"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

[BLo]

Hi Heidi, I have the "Cool" theme on my blog. Being that I'm the mom of two boys, it was perfect. I have some other on my wish list that I'm eyeing also.

http://heaththeweatherboy.blogspot.com/

[Kristy Gussio]

Hey Heidi!! I am really loving all the new Houseof3 goodies....I really like the Great Outdoors Blog Couture, I think it would be a great spring-y look for my blog and would remind me that one of our family goals this year is to spend more time in the Great Outdoors and less time inside, in front of the TV!! Can't wait for the housewarming party!!
http://www.kristygussio.blogspot.com

[Emily Barklage]

Hard to choose, but probably Vintage Bouquet Blog Couture.

[kelly s.]

i love your blog's background and banner! and I also like the one with the owl on the branch! All of your designs are fabulous and you can't beat the prices that you have! I will def update my bog with your couture soon.

[Andrea]

Hi Heidi;

I love your new house of 3 and I used it for my blog.

www.wanderingwalks.blogspot.com

Thanks
Andrea

[Liz Oram]

Heidi~
I like you have left my blogs completely nude (or basic)! I tried to change something on my personal blog once and it deleted all my contacts (I say it because I did it all the same as I usually did and then poof-gone)! Since then I really haven't done much but post on there! I would love some help to spruce it up!! I love seeing pages like yours-they always make me happy! Thanks for the opportunity! www.lizandericoram.blogspot.com
www.simplemomentsphotographybyliz.blogspot.com

Liz

[Sheila Miller]

Hello Heidi! Congrats on the new House of 3. I just followed Rhonna over here from the other place. I have lots of her designs already and will always have them. I did manage to do a header and still contemplating the backgrounds. I am so out of my box, but loving it!
You know that saying,"you can't teach an old dog new tricks", well ummmmm, oh yes you can! Oh, I can't forget Janet, love your spring bling banner.

[Alicia King]

I love all of your designs...and House of 3, so excited for all of you! and Yeah! I am excited to finally leave a comment on your blog-its been a while ;)

[Alicia King]

okay I think they are all awesome, my favorites-all the damask ones so cute...love the Damask Artisan one, and the Black Bird is calling me right now!

http://www.aliciaking.typepad.com

[holly]

love the fun blogs- I would love a blog makeover!!

[holly]

Did we need to link our blog??
http://everydaymoments-holly.blogspot.com/

[Mel Connell]

What a lovely idea..... I keep meaning to get myself a header, but I think I will wait for Rhonna's blogger steps, Im a little un-co with the computer sometimes.

[Carla T]

my favorite is what I have on my blog...but honestly I had a VERY difficult time choosing one. I wanted them all!
http://in-time-out.blogspot.com

And I'm with you Heidi on trying to figure out how to work these blogs but the instructions on Hof3 were really easy and clear!

[Kate I]

Thanks so much for this Typepad tutorial...I've been wanting to do something more exciting with mine for awhile but thought I would have to take a course in writing HTML! I have the "Pro" account and I'm wondering if I can make these changes with this type of account?

[Becky (Daisyduster)]

Oh Goodness!
I keep trying to post and it's not showing up...
So last try...
crossing fingers! lol

Thank You so much, Heidi!
This House of 3 thingy is reeeeally cool!
Can't wait until this weekend!

My 2nd fav so far(1st one is on my blog right now!) is
The Black and White Swirl banner with the Damask Border background.

www.lilypadlane-becky.blogspot.com

[Shelley Smith]

Ooo, I love the new look. So sassy! And VERY springy!
I have to say that all your stuff is SUPER cute. I just ordered some stamps, and the distressing tool from you. LOVE it ALL! You are incredibly creative. I actually do vinyl lettering, and love using your tools!! SO fun.
I have to say that I honestly can't pick a design that I love more then the rest. I love simplicity with that little touch of fab! I would LOVE a new look for my vinyl blog. That would ROCK my world!
K, thanks so for the giveaway!
Shelley Smith

[Kelly S.]

I'm in LOVE with the new House of 3 blog couture! I switched mine out to the pink/black, but am still having issues with having the image stretch properly and my column widths.

I just got PSE for Christmas and recently tried your brushes for the first time. LOVE them! I might just become a digi scrapper yet.

http://aviewintoourlives.blogspot.com/

[Marianne Pollock]

Hi - greetings from Australia. I'm not sure if I know how to leave a link but my blog is www.mariannepollock.typepad.com.
I saw you at Create 08 and thought you rocked! I would be happy with any house of 3
Blog wallpaper but I love the funky dots 2 banner the best. Thanks.

[julie]

I can't wait to check out the typepad possibilities! :)
Blogging every morning is my cup of coffee, since I've cut out caffeine...
www.juliejac.typepad.com

[steph caskey devlin]

Heidi had way too much fun with this ....

www.stephdevlin.typepad.com

way too much fun ....

Steph xo

[angel]

lovin all this stuff you ladies are doing! I grabbed TWO banners ( had 1 blog, then started a second... because I am lovin this
grabbed the "blinkie" Ho3 to post on blog#1
www.lifeccc.blogspot.com
www.ourpalife.blogspot.com

[Michelle]

My blog so needs a makeover! I love the color red, so the February banner is really jumping out at me. I am totally afraid of all the technology, though! :)

[Michelle]

whoops, forgot the link to my blog:
http://thecraftycat-michelle.blogspot.com
Thanks Heidi!

[Traci Severson]

Hi Heidi, I certainly love all of the Hof3 looks but I'm smitten with the vintage style right now! Currently my blogs shoes are B&W!

www.traci-life.blogspot.com

Thanks for the chance to win and congratulations on the new venture!

[Jeannine B.]

I had so much fun "dressing up" my blog with your new headers and backgrounds! It could get quite addictive! Here is a link to my blog: http://letstalkchaos.blogspot.com/