Simple Blog Makeover Tutorial Series {Let's Start With A Background!}

After some very lovely comments on my new blog design, there was a request for a tutorial...

So, here goes!

First of all, I am no expert.
I was taught some Photoshop basics by my genius brother, and figured out other bits as I went along. A lot of trial and error!
I'll explain things as simply as I can, but if you have any questions, don't hesitate to send me an email or leave a comment.

I started by making a custom background and header in Photoshop, then adding them into a simple pre-made blog template from Blogger.
I like things clean, simple and easy.

So let's start with a background!

Open up Photoshop and make a new image to this size...

If you like, you can make a background colour. I chose not to, and went with simple white...

You can download brushes from a whole heap of websites. My favourites are:

http://www.brusheezy.com/
http://www.brushking.eu/Photoshop-Brushes.html
http://myphotoshopbrushes.com/

And here is a tutorial on how to install the brushes once you have downloaded them:

http://myphotoshopbrushes.com/install_brushes/

Then next we need to find some pretty colours to use.
I love this blog:

http://prettycolors.tumblr.com/

And voila!
Finished!

Then, to make a matching header, make a new image to this size...

And play around with brushes, colours and fonts again.
A great website for fonts is:
http://www.dafont.com/

And voila!

That's all from me today.

If you would like to use this background I made up this morning, feel free! I have shared it here:

Free blog background

And if you like the header, I have shared it here:

Free blog header (psd file)

Have a bit of fun experimenting with colours, brushes and fonts and tomorrow I will be back with the next part of the blog makeover tutorial, how to customize your simple blogger template.

French Rye Bread {RECIPE}

I have an extremely long list of bread recipes that I would like to try.
Yesterday, I ticked off another.
French rye bread.

We were having a bit of a baking day, making some cute vanilla and strawberry spiral cookies...

They are a cute little treat for the kids... And sometimes us adults too!

Back to the bread.... It turned out delicious!

So here is the recipe for you.... It's easier than you may think!

French Rye Bread

Ingredients

for the starter:

2 tsp dry yeast

2/3 cup water

1 cup bread flour

for the dough:

1/2 cup bread flour

3 cups rye flour

2 tsp salt

1 cup water

To make the starter:

 Sprinkle the yeast into the water in a bowl. Let stand for 5mins; stir to dissolve.

Add the flour and mix to form a thick batter. Cover with a dish towel and leave for 2hrs.

To make the dough:

Mix the flours and salt together in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre and pour in the starter and half of the water.

Mix the flour into the middle.Stir in the remaining water to form a fairly moist, sticky dough.

(I had to add about 1/2 cup extra water to get the desired consistency)

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10mins.

Put the dough into a clean bowl and cover with a dish towel. Let rise until doubled in size, about 1hr. Punch down, then let rest for 10mins.

Divide the dough into two equal pieces and shape into long loaves.

Place the loaves on a floured baking tray and let rest for 5mins.

Dust the loaves lightly with flour.

(I did an egg wash instead)

Cut shallow slashes down the loaves. Cover with a dish towel and proof until doubled in size, about 1 1/2hrs.

Preheat oven to 200*C.

Bake for 45mins, or until hollow sounding when tapped from underneath. Cool on a wire rack.

(I strongly recommend slicing off a piece while it is still hot and smearing some butter on it. Divine!)

Enjoy!

A Big Blog Spring Cleaning!

Hello!
Well, after days of fiddling with blog templates, tweaking html and throwing the towel in numerous times...
I finally did it.
I gave my blog a complete overhaul.
I love the clean, fresh look.
I still have a few little things to add, and play with, but for now it is finished.
I even did a little makeover on the recipes page.
I had a lot of recipes waiting to be added to please pop on over HERE to check them out.

I love getting feedback, so if there is anything you think I should add, or even remove, please leave a comment for me.
Thanks!

Please Excuse The Mess...

As you can see, my little blog is having a major overhaul right now!
Please excuse the jumbled nonsense (more than usual!) while I wrestle with time, kids and html scripting!