are very encouraging, and we are so happy you like our work.

Here are the number chosen to select Revka’s giveaway winner. The top number is the winner, and the next two are runners up selected in case the winner does not claim the prize.

WINNER ~ Commenter 125: Davina Perret - “I signed up for the newsletter. Love the site. Thanks! Davina
Please visit my giveaway at http://www.toddlertailoring.blogspot.com”

First Runner Up ~ Commenter 79: Carlie faulk - “You’re work is beautiful! I defiantly need a makeover ~ lol! Thanks!”

Second Runner Up ~ Commenter 56: Cassandra - “Definitely need some design for my blog–just getting started and don’t know where or how to start. Thanks!”

Here is the number for determining Revka’s subscriber-only giveaway. I will contact the winner soon.

Instead of telling you how much we really love giveaways here at RS Designs (oops I just told you didn’t I) let’s get straight to the point!

What you can win:

1 Pre-made Mommy card($20 value), go to our Mommy cards page and choose between the first 8 cards on the first page. You may take a closer look at the cards here.

1 Custom made Mommy card, ($30 value) Made the way you want it.

Who May Enter: anyone, including international participants
How to Enter: Leave a comment telling me which of the first 8 cards you would like to win if you win a pre-made card.; don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to be entered for the subscriber-only giveaway that Revka is giving away.
Entrance Deadline: 9:00 a.m. (EDT), Saturday, August 2, 2008

Please Note: This does not include printing. You are winning the design of the card, after that you may use it as you please, take it to your local printer or send it to Vista Print to get it printed.

Want to win a $60 design credit to use as you please? Sign up for Revka’s giveaway!

More giveaways can be found at BloggyGiveaways.com

Good luck!

~The winners have been selected and announced; thank you for participating!~

We haven’t had many giveaways here at RS Designs in the past couple of months, but that is about to change. We are once again participating in the Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival. (If you are not familiar with this carnival, you can find out more by reading the carnival guidelines.)

Prize: $60 RS Designs credit good toward any purchase of $60 or more
(Note: I will be giving away a second $60 RS Designs credit to one lucky newsletter subscriber. If you are not already subscribed, go ahead and sign up for our newsletter. You will not only be entered for the subscriber-only prize but will also receive RS Designs blog updates in your e-mail and receive monthly subscriber-only discounts and incentives.)
Who May Enter: anyone, including international participants
How to Enter: leave a comment at this post; don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to be entered for the subscriber-only giveaway
Entrance Deadline: 9:00 a.m. (EDT), Saturday, August 2, 2008

The winners for both the public giveaway and the subscriber-only giveaway will be drawn using random.org, a random number generator. We wish you all the best.

Note: Linda is giving away two prizes, too - 1 custom Mommy Card and 1 pre-made Mommy Card.

Because I am a self-taught designer and coder, I have wanted to take some graphic and web design courses to fill in the gaps in my knowledge and to learn new skills. Time and money restraints have meant that I have not been able to pursue my desire for formal education; however, that has not kept me from actively seeking to learn more.

It was only two weeks ago that I finally visited my county’s public library for the first time. We moved here two and a half years ago, and since I absolutely love reading, I am shocked that I hadn’t been to the library long before. My children and I returned for our second visit on Monday of this week, and I had a light bulb moment when I realized that, “hey! this library probably has some design books that you could check out!” Lo and behold, they did, and I did. *smile*

I checked out The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Creating and HTML4 Web Page (by Paul McFedries), Sams Teach Yourself to Create Web Pages in 24 Hours (by Ned Snell), HTML for the World Wide Web (5th edition) with XHTML and CSS (by Elizabeth Castro), and Web Design on a Shoestring (by Carrie Bickner).

I started reading the last listed book first because I am in the middle of some large (for me) web design projects, and my budget is definitely a shoestring! I found this book to be most helpful and highly recommend your reading it whether you only design your personal blog/website or whether you are in the web design business, like I am.

The book is divided into two parts: Production and The Tools. In first section, Ms. Bickner talks about:

• The Secrets to a Successful Shoestring Project - use resources you already have, limit the number of decision-makers involved in the project, have a clear focus, and dare to do less
• The Pound Wise Project - write out your project goals, document the functional requirements, create a technical requirements document, keep all documentation nearby
• Usability on the Cheap - thrifty user testing, keep it simple, build a reusable HTML library
• Why Good Copy Counts - words matter more when you have few resources, good copy can elevate a low-budget site, write in a way that is honest and straightforward, keep it simple but not simplistic, avoid spelling and grammatical errors
• The Design: Looking Good with Less - limit the number of fonts you use, stick to only two or three good fonts, don’t waste money on bad fonts, save time and money with well-formed markup and external Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), stick to only two or three good colors, reduce the cost of photography and illustrations while still achieving a polished look

The second section covers The Tools:

• Content Management on a Tight Budget - determine what you really need, be creative, do-it-yourself CMS, automate as much as possible, consider open-source CMS
• Save Time and Money with Web Standards - do invest time and money in making your site standards-compliant; separate between structure and presentation, build one site well, take advantage of the design strengths of CSS
• Bang-for-Your-Buck Hosting and Domains - sometimes cheap does mean disreputable, watch out for hidden costs, compare bandwidth limits, and consider hosting your own site

What coding or design book would you recommend? Why?