Build a Better Blog Week - Must See Event!

I want to share with you an exciting event going on this past week and over the coming weekend, Build a Better Blog Week. It is a multi-designer event, with lots and lots of free design products being given away. And, along with the giveaways, there are wonderful posts on how to improve your blog design, content and building a following.

Here's the exciting part - there are 36 designers holding giveaways through Sunday. You can enter each designer's giveaway by following the instructions at Simply Stacie.

Current Design Giveaways

I have given this page a clean slate. Designers - if you would like me to advertise a giveaway you having going on, please read this post and then contact me with the pertinent information.

Premade Template Giveaway!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

If you have ever hunted for beautiful, free blog templates, no doubt you've come across Simply Fabulous Blogger Templates. Lena, the designer, provides tons of incredibly beautiful and totally free Blogger templates, which are some of the most beautiful and well done free templates available.





Lena, on a journey to adopt, has also started offering very affordable and beautiful premades templates at Premades For A Purpose. These templates are a bit more customizable than her free ones. These have spots where you can add pictures of your choice, to make your blog template more "you."




These gorgeous templates are an unbelievably great price - only $10 for the following four templates! For $10 you can have four completely different looks for your blog, to change when you feel inclined. She has two personalized premade collections, each containing four templates. She also has some individual premades available for just $5.

I am giving away a package of the beautiful premade templates below. The winner will be emailed the codes after the giveaway ends. Lena has tutorials on how to install them them. For a nominal fee, Lena can add your photos to the templates for you.

Here are the giveaway particulars:

• To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment telling me how often you like to change the look of your blog design.
• If you do not have your email address on your Blogger profile (which you should - hint, hint), you need to leave me your email address in your entry comment.
• One entry per person.
• The giveaway will end Friday night at 9:00 EST.

Win a Custom Blog Design!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

To celebrate the elegant new look Designer Blogs has created for me, I am giving away a custom blog design by them.

The prize is their Base Package which includes:

• Custom 2-column wide layout
• Custom header
• Custom background
• Bordered main area (optional)
• Custom coloring of text
• Bordered pictures in text area
  

If you have a minute you should look at their porfolio, which is packed full of beautiful blog designs!

To enter simply leave a comment telling me how you found BBD, whether just today or six months ago (via me, a friend, a blog link list, Google, Twitter, homeschool message board, etc.).  One entry per person please.

The giveaway will end Saturday night at 11:00 PM EST (I've grown fond of shorter giveaways).The winner will be chosen using Random.org.

There is no requirement to follow BBD or me on Twitter to be entered in the giveaway. However, if you would like to hear about blog design "stuff" more and find out about various design giveaways, by all means do follow, I enjoy the company!

One rule to add: if you do not respond to Designer Blogs or to me within 48 hours another winner will be selected.

Count Down to Christmas Giveaway

I have a giveaways page, and this giveaway is posted there, but I wanted to share it separately also. Louise at Adori Graphics is having tons of giveaways for all sorts of things, all the way up to Christmas.

So far she has giveaways going on for:

• Custom button grab box
• Custom favicon
• Custom Twitter background
• Custom or premade business card
• Custom menu bar

This post will explain the month of giveaways better than me. She still has more giveaways to start, so be sure to keep checking her site. 

Another Weekend Giveaway

This giveaway is now closed.

My last little weekend giveaway was so fun I thought I'd do another one. Dawn Farias from Almost Ready Blogs has created a really simple and cute fall design that I just love, so I decided to buy it for someone this weekend.

How to enter - just leave a comment letting me know how many times you have changed the template on your blog (just curious).

The giveaway will end Sunday, November 1st, at 9:00 PM EST and winner will be chosen using Random.org.

Okay, I can't stand it, I love to give away things and this template is so affordable (just $5) so I am giving away two again, as I did with the last weekend giveaway. The winners are Owl Momma and Life of a Barefoot MomLady. Congratulations, ladies!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

6 4 

Timestamp: 2009-11-02 02:17:35 UTC

Let's Have a Giveaway!

This Giveaway Is Now Closed

Winner will be announced shortly. 

I haven't had a giveaway in a few weeks and I just feel like having some fun, so I am giving away a premade template by Smitten Blog Design. It is the design they call "Autumn Letters" and is perfect for the fall season. I love it because it is simple and classy yet warm and inviting.

(Click to see larger image of template)

All you need to do to enter the giveaway is leave a comment telling me if you are current follower/subscriber or just someone passing through. This giveaway is a short one, ending tomorrow night, October 18th, at 9:00 PM EST. I will notify the winner via email and purchase the template and have the instructions sent to them.

The winner will have to install it herself, but the instructions are sent with the code for the template and are VERY easy to follow.

This little giveaway was such a fun thing to do, and so well received, that I decided to giveaway TWO of the templates! The winners are Adventures of a Somewhat Crunchy Mama and Zhongshan Road. Congratulations, ladies! As soon as Smitten Designs emails me the code for your templates, I will forward them on to you. Please let me know when you have the template installed so I can come ooh and awe at it.  

Please Note: I will be doing some surprise little giveaways now and then to "bless" those who follow and to keep everyone on their toes so make sure to check in often or follow via a blog reader. Click on "Follow Me" in the sidebar or click on the orange heart. 

Premade Template Giveaway

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

I am so excited to announce this week's giveaway! Designer Blogs is giving away a premade template worth $25. These templates are absolutely gorgeous and a wonderful way to beautiful your blog without the wait time for a custom design.

Designer Blogs by Erin is no longer just Erin. Amy joined her over the summer and was able to add premades to Designer Blog's services and I know they will be a huge success.

For just $25, you get more than just the premade template. Here is what is included in their premade package:

* Semi-custom template
* Two customized sidebar images
* A post divider
* Custom signature
* Installation (that's huge!)

Once a premade is purchased, it is immediately retired so you know your design is still one-of-a-kind.

Here are a few of their beautiful premade designs:







Okay, on to the giveaway. To enter simply go to Designer Blogs and choose the premade template that you would love to have and then come back there and leave it in a comment.

For extra entries you can do some/all of the following. You must leave a comment for each one to get "credit" for it.

1. Become a follower of Beautiful Blog Designs (if you already are, leave a comment saying such).
2. Follow Designer Blogs and/or BBD on Twitter
3. Tweet about this giveaway (ex: Enter to win a gorgeous premade template, installation included! http://bit.ly/2gCEUG @readingtofour)
4. Write about it in a post on your blog (leave your blog address)

The giveaway will end Friday, August 28th at 11:00 PM EST. The winner will be chosen using Random.org.

Winner of Simply Delightful Giveaway

Congratulations goes to Mrs. Soup! She was the winner of the custom blog design giveaway from Simply Delightful. I am very excited for her because Jenny does amazing work (I actually have a "before and after" feature for a friend's blog, designed by Jenny).

Thank you to everyone who entered, and don't be too downhearted! I have THREE more giveaways coming up in the next few weeks, so lots of other chances to win. AND, don't forget that I keep a listing of all current blog design giveaways on my Giveaways page. Click over there and enter some more.

For those who are interested, Mrs. Soup won because she had comment #44.

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

44 

Timestamp: 2009-08-22 03:13:21 UTC

Custom Design Giveaway - Simply Delightful Blog Design

This giveaway is now closed. Winner will be announced in upcoming post.

I am excited to announce that Beautiful Blog Designs is hosting a giveaway for Simply Delightful! Jenny, the designer there, is graciously giving away a custom blog design worth $100!

Jenny has been designing blogs for friends and family for over two years. She recently started her own design business and is off to a stellar start!

Simply Delight offers custom blog designs for Blogger, Wordpress and Typepad platforms, as well as offering some delightful, affordable premade templates. Her custom design package has everything you would want: navigation bar, 10 sidebar images, button, custom header, signature, etc.

Here are a few designs from Jenny's portfolio that I think are just lovely.





To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment here telling me how you heard about this giveaway (ex. Tip Junkie, a reader, Twitter, etc.).

You can earn extra entries by doing any or all of the following (you must leave additional comments for each one)

• Become a follower of Beautiful Blog Designs or of Simply Delightful Blog Designs
• Follow me on Twitter
• Tweet about this (ex. Enter to win $100 custom blog design http://bit.ly/UBGVu @readingtofour)
• Post about this giveaway on your blog

The giveaway will end Friday, August 21st at 11:00 PM EST. The winner will be chose using Random.org.

Would you like more chances to win a giveaway? Make sure to enter the giveaways listed on my giveaways page.

Giveaways Happening This Week

Delicious Designs by Trista is giving away a custom Twitter design. Comment on this post to enter. Giveaway ends July 1st.

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Karrie at A Fistful of Coupons is giving away a custom blog header. Giveaway ends July 10th.

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Sweet Cheeky Designs is celebrating its first birthday by giving away TWO custom blog designs! Giveaway ends July 9th.

Custom Twitter Design Giveaway!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Today I am very excited to announce that I am hosting a giveaway for Delicious Designs by Trista, for custom Twitter design! If you are on Twitter (and you should be), why not make your home page scream you? Trista is a very talented designer who can match your Twitter design to your blog design or give it a whole different look.

I recently had Trista work on my Twitter page, and I was thrilled with the result. I have several blogs, and while you can only list one via Twitter, I was able to publicize all three with my custom page. Also, notice that she made mine to match the design of BBD.

Below are some examples of Trista's awesome work!





Long before Trista was designing Twitter pages, she was creating amazing custom design templates for both Blogger and Wordpress platforms. Here are just a couple of examples of her work. If you are in need of a blog makeover, she would love to work with you and will do an outstanding job.



Now, on to the giveaway. To enter, simply leave a comment here, telling me how you heard about the giveaway (Tip Junkie, Twitter, etc.).

You can earn additional entries by doing one or all of the following:

1. Follow me on Twitter (if you already do, leave comment saying that)
   
2. Tweet about the giveaway (ex. Custom Twitter design giveaway! Go to http://tinyurl.com/llx9h2 to enter)
   
3. Post about the giveaway on your blog
4. Go over to Trista's Twitter portfolio and come back and tell us which of her custom Twitter designs you like best.

You MUST leave a comment for each additional entry. If you leave a comment saying you have done all four, that is just one entry but you did the work for four.

The giveaway ends Wednesday, July 1st at 9:00 PM EST. The winner will be choose using Random.org.

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Not sure what the heck Twitter is or if you want to be on it? Read this post at Tip Junkie which explains Twitter very well, with awesome tips on how to make the most of it.

Custom Design Giveaways

The following are giveaways being hosted at other sites. To enter, go to the hosting blog and follow the instructions.

Fabulous K Creative is giving away a custom blog design worth $55 at The Vintage Pearl. Giveaway ends Monday, June 29th.

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This, That and Your Blog is giving away a custom blog design worth $35. The giveaway is hosted by From Two to Three so go there to enter. Giveaway ends June 29th.

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My Blog Makeover is giving away THREE custom photo backgrounds! Read this post to see how to enter. Giveaway ends June 26.


**Do you have a blog design giveaway going on or coming up? Leave a comment with the designer's web address as well as the hosting site address and I will add it to the post. Thanks!

Winner of Designer Blogs Giveaway

The winner of the free custom blog design by Designer Blogs by Erin is comment #55 which was by Lorrie Briggs of Natural On A Budget.

Lorrie Briggs said...

I was just thinking today that I would love to have a nice looking blog design. I cam here from Grow you blog.

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

55

Timestamp: 2009-06-18 15:43:46 UTC

Thank you to all who participated! You were wonderful and I really enjoyed the giveaway. Thank you also for letting me know what brought you to the giveaway. I did that so I could see which places I listed the giveaway was the most helpful.

Before you go, remember that Erin at Designer Blogs is giving everyone who participated in this giveaway 10% off. To take advantage of the discount, fill out the order form and when you get to the "referred by" spot, put in Beautiful Blog Designs.

Special Note: Come back soon! Special fun with Twitter next week, including a giveaway! To make sure you don't miss it, follow me on Twitter.

Giveaways To Enter

Need a new blog design? Well, you are in luck! There are several custom blog design giveaways going on right now. They are all by talented blog designers and I recommend you enter them all to increase your chances of winning.


Designer Blogs is giving away a custom blog design at Beautiful Blog Designs (yes, here). Giveaway ends June 17.

Blog Makeovers by Tara is offering a custom blog design at Mission Mommy. Giveaway ends June 15th.

My Blog Makeover is giving away three custom photo backgrounds. Giveaway ends June 26.

Subjective Beauty is offering a custom blog design at Mama of 3 Munchkins. Giveaway ends June 15.

Shabby Blogs is giving away a custom header and button to match one of their backgrounds.

Please note that these are the same giveaways shown in the right-hand sidebar.

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Do you know of another blog design giveaway? Leave the link in a comment and I will add it to this post.

Are you a blog designer? Let me know when you are holding your giveaways and I will publicize them in a post and on my sidebar.

Custom Blog Design Giveaway - Here!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

I am so very excited to be hosting a giveaway for Designer Blogs by Erin! Erin is a very talented blog designer who specializes in "creating custom blog makeovers that scream you." I absolutely love her work and I know whoever wins this will be thrilled with their new design.

We are giving away a custom blog design worth $40. To see the package you might win, go here and it is Package A. Below are examples of some of her recent work. If you click on the first two, you can go see the complete design. You can view other samples of her work by viewing her portfolio.



To enter leave a comment here, telling me how you heard about this giveaway (I am going to be a stickler on that). If you came here via a Google search just state that.

You can earn extra entries by doing one or all of the following, but make sure you leave additional comments for each one.

1. Become a follower of Beautiful Blog Designs.
   
2. Twitter about this giveaway.
3. Post about it on your blog.
4. Go to Erin's portfolio, find your favorite blog design she had done and come back here and tell us.
   

This giveaway will end Wednesday, June 17th at 9:00 PM EST. The winner will be chosen using Random.org and announced on Thursday, June 18th. A place in Erin's queue has already been reserved for the winner.

Special Note: I forgot to add that Erin has generously offered 10% off custom blog designs for my readers! Thank you, Erin! To take advantage of the discount fill out the order form and when you get to the "referred by" spot, put in Beautiful Blog Designs.

Looking for Blog Design Giveaways?

Need a blog face lift but don't have the money right now? Can't figure out how to upload the free ones? Don't worry. There are always giveaways and sales going on, and because I subscribe to most of the designers' sites I can let you know about them.

Right now there is a giveaway going on at Finding Joy in the Journey for a custom blog design by Subjective Beauty. The giveaway ends May 18th, so don't delay.

Also, The Design Girl is raffling off a custom blog design to raise money for formula to feed babies in Chinese orphanages. You get tickets based on the amount of money donated. Definitely a worthy cause. I even donated and if I win I will give it away here at Beautiful Blog Designs.

If you do have a little money for a blog design, Southern Girl Blog Design is having a 1/2 price sale on all her design packages. She does beautiful work, so now is the time to get a great custom design for a lot less money.

I keep the various giveaways and sales going on in the side bars of my blog, so if you are a subscriber, make sure you swing over now and then to see what is available.

Blog Design Giveaway - Worth $100!

Blog Designs by Summer is giving away a Platinum Blog Redesign, worth $100! If you would like to enter go to Summer's personal site, Perfectly Provident. Summer does beautiful work, and actually created my header and button for Beautiful Blog Designs and my personal blog, Moving Forward.

This giveaway ends tonight. Summer emailed me about it several days ago, but I was out of town. So, if you would like to enter (and you should), don't delay.

Custom Blog Design Giveaways at the Ultimate Blog Party

5 Minutes for Mom is hosting The Ultimate Blog Party 2009 and it isn't to be missed! Among many other great prizes, several very talented blog designers are giving away custom blog designs. To enter, jump over the the Prize Page and see how to enter.

Here are the designers who are giving away a free custom blog design:

INTL 1: Sweet and Simple Blog Design
INTL 23: Busy Mama Blog Designs
INTL 28: Sassy Chic Designs
INTL 33: Southern Girl Blog Designs
INTL 35: Blog Designs by Sheila
INTL 36: Sara's Pixel Studio

Also, Delicious Designs by Trista (formerly Pumpkin Patch Creations) is hosting a giveaway, but I believe you need to post at her site to be entered (with the others you need to follow the directions given at the Prize Page).

Designer Specials and Giveaways

Berries and Cream Blog Design, formerly called RS Designs, is celebrating their new name with a launch party. They are giving away many prizes as well as offering 25% off anything you order. However, the party ends February 28th. so you'd better hurry!



Doodlebug Designs is celebrating their one year birthday and giving everyone $10 off a custom design order. Also, a FREE custom design is being given away at Grasping for Objectivity. You should pop over there and enter, and hang around a while. Rachel, the owner, is hilarious!


The Village Peddler's special for free CUSTOM headers only lasts a few more days. Simply become a follower during February and she will design a header for you for FREE!



Subjective Beauty is giving away a custom blog design. To enter go to A Daily Dose of Toni (sporting a new design by Subjective Beauty) and follow the guidelines for the giveaway.