Paying homage to a favorite author and novel, my latest free Blogger template, Pointe du Lac derives it's name from the Anne Rice novel, "Interview with the Vampire." Pointe du Lac allows the user to modify fonts and their colors easily from the Dashboard's "Fonts and Colors" section, and also has an additional (top) linkbar, which will reflect the user's blog data by default, or can be customized a variety of ways from the "HTML Editor."Another unique feature of this template is the ever so popular "Calendar Style" post date format, which display as shown with one easy change to "Settings" by the user.
Update 9/24/10!
I apologize for the inconvenience, but this version of the template is no longer available. Point du Lac II can be downloaded from this post.Pointe du Lac
XML Blogger Template
By Lauren Thompson
By Lauren Thompson
Features
- 2 column fixed width layout, the second column allowing optional narrow-third column, all sections "widgetized" or "gadget-ready"
- 3 column footer, also "widgetized"
- 2 Optional and customizable linkbars. Super easy to use and customize, details below.
- Supports Blogger Dashboard editing tools, easily change fonts and colors in practically all areas of the template
- Images included, you do not need to upload the images to your own server, they are stored in my photobucket.com account which allows generous direct linking bandwidth. However, users who have access to an image host are advised to download the images and upload them to their own server, as the bandwidth could potentially be exceeded in the future.
Download the images from here. - Title setup optimized and corrected for better SEO.
- Embedded comment form below post
- Functional search box included
- Wireframe setup for easy adding and removing gadgets
- "Calendar Style" post date
License
ATTRIBUTION- Templates are free to use in Blogger blogs, however, the link back to http://www.nymFont.com (usually located in the bottom footer) must not be removed.
- Do not redistribute this template for paid download.
- Do not add your own links to the template code and redistribute.
- Modifications to the template are allowed either through the Blogger Dashboard or directly in the code, however, the link back to Nymphont/NymFont (http://www.nymFont.com) still must remain intact and again, not be removed, thank you.
- Do not add your own links to the template code and re-distribute.
REDISTRIBUTING & SHARING
This is non-negotiable. If you want to share or redistribute my templates, this is how it must be done. If you don't want to abide these terms, then you don't want to share or redistribute my templates.
- If you are going to redistribute the template, you are not permitted to add your own links to the template.
- In addition, it is asked that you do not link directly to my files for the download, nor upload them to your own servers for download. Instead you must link back to my own page for the template, or simply to the index of this website, http://www.nymfont.com
- The terms and license for the template(s) must be stated and given whenever redistributing
This is non-negotiable. If you want to share or redistribute my templates, this is how it must be done. If you don't want to abide these terms, then you don't want to share or redistribute my templates.
Customizing Top Linkbar
To make modifications to the top linkbar, open the HTML Editor within the dashboard and find this in the code:<!-- start top links -add up to 8 divs or change links or remove if you wish -->
There you will see each link is simply placed within
<div></div> tags. You can modify and replace the existing three links, and add up to five more, allowing for a total of eight. These do not have to contain links but can also display plain text provided that it will fit on each "tab," or can be left blank by replacing existing div content with The completed code for a blank or empty tag should look like this
<div> </div>Additionally this linkbar can be removed altogether by deleting the code starting at:
<!-- start top links -add up to 8 divs or change links or remove if you wish -->
And ending with:
<!-- end top links -->Customizing Main Linkbar
Add your links to the main linkbar simply by clicking the "Layout" tab from the Blogger Dashboard, and then selecting "Page Elements." Click on the widget labeled "Linkbar," to add your links. If you do not want to use the linkbar, simply leave this widget empty.Setting Up Calendar-Style Post Date
Have no fear, I promise setting up the post date is easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy. Go to Dashboard > Settings > Formatting. From the "Date Header Format" select "DD Month YYYY" style, (two digit day, name of month, four digit year with no commas) and then select "Save Settings." Presto, done!Additional Details
If you do have access to your own image host, you might want to host the images at your own server. To do soI would love to get some feedback on this template! What do you think about Pointe du Lac? If you need any assistance with this template, feel free to leave a comment. I hope you like it!
Here are some recent "Fonts in Use" finds I am happy to share. I'll start with some photos of the 
The publishers were gracious enough to send me a copy of the book as well.The photo above is the front cover. The font is utilized quite extensively throughout,using it in illustrations and for all headings and titles, the image to the right is one inner page where LT Chickenhawk shines. Neato!
As a matter of fact, I have them to thank for the motivation to expand the comprehension of LT Chickenhawk, as I designed and created the 'ß' character for them, which then in turn inspired me to complete and add much more to the font. For more on this book, 
"Mascara Sure," is a free Blogger template that I coded and designed, the title of which yet again drawing inspiration from the great Smashing Pumpkins and their song, "Muzzle."
I would like to present a new free XML Blogger template I've created and entitled, "Nymphont Natural." This template is a fun desert themed design that I hope someone enjoys!
This showcase highlights 25 beautiful websites with a "scalloped" edge incorporated into their designs for inspiration. Scalloped edging is a design trend that I personally never tire of, as there is a limitless number of ways it can be implemented, making it remain a unique feature of a design despite it's current popularity.
