In coming up with a design for this new website look, I struggled with a tough decision: should the background be white, colored, or patterned?

Seems like a trivial matter, right? Just do whatever you like! But as I kept thinking about it, it seems to me that the choice of a background can have a underlying effect on how visitors receive your site and build loyalty to it (well, aside from quality content, of course). Unfortunately, there isn't much out there that discusses this topic. It seems to me that most of my favorite blogs and sites have white backgrounds, with very standard large image headers, and narrow 2-3 columns layouts. Why is that? Is it because of the crisp, friendly, bright white backgrounds that draw me to those sites, or is it simply a coincidence?

Anna Maria Horner, Apartment Therapy, ~>O<~, good-ness, How About Orange...all white backgrounds. Not that any of them is lacking in color though... I think a background, white or not, contributes a lot to the mood of a site. Like, would you rather go out on a bright sunny day with clear blue skies, or a grey and wet gloomy day?

I couldn't stand the idea of having a white background though...I love color, it would be so unlike me to do it. I've probably never put a plain background on anything but sheets of white paper...but I didn't want to sacrifice personal style for the sake of being generally accepted. So to compromise, I came up with this mostly-white background that still reflects a bit of my style. It frames the content of the pages in a non-obtrusive way, and still provides a sense of airy-ness to it. At least I think...

What do you think? Share with us your site in the comments below! What's the background like? If you have any insights on the topic, I'd love to know!

Yay, new website at long last!

Welcome to the new hyperartpro.com, home of hyperart :: handmade goodies & sewing patterns.

I've spent a long few days putting this together. Its purpose is to better serve all the materials and information that I am going to be offering. More products, more tutorials, more communication, more pictures, and more goodies! Please take a look around and let me know what you think. I'd much appreciate it. :)

If you notice, in this blog, I've imported some of the more useful entries from my last iteration of the site. So some entries may be a little old (or a little amateurish...), but with still valid info nonetheless.

-Karen

My room is starting to get pretty empty! I've been busy packing and packing (and occasionally playing).

Whew, so much work! When you're a techie and a crafter, you just have soooo much gadgets and supplies and materials and BOOKS.

I am sore everywhere from moving boxes around. Not to mention when I went iceskating this weekend, I fell once and landed flat on my butt. Oh! The pain. I was doing pretty good practicing basic tricks and stuff until some little girl fell in front of me, which caused me to stop next to her and somehow I lost my balance too. I thought my tailbone was going to break.

I don't want the weekend to end! It's not long enough! Mooooar time!

Well, I only have two short weeks before the end of my job of five years. It's been quite some time! It will be a breath of fresh air when I am done.

My handmade purse lonely hanging there. It used to have more friends.
 

My del.icio.us.

Created with Wordle.

Clearly you can see what my primary focuses are... Sad to say, those techie terms are so tiny in comparison. I don't suppose I bookmark techie pages very often, probably because they are waaay easier to search for than artsy pages with pretty pictures.

The app - Brilliant!

"You can't make up your mind about a fairly important issue -- one that might have a big impact on your life in the near future. The good news is that the consequences of your decision should be positive either way."

Right on the mark.