Scrap Girls Chit Chat Newsletter: August 7, 2008

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_080807_Thurs_Heart.htm

What's New in the Scrap Girls Boutique?

Computer scrapbook layout by Trish Yochum

Layout by Trish Yochum
larger view



Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Threadbare Shapes Biggie and ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Lifted Photos Biggie -Weathered are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Brandy Murry

Layout by Brandy Murry
larger view



Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Pressed for Time I Biggie are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Ariadna Wiczling

Layout by Ariadna Wiczling
larger view




Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Layer Your Own Brushes: Parcel Dates, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Felt 8201 Super Biggie and Brush Set: My Descriptions are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Syndee Nuckles

Layout by Syndee Nuckles
larger view


Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Vintage Travel are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Keri Schueller

Layout by Keri Schueller
larger view



Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: In Bloom 3 and Brush Set - 4x6: Enchanted are also available.

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.

Life Muses by Ro: A Grateful Heart

Note from Ro: I found this muse on the Scrap Girls blog by my partner, Valerie Randall. V (as we call her) has a unique ability to see beauty in small details and then use these details in unusual ways. I find her design sensibilities completely fascinating. She’s an amazing person to watch. Everyone on our team is very grateful for her. I think you’ll see why when you read what she has said.

Give a man a digital camera so that his wife can scrap.

My husband took this digital photo of a drinking faucet. You can see his reflection as he stoops to capture the image in the handle, the silver camera reflecting the coral of the wall. My nephew's torso is reflected as well. I love this very graphic image - the cool industrial design of the faucet, the warm color of the wall, the interplay of the rough stucco texture against the smooth metal, the small reflections of water-based humans within a water delivery system.

As I looked at this image, it became clear that it wanted to be more than just a picture in a folder on my hard drive. It wanted to be a part of a digital scrapbook. First, I had to see what the letter Q would look like laid on top of the circular handle. The word "quench" became the perfect headline. From there, I needed a quote to place graphically on the page, square-edged to off set the circular roundness of the fountain. This one by Sarah Ban Breathnach refreshed me, “Let’s choose today to quench our thirst for the ‘good life’ we think others lead by acknowledging the good that already exists in our lives. We can then offer the universe the gift of our grateful hearts.”

Using some brushwork and water drop styles, I added water coming out of the fountain and scattered a few water drops about for punctuation. Graphic design meets digital scrapbooking and, for that, I have a grateful heart.

I used Brush Set: Cookbook Stains, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Water Drops 5301 and ScrapSimple Type Paths: Squares 2101.

- Valerie

Computer scrapbook project by Valerie Randall

Layout by Valerie Randall


Commercial license versions of Brush Set: CookBook Stains Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: WaterDrops 5301 Mini and ScrapSimple Type Paths: Squares and Rectangles 2101 are also available.

Valerie Randall

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.

Way Cool Stuff Product Review: ScrapSimple Transparency Overlays

Transparency overlays are another great product in the ScrapSimple line that our wonderful designers here at Scrap Girls have created for us. There are so many ways that you can incorporate them into your layouts. You can use them to enhance background papers by attaching a clipping mask or applying a layer Blend Mode. You can also apply styles to them to make them stand out more and pop off the page. Another thing that I love about them is that even though many times they coordinate with a specific collection, they are versatile enough to scrap with ANY collection!

Here are some of the different looks I got with Thao’s ScrapSimple Transparency Overlays: Pretty Primavera and one of the papers from Erica Hite’s Ophelia Collection Biggie.

Screenshot: Example using Blend Modes

In this example, the “Overlay” Blend Mode was applied to the transparency layer.

Screenshot: Example using layer styles

Here I applied Amanda Sok’s ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Glittered Jelly 6401.

Transparency overlays are a great way to add some fun touches to finish off your layouts and to spice them up a bit. So, give them a try today!

Computer scrapbook layout by Amy Lemaniak

Layout by Amy Lemaniak
larger view



Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Transparency Overlays: Pretty Primavera, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Old Metal 5101 Super Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: In Bloom Biggie and ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: In Bloom 2 are also available.

Amy Lemaniak

Amy Lemaniak lives in a St. Paul, Minnesota suburb with her husband of six years and their three-year-old son, Tyson, and is expecting another bundle of joy in 2009. She discovered digital scrapbooking in December 2006 and hasn’t looked back since. She is proud to be a member of both the Scrap Girls Welcoming Committee and the Layout Artist Team. She also works full-time at a major legal publishing company as an executive assistant in human resources.

What's Happening at Scrap Girls?

Crops and Chats

NSBR Chat - Early Edition
Thursday, August 7th - 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 August 7th, at 1 PM ET, in the chat room Lobby! Hope to see you there!

Scraplift Crop
Sunday, August 10th - 5:00PM ET

Join TysMommy and angelaNussbaum for a Scraplifting Crop.

A few hours before the crop, we will tell you the name of a Scrap Girls Team Member, and you will be able to choose one of their layouts to be your inspiration. During the crop, we will also help explain about scraplifting, how to use a layout as inspiration, and the importance of giving credit.

Scraplifting is a lot of fun! So come join us, you're sure to enjoy it!

Aussie Chat & Crop
Monday, 11 August - 8:30PM *Australian Eastern Standard Time*

Please join Jo (ScrappingJo) and Karen (Kazbar73) for our next Aussie Chat. This week we will have an art inspired challenge. On Sunday, 10 August, we will post a picture for you to take some inspiration from. Create your layout then come and meet Jo & Karen in the Chat Room at 8.30pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (Please take note of the time change).

For all our other International Ladies, the chat will start at 6.30am New York time on Monday, 11 July. We look forward to seeing you all at the chat.

Leavin' Love Chat
Monday, August 11th - 1:00PM ET

Come join me (Launa) and leave some love in the gallery. Bring a link to a layout of your own that needs a little love and two links of layouts that belong to someone else that need some love! Let's recognize all that awesome talent we have out there!

I'm sure at some point chocolate will be discussed! So join me on Monday, August 11th, at 1:00 ET in the Scrap Girls Chat Room! See ya there!!

NSBR Chat
Monday, August 11th - 9:00PM 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, Carla (CRS) on August 11th at 9 pm et! Hope to see you there!

New Member Chat
Tuesday, August 12th - 8:00PM ET

Join Pat (PBarnes) and Carol Ann (Zaz) for the New Member Chat at 8 PM ET in the Live Chat room lobby. This is a great place to ask questions about getting around the Scrap Girls site or about digital scrapbooking in general - and a great place to make some new friends. All are welcome, new and long time members included.

You do need to have Java installed on your computer to access the Live Chat.

Get Published Chat
Tuesday, August 12th - 9:00PM ET

Join Angela (angelaNussbaum), Amy (tysMommy) and Christy (christyVW) for the Get Published Chat on August 12th at 9 PM ET.

Do you want to see your layouts in magazines, but you are not quite sure how? Do you need a little more confidence with your layouts? During the Get Published Chat, we will talk about current calls, give constructive criticism on requested layouts, and we will answer your questions about submitting to magazines.

As with most of our chats, there will also be a challenge. To help you further your chances of being published, we will select a call, and challenge you to do a layout with that theme! Be sure you come to this informative Monthly chat, you will be glad you did!

High Noon Crop
Wednesday, August 13th - 12:00Noon ET

Join your host April Showers 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 August 13, we'll do a Kitchen Sink challenge! Create a layout using the color red, a button, three or more photos and a tag! Add any other embellishments you'd like, and any other colors as well!

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!

August Events

August Board Game: BINGO!

It's that time again! Join us for an exciting game of BINGO on the Message Board Forum in August! Pick 25 words from the list provided in the forum and send them in an e-mail to [email protected] with a subject line saying “BINGO CARD” and including your message board user name by Sunday, August 3rd in order to play in the first round which will begin Monday, August 4th.

Each day, members of the Welcoming Committee will call 5 random words from the Bingo list. Match just 15 of those words to win a BINGO. You must be first to call bingo in the forum to win that round. After a winner is called, the boards can be cleared and a new round will begin the following day. All winners receive a $5 Gift Certificate to the boutique! We like to see lots of winners, so please remember that each person can only win one round during the month. Have fun!

If you miss the first round cutoff date, you can still play! Just send in your Bingo card at any time during the month and you'll be eligible to begin playing when the next new round starts. Everyone who sends in a Bingo card will receive a confirmation email that their card has been received. If you do not receive confirmation within 24 hours, please re-send your list of words. We cannot be held responsible for misdirected emails.

Layout Contests:

August Layout Contest: We all have had some magical events in our life. We want to see your layouts that describe a time before or during a magical event in your life like a wedding, a prom, a special vacation, or maybe the birth of a child. Upload your layouts to the August Layout Gallery by August 31st at Midnight, and if your layout is chosen, you will win a $10 Gift Certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique!

Mid-July Layout Contest: Do you have a dream destination to which you would like to travel in the future, or maybe a dream place where you’ve already been? We want to see your layout of this dream destination. Upload your layouts to the July Mid-month Layout Gallery by August 15th at midnight and you could win a $10 gift certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique if your layout is chosen!

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 card by dinny [Diane Miller]

Layout by dinny [Diane Miller]
larger view

Designer Freebie by dinny [Diane Miller] coordinates with her Fiber Brush Set



Commercial license versions of Fiber Brush Set, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: All Stitched - Flowers Biggie, ScrapSimple Alpha Templates: Chip, UPPER Case 1 and ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Doodlelicious 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.

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

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” 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.

1 8.5x11 Sheet of Word Art

1 Assemble Your Own Zoom Page Set

1 Designer's Choice Item

1 ScrapSimple Paper Template Set

1 ScrapSimple Embellishment Template Set

1 ScrapSimple Layer Your Own Brush Set

1 Designer's Choice Item