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This cute, classy photoblog template allows you to showcase larger photos in your blog, and it features a beautiful header, customizable with your own title and tagline. It is a one column template, with sidebars at the bottom, where you have room to put all your gadgets. This cute photoblog template comes also with a navigation bar at the top, in which you can direct your visitors to relevant links inside your blog, or to external resources. The template is fully customizable, in the sense that you can easily change its colors, including the background, post title, links, etc. via your Blogger panel.

You can view a live demo of this classy template here.

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This cute blog template is available in our premades shop for only $14.99!

Lovely Elephants:

Download File: lilacstitch.zip
Included: Unzip the folder. You will find instructions, font file, theme folder & TOS.
Read: Instructions for installing premades.

Note: Please respect the fact that these are free files. Do not redistribute these files or accept monies for these files. Do not claim them as your own. All credits must remain in tact. If you are a web designer, you may not use our files as a base for other themes. You are not allowed to redistribute these files in any way. We will continue to add more freebies and offer free designs as long as these gestures are not being abused. We have the right to remove these free files, to cancel giveaways, promotionals at any time, if we feel that others are not following along with the rules. With that being said, enjoy the free files, so keep checking back. Thanks :)

Below are a few snapshots of the latest projects.. more details on each project coming soon.

A myth is a story that gets passed around. Like Chinese whispers, they develop over time, and take on a life of their own. They start with a kernel of truth, but that truth gets hard to identify after a while. The truth gets lost in the drama of the story.

There are a ton of myths about freelancing. They develop because of over-cautious fear on the one hand, and unrealistic expectations on the other. Managers can fear losing control of a job by giving it to a freelancer. Potential freelancers can imagine the worst, or ignore the risks. And myths arise.

Here are the Top 10 Myths about Freelancers.

10. Freelancers spend the day on non-work related activities. I don’t think they do any work.

“I’m worried about giving this job to Pete. He’s always down at the golf course and visiting coffee shops. I’m worried that if I give him the job it will never get done.”

Freelancers value flexibility, and use it to follow their interests, care for their families, or just avoid the rat race. But they also take their work seriously. They value the good name they receive for a job well done. What you don’t see is the long hours and late nights of dedicated work they give to each project.

Freelancers need to set clear boundaries in their lives. They balance their flexibility with effort and a wise use of time. They know the time of day they are most productive, and make good use of it. They understand the importance of deadlines, and adjust their workload to meet them.

9. Freelancers don’t have the resources of large companies. I’m afraid I won’t get quality work.

“This guy works out of his home. I know the company I normally use have offices full of equipment, and whole teams of trained staff. How can he compete?”

Freelancers are very good at their work. They have enough confidence in their ability to step out on their own. They have invested in the tools of their trade, and use them as experts. They are serious about their future, and constantly upgrade their skills.

Freelancers need to learn to build strong support networks for themselves. They can join online forums and communities, ask questions on Twitter, and improve their skills by frequenting tutorial sites like Aetuts+, Audiotuts+, Nettuts+, Psdtuts+, and Vectortuts+.

8. Freelancers don’t have the leverage of a large company. It is easy to drive down their fees.

“Freelancers are on their own and need the work. I can get a few freelancers competing for the same job and get quality work for peanuts.”

Freelancers don’t have the overhead of large companies, and can offer very competitive rates. And for the right job, they may be willing to negotiate on their rates. But if you want to build a positive, ongoing relationship with a freelancer, you need to pay them what they are worth. Freelancers learn to recognize bad clients, and may be less open to doing work for you in the future.

Freelancers can use the hourly rate calculator to be aware of how low they can go, analyse the value of each client, and learn strategies to explain the fair price for each job.

7. Freelancers are unsupervised. I’m afraid they won’t finish the work on time.

“I know how to manage my own staff. Sometimes I really need to push them to get a job done. Who’s pushing the freelancers to meet the deadline?”

Freelancers have a great deal of professional pride. Unlike your employees, a freelancer’s own business and reputation are at stake. They also have the flexibility and focus to work long hours, often at times of the day when everyone else is sleeping.

Freelancers need to develop good time management skills, and learn to evaluate their work and workflow. They are often acutely aware of the times of day they work best, and when their creativity is at its peak. They often work well under pressure, and can find deadlines very motivating.

6. Freelancers are financially insecure. I’m afraid this guy won’t be around when I need him in the future.

“Even a lot of large companies are in financial trouble right now. How can I be sure that this freelancer will be around in a few years when I need him? He could go broke at any moment!”

In today’s economic environment, we’re all very aware of our financial security. Working for a large company might look like a safer option, but that’s the opposite of the truth. Many companies are not as well-off as they look. Other companies are staying afloat by laying off their employees. In terms of income, it’s dangerous to put all of your eggs in one basket.

Freelancers’ financial security comes by having multiple income streams from multiple clients. If one company were to go out of business – or at least stop giving them their business – a wise freelancer will have a dozen other regular clients who continue paying them.

5. I could never be a freelancer. It takes too much initial investment.

“I hardly make enough money in my job. How can I afford to set up a new business? And how long will it take before I start making money as a freelancer? It all sounds too hard!”

Becoming a freelancer does take a great deal of commitment, and an initial investment of time, money and effort is required. You need computers, software, and furniture, and may need a new vehicle and new clothes.

But it doesn’t have to cost as much as you think. You don’t want to skimp on the tools of the trade. But there may be some purchases you can spend less on, at least initially. Other purchases can be put off till later. See them as rewards for work well done, and use them as incentives.

4. Freelancing is too risky. It’s all or nothing.

“I’ve never been a risk taker. It’s too scary to throw in my job and start freelancing. What if it doesn’t work out? What if I don’t like it? And they really need me where I’m working right now.”

Quitting your job and launching into the unknown is a daunting thing. But it can focus your energy, fuel your commitment, and set your determination. It’s do or die!

But it’s not the only way. It may be possible for you to keep working in your current job, and do some freelancing on the side. If things work out, you can cut down the hours you work at your job (if they are flexible), and eventually switch to freelancing full time. Or if things become tight down the track, you may be able to do some salaried work on the side.

3. I’m not a salesman. If I started freelancing I’d never be able to get clients.

“I’m a graphic artist, not a salesman. I’m great at my job, but I’m shy. I’ve always hated job interviews. How would I ever get a client?”

Plying your trade for a big company can feel safe – you just have to focus on doing your job. Once you start freelancing, you become your own marketing department as well. Marketing can include cold calling, designing brochures, networking, and creating a website. When you don’t have a paying job to do, spend your time selling your services. And when you do have lots of paying jobs, you still need to make time to market yourself.

This marketing role can seem awkward and unwanted, but it’s important. Your best marketing tool will be the quality of your work, and the word-of-mouth business that happy clients will bring you. But you have to have your name out there first.

2. Freelancers spend all day on their own. They don’t have a social life.

“I love coming to work. I chat with the staff and clients all day, go to lunch with my friends, and Sue’s always making me coffee. If I become a freelancer I think I’d end up talking to the pot plants!”

If you’re not careful, you can go too many days working at home alone in your dressing gown. Many freelancers miss the interaction of working in an office, and break up the day by visiting a coffee shop or some other place out of the house.

Some freelancers share office space with other freelancers away from home. Web Worker Daily call this “coworking”, and describe it this way: “You get to work in a creative environment with other professionals, freed from unhappy workplaces, with the option to be as flexible as you choose.”

1. Freelancers are always under pressure. They never have a day off.

“I’m worried about the pressure of freelancing. I’ll have to finish every job myself, no matter how busy I am. And I can’t afford to get sick. I’d have to keep working and never take a day off.”

Having too much work is better than not having enough, but over time it can put you under pressure. But you don’t have to do it all alone. Consider outsourcing some of your work, or getting someone in to help. There may be quite a few peripheral jobs – invoicing, cleaning, making phone calls, paying bills – that a friend or family member can help with.

Make sure you keep your sanity. Give yourself a day off every week. And organize some income protection. If you become too sick to work, you need to be able to pay the bills.

A few specials details added to this project:

- a navigation menu underneath the header
- a drop down menu for her categories
- a custom date with a cute little pink background that displays the Month & Date,
- a contact form page (see below):

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By: Patricia Handschiegel | Posted March 4, 2009 | 07:36 AM (EST)

If there’s one thing I’ve noticed about the new modern women entrepreneurs and executives, it’s that they know how to get something going. Be it party, an event, a great meeting, family gathering, or excellent networking opportunity, they’re aces at pulling things together. This includes incredible start-up companies.

Power Girls know how to take an idea to launch. In fact, they’ve got a knack for it.

Joining the likes of high profile entrepreneurs like Rupert Murdoch, Oprah Winfrey, Tyra Banks and hundreds of thousands of others, successful women today know exactly what it takes to move projects from start to finish. Like architects of concepts and ideas, they’ve got an innate ability to see the vision, map out its foundation and ultimately, execute.

“It’s a bit of a no-brainer,” said one female founder while hiking Runyon Canyon this past month. “It doesn’t mean it’s easy. You just learn to follow the formula.”

For Cake House founder (and my sister!) Marie Handschiegel, it was just a simple move to create cakes for family and friends on her free time while building technique (and prospective clients). Family Wealth Matters’ Alexis Neely puts an emphasis on establishing the right legal structure and finding the right support. Sortingwithstyle.com’s Sayeh Pezeshki has a smart, focused that includes strategies like list-making and extensive research.

“When I started my company, I didn’t just think ‘I want to have a lot of sales,’ said Pezeshki. “I thought of where I see the business in one year, third year, fifth year, and so on.”

Regardless of how they go about it, Power Girls have an inherent talent for getting the job done.

It’s something I can relate to being on my second startup. It started out as a thought, then, as I researched the market, it began formulating into an idea. Shortly after, it moved into becoming a plan which eventually was executed and 9 was born. Time and time when I speak on panels and at conferences, I constantly say “it’s not about the idea so much as the execution.” Small, calculated steps are the ticket to a successful business launch.

“Trademarking our name has been the single most important thing I did. The protection it has offered has allowed me to promote The Budget Fashionista without worrying about someone ’stealing’ the idea,” shared founder/CEO Kathryn Finney.

“I wrote a list of everything I needed before I officially launched,” adds Pezeshki. “You want to make sure you launch right, not just for the sake of launching.”

It’s a strategy that many of the women entrepreneurs and executives I’ve met and know: Take an idea, do the research homework, establish a plan, and execute. Repeat again and again as necessary from everything to launching a new initiative, a product roll-out, or even a second company. They know how to find the right tools to make their vision a reality, from a great web design firm like Delicious Design to solid marketing companies to advisors and beyond.

Most of all, they have a positive attitude. In fact, it was the one element nearly every woman on the New Power Girls email subscription list cited as important to launching a successful startup. “A mentality and attitude for success is a must,” added Neely.

When it comes to making business dreams a reality, Power Girls get it.

Learn to spot the warning signs in time – you know you’re becoming a design geek when:

1. You giggle whenever you use the colors F0CCED, EFF0FF and 44DDDD
2. You’re in the sun and you look around for a Drop Shadow to sit under.
3. You give your relatives a lecture about color spaces and profiles when you email them your vacation photos.
4. Seeing someone use Lens Flare or Comic Sans adversely affects your blood-pressure
5. You maintain a grid system for your refrigerator magnets.
6. You organise your CD collection according to the Pantone chart.
7. You sit at work for eight hours straight just looking at your monitor, waiting for a spark of inspiration that doesn’t come.
8. You’re up ’til 5am because you came up with the best idea ever while brushing your teeth.
9. The hottest dream you ever had was “Trace contour… Find Edges… Pinch… Extrude… Smudge Stick… Motion Blur…. Sprayed Strokes…”
10. You know Lorem Ipsum by heart.
11. Your kid knows Lorem Ipsum by heart.
12. The preschool teacher complains your child won’t color inside or outside the lines – only indicate colors on a separate sheet.
13. Activating your entire font collection makes your computer crash – and you’re running OSX.
14. You deliberately butcher your perfectly cross browser compatible site in IE by placing a “Too Cool for IE” banner on it.
15. You prefer a Layer Style of 50% Opacity (or less) on your wife’s Satin.
16. You spend $200 on a font for your personal website because “it’s the only one where the lower-case g is just right…”
17. Looking at a menu makes you go “hmmm, ITC Baskerville italic” rather than “mmmm, lunch!”
18. And when you finally order, you go for Layer Based Slices with Grain Texture…
19. You use words about fonts you dislike that other normal people reserve for fascist dictators and serial killers.
20. Apple+Z is the first thing that goes through your mind if you drop and break something.
21. You refer to colleagues as Strict, Transitional, Loose and the Future Unemployed.
22. You refer to your privates as “the Magic Wand”.
23. You actually understand this post and pass it on to your friends.

To follow up this article, there is another post with more signs from crestock.com! Enjoy :)

Click here to view the video.