Build A Custom Wordpress Theme
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What do you think of Reward Rebel’s new interim header? ‘Interim’ because the entire theme is being rebuilt. The most exciting aspect of this piece of news is that it’s being rebuilt by me!
In case you’ve not visited this website previously, this is Reward Rebel prior to the revamp.
Click the image to ENLARGE
There’s still a long way to go - the first thing I have to do is reduce the depth of the header graphic*, but at last my website now has a unique appearance.
[* I’ve reduced the depth of the header graphic from 343px to 275px, which is more balanced.]
I’m working hard learning CSS, PHP and all routes in between. However, I have a particular debt of gratitude to John Pratt on whose blog, JT Pratt’s Blogging Mistakes reside the most awesome tutorials, in particular, tutorials covering various elements of Wordpress.
John also introduced me to Theme Test Drive, an empowering Wordpress plug-in that enables you to play with a new theme, whilst your readers still see the regular theme!
As long as you’re logged into your Wordpress Dashboard as Administrator, you’ll see the new ‘test’ theme and its changes on your website. Log out as Administrator, and you’ll see your blog just as the rest of the blogosphere sees it. Cool, huh? I think so, and I’m sure you’ll agree.
Check out John’s tutorial on Theme Test Drive for yourself. It’ll help you achieve your own unique blog theme, and if you also study John’s articles, you’ll avoid blogging mistakes of your own!
Have fun building your unique custom Wordpress theme… and don’t forget to let me know how you get on!
Reward Rebel
Filed under Tutorials, Wordpress, How To, Blogging |
Like it, RR! It is and reflects YOU.
And I agree, a decrease in height would make its appearance a bit better.
~Marcus
Marcus Hochstadt’s last blog post..24 Hour Special
Thanks for the Link Love! Now I’m blushing…I started my blog to write about all the things I had to figure out on my own and couldn’t find decent tutorials for. I’m grateful that people are benefiting from my (head banging) mistakes!
The new header looks nice…it’s fun to play in the code, isn’t it!
JTPratt’s Blogging Mistakes’s last blog post..How to Create Your Own Wordpress Theme
Hey Marcus,
No way is my tail that bushy! LOL. Seriously though, many thanks for the encouragement.
Watcha John,
Well, I’m not quite at the stage where I’d call it fun, however, it is a lot of fun to see the results of struggling in the code! Tee hee
It’s taken quite a while for the penny to drop, but finally I can see the patterns in the code and start to grasp what’s happening where… and why!
I like it, it’s more personal!
If you need help or links to rebuild your blog, let me know… I tweaked mine so much!
I love making blogs more personal. Seeing the same default template all the time… blah!
Zhu’s last blog post..The “Win An Adspot” Contest
Hey Zhu,
I appreciate the offer, thanks. The number of times I’ve been held up on a piece of work, cos of some daft little thing that I just can’t figure out. Thankfully, it’s finally becoming clearer!
Hi RR.. I like the changes in your theme.. I love fiddling with wordpress themes.. I must make it “mine”, ha! I have always liked your logo - it’s nice to see it get a top view.
Judi’s last blog post..Parenting - Leader - Role Model
Hi Judi,
I always wonder which blogs are designed and/or hacked by their owners, and which are outsourced. Now I feel more like a real blogger!
Hi Reward Rebel,
You’re building a new home! And you took out the twirly thingy! It’s looking a lot better and more organized. I can even see the Technorati widget.
Congratulations! I see you’ve been very busy. I wouldn’t know how to tweak my blog. It’s a freebie from blogger anyway, and I’m not moving to word press in the very near future. But it’s encouraging to see a lot of blogs switching from blogger templates to word press.
I admire your perseverance and patience in learning these things. Me, well I have to work days and travel about accomplishing what I need to do. Sometimes I just fax my posts to the office and have the secretary post it for me since there are no internet services where we go.
Anyway,I’m glad to hear you’re happy and in full control of what you want to show to the world as the new Reward Rebel. That’s basically what women want, to take control of their lives, and you’re doing it!
–Durano, done!
Durano Lawayan’s last blog post..Skirting Spain’s School System
I like it! I bought a book on PHP from Sitepoint.com, but haven’t gotten too deep into it yet. I just need to take some time away from Entrecard and read it LOL
Looks like you are headed in the right direction! Keep up the good work!
ê¿ê
Margaret’s last blog post..Have You Ever Wondered?
Hmm, I’m not sure of the “real blogger” comment as i don’t see coding and blogging as a necessity to be intertwined, but the theme is coming along nicely!
Custom is definitely the way to go. I recently had mine outsourced (I don’t mess with code a bit, except maybe a few tweaks afterwards) and couldn’t be happier with it…custom header is next for my flagship (not shown).
Dennis Edell’s last blog post..Free Advertising At Craigslist - Press Releases
Dearest Durano,
Sometimes I’m not so sure it’s perseverance and/or patience, more like stubbornness and a refusal to allow it to beat me into submission!
But I do derive a great deal of satisfaction from each breakthrough — I’ve always been bit of a control freak.
Actually, D, I don’t know where in the world you live. I scrutinized your blog one time in an attempt to discover a reference to home, as I thought I once read you’re in the Philippines.
Unless not revealing your location is part of your online alter-ego, I’d love to know.
Hi Margaret,
Many thanks — actually I love your header graphic/logo, too. I’m learning to use PHP but, of course, most of what I’ve done so far has been manipulating the CSS.
I can’t believe I just wrote that, and actually understand what it means — OMG I’m a geek!
Hey Dennis,
Thanks. I do agree that the coding and design elements of blogging aren’t prerequisite to qualify as a blogger. It’s just that I’m always been in awe of blogs that are designed, including artwork, and built by the blog author. And if it’s well-written, too, they are elevated to god-like status and I pay homage!
Oh, go on, let me have my moment of glory!
Dear Friend,
I have to tell you now i am using new blog with the same widget, different address only. My old blog has been removed by google because of someone hack and add malware in my old blog. So, I hope from today everything will be oke.
Any way you have a nice blog and I like your content
Success for you
The Aries
The Aries’s last blog post..The Secret of Google’s Success
Hi Layne,
My home is in the Philippines, but I travel around quite often in the Asia Pacific region, and periodically in the Middle East. Occasionally, in the USA.
The schedules are very often, if not always, tight that there is only time for work. The tasks often involve people, who sometimes have the need to bond with us till the wee hours. It’s taxing but fulfilling. :-)–Durano, done!
Durano Lawayan’s last blog post..The Risk of Rumors in Rice Reserves
Hello The Aries,
Sorry to hear you’ve lost one of your websites - I wish you success in the future, too.
Hey Durano,
Many thanks for the info ~ your work sounds fascinating, it’s just a pity that when you’re travelling, you don’t have more free time to play the tourist!
I do like it as well. It looks great and much more personal.
Thank you for your kind thoughts in this difficult time with losing my mom. All I can tell you is this, cherish every moment that you have with the ones you love. Cause you can never get that time back. God bless.
Anna’s last blog post..A Very Sad Post - Prayers for Mom
Hiya Anna,
Thanks, I’m glad you like the evolving look.
I’ve been thinking of you, despite the ocean and the miles between us. You were fortunate that you could be with your mom, and that you had the opportunity to express your love.
Take care. x