Scrap Girls Chit Chat Newsletter: October 23, 2008

We have been experiencing trouble with some email clients, especially Yahoo, during the past week or so in getting the newsletter delivered to you on time and in the right mailbox. Some mail has been arriving late, in the spam box, or not arriving at all! Please make sure [email protected] is listed on your safe address list in your email client, and check our home page for a link to the newsletter if yours is late in arriving. Thanks for your patience as these computer issues sort themselves out!

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_081023_Thurs_Silence.htm

Cute Stuff

Computer scrapbook layout by Paula Wright

Layout by Paula Wright
larger view



Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Fancy That and Brush Set: Tapestry Alphabet Biggie are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Amanda McGee

Layout by Amanda McGee
larger view

These first four products are included in this month's ScrapSimple 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 ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Doodle Pad, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Creative Expression, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Pen and Ink, Brush Set: Pen and Ink Quotes, ScrapSimple Layer Your Own Brushes: Pen and Ink Doodles and Lettering Delights Mother's Typewriter Font are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Sarah Batdorf

Layout by Sarah Batdorf
larger view



Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Vintage PSE 6502, Lettering Delights Warm Heart Font and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501 are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Debbie Layden

Layout by Debbie Layden
larger view

Computer scrapbook layout by Shalae Tippetts

Layout by Shalae Tippetts
larger view

These two products are 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.

Computer scrapbook layout by Angie Briggs

Layout by Angie Briggs
larger view


Commercial license versions of Dynamic Brush Set: Basic Stitching 4901 Biggie and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Stitch 1801 are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Angela Blanchard

Layout by Angela Blanchard
larger view

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.

Best of the Scrap Girls Blog: Silence Is Golden

Note from Ro: I found this fun post on the Scrap Girls blog. It brought back a lot of memories of when I was a young mother. I hadn’t thought of this in years! (Maybe this is why I enjoy a quiet house?)

It's a pretty well-known cliché that “silence is golden.” I will go out on a limb and say that – in certain circumstances – it's actually priceless.

One afternoon, in April 2006, in the middle of “something important,” I stopped dead in my tracks. What was that odd thing happening in my house? I stood motionless for a few moments before I realized it – there was no noise, no happy squealing, no whining from tormented pets. There was only... SILENCE!

As any mother of young children can attest, this doesn't exactly bring about a sense of calm and wellness. (Well, not unless you happen to KNOW your children are safely tucked in bed, at school or something else irrefutable.) It actually brings upon a creeping sense of dread. “What will I find my child doing?” is a sure-to-be-uttered question, along with a prayer that the child will be found happy and healthy.

So, I dropped whatever it was that occupied my attention and raced down the stairs to find my daughter asleep on the floor amidst various puzzle pieces, Hi Ho Cherry-O game pieces, dog toys and books. I stopped long enough to ensure that she was still breathing... YES! The only thing that stood in my way now was stifling my giggles long enough to grab my camera and document the moment.

Obviously, it was a success – I have the evidence to prove it.

- Stefanie

Computer scrapbook layout by Stefanie Harris

Layout by Stefanie Harris





Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Crayon Basics, ScrapSimple Tools - Shapes: Flowers 5701, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Silver 5701, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Clear Tints Super Biggie 4101, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Vellum 5401, AMC_Chalk Talk Font and Lettering Delights Aloha Font are also available.

Stefanie Harris

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 Digital Scrapbooking Product Review: Assemble Your Own Products (AYO): Greeting Cards

Note: Review written with screenshots from Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0.

When was the last time you made a card? If you are like me, probably a long, long time ago. In this digital age, we can still revive the lost art of card-making (and giving) through the use of AYO: Greeting Cards available in the Scrap Girls boutique. (AYO = Assemble Your Own)

Digital Scrapbooking Product Review Screenshot: Open base

First, open the card base you would like to work with. I chose a blue and white striped card base from Syndee Nuckles' AYO: Greeting Cards-Keep in Touch. Note the score/fold lines. We will be layering our embellishments on the area below those lines.

Digital Scrapbooking Product Review Screenshot: Place vellum matte

First, I place a white vellum matte. (File> Place> SNU_AYO_KeepinTouch-VellumMatte)

Digital Scrapbooking Product Review Screenshot: Add flowers

Next, I add some flowers, resizing and positioning them as desired. I also place a jeweled “Keep in Touch” word art and accent the flowers with swirls from Syndee Nuckles’ Dynamic Brush Set: Doodles 6301. I fill the swirls with a silver color. If you like, you can add a bit of a drop shadow to your embellishments; just use a very small setting (around 1-3 px).

Digital Scrapbooking Product Review Screenshot: Create envelope

Now, we do the envelope. You can print the envelope as is or embellish it further. I fill in the “To” and “From” portions with a handwriting font. I also create a vellum-like rectangular matte to highlight my name. To do this, I create a new layer and, using the Rectangular Marquee Tool, fill it with white and reduce the Opacity to around 40%. I then stamp Brandie Valenzuela’s Grungelle Brush-smudge (175 px, 100% opacity) all over the matte. Then, using a small, soft, round brush, I simply erase portions of the Grungelle brush that happen to cover the text. You can also add a small gray drop shadow to the matte.

We are done with the card and the envelope! Wasn’t that easy?

Next, we print. Just use an 8-1/2” x 11” medium weight cardstock for the card. As for the envelope, I like to use a lightweight cardstock for easier folding. Score and fold using the red dashed lines as a guide and then cut it out. To give it a more personal touch, add a handwritten message inside the card.

Digital Scrapbooking Product Review Screenshot: Example 1

Digital Scrapbooking Product Review Screenshot: Example 2

There are plenty of AYO Greeting Cards in the boutique to suit every occasion and your personal style. If you like the artsy/vintage collage looks, here are two finished examples using Syndee Nuckles’ AYO: Greeting Cards-Love.

Digital Scrapbooking Product Review Screenshot: Example 3

Digital Scrapbooking Product Review Screenshot: Example 4

If you like a more contemporary look, you can use your stash of digital scrapbooking supplies to further customize your AYO. Here I use Valerie Randall’s Love Stinks Digital Stickers and Ariadna Wiczling’s Little Zoo Collection.

Warning: Making cards using AYO products is highly addictive. They are so easy to use and you’ll find yourself creating card after card in no time. Family and friends will love you for it. After all, who doesn’t love getting a card?

Computer scrapbook cards by Armi Custodio

Cards by Armi Custodio
larger view




Commercial license versions of Dynamic Brush Set: Doodles 6301, Brush Set: Grungelle and Lettering Delights Underwood Pica Font are also available.

Armi Custodio

Card from kids

Armi comes from Manila, Philippines. She has recently rediscovered the joys of card-making. Her three-year-old twins have started toddler school and they just made their very first card. (With lots of help from the teacher, of course.)

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

Ad Inspiration Challenge and Chat
Thursday, October 23rd - 9:00PM ET

Join Pat (PBarnes) for an Ad Inspiration Chat and Crop in the Scrap Girls Chat Room Thursday, October 23, at 9:00 ET.

We will use a magazine ad to inspire a LO, 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!

Recipe Challenge Chat
Saturday, October 25th - 8:00PM ET

Join April Showers in the Chat Room Saturday, October 25th, at 8 PM ET for our monthly Recipe Challenge Chat where we'll share and scrap our favorite recipes. Check the message board on Thursday morning for this month's theme and Recipe Swap details. Hope to see you there!

ATC Swap Crop
Sunday, October 26th - 7:00PM ET

Please join me, Pat Bowman, in the chat room for our October ATC Swap Chat at 7PM ET. The theme for this month's swap will be “Make Believe.”

1. Create your ATC with your interpretation of the theme. Your original ATC file should be 3.5 inches x 2.5 inches or 1050 pixels x 750 pixels(can be portrait or landscape orientation) at 300 pixels per inch. Be sure to sign and date your ATC - real name and user name (unless they're the same, of course!) Post your ATC to the gallery here, as well, to share with all of our members.
2. Email the full res, flattened JPG version and a text file with the ingredients to me by November 15th. ([email protected]). Please include your initials at the beginning of the filename to help me keep track of everyone's ATCs.
3. I will zip them all together and provide a download link on YouSendIt for everyone to download the file. I will email the link to everyone, and will try to do this by the 20th of that month. Have fun exploring your creative genius!

Aussie Recipe Chat
Monday, 27 October - 9:00PM *Australian Eastern Daylight Time*

Please join Jo (scrappingJo) and Karen (kazbar73) for our next Aussie Chat. This week, we will create layouts with our favourite Summer recipes. If you would like to swap recipe layouts, the easiest way to do this is to create 4x6 layouts, that way everyone can print them out from home.

We will meet in the chat room at 9pm Australian Eastern Time. Looking forward to seeing you all there.

PS - For all our international ladies, we will be in the chat room on Monday, 27 October at 6am New York time.

NSBR Chat
Monday, October 27th - 1:00PM ET

What is NSBR? It’s a non-scrapbooking related chat! We talk about everything! It’s a great way to meet new people and get to know everyone. Catch up on what everyone is up to, and just relax! If you have any questions, we'll try to answer them.

So, join me, Launa, for some fun on October 27th, at 1 PM ET, in the Chat Room! Hope to see you there!

New Member Chat
Tuesday, October 28th - 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.

High Noon Crop
Wednesday, October 29th - 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 October 29th, we'll do a favorite photo challenge! Create a layout using a favoriute photo - recent or old, of you, your kids, a vacation, whatever! Put those amazing, wonderful, reminiscent photos in a 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!

Desktop Crop and Chat
Wednesday, October 29th - 8:00PM ET

Please come join Angela (angelaNussbaum) and Becca @ 8PM 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.

October Events

October Board Game: Posting Contest!

Have you ever been described as “garrulous?” How about “loquacious?” Or “voluble?” If so, then this is the game for you!

It's time to put your chatty nature to the test and get posting! We want to see you post the most! The top 10 posters this month will each win a gift certificate to the boutique! (Top 1-3 will each get a $10 GC, 4-6 will each get a $5 GC, and 7-10 will each get a $3 GC!) We've got a system to keep track of your posts. If you want to keep your own tally, feel free to note your post count before you start posting on Wednesday October 1st. Contest ends on Friday October 31st at Midnight MT!

So go on with your gabby girl self! This is the month for you!

Layout Contests:

October Layout Contest: Has someone ever done something for you that you will never forget or maybe gone above and beyond for you? This month’s contest is the perfect opportunity to document it or thank them for it. We want to see your layouts commemorating those that have made a difference in your life, no matter how big or small. Post your layouts to the October Gallery by Midnight ET on October 31st. If your layout is chosen you will win a $10 gift certificate to the boutique! Be sure to include the credits for products used in the description or under the Details button.

October Mid-Month Layout Contest: Do you enjoy volunteering or helping out in your community? Whether it is at your local church or you are the founder of a non-profit, giving of your time and efforts really can make a difference to those around you. So, let’s see your layouts about how you help those around you or volunteer your time and what it means to you. Post your layouts to the October Mid-month Gallery and if your layout is chosen, you will win a $10 Gift Certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique!

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 Gillian Hurst

Layout by Gillian Hurst
larger view

Designer Freebie by Gillian Hurst coordinates with her African Beat Collection Biggie

* 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 important to 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