Shopping Favorites
Everybody loves a little retail therapy now and again! Here is a listing of some of my favorite stores and forums where you can pick up some exceptional deals and freebies and even find the occasional challenge to get your own creative juices flowing! Enjoy!
FAV FORUMS
FAV ARTIST STORES
Artistically Inclined Licensing
SCRAPBOOKING FAVS
Inspirations of Scraps Friends
Site Map
Need help finding your way around the site or just looking for something in particular? Here's the best way to find everything you need!
• SITE MAP •
• OTHER PRODUCTS & FREEBIES •
• THIS AND THAT •
• SOCIAL MEDIA •
Resources
Here you will find tutorials and information needed to get your new blog design underway! We hope that you find this information helpful and informative, and if there is anything else you would like to see listed here – please let us know!
My Creative Muse is happy to feature graphics, illustrations, pixels and fonts used with commercial use permission from the artists and resources listed below. Please take a moment to visit their sites to see if there is something you would like to incorporate in your blog design.
Naturally you are free to pick out artwork or a scrapkit from a designer not listed below. Please contact me and I will ensure that we are able to use it in your blog project. There may be times when I ask you to obtain permission from the designer due to their Terms of Use.
Please note that some scrapkit designers may or may not require a Commercial Use License Fee in order to use their kits. If so, you will be billed for the extra costs. These costs can run from $5.00 to $25.00 per kit.
The information found here will be updated as more resources are made available.
Scrapkit Designers
I work for several scrapkit designers on their creative teams. Each of these designers are listed below along with their requirements for the use of their kits in my blog designs. Where a credit link is required from the scrapkit designer, this will be included with the MCM link on your blog and may not be removed from the blog while you are using the design we have created for you.
• Creationz by Jo
CBJ allows her kits to be used for your personal blog in a S4H capacity. Which means you would need to purchase the kit you wish to be used from her store and provide your receipt with the kit before I can begin work on your project.
• Honored Scraps
I have exclusive rights to create blog layouts and custom Facebook Timeline covers with their kits provided a credit link is listed on the site for them.
• Jenny's Designz
I have exclusive rights to create blog layouts and custom Facebook Timeline covers with kits from Jenny's Designz provided a link is listed on the site for them.
• Myst Designs
I have exclusive rights to create blog layouts and custom Facebook Timeline covers with kits from Myst Designs provided a link is listed on the site to them.
• P&A Dezigns
Kits from P&A are all personal use. If you wish to use one of her scrapkit designs you would need to purchase the kit from her store and provide your receipt with the kit before I can begin work on your project.
Stock Photos & Graphics
Fonts
Terms & Conditions
The following terms and conditions are a legal binding contract between My Creative Muse (hereafter known as "MCM") and you (hereafter known as "client") and apply to all services offered (hereinafter known as "project"). By accepting a quote in writing or verbally, or by placing an order with MCM, you confirm you are in agreement with these terms and conditions whether you have taken the time to read them or not. We highly suggest you read them carefully.
All terms and conditions are subject to modification at any time without notice and are in effect upon posting.
GENERAL
I reserve the right to refuse services or freebies to any individual or company I deem as unfit due to content or otherwise. This includes, but is not limited to, sites containing adult-oriented material such as pornography, sites which promote hatred towards persons belonging to any ethnic group, religion or sexual orientation and sites which infringe copyright.
AUTHORIZATION
Client authorizes MCM to access any hosting or domain account(s) and to provide all user names, passwords and login information for the sole purpose of installing, testing, or updating client's blog design or other services purchases. MCM does not share client information; however, we do strongly suggest that client change all supplied passwords after your project is complete.
MCM reserves the right to display a screenshot or small portion of client's completed project as an example to be included in MCM's portfolio, as well as a listing to client's blog site for a full preview of MCM's completed work. This means that client's site can not be set to private or for invited readers only.
COMMUNICATION
Client agrees to communicate via e-mail, MSN Messenger and/or Yahoo Messenger with MCM and with the understanding that all communications are to be in written format of which a copy will be retained. Client agrees to make himself/herself available via e-mail and/or Messenger service during MCM business hours as much as possible during client's project period in order to complete client's project in a timely manner.
PROJECT COMPLETION
MCM will provide you with an estimated completion date depending on the requirements of your project ordered. Each party agrees to be available as much as possible during the design process to the other party for any questions or concerns that need to be addressed.
Designing a blog to function in multiple browsers can require considerable effort and time. MCM will test your new blog to ensure that the design will work in the latest browser versions of Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari and Google Chrome but can not guarantee that it will work the same for other browsers (especially older versions). Every reasonable effort will be made to ensure your blog is fully functional, but the MCM warranty will not cover AOL, text-based browsers or requested special effects that have been advised against.
CHANGES, ADDITIONAL REVISIONS & YOUR SATISFACTION
MCM will make every effort to create a design you are completely happy with, and not move on to the next phase until a suitable resolution of the minor design problem is corrected. Any minor changes or revisions to the original approved design will be honored as long as they are minor as deemed by MCM and do not change the original design and layout. Any changes or revisions to go above and beyond the minor definition and/or change the design layout may not be honored without causing additional charges. Each client will be afforded ample time to review each step of the design process and are encouraged to discuss any design elements they are not satisfied with. Additional charges, if incurred, will be billed at $20.00 per hour for the first hour and $10.00 for each additional 15 minutes after the initial hour, in addition to the already paid final invoice.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
MCM takes every effort to ensure you receive a blog that is completely error-free. Although some errors are nearly inevitable, MCM agrees to correct any content/linking errors recognized in the project. Clients have four (4) weeks of post installation assistance included with each blog design package. It is the client's responsibility upon final installation to test all links, pages, check for any spelling or grammatical errors, minor fixes, etc. and report them to MCM as quickly as possible to ensure the issues can be taken care of in a timely manner. Any issues or revisions needed after 30 days will be quoted and billed at an hourly rate as specified by MCM.
LICENSING COMPANY ARTIST GRAPHICS
These graphics and tubes are for non-profit, personal use ONLY. I have licenses with several of these companies, but they are for my personal use only. I do offer freebies from time to time in accordance with company terms of use. All freebies offered by MCM are for personal use only and are not allowed to be used for any commercial blogs, sites, or ventures. See the enclosed terms of use provided with each freebie for additional information and restrictions.
RFillustrations is the only artist licensing company that allows select work to be used for commercial purposes. A royalty-free license must be purchased for each individual image. If you are interested in incorporating one of these images in your design, you will be charged the cost of the royalty-free license unless I already own that particular image.
COMMERCIAL USE LICENSES & MEMBERSHIPS
I am happy to support artists who allow commercial use of their work either by purchasing a membership to their site or by purchasing their commercial use graphics, clip art, scrap kits or fonts. Please be advised, however, that if you request particular items to be included in your design that require said licenses or memberships, you will be charged 20% of the license/membership price in addition to your package price if I am not already an owner of the license/membership from said organization.
SCRAP 4 HIRE (S4H) OR SCRAP FOR OTHER (S40) KITS
Client guarantees that any S4H/S4O kits provided to MCM for the sole purpose of including them in client's design are owned by client or that client has permission from the rightful owner to use said kit. Client agrees to hold harmless, protect, and defend MCM from any claim or lawsuit arising from unlawful use of any elements furnished by client. In most cases, proof of permission to use graphics, photos, clip art, artwork, or text will be requested. All terms of use by the S4H/S4O designer must be adhered to and client is required to provide their terms of use to MCM.
There are several talented scrapkit designers listed on my Resources page which allow for use of their work with certain restrictions by MCM. Please feel free to review their work and see if you find something of interest to you.
USE OF IMAGES
No graphics/images created for any blog are to be used for any other reason, they must remain as created for your blog only. For instance, you cannot take the header, background, or any other image used for your blog and use them for your Twitter or Facebook account, cut it down to make a banner, etc. In saying this, the only items that you may use elsewhere are any avatars, signatures and banners that I create for you.
No graphics/images created for any blog are to be used for any print project/job. The header created for your blog is NOT a logo and cannot be used for print. Any print project includes but is not limited to the following: business cards, postcards, invitations, letterhead, email stationery, brochures, handouts, company banners or signage, t-shirts, clothing, cups, totes, gifts or any other print project.
OWNERSHIP
MCM owns the copyright to the finished web design produced for client. Client is assigned rights to use the design elements, coding, templates, etc. as a web site once final payment and any additional charges incurred have been paid in full. Any graphics, text and elements supplied by the client shall remain the property of the client. Any commercial materials purchased for the creation of any web site shall retain the copyright of the original creators and not MCM. Client is required to keep the proper copyright notice on each page intact that the artwork is used on. Client is prohibited from removing any copyright notices and can be subject to legal actions if doing so.
CLIENT'S COMPLETED PROJECT
Client agrees not to alter, change, copy, give or resell to any other persons or designers the coding, design, graphics, artwork or elements used in your design. The completed project by MCM must be used and displayed exactly as created and delivered to the client. Client may not have another person or organization alter, change, or update the design or hire other persons to move the design from one web site to another. Client may, however, remove the design from their site and no longer use it.
MY CREATIVE MUSE CREDITS & LINKS
All blogs require text links back to the original graphic artist and/or to MCM on the bottom of each blog page establishing artwork, design, and development credit. Additionally, all blogs require a copyright banner establishing design and development credit to MCM. The links and banners are to remain in place indefinitely until such time as the site or blog design is no longer used and published on the internet. Removal or modification of credits or banners is strictly prohibited and punishable by law.
QUESTIONS & CONCERNS
Any questions or concerns relating to the Terms of Use listed herein, please address with me via our contact form.
MCM Layaway Plan
MCM is the only blog design service that offers its clients a layaway payment plan option for all of your blog design needs! I understand that times are difficult for everyone, so I am offering this service to enable you to break up your total purchase price into a smaller, more manageable payment.
Please read all of the information on this page before committing to the layaway payment plan. Clients using the layaway payment plan understand and agree that once your first installment payment is made, no refunds will be given even if you decide to cancel your order.
HOW IT WORKS
So just how does it work? It's very simple really! You decide what services you would like and let us know via our Project Request Form (be sure to check the appropriate box for the MCM Layaway Plan also).
We will take your total order and divide it into payments according to the plan you have chosen. You will receive an invoice for the 1st installment on your purchase via PayPal. Make your payment within ten (10) days of receiving it and that's it! Every month we will send you an invoice for your next payment installment.
When you have only one payment remaining on your installment plan, we will add you to the Project Waiting List and you will receive an email indicating when your project is scheduled to begin. Each project takes approximately 9 to 12 days to complete. You will be given the next available time slot on the Project Waiting List and we will begin working on your project once the final installment has been made.
Privacy Policy
Your privacy is my main priority and protecting that privacy at all times, in all manners, is of utmost importance to me. I will never collect and share names, email addresses, home addresses, phone numbers, or credit card information. I do not keep a record of login and password information once your design project is completed. Your name and email address information is used only to communicate with you and will be kept in confidence.
All payments go directly through PayPal, which safely and securely processes payments without sharing your financial information.
Your information will never be sold, rented, disclosed, loaned or traded to an outside party.
Project Request Form
Thank you for considering My Creative Muse to assist you with your blog design needs. Please complete the Project Request form below. When I reply to your request, it will be from my business email address ( kimcm@live.com ) so please be sure to check your spam folder if you have not received a reply within 48 hours.
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R2G Designs
What exactly is a R2G Design? R2G stands for "Ready 2 Go" and that's exactly what our R2G Blog Designs and Facebook Timeline Covers are - ready to go! With minimal customization (such as your blog name, tag line or slogan) you can have a brand new look in just minutes!
We offer pre-made blog designs and Facebook timeline covers that are extremely affordable, user-friendly and provide a quick way to get your blog online or to update an old look.
R2G Blog Designs
R2G Blog Designs are simple background designs and coordinating headers and are sold as shown. Backgrounds are seamlessly tiled and 1800px x 1800px and headers are 1200px wide (height varies on design).
Any additional text (other than customizing the blog name and your tag line on the header), widgets, buttons, social icons, etc. you need added to your sidebars or additional embellishments are your responsibility.
You can find our selection of Ready to Go Blog Designs in our store, just click through the previews and select the design you would like to order from the drop down list.
If you wish to utilize our Layaway Payment Plan, you must use the Project Request form and check that you wish to use the Layaway Payment Plan so that you can be billed properly.
If you wish to have changes made, you can choose to upgrade your R2G design to either the MCM Basic Blog Package or the MCM Deluxe Blog Package. In addition - we have several Add-On items available as well.
New designs are constantly being added so be sure to check our R2G Designs selection often!
R2G Timeline Covers
Customized with your blog name and tag line (or other text that you choose that falls within the Facebook Timeline Rules), these pre-made designs are ready to upload to your Facebook page.
The R2G Facebook Timeline Package includes:
- Standard Size of 851px wide by 351px long
- Design as shown on preview
- Font (if any) as shown on the preview
- Name and/or text if shown on the preview
- You supply your own logo photo
All of the sample previews will show you where your logo photo will be placed. This is not something I can change, it is the standard placement as set by Facebook.
New designs are constantly being added so be sure to check our R2G Designs selection often!
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Business Information
Today's date and the local time are:
MCM is proud to assist our clients during the following business hours:
| Monday thru Friday | 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday (by appointment only) | 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
| Sundays & Holidays | Closed |
My Creative Muse gladly accepts payment via PayPal, where you know your transactions are secure! PayPal accepts bank debit/credit cards, MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover. If you need information on how to submit a payment via PayPal, please use the contact form to reach me and I will email the information to you.
R2G Blog Designs
R2G Blog Designs are sold AS IS - meaning, you will receive the package exactly as stated on the showcase page. Any additional text, widgets, buttons, social icons, etc. you need added to your sidebars or additional embellishments are your responsibility.
Click the previews below to visit the showcase page for that particular blog design. From there you have the option of clicking on the preview image to view the blog layout and design in action. Information is listed on each of the showcase pages as to what is included with that particular R2G Blog Package.
Ordering information is listed at the bottom of each showcase page. If you wish to utilize our Layaway Payment Plan, you must use the Project Request form and check that you wish to use the Layaway Payment Plan so that you can be billed properly.
If you wish to have changes made, you can choose to upgrade your R2G design to either the MCM Basic Blog Package or the MCM Deluxe Blog Package. In addition - we have several Add-On items available as well.
More designs will be available in the near future!
R2G Facebook Timeline Covers
Our R2G Facebook Timeline Covers are available for just $5.00 each! Customized with your blog name and tag line (or other text that you choose that falls within the Facebook Timeline Rules), these pre-made designs are ready to upload to your Facebook page.
The R2G Facebook Timeline Package includes:
- Standard Size of 851px wide by 351px long
- Design as shown on preview
- Font (if any) as shown on the preview
- Name and/or text if shown on the preview
- Copyright notices to My Creative Muse and to any artists used in the design
- You supply your own logo photo
All of the sample previews will show you where your logo photo will be placed. This is not something I can change, it is the standard placement as set by Facebook.
You may click the previews below to go to the showcase page for that Facebook Timeline Cover. You have the option to purchase the cover directly from the showcase page. Please be sure to follow the ordering instructions when checking out. More will be available in the very near future!
Getting Started
Now that you have had the chance to browse through our site and see what we have to offer, its time to get started on YOUR new site! In order to ensure that everything runs smoothly, please read the instructions below. I have listed several items that YOU need to do before you submit your Project Request form.
IMPORTANT INFO
Under our "Important Info" tab you will find several items listed that really are important for you to read and understand prior to submitting your Project Request form. Please read these pages:
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Terms and Conditions
- Policies
BLOG INFORMATION
I am only working with Google's Blogger platform at this time. Blogger is completely free and the customizations that can be made to your blog are incredible. In addition, there are NO monthly hosting fees, no yearly domain fees (unless you choose to have your own domain name). Blogger gives you the option to purchase and register your very own domain name through them for just $10.00 per year. They continue to host all of your content absolutely free and you just pay the domain name fee of $10.00 once per year. If you choose to have your own domain name, please purchase and register your domain name before completing the Project Request form.
My Creative Muse (MCM) is not responsible for purchasing your domain name or the yearly charge thereafter.
You will need to have these three items in place before we can begin work on your project:
- A Google Gmail account (free)
- A Blogger.com account (free)
- A Photobucket account (free)
Additionally, you must have a working knowledge of how a Blogger blog works. If you are a novice and have never had a blog before, I highly recommend that you watch two informative videos from Blogger entitled the Quick Tour and the Video Tutorial. I can explain the items on our questionnaire and on our site, but if you also need assistance with learning how to use your blog, there will be an additional charge of $20.00 per hour for this service.
Your Site Concept
Everyone has a vision of some type of how they want their blog to look, to 'feel' to their readers. Do you have an idea for your site? Even if you are unsure, the best thing that you can do is browse our site and the internet to get an idea of how you want your site to look, any images you might need, how many columns you want for your layout, whether you want a top navigation bar or in your sidebar area, if you need pages setup, etc. As I stated, browse around the internet and make a note of at least three or four websites you like and the same amount that you don't like. This will help me immensely with understanding what you would like. These are required on the Project Questionnaire as well - so the sooner you get your list together, the sooner we can get started!
If you need help with choosing a color scheme for your blog - you can find an excellent selection of complimentary color schemes at ColorCombos.com. Just choose a popular color tag from the right sidebar listing and browse thru the multitude of different color palettes provided until you find just the one that 'speaks' to you and then just right click and save it to your desktop to send to me.
If you wish to use a particular scrap kit or graphic image please be certain that the terms of use allow for use on a website/blog design and that the scrap kits are Scrap 4 Hire permissible (which means that you have permission to purchase the scrap kit and have another individual design a website/blog layout for you with the kit).
Your Project Request
Once you have taken care of the above information to know what type of design you want, it is then time to complete the Project Request Form to contact me about getting your project started. Once we have discussed your pending project and settled any questions or concerns you may have, you will receive an invoice for our services. All of our payment terms are net10 (payment is due in full within 10 days of receipt of invoice) except for the Layaway Payment Plan which is available on all orders totaling $40.00 or more.
Once your payment is received, you will be sent a Project Questionnaire via e-mail. The Project Questionnaire is a highly detailed form that outlines every single item necessary to complete your blog design and layout to your specifications. Upon receipt of your payment, you will be placed on the Project Waiting List and given an estimated start date.
Ready to get started? Then fill out the Project Request form and let's get started!
MCM Design Packages
Blogs are extremely customizable to your personal preference. With Google's Blogger, you can customize your blog to look exactly the way you want, any time that you want! At this time, I am only working with Blogger and all of our design packages and Ready 2 Go Designs are based on the Blogger platform.
You must have a working knowledge of HOW a blog works. I can not teach you how to use and work your blog. Blogger has two excellent tutorials available to the novice blogger which I highly recommend. Once you have your blog set up, do lots of testing on your blog to see how it works. You can always go back and delete any posts you do not wish to keep. You can find the tutorials here - Blogger's Quick Tour and Video Tutorial.
There are three types of blog designs you may choose from, a 1 column, 2 column, and 3 column layout. The maximum width I will design a blog layout for is 1300px wide and the smallest width is 800px wide.
1 column layouts are a great way to showcase photographs, wallpapers, etc. when you want a minimalistic view but still want the ability to link to different pages without all the sidebar information cluttering up your space. You can see an example here.
2 column layouts are as shown in the diagram below. You can view an example of the left sidebar layout here and the right sidebar layout here.
3 column layouts that I provide are shown in the diagram below. You can view an example of the center post here and an example of the left post here.
You can find all of the various design packages we offer in our shop by clicking HERE.
Project Waiting List
All projects currently in line can be found here in the order in which they will be handled. Please note that dates are estimated, so please allow for changes as necessary. If your project cannot begin on the estimated start date listed, we will contact you via email and explain why. In addition, if we are able to start your project prior to your estimated start date, we will contact you via email and inform you.
To receive updates on the Project Waiting List, please subscribe to our blog.
Estimated Project Times
- R2G Blog Designs - 1-4 days
- R2G Facebook Timelines - 1-4 days
- Basic Blog - 1-2 weeks
- Deluxe Blog - 2 weeks
- Facebook, Widget, Graphics Packages - 1-6 days
- Mix & Match Bundles - 1-4 days
- Add-On Items - 1-2 days
Current Client Work List
These are clients who have made their payment and sent their completed MCM Questionnaire. Available dates shown are in two week increments to accommodate any deluxe blog design projects that are received. Dates will be adjusted accordingly.
| Status | Project Name | Est. Start Date | Completion |
| Current | Chickster Designz | 06/05 | 06/10 |
| Available | 06/10 | 06/16 | |
| Available | 06/17 | 06/23 | |
| Available | 06/24 | 06/30 |
Project Waiting List
Please note that in order to secure a position on the Project Waiting List, you must submit a Project Request Form. Once your form is received, you will be added to the Project Waiting List below, marked as "Pending" and sent the MCM Questionnaire to complete. Once you return the fully completed MCM Questionnaire, you will then be moved to the Current Client Work List and assigned the next available date.
| Status | Project Name | Est. Start Date | Completion |
| Hold | Anisah Hayes - Deluxe Blog Pkg | ||
| Hold | Aisha Holley - Deluxe Blog Pkg | ||
| Hold | Rie Bantang | ||
| Hold | Becky Wilson - Graphics Pkg |
Payment must be made in full before we will begin working on your project. If you are utilizing the MCM Layaway Plan, after your initial payment you will be added to the Project Waiting List to secure your position on the list.
Setting Up an Email Rule
Once we begin working on your design project, it is vitally important that you remain available once you are given a project start date on a daily basis. This enables us to remain on task and have any questions we may have answered in a timely manner. The best way to do this is to set up an email rule for our messages.
To ensure that you do not miss any messages from me when we begin working on your project, set your rule to search for all messages with the subject MCM Project (which is the subject line we will use for all communications with you) and have the rule set to mark all of these messages in red so that they are highly visible when arriving in your inbox.
Testimonials
Jenny's Designz - Deluxe Blog Package - June 3, 2012
Kimmi did an awesome job with everything! She did my blog, my Facebook timeline, and my Twitter background! I think it's the first time that they all match ... it looks so grown up!!! So thank you hunni, you know I love ya!
Sammi's Snags & Tags - Custom Graphics Package - April 30, 2012
A big thank you to Kimmi who made over my blog so awesomely! She was patient and accommodating throughout the process and I am super stoked with the result! I would recommend MCM if you are looking for a new look for your blog. She's great!
Empty Pocket Studios - Facebook Timeline Cover - April 22, 2012
Kim did a very awesome job on my company Facebook page with the design. I will tell you, appearance is everything. Before Kim had done the design, my page was not getting much attention. Within hours of the page being updated by Kim, it started to take off! If you need a facelift or even a face on your page or blog, contact Kim!
Brenda's Scrap Design - Background Graphic - April 20, 2012
I am so very pleased with the work Kimmi did for me on my blog. She is so very talented and professional! It is so nice when someone turns your blog into something you can be proud of. Anyone considering making a change to their blog or website should not hesitate when Kimmi makes it so easy for you.
Chickster Designz - Custom Basic Blog Package - December 15, 2011
I am delighted with the results that Kimmi produced on my very first blog. I didn't have a clue how to go about making one, but with Kimmi's expert and professional help and guidance, it was a breeze. I have received many glowing comments on my blog layout and would highly recommend Kimmi if anyone wants to start from scratch or update an existing blog.