Pick a banner and win a bag frame!

Remember how I said that this blog is going to have a bit of a design tidy up?  Well part of that tidy up involves a new blog banner.  The present banner doesn't exactly bowl me over (that's because I made it and  I'm kerrrrapp at web and image design) and anyway it's time for a change.

My designer gal (I'll introduce her soon) has come up with 2 banner possibilities that I want you lovely readers to vote and comment on.  Here they are:

Orange Banner.

Blue Banner.

Cute aren't they?  Now, these banners are drafts and they can be changed i.e. larger font, different colours, etc. 

Here's what you could win if you take part in the vote.  I am giving away to one lucky draw winner a 14" Hex Open bag frame worth £7.95.  I used a hex open frame to make this cute purse, and I will also be using this very frame in my next tutorial to make a yummy craft tote bag, so you'll be prepared for the tutorial!

Your vote would really help me out and I want the blog and it's banner to look nice for you.  So to take part all you have to do is to comment on THIS PARTICULAR POST by:

• voting on the Orange Banner OR the Blue Banner, AND
• commenting on what improvements (if any) you would make to your choice.

I will draw the lucky winner after this weekend on Monday 1st Oct.  Thanks, and good luck!

FYI I have just written a post on 'How best to describe your craft goods to boost your sales' in my other blog.

Comments

[Anna Chadwick]

Hi Lisa, Looks like you've been busy!
a) I vote for the blue banner because I like the little flowers and bags behind the font. I also like the little flowers at the side of the tag line.I also like the colour. I'm not so keen on the orange girl. It doesn't look quite so grown up, IMO.
b)Although I prefer the colour, it doesn't "match" the rest of the site - but presumably it will by the time the new site is live???
But I know nothing about design either ...

Ax

[stacy]

I love the blue banner (but I'm attracted to most things blue anyway)! The only thing I would change is making the white portion with the logo a tad bit larger (maybe width wise) so you can see your blog name easier. I can't wait to see which one you decide on!

[anne]

I love the design of the orange and the colors in the blue -- so I'd re-do the orange one in blue, brown, white, pink. Or yellow in place of pink.

[alfine]

I prefer and vote for the blue one because it's less "agressive". I mean blue it's calm color and red/orange more energic. I'm not sure to be clear :)

But what about your logo in bag form? Maybe it could be nice to find him a little place in the blue banner. as stamps in the backgoung ?

[Liliana]

I vote for the Blue Banner just as it is!

[Philippa]

Ohhh I'd def go for the Blue one. I think if you are going for a change, go the whole hog. In with the new and out with the old!

Look forward to seeign the new site.

[Lori]

I like the blue one, just the way it is!

[Zoe]

Both brill! I think the blue one sneaks it past the orange one for me (only just, I love the orange one too!)...nice and clear and says exactly what it is. So exciting, I can't wait to see the new look u-handbag blog!!!

[Nubiancraftster]

I really like the blue one. I would make the center part a little bigger and more prominent.

[Jen]

I vote orange! It's much bolder :)

[Shelly]

I like the blue one, but I think I would use a little bigger font on the U-handbag part and bolder colors - maybe a brighter blue....

Just MHO.

[Xiaoyi]

I like the color scheme of the blue banner and the design of the orange banner. I would introduce the blue color used in the blue manner into the design of the orange banner. Specifically, I would consider changing the purse on the left to a blue purse and the bottom triangle that is currently orange with white and brown dots to blue with white and brown dots. I would also change the darker orange background to the lighter shade of orange used on the bottom triangle. And I would outline everything using the brown color. Hope this helps. :)

[cherry]

I prefer the blue banner. It is softer, more feminine! I think it is perfect as it is, not to busy, just a gentle introduction to a reat site.

[Bella]

The orange design is a better use of your 'brand' by incorporating your logo. The purse shaped logo is great--you need to keep that! The main problem with the orange banner, design wise, is the figure. Earlier commenter said it was too childish, and I agree. I would just take it out. The design is more clean cut that way, and would work really well. I would also tone down the oranges a little. The top half is too bold. I have an art background, so I do know what I'm talking about!

Cheers!

[Anina]

I love the blue one, although orange seems to be more your brand color. But I still like to overall design of the blue one.

[Joanne]

I like the blue one, but instead of the flowers next to love bags I would have a small version of your logo, for consistency.

[Johanna I.]

Blue, definitely. The other one is cute too, but the blue is instantly more appealing. Can't wait to see the big reveal.

[whitney-anne]

The design of the orange one is good - the diagonal line is unusual and eyecatching and therefore memorable but the colour is a bit too aggressive and "Sainsbury's"
What I'd suggest is use the colours of the blue banner (very cool) with the design of the orange. Happy designing!

[Marisa]

I really like the blue one, but I would suggest un-centering the text box a bit to make it more eye-appealing. Can't wait to see the new banner!

[Akhila]

Hi Lisa,
I love both of them - but I would vote for the Orange banner. Think it is so you, energetic and lively. Also think it's important that you have your logo on as it is very well known already.
Cannot wait to see which one you chose.
Akhila

[joyce]

I like the blue one but the orange is more eye-catching. I'll be watching to see which one you chose.

[Beth]

I like parts of both, really. I like the large presence of the orange banner and the color of the blue one. Could the title on the blue one be bigger? Or maybe use the purse from the orange one on the blue one?

[Akhila]

Hi again,
Sorry forgot to mention that I so awaiting to see your new tote as I am just making a few totes with just these hex frames...
Akhila

[Lucy]

Hi Lisa, I like the design of the orange banner as it's more eyecatching and memorable. I think they are both great and don't need any changes but I think the colours in the blue banner in the design of the orange banner would look good and be a bit softer.
Lucy
P.S. Love your new blog. It's helping me enormousley (sp?!) in moving forward in my plan to set up a business!