Issue #1
September 30, 2004
The staff of Now What? magazine (human, canine, and feline) welcomes you to the very first issue of our newsletter. As we worked on this issue, we realized it is somewhat similar in content and style to its parent publication, but it has its own personality as well. We hope it will satisfy that “between-meal” hunger while you wait so patiently for each new issue of Now What? (And we are so very grateful for your patience!!)
When I was a child, my favorite character in children’s books and fairy tales was always the wicked stepchild. Behavior those folks considered wicked, I thought spontaneous and exciting. That child was usually the one stepping out of the box and looking for something more interesting. Structure took a back seat to variety.

Well, this newsletter is the wicked stepchild of Now What? magazine.

Like many artist types, I have a drive for perfection and need an outlet for it. That outlet is Now What? Each issue has to be as perfect as it can be before I can let it go into the world.

But, the desire for perfection means that lots of the small, fun stuff gets left out - because it doesn’t “fit” the issue. And, if it sits too long waiting for the right slot, it gets lost - which isn't good either.

So, our wicked stepchild here will have permission to be imperfect - allowed the freedom to become anything it wants - now, and as it grows up. Herein, we will pick up and publish all those loose pieces - hopefully in a manner both interesting and spontaneous.

Your Subscription to Now What? is also your subscription to Whatever. . .Whenever. If you have not Subscribed (it’s free), you will want to do so, because this newsletter will also be the vehicle for some very Special Offers from Cre8it - for our subscribers only.

Now, I know you’re eager to see what this publication is about, so let’s get going . . .
This one’s from Sam’s Club, (Item # 618914 - $8.48) but who knows, Walmart may have it too. It is actually meant for holding a Bible, but I think you will be forgiven if you use it as a great travel case for your journal and journaling supplies. (Lightening has not struck me yet.)

See the zipper tab on the front flap at the top left corner? That opens a pocket the full size of the flap (for collecting ephemera?)

That flap is held in place by velcro and flips up to reveal a zippered compartment (right bottom photo) which is deep enough to hold a few unmounted stamps, acrylic mounts (not the thick, heavy ones, though), and even a stamp pad or two. I have stuck in a Memories Black pad and our Line Block and Picture Frame stamps from the Art Journal Stamp Set - all mounted on Simple Mounts and ready to go. These are the stamps I use most frequently for setting up blank pages.
The interior zippered compartment (above) is deep, with room for lots of stuff. I have some of the Ancient Frames stamps which I use in some layouts, a Perfect Portable Palette in a decorated envelope (left pocket), my Perfect Journal of the moment (right pocket), my whole pouch of Pitt Pens, a water brush and mechanical pencil with eraser, and my passion du jour - my set of lettering stencils (see the article in this issue) and a stencil brush. I am carrying along a multicolor inkpad to use with the stencils - which I stuck in that outside pocket.

This is a great value for $8.48 - just check the outside zipper carefully because I saw a couple that were broken by handling in the store.