If you are using an online mail client such as GMail, you will find the newsletter far more enjoyable to read if you view it online.
You can find it here:
http://www.scrapgirls.com/NL/Chit_Chat_080623_Mon_Valerie.htm
Scrap Girls Chit Chat Newsletter
home boutique messageboard gallery chat room university blog about us
Digital Scrapbooking News
Cute Stuff

Computer scrapbook layout by Pat Bowman

“Published” layout by Pat Bowman
larger view

Directions for one technique I did on this layout:

I wanted to use "BMU_CityPark_Paper_12x12_Art&Love.jpg" for my background paper because of the typography. However, I didn’t want the words to be quite so bright. To tone these down and give a little more texture to this already beautiful paper, I placed "BMU_CityPark_Paper_12x12_Linen.jpg" on a layer below. Then I selected my layer with "BMU_CityPark_Paper_12x12_Art&Love.jpg" and lowered the Opacity to 50% to get just the look I was after.

City Park Collection Biggie Shabby Fabulous Collection Biggie Frame Clusters Embellishments
ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Woven Whatnots Brush Set: Brag Book Word Art Biggie Brush Set: Grungy Brackets Journaling Blocks
Brush Set: Oodles of Doodles: Frames Brush Set: Paint Stroke Altered Art Collection Biggie
  AMC_Friendly Font  
Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Woven Whatnots, Brush Set: Grungy Brackets Journaling Blocks, Brush Set: Oodles of Doodles: Frames, Brush Set: Paint Stroke and AMC_Friendly Font are also available.

Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS3

Name of challenge: Accomplishments

Journaling: For years, I have "oohed" and "aahed" over layouts published in scrapbooking magazines, and wished I could be among the published. One of my all-time favorite magazines has been Somerset Memories, formerly known as Legacy. I have also been a famous procrastinator and have not submitted until I became a member of the Scrap Girls Layout Artist team. It is one of the requirements that we submit layouts for publication in magazines every month. I was so excited when this layout was accepted by Somerset Memories. What a dream come true!

---

Computer scrapbook layout by Launa Valente

“Country Cowboy Church” layout by Launa Valente
larger view

Directions for one technique I did on this layout:

To make my journaling look a little more like it was actually typed on the card, I reduced the Opacity of my type layer to 85% so you could see some of the texture of the card through the type.

City Park Collection Biggie French Market Embellishment Mini Up at the Villa Embellishments Biggie
Assemble Your Own Zoom Pages: Up at the Villa Avalon Embellishment Biggie Sew Simple Buttons, Thread, Hooks & Eyes Embellishment Mini
Extra - Tape Embellishment ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Swirls and Pearls ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Woven Whatnots
ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Curled Edges ScrapSimple Tools - Shapes: Journal 2101 ScrapSimple Layer Your Own Brushes: Slipped Stitches Biggie
ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Inked Edges 1801 Mini ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Stitching And Hole 4101 Mini ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Sanded Edge 6301
  ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: News 4901  
Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Swirls and Pearls, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Woven Whatnots, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Curled Edges, ScrapSimple Tools - Shapes: Journal 2101, ScrapSimple Layer Your Own Brushes: Slipped Stitches Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Inked Edges 1801 Mini, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Stitching And Hole 4101 Mini, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Sanded Edge 6301 and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: News 4901 are also available.

Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS3

Name of challenge: Accomplishments

---

Computer scrapbook layout by Christy VanderWall

“My Little Fairy” layout by Christy VanderWall
larger view

Directions for one technique I did on this layout:

To create the paper with the scalloped border, I used a brush from Dinny’s Brush Set: Tats - Brush Set: Tribal Tattoos. First, I sized the brush to about 250px. With the spacing adjusted to about 120% (so that the brushes wouldn’t overlap), I held the Shift key and dragged the brush across the page. If the last ‘brush’ is only a partial one, the entire layer can be stretched so that only whole brushes remain on the page. Using my Magic Wand, I selected the area on one side of the line of brushes and pressed Alt+Backspace to fill it with the same color as the brush. I now had a layer that I could ‘clip’ papers of my choice to.

On this layout, I also chose to bevel and emboss the layer, to give some added dimension to the scalloped look.

Appassionata Collection Biggie Brush Set: Bitsy THIN Mini Brush Set: Fiber
Brush Set: Grungelle ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Rhinestone Alpha Biggie ScrapSimple Photo Templates: Windy 3801 Biggie
ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photo Basics PSE 5001   Brush Set: Tats -Brush Set: Tribal Tattoos
Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Bitsy THIN Mini, Brush Set: Fiber, Brush Set: Grungelle, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Rhinestone Alpha Biggie, ScrapSimple Photo Templates: Windy 3801 Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photo Basics PSE 5001 and Brush Set: Tats -Brush Set: Tribal Tattoos are also available.

Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS3

Name of challenge: Get Creative With Brushes

---

Computer scrapbook layout by Paula Wright

“My Accomplishment” layout by Paula Wright
larger view

Directions for one technique I did on this layout:

For this layout, embellishments were used from several collections. I wanted to use the scalloped mat and “Mother” word art, but the colors were all wrong. One of the best techniques to use when changing colors is go to the pull down menu and select Image> Adjustments> Match Color. You then select what you want your item to match. I chose the background paper from the Shabby Fabulous Collection. The computer does all the work and recreates the elements in the right colors. It’s like magic! Give it a try, and you’ll love matching colors!

Shabby Fabulous Collection Biggie Raindance Embellishments Going Dutch Embellishments
ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Mini Tissue Frames ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Ribbons To Go II Twigs And Twine Collection
Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Mini Tissue Frames and ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Ribbons To Go II are also available.

Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS2

Name of challenge: Accomplishments

---

Computer scrapbook layout by Jo Corne

“Bwahahahahaha” layout by Jo Corne
larger view

Directions for one technique I did on this layout:

To create the top ‘flourish,’ I used Diane Miller’s (Dinny’s) Brush Set: Tats - Tattooed Frame Mini and brushed the ‘Fancy’ frame onto my page. I enlarged it to fit the top half of my paper. I then placed a paper from Dinny’s Cozy Collection Biggie on the layer on top of the brush layer. I then ‘clipped’ the paper to the brush layer and moved the Cozy paper around until I was happy with its placement. I then merged the two layers together.

Natural Collection Biggie Cozy Collection Biggie ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Tats, Tribal Tattoos
Brush Set: Genuine Brush Set: Tats - Tattooed Frame Mini ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Lifted Photos Biggie -Weathered
Digital Stickers: Hippos ScrapSimple Word Art Templates: Title It - Life ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Old Metal 5101 Super Biggie
  ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Paper 4901-Biggie  
Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Tats, Tribal Tattoos, Brush Set: Genuine, Brush Set: Tats - Tattooed Frame Mini, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Lifted Photos Biggie -Weathered, ScrapSimple Word Art Templates: Title It - Life, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Old Metal 5101 Super Biggie and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Paper 4901-Biggie are also available.

Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS3

Name of challenge: Get Creative With Brushes

Other Ingredients:

  • Font - FGBonniesFont

---

Computer scrapbook layout by Kelly Favor-Chronister

“Live” layout by Kelly Favor-Chronister
larger view

Directions for one technique I did on this layout:

I wanted to retain some of the “glow” of the low-light pictures I took, so I used Melissa Renfro’s ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photo Basics PSE 5001- Sepia. Then, I layered the original photo over the sepia-toned photo and changed the Blend Mode to “Soft Light.”

Nuptials Collection Biggie Brush Set: Fanciful Frames Brush Set: Ultimate Grunge
Brush Set: Latin Quotes Dynamic Brush Set: Straight Stitch 5001 Frame Clusters Embellishments
ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photo Basics PSE 5001   ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Neutral Shadows 2801 Super Biggie
Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Fanciful Frames, Brush Set: Ultimate Grunge, Brush Set: Latin Quotes, Dynamic Brush Set: Straight Stitch 5001, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photo Basics PSE 5001 and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Neutral Shadows 2801 Super Biggie are also available.

Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0, iPhoto

Name of challenge: Accomplishments

Other Ingredients:

  • Font - Pea OXO from Karen

---

Computer scrapbook layout by Caroline Kaiser

“Time to Enjoy” layout by Caroline Kaiser
larger view

Directions for one technique I did on this layout:

For the background, I used two different papers from Brandy Murry’s Table Manners Collection and played with the Blend Modes on the top one. It’s set to "Overlay." This gives some interesting effects to the luminosity of the background.

Table Manners Collection Biggie Dreams May Come Collection Shabby Fabulous Embellishment Biggie
ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates - Layered: Frame It! Edgy 2 Brush Set: Well Worn Cozy Embellishment Biggie
ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Copper 4101 ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Paper Textures 4902 Lettering Delights Debonaire Font
  ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photos That Pop 1801 Mini  
Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates - Layered: Frame It! Edgy 2, Brush Set: Well Worn, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Copper 4101, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Paper Textures 4902, Lettering Delights Debonaire Font and ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photos That Pop 1801 Mini are also available.

Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS3

Name of challenge: Accomplishments

Journaling: We have been working so much in our house for about 12 years now. We have added a veranda and some rooms, changed floors, re-colored the whole house, added a new roof, new sanitary, a new kitchen... In our garden, we have planted new trees, flowers, built a garden shed, a pergola and a swimming-pool. We are so proud of all we have accomplished. For some works we have hired, but a lot has been made by ourselves. Now everything is done and it is time to... ENJOY.

---

Computer scrapbook layout by Amy Lemaniak

“Our Love” layout by Amy Lemaniak
larger view

Directions for one technique I did on this layout:

To create a folded over paper appearance, I used Brandy Murry’s ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Inky Folded Borders II. I took a paper from Brandy’s Nuptials Collection and placed it on top of the folded border. I then created a clipping mask (Ctrl+G) to clip the paper to the folded border. To see the folded border design through the paper, I changed it to a “Hard Light” Blend Mode. The next step was to add the folded edges and color them by adjusting the Hue, Saturation and Brightness (Ctrl+U, then click the “Colorize” box). With it looking just as I had wanted, I highlighted all three layers and pulled them onto my layout.

Nuptials Collection Biggie ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Rivet Up Biggie ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Swirls and Pearls
  ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Inky Folded Borders II  
Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Rivet Up Biggie, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Swirls and Pearls and ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Inky Folded Borders II are also available.

Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0

Name of challenge: Accomplishments

---

If you have praise, comments, or questions for any of our Product or Layout Designers, did you know you can send them a PM (private message) using the message board? It's easy!

If you are a registered user of the message board, just click on the "PM" box at the bottom of any of their posts to send them a message. Or, to check out more of your favorite designer's layouts, visit the Scrap Girls Design Team section of the Layout Gallery.

A Designer�s Life: Valerie Randall

Basic Black

Nearly every day, it’s the same: I dress in black. Even my pajamas are black. My toothbrush is black. My dishes are black, too. The inside of my house is full of color, but there is something soothing to me about that deep, dark color of black. It’s soft like velvet. It looks dressy and elegant. It offsets other colors so well - making them pop. Black envelops my senses, I feel cocooned, in stasis, calm.

Black allows my mind to relax. Black helps me not to think because everything that I see becomes fodder for my imagination. I see patterns everywhere. And, when I see patterns, my brain gets activated and it’s hard to relax.

It’s been this way for me for a long time. Wearing black is also part of being a professional designer, a uniform of color. As a graphic designer in San Francisco, it was practically de rigueur to wear black. Chic, contemporary, stylish - black always makes a statement. Even a casual pair of jeans and a tee shirt becomes so much more in black.

When I taught at the Academy of Art, we instructors jokingly decided that once a month we’d have black-out day. A black-out day meant that we’d have to wear (gasp) color! No black. Did we manage to accomplish this seemingly simple exercise? Not very well, I’m afraid. Especially if one of the instructors had a presentation with a client that day or, as we fondly called it “the dog and pony show.” (Instructors generally taught part-time. The college was based on the core concept of having working professionals teach, thereby bringing fresh ideas to the curriculum. Plus, students were eager to work alongside people who offered real life experiences.)

Black provides a safe haven, but I have been known to wear dark blue, grey, dark brown and deep purple. I even have a red shirt, but it’s always under a black hoodie, so only a bit of color shows.

Given the choice between wearing a color or a pattern, I can definitively say... no patterns. That’s worse. I love them on other people, but my mind starts working when I see them. Textural patterns woven into a fabric are okay. One day, I realized that even in my house there are virtually no patterns. Lots of color, plenty of texture, but if there is pattern, it’s in the art or the kitchen towels.

I remember one day when I was a kid, my mom and I were in a department store looking at china and she told me that when I became engaged, I’d register and select my china, silver, stemware and other kitchen goods. I thought it was a lovely idea but, even then, I wanted black square plates and there were none to be found.

Times changed and I never registered for gifts. One day, long after I had been married, I saw some wonderful black ceramic plates created by Bennington Potters and I eventually purchased a full set. They weren’t square, but they have served many dinners. Although, I still want a set of square black plates - there is nothing like a black plate to make the color of food more brilliant.

So, there you have it, I love black. If we ever meet, you’ll know why year ’round I’m usually dressed in black. To me, it’s a basic part of my life.

- Valerie

---

Favorite product I've designed:
Classico Collection Biggie

Classico Collection Biggie

This was fun to design... from the drawings in Adobe Illustrator to create the patterns, to the flowers and leaves edged in glitter. I used a brush to paint the flowers and leaves with glitter, adding detail work where needed. I created a pattern that I used in Illustrator that formed the edging on the frames, around the alphabet and even on the fountain pen, drawn in Illustrator and finished in Photoshop. It was also the last collection I’ve had time to work on, though I have a smattering of new themed ones in progress.

---

Computer scrapbook layout by Valerie Randall

Layout by Valerie Randall
larger view

Classico Collection Biggie Avalon Collection Biggie Hula Sue Collection Biggie
  Brush Set: Journaling Lines  
Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Journaling Lines are also available.

Valerie Randall

Scrap Girls Club Concepts

Scrap Girls Monthly Club for June

The Scrap Girls Monthly Club allows you to get all of the newest looks while saving money! It is perfect for anyone who wants beautiful, coordinated digital scrapbooking supplies that are easy to use. You get all the products shown above, a $29.33 value, for $9.99 or less! Plus, each month we will help you find new ways to use your club contents to the fullest with this article full of ideas, tips, and projects to get your creativity going!

June’s Scrap Girls Club’s featured designer is Brandy Hackman. Her club is full of Brandy's signature style products: fun, artistic and multi-tasking, that can help you get creative in amazing ways. Let’s look a little closer and see what ideas we can come up with for this club.

---

Layout ideas:

  • Fields of wildflowers
  • Family reunions
  • Zoo trips with "Monkeyin' Around" word art
  • Trips to the spa
  • Teens

Computer scrapbook layout by Janine Buckles

Layout by Janine Buckles
larger view

Abstract Expressionism Collection Biggie ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Inky Folded Borders I ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Office Use Only
ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photo Basics PSE 5001   Brush Set: Stamped Dates
Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Inky Folded Borders I, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Office Use Only, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photo Basics PSE 5001 and Brush Set: Stamped Dates are also available.
  • Outdoor activities
  • Game night with the square papers
  • Running off to Grandma's house with the wrinkled note
  • Little kids' paint projects

Computer scrapbook layout by Kelly Favor-Chronister

Layout by Kelly Favor-Chronister
larger view

Abstract Expressionism Collection Biggie Abstract Expressionism Masterpiece WordArt Sheet Assemble Your Own Zoom Pages: Abstract Expressionism
Brush Set: Ultimate Grunge Lettering Delights Inclination Font ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Frames Biggie
ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photos That Pop PSE 1801   ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Neutral Shadows 2801 Super Biggie
Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Ultimate Grunge, Lettering Delights Inclination Font, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Frames Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photos That Pop PSE 1801 and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Neutral Shadows 2801 Super Biggie are also available.

---

Printable and project ideas:

  • Recipe cards
  • Signatures

Computer scrapbook signature by Janine Buckles

Signature by Janine Buckles
slug not included!

* Abstract Expressionism Collection Biggie *

---

Embellishment ideas:

  • Make a timeline from the Masterpieces word art
  • Place scanned souvenirs in the memory box embellishment
  • Hang frames from the nails to display children's artwork or focal point photos

Computer scrapbook layout by Brandy Hackman

Layout by Brandy Hackman
larger view

* Abstract Expressionism Collection Biggie *

---

We hope these lists give you some ideas to get you scrapping! We’d love to see what you come up with. There’s even a special gallery available for you to show off your Club creations and inspire each other, so start creating!

Have fun!
What's Happening at Scrap Girls?
Crops and Chats

New Classes Available!

Aussie Desktop Chat
Monday, June 23rd - 9:00PM
*Australian Eastern Standard Time*

Join Jo (ScrappingJo) and Karen (Kazbar73) in the Live Chat Lobby at 9pm Australian Eastern Standard time to talk about up-dating your desktops. For all you American girls, the chat will be on at 7am, Monday, 23 June. Hope to see you all there.

div

PSP Support Group Chat
Monday, June 23rd - 8:00AM ET

Join Dee and Angela at 8:00 AM EDT for an hour chat about this month's PSP learning topic, Layer Masks. We will talk about how, why and when to use them, our favorite ScrapSimple templates to use as masks and much more!

div

New Member Chat - Early Edition
Tuesday, June 24th - 3:00PM ET

Join Dee (DDecker) at 3:00 PM ET for a fun chat to get to know our newest members. We will discuss the message board, gallery, chocolate and so much more! Everyone is welcome new or not so new! Not sure how to get there? Just click the Chat Room button above; you will need JavaScript enabled to access the chat room.

div

New Members Chat
Tuesday, June 24th - 8:00PM ET

Join Welcoming Committee Members PBarnes (Pat) & ruralscrapper (Patti) for an evening of chatting and fun, at the New Members Chat, Tuesday, June 24th, at 8 pm ET! We will be there to answer any questions you may have about digital scrapbooking or Scrap Girls in general.

This chat is a great way to meet other digi scrappers and ask any questions that you may have. And, there is bound to be lots of laughs and a few noises too! We welcome our more experienced members also to join the party, too.

To join, just come to the Scrap Girls Chat Room by clicking on the “Live Chat” link from either the Message Board or the Scrap Girls home page.

div

New Classes Available!

div

High Noon Crop
Wednesday, June 25th - 12:00Noon ET

Join your host, Betsy, for the High Noon Crop every Wednesday, at Noon, eastern time. These crops are designed to allow you to work on your own photos and themes, simply giving participants a one hour goal, and a fun, new challenge each week!

On June 25, we'll do a color challenge! Create a layout using a color combo to be announced in the crop!

You'll have one hour to create a layout and upload to the special High Noon Crop gallery. You'd be amazed what you can get done in just one hour! Meet new friends and have fun in the chat room! We hope you'll join us!

div

Swap Crop Chat
Wednesday, June 25th - 9:00PM ET

It's time for the Swap Crop Chat! We've done the swapping, and created the layouts, now it's time to chat about all the gorgeous layouts! I don't know what it is, but these swaps bring out the best in everyone.

This is the time to chat about the theme, the beautiful layouts and learn about the swap crop if you haven't participated before. I'll even reveal the theme for next month! Join me, Carla, for a fun chat at 9 pm ET!

*NOTE- This is a Wednesday this month, not a Friday. I will most likely be out of town on Friday, June 27th, without Internet access.

div

NSBR Chat � Early Edition
Thursday, June 26th - 1:00PM ET

What is NSBR? It’s a non-scrapbooking related chat! We talk about everything, including some scrapbooking and usually chocolate. It’s a great chance to meet new friends, catch up on what everyone is up to, and just relax! If you have a problem, we’ll lend an ear or a shoulder to cry on. Have some great news to share? We’d love to celebrate with you.

So, join me, Shari (PV Mom of 2), on June 26th, at 1 PM EST, in Chat Room #001! Hope to see you there!

div

Desktop Crop
Friday, June 27th - 9:00PM ET

Please come join Angela (angelaNussbaum) @ 9PM EST for the Desktop Challenge Crop.

Tired of your desktop being some graphic that you would've liked to make? Tired of a solid background? Did you know with your digital scrapbooking skills you can make a fabulous background for your enjoyment?

A few hours before the chat, we will provide you with a source of inspiration, so stay tuned!

New Classes Available!

---
June Events

June Board Game: Chocolate Scavenger Hunt

What's sweeter than chocolate and shopping in the Scrap Girls boutique? That's right... NOTHING! This month we've combined those two super sweet things to create a game worth sinking your teeth into and a prize worth drooling over!

Every day (June 2nd-June 30th), a member of the Welcoming Committee will post a new clue on the Message Board. Use the clues to find the correct products in the Scrap Girls Boutique. You will know when you have located them because you will see a candy-coated Scrap Girls chocolate on the product details page.

Send the EXACT product names and the accompanying links where the products are found to [email protected]. Use the subject line: JUNE MESSAGE BOARD GAME for your email entry, and include your messageboard name and real name. You have until Midnight Mountain Time, on Tuesday, July 1st to submit your answers.

Everyone who finds ALL 29 hidden chocolates will be entered in a drawing for one of three $10 Gift Certificates! Find 20+ candies and be entered in a drawing for one of two $5 Gift Certificates! Find 10+ hidden chocolates and be entered in a drawing for one of two $3 Gift Certificates!

div

Layout Contests:

June Layout Contest: Did you know that June is National Candy Month? Digital scrapbooking is the ultimate no fat, no sugar treat – how sweet! For this month’s contest we want you to do a “Yummy” layout using colors and textures that say “yummy” to you – from bright colors that might represent a sweet treat to the luscious browns like melt-in-your-mouth chocolates. Post your layouts to the monthly gallery by Midnight ET, June 30th, and yours might be chosen to win a $10 Gift Certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique.

Mid-June Layout Contest: What kind of candy would you be? Scrap a layout that shows what you think you’d be - something sweet but tart, something rich and chocolatey, or something nutty? Post your layout to the mid-month gallery by Midnight ET, on July 14th, and your layout may be chosen to win $10 to the boutique!

div

Check our message board calendar if you have any questions about what is happening at Scrap Girls. All event times are given in Eastern Time Zone unless otherwise noted. Need help converting time zones? Check out the World Clock - Time Zone Converter. (Use 'USA-New York' as the location for the Eastern time zone.)

Today's Freebie

Computer scrapbook layout by Brandy Murry

Layout by Brandy Murry
larger view

Going Dutch Daffodil Special
Designer Freebie by Brandy Murry coordinates with her Going Dutch Collection

Going Dutch Collection Assemble Your Own Zoom Pages - 4x6: Going Dutch Ribbons To Go Embellishment Biggie
ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Micro Glitter 6401 Super Biggie   Dynamic Brush Set: Glitter 6401
Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Micro Glitter 6401 Super Biggie and Dynamic Brush Set: Glitter 6401 are also available.

* There is a “free download” button on the details page for each gift. You don't need to put them in your shopping cart unless you are shopping for other items. Also note that if you are slow reading your newsletter, you may find this freebie has already been retired, as the freebies are only available as gifts for about two newsletter cycles.

Basic Black
Monday, June 23, 2008

Scrap Girls Guarantee


In This Issue:

- Cute Stuff
- A Designer’s Life: Valerie Randall
- Scrap Girls Club Concepts
- What's Happening at Scrap Girls?
- Designer Freebie
- Scrap Girls Convention - Digital Scrap Link Information!
- Getting Started
- Expand Your Skills
- Online Classes Currently Available
- Scrap Girls Clubs
- Ongoing Opportunities for YOU


Note from Ro
Ro Paxman

The Scrap Girls newsletter is created for you by a virtual army of Scrap Girls team members. Without them, we couldn't possibly share these resources with you, and I'm very grateful for their ongoing help and support.

I hope you enjoy today's issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

Ro
CEO - Scrap Girls, LLC

P.S. Your email address is safe with us. We never share, rent, sell, or loan our list with anyone!

P.P.S. If you ever need any assistance, please email [email protected] or call
866-598-3444 and we'll help you as quickly as possible!

Better Business Bureau Reliability Program

Scrap Girls is Having a Convention!
Scrap Girls Digital Scrap Link Convention

Here are the facts:

When: October 9-11th, 2008

Note: Convention begins at 1:00 pm - Thursday, October 9th and ends at 6 pm - Saturday, October 11th.

How many people may attend?

Only 22 openings out of 120 are still available. Space is selling out quickly so don't delay.

Where: Salt Lake City, Utah

Officer's Club
Sign up now!


Getting Started

15 Things You NEED to Know to become a GREAT digital scrapbooker

If you read nothing else, read this!

15 Things You NEED to Know to Become a GREAT Digital Scrapbooker. It's so addictive; it ought to come with a warning label!

Free eBook “starter kit” turns your dreams of digital scrapbooking into reality today!

This dynamite eBook is 65 pages - packed full of the information, ideas and help people need when they are about to dive into this great hobby. It answers questions about digital scrapbooking that Ro is asked all day long, every day of the week, and each day of the year. You don't have to wonder about important questions like how to back up your files, whether you need a 12x12 printer to scrapbook digitally (and which one to buy), or what type of computer software is required to create digital scrapbooking layouts. The answers are all here for you - in one easy to use eBook!

Bonus! Download the fun “Warning” Label, too. It was created for you by Valerie Randall as a little bit of extra fun!

Refresh Collection Biggie

Would you like a chance to try digital scrapbooking yourself?

Scrap Girls Refresh Collection Biggie offers you free samples of some of our most popular product types. Try making a layout, your own paper with a ScrapSimple Paper Template, a fast layout with a ScrapSimple Digital Layout Template, or experiment with a brush.

We know you'll love digital scrapbooking as much as we do, and we have thousands of products to feed your new addiction!

Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed!

Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop Elements 6.0

Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop Elements 6.0

Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop Elements 5.0

Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop Elements 4.0

Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop Elements 3.0

Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed (Photoshop 7, CS, CS2 and CS3)

Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Paint Shop Pro (PSP) X

Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Paint Shop Pro (PSP) 9

Do you wish you could learn how to scrapbook digitally, but feel kind of intimated? Well, here's the solution for you. These tutorials allow you to actually watch Ro scrapbook. You'll see her working on her computer and hear her talking about why she is doing what she is doing. It's easy to watch the short, one-topic movies over and over again until you have it down. It's like having Ro come to your home and give you private scrapbooking lessons. You could be digitally scrapbooking today!

After you watch the Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed movies, you will...

  • Create your own digital scrapbook layouts using the latest, most popular techniques
  • Manage all of the important basics that digital scrapbook enthusiasts need to know to get started
  • Understand how to save your files for printing or sharing them with your friends and family over the Internet
  • Make your own textured brush
  • Learn how to install and use purchased brushes
  • Make your own simple backgrounds
  • See how easy it is to manage transparent embellishment files that allow digital scrapbooking layouts to look like they are “real”
  • Become a pro at managing the drop-shadowing techniques
  • Learn about transparency and lighting effects
  • Make your own digital torn paper edges
  • Be able to isolate a single item in an embellishment or alpha and be able to change the color to suit your fancy
  • Become a pro at repairing damaged photos
  • Know the secret of putting text on a curve or in a circle
  • Laugh at how simple it is to make rounded edges on your photos
  • Use keyboard and tool shortcuts that make digital scrapbooking a breeze
  • Be able to place digital embellishments on your digital scrapbook layout with ease
  • Unlock the mystery of how to clip a digital paper clip onto your layout so that it looks real
  • Learn how to install and use purchased textures
  • Understand some advanced techniques such as how to keep blue eyes blue on a black and white photo
  • Learn how to adjust black and white photos to sepia
  • And lots more!

Start to Finish eBooklets

How to Make a Birthday Scrapbook Page
Start to Finish eBooklet - PSE: How to Make a Birthday Scrapbook Page

Nothing could be simpler than learning to scrapbook digitally with Scrap Girls Start to Finish eBooklets. Step by step written guidelines and detailed screenshots will help you learn new digital scrapbooking skills. Included with the eBooklet are the actual digital files you need to create a finished project!

More Titles Available


Expand Your Skills

MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed!

MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop

*NEW!* MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed! for Adobe Photoshop (Versions 6, 7, CS, CS2, CS3)

- MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed! for Adobe Photoshop Elements versions 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 & 6.0

It's time for you to stop playing catch-up in Photoshop and start having a blast doing the more advanced tricks that you see other people and professional digital scrapbookers doing.

  • Take the world's easiest shortcuts to creating your own backgrounds, embellishments, and alphas.
  • Make sure that you don't make the biggest mistakes that digital scrapbookers make when they create layouts.
  • Learn fantastic tricks for using Scrap Girls ScrapSimple products.
  • Dip your digital scrapbooking self into some of those “other” cool tools that are sitting there waiting in your software for you to use such as paths, masks, the drawing pen, and more.
  • See how easy it is to install and manage new Custom Shapes and Styles in Photoshop so that you can make things that are creative and unique.
  • Learn advanced tricks for using tools that you already know and love.
  • Watch me make some beautiful papers and get a chance to peek inside of my layers. (Oh dear... That is the last frontier and I might be out of my mind to let you do it... NOBODY likes people to see inside of their layers. It is like having visitors peek inside of your dresser drawers. Very private stuff.)
  • See a new way for coloring doodles. (I'm betting that it will surprise you what tool I've used to do that with, too...)
  • Get “IN&qrduo; on creating your own brush sets. (You do NOT have to have those impossibly long brush sets frustrating you anymore. In fact, when you learn this trick, you will wonder why you haven't been using it all along.)
  • Find out why Custom Shapes are so importantto you. (Bet you didn't know...)
  • Learn how to cut out a title from a background or a photo.
  • And even more...

Note: These are NOT beginning tutorials. If you get this training and you have never used Photoshop before or if you aren't pretty sure of yourself in the software, you are going to be lost. You simply have to understand layers, where things are located, and all of the basic, important skills that Ro teaches in her Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed series before you try to use it.

eBooks!

Scrap Girls offers a large catalog of eBooks covering topics that will expand your digital scrapbooking abilities to new heights. Here are just a few samples:

Mastering Brushes for Photoshop Elements
Mastering Brushes for Photoshop Elements
(Photoshop version also available!)

Digital Photography Simplified
Digital Photography Simplified

Ten Basic Design Principles eBook
Ten Basic Design Principles

Scrapbooking 911 - 20 Sketches to Revitalize Your  Digital Scrapbooking - Book 2 eBook
Scrapbooking 911 - 20 Sketches to Revialize Your Digital Scrapbooking - Book 2

See more titles


Available Online Classes

New Classes Available!

Online Class - Yes, You Can Do Layer Masks in Photoshop Elements
Yes, You Can Do Layer Masks in Photoshop Elements

June 30 and July 7 - 3:00PM ET

This in-depth class on Layer Masks is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the power of masks in Adobe Photoshop Elements. This class will teach you how to use masks to make selective adjustments to both photos and layouts.

Important: This Intermediate Level class is for Adobe Photoshop Elements users. Students are required to understand the basic skills taught in the Scrapbook Secrets Revealed and MORE Scrapbook Secrets Revealed program prior to starting the course. This information will not be reviewed as part of the course!

Enrolling in this course without understanding these basic skills may cause you to feel lost and frustrated when you attend the classes. We want you to have a great experience. So please, if you are uncertain that you have enough skills to take this course, use the Scrapbook Secrets Revealed program to build an adequate foundation prior to the classes starting. Thanks!

New Classes Available!

Online Class: Photo Fixes You Need to Know: Photoshop
Photo Fixes You Need to Know: Photoshop

July 1 and 8 - 4:00PM ET

This in-depth digital scrapbooking class on basic photo retouching is the perfect opportunity to learn about color correction and photo refinement techniques. Using various methods, this class will teach you how to retouch and prep photos for printing, digital scrapbooking, and web uploading.

Important: This Intermediate Level computer scrapbooking class is for Adobe Photoshop users, versions CS2 and CS3 only. Students are required to understand the basic skills taught in the Scrapbook Secrets Revealed and MORE Scrapbook Secrets Revealed program prior to starting the course. This information will not be reviewed as part of the course!

Enrolling in this course without understanding these basic skills may cause you to feel lost and frustrated when you attend the classes. We want you to have a great experience. So please, if you are uncertain that you have enough skills to take this course, use the Scrapbook Secrets Revealed program to build an adequate foundation prior to the classes starting. Thanks!

New Classes Available!

Online Class - Photo Fixes You Need to Know: PSE
Photo Fixes You Need to Know: PSE

July 3 and 10 - 9:30PM ET

We all want our photos to take center stage on our scrapbook layouts. But sometimes our pictures aren’t up for the challenge. Learn some photo fixes to really make your pictures stand out. Banish blemishes, correct colors and lighting like a pro using the tools and techniques taught in this class. Your pictures will become the perfect focus for all of your layouts.

Important: This Intermediate Level class is for Adobe Photoshop Element users only. Students are required to understand the basic skills taught in the Scrapbook Secrets Revealed and MORE Scrapbook Secrets Revealed program prior to starting the course. This information will not be reviewed as part of the course!

Enrolling in this course without understanding these basic skills may cause you to feel lost and frustrated when you attend the classes. We want you to have a great experience. So please, if you are uncertain that you have enough skills to take this course, use the Scrapbook Secrets Revealed program to build an adequate foundation prior to the classes starting. Thanks!

New Classes Available!

Online Class - Ten Beginner Tips On Type
Ten Beginner Tips On Type

July 15 and 22 - 3:00PM ET

This in-depth class is a wonderful opportunity to learn the basics of typography. This class comes with the Ten Beginner Tips on Type eBook. If you have already bought this eBook, email [email protected] to receive a store credit to use towards the purchase of this class. Learn simple rules and guidelines to use multiple fonts together more effectively. Discuss different ways to make journaling and title a cohesive part of every layout. Study real examples, and see how applying the rules can improve your layouts.

Important: This Intermediate Level class is for all digital scrapbooking programs. Students are required to understand the basic skills taught in the Scrapbook Secrets Revealed and MORE Scrapbook Secrets Revealed program prior to starting the course. This information will not be reviewed as part of the course!

Enrolling in this course without understanding these basic skills may cause you to feel lost and frustrated when you attend the classes. We want you to have a great experience. So please, if you are uncertain that you have enough skills to take this course, use the Scrapbook Secrets Revealed program to build an adequate foundation prior to the classes starting. Thanks!


Scrap Girls Monthly Club

The June Scrap Girls digital scrapbooking club, designed for you by Brandy Hackman.

Join the Scrap Girls Monthly Club and you can have fun with the newest traditional digital and printable scrapbooking looks while saving! (A $27.94 value for $9.99 or less!)

The Scrap Girls Club contents are released on the 1st day of the month (or the closest business day to the 1st).

With the Scrap Girls Club, you will receive:

  • 1 Collection Biggie
  • 1 Paper Super Mini
  • 1 8.5x11 Sheet of Word Art
  • 1 Embellishment Set
  • 1 Assemble Your Own Zoom Page Set
  • 1 Designer's Choice Item

Digital scrapbooking layout by Brandy Hackman using June's Scrap Girls Club
Layout by Brandy Hackman using June's Scrap Girls Club
larger view

Created for you by Brandy Hackman

Remember, these items are available separately in the Boutique at regular prices for those who would rather not join a club.

(Note: The Scrap Girls Club contents are always available for sale elsewhere in the Boutique at their regular prices once the associated club month is released. But all club contents are totally brand new, never seen before product releases for each month!)


ScrapSimple Monthly Club

The June ScrapSimple digital scrapbooking club selection by Amanda Sok and Ursula Schneider

Join the ScrapSimple Monthly Club and you can enjoy the newest ScrapSimple looks while saving! (A $13.95 value for $6.99 or less!)

The new ScrapSimple Club contents are released on the 15th day of the month (or the closest business day to the 15th).

With the ScrapSimple Club, you will receive:

  • 1 ScrapSimple Paper Template Set
  • 1 ScrapSimple Embellishment Template Set
  • 1 Brush Set
  • 1 ScrapSimple Layer Your Own Brush Set
  • 1 Designer's Choice Item

A Commercial Licensed version of the ScrapSimple club is also available here.

Computer scrapbook layout by Amanda Sok using June's ScrapSimple Club
Layout by Amanda Sok using June's ScrapSimple Club
larger view

Created for you by Amanda Sok and Ursula Schneider

If you prefer not to join a club, the ScrapSimple club contents are available at regular prices in the Boutique. You can easily find them right now by checking the What's New? section of the Boutique.

(Note: The ScrapSimple Club contents are always available for sale in the Boutique at regular prices once the associated club month is released. But all club contents are totally brand new, never-seen-before product releases for each month!


Opportunities for You!

Customer Muses: Wou