Not happy with the new CK

[1scrappyfirefighter]

I mostly agree with everyone here. I actually thought to myself when I got the Jan issue out of the mailbox, "Where did the rest of my magazine go?" It was so thin.

I am also having trouble getting the flow of it. I go through it several times, but it just seems to run together, nothing stands out or it's choppy or something. I can't put my finger on it but it leaves me feeling confused.

I too don't dog ear as many pages as I used to.

JMHO,
Lisa

[the scrapaddict]

I totally agree with Alina, that brought up some excellent points. She pointed out everything I couldn't remember that is wrong with the magazine lately. There is too much focus on altered art, too many articles that aren't relevant, such as how you met your spouse, and another one she mentioned. That is the kind of stuff that takes up room and focus away from many of the talented artists that are out there with wonderful layouts. I looked through a BHG scrapbooks etc. today, and I wasn't sure what they did differently, but I enjoyed it.... maybe CK could definitely take some pointers from them.

[thedding]

i didn't think I would like the new format but it's growing on me.
For starters:

I really enjoy the "latest and Greatest" -I live in a small town and it helps keep me up on whats new.
The "creative life" and "computer tricks get me to thinking in other directions
"how we create" is a fun way to get storage ideas of what others are doing.
"Studio A is very cool. Although I may not like the styles, it get me creating something in MY style.
I have really enjoyed "cd's playground" with cool tips and techs to get me to try and "hot spot" is pretty cool about what's happening out there.

What I wish was different:
I wish the LO'- at least some- were larger.
I wish there were MORE lo's (I miss all the pages of ideas)
I wish there were not SO many ads - it seems like they are multiplying

One trend I do like...CK printing more LO's with an eclectic or collage style.

[alisonm]

I too was disappointed in the supplement, it did seem to gear towards newbies, but.... there are newbies out there and a magazine has to attract new subscribers. It would have been great if they had done a pro and con format.

As for the magazine, overall it's O.K. I miss the defined sections. I had to go looking for Ali E this month! And yes, the LO's are too small! So, let's hope for more in the future. Alison

[AmyC65]

I just received the Special Issue too. In the on-line printing section, it indicates you can obtain a 12x12 print from Shutterfly and pick it up at Target. This is incorrect. I called Target and Shutterfly and both confirmed you cannot pick up a 12x12 print at Target. Shutterfly will ship a 12x12 direct to the customer but the shipping is over $6.00.
This year is the first time I've subscribed to CK and I am disappointed. I was hoping there would be more tips and techniques instead of just advertisements.

[DeanaG73]

I quit subscribing a couple years ago. I used to occasionally pick up a copy in the store, but havn't picked one up since last march.

[forestsister]

i've only seen jan & feb so far (haven't gotten mar or the special issue)...

the move to a lifestyle magazine rather than an industry-focussed scrapbooking magazine can only be to hook more people into the hobby - that 20-something market, i'm sure, is a huge target. regretfully, it leaves the rest of us cold because it doesn't fill the need to be cutting edge with product and technique.

my biggest dislike is the 30-words-or-less sound bites clumped together as a feature or article... i save those kinds of magazines for the hairdresser or doctor's office, i don't BUY them...

i'm hoping CK can ramp up their advertisers so that they can start putting some actual LAYOUTS back in the book! keep in mind, magazines work 6 months in advance, so it might take a while for CK to find its feet again.

i miss all the good layouts. i guess that's mostly what i'm trying to say!

[Angela V]

The Ultimate Products Guide was a waste. I don't have much money to spend on scrapbooking supplies. This is a magazine I would NEVER buy off of a rack. There is nothing in there for me.

I have enjoyed the Top Ten and can't understand why they would ditch it for this?

I have also not been liking CK lately. I used to like a lot. But it's becoming more of what I don't like.

I also don't agree on the they got rid of the big pictures of Ali and other scrap celebs. Instead like on page 62 of Feb issue we get a big picture of a chair with Valentine stuff on it. Page 63 has the write up for Scrapbook your Passion Today. Why do we need so much space wasted? And yes, it's so hard to read what's on the layouts.

My sub ends in Sept. As of this moment I am not renewing. I first received an issue of CK in 2004 as a RAK. That issue got me to subscribe.

[ScrapsofOz]

Wow! I was pretty suprised when I checked back to see how many people were also discouraged with the "new" CK. I, too, really hated to "dis" the magazine on their own website because I truly appreciate what the CK gang has done for scrapbooking. I must have been the odd one out on the poll, because I really liked "Easy Patterns". I also liked the organization articles, but would have liked them a little more if they had shown actual scrapbooker's rooms, as opposed to just individual products. I also subscribe to "Simple Scrapbooks" and BHG's "Scrapbooks, etc.". I got the later because a friend's child was selling subscriptions for school and I had to buy SOMETHING, BUT I am starting to like it better than CK . This sort of bums me out. I am also a card maker and into altered art and the CK articles on this are alright, but not really my style. I think Sommerset Studio's magazines do a much better job with the cards and altered arty stuff. Overall, I think the new format looks really bland -- the reason why this is I can't quite pin-point. I'm not a big computer scrapper and just recently went digital. I still do most of my journaling by hand -- so a lot of the computer/camera stuff is lost on me. (I fear I am showing my age!) The other thing I am not real crazy about are the amount of little albums they are showing. I do smaller ones, but am a 12"X12" scrapper and do not find small albums very interesting. Especially when they come in kits and most of the thinking has been done by the manufacturer. I was hoping maybe it was just a couple issues and that CK was just in a little slump, but the "Product Guide" pushed me over the edge. I still love CK -- I just hope they are willing to listen to constructive criticism.
Thanks for letting me post!

[jodster]

I was not impressed at all with the special issue- these were things that have been there done-that.
Its funny this thread started- I was at my local store buying the Scrap trends mag ( which I do monthly). To of the girls there asked me what my favorites are. I was reluctant but said Scrap trends and Scrap ect. I told them that I have been with CK from issue 1 and just feel its focus has been lost. I am not connecting with it and bearly find 1 article to read in full or 1-2 to scrap lift. I am getting more from the adds. These two people said they were not renewing.. I was in awe and said seriously.. they said their favorites were mine- as layouts and articles more for everyday scrappers. I shared I have this loyalty to CK - and which I had enought guts to not subscribe.
CK here our plea- get back to practical layouts about events, relationships. Stop the "Me" articles and the picture of the coffee cup articles!