dirty feet. wide open mind

My far-away friend Dani is one of the very first people I connected with in this big wide world of blogging, and we’ve stayed close through the years. We’d tossed around the idea of working together on designing her blog in the past, but something clicked this time. My design skill level has increased and I could create what she was looking for. This is my first time using an image map as a header. Totally loved figuring that out!

Dani wanted her blog to just be the header and the main post column, kind of like how most photographers have their blogs. I thought that was perfect and unique like her and was excited to work within those parameters.

Here is her completed header. I am so proud of the finished product! Click through to see the complete design live on her blog.

Whenever I am working on designing blogs I usually have this “aha” moment where everything comes together…the colors, the concept, the elements themselves…and once it clicks I just go! My “aha” moment for this project came when I was reading blogs and saw Hey Miss Indie’s sponsor giveaway post. One of her sponsors, The Joyful Fox was giving away a line portrait, and as soon as I saw it I just knew that’s what I needed for Dani. So I contacted the blogger, Laura for more information. Turns out, it is her boyfriend Chris Conlon (from Grand Rapids, MI) who is the artist behind the portraits. He was quick to respond and send me some more samples of his work to see if it was exactly what I was looking for. I must admit, I was smitten with his art.

Check out his line portraits and his painted circle portraits. Crazy good, right?! I know!

So I commissioned him to do a line portrait of Dani from one of my favorite pictures of her, and I am beyond pleased with how it turned out. His turn-around time blew me away, and I will be working with him again in the future for sure!

It was just what her header needed, and the thing that brought the whole design together. I just adore it and will probably hang it in my office. Thanks so much Chris for creating this for us! (You can contact Chris directly at blindfoxart@gmail.com if you’re interested in working with him.)

I was able to be on the phone with Dani when she saw the completed design for the first time, and her response just brightened my whole day…okay, probably my whole month. She really loves it just as much as I do. Thanks so much Dani for letting me create this for you! 

This was a really fun project to work on, and I learned a lot in the process. Thanks for sharing in the joy of a completed design with me. I’m celebrating!

Are you looking for a new header to freshen up your blog?
Or maybe its time for a brand new look?
Check out my design page for more details.
I’d love to work with you next!