Well, what do you think? I have been torn between wanting to update my blog’s appearance and feeling too attached to the vintage photo of the presser foot that was in the blog’s banner. I kept going back and forth on it.
Over the Christmas holidays, when my son was here from Vermont, I was talking about it with him. He is my source of help for all things technical for the blog as well as the guy that took that original photo for me some years back. He knows I like a “minimalist” look to the blog, clean lines and no clutter. As we talked, we both agreed that neither of us was the right person to create a new look. We needed something to work from. He told me about a website, Fiverr.com. It is an interesting place where independent designers, most from other countries, put up a quick bio and explain their style. You than contract with one and they design logos to work with a set of criteria that the buyer predefined. For instance, I asked for something with a sans-serif font (no curlicues on the letters), blues and greens in color, not fancy or intricate, and somehow related to my theme of Needle and (presser) Foot.
Within 48 hours he sent three designs (the number that I paid for). Two of them looked very industrial, the third one is what you see here. It took several iterations to get the presser foot to my liking. But this wasn’t an issue as I paid for, and was given, unlimited revisions. The designer was quick and tried to match my expectations. Overall, it was a great experience and gave me a logo from which to base some changes. I ordered new business cards, which was great as I only had about five left. Also updated my Etsy shop and the small enclosures that I send with my customer’s purchases. It has been so much fun to work on these updates.
Yesterday I Facetimed with my son and he walked me through changing some of the colors and details on my blog. Usually he does this for me but you know the saying, ‘Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime’? Let’s just say this easily converts to ‘teach your mom to do her own blog maintenance….’!! 😉
I would love to hear what you think. I am quite pleased. If you check out the site, let me know what you think. There are all sorts of services offered there, not just logo design.
I really like the update and the new logo, Bernie! I also like how crisp the updates to some of your sidebar are as well. I’m excited to see what else new you have going on!
Love your new look. My personal favorite colors Bernie!! Good work
Thanks sissie. Love your web address by the way…. 😉
Thumbs Up Bernie!
Thank you!!
Very nice logo, Very attractive!! It looks great
what would we do without our kids?
I like neat and tidy too.
I think this new design will keep you happy for a long time
No kidding Rosemary! He is such a help to me with this whole blogging effort. I am quite sure I wouldn’t have even begun if not for his encouragement. <3
I love the colors and the clean lines!
Me too!! Thanks Cathy. 🙂
Looks MODERN! Really love the clean, clear lines, and the presser foot T is perfect!
It took several conversations back and forth to get that presser foot T but I love it!
I do love the new look, Bernie! I didn’t know you could hire someone to help with this type of thing. I’ve been wanting to update my banner or create a logo for business cards, but I get frustrated every time I set down to work on it.
I am happy to chat with you in more detail about my experience with fiverr– there were a few things I learned that would make it smoother next time- however, it is quite self-explanatory on their website.
Beautiful! The presser foot is awesome! This is a perfect thing for your new ‘business’ focus!
I think it looks great. I’m in the process of a new design as well. Just need to find time to actually do the updates to the blog.
Yep, I certainly understand that. I received these logos about four weeks ago and just now did the updates. Life gets busy. 🙂
Really like it.
Thank you Judy! Hope you are well. 🙂
Looks great and I love your new logo!
Thanks Deb. I appreciate your input!
Looks great! Fresh look for the new year!
It looks great! This is something that is on my to do list. I love that you made it sound so easy! 🙂
Honestly, it wasn’t all that difficult. I had it on my to-do list for way too long!
This is awesome Bernie! I’m trying hard to remember what your previous header looked like now because all I can see is this one. Glad it was a positive experience for you.
Bernie your blog looks wonderful!!! I love the new logo and the colors.
Stephanie, it was so hard for me to go with some bright colors – it has been so long with the neutral backgrounds. But I do like it. Funny how change can take a little time getting use to.
Very nice 🙂
Excellent changes Bernie! It is a great logo and the colors are some of my faves. Love the updated Etsy look as well – thumbs up!
Thank you. I appreciate the input Linda. 🙂
Love the logo! Great colors. You could take the vintage photo and frame it for your sewing space. That way you’d still have it around. I just saw the new shop (which looks great too) and there are about 40 things I want to order!
I love the idea of keeping a copy of the vintage photo. Thanks for the suggestion. I am going to do that and put it in my sewing room. 🙂
Looks great. It’s good to have a freshen up – and having an easily recognisable logo to use on all your sites and on your business cards is really useful. Computer savvy sons are a great blessing ☺
Thanks Allison! I know you also are blessed with a computer savvy son – where would we be without them??? 🙂
Love your new logo. Very cool!
Thank you Linda.<3
I love how you worked the needle and foot into the corresponding words! This really looks sharp and will lend itself to your various awesome internet activities. From the looks of things you, will definitely be fed for a lifetime! Yea for you (and your son)!
Ah, I cannot take credit tho. The designer came up with the needle and then Andrew thought of the presser foot “T”. Genius, right? I love it. Have a great day Janine!
I love Bernie. Crisp, clean, and modern, and I love your new logo, colour choices too. Perfect, and a great reflection of who you are.
The colors worked out wonderfully. It was so amazing to work with someone via the internet and maybe three emails back and forth and have him come up with something that I loved. What a talent he must have for deriving a sense of design based on so few communications. I would definitely work with him again. Technology is crazy and amazing!
Hope life is settling down for you these days Kate. How’s the design wall coming?? 🙂
I too have contemplated updating my blog, so appreciated the details of how you accomplished yours. BTW I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aww… thank you! It was fun and not as hard as I thought. (I have good help tho!)