sparklette.net – Layouts from Past to Present
Did you know that this purple castle layout is actually version 11 of Sparklette? 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 has sported since 2002!
Each and every design bears several personal elements to it, be it relating to my favourite things or the state of mind I was in as I designed a layout at that particular point in time.
Spanned: November 29, 2002 – January 12, 2003
Lifespan: 1 month 14 days
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 favourite RPG, final fantasy VIII. It became the first out of a few other purple layouts that I did subsequently.
Spanned: January 12, 2003 – April 10, 2003
Lifespan: 2 months 29 days
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.
Spanned: April 10, 2003 – July 10, 2003
Lifespan: 3 months
Eventually, the manual hard labour 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 colour.
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 layout
You know it had to happen! Sooner or later I had to feature my favourite 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 layout
My 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 layout
For the first time, I experimented with using a bright colour 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 colours looked fine on a desktop computer. They didn’t, and many of my readers complained of being blinded by the brightness!
I fixed the colours and the resultant summery theme had cheery colours, 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 layout
Version 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 layout
My 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 jewellery 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 layout
Version 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 favourite flowers.
This is one of my few most favourite layouts to date.
Spanned: June 28, 2005 – May 17, 2006
Lifespan: 11 months 19 days
More info on this layout
For 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 colourful.
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 colourful daisies too, my second most favourite 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 since 2002! My personal favourite is version 10, although I do love this current castle/fairy tale layout too.
Tell me which one is your favourite!
Much love,
Veron
Jul 15, 2007
12
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?
———————————-
Jul 15, 2007
16
wow … I like version 3 Passed Me By and version 8 Purple Dreams. :> What design will it be next ?
Jul 15, 2007
3472
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?
Jul 15, 2007
29
Still prefer your current design (:
Jul 15, 2007
3472
Thanks babe! This current design is definitely the most detailed and comprehensive. That is why I’ve kept it around for the longest time.
Jul 15, 2007
16
Well, you have just gotten the best blog design award. So no getting lazy yah ? hahahh … ahem, you’ll come up with something.
Jul 15, 2007
3472
Yes, boss.
:P
Jul 15, 2007
9
Wow, you are really talented. I love all the designs.
=)
Jul 15, 2007
3472
And you are the sweetest!
Jul 15, 2007
9
My favourite would be version 9. I’m always fascinated by galaxies and stuff.
=)
Jul 15, 2007
3472
That’s one of my favourites too. I feel that my designs have matured and improved only from version 9 onwards.
Jul 15, 2007
22
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.
Jul 15, 2007
3472
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 :)
Jul 15, 2007
9
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.
=)
Jul 15, 2007
182
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”.
Jul 15, 2007
44
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!
Jul 15, 2007
10
Version 7 – Alone!
alone is the best word to describe my situation now.
Jul 15, 2007
6
Nice, so many beautiful designs!
Jul 15, 2007
3472
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!
Jul 15, 2007
42
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 colours 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!