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
this breaks my heart. simple has been a part of my growth as a scrapper. i can trace so much of my ability to the ideas i got out of your magazine. i've made so many friends through this venue, the message boards and the magazine itself. i am truly going to miss this blog and the connection i've had. thank you to everyone at simple for all the good times. this will take a while to digest. i'm sorry. i will look forward with a great amount of hope that CK will be able to carry out what they are trying to do by bringing simple back in. i'm sorry angie.
Posted by: emily pitts | January 15, 2009 at 04:53 PM
I really, really hope that the SS presence online remains a force...it'll sort of make up for the loss of it all.
Gosh, this is making me so sad! You guys have done such a wonderful job over the years.
Posted by: Joy | January 15, 2009 at 05:01 PM
Never mind. I just read the post below this one. Sorry :oP
Posted by: Me | January 15, 2009 at 05:03 PM
I'm so terribly sad. I remember reading the very first issue of Simple, and having that feeling that I had found what I was looking for.
Everyone in the office: you guys are awesome, and I will miss working with you all!
Posted by: Linda Barber | January 15, 2009 at 05:05 PM
This is really sad news. Simple is simply the best scrapping magazine. Your philosophy is what scrapping is all about in my eyes!
I guess it does make sense in these tough times. I hope the simple ideal doesn't get lost in CK because for us 'simple' girls its about the words and pictures not the products!!
I am really glad my special album will appear in one of the last issues!
At least I can keep in touch with all the simple gals through their blogs!
Thanks for everything to EVERYONE at Simple...you will be missed heaps!!
Posted by: Diane | January 15, 2009 at 05:06 PM
I too am very, very saddened by this news. This magazine has been such a big part of my family. I'm sad for my sister who has said more than once that picking up Simple was a life changing experience for her and I'm sad for me because in turn it became a life changing experience for me too. Thank you all for working so hard and for letting me be a part of it a few times. And thanks for all the inspiration.
Posted by: marie taylor | January 15, 2009 at 05:23 PM
Angie, you are such a classy lady. I know this must be a difficult time for you. I am so grateful for Simple - for being published, as it led to the creation of my business - and for the inspiration and comfort it has offered so many readers - making scrapbooking accessible and fun. Thank you for being part of something so important. Hugs!
Posted by: Rachel | January 15, 2009 at 05:27 PM
No. Please say it isn't so. Simple is the one scrapbooking magazine that is HOME to me. All the other magazines, I can take or leave, but Simple Scrapbooks speaks to me and what I want to accomplish as a scrapbooker. Simple and all of you lovely people associated with it have helped me find my voice as a scrapbooker. I am incredibly sad today.
Posted by: Michelle | January 15, 2009 at 05:31 PM
Simple has become my most cherished magazine. I look forward to each and every issue. I am sad beyond words.
Posted by: allison Gottlieb | January 15, 2009 at 05:36 PM
I am so sad to hear this news. SS is my favorite of all the magazines out there.
Posted by: Yvette | January 15, 2009 at 05:39 PM
I'm so sad about this, Angie. I love Simple and everything about it. Thank you so much for everything.
Posted by: Erin | January 15, 2009 at 05:42 PM
This is so sad. I love this magazine...and everyone involved. Thank you for the inspiration over the years!
Posted by: Dawn | January 15, 2009 at 05:44 PM
This is sad, sad news. I've always loved Simple. So sad. :(
Posted by: *Paula* | January 15, 2009 at 05:44 PM
Sad to hear, especially after we just lost Digital Scrapbooking Magazine.
I still haven't heard anything about a refund on my Digital Scrapbooking mag, I'm really hoping we all see some money back.
Posted by: Tara | January 15, 2009 at 05:46 PM
NO!! After paying $15 a magazine here in Australia, we're about to move to Oregon, USA. I have just a couple of days ago bought a subscription so I can finally get my favourite magazine. I wonder what will happen to my subscription now?
Posted by: Rochelle Bell | January 15, 2009 at 05:50 PM
wow, as a subscriber to both this is the your was the one I acctually read cover to cover - the other get too showy and some of their l/o's have much more time than I have-that's why simple was so great I could relate-hopefully you will not be lost in the covers of ck. Thanks and best wishes to all.
Posted by: Mary F | January 15, 2009 at 05:52 PM
What a loss. I feel so sad. I'm glad to hear many of you will continue with CK.
Posted by: Marcie Howe | January 15, 2009 at 05:57 PM
I am SO sad. The main CK magazine just doesn't speak to me....which is why I was an early subscriber to SS. This is a great loss in the scrapbook community as the trend seems to be to get more and more detailed pages.
Posted by: Jill Pugh | January 15, 2009 at 06:04 PM
I'm so, so sad to read this.
SS has been such an inspiration to me for years, now.
Posted by: Sarah | January 15, 2009 at 06:05 PM
I am stunned... SS is the only subscription I hold as it was so how I scrapped.
All the best to everyone involved with SS and may you all have continued success in whatever new ventures you undertake.
Posted by: Betty | January 15, 2009 at 06:06 PM
I feel so sad about this! SS has always been one of my favorite mags. Read my blog post at http://mcastrillo.blogspot.com. :-(
Posted by: Mia Castrillo | January 15, 2009 at 06:09 PM
Wow. I'm so sorry to hear this. I love Simple, it was like a breath of fresh air. I hope everyone on the talented staff finds a new home at CK and keeps the simple style alive and well!
Posted by: KathyT | January 15, 2009 at 06:15 PM
I am just so sad.
and shocked
and sad.
What am I to do??
I LOVE YOU GUYS!!
I'm so sad.
Thanks for all the wonderful work and inspiration in all your mags/special editions etc. YOU GUYS ROCK!
Posted by: Dawn Ramkissoon (rn4jchrist) | January 15, 2009 at 06:15 PM
i am so surprised and sad! i actually felt a bang in my heart when i read this. Bam! i love this magazine, it's been my favorite one since it started. i look forward to re-introducing CK to the Simple style. i'll be on the lookout to make sure it's represented well. Thank you for all your wonderful work. i've enjoyed SS immensely.
Posted by: Amy | January 15, 2009 at 06:15 PM
Wow. Sad news. I've enjoyed it from the start and I'm sad to see it go because as others said, it was the first mag that really fit me. Best wishes to all of the staff as you go on to new ventures. I've kept all my issues and I know they will continue to give me endless inspiration but I've always looked forward to new issues to keep fresh. Now I'll return to CK and look for you there. Thanks again for all the years.
Posted by: Becky N. | January 15, 2009 at 06:18 PM