Good-bye, Sister Simple

I'm not quite sure what to write except the Simple truth.

Simple Scrapbooks is closing its doors. Some of its content and its message will be absorbed by Creating Keepsakes, Paper Crafts' sister publication.

Paper Crafts has always been the little sister of Simple Scrapbooks and Creating Keepsakes. We were born 5 years ago, the youngest of the three titles.

Sister publications. I've been using that term for 3 1/2 years now. What does it mean, exactly, to have a sister publication?

Does it mean, like sisters, we fight with each other, in spite of each other, yet always for one other?

Does it mean that we have common parentage with a similar genetic structure and family history?

And yet, does each sister have its own personality, its own set of friends, but nights when it's OK to tag along at the movies?

Does birth order come into the way we play our roles?

Does it mean you can question how much is nature, how much nurture?

If you are sister publications does it mean that sometimes you have to share a bedroom?

When our parents ail, do we band together to take care of them, and will the eldest sister take a leadership role?

Does it mean that sometimes you get to paint each others' nails, roll one anothers' hair, and stay up all night talking about your boyfriends?

When one of us is in trouble, do we wrap our arms around her and find a way to make her whole?

And if that fails, will we grieve and mourn together, creating a stronger bond?

I am missing my sister.

An untimely death. The loss of so much potential. The loss of so many talented people and their livelihoods. The loss of such a creative, engaging product that is so loved.

I am still in shock. Denial is next. Then bargaining, depression, and finally, acceptance.

It's hard to imagine that any of us will ever get to that last one. But I suppose, with time, like it or not, it'll come.

Rest well, sister Simple. Everything about you will be so missed.

Comments

[Ms. Maxwell]

One of your top three BEST posts. Ever.

[Lindsay S.]

Very Sad! I'm so surprised. I really like Simple Scrapbooks. I really enjoyed your post about this. It was very insightful.

[rae]

just horrible. although primarily a card maker, I often turned to Simple Scrapbooks for inspiration. She will be missed.

[Alice Golden]

oh that makes me so sad...I LOVED Simple...I LOVED the new Digital mag too...what if we all promise to get two subscriptions to each? or three? it was always such a good dose of inspiration that it will be awful not to find it sticking out of my mailbox.

[celeste]

the whole situation makes me weepy, and you're post sums it all up perfectly. your thoughts are touching, they're all so lucky to have you as a "sister".

[Kim Kesti]

I'm with Celeste - a little weepy and sad. All last night I was walking around being bummed. It's just doesn't feel right. Great post, Cath!

[teri]

So sad to hear this. My first reaction is, "Oh no. Not them, too."
Please give J a little hug for me next time you see her.
This is happening way too much lately. Behind every publication are so many good people. It breaks my heart for them.
Cath, take care of yourself, too!

[Beth W]

I am speechless. Simple Scrapbooking is my favorite. I cannot understand the thinking behind this decision. Good luck and God bless to all involved. Someone somewhere was not thinking straight.

[Stefanie Hamilton]

so so sad about this. :(

[M2E2G@aol.com]

Yeah, I think I'll be stuck in the depression stage for quite some time. I can't seem to go a day at work without crying. It's just too sad. Too unfair. Too much!

[Eveline van Heijst]

I too am sad at the news. I have a subsription to all 3 magazines, Papercrafts, CK and Simple scrapbooks and I like all 3 but I'll miss the Simple Scrapbooks a lot because it really made scrapbooking simple and that is my style. I'll keep all my issues I have.
Eveline.

[Jennafer]

Thanks, Cath. This is a sweet tribute.