Reality Daydream

The Dream is Free, The Hustle Sold Separately

Blog Redesign Reveal!

by

Dear sweet readers!

DO NOT BE ALARMED!

You’re in the right place! Sawdust and Embryos has gotten a facelift… BIG TIME! Over the last couple months, we’ve been working with the very talented and patient Amy from Lexilyn Studio to redesign our website to feel more fresh and ‘us’ …not to mention easier to navigate!

{there will inevitably be a few kinks to work out in the next couple days, so please be patient!}

Our header displays our new logo, tabs (the ripped paper was my idea!), and tag line… Still my FAVE. because some things need to be done MANUALLY. So true! We ‘DIY’ many areas of our lives… from furniture to fertility!

Header {Sawdust & Embryos}

I wanted to take a moment to walk you through some things so you don’t feel frightened and disoriented. Change is GOOD! Change is FUN! (repeat 17 times)

  • As you can see, we added ‘featured posts’ which will be popular or recent posts, and will be displayed on our main page (not individual posts).
  • The ‘barn wood’ border along the top is a photograph of the ACTUAL wood we distressed and used on our Credenza Transformation that now lives in our dining room.
  • Our little selfie photo and bio (same text as before)
  • Social media icons… HOW FUN are the ‘paint splatters?’ These little gems are to remind you to follow along for the good times we have on facebook, twitter, pinterest, instagram, google+, and to subscribe to our RSS feed!
  • Search this site! Do you remember a post but don’t know how to find it? Type a couple keywords that describes what you’re looking for into this little window and hit SEARCH!

Header {Sawdust and Embryos}

Our sidebar is filled with the usual suspects, but some are brighter and shinier.

  • DIY Categories for easy reference
  • Facebook Widget
  • Instagram Widget (NEW!) showing the 4 most recent Instagram shots
  • Our most popular posts… we left these alone, because popular is popular and shouldn’t be messed with!

 

Sidebar Updates {Sawdust and Embryos}

Ironically, my favorite part of the blog redesign comes at the end of each post. We wrote a little paragraph telling you how much we love ya. FUN FACT… did you know this selfie of Nick and I was taken moments after we found out we were pregnant? We didn’t even know it was twins yet!Post Footer {Sawdust and Embryos}

Also, at the end of each individual post, there’s a SUPER SIMPLE comment form (example above) that makes commenting easy! Now you have no excuse!

I know that change is really hard for some people, but I hope you know it’s STILL ME! And we STILL LOVE YOU! I also know that some of you ‘prefer the old design’, and that’s ok. We were just ready for a change, so we hope you can adapt with us! Please be gentle with us and only leave constructive criticism in the comments. We really do want to know if something is showing up wonky on your screen… because these things happen, and we can’t fix them if we don’t know!

We hope you have a blast snooping around all the goodies!Bethany {Sawdust and Embryos}

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Comments

  1. 42

    I’m not Pamela but I am having the same problems.
    The wording is never in the torn paper tabs for me. It is up in the barn wood. I didn’t even realize it was there. It is so faint. I think someone else mentioned it in these comments and that is how I saw them.
    I am using Chrome. Since I am on a Chromebook, I don’t have an option of using another browser to check. pam

    Reply
    • 45

      Thanks for the heads-up Pamela! We’re aware of the check-it categories and are working on troubleshooting!! As for the text not showing up in the tabs… Is it always that way for you? Or only sometimes? When the text is missing, can you take a screenshot and email it to me please??

      Reply
  3. 46

    The new site looks great! My only thing would be HD Responsive, so that when I’m on my iphone it looks just as great.

    Reply
  6. 49

    Your new blog for is ok… Not so drastic, just a little more square. Fine with me! 🙂 The info about the selfie makes it so much more meaningful.

    Reply
  7. 50

    I have been following you since before you had the girls, and have loved all your changes. Including this one. You inspire me with all of your creativity. I was worried for a couple of days when your blog would not come up, relieved to find out it was temporary due to the update. Love your blog, keep up the good work!

    Reply
  10. 54

    I really love the new design, however, I think the Graco ad at the top of your page is unfortunate. It takes away a lot of the barnwood, and I think it interferes with being able to see your tag line of ‘because some things need to be done manually.’ I hope you take this as a constructive comment, and not super negative. I know you probably rely on advertisements, but just thought I’d point that out.

    Reply
    • 55

      Mary, thank for your input! We designed the header in such a way that an ad could be worked in without being too annoying. We were just going to have a pattern behind that ad, but we decided to put barnboards, because they’re our ‘thing’! 🙂 So they’re really just meant as a backdrop, not a point of interest.

      As for the actual ad, it’s through an advertising network, so you’ll notice it’s a different ad every time you click on our site. We have no control over which ads are showing.

      Reply
  11. 56

    love the new design
    Um, the writing isn’t in the tabs for me. It is way up on the barn wood and very faint. I didn’t even notice the words till I was reading the comments.
    I haven’t checked anything else yet.
    Love the girls! I love the posts about them.
    pam

    Reply
  12. 59

    As long as I can go to my bookmarks on my phone and click your link then read up on amazing posts I’m happy as a clam 🙂

    Xoxo!

    Ps. LOVE LOVE LOVE the new site look! It’s so you!

    Reply
  13. 60

    I love the new design!!! The layout is amazing and really easy to navigate around. Love the paint splatters and the ‘torn paper’ look! Very DIY/professional looking site. I’m very impressed!

    Reply
  14. 61

    Beth, it is ok now. I love the new design!!! everything is clear, easy to find. Thanks for such a wonderful blog and so many great ideas.

    Reply
  18. 65

    Love the new design! I see the words, but also get errors on popular posts. Tutorial page loads, but get errors on each link.

    Reply
  19. 66

    HI – I noticed that the links to your “popular posts” isn’t working – it takes you to an error stating the page no longer exists.

    While I am here, just wanted to let you know I LOVE your work! You always have very inspirational ideas and great instructions! The cute babes always are a plus too:)

    Reply
  20. 67

    I love the new design – just wondering – is there any writing on the torn paper tabs? it looks like on my screen they are on the barn boards and very light. just wondering? love your blog. 🙂

    Reply
    • 68

      Nancy… the text is supposed to be on the torn-paper tabs. Darn it! Thanks for letting me know! Still trouble-shooting several things. Check back in a bit and let me know if it’s fixed!

      Reply
      • 70

        Beth they are showing up in the wrong place for me like they did for Nancy. I am viewing the site from a blackberry smartphone. Bob

        Reply
  21. 71

    Love the redesign. Looks Ah-mazing! I follow your blog faithfully and tell everyone about it. Keep doing what you are doing 🙂

    Reply
  24. 75

    I love the new design! I’ve been following your blog since before the girls were born, and wow have you guys grown! Congratulations!!

    Reply
  26. 77

    It looks great (and I LOVE the simplicity of this comment form). I saw your facebook post and decided to check it out but the new post didn’t show up in my bloglovin feed 🙁

    Reply
  28. 85

    you guys!!! it looks so great! i love the colors and the torn paper 🙂
    ..P.S. did you watch big brother last night?

    Reply
    • 86

      UGH… don’t even get me started! I wasn’t happy with the final 3 to begin with… but of those 3, I knew for sure I didn’t want Andy to win. GRRRRRRRRRRRR! He’s such a little snake!

      Reply

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Attention: Almost any do-it-yourself project involves risk of some sort. Your tools, materials, and skills will vary, as will the conditions at your project site. Reality Daydream has made every effort to be complete and accurate in the instructions of the plans on this website. Reality Daydream will not assume any responsibility or liability for damages or losses sustained or incurred in the course of your project or in the use of the item you create. Always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions in the use of tools, check and follow your local building codes, and observe all commonly accepted safety precautions.