Free Blog Templates

This page is dedicated to blog designers that offer free blog designs. If you would like to link to your site, please provide the URL where your FREE templates are located. All other links will be removed.

If you would like to be listed at the top of this page, please contact us regarding sponsorship information.

Blog and Web Design Showcase

We scour the internet to find sites that are graphically impressive, and coded with care and precision.  Here you will find designs on both Blogger and WordPress that we think are excellent examples of both.

Have a design in mind that might make the cut?  Contact us to submit a nomination!

Clipart Design Workshop- For Illustrators

Intermediate Level

Clipart Design Workshop (4 weeks)

For Windows Users. If you are a Mac user, you must run Parallels in order to use the Corel Draw software with your Mac Computer.

This class will include:

  1. Pre-recorded Video (Part 1 and 2 of Basic Clipart Design)
  2. Four live, in depth trainings via Go-To Training.
  3. 1 FREE Class Recording- “Saving and Preparing Files for Clients and Resale- For Illustrators”

Class 1 (1.5 hours)—Lines, Shapes and Light Sources

Clipart Design (It’s all in the details) In this class we will go over how to properly build clean shapes, how to create/use/organize layers, how to produce clean smooth lines, how to add and remove point nodes from shapes and lines, how to fill using digital papers, how to use and edit preset shapes, how to find your light source, proper highlight and low-light placement, line effects, and different techniques for creating shadows and highlights within shapes and layers.

Class 2 (1.5 hours)— Digital Papers and Decorative Frames, Banners (Using CorelDraw X5)

In this class you will learn how to design, crop and save digital papers to CorelDraw and PDF format, and learn how to create single frame designs (vector style).

Class 3 (1.5 hours)— Florals, Objects, and Monograms (Using CorelDraw X5)

In this class you will learn how to design cute and simple clipart objects and flowers, as well as how to create flowers, flourishes, banners, and will explore how to incorporate text, and effects with simple frame designs to create Monograms/Logos (Using CorelDraw X5)

Class 4 (1.5 hours)— People and Animals

In this class you will explore different clipart styles, and learn how to build cute and clean clipart designs of animals and people (perfect for invites, stationary design, arts and crafts and more!). (Using CorelDraw X5)

*There will be time after each class set aside for questions and answers.

Schedule

Monday, May 20th – Friday, June 14th (You will be able to access the

materials and receive instructor assistance during this

time.)

Live Session
  • Wednesday, May 22, 2013 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM MDT
  • Wednesday, May 29, 2013 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM MDT
  • Wednesday, June 5, 2013 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM MDT
  • Wednesday, June 12, 2013 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM MDT

Materials Needed:

  1. CorelDraw X5 (newer versions are fine also)
  2. Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 (newer versions are fine also.)

***Free 30 day Trials for the programs listed above are available on the Corel and Adobe websites.

Prerequisites:

Knowledge and understanding of how to use CorelDraw X5 (or higher). *An Introduction to CorelDraw X5 Class is available for purchase, if needed.

———————————————————————————————————-

Free BONUS Class Video (pre-recorded, not a live session, 1 hour)— Saving and Preparing Files for Clients and Resale- For Illustrators

During this class, I will cover how to properly save vector images that you have created in CorelDraw (clipart and/or character illustrations, etc.) to Corel, PDF, PNG, JPG, AI and EPS formats using CorelDraw X5, Photoshop Elements 9, and Adobe Illustrator CS6, how to create a watermark using CorelDraw, how to create a preview sleeve for image product listings, and cover what to include in your zip files for clients and digital download customers.

Materials:

  1. CorelDraw X5 (newer versions are fine also)
  2. Photoshop Elements 9 (newer versions are fine also)
  3. Adobe Illustrator —Only required if you wish to save 100& editable files copies from CorelDraw that are compatible with other vector software programs.
Instructor

The instructor for this course is Miss Pickle, owner of Miss Pickle’s Design Studio.

I am a colorful, fun loving (New England) girl who enjoys learning and teaching just as much as I do creating! With an education background in Studio Art, I have worked hard over the past years expanding my skills in additional media arts, and have fallen head over heals in love with Vector Illustration! I am positively passionate about my hobby, (which I can now proudly call my full time job) and am extremely dedicated to pleasing my ever so amazing clientele! oxox, Miss Pickle

Price

$250 USD per student

Register

Premade Blog Templates

This page links to the premade layouts section of various blog designers. If you would like to add your premade layouts page to this list, please add your link and link to the exact URL of your premades section. (All other links will be removed.)

Introduction to CorelDraw X5- For Illustrators

Beginner Level Class

For Windows Users. If you are a Mac user, you must run Parallels in order to use this software with your Mac Computer.

This class will include:

  1. one pre-recorded video
  2. notes (PDF format)
  3. one live meeting via Go-To Training.

This class will cover the basic tools and functions of the CorelDraw Graphics Suite. (I will be teaching this class using the X5 Version.) This program is a user friendly and powerful software that allows you to create high quality 100% editable vector graphics (clipart design, character illustrations, logo design, digital papers and more!)

*I highly recommend registering for this class if you are interested in learning vector design, and if you are new to the CorelDraw program.

If you do not own this program, please visit www.corel.com and download the free 30 day trial for the CorelDraw X6 program, in time for your class session. CorelDraw is also available for full purchase and monthly subscriptions on the Corel website. Thank you!

Schedule

Monday, June 24th – Friday, June 28th (You will be able to access the

materials and receive instructor assistance during this

time.)

Live Session

Wednesday, June 26, 2013 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM MDT

Materials Needed
Prerequisites

There is no previous knowledge required for this class.

Instructor

The instructor for this course is Miss Pickle, owner of Miss Pickle’s Design Studio.

I am a colorful, fun loving (New England) girl who enjoys learning and teaching just as much as I do creating! With an education background in Studio Art, I have worked hard over the past years expanding my skills in additional media arts, and have fallen head over heals in love with Vector Illustration! I am positively passionate about my hobby, (which I can now proudly call my full time job) and am extremely dedicated to pleasing my ever so amazing clientele! oxox, Miss Pickle

Price

$75 USD per student

Register

Boutique Design for ShoppePro, Merchant Moms, & PappaShop.

This class will cover how to create a boutique website, from blank text doc to completed e-commerce store!  We will be covering the layout coding, cart scripts, advertising, and a complete tutorial on how to use the storeadmin area, upload products, set up content, and utilize a variety of features. The boutique design covered in this class is compatible with Shoppe Pro, Merchant Moms, Pappashop, and many others.   Boutiques are not based on WordPress.

Schedule

March 13th – March 27th (You will be able to access the materials and receive instructor assistance during this time.)

Live Session

April 3, 7pm Mountain Time

Materials Needed
  • Plain text editor, such as TextEdit.
  • A graphics editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop.
Prerequisites

A basic knowledge of HTML & CSS.

Instructor

The instructor for this course is Lindsey Tharaldson, owner of Sour Apple Studio.  Lindsey has been working with ShoppePro, Merchant Moms, and PappaShop boutiques since 2008.  She works from home full time designing custom blogs, websites, and boutiques.

Price

$75 USD per student

Register

Design Workshops

Thank you for taking a look at our workshops! Click the links to see more information on each class. The list of classes at the bottom are coming soon!

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Adobe Photoshop 101
Advanced Adobe Photoshop

Marketing & Advertising on the Web

This course covers the detailed tactics of web marketing and advertising, how to apply them to your business, and the latest tools and techniques to use in an ever-changing medium. We will discuss how to use Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest to promote your brand ethically and honestly – without the harsh marketing undertones, how to decipher Google Analytics, what tools you’ll need (and what you don’t), and much more!

Schedule

March 11th – March 25th (You will be able to access the materials and receive instructor assistance during this time.)

Live Session

April 1st, 7pm Mountain Time

Materials Needed

There are no special materials required, though it is suggested you have a Google account.

Prerequisites

There is no previous knowledge required for this class.

Instructor

The instructor for this course is April Durham, owner of Creative Girl Media. April has two degrees, one in Advertising and one in TV and Digital Media Production, as well as over 4 years of experience in the online market. She currently works from home full time designing blogs and websites, as well as teaching others how to do the same!

Price

$75 USD per student

Register

Speakers

nicole-4004395 Nicole Bullock is a jet-setter, pop-culture junkie, social media enthusiast, search engine marketer and seasoned blogger. She is the social media manager for DegreeSearch.org, where she interacts with DegreeSearch’s followers and members of the higher education community. She has an extensive background in search engine optimization, corporate blogging, and serves on the leadership board for the Social Media Club of Salt Lake City.

Her perspective in search engine optimization is unique because she is a blogger first, SEO second. In February 2012, she underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and has been candidly sharing her 120+ pound weight loss journey with her friends and followers at Beauty and the Bypass. In her free time, she loves to travel, attend conferences and social media events, and writes on her personal blog, Cute Culture Chick.

Thank You for Your Order

You have ordered The Blog Designer Workshop, a four-part series that is delivered to your inbox 24 hours after each class has occurred.  You can expect your purchase to arrive on the following dates:

Week 1:  September 16th

Week 2:  September 23rd

Week 3: September 30th

Week 4:  October 7th

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us!