I’m in the process of updating my portfolio and I can’t seem to find the time to get it all together and back on my site.  So, if you’re interested in seeing a few of the sites I’ve done, feel free to check them out.

Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran School - http://sotlschool.com/
HCH Class of 1989 - http://hchclassof1989.com/
Girly Bird Designs - http://girlybirddesigns.com/
Chicks With Kidz - http://chickswithkidz.com/
Bubble Bees - http://bubblebeesparties.com/
Jason Loyd Memorial – http://www.jasonloyd.com/
NoteWorthy Paper - http://noteworthypaper.com/

Here are a few links to some of the best online tools and resources I’ve found on the Web.  They’re actually useful!

Google Analytics - http://www.google.com/analytics/

A free tool for web designers.  It’s a remotely hosted traffic statistics system that’s easy to install on any page of your website.

htaccess Tools - http://www.htaccesstools.com/

This site has different generators to create .htaccess files for blocking IPs, hotlink protection and more.  For those who don’t know what an .htaccess files is, they’re invisible text documents that configure Apache web servers.

Browsershots - http://browsershots.org/

Check browser compatibility, cross platform browser test your site.  If you use the free version, don’t count on getting all of your requested screenshots in a short period of time and your limited to how many times you can que the system.  It’s worth it to pay $29.95 per month for priority processing if you’re a designer.

COLOURlovers - http://www.colourlovers.com/

This is still one of my favorites.  Colour lovers influences and monitors color trends by rating, commenting and sharing palettes, and patterns.  One of my favorite features is the ability to download the Adobe Illustrator swatch of the palette I make.  The only drawback is it’s only 5 colors.  But it’s still easy to add new colors to my swatch once in AI.

WordPress Codex - http://codex.wordpress.org/Main_Page

Everything you need to know about using and installing  WordPress.  You also find information on working with WordPress, design and layout, advanced techniques, developer documentation and more.  It’s the essential bible for anyone developing a WordPress site.

If you can’t get .htm extensions to work if you’re using HostGator, try adding the line below to your .htaccess page.    This works, especially if you’re using Option Cart on your site.

AddHandler application/x-httpd-php5 .php .htm .html

We’ve just launched a fun and functional site for Hancock Central High School’s reunion committee.  Hancock Central High School is located in Hancock, MI (way up in the U.P.).  For their 20 year high school reunion they needed a website to bring all the classmates together and keep them updated with the reunion events and find old classmates.

Client: HCH Class of 1989 Reunion Committee

Project: Custom logo design, custom WordPress theme, custom php/css, custom graphics, custom print design, launching online registration custom coded after January 2009.  Custom Flash image gallery will be added after the reunion in July 2009.

Platform: WordPress

Launch Site: http://hchclassof1989.com