Just one more issue
By now many of you have heard the news that the next issue of Scrapbook Inspirations will be the last, as it was announced late last week. Perhaps I hadn’t said anything here just yet because I was in a bit of denial. But also because it was admittedly quite difficult to read speculation from others as to how this happened, why this happened, how long it had been happening. It is very difficult to see speculation from the other side, when part of you wants to say ‘No, really, that’s not how it worked’ but really the end result is the same: after the Christmas issue, there will be no regular, monthly issue. I’ve worked on this magazine since issue two, and over the past few years have done more work behind the scenes, so inevitably it has been very sad news.
In a way, coming to work for SI came from a similar experience, going away with some scrapping friends for a weekend having just learned of the end of Scrapbooking Memories and More, a magazine we had worked on back when things like that were really in their infancy in the UK. We had all been upset about it individually and by the time we headed home, we had banded together in hopes of working together on something, somewhere. And SI gave us that opportunity and trusted us with ideas that went from silly conversations and rough pencil sketches into real articles. Sixty issues later, that is still a magical feeling for me. Working with that team always had energy and creativity and I loved seeing how we would each interpret a single idea.
It has also been lovely working with new scrappers, and recently new team members, as the hobby took a step in a new direction earlier this year and we were able to see new styles evolving from British scrappers. I know these ladies will continue to be inspiring crafters, even if I don’t have that little glee of seeing their work before it goes to press.
And please indulge me as I must say a huge public thank you to Rosie, Cara and Jane, our editors. These girls are amazing and I am so sorry that such amazing people are now faced with the upheaval that comes with the end of a job. Jane, our art editor, needs a medal just for not killing me, as I often send her notes like ‘I know this article was supposed to have three layouts but now it has five. Ummmm. Sorry.’ or ‘I dropped an ink pad on this layout at the last minute. Can you fix it?’ and I would completely expect her to call me every name in the book and just refuse to make the changes, but presto, it would have all five layouts and no scary ink pad evidence, beautifully and without any swearing that I ever heard. Cara is an organisational goddess, and I have never known anyone to be so calm with changes and short deadlines. If I were her, there would have been many times I would have shouted at me for leaving things close to the deadline (ahem, I am deadline motivated, but that is an entirely different discussion) but nope, she always had everything under control. And Rosie, well, Rosie is so awesome I have no words right now. And if I did, we would both get really upset to the point that it wouldn’t be pretty in any way, so let’s just say for now that I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with her and now I’m going to try to end this paragraph really quickly before I lose it.
Less than two weeks ago, we drafted the entire 2010 editorial calendar. There is so much stuff on there that makes me excited. Here’s to hoping it finds its place, even if it’s not where we first thought.
xlovesx
Read more about: scrapbook-inspirations-magazine
Next post: Last minute Hybrid Halloween Party
Previous post: Zooming out
26 October 2009, 05:51
I am so sorry to read about this. I don’t think it is any one persons fault, it is a sign of the times. Most all the scrap booking magazines in the US are now gone too.
Hope you can all work together again soon Shimelle
26 October 2009, 05:52
Totally understand! You’ve been part of something amazing and I’ve been so proud to be even a little part of that. It’s a sad thing. You guys all made something unique – and I can’t wait to see what you each do next!
26 October 2009, 05:55
OHHHHHH NOOOOOO – I spend the whole month looking forward to the next issue and then going back over them to find ideas. I am sooo sad
26 October 2009, 06:06
Aaaaw, much much love and many hugs to you X
26 October 2009, 06:26
completely gutted x
26 October 2009, 06:33
I’m completely gutted too, I have all the issues and still remember how excited I was when reading issue 1. x
26 October 2009, 06:44
I’m so disappointed to hear this – I’m a subscriber but I didn’t know. I have got used to the excitement of opening a a new issue. Good luck to all of you with whatever comes next
26 October 2009, 06:46
It’s a shame that SI is closing, but tbh I thought it had already gone as I haven’t seen it in any shops for months now – that’s most major supermarkets, WHS, and even Borders (though I admit I only get there very occasionally)
If it’s not on the shelves where people buy magazines it won’t get bought!!
I have travelled a lot recently & would have loved a scrapping mag to take with me on each occasion – but I could never find one :(
26 October 2009, 06:55
So Sorry Shimelle, such sad news and I was really looking forward to the new changes. Thank for the opportunity for seeing my work in print an I am so sure we will see your work again on a newstand pretty soon!
Goodluck.(New email addy-can’t get into my old one)!
rachelltanner@btinternet.com
Rachelx
26 October 2009, 06:59
I had heard but was also in denial. I’m so sorry about it, particularly for those who work(ed) on the magazine. I shall look out for the book-a-zines as they happen, but I shall really miss the monthly issues – I’m a subscriber too. No speculation from me, just lots of sorrow and sympathy x
26 October 2009, 08:54
Sooo sad :( Love the magazine and will miss looking out for it monthly
26 October 2009, 09:10
SS about the change.. Hugs
26 October 2009, 09:12
Oh, nooo! I’m a subscriber and I had no idea. I will miss the little shiver of excitement when my new issue arrived.
Love and hugs to all involved, and good luck to all of you for your new endevours.
26 October 2009, 09:52
So sad…as a subscriber really looked forward to each issue.
26 October 2009, 10:41
I am so sorry to hear this, Shimelle. When my daughter was in England, I made her bring me back an issue, and have pressed her English roommate into service to deliver an issue or two since then. It was nice to have a different perspective on our obsession….
Better go email my sister and see if she can pick me up the last issue when she passes thru London on her return from Africa in a couple of weeks…
k8
26 October 2009, 10:47
Such sad news! So sorry to hear it.
26 October 2009, 10:49
Oh that is very sad news Shimelle. I always made sure I got a copy when I was in the UK. I even had it sent over to Dubai for a while. It was my favourite of all the scrappy magazines too.
26 October 2009, 10:56
So sorry to hear the news. I too am a subscriber, I had no idea that the end was nigh. Good luck to you all in the future.
26 October 2009, 11:11
Oh I feel your sadness and I know you will recover, but allow yourself time to grieve the loss.
26 October 2009, 11:51
I’m a subscriber too and I had no idea! I’m so sad about this – since I started subscribing about this time last year, its completely changed my scrapbooking for the better through lots of inspiration and ideas.It also made me feel like part of a community, especially as I know no-one else that scrapbooks.
26 October 2009, 11:53
oh no! Not another wonderful magazine. So sorry, Shimelle!
26 October 2009, 13:08
Wow!! I had no idea, that is so pants. I loved receiving my copy every month. So sorry :(
26 October 2009, 14:02
so sorry….this is awful news :( love SI and a hole will be left in my month now
26 October 2009, 14:20
Absolutely gutted to hear this especially for everyone who worked there, SI will be missed terribly by all and a big good luck for you all for the future.
Also a bit sad for myself cos my dream was to work for SI as a desiner and I’d been trying to get my work printed. :(
26 October 2009, 14:56
I can’t believe another scrapbooking magazine is going. I’m going to miss SI. Here’s to looking forward, new mags, new opportunities, new ideas. All the best to you all and thank you for your work. x
26 October 2009, 15:11
i am sad to see another british magazine go under :(
Hugs anna x
26 October 2009, 16:03
I was really sad when I heard the news. So sorry for everyone involved with the mag.
26 October 2009, 16:06
While I’m not as famailar with this magazine, I get that it stinks. Although I can’t imagine at the same time… sorry to hear that!
26 October 2009, 16:24
I too am sad to hear of the demise of my favourite scrapping magazine. Thank you everyone involved for all of the wonderful work and inspiration. My best wishes to all in the future.
26 October 2009, 17:13
It was through SI that I got to know you existed! You became one of my fave scrappers through that mag & I started subscribing. Now I have just paid a lot of money for my new subscription to come from the UK to South Africa. Are we going to be compensated? I do not want any other magazine from the same group – just a refund. I thought scrapping was going from strength to strength in the UK & SI costs me a lot more than CK from USA. Oh dear… Anyway, you did a wonderful job there so I am sorry for you (and me!) ;-(
26 October 2009, 18:00
Oh no :( I loved SI. It really helped me to get started in the scrapbooking world and I’ll miss going to buy it every month. I can’t believe it, so soon after introducing the new design team!
Anyway, love and best wishes to everyone involed, and thank you for the inspiration :)
26 October 2009, 18:04
oh know, i’m new to this malary and only discovered the mag last month have been eagaly awaiting this months edition, have planned to use a few of the card ideas / templates and adapt them for myy JYC!!! wil defo have to get this last edition xxx
26 October 2009, 18:41
I’m really sorry about this. Had read about it on UKS too, so sad. I will keep following your blog. Best wishes. x
27 October 2009, 06:02
I really looked forward to getting each issue of Scrapbook Inspirations, and am very sad that next month’s will be the last. You’ve been such an inspiration, Shimelle, and I’m looking forward to following your blog, and whatever publication you pursue in the future!
27 October 2009, 08:23
Oh that’s really sad news. I think it’s by far the best scrapping magazine out there, I’ll really miss it.
27 October 2009, 09:05
noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!
I cant believe it!!! this is my favourite magazine ever and you are my favourite designer ever! Oh shimelle how awful
29 October 2009, 08:38
OMG … I too am a subscriber who had absolutely no idea it was finishing!! I cannot believe it, it is such a fab mag and there really is nothing else to compare to it! I will miss it – best wishes to everyone who worked on it! xx
29 October 2009, 14:43
Jane, ex Art Editor here. Thank you for your generous comments Shimelle. It was always a pleasure to work with your fabulous funky layouts! And a big thank you to all the people who have commented on Shimelle’s post. It means a lot to us all on the team that we were so appreciated. We really had no idea the closure was coming and I am still in shock at losing the best job I ever had, working with the best team of women. J x
1 November 2009, 09:13
Devastated… in my opinion it has been the best of the scrapbooking magazines by far… let us know if you start submitting regularly to another and I’ll force myself to try it. Best wishes to all contributors xxx
4 November 2009, 05:26
Honestly I was bummed when I heard this .. especially since heck I am going to be there for the next 4 yrs and I was so looking forward to getting this .. ugh. Sorry for you girl .. keep smiling or try to
4 November 2009, 18:21
I too understand the changing atmosphere of scrapbooking. We will each continue to do our part on our own now. Great publications have helped to keep scrapbooking a creative favorite. Trends do change and creative innovative people change with the times. Sorry to lose such great magazines in the process, however I too am looking forward to the future.
7 November 2009, 00:52
Ohh no, not another magazine bites the dust! I cannot believe it. And they had brought on board a lot more designers as well. GLA Shimelle I hope you find something else. I know set up your own!!
13 November 2009, 07:06
I’m completely gutted about this. I haven’t stopped by here for a while and didn’t realise this until I got a letter from Future Publishing. It’s my 2nd sub to disappear – my first was Family Circle -and it seems that there’s little space for mags without celeb gossip!