Theme Contest
Sep 18th 2008Ellen WilsonTaking Care of Business
My regular readers will have noticed I have a new blog theme. This theme was designed by Sadish Bala, and he is having a contest to win one of his premier themes. I thought I would enter, since I really like this theme, Mojo (what a cool name, it reminds me of Jim Morrison, or coffee), and I could always use a spare Bala theme.
Sunil Pathak, author of Blogger’s Lab, was kind enough to give me some tips on how to make my blog more SEO (search engine optimized). Since I was in the market for a new template, his advice couldn’t have been more timely.
The rules of the game are that I have to give some reasons as to why I chose this theme of Mojo over the thousands of free templates out there.
Mojo is a unique theme. Right away I was struck by the black bar running down the middle. Ah ha! I thought. I can easily use this bar for a back drop for ads. It will be perfect as a contrast for images.
I like the fact that the header is completely customizable. And as a professional photographer I want to download an image into the header without messing around with a bunch of code. So this was my first decision: look for a template with a customizable header.
The colors are elegant and unobtrusive - there is nothing screaming at you - you feel relaxed, ready to read the content or view the pictures.
Finally, I like the little date tabs. This is something I haven’t seen before in any other template.
So to sum up, I think I have found a unique theme in Mojo. And we all know how important it is to customize our themes to our content. Our content is a reflection of our personalities - everything that adds that special zing to the things we do.
I hope you like my tribute to Mojo, Sadish. Maybe I have a chance at winning a free theme.
If you would like more advice and expert tips on WordPress specifically, visit Kim Woodbridge, of (Anti) Social Development.
Also, if you are a new blogger and are looking for a warm and welcoming blog community, please drop by Barbara Swafford’s, Blogging Without a Blog (BWAB).
And one more thing, Cath Lawson, author of course of Cath Lawson, gives bold advice that leads to business success. Pay her a visit. You’ll be glad you did.
22 Comments »
Vered - MomGrindon 18 Sep 2008 at 8:26 pm 1I really like your new theme.
Good luck with the contest!
Vered - MomGrinds last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Mona Lisa, Enhanced
Kim Woodbridgeon 18 Sep 2008 at 8:40 pm 2Hi Ellen,
I just started visiting so I never so the old theme
Oh well … I really like this one and I liked reading about your reasons for selecting it. Good luck with the contest!
And thanks for the mention - I really appreciate it
stephon 18 Sep 2008 at 9:45 pm 3Ellen - I LOVE this! Your new theme looks really great.
stephs last blog post..Of Questions That Need Answering and Other Stuff
Evelyn Limon 18 Sep 2008 at 10:09 pm 4Hey Ellen, good luck with the contest! It’s refreshing to see a makeover to an existing site. I’m glad that you went for it!
Evelyn Lims last blog post..Attract Our Travel Dreams
Sunil Pathakon 18 Sep 2008 at 11:04 pm 5Hi Ellen
thanks for the link love, it was pleasure talking to you and assisting you.
but i still see some loop holes in your seo (maybe you are still working on it) which need your attention.
while you are at it, let me know if i can help you further.
PS: i have send you a mail today pleas check it and do the needful.
Sunil Pathaks last blog post..Bloggers confusion: How Long A Blog Post Should Be
Linda Abbiton 19 Sep 2008 at 1:26 am 6Good luck, Ellen.
I’m enjoying your new theme — I think it has more of a frame-like look to it for your beautiful photography!
Melissa Donovanon 19 Sep 2008 at 3:21 am 7Augh! It just ate my comment. I hate when that happens.
I love your new theme Ellen. The color scheme is definitely calming and keeps the focus where it belongs — on the content. It’s perfect for words and pictures
Lanceon 19 Sep 2008 at 7:03 am 8Hey Ellen, good luck!! I really like the new look, and agree that the black vertical bar is not obtrusive at all. It all seems very “clean”.
Lances last blog post..Cheerful Wins!
Ellen Wilsonon 19 Sep 2008 at 10:55 am 9@Vered - Thanks. Maybe I have a shot.
@Kim - My old theme was nice, but I was looking for something a little more streamlined. Thanks.
@Steph - I’m glad you like it! Theme shopping takes a lot of time, but it’s worth it in the long run.
@Evelyn - It was a little harder than moving the furniture around, more like painting the house - but I like it.
@Sunil - Thanks again for all the tips. Yes, I’m still working on a few things. It’s hard to become an SEO master overnight.
@Linda - Yes, it does have more of a frame look. Good observation. Thanks!
@Melissa - Thank you for you astute words.
@Lance - The black bar is an interesting touch, definitely. Thanks for your well wishes.
Amy Derbyon 19 Sep 2008 at 12:18 pm 10Love the new look, Ellen. The middle sidebar is really nice, and I like the custom picture for the header (although I also really REALLY loved the picture you had on the old design). I hope you win the contest!
Amy Derbys last blog post..How To Survive While Writing With Young Children In The Home
Barbara Swaffordon 19 Sep 2008 at 1:15 pm 11Hi Ellen,
I love your new theme. It looks real classy.
Good luck with the contest & thank you for the link love.
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..In The Blog House
Writer Dadon 19 Sep 2008 at 2:11 pm 12I think your new outfit is very slimming. It definitely highlights your finest features.
ScreenwritingforHollywoodon 19 Sep 2008 at 4:17 pm 13Good luck.
But with your talent, who needs luck?
ScreenwritingforHollywoods last blog post..Storyboard Artist Karen J Lloyd Separates the Good Scripts from the Bad Scripts
Ellen Wilsonon 19 Sep 2008 at 5:01 pm 14@Amy - Yeah, I liked that picture too. I’ll probably alternate between different header pictures. I thought the ferns were a nice change of pace.
@Barbara - Thanks and the link love is my pleasure!
@Writer Dad - Ha! So it doesn’t make me look fat? I suppose that’s what the black bar is for. Everyone looks good in black!
@Jaden - Hey! Aw, you’re making me feel all mushy inside.
Marelisaon 19 Sep 2008 at 7:05 pm 15I like the new theme Ellen, and I think you did a great job of explaining why you chose it. I’m thinking of getting the Thesis theme for my blog, I need a new look (my blog design needs more pizazz).
Marelisas last blog post..40 Tips for Getting Along With Your Significant Other
Ellen Wilsonon 21 Sep 2008 at 10:04 pm 16Marelisa,
I’ve seen ads for the thesis blog but I haven’t checked it out because I assumed you had to pay for it (on a cheap budget at the moment). See if you can give it a test run. I won’t get/buy anything unless I have a pretty good idea of what the template looks like and I know what I’m getting into.
Karen Swimon 22 Sep 2008 at 9:16 am 17Ellen, I really like the new theme, every time I see it I like it more.
Hey this Kim is turning up everywhere, you are the third person to mention her. I must check her out. Good luck with the contest, I hope you win! 
Karen Swims last blog post..I’m Still Standing! I’m Still Strong!
Sometimes Thank You Is Not Enough | Blogging Without A Blogon 24 Sep 2008 at 1:47 am 18[...] Ellen of “Wilson’s Words and Pictures” - “Theme Contest” [...]
WordPress Rocks! » Free Premium Theme Contest - Resultson 03 Oct 2008 at 4:00 pm 19[...] contact me offline with their choice of the Premium themes, and I will send it to them by email. 1. Wilson’s Words and Pictures 2. Information Sells 3. Virginia Breeze 4. Chocolate [...]
Cath Lawsonon 19 Oct 2008 at 12:00 am 20Hi Ellen - thank you very much for linking to my blog. I don’t know how I missed this when you first posted it. Sorry.
Ellen Wilsonon 21 Oct 2008 at 6:02 pm 21Cath,
Not a problem. I miss that stuff too when I’m preoccupied and busy. Take care and speak with you soon. E
Funny Political Humoron 27 Nov 2008 at 11:05 pm 22I think you nailed it on the head!! That\’s the point that everyone here has failed to make, nice work!! I am going to place a link to you on my blogroll, ok?