"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

[Brynn]

Hokey Smokes-I DID IT HEIDI! I hadn't yet even experimented with PSE because I was too intimidated and now it is done! Thanks for the encouragment I needed! www.theworldaccordingtobrynn.blogspot.com I love PINK/black/white! YAY!

[Holly]

I think I have the most boring blog design ever! Not a single graphic on it. I would love to spruce it up with either the damask border or the black bird.

[Danielle]

Hi Heidi! I am so in love with all things House of 3! I used some of the overlays to alter photos and I put them in magnet frames and stuck them on our stateroom door on the cruise we were on over the weekend! It was a nice way to remember which door was ours! I am loving the Funky Dots for blogs and I will ask the husband and Rhonna for help adding it to my blog: http://dani-adayinthelifeofacoffeeaddict.blogspot.com/ I definitely need to jazz it up but I feel just like you worried that I'm going to break something in all of blogger!

[Nicole R.]

My favorite is the Bright Flowers. I too am anxious for spring. We have had warmer weather and the snow is starting to melt but I don't dare get my hopes up. Being from Idaho we had snow until June last year.

www.jasenicolerumsey.blogspot.com

[Kim]

Heidi I am SOOOOO frustrated right now. I have two lovely house of 3 backgrounds and I can get them to display behind the center section but cannot get them transparent like yours are. I had to monkey with the code to get them to even show up in the background. Any ideas?

Kim

[Juli]

Hi Heidi!
I am in love with the House of 3! But not so much in love with Dell right now. My laptop crashed and I can't update my blog to the fun stuff that I've gotten from H of 3!
Now that I'm an alum of Karen Russell's Photographers' Workshop, I love blogging and posting my pictures!!!
The polka dots on your current background are awesome. My kids LOVE polka dots!
Thanks!
Juli

[Cathy Sullivant]

I did it after several tries and a deep breath! It worked! I love yours that is my new favorite!

http://cathy-discoverthepossibilities.blogspot.com/

[Aimee]

I changed up my blog today with the ledger background, my current favorite although I love the blue & black damask as well. Here's a link to my blog: http://aimee.typepad.com/

[Beverly]

LOVE all the new, CREATIVE designs on HO3!!! FUN!!! I have a hard time picking a favorite, but the pink ones are great for V-day this month.

-Beverly

http://www.thedailyblur.blogspot.com/

[Melissa]

I love the Chandelier look, but there's no banner to match it!!

[Monica G]

I am just getting into this blogging thing so making mine cute is so important to me! I still don't know quite what to type about so having a cute header and background are a must!!! Especially if you are giving one away, even better FREE!!! I can't pick a favorite design because I love them all! Of course I think of myself as a girlie girl, loving all things blingy!!!
www.mybusybusylife.blogspot.com

[Nancy Wyatt]

Love all the Blog Backgrounds and Headers! I'm constantly changing mine hoping my visitors won't mind. And surely they won't since they are all so FAB! Keep up the great work!

[Amy]

I shut my blog down a year ago but looking at all the fresh designs on Ho3 is making me reconsider. . . I might need a new blog just for a new background!

[Danielle]

hi heidi! love the banners and backgrounds! my fav is the damask artisan background mixed with the green swirled banner. i would love for my blog to be jazzed up...
http://www.danielleandmikeblissful.blogspot.com

thanks!!
danielle

[Valerie]

I have thought about changing up my blog's banner and background. I found a few designs on Ho3 that I like, but would have no idea how to get them on blogspot. These are my faves:

funky dots 2
happy sumo flowers
bright flowers
denim swirls
snowflakes (but not right now - I am sooo done with winter!)

http://valeriefuller.blogspot.com/

[Naomi Ockerman]

OMG i love the Hof3....OH and YoYoGabbaGabba rocks too
naomiockerman.blogspot.com

[Lacey]

Heidi- so so so loving your blog background colors! The yellow polka dots and the aqua (my fav color!)...makes me happy :) I could use alittle happiness in my life right now thats for sure! Anyways, I didn't see the yellow polka dot avail. for the background, so I am liking either the cool blog or the damastic couture - this was hard deciding which was my favorite- as they are all pretty cool :)
I am loving my blog but typepad is so dang confusing! thanks for the chance to win! :)

[christine]

i love your new look, i think the idea of change it around is great, i think the funky dots 2 is probably my fav i love me some brown yumminess.
thanks for the chance to win something so cool. my blog is really only for me i am fairly sure no one but me reads it but i still like the idea of a change!

christine

www.piggletslife.blogspot.com/

[Meredith]

I love them ALL - how is one to choose? In a house of all boys, I'm definitely needin' some blog couture!

[jessica]

ooohhhh....they are all so gorgeous. I am having trouble deciding. I think I like the funky dots 2 the best.

[Sandy]

I haven't used my own personal blog for a few years. I am finding it intimidating to even try to revamp it for fear I will mess up something lol. This is the link to my blog where I would like to start adding my 365 project pictures. http://whispersislandlife.blogspot.com/
Thanks,
Sandy
PS. I love what you've done with your blog!

[Kim Brown]

Two word: Damask Border. Oh so lovely.

We watch yo gabba gabba too. My son loves Plex. We sing all of the songs, don't be afraid, try it you like it (thanks for the help on the veggies) and how cute is the one were DJ Lance rock does the beat beaty beat beat beat clap clap. point to your head, point to your nose...etc...probably our favorite episode!!

[Maridette]

OMG! AHHH! I have to say that HOUSE of 3 is my all time favorite. It's sooo ME! I would be so honored for you to create a blog couture just for me. Like you, I too am scared to change my blog in fear that it'll wipe out my entire entry. I just started digital/hybrid scrapbooking and love it. My favorite blog couture is the chandelier blog couture. I just love the chandeliers and the swirls and of course, the pink and black! Love it! You gals are AweSoMe and such an inspiration!

Happy scrappin'

Dette

[Heather]

Hmmm....I love so many of your blog couture designs. I can't wait to change it up. But for now I am loving and using the Damask Artisan designs. I love that the blue/black color combo is masculine enough to represent our male dominant household--and the feminine curves of the damask represent me and my personality. :) I have been having so much fun with the Hof3 goodies. My boys loved the Valentine books I created from your kit. (check out Feb 14-15 on my blog) Thanks for the inspiration. I have been in a bit of a creative funk...y'all have helped release my repressed creativity. :) Thanks!

[Jaime Benavides]

Hey Heidi! Here's a link to my blog - http://www.scrapcrazydiva.blogspot.com/ and the background I like is here - http://www.houseof3.com/black-bird-blog-couture.html and I like the matching header as well. Thanks for the chance to win!