new layout 2009 - the * quilting * bee

New Layout Contest (July 2009)

Time to dust the cobwebs off your favourite graphics program and get ready to participate in our new layout contest! If you want to see your work honoured across the quilting bee site, and a permanent link back to your homepage for the life of the layout, this is the activity for you :3

The quilting bee layout needs to look bright, bee-utiful and creative. As well as tempting people to join, it also has to be easy to navigate and have space for all of our goodies! The requirements are as follows:

Must have the site title "the quilting bee"
Must fit resolutions 1024 pixels wide (this means a max layout width of approx 950px) - the layout must be centered, or offer a repeating background for wider resolutions so we don't have too much blank space
Must have dedicated area for main content, approx 500 pixels wide
Must not be too large in file size (optimise images where possible)
Must have space for 1 x bee of the week patch (40x40) and 1 x bee spotlight patch (40x40)
Must have space for the current activity mini patch (and text, if you've room) as well as 9 other minipatches
Must include the standard site navigation: Home, About, Rules, Join, FAQ, New*bees, Members, Free*bees, Links, Sitemap
Must include links to, or have room for links to, the Honeycomb Apartments, Creative Patch Hall of Fame, Wash Your Quilt and Bees Buzzing links
Must be 'majority-pixeled' - this is a pixel club so it needs to be appropriate

Phew! In case you're struggling after all that, don't be afraid to look at past layouts — and this one! — for inspiration :) You're also more than welcome to integrate features from past layouts, although we're keen on new, original layouts.

Important note: bees are NOT required to code their layouts or integrate them into the quilting bee. This will be done by the programmer bees :9

Entries are now closed - thanks :3

All participants will receive 10 points and a special patch for taking part.

Prizes

As well as winning the honour of being the bee who designed the quilting bee's layout, and a link back to your homepage for a minimum of 1 year, the 1st place winner will also receive:

50 bee points
A special winners patch
A special shroom (that no bee has won before!)
A handmade amigurumi bee courtesy of Queen Joni #24

Runners up in 2nd and 3rd place will win 25 points and a special winners patch.

Note: only bees 13 years and older who are able to provide their postage address will be eligible to win the amigurumi bee plushie.

Voting

Time to get your deciding hats on, because we have some very lovely entries!

You must be logged in to vote.