05-26

2010

Creating Your WordPress Theme — Part 1

blog-wp

Over the past few months I’ve gotten a lot of comments, tweets, and emails about how I create the layout/design here at OSN.

So I figure I will attempt to create a basic tutorial on how to create a 3-column design with a 3-column footer. We will be using CSS and XHTML strict coding because that is what comes easiest to me. Along the way I will mention plugins and little ideas that I tend to use frequently in my designs!

This is part one in the weekly series, where I go over the programs you may need, the color scheme I will be using, and the font I will be using.

So It Begins

Since the files have the .php extension you will need a text editor that is NOT notepad. I personally use and recommend the free EditPad Lite.

The files we will be creating for a basic theme:

404.php
archive.php
comments.php
footer.php
functions.php
header.php
index.php
page.php
search.php
sidebar.php
single.php
style.css

I always start with the design FIRST before breaking it into code and style. I highly suggest figuring out your color scheme. Helpful sites for that would be Adobe Kuler and ColourLovers.

Here is our palette for the purpose of this tutorial:

#107296

#5f9610

#f2f2e8

#d8d0a6

#e07e0a

#534741

I chose these colors because it reminds me of the sky, plants, and earth. Oh and because they are pretty. Don’t judge!

We will also be using the font Learning Curve both in solid and dashed forms. To use this font we will be utilizing the WP plugin, WP-cufon.

At the end of it all, hopefully we will all manage to create a wonderful design!

THIS is what we hope to create!

theme image

If you have any questions you would like to see addressed, let me know so I can include them in next weeks post or get an answer right away by asking on the forum or Q&A areas of OSN!

archived under: Web

{34 comments}

05-22

2010

Playing Catch Up

As some of you know, I’ve been battling the cold from hell lately. I’m still not any better.

Well let me rephrase that, my MIND is more clear yet my body is still falling apart. Thankfully Keith has been taking care of EVERYTHING so that all I have to do is lay in bed and breastfeed Tristan whenever he’s hungry.

So I figure I will do a basic catching up post for the time being. I know I’ve missed out on over 300 blog posts from everyone so if you’ve blogged recently and really want me to take a look, share the URL please!

Around Osn

I completely redid the forum including the theme and the backend script. I switched from BBPress to SMF. If you were a previous member of the forum (previously named Nocturnal) you are moved over however due to the new script and such, you may need to reset your password. I am open to any suggestions on how to improve the forum and would appreciate new members, activity, and such!

I also posted on the forum about how to fix an issue for those using a Thesis 1.7 framework for WordPress. Granted I personally don’t use it but since a friend of mine, Liz, was having issues with her comment fields not populating from the commenter cookie, I had to fix it! So check out Fix AutoFill Comments in Thesis 1.7 for the solution!

My best friend Mary set up a Facebook Fan Page for my photography! It was SUCH a shock and an awesome surprise for me! I would have never done it for myself.

With the redesign, I brought back the 3-column footer and added an area for random blog buttons for those I already link to. If you would like your button displayed, just let me know.

Remember that I also have a section, Question & Answer, where you may ask me anything, even anonymously!

The Garden

The strawberries are starting to ripen and I have a wee tiny tomato growing so far. The basil is almost all dead so I need to get some new plants, maybe keep them indoors in the kitchen. My cilantro is crazy awesome. I cut it down almost to the base when I need it for dinner and within 2 – 4 days it’s like I never touched it!

With the basil, we think the issue may have been TOO much water as there was a part of the gutter (that Keith fixed) that was right over the basil section and with all the rain lately, I wouldn’t be surprised.

In my area, we’re having an issue with what appears to be flying soybean aphids. I don’t see them doing any damage to my garden however there is a LOT of them flying around and it’s just irritating. Makes being outdoors an unhappy experience. If anyone has any suggestions on how to tame them, lessen their numbers, or make them go away completely, I would appreciate it.

The Family

Daniel is doing fabulous lately. He and Keith go bike riding frequently together for what Danny calls “Daddy Time”. I know Keith is on the lookout for a bike rack for the car so he and Daniel can go riding at the forest preserve instead of just around the neighborhood area. Hard to figure out what will work for the vehicle (Scion xA) and what is affordable.

Tristan got his two top teeth with more on the horizon! He also is hardcore crawling now. His new love are lightsabers. Thankfully his big brother has a ton of them and doesn’t mind sharing!

Here are all the recent photos from my iPhone!

Tristan enjoying my homemade chicken and noodle soup. Yay for baby led eating!

Tristan hardcore crawling towards the lightsaber.

Keith and Daniel playing Mouse Trap while eating my homemade oatmeal raisin cookies with milk.

Tristan reaching out to his big brother for playtime!

Kisses, glorious kisses!

AH the kisses! Brothers are AWESOME!

Everything Else

I think it’s about it really. I am trying to have high hopes that I start to get better so I can be productive again. I have so many unanswered emails right now and this is the first day really that I have enough mental capacity to form a post!

archived under: Thoughts

{29 comments}

05-13

2010

Garden and Yard Photos

It’s been raining on and off all week. Not wee little storms but huge loud thunderstorms.

I hope my garden appreciates it!

As you can see (unless you are reading via RSS then I highly suggest you visit the main site!) I’ve redesigned a bit. Would love your thoughts and if there is anything YOU want to see here!

Here are some photos from the other morning of bits and pieces of the garden and yard after it rained.

archived under: Photography

{40 comments}

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I'm Sarah, mom of two sweet boys, Daniel & Tristan. I'm passionate about Attachment Parenting & photography. Why don't you learn more about me! Follow me on Twitter, stay up to date using the RSS feed, even subscribe via email, or connect with me on FaceBook and the OSN forum!

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Personal

Fought for a VBAC and lost
"She proceeded to make the comment “I know the situation, and because of that I’m not feeling sympathetic” in reference to Sarah leaving the hospital AMA and not accepting a repeat c-section previously, and to the massive amounts of pain she was in."
Vent - VBAC Scare Tactics
"He then recanted and said, “well maybe it’s not a law, but I’ll tell you NO hospital will ALLOW you to VBAC without it”. Right ok, so first fear tactic and lie."
I had TWO c-sections
"It’s hard because sometimes I almost feel shame or guilt that BOTH of my c-sections were medically needed."
Who Am I?
"I went from a victim, a weak worthless nothing to a MOTHER. I went from being a punching bag to a protector and then lost myself yet again."

Tweets

@PoorParenting basically homeschooling follows a curriculum and unschooling allows the child to self-learn #

@PoorParenting following her and sent her a ton of DM's lol #

@hearmeoutx public schools place huge emphasis on reading at a specific age. #

@hearmeoutx I really don't hold stock in add or ADHD. He seems to be more of a visual learner, like myself. I'm not worried however #

@hearmeoutx what is IEP and reading wise? He doesn't like to sit still and do it. He would rather be WATCHING a star wars movie than read it #

I would appreciate your feedback on my post about my #unschooling child that wants to try to go back to #publicschool http://bit.ly/d8xdnK #

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