Wanted: For Christmas - Santa has been naughty this year!

Here is a pretty cheeky Christmas themed template (you can use it if you like Christmas or if you don't: Santa & Frosty have been naughty after all!). I don't really like the dripping-in-grungy-snowflake themed templates - sorry if you do ;-) - but this is something for someone who's got a bit of a sense of humour and likes simplicity. it's not like you'll be using this template all year or anything {or will you??? I do admit that my favourite coffee mug is a Christmas one that I use all year 'round}

click image for a live preview

• To download the xml template: click here (zip folder)
  
• Preview the site here
• Need help installing this? Click here

Header images by Kevin Dooley at Flickr. Lovely!

Lolly Popcorn - free XML template

Oh my gosh!!!!!!! It's not very often that you come across a completely awesome site that offers fantastical things for you to use for free but I have found one >> patterncooler.com (why oh why didn't I see this site before????) that offers background images.

BUT.... not just any old boring background images! You can scale and change the colour of the images very easily and then download them and then use them!!! So stop dilly-dallying and go look at the awesome patterns {here}.

Here is a template using one of those patterns:

click for a live preview

Please ensure that you backup your widget data, as installing a new template will wipe/erase your current widget content.

• To download the xml template: click here (zip folder)
• Preview the site here
• Need help installing this? Click here

Candy - Yum Yum - Free XML blogger template

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The design works with "new" blogger - ie: it's an XML template. Please ensure that you backup your widget data, as installing a new template will wipe/erase your current widget content.

• To download the xml template: click here (zip folder)
• Preview the site here
• Need help installing this? Click here

Please note that the header image of the candy is by:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aussiegall/ / CC BY 2.0

I love it!

Pony Gazette - Free XML Blogger template

I love a good pixelated pony (ok, technically speaking it's not really pixelated but is stitched) but I still like it! The pretty stitching creates a frame around the main blog area that's quite striking! I really like this one and hope you do to!

click for a live preview

The design works with "new" blogger - ie: it's an XML template. Please ensure that you backup your widget data, as installing a new template will wipe/erase your current widget content.

• To download the xml template: click here (zip folder)
• Preview the site here
• Need help installing this? Click here

Cookie Man - free XML blogger template

click for a live preview

The design works with "new" blogger - ie: it's an XML template. Please ensure that you backup your widget data, as installing a new template will wipe/erase your current widget content.

• To download the xml template: click here (zip folder)
• Preview the site here
• Need help installing this? Click here

Open All Day ... Open All Night - free XML blogger template

(click for a live preview)

• To download the xml template: click here (zip folder)
• Preview the site here
• Need help installing this? Click here

ALSO - regarding the HEADER IMAGE:
NO, your blog title/description will NOT show up. This is because I have switched that option "off" so they will not display.


"WHY did you make this design like this?"
Two reasons really - one: you can edit this header image if you want - remove the "Open All Night, Open All Day" text and put your own thing in (you can use any graphics editor to put your own text onto this banner and there are waaaay more font choices than the silly old internet can handle. DaFont: droolworthy!) and two: I just thought it would be more interesting - and things are definitely better when they're more interesting ;-)

"I don't want to edit my own header image! Can you please let me know how to make my title & description come through from Blogger?"
No. There is no way that your blog title and description is going to come through (and actually "fit" in the correct bit), so bad luck.

"What graphics program can I use to edit this image?"
I have Photoshop CS, but you can use any graphics program that allows you to open/edit a JPEG or GIF - which should be pretty much any graphics program.

"Ok, I made my own banner, now what?"
Now you'll have to upload it to some hosting on the internet. I host my files on photobucket.com (a free image hosting service) but there are more options out there.
Upload the file to the internet, then find the URL of the image.

Next, go to the "Layout" >> "Edit HTML" section of your blog.
You will need to replace the original header image - seen on this page - to be your own.

Scroll down until you find the following image path:
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa231/free_blogger/HeaderOpen.gif

hint: it's under this bit
/* ---( header and site name )--- */

.....and replace with the image path of your new title. Viola!

Retro Bar Fly (Plain Version) - Free XML blogger template

(click for a live preview)

• To download the xml template: click here (zip)
• Preview the site here
• Need help installing this? Click here

(created by me with the help of 60s Chic & Tack-O-Ding dingbat fonts!).

The Only One - Free blogger design XML

(click for a live preview)

• To download the xml template: click here (zip)
• Preview the site here
• Need help installing this? Click here

The sidebar alignment is weird in IE6 and before - so this is recommended for those of you with IE7 - and of COURSE it looks fantastico in FF, Opera & Safari :P - if you're using IE6 and before then I may have to seriously question your sanity!

a very ribbon xmas - free blogger design (xml)

Helloooo.... Christmas is coming soon and I wanted to make a design that wouldn't be too overwhelmingly Christmasy and one that you could possibly use all year 'round (incase you happen to be like me and like cute things). The beautiful ribbon Photshop brushes were made available by Hawksmont Universe. Awesome! How I love the fact that she's made the brushes available for use! Thank you x 1000000!

Enjoy....

(click image for a live preview)

• Download the template: here
• Need help installing this? Click here
  

Same drill as always if you're installing this XML blogger template. Back up your widgets/links etc as you may erase them when installing this design.