WordPresss template design

Hello! I need to create a custom WordPress blog template. My blog is about Russian/Soviet history of 20th century. There are following requirements for the template: 1) **Not too many images** - it must be possible to view the page without delay even on a dial-up connection. Note: If you are interested what I mean by "not too many pictures", I can tell you a blog design that I like. 2) The template must be created according to **HTML standards**. I will test its compliance using [login to view URL] 3) In the template, there must be places for following things: a) actual content (blog articles) b) affiliate links to Amazon bookstore c) PayPal donate link (it must be possible to disable this part in an easy manner) d) at least one banner (it must be possible to disable this part in an easy manner) e) place for Google AdSense ads (it must be possible to disable this part in an easy manner - **VERY** important!). 4) The template must also have following parts: a) a PROMINENT button for subscribing to RSS feeds. By *prominent* I mean that the button should be visible at a first glance (no scrolling) and it should be large enough (e. g. 32x32 pixel). What I **don't** want is a very small icon, which is almost invisible and located somewhere at the bottom of the page, so that you have to scroll to find it. b) some places on the right side where I can add links to Facebook and Twitter accounts of the blog (preferably on the first page and preferably visible without scrolling). c) place for some sort of social bookmarking mechanism. Note: You **DO NOT** have to implement RSS feeds, Facebook and Twitter integration. You have to ensure that in the template there is some space dedicated to this stuff. 5) It must be possible to add an image for a pre-view of a blog post. Ask me for an example of this. ## Deliverables 6) Any images you use in the template must be legally obtained. Either they are in public domain, or you rightfully purchased them. I need evidence of some sort that these images are actually legally owned by you. As an option, you can consider that I buy the images that you suggest me and then give them to you. 7) I have some guidelines for selecting images. There are things which I want, and which I don't want to see on my blog. Therefore ask me for these guidelines before you select any images. 8) The template must work with my version of WordPress (ask me - what version). It must be designed so that it does not disturb normal function of WordPress. Please do not use Flash or non-standard JavaScript in your template. **Deliverables** You can deliver the template in one of the three forms: 1) Image that I can cut into parts in GIMP ( [login to view URL] ) and create a template from it myself. 2) HTML file (plus infrastructure like CSS, images etc.), in which your layout is implemented. 3) WordPress template. Option 3 (WordPress template) is ideal. However, if you can produce a great (in my opinion) design for my blog, it is absolutely no problem in delivering it as an HTML file. **Other notes** 1) Please expect that 1-2 modifications of your original proposal might be necessary. Include this effort in your bid. 2) It is very beneficial, if you provide me with samples of your work in this area, i. e. URLs to blogs (or other content-oriented sites) designed by you. 3) Highly beneficial is, if you not only can produce nice looking designs, but also know how to make one that conveys a certain message to the viewer. * * *This broadcast message was sent to all bidders on Tuesday Jan 12, 2010 4:24:28 PM: Requirements change: There is one additional requirement: In the template there should be a form for newsletter subscription (text box and a button), on the top of the page. It must be possible to disable this form (make it invisible).