Of course, there’s a trick to doing that successfully. You can edit your computer’s HOSTS file or you can edit your WordPress installation’s URL settings. When I’m not the only one building a site, I choose to update the WordPress settings to keep everything straight at the source.

The best step-by-step explanation I found for doing this is at Koza Communications. Works like a charm and doesn’t require backing up databases or moving files. You change WordPress to your hosting server’s temporary URL while you are building the site. When you are finished and the site is ready to be live, you change WordPress back to the real URL.

Thought I’d share the resources I found that helped me become more comfortable with this process.

RDesign (a creative studio in St. Petersburg, FL): Easy Vector Textures in Illustrator part one
Thoughts: This technique uses Illustrator’s Live Trace feature to create textures from raster (photo) images of textures. We had a lot of fun playing with this one…finding real life textures to photograph was particularly enjoyable!

DeveloperTutorials: A Quick Wood Grain Texture Using Adobe Illustrator
Thoughts: Definitely a quick and easy technique to create a pretty realistic wood grain texture using some lines and the warp, twist & pucker tools.

Melon Animation: Texture using Transparency

If you don’t have the time to create your own textures from scratch, I also found these downloads that should get you started:

• Swirly Clouds Vector Design Motif from KeepDesigning.com (FREE) – a lovely swirling, circle design
• Photos of a variety of textures from TextureWarehouse.com (FREE) – great collection of wood grain, glass, mechanical, rubber, and other textures
• Photos of a variety of textures from BenCloward.com (FREE) – includes some amazing photos of snow, skin, foliage, rope, bark, clouds, and more

Vector Tuts+: How to Make a Foolproof Flowery Wallpaper Pattern
Step-by-step tutorial with a bonus video walkthrough.
Thoughts: “Developing complex patterns requires planning and precision. This tutorial really explains the process well. I particularly liked the bonus tip about using Live Color to change colors once your pattern is finished.”

Spyre Studios: How to Design a Hand-Drawn Vector Pattern Using Pencils, Photoshop And Illustrator
Step-by-step tutorial that starts with a sketch that is scanned and then digitized before it becomes a vector pattern.
Thoughts: “Great screenshots. And good insight into the thought process of creating a complex pattern including using a grid and thinking through your positioning.”

Bittbox: How to Make a Perfect Seamless Vector Pattern
How to create a simple vector pattern like polka dots or stripes.
Thoughts: “This process is fast for creating the simple repetitive patterns…fewer steps than the other tutorials. Includes tips about easily aligning the pattern parts perfectly.”

In my day job as a graphic designer/website designer, I’ve been quite busy the last year or so developing a website for a local private school, Seattle Country Day School, that finally launched last month! Check it out!