Scrap Girls Chit Chat Newsletter: November 22, 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_081129_Sat_Comfort.htm

Cute Stuff

Computer scrapbook layout Christy VanderWall

Project by Christy VanderWall
larger view



Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Craft Templates: Advent Calendar and ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Crochet Snowflakes are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Amanda Sok

Layout by Amanda Sok
larger view

Bracket Easy Page Pro Album 6x6: Winter White

Computer scrapbook layout by Brandy Murry

Layout by Brandy Murry
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: Crocheted Frames, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Notions, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Pierced, Brush Set: Simple Stitch and ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Bows To Go I are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Caroline Kaiser

Cards by Caroline Kaiser
larger view




Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Craft Templates: 5x7 Greeting Card Gift Set are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Thao Cosgrove

Layout by Thao Cosgrove
larger view




Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates - Calendar: Hopeful 2009, ScrapSimple Tools - Shapes: Embellishments 1801 Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Silver 5701, Lettering Delights Eyeliner Font and Brush Set: Sketchbook Dotted Biggie are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Brandy Hackman

Layout by Brandy Hackman
larger view

Computer scrapbook layout by Thao Cosgrove

Layout by Thao Cosgrove
larger view



Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Album Templates - Layered: 12x12 Gallery, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Gold 5702 and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Paper Textures 4902 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.

Customer Muse: A Little Comfort For the Traveling Consultant's Wife

I am sitting in room 219 at a Fairfield Inn near the airport as I write. My husband has driven downtown to work at the office today. I have one sleeping five-year-old in the bed next to me and one seven-year-old playing on the floor by my feet. We are in transition, a place we've visited often.

Tomorrow, we board a plane to a foreign land where we will spend the next two years of our lives. My husband, Mac, is an energy consultant. He has worked in five different countries over the ten year period of our marriage. Some of his assignments are short and intermittent, during which the kids and I stay in the U.S. Some assignments allow us to travel as a family. Sometimes, there are no assignments, during which Mac stays home with the kids and I work full-time. I have worn and continue to wear many hats: stay-at-home mom, wife, full-time registered nurse, paper scrapper and, now, digi-scrapper.

I learned to paper scrap from my Australian, Trinidadian, and American friends on our last overseas assignment. Mac had requested a scrapbook of our summer vacation for his birthday. So, I had a deadline and no experience. It evolved into a weekly craft group, with women from many countries bringing their jewelry, sewing, and scrapping projects to my apartment every Thursday morning. Crafts, coffee, cake, comfort, and community.

We were pretty well settled back into our American lives on December 31, 2007, when the call came with the offer of a two-year assignment. My panic button had been activated. Time for a role change; time to give up my job and friends. Time to learn a new skill!

I Googled digital scrapbooking and almost instantly found Scrap Girls. I started reading everything I could about software and hardware and browsed through galleries. I found more than I expected. I expected to find a portable hobby that I could take with me and work on even before our shipment arrives. I found that and a sense of community... a community that I can belong to no matter where I live in this world. Thank you Scrap Girls.

- Sarah V Watkins RN, BSN

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 CharleneJ, Soozlou, and mtorres_usa.

What Customers Are Saying...

As usual, you have exceeded my expectations, but maybe that’s not accurate anymore. Your customer service is so fantastic that I never have to worry about anything because you always take care of whatever the issue is. You always do it quickly and completely! Scrap Girls and Angie are great!

Thank you, Angie. This is what I appreciate so much about your business. You take the time and care to figure it out and do it in such a timely manner. It keeps me coming back again and again and again and....

Every day, I reach the bottom of the daily newsletter where it says “Stop. Before you unsubscribe...” and every day I think, “Now, why would I want to unsubscribe?”

I know that this email address is supposed to be for those who need a bit of help. I don't need any help (right now), but I just had to drop you a little note to tell you how much I enjoy all of the inspiration - both in words and in layouts, contained in the daily newsletter, and that I appreciate the efforts that the team puts forth in creating it.

I'm in a different time zone from you (west coast of Scotland), and the newsletter arrives in my inbox at 11:22 a.m. each morning. So, for me, it's an enjoyable lunchtime read and on days when I'm not at home, I catch up in the evening.

I have had these files open for no more than a half hour now and I have already gotten further with Photoshop than I had in hours of trying it on my own. These are great tutorials! My first grandchild (a boy) was born in June. Now, I feel confident that I will be able to create beautiful pages for him.

I just have to tell you how wonderful it is to work with a company like Scrap Girls and with you in particular. Your quick responses are always helpful and encouraging. I am sure that there are days when you do not feel as cheerful as you always sound. I just want you to know how much I appreciate your help.

This site is just so fabulous and keeps me going with new ideas. Everyone here is so inspirational - you have given me so many great ideas about how and what I can scrap - thank you so much.

I just wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU! You have such a great site. I made my first purchase today and I just want you to know - as a new digital scrapper, only one week now - you are one of the best sites out there. I love the newsletter and your products are fabulous! Thanks again! Keep up the good work!

Thank you for such a fantastic site and your newsletters are fabulous. I can’t
wait to read them. They are such an Inspiration to someone as new to digital scrapbooking as me.

Thanks for being on top of things! Customer service like this shows me that you are top notch!

I just printed out my transparencies and they are fabulous. I can’t believe it!
The best part is that I can print them over and over again. I am a believer now... the craft store won’t see me for quite a while. Thank you so much for your help and inspiration.

Layout and Contest Winners

Weekly Layout Winners

Computer scrapbook layout by Penni

Layout by Penni
larger view


Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Ex Libris Biggie are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by tiza126

Layout by tiza126
larger view

For the Love of Cardboard Collection Mini

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

ATC Crop/Chat
Sunday, November 30th - 7:00PM ET

Please join me, Sherry_Lynn, in the chat room for our November ATC Swap Crop/Chat on Sunday, November 30, at 7PM ET. For this month's challenge we are doing ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) that feature Holidays!

Swap Crop Chat
Sunday, November 30th - 9:00PM ET

Join Shelbi (Michelle) for the November Swap Crop Chat Sunday, November 30th, at 8pm EST. I can't wait to see all the wonderful fall layouts you have made for each other.

If you can't make it to the chat we would still love to see your Layouts in the gallery. You can start uploading your layouts at 6pm and we'll chat about them at 8pm.

NSBR Chat
Monday, December 1st - 9:00PM ET

What is NSBR? It’s a non-scrapbooking related chat! Take some time out from your busy holiday schedule and relax with us in the chat room. We can chat about anything, including scrapbooking, chocolate and the craziness of the season!

So join me, Carla (crs), at 9 pm et in the chat room!

High Noon Crop
Wednesday, December 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 December 3rd, we'll do a snowflake challenge! Create a layout using at least one snowflake, in any way you can!

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!

Scraplift Chat & Crop
Sunday, December 7th - 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!

Aussie Chat
Monday, 8 December - 9:00PM *Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time*

Join Jo (ScrappingJo) and Karen (kazbar73) for our next Aussie Chat on Monday, 8 December. This week's challenge is to create your favourite Christmas Recipe on a 4x6 layout. 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, 8 December.

New Member Chat
Monday, December 8th - 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, December 10th - 12:00Noon ET

On December 10th and 17th, we'll do a TWO-PART, end of year challenge! Create a 2-page layout or a mini album using the very best photos of your 2008. Part one (December 10) may be an hour of sorting, planning and picking photos, papers, and embellishments, and part two (December 17) could be all about the layout/album. As Tim Gunn says in Project Runway, “Use your time wisely,” and, “Make it work!”

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!

November Mid-Month Layout Contest: We all have some principles that we look to for guidance in our lives. These principles help us make decisions and choices. For the Mid-November Layout Contest, we want you to create a layout documenting a list of five principles or rules that you live by. Post your layouts in the Mid-November Layout Contest Gallery by December 15th at midnight, and if your layout is chosen, you will win a $10 Gift Certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique! Good Luck!

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 Brandy Murry coordinates with her Planes Trains and Automobiles Collection


Commercial license versions of 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 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