British Rule

Posted by Kerstin, Online Editor

I've got at least one present already wrapped up for the holidays (if you're reading, S, stop now): the newly released Brit Box: U.K. Indie, Shoegaze, and Brit-Pop Gems of the Last Millennium. It's the perfect gift for a friend who is a bit of an Anglophile, with all the usual vices: scones, tea cups, Prince Harry. But this set won't force added calories or unwanted paparazzi on her: it's 78 key recordings from UK bands spanning the past 15 years of the 20th century. The assortment ranges from the obvious, "How Soon Is Now?" by the Smiths,to the more obscure, like Suede's "Metal Mickey."

Most of the songs will bring about some "I forgot about this one" nostalgia and spark great memories from high school all the way to should-be-forgotten nights in our early twenties. To complete this Brit box, I may even throw in some English tea and a delicious scone recipe. No promises on Harry.

Comments

[Adrianna]

I assumed your target was 22-35 year-old women looking for an urban/ do-it-yourself vibe, with a more fashion oriented subtext. I will miss you!

[Melissa Caudill]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE change your mind!!! DON'T take Blueprint away---it's my all time favorite magazine and I don't want to live without it!

[JENNIFER RAMOS]

I CANT believe BLUEPRINT WILL BE NO MORE :(
I enjoyed it while it was around so thank you for all the good reads.

Jen Ramos
'Earth Friendly DESIGNER Cards'
www.madebygirl.com

[Leslie]

I loved Blueprint so much! I even renewed it for one friend for Christmas and was going to give it to another. What will happen with those subscriptions? It is sad that you are cancelling the print magazine as sometimes I don't have enough time to check the blog everyday. I loved my afternoons with my magazine and a cup of tea!

[Disappointed in Wisconsin]

Real Simple is too old (and thinks $600 shirts are affordable), Domino is too narrow, Martha Stewart Living is too unattainable. Blueprint DID have a demographic, if the magazine had been allowed more than 7 issues to prove itself. I am glad the blog is still going, but I'm not sure how folding Blueprint into MS Weddings makes sense. I will definitely miss this unique, fun, beautifully designed magazine, and I'm not sure I'll be keeping my MS subscription going.

[Amanda]

I just subscribed. Will I be receiving Living instead??

[Katie H]

Whhhhyyyy???? I am so sad. But I am thrilled to hear that Bluelines will remain (and dare I dream- expand?). Blueprint really is/ was my favorite, and I am so glad that I have saved all of my print issues.

Echoes of Sassy... *sigh*

And you guys probably have already seen it, but there has been an outpouring of support over on Jezebel as well.

[Tricia]

I echo the sentiments listed above. Blueprint was a very special magazine, one that I will miss terribly. I know all goods things must come to an end, but this was too early for something so fresh and inspiring. I will cherish all the issues that I have collected and hope someday this concept will reappear to fill this void I have now. :(

Thank you to your team and staff for doing such a great job!

[beth maher]

Oh no!
I just heard the bad news. I am so sad - this was the only magazine I bothered to buy any more as it totally encapsulated everything I care about!
The last dogeared six issues (missed the first one - which I'm kinda sad about) sit permanently on my coffee table, and will probably continue to lie there for a long while yet.
I'm glad the blog will continue to live on, but frankly, the blog will have to step it up to make me happy - the magazine was pretty much 100 times better than the blog ever was (which says more about how good your mag's content was than anything about this blog - although more than one update a day would be nice).
If I'm sad about this, I can't imagine how you guys are feeling. I sincerely hope that this is less an ending for all you talented folks then it is the beginning of many new and exciting pursuits! Good luck guys!

[Jen]

I can't believe that Blueprint is really closing!! This was my absolute favorite publication and this news makes me so sad. I really hope that Bluelines will add more content in terms of design and craft inspiration. I just always felt that the blog never came close to living up to the beauty of the publication. On top of that, I know a lot of readers would rather not purchase the weddings publication just to see the content that would have been in Blueprint. This really was an unfortunate decision on the part of the MS Living Corp.

[Anne]

Echoing the other commenters, I'm sad to hear the news about the magazine. It is my favorite lifestyle magazine for its content and design. I’ll miss it dearly, but will treasure my complete set of issues.

[Erica]

In the same vein as the other commenters, I adored Blueprint and am thankful for at least one last print issue. Thanks so much for creating such a gorgeous, cheerful, and all-around wonderful magazine. As a college student just preparing to graduate and move out on her own, I really appreciated the how-to guides. When I purchase my first couch, I'll have Blueprint's guide from the first issue in my purse!

Although I still look forward to receiving Martha Stewart Living in the mail, its modern and forward-thinking younger sister will be very sorely missed.

[Megan]

While not every print issue was for me, I thought that the November/December issue was the best holiday issue of any shelter/lifestyle magazine out there this year. I'm keeping the magazine to use as a resource for many holidays to come.

[Renee]

I looove Blueprint and get so excited when it shows up every month. While I'm happy you'll still be online, I will greatly miss the magazine.

[Jennifer]

I was so very sad to hear the news today. It was my all-time favorite magazine.

[Linda Lacina]

Bluelines, the blog, I believe will continue. Blueprint, the print magazine on the newsstand, is cancelled.

[Laura]

Along the same lines as the last comment, I'm so sad to hear that Bluelines won't be published anymore. I feel like it was the best of all the Martha Stuart pubs. Bluelines will be sorely missed!

[Liz]

I second Linda and Lindsey's comments, I will really miss Blueprint. Glad to hear that Bluelines will live on, and I hope maybe some of the planned stories and features will make their way here. To the managing team, pretty pretty please strike out on your own and bring this magazine back to life in whatever forum you can - blog, independent magazine, anything. We want Blueprint!!

[Lindsay]

I completely agree with Linda. It was the one magazine I looked forward to and read cover to cover. I am saddened that it will be closing. You guys nailed the target demo perfectly and it's a shame that the powers that be will be ending its run. It was an excellent magazine.

[Linda Lacina]

This isn't a reply to this post, but to the announcement that the print product has been cancelled. I am truly, truly sad. I'm glad the blog will still exist, but I have to say that I haven't been that excited to receive a print magazine since forever. I signed up for a 2-year subscription, that's how much I love it. I really felt that every page was perfect and as far as reaching your target, I felt that you nailed it. It was beautiful and useful and inspiring and truly distinct from the other magazines on the market. I know it's a tough market for magazines at any time and that it was probably just a business decision, but really, I want you to know that people loved the magazine and I am sad I can't look forward to it after the January/February 2008 issue.