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We are blessed by you, our customers, here at Scrap Girls, and we know it!
To show our appreciation, we have a coupon just for our faithful newsletter readers that will allow you to receive an EXTRA 7.7% off our sale prices!
That means when you use this special newsletter coupon during our current Sweetest Sale Ever, you'll get an amazing *21.4% off nearly everything in the Scrap Girls Boutique! Opportunities like this don't come along very often, so take advantage of this great offer before it expires at Midnight (MT), June 30th!
(*The reason that the discount doesn't add up as you might expect is because the store takes the extra discount from the sale price total.) |
What's New in the Scrap Girls Boutique? |
Layout by Laurel Lakey
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Layout by Christy VanderWall
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Layout by Mandy Steward
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Layout by Brandy Murry
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Layout by Anna Mansfield
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Layout by Angela Blanchard
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Layouts by Syndee Nuckles
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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. |
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Life Muses by Ro: Avoiding Digital Scrapbooking Meltdowns: Part 3 |
In today's edition of this series, we're going to discuss the nuts and bolts of any back up program: organizing your files. Then, I'll teach you how to burn your DVDs, store them properly, and manage them so that you will keep the contents safe and be able to locate the image you need when you need it.
After four years of running a digital scrapbooking company, I began to lose control of my photos, digital scrapbooking design files and graphics. My problem? I didn't think about what I was doing when I “organized” my images as I went along. I organized on the fly. And, what's worse, because I'm usually in such a hurry, I dumped all of the photos from my camera into the folder that contained the most on-topic items, resulting in high numbers of misfiled images.
Now, before you raise your hands to inform me that there are lots of great pieces of software that will do this for you, let me clarify something: I own that software and I attempted to use it exclusively for this purpose for awhile. But tagging images minus a filing system is slow going and because I am a busy person, I gave up. I do not have hours to waste. Besides, I have read too many horror stories posted by hysterical digital scrapbookers in which databases associated with these programs have disintegrated. They have often discovered that their work did not upgrade with the next edition of the software for some unfathomable reason. If this individual is dependent entirely on their software to organize them, they have been left with a worse mess than I used to have in my folders. I wanted to tag, but I had to find a fast way to get it done.
After considering the situation for several years (and after working with the various software packages), I have come up with a solution that seems workable, is stable, and uses the best features of the operating system's folder filing system along with features from various software packages to do certain things. I've discovered that it takes multiple solutions to manage images well.
Starting out: Organizing your files with your operating system's (OS) filing system (Vista, XP, Mac)
The benefits:
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Stability. Nothing is as stable as the filing system that comes with your operating system. Why? Every piece of software that runs on your computer is dependent upon this filing system. Use it to your advantage. Please don't fight it. Software will fall apart faster than your operating system does. If your operating system disintegrates for some reason (and no OS is immune) your software's filing system will be gone anyway because it depends on the OS to run. (This is why we back our files up.)
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Ease of use. If you will set up an operating system filing system for your images - a well thought out filing system - and use it in a disciplined manner, all of the software functions I am going to recommend later on in this series will work better for you.
- If you use online back-up systems, your backup will occur in a manner that allows you to retrieve a single folder, if you accidentally delete it. If a complete restore is required, an organized filing system is easier to retrieve.
- You'll be able to easily manage your DVD back-ups and know where you are in the back-up process, as I am going to demonstrate.
- When you are bringing your images onto your computer, if you have a filing system set up, you know in advance where you want your software (or operating system's import function) to point. If you don't do this, you will end up with a mess. I guarantee you will.
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Tagging Speed Increases. If you begin with an OS filing system, using software to tag your images is a snap. If you don't file your images, you are forced to browse through folders and tag them one by one - or in small groups. And, as I mentioned, if the software's database falls apart (and they do) your tagging system is lost and you are back to square one. If you ever need to retag your images (if you get a new computer, have to restore your OS, or reinstall software) filing and backing up your files in an orderly manner allows you to get back on track fast.
Note about this: I realize that certain pieces of software saves keyword (tagging) information to the image metadata. But my experience is that when you move the images from computer to computer, you have to rebuild your database again because the new computer doesn't know what your old tagging/metadata filing system was. I recently experienced this unhappy situation. Same software... good software... same filing structure... completely blind as a bat as to what I had done before. Without my OS filing system, I would have perished.
Other benefits:
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Increased speed while browsing your images. It is faster to browse through your operating system's files than through a software's browsing system. Why? Because a third-party isn't running interference between the OS and you.
That said, there is one piece of software that I retried this week that is now working lightning fast: Picasa2. I will talk about Picasa2 in more detail later in this series. I am recommending Picasa2 because I am knocked out by it. The last time I had attempted to use this particular software, it was so slow-going and miserable (and featureless) that I uninstalled it. I reinstalled it this week as part of an experiment with all of Google's latest features and was truly surprised by the improvements. Believe me when I say that if any software can impress me under the circumstances I work under (trying to manage hundreds of gigs of images located on three hard drives), I can heartily recommend it to you. And, better yet, it is free. But I will tell you that your experience with Picasa2 will be drastically improved if you have filed with your OS first and if you are disciplined about naming your files.
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Speedy access when digital scrapbooking. Nothing is faster than dragging and dropping an image from a folder located in the operating system's filing system into your software. Why? That 3rd-party issue I mentioned before. When you have a piece of software between the image and the software you are going to digitally scrapbook with (say Photoshop or Photoshop Elements - even if it is the actual software itself) you have to go through that software to get to the filing system. (I apologize to our Mac users if this doesn't work for them. The last time I checked, it didn't work.)
However, I just checked... and again... Picasa2 does this action almost as fast as the OS does. Because you can see all of your computer's images in a hurry with Picasa2, I think I'll experiment with this for the next few weeks and see how it goes. I'll report back.
My Personal Filing System
My personal file structure has been developed over the years as I have learned what kind of photos I enjoy taking. Of course, I have files for the members of my family. The other files refer to projects or themes. When I started, I didn't know what to do with these items so I had a folder I referred to as “Fun Stuff.” As time went on, I began to see patterns in my photography and broke them down further. I also noticed that I digitally scrapbook about topics and themes more than events and that if I want to make sure that I am able to find all of the files related to a certain event, such as our trip to Orlando in 2007, I could manage this with file names and tagging. A quick search with Picasa2 finds the event I want to locate so quickly that it is almost scary. I shouldn't be surprised. Picasa2 is Google software and Google understands how to make searching things fast.
I had MORE problems finding the images I wanted when I insisted on keeping my event photos together. (Where was that photo of the wrought-iron bench? I know I took some photos of streaking lights, but where are they?)
What does all of this have to do with backing up?
It was necessary to attempt to convince you to use your OS filing system so that I can show you the benefits for backing up your files on DVDs.
I used to constantly worry that I was missing something when I backed up my files on DVDs. As a result, I found myself backing up the same files repeatedly. This not only wastes materials, it wastes so much time that backing up files to DVDs feels hard... extremely hard. Therefore, it is easy to get seriously behind. If you are seriously behind, then one of your methods of backing up has been taken out of action.
Here's the simple trick that makes backing up files to DVDs easy to manage: Inside of your main folders, you will create a file each time you backup. You will name the folder with the main folder name and the backup date. After that, whenever you place images or layouts in that folder, you will dump them into the main folder - until the next DVD backup.
Let me show you what I mean. I am going to show you the process I used to back up the folder named “Andrew.” (I am demonstrating this process on my Vista computer.) My new backup file will be named, “Andrew BackedUp 052008.”
1. Create the backup folder.
2. Move the images into the folder.
3. Select the folder, right-click on it and choose the option to send it to the DVD.
4. Name the DVD. Notice I have included the date.
5. The computer is working.
6. Once the DVD burn has completed, I check the contents to make sure the backup worked correctly.
7. Next, I go to my backup file on my computer, select the images and choose File> Print, as demonstrated.
8. I choose “Contact Sheet” from the print option. This is the easiest way to print out the JPGs and I prefer how the Contact Sheets look, so I use this option whenever I can. I will use Bridge to print the PSD files (my working digital scrapbooking files), because Windows won't show them to me. As you'll see, there are a lot more steps involved.
9. I browse to my “Andrew” folder from within Bridge.
10. I locate the Contact Sheet option by browsing the following page: Tools> Photoshop> Contact Sheet.
11. I go through this dialogue. I can choose how many images I'll place on my sheet here.
12. I am taken to Photoshop, where I am shown the contact sheet I'll end up with. I will use the Print commands to print the contact sheet.
13. Once I have printed my contact sheets for the DVD, I will insert them into a 3-ring binder. I staple the contact sheets for a single DVD together and slip them into a page protector. I place the DVD in a storage case and write on the case - not on the DVD - what is on the DVD. I don't want to take chances that the contents of my DVD will be ruined by the marker. I will store the DVD upright in a storage file to protect the surface of the DVD from being damaged.
(Photoshop Elements users: You may be wondering why I haven’t taught you to do this in PSE. Frankly, it is because Photoshop Elements filing system frustrates me. I want something fast and bullet proof. I haven't spent enough time on that side of the software to see if I can “beat the system” into submission yet. I'll try to do that in the future and report back to you.)
- Ro
Muse: To be absorbed in one's thoughts; engage in meditation. Not intended to solve the world's problems, another person's problems, or to cover topics completely. One does not have to agree with musings to enjoy them, just as one does not have to be the same as someone else to appreciate who they are.
Note from Ro: Would you like to earn a $20 Gift Certificate? Send your own muse to [email protected]. If it is selected for publication in the Scrap Girls newsletter, you'll get to have fun shopping!
Ro is now spotlighting various Scrap Girls members, showing layouts, and running contests in her blog. If you end up being spotlighted in it, you'll get a little gift from her. Subscribe to her blog so you don't miss what is going on!
Ro has recently spotlighted Pireps, CharleneJ and Soozlou. |
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Digital Scrapbooking Tutorial: Clever Uses for ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: String Fling |
Note: Tutorial was created using Adobe Photoshop CS2 with Windows XP.
This tutorial demonstrates the steps to coloring the ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: String Fling and shows other clever uses for these embellishments.
Coloring the Templates
To customize the string layer, the easiest way is to change its color. One way to do this is by adjusting the layer styles. From the Layers Palette, right-click on the “pins” layer and select “Blending Options” from the drop-down menu.
In the window that opens, click on “Color Overlay” from the menu on the left side.
Click on the default red swatch to open the color picker. With the eye-dropper or the slider, choose your preferred color. Click “OK” to accept.
Then from the Blend Mode drop-down menu, select a mode that works for you, such as “Multiply,” “Overlay” and “Color.” Also set the Opacity to 100%.
This is what the template looks like so far. Repeat steps above to colorize the layers for the string and bow.
You can also add drop shadows to add more interest. Here’s the final colored embellishment.
Variations for the Template
Instead of using the default pins as shown above, you can select the pins layer and apply a preset style, such as those from the ScrapSimple Tools – Styles product line. Above are some examples: (a) Gold 5702, (b) Grunged Metals 4101, (c) Paua Shell 4101, (d) Candy Color 5101, and (e) Brushed Aluminum 5401.
You can also remove the pins layer and use other digital scrapbooking fasteners. Above are some examples: (a) tape from Extra - Tape Embellishment, (b) staples from Table Manners Collection Biggie, (c) photo prong from Frolic Collection Biggie, (d) button from Affection Collection, and (e) flower from Tints & Tatters Collection Biggie.
You can also rotate the string frames so they are used to “hang” word art. This example uses word art from the Sea Glass Collection Mini and style from ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Glossy Super Biggie 4101.
You can also use String Fling to “pin down” titles, words, photos, and other page elements. This example uses alphas and buttons from the Artisan Blue Collection.
There are so many uses for them in digital scrapbooking. Have fun playing with them and exploring the different ways you can use them!
Layout by Thao Cosgrove
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Tutorial written by Thao Cosgrove |
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What's Happening at Scrap Girls? |
Crops and Chats |
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!
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.
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!
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!
Quote/Word Art Crop
Sunday, June 29th - Time TBA
Come join angelaNussbaum for the Quote Challenge Crop! Here's how it will work:
On Sunday, I'll post a thread on the challenge board giving you the quote which you will use to make your own word art. It's not hard, and I will even have a layout with a Word Art example. Then we'll meet in the chat room to have fun, chat, and create our Word Art layout!
We'll post the time on Sunday, as the time changes around each time to allow participation by our international folks. Everyone can participate and create a layout, even if you can't make the chat. Hope to see you there!
ATC Swap Crop
Sunday, June 29th - 7:00PM ET
Please join me, Pat Bowman, in the chat room for our monthly ATC Swap Crop and Chat at 7:00 PM.
This month's theme will be GETTING TO KNOW YOU. Create an ATC that you feel represents who you are, or how you would like people to know you. Introduce yourself to us! You can interpret that theme in any way you see fit! You can be serious or quirky - whatever you decide!! You aren't required to use your own picture if you feel hesitant about that.
If you are a beginner and don't think you can play because you don't know how - think again. We welcome newcomers and will be glad to show you the ropes. Remember, the only real rules for ATCs are that they must be sized 2.5 x 3.5 inches. Let's have some fun!
NSBR Chat
Monday, June 30th - 9:00PM ET
What is NSBR? It’s a non-scrapbooking related chat! We talk about everything, including some scrapbooking. 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, Carla (crs), on June 30th, at 9 PM ET, in the chat room! Hope to see you there!
High Noon Crop
Wednesday, July 2nd - 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 July 2, we'll do a brush challenge! Create a layout using a brush! Any brush will do, just use it prominantly! Alter a photo or a paper, or create your own paper!
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!
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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!
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!
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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.) |
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Projects by Valerie Randall
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Designer Freebie by Valerie Randall coordinates with the Scrap Girls Convention - Digital Scrap Link
* 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. |
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Avoiding Digital Scrapbooking Meltdowns: Part 3
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
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- What's New in the Scrap Girls Boutique?
- Life Muses by Ro
- Digital Scrapbooking Tutorial: Clever Uses for ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: String Fling
- 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
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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!
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Scrap Girls is Having a 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
Sign up now!
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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!
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 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...
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Create your own digital scrapbook layouts using the latest, most popular techniques
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Manage all of the important basics that digital scrapbook enthusiasts need to know to get started
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Understand how to save your files for printing or sharing them with your friends and family over the Internet
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Make your own textured brush
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Learn how to install and use purchased brushes
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Make your own simple backgrounds
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See how easy it is to manage transparent embellishment files that allow digital scrapbooking layouts to look like they are “real”
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Become a pro at managing the drop-shadowing techniques
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Learn about transparency and lighting effects
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Make your own digital torn paper edges
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Be able to isolate a single item in an embellishment or alpha and be able to change the color to suit your fancy
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Become a pro at repairing damaged photos
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Know the secret of putting text on a curve or in a circle
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Laugh at how simple it is to make rounded edges on your photos
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Use keyboard and tool shortcuts that make digital scrapbooking a breeze
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Be able to place digital embellishments on your digital scrapbook layout with ease
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Unlock the mystery of how to clip a digital paper clip onto your layout so that it looks real
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Learn how to install and use purchased textures
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Understand some advanced techniques such as how to keep blue eyes blue on a black and white photo
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Learn how to adjust black and white photos to sepia
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And lots more!
Start to Finish eBooklets
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 |
MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed!
*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.
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Take the world's easiest shortcuts to creating your own backgrounds, embellishments, and alphas.
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Make sure that you don't make the biggest mistakes that digital scrapbookers make when they create layouts.
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Learn fantastic tricks for using Scrap Girls ScrapSimple products.
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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.
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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.
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Learn advanced tricks for using tools that you already know and love.
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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.)
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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...)
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Get “IN” 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.)
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Find out why Custom Shapes are so importantto you. (Bet you didn't know...)
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Learn how to cut out a title from a background or a photo.
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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 (Photoshop version also available!)
Digital Photography Simplified
Ten Basic Design Principles
Scrapbooking 911 - 20 Sketches to Revialize Your Digital Scrapbooking - Book 2
See more titles |
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!
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!
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!
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! |
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:
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!) |
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:
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1 ScrapSimple Paper Template Set
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1 ScrapSimple Embellishment Template Set
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1 Brush Set
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1 ScrapSimple Layer Your Own Brush Set
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1 Designer's Choice Item
A Commercial Licensed version of the ScrapSimple club is also available here.
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! |
Customer Muses: Would you like to share your own Life Muse with our readers? To have your own essay considered for publication as a muse in the column for our special Saturday newsletter, send your essay to [email protected]. If your essay is selected, you will receive a $20 Gift Certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique.
Way Cool Scrap Girl: We are so excited to have all of you meet some of the amazing people that have become Scrap Girls! We'd love to introduce you to our readers, too! If you would like to be spotlighted and win a $25 Gift Certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique, send the following items to [email protected]:
- 500-900 word essay about your experience with digital scrapbooking, Scrap Girls, and specific examples of how we have helped you.
- A 600-pixel wide, 72 dpi copy of a layout you've created that uses Scrap Girls products, plus a complete list of those products.
- A 100-pixels wide, 72 dpi picture of yourself. (How fun to see who you are!)
- Permission to use your statement.
Customer Freebies: We get a lot of requests from you asking if you could share a freebie with your Scrap Girls friends, and we have come up with a way to do it. On Saturdays we will be sharing freebies created by you, if they are available. If you are interested in participating, download this PDF with the specifications and you'll be on your way. Please note that if you choose to use any Scrap Girls tools or templates in your submission, commercial licenses for those products are required. (Even our own designers must purchase commercial licenses for any items they wish to use in a non-personal manner!) If your freebie is chosen, you will receive a $10 Gift Certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique!
Suggest a Challenge, Win a Prize! Have a great idea for a gallery layout challenge? Submit it to [email protected]. If your challenge idea is chosen, you will win a prize (such as a brush set, paper set, embellishment set, etc.). The prize will be a surprise, but you'll be sure to like it because you will get to pick out the one you like best from your category! Friday will be Customer Challenge Day, so keep an eye out on the message board calendar. It will be fun to see what YOU come up with for us to do!
 Scrap Girls is giving away birthday gifts to our message board members! Of course, it is a surprise what you will get because birthday presents are always surprises! But you will like it for sure because most people like money... Oops! Did I say that? No. You did NOT hear me say that. Anyway, make sure your message board email address is current and that you have the correct date entered into your profile to participate.
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