"TRY IT, YOU'LL like it" (-yo gaba gaba)

'Try it, you'll like it" is one of my favorite Yo Gaba Gaba songs. LOL.
I am sitting in the sun on the little love seat in my studio w/ my computer on my lap, still in my pj’s and bed head. I have actually been quite productive today, but not overly motivated to get ‘ready’ for the day. I have been playing with my ‘sunny’ new blog look… ok, so blog decorating is actually quite addictive! It’s SO EASY once you FINALLY have it figured out. at first I thought that I had to really pick out something that was very “ME”… because I would probably get it on there, and NOT want to mess with it! but now, I am finding that it’s SO FUN, and you can ‘wear’ whatever… it can change as often as your mood! The yellow is really working for me, and my ‘spring fever’. You can see that this particular look is very ‘house of 3-esque’… it happens to be in celebration and preparation for the House Warming Party this weekend…but it is very spring-y. 
I have a confession: the first time I added a new background and header, I didn’t do it!  I was too afraid that if I got in there, in the ‘inside’ of my blog- I would crash Typepad or something! Lol… I am so not computer ‘savvy’… and I am always SO reluctant to learn anything NEW. Especially, if I have to figure it out myself. I like to be TAUGHT… step by step and hands on.
Ok, so… I decided that I loved the ability to change things around, and I couldn’t always be emailing the web guy- and then waiting for him to ‘get to it!’.. (although, I have to hand it to Stewart.. he is an AMAZING web guy).
Alright, so to all of you who are like me… you like the look, and even the ‘thought’ of a little blog ‘couture’… but you are NOT excited about trying to figure out the mumbo jumbo of the backside of your blog… then take a deep breath, and give it a TRY!! (don’t be scared).
Ok, I am taking to you TYPEPAD people … if you are a blogspot/blogger then I am going to let Rhonna help you out. (we’ll pester her!)
Here is what you are going to do:
1.    SHOP! Ah, this is the fun part! Head over to HOUSE of 3… there are a WHOLE BUNCH of backgrounds and headers to choose from! They are fab… all created by the one and only Rhonna Farrer.  They are totally MIX and MATCH action! Now, you can put just a background up, or just a header.. you don’t HAVE to use both! (but so cute). If you have access to photoshop, or photoshop elements, then you can customize your blog header with your name etc! OK.
2.    Once you have made your selection, and it’s downloaded… log into typepad.
3.    Click on your blog- and then select the tab that says ‘CONTROL PANEL’ (it’s in the top right corner) this will show you your ‘profile’ . you will see a new set of tabs, and one of them will say ‘files’….select ‘files’
4.    To the right, you will see ‘upload new files’… with a browse button.  Click on browse, and find where you have saved your NEW FAB House of 3 background! and select it. Then click the ‘upload’ button. 

Look for the 'file' tab

'upload' here..

5.    The new background will show up to the left in the list. Click on it, and the background will open in a new window. (keep it here, you will need to copy and paste this link in #7)
6.    Now go back to your WEBLOG window, and select your blog again- and this time choose the ‘DESIGN’ tab.
7.    At the bottom of the page you will see ‘Custom CSS’. When you open this window, you can paste this:

body {
background: transparent url("http://example.com/background.jpg") top center repeat-y;
}

but where it says: example.com/background.jpg - you cut and paste the LINK to your new background that you have from that list in the files that you uploaded in #4 (above).

That ‘code’ will tell it that you want the background to be centered, and repeat.
If you want to play around with it, you can try a couple different code options that we have listed here in the tutorial section of House of 3. (I haven’t tried them)

8.    Choose ‘save’… and then check out your work! Be sure you ‘refresh’ if you don’t see it.

Ok: now… if you want to add your banner on there… here is what you do:

1.    after you have downloaded, and customized it…
2.    and you are in typepad, and your blog- select the ‘DESIGN’ tab again
3.    select ‘theme’
4.    under ‘banner’ you will see ‘text or image’… click on that.
5.    click the ‘image’ button, and then browse for your fab banner
6.    click ‘save changes’ at the bottom… and you should be in business!

Ok, so I know that seems like a lot of GUNK! But seriously, it’s super easy, and it’s SOOOO fun to try something NEW and to dress up your blog!
And like I said, at first, I was all uptight about what background I chose, and then I realized… so easy to change, so fun to open it up and see it all fresh!  And you can ALWAYS count on House of 3 to deliver NEW, fresh looks for YOUR blog! (we’ll be serving up a new batch in March!)


We have a little award at the House of 3… it looks somethin’ like this:

We’ll be giving this award weekly, so whenever you change up your blog…send us a link, and we’ll be treating you to some House of 3 GOODNESS!

And just to share that GOODNESS!, I would like to give away a FREE blog header and background of YOUR CHOICE (from the Hof3 selection) customized especially for YOU by ME!! just leave a comment w/ a link to your blog, and your FAVORITE H of 3 blog LOOK… I will select a winner Wed. evening!  (it can be any blog! typepad or blogger...but you have to have a BLOG!! now's a great time to start!)


Ok, I am going to get dressed for the day… sigh… what’s for dinner!?
btw... check out www.liquidtreat.com .... they have some great taste and cool links. (wink)

Comments

[jane jones]

i just got myself a blog background and banner last night from House of Three and I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE my new look blog, its that same feeling like when you get your hair done LOL

highly recommended and so easy
if i can do it anyone can

[Rachel Tucker]

Oh thank you thank you thank you I so wanted to get a background thingy but was unsure how to get it up on my blog so now I can !! well I hope I can ... yeah !!

[Bona]

Hi Heidi! I'm lovin the House of 3. I was just on your site last night checking out your Blog headers and I love them all. I'm still deciding between Happy Sumo Flowers and the Flutterby banner. It's so hard to decide which one to pick. I'm kinda scared to change my background considering I've accidently deleted all my info on my blog. BTW, this has happened 3 times. I can't believe I'm telling you this. I'm so blushing right now. Anyhoo, I love your products and everything about it. I especially love the PINK.

www.keeponscrappin.blogspot.com

Hugs, Bona

[emily]

Hi Heidi

I recently uploaded one of the house of 3 backgrounds, & i feel so much more inspired to go to my blog & use it now!

[Julie Pilch]

Hi Heidi
I can't change my typepad background unless I use one of typepads boring settings. I think it is because I have a "basic" typepad package. Does everyone have the more expensive typepad accounts where it appears that you can change your background or am I totally missing something?!

[Carli]

I'd love a new header - I'm sick of seeing my own head!

www.carlisclan.blogspot.com

[Sandra]

Hi Heidi! I love all of the blog couture designs - they are soooo coll and inspiring! Actually the one you just changed to is my favorite at the moment: It opens up your heart and makes you ready for spring! My blog is: www.fraueleins.blogspot.com

[Al]

Hey Heidi, OMGOSH my friend Jane Jones (you might know her) told me I simply HAD to have one of your backgrounds and banners, and she even bought me the birdies. But oh dear, I had to have pink ;)
So I have uploaded it to my blog with Jane's help ... and gosh I just love it so much.
Thanks to the House of 3 xx

[Laura Melohn]

I just updated the look of my blog http://lmelohn.blogspot.com. It was my first attempt, so it is not quite as fancy as yours, but I'm proud to have figured it all out. My favorite blog background at H of 3 is Denim Swirl Blog Couture and banner is Vintage Bouquet Banner Blog Couture.

[Tanya]

My fave is the Damask Border, which is the one I am currently using! Love it!

[Belinda]

Hi, Heidi:

I love them all (especially your blue and yellow today). However, since my blog is called A Simple Life, the Denim Banner fits me most, I think. My daughter and I both love the color combination (blue and brown).

Thanks.

www.belindafaulkner.blogspot.com

[Charise]

Wow, so cool! I would love to spruce up my blog. The vintage botanicals is my fav so far!

[Geralyn Gray]

I love it all ---I love whatever Rhonna does. Honestly I feel like a pester. Rhonna is really really helpful---one time I wiped out all of my widgets etc. and it through me. I am mustering up enough patience again, because I do want to change my backround. I already bought my two backrounds. I don't want to win.......but that house of 3 blog of the week is looking like good motivation!!!!!!!!!!!! I have blogger so maybe that is part of it. Oh well I will try try again.

[Tiffany]

They are all fabulous, but I love the pink and black tapestry background. A girl can never have too much pink and black! Congratulations on your new business venture. You are 3 very talented ladies!
Tiffany

www.ScrapTiffany.typepad.com

[Karen Forgang]

I would love to get a great background for my blog...it might inspire me to get caught up on it! I keep trying to get to updating it, but "life" seems to keep popping up! I really need to get a laptop :).
Thanks for considering me!
Karen
http://forgangfamilyfun.blogspot.com/

[Kim Bolyard]

thank you for the help...I got all the way to the Custom CSS and I can not find that on the page to click...what am I doing wrong..please help
thanks
Kim

[jacquie/momofour26]

I love the Vintage Urban Junque banner and blog background, I am trying to get the 3 bucks to get it on my blog! I love the look to those they are my favorite!! Your blog looks amazing!!

[Nicki Lundeen]

I would love to have my blog spruced up. I love the Chandelier Blog Couture Bkgrnd and the Chair Swirl Banner.

Thanks for giving us the chance to make our blogs awesome!

http://nickilundeen.blogspot.com/

[Heidi German]

I love the Vintage ledger background because I'm a sucker for old ledger paper! I LOVE the H of 3 backgrounds & banners--they're better than anything out there by FAR!

[Kim Loewen]

Your blog looks great as always!!! The yellow on your blog is super springy and cheerful! And I have to say that I love all the fun stuff over at Hof3...honestly I'm having way too much fun with it :) I just updated my blog header...you can check it out at

www.kimloewen.blogspot.com

Really there's so many fun things over at Hof3!!! Once again you guys have done a fabulous job!

Kim Loewen :)

[Brynn]

I'm delighted that you have opened up comments again! I purchased a blog header the day Hof3 opened, but I have yet to install it! Like you said-scary ;) I'll give it a try now. O love evrything pink/black! Thanks-best wishes!

[Dedra Long]

Hi there Heidi....

I have had a house of 3 background for a few weeks now and I LOVE it.....

It has spruced up my little corner of the internet....
http://www.dedralong.blogspot.com/

Can't wait to see the March addition....
Hugs...
Dedra ;-)

[anne]

I love the flutterby background and header and the great outdoors header. I am so not computery too, but I recently started a blog and I'm trying to learn how to make it pretty.
www.learningtable.blogspot.com

[Jeannette P]

I love the funky dots 2 banner. And the cool blog couture background. So cute & so fun.

[Jeannette P]

sorry, forgot the link to my blog in my previous post.

www.adamandjeannette.blogspot.com

Hey did you know that if you try to type sorry with your fingers shifted over a little you get the word dotty? LOL just happened to me since I'm trying to finish up on the computer & get my son off to school soon.