2/8/09 Quirkilicious!

So what do ya'll think about the new 'do? Pretty snazzy, huh? This new and improved look is courtesy of Ashley over at Great Gabbie Designs, and I must say that I think it is lovely. After seeing the mess that I had created for myself on Excel, she graciously agreed to help me out and create a new design for the blog. She is a saint and I love her.

That's not to say that I made it easy on her, of course.

Being the ever meddlesome helpful blog owner, I tried to convey the "vibe" of the blog and the look that I was going for. I gave Ashley invaluable input and contributed to the overall design process by suggesting things like, "I'm looking for quirky-professional" and "I like coral...but not too much coral. Just a little. In moderation. Or maybe green instead. But not green AND coral. Or maybe with blue?" And I told her that I like floral prints but not flowers, quirky but not too quirky, and swirls, stripes, and polka-dots, but don't make it look cluttered.

It's a wonder she didn't run at that point.

Then as soon as she agreed to do it, I instantly transformed into one of those high maintenance people that emailed her basically every day going "Is it done yet? Did you finish it? Can I see it? Where is it? Huh huh huh huh huh?" To which she very politely emailed me something like, "CHILL WOMAN BEFORE I COME THROUGH YOUR COMPUTER LINE AND KILL YOU!" (Well, that's not what she said, of course, but that might have been the underlying theme. It's so hard to read tone through email).

However, being the consummate professional that she is, she nevertheless toiled tirelessly for days and days before presenting a wonderful design to me, to which I replied "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Hey! Do you think we can add more blobs? I feel that additional blobs would symbolically represent my particular brand of wit and quirkiness". And that was about the time she put a note up on her site that said she was no longer doing blog designs.

Pure coincidence, I'm sure.

In the end (and despite my "vision"), I think she has managed to create something beautiful and unique and streamlined while still maintaining that certain quirkiness that you have all come to know and love. If Ashley ever decides to accept blog designs again (or anything else you may want designed), I highly recommend her.

Ashley, thank you so much for putting up with me and creating my new and improved look. I dub thee "Quirkalicious".