Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Vintage and Antique, Inspired by Dearest Jane

I received a request for Antique blog backgrounds, and decided to design some that fit that description. While creating them I was struck with the idea to name them all after something from Jane Austen's books, and suddenly my mind was bursting with ideas!
I should make you guess where each name is from... ;) But I'll be nice and tell you with every one. :D I was planning on releasing these next week... but then I heard that one of my friends was going to be using an "I Love it!" background with her upcoming blog makeover. Knowing her to be a fellow Jane Austen Fan, I let her know about the coming backgrounds, and she said that she would definitely be waiting on them.

So I designed ALL of these yesterday, and am sharing them today! *awesomeness* :D

Credit: The free backgrounds in this series were almost solely made using elements from Friendly Scrap, and a ribbon from Summertime Designs and another ribbon I found in a freebie kit from Wishing Well Creations.
Remember......
For the sake of saving space, I have not posted previews of the three column versions of every  background... (although I do try to do that when the three column version looks different.) ...the code is just underneath the 'standard' width code for each design. (They usually look very much like the standard width except that the white middle section is just a little wider.)
To use a free background, copy the code underneath the background of your choice and paste it into an HTML/javascript gadget on your blog sidebar. :) For more details (and how to install a background into a Picture Window template, see the installation instructions page.)

A Grateful Heart


A Grateful Heart, 3 Column

^ This background is named after Fanny Price in Mansfield Park, who had a very grateful heart.

Georgiana

From Pride & Prejudice... the lovely Miss Georgiana Darcy, the hero's younger sister.
Georgiana, 3 Column


Sunflower Sensibilities

From Sense & Sensibility, obviously. :D Lol!

Sunflower Sensibilities, 3 Column

A Word, A Look

From Persuasion. TRIVIA: This background has a nearly transparent overlay of text in the center. The text is the entire letter that Captain Frederick Wentworth wrote to Anne in Bath. And the font is called "Jane Austen". Too cool! :D
A Word, A Look, 3 Column

Something Infinitely More Dear

From.... Emma! Mr. Knightley told her that he did not want to call her his friend because he wanted to call her "Something infinitely more dear." - awwwww. :D
Something Infinitely More Dear, 3 Column

The Drawing Room at Uppercross

From Persuasion. Uppercross was where Anne's younger sister Mary lived with her husband and family, and where Anne first saw Captain Wentworth again after being parted for over eight years.
The Drawing Room at Uppercross, 3 Column

Explore the Mysterious Chest

Lol... fans of Northanger Abbey will quickly recognize this scene from the book. Catherine Morland, staying in what she sees as the deliciously spooky Northanger Abbey, explores a 'mysterious chest' in her bedroom... only to find.... I shall not tell. You'll have to read the book yourself. ;)
Explore the Mysterious Chest, 3 Column

Lodgings in Bath

This is also from Northanger Abbey, when Catherine goes to stay in Bath (before going on to Northanger Abbey) - but it would fit with several other Jane Austen stories that also include scenes in Bath.
Lodgings in Bath, 3 Column


Is Pride a Fault or a Virtue?

Pride & Prejudice again! Elizabeth asks Mr. Darcy his opinion on this point, and at the time he cannot say which. But I think he later forms something like an opinion to the former. Inspiration for the colors came from the Keira Knightley movie version, in the scene where she asks this question. Mr. Bingley's drawing room looked so elegant! But I vastly prefer the Jennifer Ehle movie version in general.
Is Pride a Fault or a Virtue? - 3 Column

Sotherton

From Mansfield Park - Sotherton was the incredibly grand (if stuffy, and a little in need of "improvement") estate of Mr. Rushworth, a lesser character in the story but one of my favorites as to providing humorous material... and he has my sympathy in his choice of wives.


Sotherton, 3 Column

I included a preview of the 3 Column version of this one because it's a bit different than the original... the lacy ribbon borders are darker.


Good Health and Bloom

This is from Emma, from a conversation between Mr. Knightley and Mrs. Weston (Emma's ex-governess) about Emma. I think the shade of pink looks very much like the gown she wears to the ball in the Romola Garai movie version! :D
Good Health and Bloom, 3 Column


Good Health and Bloom with Chandelier

And, you know, 'cause I have this thing for chandeliers, I had to make a version with one. ;)
(sorry, no 3 Column version)

"Oh, a Cottage! How Very Snug."

This title is based off a remark that Fanny Dashwood makes in Sense and Sensibility. She's the evil sister-in-law that you love to hate in the story.
"Oh, a Cottage! How Very Snug."- 3 Column
I hope you've enjoyed this batch of FREE blog backgrounds! :D In fact, I would not be opposed in the least if you dare to click "__ People Love It, Do You?" And leave me a little note!

Seriously, which one is your favorite?

Enjoy!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Pink is for Girls

*WARNING*- This post contains a whole lott'a girliness! :D

All these FREE blog backgrounds are based on one theme - Pink! And there's a lot of variation in this batch... from sweet to spunky, demure to dazzling! :D (I'm trying to make something for everyone here...) I hope you find one that you like... unless, of course, you're not fond of pink. In that case I hope you're a guy. Because all girls should like pink. ;)

Pink is just for girls. (I don't like the pink-polo-shirted-preppy-guy look, do you? Especially that fuschia/hot pink color!? Good grief.) :P But girls wearing pink now... that's just *right*. :D

Credit: The free backgrounds in this series were made using elements from Summertime Designs and Friendly Scrap.

Remember......
For the sake of saving space, I have not posted previews of the three column versions of each background... (although I do try to do that when the three column version looks different.) ...the code is just underneath the 'standard' width code for each design. (They really look very much like the standard width except that the white middle section is just a little wider)

To use a free background, copy the code underneath the background of your choice and paste it into an HTML/javascript gadget on your blog sidebar. :) For more details (and how to install a background into a Picture Window template, see the installation instructions page.)

And remember - I live for comments! (well, eh, not really... but they always make me smile! *hint-hint*) ;)

Chandelier Chic


Chandelier Chic, 3 Column



Warm-hearted



Warm-hearted, 3 Column


Inspire Me

Hee-hee- the story behind the name for this design was that I was sitting in front of my laptop wondering what to name it and my brother Mark said "Just call it 'I couldn't think of a name, please inspire me'..." And I said "Inspire Me! Perfect!" :D
Inspire Me, 3 Column


Clarissa



Clarissa, 3 Column


Dotblossoms


Dotblossoms, 3 Column



Demoiselle
 
Demoiselle, 3 Column


Chantal's Place
This background is named after a character in one of my stories. :D
 
Chantal's Place, 3 Column


Cappucinno


Cappucinno, 3 Column


*Confession* - I don't drink coffee. At age 20, I've never had a cup. :O!

Brownie Points


Ever heard the expression, "Earning your brownie points"?
Brownie Points, 3 Column



Pink Brownie Points

Pink Brownie Points, 3 Column



She's Stunning

*melts into a little puddle* I reallllly love this one. It's so classy.
She's Stunning, 3 Column




She's Stunning (black)


I know, I know, this one isn't pink... but it's a variation OF a pink one! :) It counts! :D
She's Stunning (black), 3 Column



Cute 'n Crazy


Cute 'n Crazy, 3 Column



Crazy & Cute


Crazy & Cute, 3 Column


I hope you liked today's batch of free blog backgrounds! :D My plan is to eventually settle down to offering a new batch of blog backgrounds every Monday. But I'm having so much fun designing them at the moment that I've been doing more than that! :)

Enjoy!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Breathtaking Photography-Style Backgrounds

I am SO excited about this latest batch of FREE blog backgrounds! I found an absolutely wonderful place called Friendly Scrap with tons of free for personal use digital scrapbooking elements and papers, and I went to town designing backgrounds with them! (all the backgrounds in this post are designed using elements from Friendly Scrap).
These photography-style (with a transparent middle section) backgrounds are, granted, a little 'Spring-y'... but they were so pretty that I just couldn't wait until next year to share them with you! Lol! And I think you could get away with using some of them all year 'round. :)

For the sake of saving space, I have not posted previews of the three column versions of each background... the code is just underneath the 'standard' width code for each design. (They really look exactly like the standard width except the transparent middle section is just a little wider)

To use a free background, copy the code underneath the background of your choice and paste it into an HTML/javascript gadget on your blog sidebar. :) For more details (and how to install a background into a Picture Window template, see the installation instructions page.)
Breath of Spring




Breath of Spring, 3 Column




A Rose by Any Other Name...


A Rose by Any Other Name...- 3 Column



A Basketful of Roses


A Basketful of Roses, 3 Column



Basketful of Roses (no ribbon)


Basketful of Roses (no ribbon) 3 Column



Blossoms at Dusk

Blossoms at Dusk, 3 Column



Crystal Dewdrops


Crystal Dewdrops, 3 Column



Dewdrops on Roses

Dewdrops on Roses, 3 Column




Field of Daisies


Field of Daisies, 3 Column



Forest Flowers


Forest Flowers, 3 Column



Glowing Asters


Glowing Asters, 3 Column



Hanging Cherry Blossoms


Hanging Cherry Blossoms, 3 Column



Leaves of Eden


Leaves of Eden, 3 Column



My Little Lady {bug}


My Little Lady {bug}, 3 Column 



Soft and Sweet


Soft and Sweet, 3 Column



Soft and Sweet (with cake!)


Sorry, no 3 column version with cake.

Touch the Water


Touch the Water, 3 Column



Waterflower


Waterflower, 3 Column



Waterflower(s)


Waterflower(s), 3 Column



Floating Tulips
(Sorry, no 3 Column version for this one)



I Heart Roses


I Heart Roses, 3 Column




Well, I hope you enjoyed these! Check back next week for another batch of free blog backgrounds! (I'm working on designing some vintage backgrounds, artistic backgrounds, pink & girly backgrounds... and much more!) I can't wait to share them with you! :D