Monday afternoon the editors of Digital Scrapbooking Magazine were informed that CKMedia would no longer be publishing Digital Scrapbooking in print and would be looking into other ways to deliver content. (see previous entry or visit digitalscrapbooking.com for details). That meant the staff would be reduced to about nothing (with the exception of Super Woman, Renee Pearson who does so many things - QVC, CKCs, CPRs, Books, Scrapbook Memories and so on - it makes your head spin, and Editor-In-Chief, Jennafer Martin, who also heads up Simple Scrapbooks). For a split second I was shocked and disappointed but just as quickly realized this was the best thing for me at this time in my life. I put the phone on mute and let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding in.

As many of you know, I began the little Digital Scrapbooking magazine back when there were only yearly special issues and a couple of e-zines. I gave it my all and with the help of amazing contributors and supporters, put out a product to be proud of. It grew bigger and bigger until it was too big for a basement production. About the same time, I found out I was expecting child #3 - a baby that had been long-awaited. With that great news, I found a new home for my little Digital Scrapbooking magazine and website and was ready to hand it over and be done with it forever. Lin Sorensen and Lynda Angelastro didn’t let me get off that easy and I will always be grateful to them for that! Although having a baby was a big change for our family, I still needed an outlet. Something to let me escape into sometimes and consulting and contributing to DSM for the first year was perfect! As the second year rolled around they asked me to come on as Creative Editor and I can say it’s been the most fun job I’ve had - ever. Hunting for new and exciting products, trends and techniques, working with great editors like Molly, Renee, Anna, Angie, Pattie and Jen, and great leaders and managers, Lin, Jennafer and Lynda. Learning from amazing photographers like Simony and Brian and art directors like Cathy and Marin. It has all been the best education I could have asked for. I LOVED my job!

Now, Joshua is a little over 2 years old and as nap time dwindles, so does my writing/surfing/research/scrapping time. Something had to give and it seems this was it! It comes at a time when my family needs more of me. I will miss the work because I loved it, but I will relish the time I’ll have to spend with family. I am feeling good about where this has ended for me.

I am, however, sad for the people who will be negatively affected by this and will be thinking of them and hoping they recover quickly. I will also be wishing great things for the readers in the way of new delivery options and substitutions. Digital Scrapbooking won’t die, it will just morph into something else and I hope it’s enough to satisfy the needs of the readers.

As for my digital life, I won’t disappear from the digital community because it’s a huge part of me and it documents the other huge parts of my life. There are many opportunities out there but as they come in I’ll be putting them on a list and stepping back to see if any ’speak to me’ before I jump. I don’t know what I’ll be doing, but I’ll be around. Drop me a line any time!

This is the official statement of CKMedia on the cancellation of the print version of DSM. We just got the news Monday so I haven’t formulated a personal statement yet, but today while Joshua is napping, I’ll try to add my feelings and thoughts.

Notice of Change

Lin Sorenson

Dear CK Media employees, readers, and loyal contributors,

I am saddened to share the news that, due to difficult conditions in both the economy and the publishing market, CK Media has made the decision to cease publication of the print version of Digital Scrapbooking magazine after the February/March issue (on sale Jan 6, 2009).

Although we are discontinuing the magazine, we still believe in, and are committed to, digital scrapbooking as a growing segment of the market. We are evaluating more cost-effective ways to deliver relevant content to our tech-savvy audience, via web site and newsletter as well as possible digital delivery options.

The decision to discontinue the print version of our magazine resulted in a reduction of the editorial staff to two people. Jennafer Martin continues in her role as Editor in Chief for the brand, and Renee Pearson remains as Associate Editor.

Current subscriptions will be honored, and will be filled with CK Media product. More information about subscriptions will be available by the end of December, 2008. Information about subscriptions and other topics will be posted on the web site as information becomes available. After December, if you have questions about your subscription, customer service information will be available at the number listed in the magazine.

As information becomes available, we will provide updates on our web site: www.digitalscrapbooking.com.

Look for the Dec/Jan issue on sale November 11, and the Feb/Mar issue on sale January 6. And thank you all for your loyalty and support. We have enjoyed our association with our loyal community, and we look forward to exploring new ways to share digital scrapbooking ideas with you in the future.

Sincerely,
Lin Sorenson
VP/Editorial Director
CK Media

So, I came across this site (yeah, I was stumbling) where you design your own Keds. How cool is that? DSM is doing a little contest and we’ve had some fun entries! Here’s what I came up with. I had Kelsey in mind when I designed them and when I post photos of her Halloween costume tonight you’ll see why! She’s a little rock star in training! Fun stuff! You can buy the official DSM shoes at ZAZZLE

I usually shoot in auto mode because I get too bogged down with details I lose my creative flow. But somehow my camera was set on [P] the last time I was out and i didn’t even notice. Got home and had RAW files and jpgs. I thought…That’s cool, I’ll adjust the jpgs in PS as usual. BUT, one of the shots was just not looking right and I remembered those RAW files. Opened one up in PS and played with the sliders and got exactly what i was looking for. What a difference! So, my tip for the week (or month or year…whatever) is SHOOT IN RAW! Just do it!

Original shot out of the camera…nice but the colors that were there that day weren’t showing through.

RAW file - adjusted vibrance and temperature. WOW! What a difference! Why didn’t I do this sooner with all the resources I have had at my disposal?? I got lucky this time but now I’ve gotta learn my manual modes.

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Kelsey wants to be Lola for Halloween. Not the showgirl, the side-kick best friend of Hannah Montana who wears crazy bright frilly costumes and wigs with combat boots or high tops. Since we can’t find a tulle skirt in this town for less than $60 we decided that I, who can’t sew, would make one. How do you make a skirt without sewing? Two words…DUCT TAPE! No joke. I saw the pink duct tape and knew I could do it. Folds of tulle between two strips of duct tape! Easy Peasy!

But how to fasten it? Velcro, of course! Thank goodness for smooth surface self-adhesive velcro squares!

It took all of 10 minutes to make and cost about $5.00. She’s thrilled to death and even said “Now I can tell everyone my mom made it.” How cool is that? Now to make a little purse out of the rest of the pink duct tape…

A couple weeks ago i was able to go to Salt Lake and attend a conference of LDS women. There were thousands of women who came to be inspired and encouraged and to feel a common bond. One of the speakers was President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, of the First Presidency of the LDS church. Although his talk was directed toward LDS women, it applies to all women (and really, all people) and I wanted to share a part of it that particularly inspired me.

I sometimes wonder if what I am doing is important. If it’s the best use of my time, if it’s something that has meaning. These words gave me the confidence that not only is creating worth the time spent, it is one of the things I was meant to do. It’s part of who I am. It’s in my nature.

Here is the part of the talk that I particularly loved. religious or not, we can all use a confidence booster!

The Work of Creation
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
(excerpt from LDS.org)

The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.

Everyone can create. You don’t need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty.

Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty—and I am not talking about the process of cleaning the rooms of your teenage children.

You might say, “I’m not the creative type. When I sing, I’m always half a tone above or below the note. I cannot draw a line without a ruler. And the only practical use for my homemade bread is as a paperweight or as a doorstop.”

If that is how you feel, think again, and remember that you are spirit daughters of the most creative Being in the universe. Isn’t it remarkable to think that your very spirits are fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate God? Think about it—your spirit body is a masterpiece, created with a beauty, function, and capacity beyond imagination.

But to what end were we created? We were created with the express purpose and potential of experiencing a fulness of joy. Our birthright—and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth—is to seek and experience eternal happiness. One of the ways we find this is by creating things.

If you are a mother, you participate with God in His work of creation—not only by providing physical bodies for your children but also by teaching and nurturing them. If you are not a mother now, the creative talents you develop will prepare you for that day, in this life or the next.

You may think you don’t have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us. The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter.

What you create doesn’t have to be perfect. So what if the eggs are greasy or the toast is burned? Don’t let fear of failure discourage you. Don’t let the voice of critics paralyze you—whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside.

If you still feel incapable of creating, start small. Try to see how many smiles you can create, write a letter of appreciation, learn a new skill, identify a space and beautify it…

…The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create. That is your opportunity in this life and your destiny in the life to come. Sisters, trust and rely on the Spirit. As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you.