Big Sis, Little Blog Program

I posted that I would do a design contest at 599 followers.  I'm doing something very different this go round. You can win a brand new blog design - the works - and a mentor-ship, to get that new blog up and running.

Introducing the Big Sis, Little Blog Mentor/Scholar-ship Program.

Quite a mouthful, but hopefully it will go well.  This idea started with me when I began reading back and forth posts regarding the Affiliates programs that are popping up everywhere in our book bloggyverse.  So first off I would like to thank Jamie @ The Book Junkie's Bookshelf & Natalie @ Mindful Musings for sparking my creative juices. 

It made me realize that there is some difference between the "big" blogs, and the little start-ups, but it has nothing to do with popularity, or anything of that nature.  It is just experience and knowledge.  The bigger blogs have been around the block, they've promoted their blogs incessantly and have made contacts throughout the bloggy universe.

So, for the latest design contest welcome to my mentor/scholar-ship program.

This is not a number out of a hat kind of contest.  This is first an application process and then the finalists will be voted on - sidebar polls on this blog.

Five applicants will be chosen out of all that apply and those five will be posted on a poll on this blog.  Winner with the most votes will be the winner.

The five finalists will be chosen by the quality of their reviews, originality, and tone of their blogs. I understand if the blog is "in the works" this is the point of this contest, to get you from "in the works" to "holding your own."

To qualify as an applicant, you must meet the following criteria:

• New blogger, or a blogger that hasn't taken off (under 50 followers).  Its ok if you have 0 followers, but you must have a blog
• You blog must be devoted to books.  It is ok if you do posts off topic once and awhile, but the main focus must be books
• You must also place a Big Sis button on the blog's sidebar that you are listing (directions and buttons below)
• Fill out the Application below

What the winner will receive!

• A new blog design, complete with header, background, header styling, signature and button
• Mentorship, your questions answered - a step-by-step guide to how to handle getting your blog up in the rankings
• And I will provide a "hot" book for you to give away on your blog

What a package right???!!! Questions, please leave them in the comments. I'm sure I'm leaving some things out, so I will update this posts as things come up.

The application process will go on until March 31st, 2010 (or if the number of applicants is overwhelming I might end early). The five finalist will be notified and posted soon after that.

<a href="http://www.parajunkee.com/2010/02/big-sis-little-blog-program.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Big Sis, Little Blog Program" border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4395695045_28d2474784_o.png" /></a>







<a href="http://www.parajunkee.com/2010/02/big-sis-little-blog-program.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Big Sis, Little Blog Program" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2684/4396463144_fe4ee51e05_o.png" /></a>

New Year - New Blog Design Contest

Contest is closed - winners will be chosen shortly. Check back for other design contests beginning soon!

Want a new look for the New Year??

Enter the New Year - New Blog Design Contest right here at Parajunkee's View.

If you didn't know by now, Parajunkee doesn't just read, she is also a web designer (graphic designer, illustrator) by trade.  And now you can win some Parajunkee Design!

What do you get in this awesome *Slap Yo Mamma* contest??? My biggest design giveaway yet -

Header - Button - Background

With that combination you basically get a whole new blog design.  

This design work retails at $90 So Enter Now!

Contest Rules & Deets:

1. Contest is open to EVERYONE Internationally 
2. Contest ends JAN 9th
3. As the winner you will be provided with a static (just the image) header, blog button and a background image, files will be hosted on flickr.com (or a host of your choice), I will guide you through the HTML part if you need it.
4. If I get to 450 followers during this contest, there will be a RUNNER UP.  Runner up will receive a Header / Button combo ($70 value)
   
5. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to claim their prize (email will be sent)
6. Please fill out the form embedded in this post to enter
7. HINT HINT - to remember if you entered this contest or not COMMENT! I am not offended by NICE Contest comments :)

Extra Entries (you will be asked to provide links):

+1 Tweet : RT New Year - New Blog Design Contest -- @Parajunkee http://tinyurl.com/ya7svsy Header, Button Background Combo!

+2 Sidebar

+5 Post about this contest

+3 Parajunkee Design Follower - I have a Design Blog also 
+5 Display my button the Parajunkee's View Button or Parajunkee Design your choice!

Good Luck!

Avatar Finalized for Winner

As a follow up thought you guys might want to see the finalized avatar from the Win an Avatar Contest.

Here were my go-bys: Female, human teen.  Lounging on a chaise, writing on a scroll with a feather pen.  Black hair with brown highlights. Long and lustrous. Dark brown eyes. Vanessa Hudgens skin coloring. Dressed in steampunky, victorian fashion with a side of action (kick ass boots).

Here is the final design:

Buttons for Sale

Hey everyone just wanted to mention that I'm having a button sale right now. I have some pre-designed buttons that are going for rather cheap.  So if you want one of those fancy buttons that have the code underneath for easy GRAB & POST - this is a cheap way to get one. 

 

Buttons are a great way to network. 

I'll Post Yours If You Post Mine...

Buttons are featured on my Parajunkee Design Blog.

Spreading art throughout the Blogoverse...

Well everyone, I have finished the designs for the last design winners and everyone is very happy.  There were two winners this time and the won a custom designed header and button.  Excitement prevailed when their designs were revealed - and they gushed about my superior design abilities... now they could be lying, but I really hope not, my ego is very fragile.  If you don't mind, could everyone stop by their boggy homes and tell them what you think of their new artwork.  Also if you like what you see, enter my next contest for an avatar.  Click on the link in my sidebar over here ---->

Winner #1 - Books at Midnight

Winner #2 - Drying Ink

More Free Templates

Hey guys, I have a few more blog templates.  I've put together a few quick ones. Also since the requests keep coming in, I've put together another blog site, that has them featured.  Check them out and tell me what you think. I still have to put the code up for download, but if you really want to use a template, just email me and I will send it over.

Check out my other blog... CLICK HERE.

The Damask Template

The Japan Template

The Paisley Template

The Book Maxima