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+# Contribution Guidelines — lukastitch.corneruniverse.com
+
+## Project Overview
+
+**Purpose:** Portfolio and showcase website for Luka Stitch, a handmade plushie business.
+
+**Audience:** Potential customers interested in custom plushies, people browsing her work, and commission inquiries.
+
+**Primary Goals:**
+
+
+1. Showcase plushie creations with beautiful imagery
+2. Communicate the handmade, personal nature of the work
+3. Direct commission inquiries to Etsy
+4. Build brand personality and connection
+
+**Note:** This is NOT an e-commerce site. No direct purchases. Etsy handles transactions.
+
+
+---
+
+## Design Direction
+
+**Aesthetic:** Warm, cozy, handcrafted feel. The design should reflect the care and personality that goes into each plushie. Think craft fair booth, not corporate storefront.
+
+**Mood:** Friendly, approachable, whimsical but not childish.
+
+**Color Palette:** Soft, warm colors. Pastels or muted tones that complement plushie photography without competing. Define in `/src/styles/variables.css`.
+
+**Typography:** Friendly and readable. A slightly playful heading font paired with a clean body font.
+
+**Imagery:** Photography is central. The design should frame and highlight the plushie images, not distract from them.
+
+
+---
+
+## Technical Standards
+
+### Vue 3 Conventions
+
+* Use Composition API with `<script setup>` syntax
+* Single File Components (.vue)
+* Scoped styles by default
+* TypeScript optional but prop types required
+
+### File Structure
+
+```
+src/
+├── components/
+│   ├── common/          # Reusable components (Button, Card)
+│   ├── layout/          # Header, Footer, Navigation
+│   └── sections/        # Page sections (HeroSection, GallerySection)
+├── content/
+│   ├── site-data.js     # General site content
+│   └── plushies.js      # Plushie catalog data
+├── styles/
+│   ├── variables.css    # CSS custom properties
+│   └── global.css       # Base styles, resets
+├── assets/
+│   └── images/
+│       └── plushies/    # Plushie photos
+├── App.vue
+└── main.js
+```
+
+### Component Guidelines
+
+**Naming:**
+
+* PascalCase for component files: `GallerySection.vue`
+* Components should be self-contained with clear, single responsibilities
+* Prefix common components: `BaseButton.vue`, `BaseCard.vue`
+
+**Props:**
+
+```vue
+<script setup>
+defineProps({
+  title: { type: String, required: true },
+  image: { type: String, required: true },
+  available: { type: Boolean, default: false }
+})
+</script>
+```
+
+### Content Management
+
+**This is critical:** The site owner will want to add new plushies regularly. Make this easy.
+
+**Plushie Catalog (**`/src/content/plushies.js`):
+
+```javascript
+export const plushies = [
+  {
+    id: 'cozy-bear',
+    name: 'Cozy Bear',
+    image: '/images/plushies/cozy-bear.jpg',
+    description: 'A huggable friend for cold nights.',
+    size: '12 inches',
+    available: false,
+    etsyLink: null
+  },
+  {
+    id: 'sleepy-fox',
+    name: 'Sleepy Fox',
+    image: '/images/plushies/sleepy-fox.jpg',
+    description: 'Always ready for a nap.',
+    size: '10 inches',
+    available: true,
+    etsyLink: 'https://etsy.com/...'
+  }
+]
+```
+
+**Site Content (**`/src/content/site-data.js`):
+
+```javascript
+export const hero = {
+  title: "Luka Stitch",
+  tagline: "Handmade plushies with love",
+  description: "Each creation is one-of-a-kind, crafted with care."
+}
+
+export const about = {
+  heading: "About",
+  text: "...",
+  image: "/images/about-photo.jpg"
+}
+
+export const contact = {
+  heading: "Get in Touch",
+  text: "Interested in a custom plushie? Reach out!",
+  etsyLink: "https://etsy.com/shop/...",
+  email: "hello@lukastitch.com" // or null if not wanted
+}
+```
+
+### Styling
+
+**CSS Custom Properties (variables.css):**
+
+```css
+:root {
+  /* Colors */
+  --color-primary: #...;
+  --color-secondary: #...;
+  --color-background: #...;
+  --color-text: #...;
+  --color-accent: #...;
+  
+  /* Typography */
+  --font-heading: '...', sans-serif;
+  --font-body: '...', sans-serif;
+  
+  /* Spacing */
+  --space-xs: 0.25rem;
+  --space-sm: 0.5rem;
+  --space-md: 1rem;
+  --space-lg: 2rem;
+  --space-xl: 4rem;
+  
+  /* Gallery */
+  --gallery-gap: 1rem;
+  --card-radius: 8px;
+}
+```
+
+**Responsive Design:**
+
+* Mobile-first approach
+* Gallery should be responsive: 1 column mobile, 2 tablet, 3-4 desktop
+* Images should scale beautifully at all sizes
+
+
+---
+
+## Components to Build
+
+### Layout
+
+* `AppHeader.vue` — Logo/name, simple navigation
+* `AppFooter.vue` — Social links, copyright
+
+### Sections
+
+* `HeroSection.vue` — Brand name, tagline, featured image or plushie
+* `GallerySection.vue` — Grid of plushies from catalog
+* `AboutSection.vue` — The maker's story, photo
+* `ContactSection.vue` — How to reach out, Etsy link
+
+### Common
+
+* `BaseButton.vue` — Primary and secondary variants
+* `PlushieCard.vue` — Image, name, description, availability badge, Etsy link
+* `SectionWrapper.vue` — Consistent section padding and max-width
+* `ImageLightbox.vue` — Optional: click to enlarge plushie photos
+
+
+---
+
+## Gallery & Image Handling
+
+**PlushieCard Component:**
+
+```vue
+<template>
+  <article class="plushie-card">
+    <img :src="plushie.image" :alt="plushie.name" />
+    <h3>{{ plushie.name }}</h3>
+    <p>{{ plushie.description }}</p>
+    <span v-if="plushie.available" class="badge available">Available</span>
+    <span v-else class="badge sold">Sold</span>
+    <a v-if="plushie.etsyLink" :href="plushie.etsyLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
+      View on Etsy
+    </a>
+  </article>
+</template>
+```
+
+**Gallery Grid:**
+
+```css
+.gallery {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(280px, 1fr));
+  gap: var(--gallery-gap);
+}
+```
+
+**Image Guidelines:**
+
+* Consistent aspect ratio preferred (square or 4:3)
+* Optimize images before adding (compress, reasonable resolution)
+* Use descriptive filenames: `cozy-bear.jpg` not `IMG_3847.jpg`
+* Alt text should describe the plushie
+
+
+---
+
+## Adding New Plushies (Instructions for Site Owner)
+
+
+1. Add the photo to `/public/images/plushies/`
+2. Open `/src/content/plushies.js`
+3. Add a new entry to the array:
+
+```javascript
+{
+  id: 'new-plushie-name',
+  name: 'New Plushie Name',
+  image: '/images/plushies/new-plushie-name.jpg',
+  description: 'A short description.',
+  size: '10 inches',
+  available: true,
+  etsyLink: 'https://etsy.com/listing/...'
+}
+```
+
+
+4. Commit and push—the site auto-deploys
+
+
+---
+
+## Accessibility
+
+* Semantic HTML: `<header>`, `<main>`, `<section>`, `<footer>`
+* Heading hierarchy: One `<h1>` per page, logical structure
+* Alt text for ALL plushie images (describe the plushie)
+* Sufficient color contrast
+* Links clearly identifiable
+
+
+---
+
+## Performance
+
+* Optimize plushie photos before adding (use tools like Squoosh)
+* Consider lazy-loading gallery images
+* Keep the site lightweight—no heavy frameworks needed
+* Use `loading="lazy"` on images below the fold
+
+
+---
+
+## Git Workflow
+
+**Branch Naming:**
+
+* `feat/add-gallery-section`
+* `fix/mobile-card-layout`
+* `content/add-new-plushies`
+
+**Commit Messages:**
+
+* `feat: add plushie gallery with grid layout`
+* `fix: improve image scaling on mobile`
+* `content: add sleepy fox plushie`
+
+
+---
+
+## Do's and Don'ts
+
+**Do:**
+
+* Make the plushies the star—design should highlight, not compete
+* Keep adding new plushies simple and documented
+* Optimize every image before adding
+* Test gallery on mobile
+* Use warm, inviting language
+
+**Don't:**
+
+* Add e-commerce functionality (Etsy handles sales)
+* Use stock photos—only real plushie photography
+* Clutter the design—let the work speak
+* Forget alt text on images
+* Make the owner dig through code to add content
+
+