I should mention that I look for templates all the time for my blogs. I just can’t afford to “pay” a designer or professional blog template developer to create a unique template for me and my network of blogs. A lot of the times, I go to the “usual” places, search engines, Emily Robbins, Alex King, WordPress .. etc etc ..

Not this time .. This time – I was participating in a community net-party like this one, Tuesday Night Mike Night, a few weeks ago .. and I saw this theme on the AdviceLibrary.com Blog.

By the way .. AdviceLibrary.com is an online article directory for both publishers and authors .. Check it out!

The theme is called … AdsMindedWide by Brian Sapiens of the Hi-Tech.

While I was “1-800-HART’icizing” this blog, adding my little bits here and there and started to play with the header graphic, CSS and more … my friend, the famous Joe Yanuzzi helped me out and created the above header (and about a dozen other choices too! I’d link his blog, but it’s in flux right now

HART (1-800-HART)

This is how I described the new look on HART-Empire – June 7, 2006

I was bored .. and decided that the 1-800-HART’s Picks blog deserved a new look, since it has not had a facelift since its inception.

This is an experiment in progress. Based on my statistics, only 4% of its readers were using browsers with screen views less than 1000 pixels, so I have selected one that is quite wider and more suitable for showcasing products, and for monetization.

Naturally, it just made sense to try the Ads Minded Wide Version Theme by Hi-Tech

NEW LOOK – Version 2.0

Currently, it is a work-in-progress as I tweak the code and color schemes and ads and really “1-800-HART’ize” it like I normally do for all of my websites.

OLD LOOK – Version 1.0

I mentioned .. HERE .. that I was planning to upgrade to the latest wordpress version and find a new template. Well, wordpress has been updated, but I have yet to find a suitable design I like.

I have thought about one design though .. except that it’s width is over 1000 pixels. According to my stats, only 6% of readers are using browser windows in 800×600 or smaller (?) .. so, I hope if I decide to go this route .. most will probably not notice ..

Here is a screen image of the view .. if you click .. HERE …

CAN YOU SUGGEST TO ME A BETTER DESIGN FOR 1-800-HART’s PICKS? Feel free to post some URL’s in these comments and I will take a look.

I have just upgraded this WordPress version 1.52 blog .. into the latest wordpress version 2.0.2 ..

Some plugins work and I will be obtaining other plugins that only work with version 2.0.

I am also entertaining the idea of a new template for this blog. Watch this space for further developments!

Features:

As easy as tracing a drawing
Additional pumkin carving tips available at www.dremel.com
6.0V cordless MiniMite (requires 4AA batteries, not included)
6 Free Templates included to start designing stunning carvings.
Carve intricate patterns in minutes

Product Description
Amazon.com
Even the least artistic among us can have the coolest pumpkins in the neighborhood this year with Dremel’s carving kit. It’s a neat, buzzy little unit that carves off layers of pumpkin flesh to let the light glow through. It isn’t meant to cut all the way through the pumpkin, and the effect is perfectly spooky. Powered by two AA batteries, it’s got two speeds for superior pumpkin-stock removal, at 6,000 and 12,000 rpm, so it’s not a child’s toy. Here’s how the process goes: Cut a lid in the pumpkin the old-fashioned way and scoop out all the innards, leaving smooth, 1/2-inch thick walls. Stick the template to your pumpkin with spray-on craft adhesive and start tracing the design with the Dremel on the low setting. For larger areas, switch to high. The only trick is trying to remove the same amount of material on all the cuts so the light glows uniformly from inside the pumpkin. It takes just a little getting used to, and after a practice pumpkin, those snaggle-toothed Jack-o’-lanterns with the crooked mouths will be a thing of the past on your porch. –Kris Jensen-Van Heste

From the Manufacturer
Dremel, the originator of the multipurpose rotary tool, has assembled a kit containing everything needed to take your pumpkin carving skills to the next level. The Dremel Pumpkin Carving Kit features a battery operated pumpkin carving tool, powered by the Dremel 6V MiniMite Cordless Rotary Tool, and six jack-o’-lantern templates. The new Pumpkin Carving Kit makes it faster and easier to carve stunning, artistic jack-o’-lantern designs. The battery operated pumpkin carving tool strips away a partial layer of the pumpkin’s surface for a translucent effect. The Dremel Pumpkin Carving Kit features everything needed to take your pumpkin carving skills to the next level.