Friday, April 15, 2011

Makeover!

I've been blogging for over a year now, and the time has come for a bit of a shake up! Last night -- when undoubtedly I should have been doing something way more productive -- I decided this was it: my blog would get a new design.

After grappling with PhotoShop, downing several glasses of wine (which probably didn't help the process) and cursing at my silly little laptop, I finally managed to create a new template which mirrors the covers of my books. Yay!

I hope you like it!

How often do you redesign your blog?

Happy Friday, everyone!
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113 comments:

  1. Naina Gupta15 April 2011 at 10:43

    I love it!

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  2. Duncan D. Horne - the Kuantan blogger15 April 2011 at 10:46

    I make little changes and adjustments weekly, just going with what I feel it needs. It's a constant work in progress!

    Duncan In Kuantan

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  3. Talli Roland15 April 2011 at 10:48

    Thanks, Naine!
    Duncan, I tend to go in fits and starts. It is indeed a constant work in progress!

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  4. Simon Kewin15 April 2011 at 10:48

    I like it! I went through a big change a while back and don't want to do it again for a while!

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  5. Talli Roland15 April 2011 at 10:49

    Oops - Naina! Obviously I need more coffee.

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  6. Rachel Lyndhurst15 April 2011 at 10:49

    Ooooh it's smashingly sparkly, Talli! As sparkly as a chilled glass of bubbly even. Wine always helps doesn't it?

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  7. Talli Roland15 April 2011 at 10:50

    Thank you, Simon! I know - I was tearing my hair out at one stage trying to get everything to work. I won't do that again for awhile!

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  8. Talli Roland15 April 2011 at 10:50

    Thanks, Rachel! Yes, wine does help. The cure for all! :)

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  9. Ellen Brickley15 April 2011 at 10:55

    It looks fab, Talli :)

    I tweak mine a lot but lack the leet skillz to make something this pretty happen. . . also, because of the name of my blog I'm a little restricted to pink!

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  10. Joyce15 April 2011 at 10:56

    Love It!

    My daughter designed my header about 4 months ago...I haven't done anything new since. I used to mess with the design more but I'm happy with this one for now.

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  11. Brigita15 April 2011 at 10:57

    Love it! Great colours.

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  12. Unknown15 April 2011 at 10:58

    Wow, that's awesome. Well done. It's brilliant.

    I spent hours messing around with mine and gave up in the end. I obviously hadn't consumed enough wine. I shall rectify that the next time I'm tempted to do anything with it. ;)

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  13. Allie Hammer15 April 2011 at 11:02

    Love it. Especially that the colours tie in with your book cover.

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  14. Talli Roland15 April 2011 at 11:04

    Ellen, thank you. I love the name of your blog, but yes - I can see how it might be limited to pink! :)

    Joyce, thanks. Your header is gorgeous! I always admire it.

    Brigita, thank you!

    Shirley, wine is key to the process. You must have more!

    Allie, thank you! :)

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  15. Fran Hill15 April 2011 at 11:10

    Hey, what a great idea! I think I'll redesign mine to match my books too! (Er .... okay ... so that'll be a big blank space, then. Oops.)

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  16. LR15 April 2011 at 11:13

    Very pretty. Love it. :)

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  17. Andrea Mack15 April 2011 at 11:14

    Love your new design!

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  18. Karen15 April 2011 at 11:20

    Ooh I like it :o) I often change mine - usually when I know I should be writing but have got stuck!

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  19. Old Kitty15 April 2011 at 11:22

    Awwww it's sparkly and starry and lovely!!! Yay!!

    Take care
    x

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  20. S.A. Larsenッ15 April 2011 at 11:25

    Hon, I love this!! It's beautiful. I'm thinking the wine helped relax you. lol I had a few last night, too. Here's to sharing a cyber drink. Enjoy your weekend. :)

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  21. Kate Johnson15 April 2011 at 11:34

    Gorgeous! How did you get the font matching the one on your book?

    I redid mine a while back, but I just used a Blogger template. I think trying to get one to match The Untied Kingdom cover would give me the hugest headache!

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  22. Áine Tierney15 April 2011 at 11:36

    Love the new template. It has a brighter, breezier, more fun feel. Good move!

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  23. Emily White15 April 2011 at 11:47

    I LOVE it!

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  24. Leigh Caron15 April 2011 at 11:56

    The wine was obviously working...your new look looks great!

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  25. Laura Pauling15 April 2011 at 11:57

    I love it too that it matches your book!

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  26. Liz P15 April 2011 at 11:58

    Great design, I love it! Very clean, bright, and fun!

    Every 3-6 months I feel inclined to change, but I'm trying to keep my current layout as is for as long as I can.

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  27. Alex J. Cavanaugh15 April 2011 at 12:01

    Looks great, Talli!

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  28. Kristine Asselin15 April 2011 at 12:02

    Very sparkly and cool! I love the colors. Doesn't it feel good to change once in a while? I just recently changed mine, too, and I can't stop looking at it. :)

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  29. Anonymous15 April 2011 at 12:10

    Love the new look - it's perfect!

    (And your tagline made me giggle!)

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  30. Li15 April 2011 at 12:10

    I like it. It's also a cleaner, crisper layout.
    I've only been up and running a few months, so no redesigns yet. But I dread it.

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  31. &15 April 2011 at 12:25

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  32. Emy Shin15 April 2011 at 12:26

    I really like the new layout!

    I change mine every few months, but lately have always come back to my current layout.

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  33. RHYTHM AND RHYME15 April 2011 at 12:36

    Every now and then I like to makeover my blog, but the only makeover I could do with at the moment is me,,,,,,Love your new look by the way,

    Yvonne.

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  34. Eliza15 April 2011 at 12:42

    I lurve the new look. Well done for creating it I've changed my blog a few times but I'm happy with it now, it'll probably just get the odd tweak every now and then.

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  35. Manzanita15 April 2011 at 12:50

    It has eye appeal, doesn't compete with the post and is "girly."

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  36. Anne15 April 2011 at 12:50

    I love it! I get the urge to change mine every so often., but I don't. I have had that up now for about a year and a half. Perhaps, it is time for a change.

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  37. Liz Harris15 April 2011 at 12:58

    Love the new look, Talli!

    Sadly, I can't answer your question - I don't yet have a blog. One day maybe ...

    Liz x

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  38. Mercy15 April 2011 at 12:59

    Looking good!

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  39. Mason Canyon15 April 2011 at 13:00

    Looks great, not there was anything wrong with the old layout either. Have a great weekend.

    Mason
    Thoughts in Progress

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  40. Amanda Trought15 April 2011 at 13:04

    Loving the changes, I make tiny changes every now and then, might push the boat out a bit sometime!:D

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  41. Talli Roland15 April 2011 at 13:08

    Thank you for all the lovely comments! I can't stop staring and virtually stroking my blog...

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  42. fallen monkey15 April 2011 at 13:13

    It's darling!

    And speaking of wine, I still owe you a glass. Let me know if you ever snag a free moment on a lovely London afternoon :)

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  43. ~Sia McKye~15 April 2011 at 13:14

    I really do like it!

    I redesigned my after the first year, too, from a single column to a three column. I tweaked it now and then.

    Now my question is, how did all those nice little tabs on the top like that? I couldn't do it.

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  44. Vicki Rocho15 April 2011 at 13:18

    I love it! Fresh and it really seems to suit the mood around here.

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  45. Claire15 April 2011 at 13:21

    yey! it's like your book!! :)x

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  46. Debs Riccio15 April 2011 at 13:28

    Ooooh how GORGEOUS! It reminds me of the opening titles to'Bewitched' (you won't remember that you're too flippin' young!) and of course, your book cover - BEAUTIFUL!

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  47. Paul Anthony Shortt15 April 2011 at 13:34

    Totally love the new look!

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  48. KM Nalle15 April 2011 at 13:56

    What a perfect M word! I love the new look Talli.

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  49. Bish Denham15 April 2011 at 14:01

    Looks great Talli! Very nice makeover.

    I change my header picture once a year on my blog anniversary. That's really about it.

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  50. Stephanie Lorée15 April 2011 at 14:02

    I love the new look! Clean, elegant, and it will help readers associate your blog to your novels. Nice work, can you do mine next? :)

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  51. LindyLouMac15 April 2011 at 14:04

    I like the new look, as I am hopeless with technical stuff mine rarely gets an update!

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  52. Anonymous15 April 2011 at 14:24

    I'm on my third desing which I've had for a good six months. Wow, was my original design crap!!! Change is good and matching your book cover makes sense. You're relating blog and book to the viewer.

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  53. Jaydee Morgan15 April 2011 at 14:27

    I really like this new design - good job. How often do I redesign? Do you really need to ask?!

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  54. Unknown15 April 2011 at 14:41

    I love your new blog layout! My own blog has a pretty nondescript template. I just got a new photoshop program and a new computer though, so maybe I'll be able to whip up something more exciting...

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  55. Sarah Wedgbrow15 April 2011 at 14:41

    LOVE. I just changed my blog too. It's Spring, I think, that brings out the change in everyone...happens again in the autumn.

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  56. Anonymous15 April 2011 at 14:57

    I've had my blog for over a year and I haven't changed the design. I look at other templates and still prefer mine, LOL!

    I like your new look!!

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  57. Cat Lavoie15 April 2011 at 15:00

    Sooo pretty! I love it! :)

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  58. Anne Gallagher15 April 2011 at 15:07

    Very nice. I always liked the black and red, but this fits your personality so much better.

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  59. Laura S.15 April 2011 at 15:12

    I love it, Talli! Your blog's makeover is fantastic. I haven't redesigned my blog yet, though I probably should because it's been a little more than a year. I've made small changes here and there but nothing big yet.

    Great idea for your M post!

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  60. Sally Clements15 April 2011 at 15:16

    I thought maybe you'd gone brunette, or red? but no. Nice makeover nonetheless!

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  61. Summer Frey15 April 2011 at 15:21

    Looks great, Talli! I try not to change mine too often, though I do love doing it. :)

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  62. Bossy Betty15 April 2011 at 15:42

    Very nice!!! Love the changes!

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  63. K.C. Woolf15 April 2011 at 15:51

    Looks great, fits your blog, and: nice touch/timing with the 'Makeover-M'! :-)

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  64. Sangu Mandanna15 April 2011 at 15:58

    LOVE the new blog look! So perfect for your book too.

    Ironically, I was forced to have a blog change a few days ago when Photobucket failed to bring up my blog background photo, meaning you couldn't read the text, so I had to change the template. I don't like it right now, but until I can muster the energy to find and make a new design I like, it will have to stay!

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  65. Cara Cooper15 April 2011 at 16:00

    Looks lovely, very clever of you to get it all looking so good!

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  66. Kittie Howard15 April 2011 at 16:30

    Love it! I'm in awe that you did this by yourself.

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  67. Wendy@FabNouveau15 April 2011 at 16:44

    Totally beautiful Talli and I love a girl that knows her priorities ....my sequence is, a bit of chocolate, a bit more cheese, a good dose of writing and a fine measure of whiskey.

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  68. Bluestocking Mum15 April 2011 at 16:58

    Well, it was worth the effort and looks far more 'you!'

    I'm forever twiddling with mine but I love your complete makeover.
    Clever lady
    xx

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  69. Candyland15 April 2011 at 16:59

    Love the new look! It's so *you*
    :)

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  70. Unknown15 April 2011 at 16:59

    Love the new look. I'm so proud of you. You had wine and the whole thing is completely gorgeous. Mine would be upside down somehow. I've only changed the look of my blog once and it will be a long time before I do it again. It wasn't so easy. Have a great weekend and more wine. It boosts creative energy.

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  71. Angelina Rain15 April 2011 at 17:14

    I like it. It fits you! That’s a very good makeover. I used to change my blog all the time. It used to mirror whatever I was writing at the time, but now I try to stick to the same look for a while so it would look professional and not confuse readers. Besides, it I were to still style by blog to mirror my current WIP, my blog would be very bipolar as I’m currently in the middle of two wip’s, one being a dark thriller and the other a light and fluffy erotica.

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  72. Neurotic Workaholic15 April 2011 at 17:42

    I think it looks great Talli! Well done! I've been wanting to redesign my blog, because I've had the same template for a year now. But I keep thinking that I might not like my new design and then I won't be able to get my old template back; I'm not very tech-savvy. But maybe one of these days...

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  73. William Kendall15 April 2011 at 17:48

    It looks great, Talli!

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  74. Michael Di Gesu15 April 2011 at 17:50

    Fresh and fun!

    I haven't yet redesigned my blog. I LOVE it just as it is and probably won't. I've only been blogging for six months, so maybe after another six who knows.

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  75. Ann15 April 2011 at 18:30

    Aren't you clever. Looks fab! Wish I had the wherefore all to do such a nifty new look.

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  76. Amber T. Smith15 April 2011 at 18:32

    I tweak it a bit every so often, just changing the titles of the 'gadgets' and what-not, but I've only ever changed the entire thing twice.

    Having said that, I've only been blogging for 18 months, so three templates in that time is quite a lot...

    This looks fabulous, though, I really like it!

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  77. Jane Lovering15 April 2011 at 18:38

    Beautiful! Very thematic, and the colours and font are wonderful, lovely job.
    I must admit that my blog needs an overhaul, looking at getting it, and my website, redone before the new book releases in September. Your redesign has just given me the impetus to actually make a start..

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  78. Kath15 April 2011 at 18:43

    Love the new look, especially all the stars. It fits with your book cover too, so feels more consistent with that. You're building a brand!

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  79. Plain Jane15 April 2011 at 18:44

    I keep forgetting how to do it, but I love your new look.

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  80. Deborah Carr (Debs)15 April 2011 at 19:29

    Love it. Great makeover.x

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  81. Anonymous15 April 2011 at 20:25

    Looks AWESOME! Totally like it.

    I add little things to my blog, but no major changes. I like the simplicity of my blog.

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  82. Julie Flanders15 April 2011 at 20:38

    Love the new look!

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  83. Nicole Zoltack15 April 2011 at 20:39

    Wow, I love it! It looks awesome.

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  84. Theresa Milstein15 April 2011 at 20:46

    BEAUTIFUL! Your book cover is so happy. Now when I visit your blog I'll get the same experience. I'll have to visit more often.

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  85. Jill Kemerer15 April 2011 at 20:59

    Perfect! I love how whimsical and bright it is--and your title? Love it!

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  86. Mary@GigglesandGuns15 April 2011 at 21:31

    LOL I thought it looked familiar. Good job!

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  87. Len Lambert15 April 2011 at 21:31

    Love it, Talli!!!!! :)

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  88. Liz15 April 2011 at 21:46

    I'm what you may call...technologically challenged? I just changed my blog around for about the 3rd time but I'm also totally OCD so it takes me forever to get it right!! And it's not that complicated so it's kind of embarassing. Yours looks great!

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  89. The Writing Goddess15 April 2011 at 22:02

    It's absolutely gorgeous! My blog's still a baby, so I'm constantly tweaking it. I figure, on the day I'm finally really happy with it - it will be time for a fill makeover like yours!

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  90. Empty Nest Insider15 April 2011 at 22:13

    Fabulous new design! Well worth the trouble! Julie

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  91. Unknown15 April 2011 at 22:36

    Talli! I LOVE your blog's new look! It's perfect, and so YOU!! You rock!

    I change my template every couple months, though I may stay with the one I have for longer. The fit is nice, I think.

    Happy weekend!!

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  92. Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy15 April 2011 at 23:30

    I don't often redesign my blog but I did put up a new background. I love your new look. It's good that it matches your books.

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  93. Lydia Kang16 April 2011 at 00:03

    Love it! It's perfect.

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  94. Grandpa16 April 2011 at 00:56

    Love it. It's a beauty!

    You've got style, for sure!

    I want to redesign my blog, which is eight months old now, but just dare not do it, I'm so nervous that I'll lose something.

    Grandpa
    Life on The Farm

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  95. Grandpa16 April 2011 at 00:57

    I meant to say also I'll probably just end up finishing the wine :)


    Grandpa
    Life on The Farm

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  96. Jolene Perry16 April 2011 at 01:39

    It is SUPER fun and happy!
    Love it!

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  97. Yvonne Osborne16 April 2011 at 03:34

    Nice job. Very cheerful and I love the byline. I've changed my once. It was very stressful.

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  98. Jan Markley16 April 2011 at 05:07

    Great new template! Blog-aversaries are a good time to change the template.

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  99. Heather Henry16 April 2011 at 05:18

    I love the new look!
    I have had my blog now for 2 months and I've changed it once. Most likely when I figure out how to be more snazzy with it, I'll change it again. I'm not super techno savvy though, so probably not too soon.
    Have a great weekend! :)

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  100. Lani Wendt Young16 April 2011 at 05:21

    Good on you Ms Roland. Techno stuff drives me nuts. I only contemplate change when i am driven to it. Kicking and fighting every step of the way.

    Always a pleasure to visit your blog.

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  101. Nicole16 April 2011 at 07:24

    Phhhhuuurrreeetttttttttyyyyy! :) Love it! Great new look - those wines don't appear to have done too much damage :)
    Damsel in a Dirty Dress

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  102. Anonymous16 April 2011 at 09:51

    I think in the first 6 months I changed it several times..
    It's been the same for a while now - I'd love to pay someone to clean it up.. one day

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  103. Anonymous16 April 2011 at 09:51

    Love the changes here xx

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  104. Hilary Melton-Butcher16 April 2011 at 09:56

    Hi Talli - great Makeover and well done! Love the star over the 'i' of Talli!!

    Must get to mine - see you - enjoy the weekend .. looks reasonable weather down here!! Cheers Hilary

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  105. Lizzie16 April 2011 at 12:51

    I don't have a blog yet but I'm considering having the main character of my book blog – she's far more interesting than me, anyway!

    Your new design is lovely – very bright and sparky. I love it.

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  106. Lizzie Lamb16 April 2011 at 14:05

    Dear Talli, fabulous blog. I love the colours and the content. When I finish the WIP and send it to the RNA my two jobs are 1) update ancient website that I hate !! and 2) start a blog. From your number of followers I can see that you;ve worked hard at yours. Good luck with your 'facelift' and the sales of The hating Game. See you at the summer party, hopefully. Lizzie (Lamb)xx

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  107. Glynis Peters 16 April 2011 at 15:29

    Clever old you! Fantastic!

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  108. Carol Riggs16 April 2011 at 16:16

    Waaaay cute blog redesign, Talli! Love it. I've redesigned mine, but mostly smaller things. I don't want to do it too much major reconstruction cuz people can get disoriented. I'm sorta making a "brand," a recognizeable look. ;o)

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  109. notesfromnadir16 April 2011 at 22:40

    This is perfect! :)

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  110. Norma16 April 2011 at 23:45

    This looks great, Talli! My blogs are way overdue for an update....

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  111. Alleged Author17 April 2011 at 03:37

    I lurve it! Now if only my kindle would show the cover of my new favorite book in color!

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  112. Jesse Owen (Reading to Life)18 April 2011 at 11:32

    I love it - and the colours are fab :D

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  113. Isabelle Lafleche18 April 2011 at 15:42

    It looks fabulous! J'ADORE!!

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Coffee and wine for all!

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