Scrap Girls Chit Chat Newsletter: October 29, 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_081029_Wed_Yesterday.htm

What's New in the Scrap Girls Boutique?

Computer scrapbook layout by Ariadna Wiczling

Layout by Ariadna Wiczling
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Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Painted Shapes are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by dinny [Diane Miller]

Layout by dinny [Diane Miller]
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Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Chillin are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Valerie Randall

Layout by Valerie Randall
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Nutcracker Geometrics, Brush Set: Well Worn, Brush Set: Christmas Things, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Inked Edges Neutrals 4102 and ScrapSimple Tools - Patterns: Textures 2101 are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Erica Hite

Layout by Erica Hite
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Word Art Templates: Joyful Sentiments, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photos That Pop Funky 1801 Mini and ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Fancy Corners are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Debbie Layden

Layout by Debbie Layden
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Fall Flourish, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Stitching And Holes 4101 - Straight Stitching, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Collage 6301 and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Metallic Stitching 6401 Super Biggie are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Marnie Adams

Layout by Marnie Adams
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Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Decorative Swirls, ScrapSimple Type Paths: Squares and Rectangles 2101 and ScrapSimple Type Paths: Shapes 2101 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: Yesterday's Over

“Yesterday's over. Yesterday's over.”

The alarm clock jolted me out of the darkness that surrounded me. I threw my hand out of the blanket and slammed it down on the snooze button. My mind attempted to push out of the fog.

Yesterday's over,” the radio sang again. “Yesterday's ohhh-ver.”

I suddenly realized what I had heard. Yesterday is over. Tomorrow hasn't arrived. I am here, in the now, breathing in and out, thinking one thought at a time. What has happened in the world is immaterial. What will happen will happen. I can influence what happens to me by choosing my thoughts carefully. I can choose my reactions to what happens outside of me. These choices happen one by one, one breath, one thought, one moment at a time.

Yes, yesterday is over and I am living now.

- 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 Scrapbooking Tutorial: Creating Grungy Text

Note: Tutorial created using Adobe Photoshop CS2 on a PC with Windows Vista (but is easily adaptable in PSE).

There are times when you may want your text to have a worn look. Sometimes, the look that your font gives you seems out of place because it's too pristine and clean looking. Luckily, as digital scrapbookers, we have easy ways to give any font a worn, grungy style with the use of digital scrapbooking brushes.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Calendar image

First, create your layout in any way you choose. I have created my layout for a mini gift album that will be perfectly sized to be presented in a CD case, using ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates – Calendar: CD Case Perpetual.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Add text

As you can see in the image above, I use the template that goes with the month of March. I'm not going to use the calendar portion, but rather, I plan to use this space for journaling. Type your journaling onto your layout using the Type Tool in the Tools Palette. Make sure to do a spelling and punctuation check.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Duplicate text layer

After adding your journaling, duplicate your text layer by right-clicking on it in the Layers Palette and selecting “Duplicate Layer.” The reason for doing this is because once the text is rasterized (a necessary step you will complete later), you are not able to edit it any longer. By creating a duplicate layer, if you ever need to go back and edit your text, you will have the original layer. Go ahead and hide (click on the little eye next to the layer in the Layers Palette) the original text layer.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Rasterize text copy layer

With your text copy selected in the Layers Palette, you are now ready to rasterize the text. Right-click on the text copy layer and select “Rasterize Type.” After doing this, you'll notice that the thumbnail will change and it will no longer be white with the “T” in the middle. (Your original text layer will still have it.)

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Select Eraser Tool and load grunge brush

Now, load a favorite grungy brush set. I am partial to Brush Set: Grungelle, Brush Set: Well Worn, or Brush Set: Worn Threads, as their style works well for me. Scrap Girls also offers many other grungy brush options. Load your favorite according to the directions you received when you purchased the brushes. Then, select the Eraser Tool in the Tools Palette and select the brush you would like to erase with. For this tutorial, I am using the Nobby brush in Brush Set: Worn Threads.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Erase portions of raterized text

Using your brush, place it over the text and click to erase. You can vary the opacity at the top of your screen to have less removed or resize the brush to achieve a different look. For my layout, I only clicked once with the eraser brush to achieve the look I want, however, you might wish to erase more. Here's a before and after image of my journaling.

One tip to keep in mind is that you don't want to overdo it. Sometimes, placing your journaling on highly textured or grungy papers will make your text more difficult to read even without giving it a worn look. If you make your text too grungy, it might be harder to read. Don't be afraid to experiment and remember there is always Ctrl+Z to undo something if you aren't happy with the result.

Computer scrapbook layout by Brandie Valenzuela

Layout by Brandie Valenzuela
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates - Calendar: CD Case Calendar Perpetual and Brush Set: Worn Threads are also available.

Brandie Valenzuela

Tutorial written by Brandie Valenzuela

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, 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.

NSBR Chat - Early Edition
Thursday, October 30th - 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 (Shari - PV Mom) and Michelle (Shelbi), on October 30th, at 1PM ET, in the chat room Lobby! Hope to see you there!

Sketch Crop Challenge
Thursday, October 30th - 9:00PM ET

Join me, sprinklz, for the Sketch Challenge and Crop, Thursday, October 30th, at 9pm ET in the Scrap Girls Chat Room!

Like getting a little jump start on your layouts? Then this challenge is for you! A few hours before the challenge begins, I'll post a sketch for you to use as the starting point for your page. You can be inspired by the basic arrangement, the amount of photos, or copy it literally. All interpretations are welcome and encouraged! Looking forward to seeing you there!

We'll be meeting in the "00_Room_1" room of the chat. To join, click on the “chat room” link (above). Once you are in the lobby, click on the “Show Rooms” button (on the upper left), then select “00_Room_1” from the list on the left side.

High Noon Crop
Wednesday, November 5th - 12:00Noon ET

On November 5th, we'll do a repetition challenge! Create a layout using the design principle of repetition. Unsure of what that is? Come find out, we'll discuss this design principle throughout the crop!

High Noon Crop
Wednesday, November 12th - 12:00Noon ET

On November 12th, we'll do a dominance challenge! Create a layout using the design principle of dominance. Unsure of what that is? Come find out, we'll discuss this design principle throughout the crop!

Sketch Crop Challenge
Thursday, November 13th - 9:00PM ET

Join me, sprinklz, for the Sketch Challenge and Crop, Thursday, November 13th, at 9pm ET in the Scrap Girls Chat Room!

New Member Chat **Early Edition**
Tuesday, November 18th - 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.

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 Angela Blanchard

Layout by Angela Blanchard
larger view

Designer Freebie by Angela Blanchard coordinates with her Farmer's Bounty Collection

* 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