InsaneJournal

Insanejournal is pretty basic when it comes to layouts, yet all the "good" layout communities on LJ and other sites only seem to make Flexible Squares and Smooth Sailing layouts. Unless you have a paid account, you can't create new styles and layers to utilize the livejournal-based layout code for those two kinds of layouts. So now what? This will have a basic list of where to find good S1 & S2 layouts and some other goodies. I will give a short run-down on how to edit some codes and what they do in a different tutorial. REMEMBER to follow the rules of this community AND the ones we are linking to.

This list is in no way comprehensive or complete, so if I left something out or you want something taken off, just leave a comment and I will do so! If you have suggestions for communities, go ahead and comment. I probably won't list all the communities that people want me to, because I just listed the ones that I use or find useful.

S1 Layout Communities

• DAMNICONS - Very clean s1 layouts, involves some header images. All Generator.
• THEMISPROJECTED - Very interesting and modifiable layouts. Not really updated but still very interesting and clean. Generator only.
• REVERSESCOLLIDE - Four layouts, downloadble in .txt and easily manipulated for other. Generator only.
• _EXCENTRIC_ - Excluding the first two in that tag, the rest (6 or so) are generator S1 layouts. Very clean and editable, utilizing background patterns and tinyicons!
• SUGARBONES - 8 Generator layouts, basic block straight layouts and nice coloring. Locked but open membership.
• GIRDLES - By far the most commonly used layouts currently, but also very easily customizable. Generator only.
• Tillyness - Locked community but open membership - LOTS of S1 layouts, mostly Generator. Looks like someone went over their bandwith for the month but it should be back soon enough. Lots of variety.
• KAIN_LAYOUTS - Lots of S1 layouts, they don't really work on LJ unless you have a basic layout, but they seem to work on IJ if you have an addblocker.

S2 Layout Communities
There are a TON of fantastic and amazing layout makers on Livejournal, especially S2 makers. This list is just a small portion of communities and journals I like to watch. If you want to see more, I suggest you check out livejournal.

• MINTYAPPLE - A community of layout and profile layout makers. Very useful and helpful with a wide variety of layouts.
• FREELAYOUTS - Another community of layout makers, and has a few s1 layouts (check the tags) but mostly s2 now. Very nicely categorized by type of layout and also by the content of the layouts.
• THEFULCRUM - You know the icons by Grrliz? She does layouts too! This is her layout community, all S2 I believe, but some of them are useable on IJ without needing a paid account.
• PREMADE_LJS - Currently mostly S2 but some S1 from the past. Very dynamic and a lot of variety in the choices.
• SPIRALBOUND_LJ - Again mostly S2 now but S1 from the past. Very colorful and variety filled.
• MINTY_PEACH - Very nice and clean S2 layouts!

For Paid Users

• APPLELEAF - Style Based layouts. Create or use a livejournal and follow the instructions and then just make a new layout on the journal community and copy paste the stuff over.
• VANYA_ELDA - How to create S2 Layouts and themes using "advanced customization". Has screen captures and very, very detailed.

Layout resources

• EVERYTHING_LJ - Basically that. Lots of help in the memories and going through how to edit different styles.
• MILOU_VERONICA - She makes wonderful S2 layouts but here is also a huge fantastic list of tutorials, especially the list of resources. It has A LOT of links to S2 layouts and figuring your own stuff out!
• INTERLINEA - A couple pages of S2 Resources and making layouts
• LJ_REBOOT - A fantastic list of CSS resources, along with Patterns, color generators and other such items.
• HOWTO - The memories of HOWTO that explains a lot about CSS and people's frequently asked questions.

Color Resources

• PALETTE GENERATOR - Find a picture, upload it and it creates a palette for you. Good if you have a header to tie the layout together.
• COLORSCHEMES - A livejournal community (not updated in years) but has user-created color schemes.
• DAMNICONS - 8 color schemes created for users.
• COLOURLOVERS - By far one of the best resources for colors and palette generators, especially if you don't have time to make your own, others have created things for you!
• COLORPICKER - A simple Java applet that works just like GIMP or Photoshop in picking colors and gives you the hex code for them.
• COLORJACK - Interesting site with articles on the backgrounds of colors and also just a nice color site.
• COLORSCHEMEDESIGNER - Oh my goodness this is redesign of an old site and it is a really really great resource for creating color schemes.
• COLOR PALETTE GENERATOR - Another just like the first but not as comprehensive.
• HOWTO - Generator S1 Color Usage Area Guide. Also, HOWTO has a fantastic memories section I suggest you check out in general.

Other Resources

• DESIGNASOURCE - Mostly for CSS but has a lot of links for patterns, icons, color tools and other stuff.
• SUGARBONES_EXTRAS - Backgrounds for layouts found or made by SUGARBONES for her layouts.
• TEACUPPED - A lot of fantastic layouts, sorted by category, check out the list on the side!
• THEINSPIRATIONGALLERY - Lost of Damask patterns to use as backgrounds to layouts.
• FLIPPINGTYPICAL - A font resource - want to know what the title of your game will look like in that font or several fonts at once? Check out this site.

If you have any questions, just lave me a comment. I will be doing a modifying-layout-code tutorial at some point in the future.