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Miss Mustard Seed Makeover

If you’re an avid, or even a casual reader of my blog, you know that I love a good makeover.  Well, a pretty obvious one just happened.  My blog, Miss Mustard Seed, has a new look.

Before I talk about the makeover, I need to share how I got here.  My wonderful friend, former youth group student and web/brand designer, Laura Dreyer, was the one who encouraged me to start a blog.  When I started my business a couple of years ago, she was one of the first people I called for help.  I asked if she would design a website, logo, business cards, marketing materials, all of it, for me.  She has been in school studying graphic design, so I was a perfect guinea pig for her.  She drew all of my illustrated buttons and created my entire marketing look.  I love her and her work.

Laura is an amazing artist and even illustrated children’s books right out of high school.  Here are a couple of her illustrations.
Amazing, right?

Well, this little blog she suggested I start has turned into a big deal and I’ve needed more and more special attention, which has become too much for a senior in college (who’s still learning the technical aspect to this business.)  I knew it was time to hire a professional blog designer.

I love the look Laura created for me, so I needed to work with someone who would work with that existing look.  I also wanted to work with someone who had a good reputation, a diverse portfolio and an artistic eye.  This brought me to the doorstep of Marina from Penny Lane Designs.

Other than constantly confusing our names (Marian/Marina) while I was typing, she was a dream to work with. I sent her sketches of what I envisioned and gave her this huge list of things I love, things I don’t love, things that are important to me, what kind of feel I wanted, etc.  This is what I sent her to explain the kind of wrapper I wanted…

Poor girl.  I felt so high maintenance, but she assured me I wasn’t.  (By the way, she saved me from the bow idea by kindly telling me it just wasn’t going to work.)  Don’t you think she did an amazing job at capturing “me”?
Not only does this blog have a new look, but it also allows me to post larger pictures and it gives you easier access to content and information through my navigation bar and social networking buttons.
I want to thank both of my designers, Laura and Marina for their amazing work and for helping me market myself and my style in a beautiful and professional way.

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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81 Responses

  2. I love it and am so excited for you. Blessings to you and the other creative people you have in your life!

    Always, Teresa T.

  3. Marian it's just absolutely DREAMY! I love the subltle and soft colors. I recently had a makeover as well and it's refreshing to go look at now. I bet you keep coming back to look again and again don't you? lol.

  6. Love the new look, much more clean and easy to read. Nice work! Glad you decided not go with the bows!
    Erin for A Little Something, Too
    alittlesomething2.blogspot.com

  7. I only recently found your site, and it is absolutely delightful. Thank you so much for sharing all of your fabulous ideas with us.

    The new look is perfect!

  10. Fun! I loved your old look, but this one is super, too! I tried clicking on the different sections above and nothing clicked except the "home" button. Is this just my problem or is it not fully running yet?
    LOVE your blog!!! I always look forward to reading and seeing what you'll be up to next!!

  15. Looks great! It's very "you." I'm so happy that your blog has become so successful! I'll always have a special fondness for you and your blog, since we both started at around the same time. I've been in the process of a little refresh over on my blog too. Hope it turns out as great as this! (took me FOREVER to find your post comment link though, it kind of blends in with the ads!)

  19. Lucky girl. Of course I know it was tons of hard work, late nights, drop cloths, paint and sandpaper that got you to this point. It's been wonderful to see the progress, how you've advanced as a blogger, furniture makeover, craft loving woman. I can only imagine what the next 10 years will bring!! You deserve all the best.

  23. I love the new design (I loved the old one too!). It definitely seems to capture you and your style. It's very clean and well organized which I appreciate. And I love the navigation bar at the top.

  29. Hi Marian-

    I love your new look – it is so fresh and cheery. I like the brighter look and it seems easier to navigate, too You must be loving it.

    My best- Diane

  33. I LOVE the new look. I think she captured you perfectly. What a blessing to find 2 such talented people that were there for you when you needed them. Lovely new design. Unique and totally you.

  34. Marian,
    I love your new blog—it's so you and so great looking, easy to read and navigate. Congratulations.

    I would have cried if I had to wait for the floor (actually, I've been known to do that in a remodel) but you are right, better to wait and do it right.
    Karen at Garden, Home and Party

  49. Your new blog is gorgeous! I am in the midst of trying to create my own blog and can appreciate how much time and work goes into it. Great job!

  56. Really looks great! Everything you do looks very professional….and as busy as you are it's great to have someone help out who can navigate quickly.

    Your friends artwork is very unique–yes amazing, love how she captures movement in the skateboard pic.
    ~Pam
    pamspaintparlor.typepad.com

  57. OMG! I opened your site and just about shouted MMS has a new look!! I think Handsome Man thought I lost it.
    I do love the new look.

  62. Love your new look! I'm in the process of taking the plunge into blog-land. So excited…. so nervous…. know what you mean about feeling "high maintenance" with the blog designer.

  63. Whew-whew! (The sound of me whistling.) This is beautiful, Marian! Off to check out Marina as I've been wanting a little change myself but no time to do it.

    xoxo,
    Jami

  65. Love your new look…you have encouraged me more than you know..I just finished my first chair redo thanks to your blog and your inspiration!

    Joy

  67. It looks so good Marian! And you're right, that girl that did your logo, etc. is so talented. Wow.

    I've been meaning to say how excited I was to be magazine mates with you again! How fun is that?

    Also it was neat seing your article in Cottages and Bungalows. You're going places girl and it's so fun to watch!

  71. Oh, Marian! It is SO beautiful! You and Marina both came up with something specatcular. Love the new look!

  74. And Laura, if you're reading…your illustrations are beautiful and your original blog design was absolutely gorgeous, too! As a college student with that level of talent, you have quite a future ahead of you! Wishing you the best. Thank you for getting Marian to start this little blog. 🙂

    Jami

  77. I loveeeeeeeeeeee your stuff! So much to see and learn from. You are a beautiful soul! Thanks for sharing your talents. Sue

  79. Fabulous! Clean, bright and ready for spring! You make all of "this" look so easy while I'm watching "How to" tutorials on YouTube! You've once again inspired me…. to get in touch with a Marina of my own!

    Many thanks, as always!

    Amy

  81. Hi Miss Mustard Seed, I have officially enrolled myself in the School of the Mustard Seed-I am reading your blogs and studying what you have done like my life depends on it!haha Not that my life depends on it but my daughters school tuition is going to so I really appreciate how open and helpful you have been in sharing all you have learned and making your path so transparent to your readers. How I found you was on the Bliss and Tell website- I was under the impression from looking on there that Reni had done your branding and your blog because I saw you on there. I am in the decision making process right now of who to use to do my branding,my blog,my website, wordpress, etc. The prices are all over the place and I want to lay a good foundation for growth and not have to keep re-doing the page to accomodate more traffic (I am speaking things that are not as though they were!haha) I would greatly appreciate any advice or resource sites you would give concerning these things. Once again THANK YOU your site has been such a blessing and encouragement to me,your creative abilites have beautifully combined with your calling-thank you for paving the way for me.

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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