Blog design is something you can learn to do yourself!  I created a Blogging References page with tons of links and information to share the things I have discovered along the way!

*MY BEST TIP* Last summer when I started blogging, I created a "practice" blog where I could install different templates and play with the layout and colors!  ALWAYS save your template before editing though - so you can re-install it if you make mistakes! (trust me - I've made plenty! :)

You could always pay for someone to do it as well - or maybe barter free advertising space in return for design help!

Amanda over at Kevinandamanda.com posted a great tutorial on blog design.  She also includes a basic PSD file that has layers that can be used to insert your own backgrounds, embellishments, etc.  Here's the link:

http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/tutorials/how-to-make-a-scrapbook-blog-background.html

Hope that helps!

I just have to ditto getting a practice blog.  Once you get your design to your liking then you can quickly and easily transfer it over to your main blog!

Yup!  I use a practice blog, too!  I definitely don't have the best design ever, but I'm really proud of it, because I created it myself. 

After searching endless tutorials, I learned one skill at a time.  First, I worked on designing my own header (I use Paint.Net - it's pretty similar to Photoshop, but it's free!), then I moved on to creating 3 columns, my own background, and little other touches.

What about the avtars? Where do we even go to find them to brand our blogs? I have looked and cant find them anywhere!! HELP!!

Serving with joy,

Sonya

I also think if you are doing yourself, that Shabby Blogs, Cutest Blog on the Block, and Dotty Dots are great. If you want to pay, I had mine first one http://extremepersonalmeasures.blogspot.com/completed thru:http://thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/, for about $75.00.

My second blog,http://sensibleshoppers.blogspot.com/

was completed my Not Your Average Teen. This was about $30.00

Denise

Sonya - Here is a website called Gravatar where you can create an Avatar image that will follow you all over the web! :) 

**My blog is on Blogger - so having a Gravatar account allows my comments on WordPress blogs to have an icon/image too!