I’ve been spending a ridiculous amount of time trying to create a WordPress theme for Wanderstruck.com that I happy with and I’m about ready to throw my laptop into the streets. Well, not my laptop, my parents’. Not sure how well that would go down.
I know I could pay someone to whip me up something that suits in no time but this is something I really want to learn how to do and toying with the theme’s CSS is frustrating my to death but if I don’t keep hammering away at it, I’ll never learn.
So what are the results of my three weeks at home in Canada? Not much besides a lot of hair pulled out and late nights. I’ve done a few important things but as far as this new site goes, it’s like a black hole that sucks my time into it without showing much progress.
I thought it might be interesting to give the site’s link and let anyone who is really bored and wants to see how confused I am to have a look at my progress (or at this point, total lack of any progress). Nobody ever shows their sites as a work in progress. It always seems to be an all or nothing deal which makes sense but it might be interesting to some people to see how much I still rely on trial and error and to also see how many design changes I’ll make before this puppy goes live.
I’m doing my theme editing work at http://www.wanderstruck.com/blog but you’ll probably spot changes to the main page soonish as well. I was initially hoping to have this site alive and kicking by the time I leave Canada on Monday but if that happens then it will be some kind of act of god. I’ll be kicking back on the beach for my first week in the Philippines so if I can find some wifi and avoid temptation then you should start seeing some progress.
Hopefully.
Kirsty, I certainly empathize with your frustration since designing websites is what I do for a living. That said, check out cssremix.com for some inspiration. It’s always a great springboard for new design ideas, layouts, etc.
Also, for color scheme ideas, check out http://www.colourlovers.com/. I could literally spend days on that site. (Yes, I’m a true design geek through-and-through)
Hope those help!
There’s no other way i’m afraid apart from trial and error with web design. Keep on hammering it and everything will eventually fall into place. But i know what you mean about the frustration though -there’s been many a time when it’s been tempting to give the laptop a good kicking…
Hey, you share yours, I share mine:
http://www.mybrandnewbrand.co.uk
Oh and I’m so jealous for the phillapines, I’d love to go somewhere warm. No doubt you’re familiar with UK winters. It’s eye wateringly miserable at the moment here :S
Looks good to me
Did you ever install easyphp ?
That takes away the need to be online all the time I get so much more done when i am not conected to the net.
yes, get easy php you will love it!!!!
Interesting idea Rhys, good luck with it! Thanks for the links Mike, they look like time suckers!
Is easyPHP smething that I can install on my computer to be able to tweak WP themes and other PHP things offline? I installed some crazy-ass thing that I think was called xamp or something with an ‘x’ in it and I couldn’t work it out. I didn’t try too long though. I’ll definitely have to sort it out if I’m going to get anything done offline!
Lookng into it now…
Very nice plan…I have another site to follow. When I decided to start my wordpress blog, it was in the hope that I can give you a slight idea of the Philippines. However, I got stuck with the craziness of the holiday and the mundane day-to-day survival. I just realized you’re leaving tomorrow…check your email for emergency contact in Manila.
I’m big on signs…a few of the quirkiness I allow myself to have. When I checked my email before going to your site, I found a very unexpected comment to moderrate from Bill and Lorna (for Range of Trust). I mentioned their site for you to check and I never expect that they will find it. My sister also told me that the Ati-Atihan in Aklan is better than the one in Cebu or Negros. If your Ati-Atihan plan is in Caticlan, Aklan…you are a very short boat ride to Boracay.
I hope you’ll have fun in the Philippines.
Oh babes, I’m sorry you’re having a hard time. I’ve been there before. Little sleep. Skin with enough oil to fry an egg. And a temper and a half.
Hope you sort it out. You probably will eventually. From the looks of it, it is taking shape.
Do keep us posted.
using easyphp you can tweak a wp theme with out been online
obviously you will need to install the db on your laptop
myphpadmin is at http://127.0.0.1/home/mysql/