Rainbow Stuff version Raindrops
Monday, February 25, 2008 at 
9:48 pm ()
Finally. My new theme is up! I kept waiting because I wanted to have all of my content pages finished. I have a few pages under “Hobbies” that aren’t ready yet, but I couldn’t keep putting the new theme off anymore. I’m too antsy and want some feedback from people. 
I’ve still got lots of tweaking to do, but I think I’m done with the majority of the major things. I would love your feedback: positive or negative. love: What do you like about it? What doesn’t work for you? What would you like to see?
I’ve learned a lot in the past year. It was almost a year ago (it will be a year March 21st!) that I switched from CuteNews to WordPress. Boy, was it scary at first! I went from messy code, iframes, and tables to this complex database driven content management system. Whoa. With the help of my friends at The Quilting Bee and a lot of trial and error, my website has now evolved into something I hope is more organized, uniform, and enjoyable for visitors. 
Real quick, here are some things new with this theme: With this particular theme I have worked a lot more with different classes and ids. I’ve done a lot of work with the CSS file and tried to rely on CSS more than just sticking things into the actual page itself. (Did that make sense? I hope I said that right.) I’ve also installed a lot of really nifty plugins (including a cool 404 page!). I spent way more time on creating the graphics for the layout. Things are better organized I think. I added a lot more “me” I think as far as content goes and a lot more “stuff” in general (with more to come!). I also made some cool icons and smilies.
I’ve spent a great deal of time checking my site in various browsers (Firefox, IE 6 and 7, Opera, and Safari). I’ve got a few little things to tweak in IE, Opera, and Safari but for the most part, my site is looking okay in various browsers. I’ve also spent a lot of time going through and re-validating all of the pages. I think I’ve caught all the errors now. A lot of the errors I had were silly things that creeped into my code because I was exhausted while working on my site for hours at a time. 
One of the things I am most proud of (and probably no one will care as much about) is my registration page. If you click to login to my site or register, you will see a lovely login box that matches my site. I absolutely hated that generic WordPress blue one that’s the default. It wasn’t anything major to change that, but I just felt so excited when I got that all sorted out. 
The next thing on my list (apart from finishing up the “Hobbies” pages and tweaking things) is to blog more often!! I have tons of ideas of things to blog about. Hopefully I can some up with some things to make you think or entertain you.
I’m so tired!! It’s about time for me to go to sleep now. Please, please please give me some feedback on my new theme! I’d really like to know what you honestly think. I know some people are going to hate the rainbows, and that’s fine, but I’d like as much feedback as possible. And if you see something that doesn’t look right to you - let me know! (I think my Gravatar plgin may not be working?) I may have missed something. :wacko: Staring at code can make you crazy. I am not a php ninja like some. 
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Filed in: Website Updates ()
24 Comments so far
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Kassi scribbled this note on February 25th, 2008: 
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I LOVEEE your new layout. It’s inspiring me to make a new one for my site… I really need to validate. Congrats and GREAT work!
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Ashley, it looks lovely! I really love the setup and the footer is very cute! Also the greys are easy on the eyes for your large amounts of text - not blinding or too dark or anything. The only thing I would suggest is a larger default font (sort of how it was with your previous layout) just because your content is so descriptive and it’s hard to read so much with the smaller font. Otherwise, though, I love it!
Noticed an error though - at the bottom where it has your reviews, it says PetShopGirl’s Reviews gave your review on December 25, 2008! What’s it like in the future?
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Okay also! (Sorry this comment is separate, but I just noticed this.) On your plugins page, some of the arrows link to akismet.com instead of the plugins they’re next to.
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omg ash…. i’m speechless. i can’t get enough of your site. It’s amazing!!
AMAZING. I just keep going to all the sections over and over. It’s one of the best themes and best layouts and best everything. It’s so awesome!!!! I’m so inspired! I’ve used a lot of exclamation marks.. but it’s just that good. ^^ -
The new theme looks great!
I mailed your Christmas and Valentines gifts today! <33 -
Wow, what a different design. I need to get used to the not so bright colors
I like it though, the footer is so cute (the background) love: -
Ooh I really like it! Although, it does kind of give me an instant headache… I blame that on the monitor I’m using right now. I’m sure on my laptop it will be much nicer.
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Wow, this new theme is so pretty! I love the colours you’ve used.
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Wow! It’s totally different, but absolutely fantastic. I really love what you’ve done Ashley
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@ Kassi: Thanks!
It seems like lots of people are coming up with new themes lately. You can join the club!@ Michelle: Thanks! It used to say that review was from 2007. :wacko: Weird! Silly me, I’ll change that right away. Thanks so much for noticing that! Weird about the arrows too! I’ll fix that as well.
@ Christine: Hee hee! Thanks!
I’m glad I’ve inspired you. @ Bubs: Thanks! And I can’t wait to get mail from you. It’s been way too long!
@ Tracy: Yes, it is kind of different than the brighter colors I’ve always used in the past. It does take some getting used to.
@ Rachael: Thanks, I think! Instant headache? That doesn’t sound good. But my layouts always seem to hurt your head!
@ Kim: Thanks!!
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Jem said on February 26, 2008:
Wow! It’s totally different, but absolutely fantastic. I really love what you’ve done Ashley
Thanks Jem!
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I love it! I especially love the graphics at the bottom
I need to take some direction from you and get my stuff more organized and clean. It looks beautiful I’m going to go explore more! :happy: -
Wow. This new layout looks so mature! I like it very, very much. And I think it is one of those layouts that might grow for every visit. Great job Ashley!
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Wow, it’s so cute! Especially your footer! I love it, the muted rainbows are so pretty!!
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Ohw, this layout is so pretty ^^… once, far in the future I’d love to be able to create as pretty stuff as you do right now *smiles* the footer is great! But who doesn’t love rainbows anyway *grins*
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Wauw Ashley this new style is awesome. I never thought that grey and rainbow colors would go together, but they sure do. Awesome job
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Ooooooo!!!!! love: love: love: love:
I think it’s awesome and so very YOU! I think one of my fave elements is the “clouds” top bar you have up there…me loves it!!
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wow.. nice layout.. care for link exchange? love:
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Well the theme looks GREAT! It’s so subtle!
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I love the new layout! And it’s totaly awesome that you learned a new way to code it, using more css. I love css.
its much easer than having to change it on every page. -
Ooh this layout is lovely. So nice and clean.
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I like the new theme it’s great. I recently switched from Cutenews to Wordpress to I love it so much more. I can’t believe I ever used something else but it was tough at first. I’m still not creating my own themes though
Too busy to figure it out. `Cool pics. I like your hair.
I’ve seen some of those shows, but aren’t really sure who most of those people are. And you were an extra in a movie? How cool. Thanks so much, I cut it on a whim and I guess it worked out. I was scared I never cut my own hair before. Yeah I was an extra in a movie called Never Back Down that’s coming out soon. You can see me randomly through the trailer and in the promo pics on their official website. lol.
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Though the rainbows didn’t surprise me, lol. I love it. The colors are amazing. The graphics are wonderful. You did an amazing job, Ashley. I am still going through the pages.
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I like this theme alot! It’s really inviting.
It made me want to look at the rest of your content instead of just leaving a comment, and being on my way (as many do, ha).
<3 Lauren
Ashley scribbled this note on February 26th, 2008: 
If this is the first time you have commented on RainbowStuff.com, your comment must be approved before it is made public. Please refrain from profanity and cruel or ignorant remarks.
