Scrap Girls Chit Chat Newsletter: August 27, 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_080827_Wed_Miss.htm

What's New in the Scrap Girls Boutique?

Computer scrapbook layout by Debbie Layden

Layout by Debbie Layden
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: School Edge, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: School Papers 6301, Brush Set: Quote Me 1, Brush Set: Going In Circles, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Sanded Edge 6301, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Destinations 5401, Brush Set: Beautiful Distress, Brush Set: Splatter, Brush Set: Splotches and Lettering Delights Underwood Pica Font are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Shalae Tippetts

Layout by Shalae Tippetts
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Writing, Dynamic Brush Set: Splatter 4901, ScrapSimple Tools - Shapes: Edgings 4901, Brush Set: Stamped Dates and Brush Set: Say It Frames are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Paula Wright

Layout by Paula Wright
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Template: 1898 Photo Frames 1 and ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Extra - Masking Tape Biggie are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Gillian Hurst

Layout by Gillian Hurst
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Scratch The Surface are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Amanda Sok

Layout by Amanda Sok
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Euphoria, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Stacked Photos PS 6501, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Iridescent Glass 6401, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Ribbon Wraps and Brush Set - 4x6: Sincerely Yours are also available.

If you have praise, comments, or questions for any of our Product Designers or Layout Artists, 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: I Still Miss You

Editor's note: Ro is taking some well-deserved and much-needed time off. While she is having a break, we hope you will enjoy these muses contributed by members of our Scrap Girls team.

I’ll be the first one to admit that I’m not a “writer.” It’s not something I do on a regular basis. I woke up one night about a month or so ago from a dream about my grandmother. She recently passed away so I decided I’d write her a letter (we used to do that when I was little) just to feel her again. I decided to share my letter with you.

It’s four o’clock in the morning. Did you know? You know that’s not like me at all, but I had another dream about you. I miss you so much. Without the tiniest bit of cliché, I miss you so much it hurts. I can feel that spot in my heart, where you belong, collapsing. It’s not just a hole; it’s a void - a black hole - sucking everything else into it, creating more and more emptiness. I hate to admit it because it makes me sound like a spoiled, selfish child, but I want to look up to heaven and shake my fists at God and ask why He had to take you from me. I love you; I love you so much. But you know that, don’t you... didn’t you? I guess talking about you in past tense makes the fact that you are gone even more real.

I was there when you left. Did you know? It wasn’t scary or anything like I thought that it might be like. I wish that the people who made movies could experience (or maybe just talk to someone who has experienced) being with someone in their last moments. It’s not like it is in the movies. I know that it is different with every person, but you were finally at peace. You had been in so much pain. I am so glad you are not in pain anymore; but I miss you still.

I think I know now why people make deals with the devil. I am going to see you again, but I am so impatient. The thought of seeing you sooner is so tempting. Why is it that head-knowledge is so hard for my heart to understand?

You were worried about the kids remembering who you were. You should have had a little more faith in your “smart boy.” Jamison saw a picture of you, pointed his little finger at it and said “MeMa.” He loves you, too. I brought him to visit you before you left and you know what he said? He said, “MeMa’s sleepin’” and then he sang “Jesus Loves Me” and touched your hand.

There are so many things I want to tell you, but (wait, Margot cut two teeth last week) you’re busy. I also know that to be absent from the body is to be in the presence of Christ and I know there is no other place you would rather be than at the feet of our Lord. But, I still miss you, MeMa....

- Kelly Favor-Chronister

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.

Digital Scrapbooking Tutorial: Expand Canvas Size

Note: Tutorial created using Adobe Photoshop 7 with Windows XP.

Screenshot: Original file

When I saw the ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Photo Clusters 2 by Syndee Nuckles, I loved them and had to use them in a layout. For this tutorial, I am using the “SNU_SSEmb_PhotoClusters2-3_PSD.psd” file and I am going to show you a quick way to get all of the layers of this file onto your layout workspace.

Instead of making a new file for my layout, I will open up the embellishments template that I wish to use. To get all of the layers of the template onto my layout in a jiffy, I simply expand the Canvas Size of the template that I am using. Then, I select “Save As” and give the file a new name and a new location that will reflect that it is my layout. The embellishment template has now become my layout.

Screenshot: Go to Image> Canvas Size

I go to Image> Canvas Size to change the size of the canvas. Don’t confuse “Canvas Size” with “Image Size.” “Image Size” will make the entire embellishment template larger. “Canvas Size” will expand the space that is around the embellishment template; this is what I want.

Screenshot: Dialog box for "Canvas Size"

The dialog box for Canvas Size will appear with the existing size of the template.

Screenshot: Change dimensions

I type “12” into both the Width and Height measurements and click “OK.”

Screenshot: Embellishment is 12x12

I now have the beginning of a 12x12 layout and all of the template layers are ready to be personalized. This is much faster then Shift+Dragging each layer onto a layout. This will work for any ScrapSimple Embellishment Template. This technique can also be used on ScrapSimple Digital Layout Album Templates - Layered: 4x6 to incorporate them into a larger layout.

Screenshot: Link layers together

If I want to move this grouping around the layout or resize it smaller, I will need to link all of the layers together first.

Use the Layers Palette to link the layers together. Click on the box next to the eye and a chain link icon will appear. This indicates that the layer is linked to the blue highlighted/activated layer. I have linked all of the embellishment template layers together and I can now either move them around the layout or I can Edit> Transform the linked layers to resize the group smaller.

Computer scrapbook layout by Sarah Batdorf

Layout by Sarah Batdorf
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Photo Clusters 2, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Felt Biggie 6501, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501 and AMC_Friendly Font are also available.

Sarah Batdorf

Tutorial written by Sarah Batdorf

What's Happening at Scrap Girls?

If you have never been to the Scrap Girls Chat Room before or have questions about it, this tutorial, Chat Basics, will provide lots of helpful information.

Crops and Chats

High Noon Crop
Wednesday, August 27th - 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 August 27, we'll do a favorite things challenge! Create a layout about one of your favorite things! Any color, any topic (other than your kids!). Maybe your love of a particular movie or song, a certain flower, your addiction to Diet Coke, whatever!

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!

Desktop Crop and Chat
Wednesday, August 27th - 9:00PM ET

Please come join Angela (angelaNussbaum) @ 9PM ET 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.

Swap Crop Chat
Thursday, August 28th - 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 on Thursday, August 28th!

Life Moments Chat and Crop
Tuesday, September 2nd - 9:00PM ET

Join Pat (PBarnes) for our next Life Moments Crop and Chat. These Crops are about building a scrapbook all about you, one layout at a time.

This week we will do a layout about our first car. It doesn't matter if you don't have a photo. You can see if you can find an image on the Internet or just do a journaling layout. Hope to see you there!

High Noon Crop
Wednesday, September 3rd - 12:00Noon ET

On September 3, we'll do a monochromatic challenge! Create a layout using shades of yellow! No other colors except black and white allowed!

NSBR Chat - Early Edition
Thursday, September 4th - 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 September 4th, at 1 PM ET, in the chat room Lobby! Hope to see you there!

New Member Chat
Thursday, September 4th - 9:00PM ET

Join Pat (PBarnes) and Carol Ann (Zaz) for the New Member Chat at 9 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.

Quote Chat & Challenge
Sunday, September 7th - Time TBA

Come join Pat (PBarnes) for the Quote Challenge Crop! Including a quote on your layout can be a touching and meaningful addition, especially if you use the quote to create your own word art.

Here's how it will work. On Sunday, I'll post a thread on the Chat section of the board giving you the quote that 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!

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!

August Mid-Month Layout Contest: The story of your life is unwritten. We’d love to see a layout that has a story of something in your life most people don’t know about you. Do you have a hidden talent to share, a special award you received, or maybe an embarrassing moment? Upload your layouts to the August Mid-month Layout Gallery by September 15th at midnight and you will 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 layout by Jan Hicks

Layout by Jan Hicks
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Designer Freebie by Jan Hicks coordinates with her ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Cardboard Curled Edges



Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Cardboard Curled Edges, Brush Set: Beautiful Distress, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Chipboard 1801 Mini and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Curled Edges Shadows 3201 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