Not happy with the new CK

[scrapperlisa2007]

The last issue with all the products was terrible. It seemed like one giant advertisement of the "latest and greatest" tools. And none of the products had prices! I mean, price ranges arent hard to get and when you are talking about products its a key factor to many of us ladies! Also, they could have and should have showed layouts using the tools they were promoting. That way you could actually "see" what they did. Im a visual person and writing about what a product does means nothing to me when you can actually show a picture of what it does.

Just my 2 cents.
Lisa

[okanogangirl]

uhhhh...I'm not sure if I like or don't like the new format. I do know that I don't feel extremely passionate either way, so I guess that means that it's just fine to me.

Regarding the size of the mag -- that is usually directly related to the number of ads sold. If less ads are sold the mag is smaller...etc....

I haven't seen the product guide so I can't comment on that, but I actually like the ads. They usually inspire me as well, and I love to see the new products coming out.

It's a new format with new editors. I wouldn't cancel your sub yet, give it a little more time to let them figure stuff out. It's what $2 a month, I know I spend A TON more than that one just one coffee a day...something that last like 15 minutes.

[scrappin spice]

I definitely would rather have received a Top Ten issue over the Product Guide. I am so disppointed that CK did not continue with that format for the special edition. Also, if the special edition has to feature products, I would like reviews of the good, better, and best --- like Scrapbook Answers used to do before it was cancelled. Most veteran scrappers already know what products are available, but I would appreciate knowing the quailty or value of these products. I hope that makes sense!

[aylapiper]

I am so glad I am not the only one disappointed with the The Ultimate Product Guide, this is what I wrote in an earlier thread about it - It is just one big advertisement. Personally, I didn't even think it was new or cutting edge stuff either, most of the stuff has been out a while and I didn't really see any new things. I think it would be great for a new scrapper, with all the charts and comparison info, but after scrapping for 8 years I know what I like and why and definitely have my preferences well established. I don't really need to see the difference between cardstocks or pattern papers- they could have at least added pictures of the latest lines from each company, I would have liked to see that...I looked through it within and hour, noted less than a handful of things and it's going out with the recyclables.

I definitely liked the Top 10 issues a lot more- they had inspirational ideas and layouts and actually gave tips and ideas for scrapbooking as well as favorite embellishments and tools-this issue looks like they included pictures of products/tools from the highest ad bidders not their (the big name scrappers) or our (the readers) favorites or must haves- There is only a handful of layouts in the entire thing. I agree with scrapperlisa2007's comment that they should have included layout examples using the tools/products featured as well, that would have been an improvement...Definitely a huge disappointment.

As for the magazine's new format...I am still giving it a chance...I can't say I love or hate at the moment...I don't care for the home decor or altered stuff- but it's OK as long as they keep it to a minimum. I like the main focus to be scrapbooking- layouts, techniques, tips, ideas for using new & old products- for me it does seem to loose the focus with some of the "Life Style" angles the articles take, but late least they usually still include layouts within those articles that I may be able to draw inspiration from. I did notice that as I added layout clippings to my binder last night that there were a lot more from Scrapbooks Etc than from CK, so for me CK has definitely lost some of it's appeal. It does seem thinner too, which is disappointing, but that could be due to ad sales.

Hopefully they take our comments into consideration and continue to revamp the magazine. I have always thought of it as the #1 scrapbooking magazine, it would be a shame to see it slip and die out...

~Beatrice

[Sabrina R.]

i have to say, i loved the january and february mags. they are my favorite CKs to date. that said, the product guide went right in the trash. too bad, cause most of the new stuff has been right up my alley and i truly love the new format.

[avasmama]

I am so happy to hear that there are others feeling the same way. I was starting to feel I was the only one. I can only agree with everything that has been said in other posts. I have been so disapointed with each issue I have recieved so far and hope they see they need to imporve. If it continues this way I will have to let me subscribtion run out! That is so hard for me to say, I have been subscribing for so many years!

[crs16]

I wasn't big on the product guide for several reasons...

1) the comparison charts were in the mag for some things but not others (I agree you should have bonus material online for people to look at, but the mag itself should be standalone), there should've at least been the msrp for each thing listed with the item.

2) I wanted a real comparison of the items...pros vs cons....There have got to be things that are cons about some of the products... I felt like the magazine was one big advertisement. Give us some meat to go with the product guide. X is *good for this use, but in these other cases, not so good*. All we saw was good things about every item.

3) While I don't expect a lot of layouts in a product guide, I did expect an article highlighting some comparisons...for instance letters cut with the wishblade/cricut/silhouette. Show us what these big ticket items can do side by side with all the pros and cons listed. I know you can't do that for every little thing (like adhesive, gosh that would be boring wouldn't it? ) but for these big ticket items that most of us agonize over, it would've been nice.

JMHO

[mrs t]

I have a subscription, but have not received the new product guide in the mail. I did flip thru it at the store, however, and am glad it hasn't come. I would put it right into the recycling bin. I, too, loved the Top 10 Issue and hope they bring it back.

I wondered if I was the only one disappointed in the changes to CK. If I only read thru the mag once, it would probably flow nicely. However, I am the type of scrapper that will keep the mag for about a year, and I refer back to articles every time I scrap. I am having a hard time finding the articles now. I miss some of the features of the old format.

Sorry, CK, for doing this on your site, but I think the feedback might be helpful.

[megmay8]

I don't have much of a problem with the new format in general, but when I read everyone's comments on the special issue that replaced the Top 10 I have to admit I thought it was all very harsh..until I got my copy today. If you're not a true beginner, that magazine is basically nothing but junk. It's no fun to showcase products without LOs using them, and it really wasn't anything new that was featured. Then again, I've never been too impressed with the products section of CK mag, or really any of the scrap mags. I thought the Top 10 issue was great, and apparently so did alot of other readers..so all I've got to say about that is if it ain't broke, don't fix it.