1. Schedule yourself a full work day to do this. Maybe you’re smarter/quicker than me (not likely! I’m pretty smart! Hahaha just kidding…) but it took me a good 6 hours to figure this all out.

2. Backup your site. You should be doing this regularly anyway! I use WordPress Database Backup, (search for WP-DB-Backup under plugins) and save it to my website folder.

You also need to backup your wp-content folder. You login via FTP to do this. It’s a big file, full of your themes, plugins, and most importantly, all the images/music/video that you uploaded.

3. Sign up for Bluehost (or whomever you are using0, typing in your current domain name as part of the setup.

4. Go back to Yahoo, unlock your DNS, and change your DNS/Nameserver to your new host’s config. Also make your WHOIS public, if it’s not already.

5. Hopefully your host has a script to install WordPress. Use it. Install WordPress in the same directory as your old host. If you want to change directories, don’t look at me, that’s way more complicated.

6. Hopefully your host also has something like PHPmyadmin. Open up this little program, and navigate to the database that you just created. Mine was called _wrd1.

7. Import your backup file into this.

8. Wait for your DNS to propagate (does that sound dirty to anyone else or am I just really tired?) This only took a few hours for me, but it might take longer for you… like between 24 – 72 hours. So maybe block out a whole week to do this project. JUST THIS. Kidding. Sorta.

9. When you type in your domain and it goes to the new site (which will probably be broken, woohoo!), log in via FTP and replace the wp-content folder with the one you backed up.

10. TA-DA. Same ol’ website, new home.

Perry the Great Leaping Bullfrog of Orleans Parish

It’s the story of a bullfrog who is looking for an adventure, and finds it by traveling from his swamp in Orleans Parish to… Hawaii! In Hawaii, he learns to surf and makes new friends along the way.

I learned a lot about art and illustration while working on this book for the past two years, and I’m excited about the way it turned out.

Creativity and Time

Here is the print ad that ran.

I mostly worked on the logo redesign. Here are the original and redesigned versions. I worked to keep the same feel and theme of the original, since it was designed by a local high school student in a state-wide contest and had been in use for a number of years.

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” — H. Thurman

I spent the day hiking with my new camera. I didn’t talk to anyone, I didn’t call any friends, I didn’t check my email or blogs or facebook. I was just… quiet. I am really thankful for the opportunity to have a day like today.

I designed a logo, business cards and flyers for the Kailua Movement Studio. It’s been very satisfying to see my work around town, and when I come in for dance classes!The concept was building off of the lotus they were using in their current logo. I simplified the text, and added a dancing figure to the lotus to emphasize the “movement” aspect of the studio. I also muted their current bright pink color scheme to a more rosy pink and added blues and greens to bring in a sense of the outdoors.I also came up with the tagline, “Come in & let go.” It’s a combination of a sense of welcoming and also of release from every day worries and frustrations.It was different to do a design project for a client where I’m already a customer. In a way, it was difficult to keep a distanced perspective on it, and try to view the business as someone new coming in. On the other hand, it gave me a lot of passion and energy because I love dancing there! It’s a beautiful little studio with a great view of the Ko’olau mountain range, and so convenient in the middle of Kailua too.

I just ordered a batch of stickers from Cafe Press. You can put them on your car or in my husband’s case, on your surfboard!

Email me (info@nieledesigns.com) if you’re interested in purchasing one. If you’re a current or past client, it’s free as long as you promise to let people who you got it from! Free to friends and family as well. Everyone else, it’s $2.50. =)

I’m so proud of a friend and client of mine, Sarah Hoey. She’s a skilled fitness trainer, highly ranked figure competitor, and now a part-time model as well… all on top of being a great mom and loving wife.

It was really fun designing her business card. I wanted to showcase her energy and playful spirit.

I also made her a website recently that hosts all of her photos and information: Train w/ Sarah Hoey. If you’re in San Diego and looking to get in shape, or need a model for a photo shoot, be sure to look her up!