NEW YEAR, NEW LOOK

No, I'm not talking about myself. Haha! Over the past week, I embarked on a little project to redesign the way the blog looks. The above picture is what it looked like before. I was quite tired of it looking so chunky, and wanted to simplify it so as to allow the post photos to stand out more. I've been preparing all the elements and finally put them all together just past midnight this morning!

It started when I finally came up with a hand-lettered design for House of Daydreams that I was happy with and proud of. I spent some time learning how to digitize and colour it in Illustrator and adding texture in Photoshop, which was strangely a pretty simple and fun process (you might see more digitized hand-lettering soon!).

For those of you who are viewing this through a blog reader, you probably can't see the changes so here's a screenshot of how it looks like now!



As you can see, I got rid of the chunky navigation bar. I'm sure that being chunky helped to catch the attention of more people, but I think the blog can do with much less clutter. I moved the navigation links to the sidebar, and added links to my Instagram account and a new Tumblr I created for my hand lettering! Uh-huh, you heard me right! Here's a screenshot of it!



For some reason, I'm really digging the minimalist look now, I don't really know why. Haha! I figured using Tumblr was the easiest way to share what I draw with others, even though Tumblr is pretty scary in the way that original posts go uncredited quite often, and how you can never delete a picture cleanly off Tumblr. But we'll see how it goes!

How do you find it so far? Let me know! I'm still in the midst of updating the blog here and there, so if things look wonky while you visit, do pardon the renovations. I'm planning to update the about page and the much-neglected projects page and replacing the favourite posts column. But I'll be back on Wednesday with a long overdue DIY post! Excited!

Eunice

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ONE YEAR IN

Theres a word in the dictionary of blogging jargon for a day like today - its called a blogiversary. It sounds really funny to me so let's just say we've come full circle and its been a year since this blog was launched! Yippee! Give me a moment while I skip around my room for a bit.

I remember all the reasons and motivations that led me to start up House of Daydreams. I've had blogs before certainly, but they were pretty hush-hushed and definitely not ones with as much focus, conscious effort and goals. I knew when I went into this that blogging wasn't easy. Looking back, it wasn't my best effort, seeing how the only month that seemed to be productive (based on regularity) was my first month of blogging. But the burn out is real. At times I didn't even want to have to do anything with my blog. Although you would have noticed that at various points of the year I did try to pump myself up by reminding myself of what I wanted for this space, and today I do the same.

I just wanted to say I'm grateful for each of you who have stopped by to look at my blog or commented at one point or another. Thanks to the friends who come up to me with kind words about the blog; I know I get really awkward/embarrassed, but it does make me feel happy! Thanks for the friends and family, especially my sister, who have been encouraging me from the start, sharing my posts, and pushing and reminding me when I need to. Even Mo, whom I'm sure found the whole idea really awkward at first, for being really supportive and being happy with me (instead of making fun of me) every time I go to him saying 'they shared my post!' or 'a blogger I follow commented!'. Hahaha I sound really pathetic I know but hey, its fun and it makes me happy so why pretend it doesn't?

Looking forward, I want to be able to put more into this space. It has certainly taught me a lot over the past year and even before that while I was just toying with the idea of it. But I'm pretty sure I can do more, and thats what I intend to do. School is only going to get busier for the rest of this year (Fall semester is going to be a hectic one), but I'll find the time with good planning, determination and God's help in managing my life well. 

There is definitely going to more to come, that's for sure.

Eunice

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HELLO MARCH!

A blink of an eye and the first two months 0f 2013 are passed and gone! Time is moving really really fast isn't it? 

As you can see from above, I've been reading a lot about blogging. Yes I knowww, who does that??? Hahaha But I really find the creative bloggers community in the states intriguing and I follow (stalk?) a handful of American creative bloggers myself. I like how they are all about community, and using their blogs as a way to throw around ideas, share interests and teach. I have always loved the idea of a blog having more meaning. So I've been picking up some of these books from the library and I have really enjoyed them. My favourite part is reading about the real examples and interviews they do with real creative bloggers that have become successful through their blog. Maybe its more about the opportunities they are able to get there, but still, it really is so inspiring. And also I love getting real and honest tips and advice, and I think they've given me quite a bit. Of course, my blogging standard isn't so up there. I'm just going one step at a time, the first of which is attempting to post regularly! There will always be school work and stuff, but I'm going to try my best. How does that sound? :) Happy 1st of March guys! Eunice

P.S Thanks to the people who tell me they read this space! You're keeping me going! Those of you who do have interest blogs let me know and lets be blog buddies! We all need encouragement. :)

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