Dave's Serendipity themes

Dave's Serendipity themes are all completely free

Sticky Postings

Welcome to my Serendipity themes and templates demo. You can try out any of my themes or restyles here and if you like them - download them. All themes are released under a Creative Commons Attribution License which basically means you can use them any way you like - just leave my link in the template.

I'm a graphic designer and photographer in England and it's thanks to Carl Galloway's encouragement that I decided to design themes and templates for Serendipity.

Anyway, I hope you like some of the themes and styles and I'm always happy to get some feedback - and if you need any assistance customising your blog - I'm always here to help.

Serendipity Users
Carl Galloway has put a new directory for Serendipity Users to list their blogs. It's a great idea and I hope you all submit your Serendipity blog - it's free and it all helps your Google ranking!

Posted by David Cummins in Serendipity on Saturday, January 21. 2006 21:17
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Defined tags for this entry: restyles, serendipity, themes

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Carl Galloway - #1 - 2006-01-26 17:11 - (Reply)

Dave its great to see another theme designer doing as much work to progress s9y themes as you are. For quite some time it seems s9y has been stuck in a rut, and I love the different variations of my own themes you're doing. One request I had originall was for a ladies version of carl_bubblegum, perhaps with images of some cosmetics, fashion stuff, things like that. Maybe you could work on the graphics for that &hint;

By the way, I think your skills are reaching the point where maybe you should think about entering the default theme dersign contest, and you should also announce this site and your theme customisations on the s9y forums. I know a few people would be very happy to use these.

Good luck,
Carl

Dave - #2 - 2006-01-30 14:28 - (Reply)

You're too kind Carl - and very encouraging.

Thanks Dave

Idus - #3 - 2006-02-03 01:12 - (Reply)

Hey Dave:

Loved your theme - Joshua Tree. Great work!!!. I downloaded this theme..How can I apply this to my Blog..I am a newbie with Serendipity

Idus

Dave - #4 - 2006-02-03 17:21 - (Reply)

Hi Idus

I've sent you an email with instructions. If you need any more help just get in touch

Dave

Dave - #5 - 2006-02-04 20:01 - (Reply)

Well, I tried to send an email but it bounced back. Here's what I was sending

Hi Idus

glad you like the theme.

I understand that Joshua tree has now been added to theme repository
so you should be able to apply it from the manage styles menu in your
blog admin. In order for it to show in the listing you need to enable
the event plugin spartacus. To do this go to manage plugins in your
admin, scroll down to event plugins and click the disc icon to the
right of spatacus. Spartacus will then load and enable you to
download plugins and styles direct from the repository.

Alternatively you can do it without spatacus - just unzip the
Joshua_tree.zip to your hard drive and then you can just upload the
unzipped Joshua Tree folder to your templates directory. It will then
appear in your manage style list in your blog admin.

If you need any more help feel free to get in touch

Dave

Barry - #6 - 2006-02-10 20:21 - (Reply)

I down loaded the compition theme and love it great work, keep it up, only one problem everytime I go to my site now I have to have a cup of coffee

sebastian - #7 - 2006-02-11 04:31 - (Reply)

You did great! I really like the page because it feels good and clean ad have a nice contrast. My love for coffee having absolutely nothing to do with it.

Dave - #8 - 2006-02-11 13:17 - (Reply)

Thanks Sebastian & Barry

glad you like the theme (he say's sipping on an espresso)

Dave

Ramnath R Iyer - #9 - 2006-02-19 21:52 - (Reply)

Hi Dave, I'm using your "Coffee" theme and I love it! The colors are especially fascinating, and it gives the whole blog a very clean and wonderful look.

Oh, and did I mention that I too love coffee?

--Ramnath

renata - #10 - 2006-04-13 20:26 - (Reply)

i love that theme- not a big arms- freak, but i just ordered a fshion-camouflage outfit, as the colour schemes always fascinated me (as a berlin kid i saw quite a lot of it), coudl be fun for me personally (as i am selfish) with a private bejamnin twist. keep going! different tastes, styles, and all working super with serendipity...what fun!

Russell Limprecht - #11 - 2006-04-15 01:56 - (Reply)

Wow, I love this theme. There is a problem with long titles.

http://russell.supersized.org/archives/300-Mickelson-pulls-away-late-for-second-green-jacket.html

Do you have a fix?

David Cummins - #12 - 2006-04-19 10:58 - (Reply)

Hi Russell

Could you get in touch with me at dave(at)daves(dot)me(dot)uk about your problem.

I've looked at your link and it seems fine to me on my machine (mac/firefox).

regards
Dave

George - #13 - 2006-04-21 17:45 - (Reply)

Hey Thanks for the shout out...next time leave a comment :p

Im looking to make my own theme...but i dont have a graphic program...do you think you could offer some help?

Dave Cummins - #14 - 2006-04-22 16:29 - (Reply)

Hi George
I'll leave a comment next time

As for a graphics program to help you with your theme development can I suggest you take a look at 'the gimp' www.gimp.org. It's open source, available for mac, windows and linux - and it's free! Apart from that you need a good text editor - 'textwrangler' is a good free mac option from the developers of BBedit. For pc ask Carl or Garvin on the s9y forum or for linux ask Judebert.

hth

Dave

George - #15 - 2006-04-22 17:56 - (Reply)

ive tried to install gimp but to no avail...want to tell me how to install it?...lol cause there are just sometimes where i end up with like a brain lapse and nothing wants to get calculated

David Cummins - #16 - 2006-04-24 20:35 - (Reply)

I'm not sure if I can be much help with your installation as I work on Macs in OSX. I just clicked on the download, it installed and it works.

However, since my pc laptop is next to me I'll try and install it on there too. I've not installed it on there before so I've downloaded and installed the GTK+2 runtime environment first and then downloaded and done a default install of the Gimp - and It works fine too.

If you did the same as I did it should work. Did you install GTK+2 first?

Dave

Faith - #17 - 2006-04-25 01:23 - (Reply)

Hey Dave,

About the theme I am using. Don't base it on that one. They just didn't have any wedding themes available out there. I just chose the flower by default. I am looking for something more weddinish. Is that even a word?

I am American and Ray is Filipino. http://www.wedthemes.com/philippine-wedding-facts.shtml The above link is the common Filipino traditions.

However, I was just looking for something with a wedding feel to it. I love Gerbera Daisies, but whatever works, works. Thanks for your help.

YOU ROCK!

Faith

Faith - #18 - 2006-04-25 01:24 - (Reply)

I was going to email you, but then I realized that I don't have your email.

David Cummins - #19 - 2006-04-27 15:46 - (Reply)

Resolved over email

Steph - #20 - 2006-08-15 01:06 - (Reply)

I left you a comment on your art/canvas one already cuz that one is really cool. I'm using your "competition" one currently but my husband and I like joshua-Nino and didn't realize you 'modified' that one or something....can you tell me if it is possible to keep everything about it the way it is except colors. The browns look great with that little boy's hair and eye color but my son is blue eyed and blonde and I was thinking I wanted more blues than the brown. If you email me I can show you the image I have to replace the header image. Thanks for any help you can give. Steph

Dave W. - #21 - 2006-10-31 00:19 - (Reply)

Dave,

You have a great site and fantastic templates, unfortunately none of them match the theme of our web site. We had to use a "Modern World" template which more closely mataches our current theme.

Had a quick question: If you took a look at our blog, would you be able to tell me how I can remove the top header and replace it with an image across the top. (Our own branding - logo etc.)

Our blog is at;

www.HomesInGuelph.ca/serendipity

Keep in mind that it is a work inprogress and has not as of yet been launched.

Thanks for your assistance and thank you for replying to my question in the serendipity forum.

Regards,

Dave

Dave - #22 - 2006-10-31 00:35 - (Reply)

Hi Dave
thanks for your kind words and I'm sorry it's not one of my themes or I could maybe help more - I'm not familiar with this theme.

However, the file you want to change is /templates/Modern_World_s9y_port/images/logo.gif

Hope that helps

David Weber - #23 - 2006-11-11 16:56 - (Reply)

Dave,

Since my last comment, I search your entire site and found one of your templates that will work great with the colours and themes of our web site (Joshua - Nino) Just had a couple of questions about customization;

1. I would like to customize the header image. Where is it located?

2. Is it possible to take the white away from behind the text of the article and just have the black text on the gray background?

3. What is the RGB mix of the gray colour? I would like to fade our side bar html nuggets to the same gray colour?

4. Some of the titles on the side bar are not showing properly? Do you have a suggestion? You can view our web log at (keep in mind we are just starting and are working with it getting ready to publish;

www.HomesInGuelph.ca/serendipity

(A side question? - I tried changing the name of the serendipity folder on our server and when I did that, the web log was not accessible. Do other file names have to be changed?)

Thank you so much for your help and your contributions to the serendipity community.

Regards,

Dave Weber

Dave - #24 - 2006-11-12 11:59 - (Reply)

Hi Dave

glad to see you found a template that suits your needs

In answer to your questions

1. The header image is here: /templates/joshua-Nino/img/titlebg.jpg

2. I haven't set a background colour behind the text - although I can see it on your installation??? Only the blockquote tag has a paler background. It looks like the WYSIWYG editor is setting the background colour. You can disable this in your admin area.

3. 240, 240, 229 is the RBG mix of the background colour. This is set in hex in the /templates/joshua-Nino/style.css file as #f0f0e5

4. I've had a look at your blog and all the sidebar titles are displayed OK. Is this a browser specific issue? If so which browser is causing the problems?

side question.
You can just rename the serendipity folder and then adjust the new paths in the admin section. No other folders need renaming.

HTH

Dave Cummins

Matt Western - #25 - 2006-11-19 06:24 - (Reply)

Hi Dave,
Sorry if this post is out of sequence, but I've a battl trying to work out how to contact you.

I'm using your 'Squares' theme on my site and I have a few questions. Is it possible to have the top of the left hand column or the area to the left of the image, remain in place? I would like to place text here that I want displayed all the time.

Many thanks,
Matt.

Dave - #26 - 2006-11-19 17:26 - (Reply)

Hi Matt

sorry you've had difficulty getting in touch - a comment here will always get to me

The simplest way to place text at the top of the entries column and keep it there is to make it a 'sticky posting'. To do this you should install the 'extended properties for entries' event plugin. Then, make the entry that you want to remain at the top of all your entries. Before you save it, scroll down and check the box 'make this entry a sticky posting', save it and it will be the top entry - and will remain as top entry unless you make another sticky posting'

If you have any other problems or need any help customising you blog, just get in touch.

HTH

Matt Western - #27 - 2006-11-25 06:27 - (Reply)

Hi Dave,
I'm playing around with your 'square' s9y theme. I'm wondering if it possible to move the entries a little closer to the top of the page?

Plus, how can I change the background colors of the two columns?

Great theme.

Thanks,
Matt.

Dave - #28 - 2006-11-30 10:11 - (Reply)

Hi Matt

glad you like the theme

You can move the entries a little nearer the top by editing this section of the /templates/square/style.css file
#content {
float: left;
width: 455px;
padding-top:20px;
}
you need to change padding-top to 0px

The background colour of the sidebars is simple to change. Just open the /templates/square/img/sbbg.gif in your favourite image editing app and change the colours to whatever you choose.

HTH

Dave

Sammy - #29 - 2006-12-25 06:03 - (Reply)

Dave,

I just wanted to say thank you for the hard work I know you put into your themes. I am a huge fan of Competition and am proud to have it as my theme on my Serendipity blog.

Outstanding work, sir!!

Dave - #30 - 2006-12-26 09:29 - (Reply)

Hi Sammy
thanks for your kind words
And Merry Christmas

Colin Jack - #31 - 2007-03-25 20:53 - (Reply)

How good are these themes? Fantastic? I am setting up a new blog for my son to post whilst eurorailing around Europe - http://randal.jackfamily.org/sblog/ - but no matter what I do, I am only getting two columns. I have no doubt it is user problem, but have searched all sites I can find without finding an answer. You are obviously a Serendipity guru - please can you help? Many thanks.

Dave - #32 - 2007-03-25 23:35 - (Reply)

Hi Colin

I'm pleased you like the themes

I've just taken a look at the link you sent and I guess you've found a 3 column template - and one of mine I happy to say. If you want to customise it and need a little help just let me know.

Anonymous - #33 - 2007-03-26 09:22 - (Reply)

Yup - took a peak at the code and realised I hadn't got any lefthand sidebar plugins . Love your themes.

Tim - #34 - 2007-05-13 13:23 - (Reply)

Hi Dave! Thanks for sharing those magnificent templates.

I have one question though. I'm using the Coffee Bar 3 theme and would like to get the embedded Gallery2 to blend in. I'm rather clueless on how to do so and I thought you might have some info at hand.

Thanks and keep up the great work!
Tim

Dave Cummins - #35 - 2007-05-14 17:47 - (Reply)

Hi Tim

I've never actually tried to embed gallery - although i'm quite willing to give you a hand doing it if you're struggling.

I'll mail you.

If we sort it out maybe we can post some guidanace for others here.

Dave

Ryan Elizabeth - #36 - 2007-05-26 16:50 - (Reply)

Hi, I've really enjoyed playing around with your templates! They are great! I'm new to Serendipity, but have had experience with Blogger & Wordpress. I'm trying to tweak one of your designs, but am have a few problems. If you view my website, the description of my blog doesn't show up... it should say "Following the chaotic life of our family..." and I've added some script which I can't get centered in the title. Sorry if there are VERY obvious solutions to these problems, but I can't get it figured out. I'm pretty much self taught on CSS. Thanks for any time you can give in helping me!

Ryan

Tim Boesken - #37 - 2007-06-01 13:25 - (Reply)

HI Dave,
The site has your banner on now. Can I replace with a button? Sorry about that. I do these for Non-Profits so it is not a compensation thing. More of a not liking the placement thing...

Your templates are great. I always say I can develop until the cows come home, but artistically I am a child

Dave Cummins - #38 - 2007-06-04 10:20 - (Reply)

Hi Tim

thanks for that

If you want a button you can get one from http://blog.bankcreative.com

Philippe - #39 - 2007-11-02 02:50 - (Reply)

I'm completely new to this blog stuff and was looking for a very simple one when my hosting site pointed me to serendipity. Currently I'm maitaining the website (as a volunteer) by raw editing the HTML in a text editor. I'd like to have one page where I have frequent posts (most recent first) but find the samples you have to be very busy. Is serendipity going to be overkill?

I have a busy day job and my primary volunteering is on running a Scout section so the role of webmaster is way on the back burner.

Would one installation of serendipity on a site allow blogs on different pages? ie One for me, one for the Scout Troop leader, one for the Cub Pack leader. etc

Thanks in advance for any advice/assistance you may offer.

range - #40 - 2007-12-13 22:21 - (Reply)

Dear Sir:
I use your coffer bar templetes in my s9y blog, it's fine under IE6, but wrong under FF2, If you can help me to fix it?

Please see my homepage above.

Thank you.

Frank - #41 - 2007-12-14 23:33 - (Reply)

Dave-

Just wanted to let you know about yet another Coffee Cup variation. I used the theme on my homepage

frank.boneinc.com

Mark - #42 - 2008-02-16 16:28 - (Reply)

Dave! You've done some great work. I'm wondering if you can put together a custom template for me - I'll pay, I'm just wondering how much you'd charge and how I can contact you about the details. Thanks!

bed - #43 - 2009-08-10 12:41 - (Reply)

I down loaded the compition theme and love it great work, keep it up, only one problem everytime I go to my site now I have to a cup of coffee

Jason - #44 - 2009-10-28 17:10 - (Reply)

Found some issues with the theme, I like it alot but it seems to have its right and left confused in a few places. To make administration easier, i patched the CSS. This may be helpful to some.

--- style.css 2009-10-28 11:58:45.000000000 -0500
+++ style.css.new 2009-10-28 12:01:04.000000000 -0500
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@
/ containers for content and sidebar /
#wrapper {
float: right;
- width: 440px;
+ width: 422px;
margin: -20px auto;
}
#mainpane {
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@
/ container for entries column /
#content {
float: left;
- width: 455px;
+ width: 473px;
padding-top:20px;
}
/ container for banner /
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@
background-position: top left;
color: #FFFFFF;
text-align: left;
- width: 96%;
+ width: 100%;
margin: 0px 0px 0 0;
height: 350px; }
/ container for right sidebar /
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@
}
/ container for left sidebar /
#serendipityLeftSideBar {
- float: right;
+ float: left;
width: 48%;
margin:0 0 0 0;
padding: 0 0px 0 0px;
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@
/********* End of Header/Banner Styles *********/
#navcontainer {
float: right;
- width: 96%;
+ width: 100%;
height: 20px;
background: #070D01;
}
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@
list-style-type: none;
}
#navlist a:link, #navlist a:visited {
- float: right;
+ float: left;
line-height: 12px;
font-weight: bold;
margin: 0 10px 4px 10px;

Herbert Meier - #45 - 2009-12-17 22:04 - (Reply)

I only would like to say thanks for your themes. I really like them. I use them for four of my blogs, when they are finish I may post them here.

A big fat thanks;)

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