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

[Jennifer Larson]

How sad. I have loved your magazine for its timelessness. I am glad it will still continue in its albeit small venue as a part of CK.

[melanie louette]

Angie~
I love you guys, and was so, so deeply saddened to hear this news. Simple was the first scrapping magazine that ever felt 'right' to me, and I will miss it immensely. I hope there will still be a niche for us simple scrappers in the new CK.

Thank you all for making Simple a truly great magazine, and for the pleasure of working with you this past year. I'm one of the lucky ones. :)
Sending all of the SS staff a huge cyber hug- I wish all of you the best of luck on this new path.

[Tina Cockburn]

I'm still speechless. Which is saying a lot for me.

Hugs to you all.

[Stephanie Klauck]

I have loved Simple since I started scrapbooking and I am so sad to hear this news.
I have enjoyed working with all of you so much and I look forward to seeing you all in what promises to be a great CK - how can it not with all of you on board?!?
Best of luck to all of you, and more importantly - Thank you! Thank you for all of the inspiration, the stories and for making us all feel like a part of the Simple team. :-)

[Tiffany N]

I am sad to lose my favorite magazine but thrilled that it won't actually be lost. I look forward to the Simple content in CK. I know transitions are sometimes very challenging, and I wish you and all the Simple team the best of luck in handling it all. We are rooting for you.
P.S. Thank you for the years of inspiration and ideas. My family has really benefited from Simple Scrapbooks.

[Susan]

Really, really sad news. However, as a subscriber of both mags, I am happy to hear the content will be rolled into CK. I hope you are right ... this will be the end of the beginning of many new wonderful things.

[Susy]

Wow, I'm in shock at this sad news. Thank you to simple for all the great ideas and inspiration over the years. I will miss a scrapbooking magazine that I can actually read as well as look at the great designs. I hope CK carry you well and remain faithful to the simple way of doing things.
Cheers

[katie scott]

Angie - I think you may know this already, but I absolutely love all that is Simple Scrapbooks, the people, the philosophy and the magazine. I think of the Simple Blog as my own little coffee break friend. I have completely enjoyed my time as a Simple Scrapbooks Fan and have learned so much about scrapbooking and life and everyday gratitude and making connnections about my life. Overall Simple has been a huge positive force in my life for the past few years. I am so thrilled that I reached my goal of having a layout in Simple - mine will be in the March/April issue. I will really miss Simple and will look for you in Creating Keepsakes and in special issues. Thank you Simple Scrapbooks.

[Melissa Kaiserman]

So, so, so sad. As someone on a budget and needing to choose just one, SS is the only scrapbooking mag subscription I've ever purchased. It just fits. I really hope we'll see its whole philosophy & approach clearly infused into CK.

Hugs to you, Angie, and to the rest of the staff.

[katie scott]

I love Simple and have felt so fortunate to be a Simple Fan and want you to know what a positive effect Simple has had on my life. For everyone involved in the magazine - you all are awesome! Good Luck. I will so miss this magazine!

[katie scott]

sorry for the double I didn't think the first one went through. but ps. I love you guys.

[marnie]

thank you angie for the update and for years of a great magazine. thank you jennafer, wendy, jen, cathy, and carolyn, for all that you do to provide us with a magazine that is instructional, inspirational, and just darn good fun. i look forward to seeing the new and improved ck! Simple is not just a great magazine, but an exceptional life philosophy. Thank you Stacy for creating such an amazing community - I can say without reservation or exaggeration that Simple has changed my life. thank you. i cannot say it enough.

[Monica]

All I can say is that I'm heartbroken right now. Yeah, that's all I have in me. And I MUST go get my SIMPLE gear at Cafe Press. big sigh

[Kristin]

oh my! I'm so sorry! Sorry for all of you who work so hard at my FAVORITE magazine and sorry for myself that I won't be reading you for years to come! Thank you so much for the years we had you!

[Joan]

Wow! What a loss to the scrapbooking community, that the voice of "simple" scrapbooking isn't going to have it's own vehicle. I truly hope the transition into CK allows for those who are dedicated to the "simple" principles to continue to have their vision supported. Thank you to you and the staff at Simple Scrapbooks for all the gifts and talents you have shared with us. I will miss this magazine immensely.

[Holly A. Moss]

No, please. What will I do without you all?

[Barb]

Oh Angie, I am so sad for you and the rest of the Simple team. You guys poured your heart and soul into every single issue, and it showed. I'm glad to hear that Simple will live on within the covers of CK... and I'll be sure to keep on reading and supporting the magazine and gleaning inspiration from my favourite Simple peeps. Thank you, thank you, a million thank yous for all the great ideas you've provided over the years.

[JWinks]

I feel like I have lost a friend :(
I know with you there Angie (plus Cathy, Wendy & Stacy), CK will only become that much better by including the Simple philosophy.
Thank you to everyone whose blood, sweat, tears and inspiration went into every single publication.
You will be missed...
-Jody

[Karen Peterson]

What a bummer as SS is my favorite of the magazines. The really disappointing thing is that I called the customer service number to inquire about my subscription and the personnel there don't even know about this and are still accepting subscriptions and renewals, wow!

[Paula]

NO NO NO!!!! This is devastating - Simple Scrapbooks has been with me my whole scrapping journey and is the only magazine I ever turn to. It is also the only magazine I have ever kept and still have every single issue right from the first.

WHAAAAAAAAA Such a sad, sad day :((

[AnnC]

Thank you Angie and the entire SS team for years of inspiration. SS completely changed the way I scrap...I'm absolutely devastated that it is coming to an end and cautiously hopeful that the spirit and philosophy of SS will live strong and prosper as a part of CK. Hugs to everyone...it's been a pleasure to work with you and hopefully our paths will cross again.

[Celeste]

I feel compelled to leave a comment, but I can't express to you how I'm feeling. Just know that I love you guys and I'm just hoping for the best for you. And thank you for everything.

[jeanne]

So very saddened about this. Both magazines are the best quality and value out there.

[Mary Rogers]

I am just so sad - first Digital Scrapbooking and Simple..but i completely understand.

thanks so all that you have done to inspire me to be creative.

[me]

What will happen to the balance of our subscriptions? Will we be given subs to CK to fulfill our subs with SS? If we already sub to both mags, will it be added to our CK sub?

I am so sad about this. I love this mag. One of my faves.