Scrap Girls Chit Chat Newsletter: August 29, 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_080829_Fri_Gonna.htm

What's New in the Scrap Girls Boutique?

Life Muses by Ro: Not Gonna Do It!

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 have always sworn up one side and down the other that I wouldn’t do it... EVER! If someone asked me, my response was so emphatic that it was almost scary. No way! Nope! Not gonna do it! I’m just not the type, you see. I’m not very good at keeping a schedule and staying on track. I get distracted. I’m not very patient in these types of situations. It drives me crazy when other people just “don’t get it” when it seems so simple to me. I wouldn’t have a clue where to start anyway. Besides, I’d rather be scrapping or chatting on the Scrap Girls website.

When the time came for us to look into putting my daughter into preschool, I started to get really frustrated. I’m a stay-at-home mom, so I don’t need a daycare. All I wanted was for someone to prepare my little girl for kindergarten. She gets social time and class structure at gymnastics, MOPS and Sunday school. She’s already smart, but there are those few subjects that need a little more help. I’m really not patient enough. I’m really not structured enough. It would drive me crazy to tackle it on my own!

The economy right now is really hitting everyone hard. I have no desire to send Kalyssa to a full-time preschool (read that as “daycare”)! I certainly have no desire to pay someone $425 a month for that. The only other viable option in this area is to take her all the way across town (you’ve seen the cost of gasoline lately, right?), three days a week for $110 a month. We have seriously considered it. I just can’t do it myself! I can’t! I won’t! Nope! Not gonna do it!

So, I prayed. I looked online at options. I prayed some more. It’s truly amazing how the Lord works in one’s life when He’s asked for help and guidance. Right after I prayed about this situation, I looked online and this one specific homeschooling curriculum for preschool aged children literally jumped out at me. It has a bible study daily. It teaches reading, writing, social studies, cooking, crafts, manners, etc. It’s a set curriculum that I can be flexible with if I want. (It’s the set curriculum that I need – I think I mentioned the lack of structure in my life.)

I still wasn’t convinced that this was the right course of action for our family. I sent the link to about five of my friends who have homeschooling or early childhood education experience. None of them had heard of this curriculum before but they all agreed that it looked fantastic and that it would be a great investment. The cost was less for the whole year than sending her to part-time preschool for one month! So, I did it. I jumped in with both feet. I followed the path the Lord has set before me. I’m going to start homeschooling my daughter on September 2nd. And, guess what? I’m actually excited about it!

The bonus side of this whole situation is that my daughter and I will be spending much more one on one time together while her little brother is napping. I’m really hoping that we’ll get another bonus and she’ll throw fewer fits and become a more happy and contented child because I will be spending that extra special time with just her every day.

Next year, she’ll go to kindergarten just a few blocks away. I’m not going to continue homeschooling her. I won’t! Nope! Not gonna do it!

- Shari Payne

Photo: Shari and daughter

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 Scrapbook Tutorial: Other Uses for Brushes

Note: Tutorial created using Adobe Photoshop CS2 with Windows XP.

There are many ways that we can use digital scrapbooking supplies. Often, we think of printing them out and using them for paper craft projects and doing paper layouts. They can extend even beyond this as they are extremely versatile.

One thing I enjoy is embroidery. I grew up cross stitching, but have not done it in years for many reasons. Lately, though, I’ve started to pick up embroidery since it is more flexible for creativity on my part. Recently, I have been enjoying using Scrap Girls brushes for embroidery patterns. Let me show you how I do it.

Screenshot: Size brush

Open up a blank document the same size you would like your finished embroidery to be. Stamp your brush onto your document. Some patterns may require the image to be reversed when you transfer it so that the letters read right. Determine if you need to do this before printing.

Print your brush design onto a piece of paper.

Screenshot: Transfer design

Using a fabric marking pen or other transfer methods, transfer your design onto your desired fabric. I am placing mine on a baby shirt. If you are using stretchy t-shirt material, you might want to put a stabilizer on the back as the design will stretch when placed on a hoop and distort your pattern.

Screenshot: Stitch design

Using your choice of embroidery thread and colors, you can stitch along your pattern, fill in areas and create your own custom designs. If you are new to embroidery, there are many great books out there that can teach you, or a simple search on Google will bring up basic embroidery techniques and instructions.

Screenshot: Fabric applique

You can also use digital scrapbooking brushes to create a pattern from material. Here, I printed out my pattern and then used it to cut out pieces of fabric and adhered it to the flannel with fabric iron-on adhesive. I then embroidered around the bear, added some of my own designs and her name using a font found here at Scrap Girls.

There are numerous ways the Scrap Girls products can be used. Here are just a few:

Holiday-themed brushes for holiday gifts
Decorative brushes or paper templates for pillow designs
Word art for personalized shirts, towels and other gifts
Animal brushes to make felt stuffed animals
Flower brushes to embroider the bottom of little girls’ pants or shirts

Computer scrapbook projects by Shalae Tippetts
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Computer scrapbook projects by Shalae Tippetts

Projects by Shalae Tippetts
larger view


Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Bouncing Baby Boy Word Art - Biggie, Brush Set: Little Friends: Bear And Sheep and Lettering Delights Fadoodle Font are also available.

Shalae Tippetts

Tutorial written by Shalae Tippetts

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

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

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

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!

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!

Aussie Colour Chat and Challenge
Monday, September 8th - 8:30PM *Australian Eastern Standard Time*

Join Karen (Kazbar73) and Jo (ScrappingJo) for a Aussie Colour Chat and Challenge. Watch the boards on Monday for the colour, then complete a layout and join us in the Live Chat Lobby at 8.30pm Australian Eastern Standard Time. Hope to see you there.

PS - For all you American Girls, who are more than welcome to join our chats, it will be on Monday, 8 September, at 6.30am New York time.

NSBR Chat
Monday, September 8th - 9:00PM ET

High Noon Crop
Wednesday, September 10th - 12:00Noon ET

On September 10, we'll do a geometric challenge! Create a layout using at leat one triangle somewhere on your page!

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 Paula Wright

Layout by Paula Wright
larger view

Designer Freebie by Paula Wright coordinates with her Botanica Collection


Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Fabric Frames Biggie 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