ABOUT THE SITE

Technical bit

Date of launch: October 13, 2003
Code: (X)HTML 1.0 Transitional + CSS
Software used: PSPad, TopStyle Lite, W3C Validator, Adobe Photoshop

How it all began

Once upon a time, I got ill and had to stay at home for a week or two. Because I had both too much free time on my hands and a Namo WYSIWYG WebEditor 2.0 installation cd, I decided to make my first website. I also had lots of Enya wallpapers and other Enya-related goodies on my harddisk that I wanted to share with the world. So I thought it wouldn't be such a bad idea to set up a fansite and see how it goes.

Why 'Out of the Blue'?

Because I liked the sound of it even though I didn't know what the idiom meant at the time. Originally, it was a title of an Enya compilation cd I made for myself. When I was first designing this site, I remembered the cd and wanted to (mis)use its cover as a header. In the end I didn't but the name stayed. It saddens my heart but I have no idea where I put the aforementioned cd therefore I can't feature it here. I'll keep looking for it though!

Past designs

From time to time I get nostalgic and like to browse through old versions of this wonderful website. Those old, old designs are particularly fun to look at :D I had no previous experience with webdesign before OOTB and was super-happy with every single layout when I finished it.

1. October 13 - November 3, 2003

The very first version, which I loved to pieces and was so much proud of. Soooo much. You can't even imagine. Completely made in a WYSIWYG editor, I didn't get to see the source code.

2. November 3 - December 9, 2003

After 2 weeks and a conclusion that the design needed more images to be really cool, I added a bit of wintery graphics.

3. December 9, 2003 - February 9, 2004

Winter didn't even start and another redesign took place. This time in warm shades of brown, 3 columns and with absolutely cool falling snow on the index page :D You should have seen it, master, you should have seen it!

4. February 9 - March 30, 2004

Tempus Vernum - Spring time :) Full of flowers and butterflies, I really set my heart on this one. But as I later found out, the layout was too wide and didn't fit the screen on 800x600 resolution so I replaced it.

5. March 30 - June 8, 2004

I implemented a theme switcher for the ultimate wonderfulness. You could choose between Shepherd Moons (blue), A Day without Rain (green) and Watermark (red) style. Woooow! I hear you say.

6. June 8 - December 3, 2004

While being online, this one went through various colour changes. It ended in a purplish blue/black colour scheme (yeah, Sumiregusa time) accompanied by two alternative autumn options.

7. December 3, 2004 - March 14, 2005

My first tableless layout *cheers* in a triad blue/maroon/orange colour scheme. Honestly, I don't remember why exactly I drowned Eithne, I probably just liked the pictures.

8. March 14, 2005 - April 18, 2006

A variation on the previous design with a colour scheme built around the forest header photo and a little pixie in the footer. I liked it a lot, it was calm and relaxing.

Amarantine special: Nov 8, 2005 - Dec 18, 2006

Squirry told me that I just have to make a webspecial for "Amarantine". So I made this one very special webspecial. The design was inspired by my Pucca t-shirt ;)

9. April 18, 2006 - October 13, 2006

My first (finished and uploaded) layout made in Photoshop. I followed a tutorial to get that drawing-like look for the photo I wanted to use, and then layered dozens of brushes and textures.

10. October 13, 2006 - December 18, 2006

"Happy birthday" design to celebrate the three years of the site's existence. The colours were rather sensitive to the monitor's settings, so Enya's face got green easily.

11. December 18, 2006 - March 15, 2007

While I was doing my Christmas shopping, all that wintery decoration left a mark on me. As it was uploaded at the time of all special/collector's/etc. Amarantine releases, I couldn't resist and named it "A special winter edition".

12. March 15, 2007 - June 27, 2007

Spring variation on the previous design.
...let the day go and on...
 

13. June 27, 2007 - November 2, 2008

Layout inspired by Brody Neuenschwander's "A Box of Dreams" artwork and the earrings. Those dangly seahorse earrings every fan loves to pieces, y'know. You love them too, don't you?

14-15. November 2, 2008 - November 6, 2009

Introducing hot pink! I was looking for a new colour scheme and there wasn't much that I haven't done previously.
 

16. November 6, 2009 - April 2, 2010

Design inspired by The Very Best of Enya artwork and colours. I moved the menu to the top of the page to change things a bit.

17. April 2, 2010 - January 28, 2012

Layout featuring scans from the And Winter Came mediapack I won in the First Loxian Games on enya.com. I cherish it dearly, the photos are really stunning!

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