When Megan of Fried Okra first contacted me about her upcoming blog anniversary, I was positively estatic about redesigning her blog for her.
She said that she wanted something that spoke “welcome” to her readers and suggested a porch swing or something of that nature. So, I commenced to look for a porch swing or something of that nature. (I’m so complicated, no?) However, finding a porch swing in stock photos that either did not have people already in it, or was large enough (as in wide) proved to be quite a challenge.
I sent her several shots that I thought would work (I was thinking I would just crop them down if necessary) and she picked out this photo:
Now, at first glance, I thought the photo would work – it was 819 pixels wide. What I wasn’t counting on was the thing that Megan loved most about the photo was the arched windows. Ay-yi-yi. The only way I could keep the arches was to shrink the photo by at least half, which would mean it would then be only 410 pixels wide, about half the size I needed. What to do? I had already sold her on the photo – and now it was too small. (oh the horror!)
So I manufactured the rest of the photo in Photoshop – it took a bit of manipulation, but I think the outcome was beautiful. Her eye for color and detail was a guiding force in the overall design, but she left the details completely up to me. I think it’s one of my absolute favorite designs so far – what do you think?
Look on the bright side! Subscribe via RSS.
Dorothy
July 7, 2008 at 8:23 am (15 years ago)I really love it, Karen! You did a great job…as usual.
Angie
July 7, 2008 at 9:07 am (15 years ago)Wow — just beautiful! You did a great job filling in the rest of the picture — I bet that was a lot of work!
{Karla}
July 7, 2008 at 9:41 am (15 years ago)it’s very lovely, karen!
I love the background too.
xo ~K
Natalie @ I AM (not)
July 7, 2008 at 9:44 am (15 years ago)Makes me want to go have a glass of tea with her. Great job!
Beck
July 7, 2008 at 9:59 am (15 years ago)You did a BEAUTIFUL job! And that settles it: I AM painting my porch floor glossy white.
Mzzterry
July 7, 2008 at 11:24 am (15 years ago)Refreshed & relaxed. Thats what that makes me feel. Great job, Karen. Beautiful.
twithhoney
July 7, 2008 at 11:40 am (15 years ago)I love the new Fried Okra design. You did a GREAT job on it. And then I come here, find out what you had to do to create that header image and I’m even more impressed. Kudos!
yertle
July 7, 2008 at 3:30 pm (15 years ago)Wow, that is so cool. You are amazingly talented! I was just re-inspired by the design you did for me as I was uploading the header to make a business card. I still love it!
Owlhaven
July 7, 2008 at 4:18 pm (15 years ago)Beautiful!!
Mary