Scrap Girls Chit Chat Newsletter: September 12, 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_080912_Fri_Park.htm

What's New in the Scrap Girls Boutique?

Life Muses by Ro: Park Your Car in the Garage

Adjustable shelves lined the right side of the garage. An old bank of plastic cabinets stood along the left side. Each storage system was organized neatly and one would think that it would be easy to access the contents of the units. But, it wasn’t. The mayhem that stood in front of the organized storage units prevented us from using their contents at all.

In order to remodel the basement, we had to move its contents somewhere and the garage was nominated. The shelves in the basement were carried up and the vast amounts of contents that had been lugged around the United States in our various moves were stacked on them. Because the shelves weren’t large enough to hold it all, the aisles between the shelves also became stuffed with items.

I realized we were in trouble the day I needed to retrieve a single brush so that I could touch up some paint. There was no possible way it was going to return to our basement.

“We have serious clutter issues,” I told my husband. “It’s time to let all of that stuff go.”

We decided it was time to rid ourselves of the burden. We made the rule that if we hadn’t used it in the last year, we probably wouldn’t use it at all and the decluttering began.

Gary decided that he wanted to take on the project himself. He was worried that I would throw things away without actually looking at them. He was probably right.

When I was in Arizona for my vacation, he worked away at his project. When we talked each night, he gave me progress reports. He also confessed that he was shocked at how much stuff he had accumulated.

When I returned home, I looked in my largely clean garage and smiled. Then I asked where it all went.

“A lot of it has gone to charity,” he said. “The rest of it is outside behind the gate on the side of the garage. I’m going to have a yard sale.”

I went out and looked. I saw clutter stacked up everywhere.

“People who need it should have it,” I said.

The best moment of our official decluttering project was the disposal of an unused piano. A young man came to visit us as part of his official church duties. While we were chatting, I told him that I had a piano to give away. I had replaced my full sized electronic piano with a “real” one and we didn’t have a place for it anymore. Gary wanted to sell it. I wanted to give it to someone.

He got very excited. His wife loved to play the piano and they hadn’t been able to afford one. She is a high school teacher. He is just starting his career. They have a one-year-old daughter.

“Perfect,” I thought. “I would love to have a school teacher own it.”

I offered it to him and he flipped with happiness. A few days later, Gary helped him take it to his home. He told me how thrilled the wife was. Last night, I received a home-grown cantaloupe from their garden as a token of thanks. Nice.

I guess the point of this story is this: If you are holding onto things you don’t use or need anymore, find out for yourself how nice it is to share it with people who need it more than you do. Blessings return via the good feelings you receive. What could be finer?

Besides, you can actually park your car in your garage.

Life is good.

- 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.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial: Blending Papers Together by Using Brushes

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

Using more than one paper pattern as a background can add richness and depth to any digital scrapbooking layout. Instead of cutting the papers with the Lasso Tool, which makes a hard edge, try using the Eraser Tool set at a lower opacity to softly blend papers together. Here’s how.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Layer papers into one document

First, open the papers that you want to use in your background. Hold down the Shift key to drag each paper onto a new 12x12 document. By holding down the Shift key, the papers will line up perfectly.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Choose eraser brush

Next, select the Eraser Tool and pick a brush image that you want to use. A basic round brush with soft edges is a good one to use. Here, I’ve chosen the soft brush with a large diameter of 300 pixels. Reduce the opacity to about 20-30%. A lower opacity will give you a softer blend as well as more control over your erasing.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Before
Before

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: After
After

With the Eraser Tool, slowly erase part of the paper on the top layer to expose the bottom paper’s pattern.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Add another paper

Another piece of paper can be added to create even more depth to your background.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Final

Here’s the final result which shows subtle glimpses of two paper patterns below the top dotted one. This unique pattern is now ready for your next digital layout.

More Examples

Experiment with different brush images and colors of papers to create different blending effects. Papers that blend well together include solids and papers with similar color tones and styles.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Example 1

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Example 1 close-up
Close-up


Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Sketchbook Pencil Biggie are also available.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Example 2

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Example 2 close-up
Close-up


Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Edging 1 Grunge are also available.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Example 3

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Example 3 close-up
Close-up


Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Paint Stroke are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Thao Cosgrove

Layout by Thao Cosgrove
larger view


Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Circles Couture Biggie and Lettering Delights Fadoodle Font are also available.

Thao Cosgrove

Tutorial written by Thao Cosgrove

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

Scraplift Chat
Sunday, September 14th - 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!

New Member Chat **Early Edition**
Tuesday, September 16th - 3:00PM ET

Join April (April Showers) at 3:00 PM ET for a fun chat to get to know our newest members. We will discuss the message board, gallery, chocolate and so much more! Everyone is welcome, new or not so new!

Not sure how to get there? Just click the "chat room" button at the top of this newsletter; you will need JavaScript enabled to access the chat room.

Get Published Chat
Tuesday, September 16th - 8:00PM ET

Join Angela (angelaNussbaum), Amy (tysMommy) and Christy (christyVW) for the Get Published Chat on September 16th at 8 PM EST.

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 magazine, and challenge you to do a layout with one of their calls!

Be sure you come to this informative Monthly chat, you will be glad you did!

Life Moments Crop
Tuesday, September 16th - 9:00PM ET

Join Carla (crs) 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 be revisiting our childhoods, specifically, extra-curricular activities! Was anyone else a Scout or belong to 4H? How about gymnastics or ballet classes? I hope to see you on Tuesday, September 16th, at 9 PM ET in the chat room!

High Noon Crop
Wednesday, September 17th - 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 Sept. 17, we'll do a Back to School challenge! Create a layout about going back to school - whether it's your child's first day of kndergarten, you going back to college after a break, your favorite school day memories, whatever! Have an academic-oriented page!

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!

Ad Inspiration Crop
Wednesday, September 17th - 9:00PM ET

Join Pat & Launa for an Ad Inspiration Chat and Crop in the Scrap Girls Chat Room Wednesday, September 17th, at 9:00 ET.

We will use a magazine ad to inspire a layout, there is no wrong answer!! Come join the fun! The Ad will be posted a couple of hours before the challenge. Come join us for some chattin', croppin', and FUN!

NSBR Chat - Early Edition
Thursday, September 18th - 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 18th, at 1 PM ET, in the chat room Lobby! Hope to see you there!

Heritage Crop
Thursday, September 18th - 8:00PM ET

Do you have boxes of heritage photos just waiting to be restored and scrapped? Are there family stories just waiting for you to write down and preserve? Then this is the crop for you!

Join April (April Showers) and Carla (CRS) for the Heritage Crop and Chat! We'll help you get motivated to scrap those heritage photos and record your family stories for future generations to enjoy. This month’s challenge is to use a brush or two in your layout. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

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 Brandy Murry

Layout by Brandy Murry
larger view

Designer Freebie by Shalae Tippetts coordinates with her Cruising Collection




Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Ornamental Ink, Brush Set: Fairy Princess, Brush Set: Princess and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Glittered Gelly 6401 Super 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