As is often the case in life, there is more going on than meets the eye. For the last few months I have been working with some very talented people to move my blog to mrsblandings.com.
When I started blogging, a good friend who knew about these sorts of things said, “Did you secure ‘mrsblandings.com?” And I said, “Heavens, no. It’s a lark. I’ll never need it.” In his kindness and wisdom, he secured it for me. I am so grateful to Breht Burri, who kept the domain name for me for eight years and good naturedly turned it over when I called and sheepishly asked, “Hey, Breht, do you still….?” You can find him at Domaine Licensing Corp. here.
Domain secured, I stared at my computer screen and said, “Now what?” There was no what at all, but rather a “who.” Harl Van Deursen calmly and with humor created the site and managed the process for transition. If he ranted or raved about my complete lack of understanding for what we were doing, he never let on. I can’t tell you how often he asked me something and I replied, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Regardless your understanding of all things internet, I recommend him without reservation. If you’d like his contact information, please let me know.
The next thing was to address the issue of header and logo. Patricia van Essche had, way back in the beginning, sent me a drawing, which was perfect for Mrs. Blandings’s heading then. What I know after eight years, is that things change. Sometimes unexpectedly. I needed something that would make sense long term for the site, but that could also be used for business cards and labels.
I had noticed the storefront at Novella Brandhouse and each time I walked by I thought, “That looks like the sort of place I’d like to work.” When I contacted Creative Director Clare McClaren and begin to fill her in on what I needed she said, “Patricia, I’ve been reading Mrs. Blandings for years.” She and her team offered three different concepts, which were all excellent; the problem was in the choosing. I wanted something that clearly showed that my focus was home, but using my home seemed foolhardy. Clare and her team recommended a rendition of the house from the movie and I think it is just right. I hope you like the new look. I could not be happier with either the results or the process.
Now, down to housekeeping. There will be no more posts here. If you set a bookmark, please change it to mrsblandings.com; all past and future posts will be there. If you are subscribed via feedburner, you should be subscribed to Mrs. Blandings via Mail Chimp. It might be wise to sign up the first time you hit the site in any event. (Forgive me; I worry.) Other than that, everything should remain the same.
Thank you, as always, for reading. I wish you the very best in the New Year.
Image, The Well Lived Life, from the editors of House and Garden, Assouline 2003, photography, Don Forbes.
These two canvases were in the last batch slipped into the bag. Many of you will know that I was inspired by Diana Vreeland’s living room in hell, which was designed by Billy Baldwin. I’ve stitched a playing card before and I do think they are charming. These are a great size to be folded in half for a clutch. In fact, the Queen of Hearts will be my next project. I could use a regal muse.
