I remember back in the early 1990s as a young professional working woman, my fellow co-workers were using handheld computerized calendars to schedule their appointments.  It took me a very long time to get to this point, and it will probably take a little while longer; however, I have definitely moved into this digital age we all live in.  

It all began with the iPhone (second version) I got several years ago, and I am still using it!  I still believe the iPhone was the best thing I ever bought.  Though, I think Apple will eventually force me to upgrade that phone since I cannot put iOS 5 on it or use iCloud.  But I am fine with that.  I also have the original iPad.  We had a slower start to our relationship but now, I love it just as much as my iPhone.  

While I only had the iPhone, I downloaded the Kindle app and would read books on that teeny tiny screen.  Then came along the iPad and WOW!!!  Now I am hooked to digital magazines and love the fact that I can easily subscribe to magazines from around the world.  

Apple's Newsstand app is very nice, but I recently discovered Zinio, which also allows you to read magazines on your computer as well.  I believe Zinio has a lot more magazines and it is a lot easier to navigate to find or browse what you are looking for.  On either of these applications, you can purchase a yearly subscription to magazines or just test out one issue.  Oh, Zinio recently gave me a $25 gift credit just for signing up.  I haven't seen a gift from Apple yet.  The subscription come directly to you, so you don't have to do any extra work to get your new subscription.

So, I began my first digital magazine subscription with Quilting Arts, and I really liked it, but now I will renew my subscription through either Newsstand or Zinio because of the ease of accessing each magazine, especially on the iPad.  So my original subscription to Quilting Arts.  Each time a new magazine is released, Quilting Arts sent me an email message.  I had to visit their site, log-in and download the magazine.  Then I had to save it to iBooks and could easily read it without having to go back to the website and log-in.  The downfall of reading the magazine in iBooks meant that I could not click on an advertiser and visit their site or listen to a recorded interview, etc.

The first magazine I read using Newsstand was the premier Martha Stuart Living and OMG was this ever a beautiful magazine.  So interactive, so entertaining...just wonderful.

After the release of iOS 5 on Apple, the Newsstand app was greatly enhanced and they add new magazines each day.  Now I could get myself into trouble very easily because I scour the new magazines like almost daily to see if there is something that interests me.  This could be very dangerous!!!

There are several quilting and sewing magazines available through either Newsstand and Zinio.  I was quite impressed with how many magazines are published in other countries.  

So, I decided to take my digital experience to another level.  I visited the public library's website and borrowed a downloadable book.  Quite an interesting experience.  I browsed for a book to try out.  Once I found one, I followed the buttons to check out the book.  I had to sign in to my library account and log into my Amazon account, and BOOM!  the book appeared on my iPad instantly!  The downside is that I did not see hardly any sewing or quilting books.  Apparently each library has 'X' amount of digital copies that can be loaned out.  But the same principles apply, you simply put a "hold" request on the book, enter in your email address and you will be notified when your digital book is available for download.  

So this whole digital magazine & book experience makes me wish that I could have all my books available electronically.  Depending on the forum, there are some downsides.  For example, find out if you receive all the content available in the physical magazine.  Generally, there is a disclaimer.  Secondly, if you do get all of that content, will you be able to print out any patterns?  Sometimes you can email a page or open it up in another forum.  I admit I am still learning.

The American Sewing Guild's Notions magazine (which is included in your membership) is also available for digital download and you receive a hard copy in the mail.

I know how much we all love to touch and feel something, but I think the photos are second to none and you can zoom in on them and see many more details.

Have fun ~ Sew Long!