I designed my first site with Wordpress, using Atahualpa, about 5 months ago, and then forgot how I set up the background.

At the top of the pages, I just want less of the red background to bring the header up a little higher, basically moving the main body that has a white backgroud up higher.

Is this set in this Body, Text and Links section shown below - in the "Body Style" box? I played with the padding-top section, but nothing changed. Is it the fixed settings? I can't remember how I came up with these settings, nor how to change them, and have found no posts that address it.

font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;
font-size: 1em;
color: #000000;
background: url(http://xxxxxxx.org/wp-content/upl...radient2.png); background-repeat: repeat-x; background-attachment: fixed;bottom bottom left; background-attachment: fixed;
padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 20px;

Thanks for your assistance!

(Using Atahualpa 3.2 and Wordpress 2.8.6)

your problem isn't with padding or margins, but your image size. You have defined the header image are to be 290px in height, but your image is only 234px so you have 56px of nothing that you can't adjust.

Change ATO->Header Image->Header Image: Height to 234 and then you will be able to adjust the top padding to your preferred setting.

Also, recheck your rule for background at ATO->Body, Text & Links->Body Style
you have

background: url(http://xxxxxxxx.org/wp-content/uploads/red_gradient2.png); 
background-repeat: repeat-x; 
background-attachment: fixed; bottom bottom left; 
background-attachment: fixed;
padding-top: 10px; 
padding-bottom: 20px;

do you really want to have 'background-attachment:' twice and what's with the 'bottom bottom left; '?

Ah, that explains it! I had gone in recently after not working on the project for months and uploaded a downsized image; but didn't remember I had to change a spec in the ATO screens as well.

As to the 'bottom bottom fixed', I thought that was strange - but back when I created this gradient background thing, I was a complete noob. Got rid of that and its fine.

Thanks for your help, and I will make a Paypal donation right away!