All Good Things Must Come to an End

Isn't that how the saying goes? Beginnings and endings. It's the circle of life. But it doesn't make it any easier. I'm saddened to announce that Simple Scrapbooks magazine will be ceasing publication after the May/June issue. And let me say that "saddened" is not a strong enough word, but I don't know what words would suffice. Sad for our readers. Sad for the staff. Sad for our founder. Sad for the loss of a fantastic, helpful, top-notch, high-quality, unique, and wonderful in all ways product...nothing short of "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" if I do say so myself. (p.s. I spelled that right on the first try)

I posted the "official announcement" just a few moments ago, so please read through that if you have any specific questions. I also thought I'd spend a few moments offering some context.

There simply isn't enough advertising to keep two magazines afloat. The economic situation has been difficult to say the least—and we've all been feeling it, no matter what area of the country we live in, or what industry we work in. I'm sure you can relate. Tough times. Tough measures.

Simple Scrapbooks will be folded back in to Creating Keepsakes magazine, from whence it sprang 8 years ago. Creating Keepsakes will make room for us, and several of us will have new roles on the Creating Keepsakes staff. My new job (as I understand it at this point) will be to infuse our best Simple content into the pages of Creating Keepsakes, to make sure that simple scrapbookers have a home in CK. You won't lose any of your favorite parts of CK; it will stay just as awesome as it is right now, but the umbrella will be expanded to include Simple readers as well. I have no details about how this will happen (a dedicated section vs. weaving it throughout the mag), because it's all too new. I just know that that's the goal. And I'm totally on board with that goal, because it means that the Simple philosophy is not dead. It will live on, just in new venues and in new ways.

The faces you know and love (Cathy Z., Wendy S., Stacy J. in particular) will not be disappearing. Other simple talent will be tapped as well to keep the Simple message going online, and in CK, and wherever else we can possibly find to spread the news. (like a sign on your front lawn, for example? :-)

Here are a few questions you may be asking:
How many issues are left? You can still look forward to our March/April issue (on sale in February) and our May/June issue (on sale in April). We also have an awesome special issue, Scrapbook Play with Photos, on sale in March. Look forward to them, and pick up as many as you can. They've just become collector's items.

What if I had a project in one of those issues, will I get it back? Absolutely! We'll follow all of our regular processes through these next two issues for returning layouts and projects. You'll get your layouts back according to our standard return timeline, and you'll also get paid for your layouts. The company itself isn't closing; just this one of the twelve or so total magazines that CKMedia publishes.

What about the announcement of your new Ambassadors and Simple Gals? Well, we heard the news just as we were about to announce our new crop of talent. Such unfortunate timing. Ugh. It just kills me. But I'll still share all their names in the next week or so, so you can congratulate them on being chosen in the first place, even though they didn't have the chance to serve their terms.

What about the Simple Blog? I'll keep this going through the transition at the very least. I'll still share what's happening at Simple over the next couple of months, and what the plan is for the future, so you'll know how and where you can find Simple inspiration and connect to other simple scrapbookers like you.

In closing, this little quote has been giving me some comfort.
Hopefully it does the same for you:

“Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”
—Winston Churchill

Thanks friends, for everything.
Angie

Comments

[Andrea L]

That is really sad it was the only magazine I truely loved and hung onto.

I too would love to know what is happening to the subs I just bought one for Christmas and haven't even received my first copy.

[alexandra s.m.]

how very very SAD indeed...i'm at a loss of words...Simple was so unique...i like and subscribe to CK as well but having some simple in Ck just does not sound right...thank you guys, each of you, i can only imagine how you must be feeling :-(

[Carolyn]

I am completely sadden by this news. As I am sure you and everyone with SS. I just hope you will continue with the mini albums features, when you aboard CK, those were one of my favorite features with SS.
As I just had renewed my subscription with SS. I guess I would be curious if they are planning to adopt my remaining issues, I had on my subscription, like other scrapbook magazines have done when they closed.
Gosh, I really can't believe this is about to happen.

[Kim C.]

It has taken a couple of days to process the information. I've shed a few tears. I feel like I've lost a friend. Thank you SS team for sharing your time, talent, and wonderful philosophy. You have revolutionized the industry.
How exactly will our subscriptions be honored by CK? Will they match the number of issues or the length of time? Thanks again for a wonderful ride!

[MV]

Well, I am sorry to hear this. To be honest, I prefer SS over CK. I have found that SS is more informative and coaches/mentors much better than CK (which seems to want to "showcase" work more than offer tips and inspiration to generate personal creativity.) I will miss SS. I'm not sure I'll move to CK-not unless there is a very discernible difference. At the same time, I understand how the current economy is impacting everyone. I hope all goes well for you as you transition and that it all works together for good.

[paula]

How is it that when I discover a mag I LOVE and get ready to subscribe to that this happens?? The content is different from CK (read: better) and fits my lifestyle and crafting style so much better. Apparently I'm not alone. I know these are tougher times but it seems like if each mag kept it''s focus and there were fewer special issues that oftentimes were too specialized, we could keep the budget balanced and keep the good stuff going. I'm sorry for the staff at this difficult time. It certainly isn't lack of talent or dedication on your parts--you do an AWESOME job!!

[MollyB]

so sad

[Chelsea]

I am so sorry to hear about the magazine. It was a wonderful source of inspiration and creativity and was always a favorite of mine. I totally understand the reasoning in these very uneasy times...

[Brigid G]

Oh no! This is so sad. I really hope that they can place all of the folks from SS into new positions at CK. There is talent there that just shouldn't be lost! When they canceled Digital Scrapbooking, I thought to myself, "Well, at least I still have Simple Scrapbooks!" Now I don't even have that! I hope that CK becomes a bit more cool and modern, as that was what attracted me to Simple in the first place -- I saw it as a magazine for a younger, more hip audience.

[Sheryl C]

This is so sad as Simple is one of my favourite magazines. I wish you luck in your transition with CK. Thanks for everything.

[Ginger B.]

I just got a subscription to both for Christmas,so I would also like some info on how this will work.BUMMER,I just love both magazines for the different things they offered.

[June Ferguson]

Like many others, SS was the only subscription I kept active after letting several others go. I am proud to say that I was a Charter Subscriber to SS and I am so very glad that I have saved every issue! It is the only magazine that I referred back to regularly instead of just keeping them in a box on the shelf. Please know that I wish the best for all of you in the future!

[Sara]

I've been a Simple groupie for years...by far my favorite (and only) scrapbooking mag and I'm so sad to see it go. My husband was laid off this year, so I particularly feel for the Simple staff. You have built a great community through all of your great ideas and your positive energy. Thanks for all the inspiration over the years!

[shellbell78]

I am so, so sad over this. I found Simple a year and a half ago and was and still am thrilled that there was a scrapbooking group just like me. It inspired me in so many ways, and I am truly going to miss it.

[Antonia B.D.]

Dear Angie:

I will not waste words trying to describe how sad I am. That goes without saying, for you were the first scrapbooking magazine I ever read and the last up to this point. You taught me everything that I wished to know, and thanks to you, I can proudly call myself a scrapbooker.

However, what I wanted to ask was, if the crisis stopped and you got enough requests, would it be possible for Simple Scrapbooks to be up and running on it's own again?

[Jane S.]

I am devastated. I've loved the magazine since it began--still have probably every issue. The only scrapbook magazine I subscribe to and read obsessively several times during the two months between issues. We will miss you and Wendy and Cathy and so many others -- Beth Proudfoot, Rebecca Cooper, Margaret Scarborough, Elisha Snow. Please keep their voices (and pages) alive and present in CK. Also, don't forget the simple albums! There's nothing like it in CK.

[Annie Thompson]

I am SHOCKED, I will miss Simple, I started scrapping about 2 1/2 years ago, working on albums, pages for my grandaughters, and the simple format of Simple was so easy to follow. I also subsribe to CK, so will you let us SS subscriber where you will be in CK.
I truly understand with our economy at the worst, but you will be missed, I look forward to working with your awesome staff in CK. I love the simplicity.
All the BEST to EVERYONE...
Annie Thompson :-)

[EmmaJ]

This is so sad. My subscription to Simple is what changed the way I scrapbook. It made Stacey J one of my top 20 people I would like to meet. I really hope the blog keeps going even after the magazine stops. It would be so great to still have some Simple inspiration.

[Donna C]

I am soooo bummed. I am a charter subber and have really felt like I'm losing a friend. I covet my SS and have even been lucky enough to have met Miss Stacy IRL!! (Totally fascinating and smart and beautiful lady...of course you all knew that!) I truly hope the "Simple philosophy" can be incorporated into CK as with all of the challenges we face in our world, we could all use a little simplifying! I for one have been forced to really USE my stash rather than buy more and it's actually been very fun and increased my creativity! Love to all of you and best of luck to the "front and back" office with your future jobs. It would be fantastic if they would take you all into the fold of CK, but that's just my wishful thinking. Peace.

[Tracie]

Angie I am saddened to hear the news. I love this magazine and enjoy getting it in the mail. I do have a question's though. I just renewed my subscription to Simple Scrapbook in November and I am suppose to get 12 Issues. I already subscribe to Creating Keepsakes and Paper Crafts Magazine as well plus Scrapbooks,Etc. and Memory Makers. What will they do about the remainder subscriptions people have left for the magazines that they are not going to have anymore? Thank you Angie.

[family practice emr]

This is so sad as Simple is one of my favourite magazines.

Kevin