We are excited to announce our latest e-course: Blog (Design) Love! Over the years we have received many emails from fellow bloggers wanting to know how they could add more personality to their blog designs, like we do here on A Beautiful Mess. Elsie teamed up with Elise to create a course all about designing and coding your own blog.
In this course you will learn how to design the perfect blog layout for you! Elsie shares her personal tips and techniques for developing your blog branding and style. You will learn how to bring your designs to life through simple Photoshop tutorials (all lessons taught with Photoshop CS5). Learn how to create a customized banner, navigation bar and sidebar elements. The best part is, you’ll know how to create and change all of the artwork on your blog whenever you like!
As you learn to create the perfect design, Elise will teach you how to code your designs into your blog. Sessions include tutorials for Typepad, Blogger and WordPress.com bloggers (Sessions 8,9 and 12 do not teach custom CSS for WordPress.com users.). You will learn how to create clickable archives (just like the A Beautiful Mess archives!), how to get started setting up and managing your own advertising program and how to customize the size of your content column and install web fonts.
All lesson tutorials are taught through a private blog created just for this course. For a full description of each session click here.
We are so excited to share our design secrets with you. Blog Design Love is packed with information and personal tips! The course cost is only $45.00 US.
To sign up, click here. xo. Elsie
142 Comments
Wow that’s so cool! I think I’m gonna get it ^^
xo,
Pili.
http://inavintageworld.blogspot.com.es/2012/11/simple-friday.html
girls! oh my goodness, you could not have planned this at a better time! I’ve been struggling with teaching myself coding. yay!
Thats so cool! blog love was a blast I’m sure this will be as well!!
So excited for this, it’s definitely going on my Christmas wish list!
Done. Ladies, is this course something we will be able to access forever?
Oh! Love it! Now to subtly hint to Santa for this :p
Aoife x
http://aoife-blake.com
Will the coding element of this course only cover wordpress? or will blogger be covered as well?
Is this course permanately open? Could I buy it in a few weeks, months, etc?
xo Jennifer
http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com
Oh my good-golly-gosh!! This is EXACTLY what I’ve been needing and wanting!! I’ve JUST started blogging and have created my site on my own but I feel it lacks a professional touch. I’ve been looking at lots of web designers but I didn’t want to pay a bucketload so you can imagine my excitement when I pulled up your webpage (to look at how you organized your side bar) when I saw your course! I honestly leapt for joy!! I can’t wait!!
This is a fantastic deal & I already purchased it, but I have a question. I have Photoshop Elements 10, will I still be able to follow along easily?
Oh my word! I just contacted Katrina Tan @ Pugly Pixel asking about design this past week! I am so glad that I found this for such an affordable price. Thanks so much! Just one question. I have Photoshop Elements (a pretty old version) do you think it will still work if I chose to take this? I’m 15, so I might be able to get a student discount for Photoshop.
xo, Ella
So cool!
x
http://www.creativityandchocolate.blogspot.com
P.S. A BIG thank you for making it affordable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is wonderful! I have been so anxious to start a blog but just so clueless as to all of the technical aspects of the process. Cannot wait to start Elsie!!!!
Ohh tempted, I can’t even work out how to get two images parallel! Rx
http://sandersonsmithstory.blogspot.co.uk/
Great idea!
I read the full description and the asterisk at the bottom says that those lessons are only for existing wordpress templates. Does this mean if I use blogger those lessons wouldn’t apply to me?
Great skills!
Q: Ladies, is this course something we will be able to access forever?
A: Yes.
Q: Will the coding element of this course only cover wordpress? or will blogger be covered as well?
A: The course covers Typepad, Blogger + WordPress. The note just means that a few of the sessions are different in WordPress. 🙂
Q: Is this course permanately open? Could I buy it in a few weeks, months, etc?
A: Yes, we will keep up for sale for at least one year. You can access it forever as long as you save your password 🙂
Q: I have Photoshop Elements 10, will I still be able to follow along easily?
A: Yes! We wrote the sessions in CS5, but the tools we use are available in every version of photoshop. These are very basic Photoshop tutorials, designed to teach basic skills. 🙂
Q: I read the full description and the asterisk at the bottom says that those lessons are only for existing wordpress templates. Does this mean if I use blogger those lessons wouldn’t apply to me?
A: What platform are you using? WordPress just has different capabilities for a few of the sessions. Most of it works for all three platforms. 🙂
So excited! I love your e-courses!! And this one is just in time because I am doing a complete design makeover on my blog and re-branding. 🙂
Will it still be worth it if I am still using CS4? Please let me know – thanks!
wow, this is a really great idea, I need to sign up!!
http://thelittletexan.blogspot.com/
Wow. This sounds awesome! hmmm.
I would love to take the course…but unfortunately I don’t own Photoshop. WIll the e-course be available for some time? With Christmas just around the corner there might be the chance that I soon will own Photoshop, but I don’t want it to be too late to take the course…
Bought it!
My poor dyslexia Elise…Elsie OMG my eyes! In other news, thanks! I’m going to look into this! Thanks!
Melinda
I am SO excited!!! I need this and November is my birthday month. Hints will be dropped!
http://catherinedenton.com
YOU READ MY MIND. I was just customizing my blog a little bit and thought “man i wish i remember how to do html!!” BLAMO! THANK YOU. how long will you be offering this class? I don’t currently have photo shop cs5 i only have photoshop CS (i know, ghetto!) but it’s all i have right now. can i still take the course?
Just a note to everyone who wants to participate but can’t afford Photoshop – they now offer $20 a month subscriptions! So perfect.
Oh my, this is great! Thanks, girls! 🙂
BUT! What is the deadline to buy it? And when does it start or when will it be available?
Hi elsie & elise! i read both of your blogs and have one of my own, but i live in the uk so i can’t purchase your course. i know there are loads of people in uk who would love a free course or one in GBP… xoxo
This amazing!! I love Elise’s blog as well! This is definitely going to be something that I purchase.
I am so excited for this!!! Will be buying it after work 🙂 <3
I have a wordpress.com blog, but I want to move to a self-hosted wordpress blog…is the coding info the same as that for wordpress.com?
Q: i read both of your blogs and have one of my own, but i live in the uk so i can’t purchase your course. i know there are loads of people in uk who would love a free course or one in GBP
A: Hi Ruby! You can still buy it through Paypal and the amount will be converted for you. XOXO
Q: What is the deadline to buy it? And when does it start or when will it be available?
A: There is no deadline at this time. Our e-courses are currently all continually available. The course is available immediately. You get an automatic password sent to your e-mail as soon as your payment clears.
XOXO
Q: I don’t currently have photo shop cs5 i only have photoshop CS (i know, ghetto!) but it’s all i have right now. can i still take the course?
A: Yes, it will look VERY similar. Your version may have a few features in different spots, but all of the features I use to teach will be there. 🙂 I’ve used at least 5 versions of photoshop through the years and really feel like these instructions would work with any version (even Elements).
Thank you for making this accessable forever;) I need some help and can’t wait to utilize this course, just life is too crazy at the moment! Can’t wait to try it after things calm down, and turn my blog from sad to FAB!
Q: I would love to take the course…but unfortunately I don’t own Photoshop. WIll the e-course be available for some time?
A: Yes, you will definitely need Photoshop (unless, of course you have another program that you are already well versed in and don’t need the design tutorials).
Q: Will it still be worth it if I am still using CS4? Please let me know – thanks!
A: Yes. They are very similar!
Q: I have a wordpress.com blog, but I want to move to a self-hosted wordpress blog…is the coding info the same as that for wordpress.com?
A: No, it is not the same. Some of the information would be applicable, but the course has been written specifically for wordpress.com
Good question!
YESSSSS! I am super stoked for this. I have basically just been muddling through on my old HTML knowledge and guesswork up to this point. This is going to be super handy!
Alli xx
Is this information still useful for Tumblr users? Or is Tumblr too different? I already bought the e-course just because I am sure it has plenty of great information to offer. But I am also a Tumblr user, and I was wondering if you know what some of the differences or difficulties might be if I am not using Blogger/Wordpress/Typepad?
Thanks!
Elsie, I am using blogger on a PC. I want to make sure that I would still be able to make the navigation bar!
Q: Elsie, I am using blogger on a PC. I want to make sure that I would still be able to make the navigation bar!
A: Yes, absolutely! 🙂
Q: Is this information still useful for Tumblr users?
A: Very little of the coding information would be useful for Tumblr users. The design information would still apply. The design skills are basic and could be used to design your own images for pretty much any platform. 🙂
Just signed up, cannot wait to improve my personal blog 🙂
I was planning to re-design my blog this came at a perfect time! BOUGHT the E-Course already! love the blog x
this is so exciting! I want to learn more photoshop blog related stuff 🙂
Very cool!
http://slidingdrawersblog.blogspot.com/
If I wasn’t so completely broke, this would be at the tip-top f my list! Love the idea.
xo Ashley
http://luckylittlebird.blogspot.com/
It’s pretty cool to watch this blog branch off into web design (hey! my area of expertise!). I might buy this tutorial for my sister for Christmas! It’d be very cool if you maybe did a follow-up post with what people created after going through the tutorials. Anyway, good luck to everyone!
This is awesome, and super affordable!!! AMEN! I have one, maybe stupid question…do I have to have photoshop on my computer to do this? (I know the answer is probably yes, but I just wanted to check)…I’m really excited about maybe being able to do this, I’ve been wanting to teach myself some coding for a long time!
I have the coding/technical skills but I lack the imagination to really create a layout I love. Does this focus more on the how-to for coding or will it cover just as much of the creative/marketing side?
I’m so excited! One question, I only use my ipad and as you know Apple doesn’t offer photoshop. Do you feel there is enough content for me to benefit from this class. xoxoJulie
I only have Photoshop Elements. Will this class still be useful?
So… I do not use any of those platforms, nor do I have Photoshop. I am a Squarespace/PSE 10 user. Everything that your course covers is something that I am interested in. Would you still recommend your E-Course for me or am I not the right type of user?
Off topic, but I adore your couch!
It’s amazing!!! I really loved Blog Love, cant wait to get that one, I need a Photoshop before, I’ll ask for chrismas I think! It looks like a beautiful-huge project, like always : congrats!
Olive xox
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Oh yay! I am just about to try to redo my whole blog! Just went to a blogging conference and that jump started my inspiration and you guys just topped it off! Thank you SO much. Wooohoooo!
Oh shoot. One more thing. Do I need to purchase Photoshop to do this? I WILL if I have to I just want to get the right version. Thank you!
You guys should do a giveaway on your awesome ecourses!
Oh my gosh I need to try this!!! I love your guy’s blog!!:) Your so creative!! I’m doing this project as soon as I can!!
This looks fantastic! Can you advise as to what software/technology we will need to complete the course?
that is really cool! thanks!
ww.styleandshades.blogspot.com
Q: Can you advise as to what software/technology we will need to complete the course?
A: You need Photoshop to learn from the photoshop sessions. I wrote the sessions using CS5, but the tools used are common in all versions of Photoshop. 🙂
Q: Do I need to purchase Photoshop to do this? I WILL if I have to I just want to get the right version.
A: Yes. I used CS5 to write the course. You can use any version. All of the CS versions will have the features needed to learn with our e-course. 🙂
Q: So… I do not use any of those platforms, nor do I have Photoshop. I am a Squarespace/PSE 10 user. Everything that your course covers is something that I am interested in. Would you still recommend your E-Course for me or am I not the right type of user?
A: I would not recommend this course for you unless you choose to move to a new platform. The instructions are pretty specific within each platform. If you haven’t taken Blog Love ( http://shopredvelvet.com/collections/e-course/products/blog-love-e-course ) it would probably be a much better fit for you! XO.
Q: I only have Photoshop Elements. Will this class still be useful?
A: Yes! Photoshop Elements doesn’t have all of the features that CS has, but it does have all of the major stuff that we use in these sessions. 🙂
Q: One question, I only use my ipad and as you know Apple doesn’t offer photoshop. Do you feel there is enough content for me to benefit from this class
A: Honestly, yes. The coding portions are really heavy and helpful. If that’s mainly what you are wanting to learn then I think you would enjoy it.
Q: I have the coding/technical skills but I lack the imagination to really create a layout I love. Does this focus more on the how-to for coding or will it cover just as much of the creative/marketing side?
A: Honestly, this course is mostly technical information. There are a few sessions that talk about branding basics, but I think that you would benefit more from the first Blog Love course, which is more about content. 🙂
Thanks! I’m an ass with codes! So this is so helping me!
X
http://dipitblack.com
This is a great idea. I could use all the help I can get. I have always wanted to learn the basics.
Awesome, great tips!
Perfect article and great idea.
http://www.fashiondenis.com/
Such a great news. I’ve been always struggling with this and now your course is the answer. With a reasonable price, your course is definitely what I’m looking for.
And I have a question, if I design a WordPress template and want to share it with my friends. Does the course also cover this aspect how to create a ready-to-use template?
Love your eyeglasses!!!
This is super cool, thanks for sharing!
very exciting!
http://1hugaday.blogspot.co.il/
Wow this is wonderful! Thank you for offering this!!
That wicker table brings back so many memories for me. I had that exact table at my parent’s house and I used it in my playhouse. Many tea parties and treats baked in the metal easy bake oven (where I burned my hand many times on the light bulb that cooked my creations) were had on that table. 🙂
Ooo goody! I’ve wanted to get into coding etc. on my family’s blog, and this course sounds right up my alley!
Thank you so, so much for being willing to share this information in your course!!!
-Charlotte
I use squarespace so the coding part wouldn’t be helpful. However, your tips on mood boards and site design sound interesting. Would I still benefit even if I use squarespace?
Tina
http://www.ourwonderlust.com
Oh, how I wish this was for WordPress.org, too! Do you think the courses will apply/transfer over?
So great 🙂 I just started an online course for web design (and I’m actually starting my own business as I go). This will be a great addition to my curriculum and my blog needs some love as well ;)! Will add it to my Christmas wishlist.
I love your E-courses! I am thinking to buy it.
Awesome!!!
http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com/
this sounds amazing!
doing a giveaway right now on my blog, you can check it out here! http://blogstephanienicole.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-giveaway.html
Yay! I’ve been working on a new layout and having some trouble, so hopefully this will shed some light 🙂
Sorry this is off topic, but… Elsie, I love, love, LOVE your new hair colour! Any chance of some more pics? I am adoring the colour and the highlight placement and I would love to be able to take some pics to my stylist and go THIS, EXACTLY THIS, PLEASE. 😉
Oh wow, this sounds awesome! 😀
I am really interested in this but wondered do you get all of the sessions at once or are they released gradually? I want to update my blog in the next month so would really need all of the sections to hand. Would I be able to code designs that are as comprehensive as the designs on sites such as blog milk? Thanks.
These are beautiful pictures Elsie 🙂
Wow! You guys are amazing! I would love to take this e-course! My blog could definitely use it!
Theresa
http://bomamma.blogspot.com
I bought this last night and loved it. I’ve been blogging for 5+ years now (4 professionally) and I still learned a ton. Excited for a redesign!
If anyone is on the fence – this is definitely worth purchasing!!
Will the class be taught at certain times/dates? I am interested but want to make sure I will be abel to be there… Thanks – and what if I don’t have photoshop. are there other programs I can use. or buy photoshop?
Jenn-The course does not have dates. You receive access to the entire course after purchase and can work at your own pace and refer back to sessions as needed.
I just stumbled across your blog as a result of signing up for Bloglovin and I am so thankful I saw this post. I just signed up and I’m really looking forward to it!
Amazing! Will be picking this up soon!!
sounds really cool!
Hi Elsie , I know this is kinda random but the horse picture you had on your dresser at your old place, appears to above the right of Bella’s bed in the movie Twilight. I know this has nothing to do with this post but the comments to the posts which had that horse pic in it were disabled.
I know it’s totally random
Great blog by the way.
?
Fantastic! Are the courses live or do you get to download them after purchase? How do the classes work exactly?
Thanks! Can’t wait!
Hi,
Thanks for sharing !! You have shared nice article. I really like your article.. I will keep visiting your blog!!!
Looks great – I can’t wait to take one of your courses!
Blog Love was awesome, sure this will be too
Blog Love was game changing, this will be too!
How wonderful, thank you Elsie and Elise. I can’t wait to start it and learn all your tricks!
http://www.sweetlc.blogspot.com
Is it just WordPress.com or do you also cover WordPress.org?
This is perfect (and affordable). Thank you! Registered today.
This sounds like a fantastic course! If you only have photoshop elements would it still be worth taking? Crossing my fingers…..
Will def look into getting it! 🙂
Great idea! Where on earth is that yellow couch from!?!??
So excited for this! I’ve been frustrated with not knowing how to make my blog look the way I want it to – I think this will help me give it a little more of a polished look. Thank you for all your lovely inspiration!
wow congrats!!! I am currently working on the Blog Love e-course, but in the next year or so I definitely want to take this course. (need to buy photoshop first, eeeks!) Elsie, thanks for answering all these other questions in the comments! now I don’t need to ask you anything 😉 I also really love the “free” blog content you have available, like the Blog Layout post for example. Considering all that great content you might think of adding Blogging as a “topic we love” or even as a new tab!
Love your blog <3
http://www.pilgrimography.com
I am signing up!! Thank you so much for making it so dang affordable – what a blessing 🙂
http://www.packingrainbows.com
http://www.packingrainbows.com
Hello!
I understand that the course will go on for some time and that we will have the chance to send our doubts or queries about the tasks, is that right?
It sounds really excinting, but I wouldn’t want to commit if later I can’t finish everything!
xxx
Thank you so much! I knew you girls would make something like this soon. I am really looking forward to learning from both you and Elisa. I know there is a lot I can learn from you both!
so beyond excited! just purchased and can’t wait to get started.
Great course, but I’m super interested in the studded shoes in the first photo, where did you get those beauties?
Great collection and wonderful post. You’ve done really excellent work. I’ll visit your blog again.
Great creativity and amazing.Really fashion required lot of creativity and hard work. You have done good job. Know more about fashion at – http://www.fashiondesigningcourses.co.in/
Question: Hi Elsie, I did sign up 3 days ago also for another of your workshop- so in total two workshops and sent an email also to your support email address yesterday but I got neither passwords nor a reply. Could you please have someone look at this or get back to me? Thank you so much, Nat
Have you retired the photo journal course? I was just about to sign up for it this week, but I can’t find it on the Red Velvet shop site anymore! In that case I’ll have to treat myself to a different course… Thanks!
I also want to know some great ideas through which i can make my recipe blog well designed.
This course is awesome! I made my first blog header in PSE (having never used it before) in about half an hour!
Thank you!!
http://homemadehappy.typepad.com/
Good morning from Finland.
Do you happen to sell your e-courses also to other countries???…surprisingly I mean to Finland 🙂 I would be the most happiest person on this side of the world if it would be possible. Love your blog and especially the design and style, just brilliant.
What type of software will i need?
yep!!! girls I LOVE YOU!!!
hi Elsie– one more clarification! What do you mean by “(Sessions 8,9 and 12 do not teach custom CSS for WordPress.com users.)” ? That wordpress users will need custom CSS but it’s not in your course?
This course is awesome!!! Thank you so much for making this information clear and accessible. This really was perfect timing. I am review Blog Love also and hope to have my blog up by the end of the year. I was hoping that you and Elise would address pros/cons and preferences for the different formats (typad, blogger, wp) from the viewpoint of women who use blogs for business and personal reasons. I have enjoyed both of your blogs and truly respect your opinions and expertise. Thanks again.
I am LOVING this course so much! Have just learnt how to make my own little side widget for other bloggers to take. Thank you Elsie and Elise! xo
I would like to take the course but I do not have cs5 so I want to know if this is still a good way for me to start off?
This looks great. What are the dates?
I want to purchase this course as a christmas present for my sister. What is the best way to do this to ensure that she doesn’t see it in her inbox until christmas??
Thanks! TG
A HUGE thank you for making this affordable! Is the course material that is printed? Or are there videos included? Also, once purchased how long do I have access to the materials? Love what you sisters do and your blog is one of my favorites!
Gracie, check out this post: http://abeautifulmess.com/2012/11/blog-design-love-qa.html
awesome collection and nice informative post, thanks for sharing !