did you know that this purple castle layout is actually version 11 of sparklette.net? there are 10 other layouts i have used previously that most of you may not be aware of.
after being awarded “best blog design” at ping.sg, i think it’s finally time for me to do a quick recap of all the different designs that sparklette.net has sported since 2002!
each and every design bears several personal elements to it, be it relating to my favorite things or the state of mind i was in as i designed a layout at that particular point in time.
when i first started this website in late 2002, the world had only just seen the dawning of the blog craze. at that time, i started this site not really to blog, but mainly because i needed something to design.
in version 1 (titled “angel wings”), i used a cartoonish image of rinoa heartilly, a female character from my favorite RPG, final fantasy VIII. it became the first out of a few other purple layouts that i did subsequently.
i created version 2 (titled “autumn sonata”) from scratch. it was made up of maple leaves in different hues of purple, blue and green, littered with white orbs flying all over the place like “shimmering sparkles”. in fact, i liked those leaves so much i brought them back to this current castle layout!
in versions 1 and 2, i did not use any engine to create my blog entries. every single blog post was painstakingly coded with love, and then copied and pasted into monthly archive pages. why? because i was a control freak and didn’t want to use blogspot or diaryland (the two most popular blogging platforms at that time) like everyone else.
eventually, the manual hard labor got too tiresome. i finally decided to use a blogging engine called “greymatter” as i rolled out version 3 (titled “passed me by”).
at that time, i was feeling lost. my feelings were depicted by the anime image of a girl sitting in a playground, against a black and white cityscape. the giant clock in the background represented how the world was always busy and constantly passing me by.
the butterfly that had been emancipated from a glass jar and flying towards daylight represented how trapped i felt and how i longed to be free.
it was a pretty dark layout, hence black was the choice of color.
the words seen in the design:
“looking back on all it has been,
it has seemed that all along,
time has passed me by…
as i walk into the real world again
i wonder…
what am i supposed to do now?”
Spanned: July 10, 2003 - November 22, 2003
Lifespan: 4 months 12 days
More info on this layoutyou know it had to happen! sooner or later i had to feature my favorite animal in my blog layout! it came in version 4 (titled “innocence”) where i used a kitty theme!
the main image was one of a sleeping kitten. it was very innocent, sweet and adorable. the lyrics featured in the background was from the song “hear me cry” by japanese band, cagnet.
what goes with innocence? pink, of course!
Spanned: November 22, 2003 - March 12, 2004
Lifespan: 3 months 20 days
More info on this layoutmy love for northern lights was depicted in version 5, “illusion”. the illusion i wanted to create was of a dolphin seemingly swimming in the heavens, complete with stars and northern lights.
the words seen in the design:
“What is life? A frenzy.
What is life? An illusion, a shadow, a fiction.
And the greatest good is of slight worth,
Since life is but a dream, and dreams are only dreams.”
Spanned: March 12, 2004 - June 16, 2004
Lifespan: 3 months 4 days
More info on this layoutfor the first time, i experimented with using a bright color scheme in my design. it was a flop initially because i made the mistake of creating the layout solely on my laptop, without double-checking to see if the colors looked fine on a desktop computer. they didn’t, and many of my readers complained of being blinded by the brightness!
i fixed the colors and the resultant summery theme had cheery colors, with palm trees, sunflowers and even a pink roxy logo in the background (i was never sued).
the words seen in the design:
“I know I am but summer to your heart,
and not the full four seasons of the year.”
Spanned: June 16, 2004 - October 24, 2004
Lifespan: 4 months 8 days
More info on this layoutversion 7 (titled “alone”) had more of a moody and cold feel to it. i used yet another anime image of a girl sitting alone in winter with snowflakes whirling around.
the words seen in the design:
“I’ve learned that goodbyes will always hurt, pictures will never replace having been there, memories good or bad will bring tears, and words can never replace feeling.”
“Sometimes you have to weather many storms before you find your rainbow.”
did you spot the faint rainbow in the background?
Spanned: October 24, 2004 - January 30, 2005
Lifespan: 3 months 6 days
More info on this layoutmy love for london (although i’ve never been there) and travel propelled me to feature big ben in version 8, “purple dreams”.
the numerous stars in the purple sky include the orion constellation. i created an animated gif so that the stars in the orion actually twinkled! the silver bracelet is a piece of jewelry i own from tiffany & co.
the words seen in the design:
“I can’t wait all my life on a street of broken dreams.”
Spanned: January 30, 2005 - June 28, 2005
Lifespan: 4 months 28 days
More info on this layoutversion 9 (titled “void”) has somewhat of a sci-fi/astronomy theme, with swirling galaxies and a space observatory. the pink flowers featured are oriental lilies, my favorite flowers.
this is one of my few most favorite layouts to date.
Spanned: June 28, 2005 - May 17, 2006
Lifespan: 11 months 19 days
More info on this layoutfor the first time, i used my own photograph in a layout. i distinctly remember putting more thought and effort in this design than ever before. it was also the most colorful.
i was looking to create a scene from what my idea of heaven would be. hence, this piece was titled “how far is heaven?”, also from the song “heaven” by the los lonely boys.
so, my idea of heaven has a clear blue sky with fluffy white clouds and millions of tiny stars. the outer space is also clear and visible, evident from the galaxy in the sky.
dandelions and flower petals would float everywhere, and everything would look beautiful. there would be colorful daisies too, my second most favorite flower (after the oriental lilies).
finally, there would be peace, as represented by the tranquil scene of a white boat on a calm purple lake.
the words seen in the design:
“I am like a falling star in a lovely constellation,
Wanting to sparkle in the heavens
Forever.”
ta-da! there you go! all the ten different looks of sparklette.net since 2002! my personal favorite is version 10, although i do love this current castle/fairy tale layout too.
tell me which one is your favorite!
much love,
veron
also in this series
July 10, 2003: Version 4 - Innocence
November 22, 2003: Version 5 - Illusion
March 12, 2004: Version 6 - Summer Lovin’
June 16, 2004: Version 7 - Alone
October 24, 2004: Version 8 - Purple Dreams
January 30, 2005: Version 9 - Void
June 28, 2005: Version 10 - How Far is Heaven?
May 17, 2006: Version 11 - Only in Fairy Tales…
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i love your past designs!
—-u can moderate this—-
btw, theres a question i’ve been wanting to ask,
there is another, its local, that has similar designs to your current one. infact, its 90% similar. which came first? the chicken or the egg?
———————————- View all comments by malique
wow … I like version 3 Passed Me By and version 8 Purple Dreams. :> What design will it be next ? View all comments by Noah
malique: Well, what do you think? This current design has been around for more than a year.
Noah: Not too sure! I am getting lazy too. Any ideas? View all comments by Veron
Still prefer your current design (: View all comments by Jacelyn
Thanks babe! This current design is definitely the most detailed and comprehensive. That is why I’ve kept it around for the longest time. View all comments by Veron
Well, you have just gotten the best blog design award. So no getting lazy yah ? hahahh … ahem, you’ll come up with something. View all comments by Noah
Yes, boss.
:P View all comments by Veron
Wow, you are really talented. I love all the designs.
=) View all comments by nay min thu
And you are the sweetest! View all comments by Veron
My favourite would be version 9. I’m always fascinated by galaxies and stuff.
=) View all comments by nay min thu
That’s one of my favorites too. I feel that my designs have matured and improved only from version 9 onwards. View all comments by Veron
heh. i still love the current design best.. but can really see how your flair for design has improved over the years :)
love the details on the current one. will miss this layout when the new one is rolled out. View all comments by Daphne Maia
Uh-oh, I never said there’s gonna be a new design! Now I feel all stressed. But since you said you would miss this layout, I shall keep it around for a long time, for your sake :) View all comments by Veron
And version 10 too. I love sitting down at the beach, looking at the clouds and daydreaming. I don’t know why, I’m emotionally attached to clouds.
=) View all comments by nay min thu
Thanks for this post. I can see that how your website’s design has evolved and matured over the years.
I was in London, and Aberdeen (Scotland) a few years ago, if you happen to be keen in the photos, I shall send you a link via twitter of the link to my London-related post. Otherwise, you may visit my blog, and check under “Highlights”, “UK, Aug 2005″. View all comments by py
Hey Veron,
My personal favourite would be Version 4 - Innocence.
The layout is soft and dreamy and it makes me feel very comfortable and induces me to sleep just by looking at it …
Followed by, Version 9 - Void.
I love the milky way, the oriental lilies and not forgetting that cute portrait of yourself!
Of cos, Version 11 of the castle layout is still the best! View all comments by Jayson
Version 7 - Alone!
alone is the best word to describe my situation now. View all comments by fluencev
Nice, so many beautiful designs! View all comments by arzhou (adrian)
nay min thu: I love cloud watching too! That sounds like a perfect way to relax.
py: I have seen a few of your London posts! You wrote so many and took so many photos! Will go through them thoroughly when I get to work tomorrow. (P.S.: You are always so polite, thanking me for my posts haha)
Jayson: No haiku for me this time? *sad*
fluencev: Glad you can relate to my blog layouts!
arzhou: Thanks! View all comments by Veron
I first found your site when you were still on version 2, Autumn Sonata. Although it was primarily just the leaves, I still loved the creativity in your blog and so I kept coming back.
My favorite by far has to be version 5, Illusion. That is one hella gorgeous layout, and it takes me back. When I was little and in school, it was popular to collect binders and folders and other school supplies by the brand Lisa Frank, and that was because their cartoonish designs were so wildly different from the other brands. They had a collection of dolphins seemly swimming in space that was my favorite. And your layout was everything I use to love about those designs. The colors stood out against the dark background, the image of the dolphin you used fit so perfectly in, and it was different from your usual!
Anyways, rantrant, congrats on best blog! :D You did indeed deserve it! View all comments by Mandy
Thanks Mandy! Among all my readers, you are probably the one who’s visited my blog for the longest time!
I love the fact that you could relate to that dolphin layout! I don’t think you’ve ever shared that little anecdote with me before.
Thanks! It means a lot! View all comments by Veron
Leaving the current version out, I liked version 3 followed by version 10. The hope in the darkness - walking from the darkness into the light or is it walking from the light into the darkness? As for version 10, I like dandelions so it gets my vote. Have you tried taking a photo of a dandelion from another different angle? The result can be quite stunning…try it when you see one the next time in the fields. You will need to move quite close in =) View all comments by Dennis
Version 3 is a hawt favorite with the guys!
And I don’t think I’ve ever seen dandelions in real life before! Very ashamed to say so. But I bet it would be a very pretty sight! When I die I want to be buried in a field with dandelions! View all comments by Veron
I’ll vote for version 10. The colour combination is superb! View all comments by hendri
Wow…can see the big improvement! Your current website really captured my attention since last year as i accidentally entered your blog while i was searching Giraffe restaurant (singapore) url via yahoo. It’s really impressive & really love your maple leaves! I used to check out your blog regulary but this is my 1st msg here. Very pleasure..Awaiting more & more impress work from your blog!! Keep it up ya ;-) View all comments by jceleste
eek, looks like I’ve missed out so many kawaii girls!! View all comments by chillycraps
Can see how you’ve grown and improved through the years. Thanks for sharing this with us. ^_^
I love all the designs. I see that you used visual cues from design 2 for your current design - a vast improvement. I can see u put a lot of love into all your designs, and how proud you are of them. Ha ha… lesson learnt - laptop screens are not suited for designers.
I wouldn’t want to show my early works - i cringe to see how juvenile those designs look (circa late-1990s). :D
Great on ya babe! View all comments by Miccheng
hendri: Yay! That’s my most favorite!
jceleste: Thanks for your wonderful words, and for finally leaving a message!
chillycraps: Haha you are so cute!
Miccheng: I bet this is your first time seeing these! Yep, they’re my babies and I’m proud of (almost) every one of them! The first website I designed was in the late 90s too. Like you, I cringe whenever I visualise how juvenile my earliest works were! But they were what sparked off the eventual (and hopefully) more decent pieces of work. View all comments by Veron
All 11 designs together - yes, this would be he first time. :D
Don’t get complacent - the best is yet to be. ^_^ View all comments by Miccheng
Hmmm… Based on my preference…
1st Place is, most definitely, Version 1: Only in Fairy Tales… - It’s my absolute favorite! The best of the best! It’s simply PERFECT!
2nd Place is Version 10: How Far is Heaven? - I like this one too, very original, superb color combination. In fact it may be a better design then Version 11. However, I prefer a “fastasy” kinda look so it’s still 2nd place… ;x
3rd Place is Version 8: Purple Dreams - Very dreamy but the words are a little too faded…
4th Place is Version 2: Autumn Sonata - This looks simple yet soothing. Not to complicated.
5th Place is Version 6: Summer Lovin’ - It blends well, but the colors aren’t so ideal. Perhaps I just don’t like orange. LoLx~
Honestly speaking the last 2 layouts are much better illustrated. The previous ones are a little “blogskin-like”. No offense. View all comments by princess
Ooh wow! I think I was around since layout 6.
I think I like version 11 the best though. :)
Congratulations on your win! View all comments by Jasmine
current design is the best so far (:
thumbs up! jiayou View all comments by lynn
wow… all your previous designs are really good! i are seriously impressed View all comments by merv
Hey! I remembered seeing Version 3 before! I was so so so captivated by that layout design back then, didn’t know it was yours! Haha. I used the little girl in Version 7 as one of my old layouts too. Hah! Anyway, Version 8 is one of my favourites! I just love how your layout looks, really purplish and dreamy. Gahhh, I know this is a little late, but congrats on winning the title of best blog design! (I signed up just so that I could vote. =X) And, I love Version 4 too! Such an adorable kitten! :D
Hmm, just a little curious. Before you had sparklette.net, where were you (hosted at)? View all comments by Huimei
i like 3 6 7 8 9! i like the way you design your layout with the perfect choice of quotes for that theme. View all comments by my
Hey hi Veron! wow.. indeed talented!! I can’t even use photoshop to draw a perfect circle!
Anyway, I like version 10. Find the pictures all blended in beautifully. And the little phrase/poem is the topping on the ice-cream… well done! View all comments by Kev
Miccheng: “The best is yet to be.” That line holds special meaning for me. It’s the school motto back when I was in ACJC!
princess: Thanks for all your feedback and careful analysis! I’m glad that my designs have improved over the years. Versions 10 and 11 are my most favorite too!
Jasmine: Wow you have been visiting this blog since 2004! That’s a really long time! Thanks!
lynn: Thanks!
merv: That’s very flattering and encouraging. Thanks Merv!
Huimei: Oh! A nice lady blogger hosted me for free at her domain, little-happiness.net (before I bought sparklette.net). It’s no longer around though.
my: Hey babe, I remember each time I uploaded a new design, you would tell me you like it better than the previous one! You were so supportive!
Kev: Yeah! I love having those little quotes and poems around in my layout. They express my sentiments very well. View all comments by Veron
whoa!! all your designs are so pretty and nice. I love pass me by, alone and your current one the most. Keep it up!! really cool!!! View all comments by Valerie
What castle is it in the masthead? Where did the picture come from? View all comments by Lucian
woah!really nice design!!
you know jack neo..he got a blog and said looking people help him to design for his blog..
maybe you can help him to design for his blog :)
this is his blog address..
http://jackneojackneo.blogspot.com/ View all comments by wenniee
I’ve visited your site several times, always intrigued by the design, because it works, but it’s also so different than anything I would have thought to do. When I figure out exactly why I like it perhaps I’ll post again. In the meantime I’ll keep stopping by. View all comments by Nate S
I simply love your designs. Also the poetic lines are really good.
Keep up the good work. View all comments by Jashan
Ur designs are unique. Love the way u do those magical themes. View all comments by alex from billiondollarwebsites.com
i like version 10 the most! :) View all comments by nadnut
Hey girl,
You really evolve!
I love ‘Alone’, but please, no dolphins.
As they say in Japan, 都会人、貴方は定める！ View all comments by Michael Baxter
nice design … love v11 View all comments by uncle sha
Version 10! And then Version 8.
You are good, Veron. But then that goes without saying…
Love that photograph of yours on v10. Very nice. Must had been a good photographer. View all comments by Beni
definitely v11 ^^ unless there’ll be v12 ;P
your design from 1 to 10 is improving a lot ! i m v u :P View all comments by qureyoon
Just stopping by and must say from your works feel much tender and fantasy. Continue and enjoy your work =D..Romik View all comments by Romik
May I use version 10 or 3 as a layout for myspace? I need help. View all comments by Jennifer
:) i like this current background the best. (aka only in fairy tales) because it’s a nice shade of purple and i love how it’s soothing and calm. it’s very beautiful! GOOD JOB! =)
P.S. i have a question though. How do you manage to put the purple leaves onto the website? like… how do you manage to program them? the leaves are already there (right? so you didn’t have to program them yourself?) because i’m learning to program, and i find it rather fascinating… so i’ve already wondered about how it came to be. :) it would be great if you would email me back with the answer.
thanks. and once again, good job! i really like the bg View all comments by Ada
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