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_080903_Wed_MOM.htm

What's New in the Scrap Girls Boutique?

Computer scrapbook layout by Ursula Schneider

Layout by Ursula Schneider
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The sixth product is included in this month's Scrap Girls Club offering. Members receive a substantial discount on these club supplies. They are also available elsewhere in the Boutique at regular prices for those individuals who would rather not join a club.




Commercial license versions of Brush Set - 4X6: Grungings and ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Scalloperoo are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Valerie Randall

Layout by Valerie Randall
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Hats Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Glitter Metals Mini 4102, Brush Set: Grungelle and Brush Set: Well Worn are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Debbie Layden

Layout by Debbie Layden
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Album Templates - Layered: 12x12 Alphabet, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Water 6101 and Lettering Delights Artistic Font are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Brandy Murry

Layout by Brandy Murry
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Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Paint Stroke are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Keri Schueller

Layout by Keri Schueller
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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: Future Scrap Girls Member of the Month

Editor's note: Ro has returned from her vacation! However, she wasn't here when the deadline for this week's newsletters arrived. And so, we are pleased to present some more muses contributed by members of our Scrap Girls team.

Regan VW

Regan VW – Five Years Old

1. What do you use to scrapbook?

Papers, glue, markers, yarn, ribbon, envelopes, frog stickers, regular stickers

2. Describe your digital camera.

It looks like a big blue ball and I like to take pictures with it.

3. Name one thing that every beginning scrapbooker should know.

I don’t know. Get the glue.

4. If you could be transformed into a scrapbooking embellishment, what would you choose and why?

A butterfly because they go on pretty flowers.

5. What time of day do you find that you do your best scrapbooking?

In the afternoon when my sister is napping and Mommy knows it’s safe to allow glue and stuff out of the cupboard.

6. What is your favorite snack?

Ice cream – Peanut butter cup

7. What brand of toothpaste do you use?

Strawberry Shortcake

8. What is your least favorite household chore?

Cleaning up toys, making my bed and putting Daddy’s shoes away.

9. Finish this sentence. “I couldn’t live without...”

Complaining! (Note: Hmmm... maybe Mommy has been quoting Phil 2:4 – “Do everything without complaining or arguing” a bit too much?)

10. What's your current favorite layout that you've done?

I love this layout because I get to be a beautiful butterfly fairy! (See below!)

11. What do you love most about Scrap Girls?

That Mommy lets me watch TV while she plays at Scrap Girls!

- Christy VanderWall

Computer scrapbook layout by Christy VanderWall

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

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: “Alcohol Resist” Technique

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

One technique that is used in the paper scrapbooking world is an alcohol resist technique. Recently, we had some members on the board post the challenge of trying to create this same look in digital scrapbooking. I thought I would share one way of creating this look in my own digital scrapbooking.

Screenshot: Open a Watercolor paper template

Open one file from ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Artsy – Watercolor. These templates are an easy way of creating the look of bleeding colors of paint and dye that is found in the technique of alcohol resist.

Screenshot: Choose your gradient tool

Select the Gradient Tool. This can be found by right-clicking on the paint bucket found in your Tools Palette.

Screenshot: Choose your gradient

Once the Gradient Tool is selected, you can then select from the gradient options on your top tool bar. It will show you a gradient created from the two colors in your foreground and background color boxes on the Tools Palette. You can adjust these gradients by using the various options on the top tool bar or by selecting different colors.

Screenshot: Create your gradient

In the Layers Palette, create a new layer. On the new layer, drag your mouse from one side of your 12x12 document to the other. This will create a gradient on your new layer.

Screenshot: Adjust Blend Modes

In the Layers Palette, we now need to adjust the Blend Modes to give the watercolor paper the colors of your gradient.

Select the gradient layer.

Click on the drop-down box that says “Normal” (next to the opacity settings) and scroll down the various Blend Modes to see different effects created. I am using “Linear Burn” for my example. You will want to select an option that leaves the colors bold and bright, much like the dye that would be used with paper.

If your document tends to be too dark, you can use levels to lighten or darken your watercolor paper so that the colors can become brighter.

Screenshot: Add layer style

The alcohol resist method in real life is often done on glass, plastic or other shiny, smooth surfaces. To create this look, add an epoxy or glass style to your gradient layer. I use the ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Epoxy – 1801 Mini on this example.

Screenshot: Add white layer of detail

To create the look of the resist areas where the dye has been rubbed off, I open up a ScrapSimple Paper Template and drag it over the top of my gradient layer. Recolor the paper template to white. Alternatively, you can use a brush and stamp it in white on a new layer.

Screenshot: Adjust white layer's Blend Mode

Now, to create the resist look and the random effect of the image being rubbed off of the dye, we also change the Blend Mode of the white paper or brush layer to the Blend Mode of “Overlay.” If you would like the white image to be a bit brighter, you can duplicate the layer, which will make the “Overlay” Blend Mode become brighter.

You now have the effect of alcohol resist in the digital format.

Computer scrapbook layout by Shalae Tippetts

Layout by Shalae Tippetts
larger view



Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Artsy - Watercolor 1, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Epoxy 1801 Mini and ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Fanciful 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

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!

Textile Inspiration Chat/Challenge
Wednesday, September 3rd - 9:00PM ET

Join Launa & Zaz, for a Textile Challenge and Crop, we will meet the Wednesday, September 3rd, at 9pm ET in the Scrap Girls Chat Room!

Do the patterns, textures, and colors of textiles fascinate you? Do you get inspiration from anything from pillows to your grandmothers apron? Then this challenge is for you! A few hours before the challenge begins, I'll post a textile for you to use as the starting point for your page. You may be inspired by the colors, placement of patterns, textures... just let it be your inspiration!

I can't wait to see what you come up with!! See you there!

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.

Leavin' Love Chat
Monday, September 8th - 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, September 8th at 1:00 ET in the Scrap Girls Chat Room! See ya there!!

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!

September Events

September Board Game: Guess that Scrap Girl!

It's Back-to-School time and with it come memories of our own childhood. What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you dream big? This month, join us on the Message Board for a game of "Guess that ScrapGirl!" and find out what our ScrapGirls team members dreamed of becoming when they were little girls.

Every day during the month of September, a member of the Welcoming Committee will post a school-aged photo of one of the ScrapGirls team members. Identify the team member and then create and keep an ongoing list with your answers on it, and send your completed list to [email protected] no later than midnight October 2nd. (You can find current photos of all team members in the About Us section of the ScrapGirls home page.)

Everyone who correctly identifies all 30 team members will be entered in a drawing for one of three $10 Gift Certificates! Correctly identify 20+ team members and be entered in a drawing for one of two $5 Gift Certificates! Identify 10+ and be entered in a drawing for one of two $3 Gift Certificates!

Layout Contests:

September Layout Contest: All too often we get caught up in the things that bring us down in life. We sometimes take for granted all of the fun and wonderful things that happen on a daily basis. Here’s your chance to stop, smell the roses and appreciate the good things you have in your life right now. It might be the warm smile of a child each morning, or seeing your best friend on a fall afternoon to reconnect. Let’s pay tribute to the good things in our lives. We want to see your layouts about something positive in your life right now uploaded to the September Gallery. If your layout is chosen, you will win a $10 Gift Certificate to the 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 Trish Yochum

Layout by Trish Yochum
larger view

Designer Freebie by Trish Yochum coordinates with her ScrapSimple Layer Your Own Brushes: Tuscan Label, part of this month's ScrapSimple Club offering!



Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Layer Your Own Brushes: Tuscan Label, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Tuscany, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Tuscan Menu and Brush Set: Grapevines 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