Scrap Girls Chit Chat Newsletter: October 21, 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_081104_Tues_Breakfast.htm

What's New in the Scrap Girls Boutique?

Computer scrapbook layout by Christy VanderWall

Layout by Christy VanderWall
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Computer scrapbook layout by Katherine Weaver

Layout by Katherine Weaver
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Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Beautiful Distress, Brush Set: Mother's Day Card Sentiments Biggie, Brush Set: Time Flies, Lettering Delights Mother's Typewriter Font and ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Downtown are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Debbie Layden

Layout by Debbie Layden
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Autumn Edge, Brush Set: Nearly Taped and Lettering Delights Underwood Pica Font are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by dinny [Diane Miller]

Layout by dinny [Diane Miller]
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Shapes: Chillin 3803, Swirls and ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Appassionata are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Gillian Hurst

Layout by Gillian Hurst
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Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Afro Candy, ScrapSimple Transparency Overlays: Painted Edge and Lettering Delights Pig Sty Font are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Amanda Sok

Layout by Amanda Sok
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates - Calendar: 4x6 Vertical 2009 and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Glitter Sparks 6401 Super Biggie 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: What’s For Breakfast?

Breakfast is a symptom of life. If we don’t take time for it, we say to ourselves that we are in too big of a hurry to care for our bodies. We are telling our systems that we can’t stop and refuel them. We are stating, fairly firmly, that the demands and pressures we feel from external sources are more important than we are.

This failure to feed ourselves in the morning is a relatively new trend of society. In agricultural societies, everyone understood that breakfast must be consumed. It takes energy to farm.

My Grandfather Stevens was a rancher/farmer. When I stayed with my grandparents, I woke up each morning to the sound of Grandpa rattling the milk pans and the smell of Grandma cooking breakfast. When he returned from milking the cows, she would have his meal ready.

A typical breakfast menu included large bowls of oatmeal with milk, fresh or bottled fruit (depending on the season), pan-sized, whole wheat pancakes, homemade toast, eggs, bacon or sausage. Sometimes, juice would be included. Of course, I never consumed all of this food, but Grandpa usually did.

They didn’t eat large meals like this later in the day. Lunch could be compared to our generation’s dinner meal. Dinner (or supper) was usually just a bowl of cereal, bread and milk, or perhaps some fresh fruit and vegetables from their garden.

They never skipped meals because they knew meals kept their bodies moving. It seemed to work out well for them because Grandma was never overweight and Grandpa lived until his mid-90’s.

I have noticed that when I fail to eat breakfast, I am feeling busy. I ignore hunger pains until my body fails to remember that it should be hungry. I push through until mid-afternoon when my body becomes slightly hypoglycemic and I am forced to grab some food. And grab is the word. The food is often fast, high calorie, and has poor nutritional content.

However, when I am getting up early enough to make sure I have breakfast... when I allow myself to sit down and eat it mindfully... when I take the time to consider my day and what I need to do as I eat, the rest of my day seems to flow easily.

I eat lunch on time. I find healthy things to eat because I’m not so anxious to eat something immediately that I don’t fail to consider the overall picture of my health.

I think well because my brain has the food it needs to work. I am calm because my nervous system isn’t on high alert, worrying that I will not take care of myself. I am happy because I have sent myself a clear message that I matter enough to feed myself.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for more reasons than we realize. Even if you don’t like traditional breakfast foods, find something filling and healthy to eat. If you are consistent with it, you’ll discover that in less than two weeks’ time, you will wake up feeling ready and anxious to eat.

Our bodies are wonderful things. Honor yours and it will honor you.

Cereal with berries,

- Ro

Computer scrapbook layout by Ro

Layout by Ro
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Pro Digital Layout Album Templates: Paper Bag Album 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.

Designer Do-Over: Jan Hicks

The Original

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial: Original layout

Original layout by Jan Hicks

While I love the basic colors I chose for this layout, since I wanted to highlight my cat’s eyes, I felt the overall layout was rather blah. I didn’t like the darker turquoise in the bottom right corner. The embellishments - the words and the Brush Set: Floral Medley 1 Biggie - felt like they were just thrown on the layout, with no real purpose being served.

My main goal, therefore, was to keep the overall colors and feel of the layout, which is simple and elegant, and to keep the focus on the photo, but to add a little more pizzazz and interest to the layout.

The Do-Over

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Experiment with background colors

I start by experimenting with the background color. I know I want to keep the light turquoise, but I want to add some white to it. I first try a white background, with the turquoise around the edges. I also center the photo.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Switch back to original turquoise background

I like the photo against the turquoise background better, so I flip-flop the white and turquoise backgrounds. I also carry the white background into my layout by adding photo frames and using the “Screen” Blend Mode.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Add floral brushes

I originally created this layout to display my Brush Set: Floral Medley 1 Biggie, so I want to still use those on this layout. I create a “bunch” of them, change the Blend Mode to “Screen” again, repeat the white highlights, and position them in the lower right corner.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Add black accents

At this point, I feel like my layout needs some contrasting touches to add a bit more interest. I change the photo frame to black and use one of the ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Edgy, Thin to add a fine black outline around the layout. My finishing touch is to add some text in the lower right - words that we say to Sasha all of the time – “Handsome Boy,” again in black.

While this is still a very simple layout, I am much more pleased with the composition and elegance of it.

Computer scrapbook layout by Jan Hicks

Layout by Jan Hicks
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Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Floral Medley 1 Biggie, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Edgy, THIN, Brush Set: Fanciful Frames and Brush Set - 4x6: Enchanted are also available.

Jan Hicks

Tutorial written by Jan Hicks

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
Tuesday, November 4th - 8:00PM ET

Join Amy (TysMommy) 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 focus on Pregnancies! Are you in the midst of a pregnancy now, done having babies, did you struggle to conceive? Dig out your photos and let’s tell the stories of our pregnancy journeys together! Join me on Tuesday, November 4th for a chat and crop!

High Noon Crop
Wednesday, November 5th - 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 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!

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!

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

Join April Showers and Sherry Lynn in the Chat Room Saturday, November 8th 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!

Aussie Chat
Monday, 10 November - 9:00PM *Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time*

Join Jo (ScrappingJo) and Karen (kazbar73) for our next Aussie Chat on Monday, 10 November. This week's challenge is to scraplift a layout from the gallery. Join us in the chat room from 9pm Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time for lots of laughter and fun.

PS - For our International Ladies, the chat will start at 5am, Monday, 10 November.

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!

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.

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.

High Noon Crop
Wednesday, November 19th - 12:00Noon ET

On November 19th, we'll do a white space challenge! Create a layout using white space. This “negative” or blank space guides the eye to the important areas of your page. Remember, it certainly doesn't have to be the color white!

Heritage Crop
Thursday, November 20th - 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.

November Events

November Board Game: Bingo!

It's that time again! Join us for an exciting game of BINGO on the Message Board Forum in November! Pick 25 words from the list provided in the forum and send them in an e-mail to [email protected] with a subject line that says “BINGO CARD” and your message board user name by Monday, November 3rd (midnight MST) in order to play in the first round which will begin Tuesday, November 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 win 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.

Layout Contests:

November Layout Contest: Have you ever wanted to get a little crazy with your layouts and create something unusual? Here's your chance! For the November Layout Contest, we want to see some unusual layouts! Get a little crazy and type your text sideways or backwards; maybe turn the whole layout on its side! Or use mirror images to create some unusual effects! The sky's the limit! Post your layouts in the November Layout Contest Gallery before November 30th at midnight, and if your layout is chosen, you will win a $10 gift card to the Scrap Girls Boutique. Have fun!

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 Amanda McGee

Layout by Amanda McGee
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Designer Freebie by Amanda McGee coordinates with her ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Creative Expression, part of this month's ScrapSimple Club offering!



Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Creative Expression, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Doodle Pad, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Pen and Ink, ScrapSimple Layer Your Own Brushes: Pen and Ink Doodles, Brush Set: Pen and Ink Quotes and Lettering Delights Underwood Pica Font 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 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