Thursday, February 05, 2009

Three columns and a sense of order

I am no Martha Stewart.

I don't care if the sheets or the pillows are not just so. I don't mind if the magazines are strewn over tables or window seats. Not every little thing has its own place in my house. Some things are still house hunting, others like to hang out for a little longer before getting back home. As long as my sense of order is satisfied, I can withstand a little chaos.

But in my virtual home, Blogger's two-column format managed to evoke a vague sense of discomfort. At the beginning it was fine. My blog was bare except for the posts and a few links. But as the years rolled on, the posts piled up. Too many candidates for the widgets - profile, blog links, newspaper and magazine links, third-party functionalities, travel posts, selected posts, expat life posts, etc., etc., etc. - all stashed on one side of the screen. The tree was leaning too far to the left and threatening to throw my vrikshaasana off.

It was time for balance. The three-column format seemed to be the answer to my problems. I could split the widgets to both sides of the screen. But even on my best day, I'm the worst at figuring these things out. There could not have been a happier blogger than me when Blogger introduced those widgets and the page element features.

So I was beyond thrilled when Sandeepa offered to help. She sent me the template and an e-mail detailing the steps I should follow, very clearly showing me what sections of the template I should change. I tried to open her template attachment and save it. Yes, those of you who know are laughing right now. Go ahead, I deserve it. Sandeepa patiently responded to my SOS and detailed more steps. Feeling like a dufus and feeling grateful, I soldiered on, then promptly elicited an error message when I tried to include an ampersand in the title to one of my sections in the navigation bar. Thankfully I figured out the issue without having to start over again (which I'd done once already). A few more hiccups, none too devastating, as you can see, and I arrived at my new look - the widgets all neatly sorted out, some widgets now finding place as sections on top of the page in the navigation bar.

I am delighted with the result. It looks clean and neat. I still need to figure out better colors (it appears a tad dark right now) and better fonts, but for now I could not be more content.

Sandeepa, thank you!

Updated (Feb 21, 09): per S's request.

14 comments:

Altoid said...

:-) I like the background color- a warm sandalwood!

Anusha said...

it does look clean & neat. miss your umbrella header tho, and wheres the warm sandalwood Alty's talking abt?

Sujatha Bagal said...

KM, I can see a very light beigy tint, but Alty, the background color is just white.

KM, the pink in those umbrellas was getting to me!

Nino's Mum said...

My fav header pic is back!
The three column format is also very reader-friendly.

Sujatha Bagal said...

Two days in a row I watched those sun rises in Bethany Beach. I couldn't believe how lucky I was. We also saw dolphins doing their thing in the ocean that trip. It was something else!

Sandeepa(Bong Mom's CookBook/DesiMomzClub) said...

I loved those umbrellas too

Thanks for the mention :), come on you did almost everything on your own, I just gave you the template.

This looks neat

Anonymous said...

Everything looks good... but where's my Jaipur umbrella header?:) It'd that exotic, warm feel to it... Like a big, bright welcome...but that's just me:(

Sujatha Bagal said...

N'ville Mom and Sandeepa, I loved the umbrellas too, but it was too riotous, no? Didn't think it went with the calm, ordered look. But one day you never know - it might be back!

Monique said...

I found your plea for a 3 column template in my own search for one. Is there anyway you could send it my way? I'd really appreciate it!
m

Unknown said...

Ditto what Monique said...in my search for 3 column templates I found your blog. I get close to making changes, but stop b/c I might lose my widgets. Any help would be appresh.

Hidden Jewel said...

I was also going to ask if you could pass on a link to the source for this template. Thank you.

Kristina said...

I found your blog in my search for a 3 column blog myself. Could you please pass along the link for this template. It looks terrific!

SamW said...

i'd like the template too. any chance of getting it??? thanks! sam samwallacellc@aol.com

Kelly said...

I would love to use your template on my blog. Is that possible? Could you send me the template and instructions? Please remember that immitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Thank you.