I got a new theme today. Just in time for those that like to celebrate "Valentine's Day" or just want something romantic on their page.

You can check it out on my group or at Multiply Themes.

Have a great day!

This is the latest theme made by me.  You're welcome to use it, no need to ask permission for use.  It looks better on FireFox.  The direct link to the code is here.  Comments are appreciated!  Name tag or avatar available upon request.

 
Okay.  People have been asking me how I do my themes.  I'll try to explain my way.  It's not that I'm an expert of the CSS coding.  I'm more of a copycat.  I take a base theme, then I analyze the links of the graphics, make my own graphics and substitute the theme graphics for mine.  Some themes work better for me than others.

I will explain this by parts.  Because is near the time of starting again the Online Tatting Classes I'll be busy again.  So I'll do this weekly.  Please be patient!


First, let talk about what materials I use to make the themes.

You will need a graphic editor program like Paint Shop Pro or Adobe PhotoShop.  I use PSP X2 but will work with any version.  I haven't work with PS but is the same thing.  You can find trials at their web sites.

Corel Trials Dowloads

Adobe Trials Downloads

I don't pretend to teach how to use the programs, because I'm learning myself.  You will need at least know how to make a graphic with layers, to add text, crop  and resize.  I don't like to use a lot of animations, but if you know how to do them you're welcome to do add them to your themes.

The second thing you need are the photos or graphics.  You can search on the net for photos, but beware of copyrights.  If you have notice I don't like to use photos.  I use scrapbook kits!!!  They are amazing to use for themes.  There are thousands of places where you can get them for free (freebies).  Here is the "Mother" of all the freebies.  I have this page bookmarked and weekly I download freebies.

DigiFree - The Digital Scrapbooking Freebie Search Engine  This page will take a long time to load because is super heavy with graphics.  Also, I'm not responsible if you get addicted to them!  lol    No joking!  I have over 100 kits in the external hardrive (over 5 GB) and every week I get more.  Does anyone have the Scrappers Anonymous hotline? 

Some of the freebies are only obtainable if you buy a bigger kit.  Other are QP (Quick Pages) and that's a premade page where you place your photos.  Those are not good for themes.  So check that you're dowloading a kit.  Also they are usually divided into papers and elements.  The papers are, well, papers that can be use as backgrounds.  The elements are those nifty graphics like ribbons and clips and pearls, cute things like that.  There are the minis or samplers.  Those are smaller versions of a bigger kit, usually content 1-2 papers and a few elements.

Also I recommend this group on Yahoo  Scrappy Expressions.  Melissa, the owner, makes lovely sets that are more suitable to use on PSP because the resolution is smaller than a regular scrapbook kit.

Other thing you'll need.  The codes of premade or base themes.  I use the tutorials and help from the Customize your Multiply Profile group.  They are great people that know the CSS code and have very nice tutorials.  They have some codes written with the transparency settings and are easier to add your own code lines.  If you're going to modify the theme of another person be sure to ask permission if that person doesn't states that s/he allows modifications of their themes.

Other thing...  This is optional but highly advisable.  Get another Multiply account.  I have another account that I use solely for the editing of the themes.  That way if the code screw up the page, you can delete that account and make another and you don't screw up your page.

Also optional but advisable.  Have 2 browsers on your computer.  Some themes look perfect in a browser and totally horrendous in another.  I have Internet Explorer and Firefox.  FF is my default browser.  When I'm making the themes I edit the code on IE and then preview it on FF.  The Firefox browser can be downloaded here.

Well, I think that's all for today!  If I think something else that you'll need I'll let you know during the week. 

Next week where going to start analyzing a Base Theme:  Avlack.  I think it's the easier to modify...

So go ahead and get your materials.  Get a scrapbookit of your preference or we can use all one if you think will be easier.

Hi everyone!

I finished a new theme.  It's on my group and also @ Multiply Themes.  No need to ask permission to use.  Comments are welcome.

Click here to get the code.

Hi everyone!  I just got a new theme.  It's called Lace and Snow and can be found here.

No need to ask permission for using it.  You're more than welcome to use it.  The only thing I ask is no alterations to it.

Thanks!  Now I'll go back to my tatting...

Hi everyone!  I added a new theme using the Melon base.  This time I wrote the code on IE and For what I see it looks pretty good.

You can find it HERE.

Comments are appreciated!  Also I have a blank tag to match the theme.  If someone wants it, just PM with your name or I can send the blank tag if you want it.

Thanks!

At Yahoo I have a group for tags, sigys and themes.  I think I'll move it here.  For now, I posted a Photo Album with the tiles and background I have right now.  If you want yours with your name leave a comment on the photo album and I'll reply when I have the tag done.