“Time For Myself” by Armi Custodio
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:

The stitched background was done using Cherise Oleson’s Scrap Simple Tools – Actions: Stitch ‘n Holes 8302 Running Stitch. I first traced the dotted lines on Gillian Hurst’s blue paper from her New Year’s Resolution Collection Mini with the Pen Tool, and ran the action. I then colored the stitches and applied Mandy Steward’s ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Stitch 1801 to it.

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Stitch 'n Holes 8302 Running Stitch, ScrapSimple Alpha Templates: Scribbles Super Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Stitch 1801 and ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photo Basics PSE 5001 are also available.

Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0/Adobe Photoshop CS3

Name of challenge: Resolutions

Other Ingredients:

• Font - Century Gothic

Journaling: For the past three years, I have practically devoted all my waking hours to caring for my babies. I love them with all my life, but somewhere along the way, I forgot about the woman that I once was. That woman read a lot of books; loved to tend to her herb garden and cook fresh dishes from its bounty. I know and accept that my life is forever changed with the arrival of children, but I want to have a more balanced life. For instance, how often have I set out to buy a long overdue wardrobe for myself and ended up buying stuff for the kids instead. How many times have I rejected my spouse’s offer for “us time” because it was easier to say “I’m tired” rather than make the effort to arrange for childcare. It is a delicate balance that I’m trying to achieve. I hope to make positive steps toward a balanced life in the next year.

“Put the Mettle to the Kettle” by Julie Moberly
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:

To get the different colors on Diane Miller’s ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Tats, Tribal Tattoos, I made two copies of the template in my Layers Palette. I clipped and merged a green paper to the template on bottom, and then a pink and orange paper to the one on top. I erased portions of the top template to reveal the green of the bottom template.

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Comical PSE 8301, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Tats, Tribal Tattoos, Brush Set: Mixed Alphabet Biggie, Brush Set: Grungelle, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Liquid Metals 6401 Mini, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Glossy Super Biggie 4102, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Paua Shell Super Biggie 4104, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501, Lettering Delights Painter's Hand Font and Lettering Delights Perpetual Font are also available.

Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0

Name of challenge: Resolutions

Journaling: I have been mentally weak. I have allowed laziness, excuses, and procrastination to sabotage my training. In order to regain my physical strength and fitness, I must first discipline my mind. I resolve to think courageously, to tackle challenge with vigor, and to reject the fear of failure. I resolve to rekindle my fierce, competitive will, and destroy every single obstacle in my path to success.

“New Year – Create Change” by Debbie Layden
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:

One technique that I did for this layout was to blend my image into the background paper. First, I laid out all my images where I wanted them. Next, I used my Blend Modes found at the top of the Layers Palette in CS3 to add different effects to the images. Finally, I played with the opacity to bring a little more of the background paper into the image.

Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Beautiful Distress, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Jot It Down Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Vintage PSE 6502, Lettering Delights Long Hand Font, ScrapSimple Layer Your Own Brushes: Date Clock, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Ties and Tags, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Well Loved 5001 and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501 are also available.

Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS3

Name of challenge: Resolutions

“Resolved” by Kara Swanson
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:

To create a sense of depth and realism, I layered the letters in my title on top of each other and at varying angles. Then, I added drop shadows to each.

Commercial license versions of Lettering Delights Mother's Typewriter Font are also available.

Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0

Name of challenge: Resolutions

Other Ingredients:

• Stock photo by ba1969

“2009” by Jo Corne
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:

Having NEVER created a layout without any photos, I challenged myself to this task for this assignment. So, my directions for technique in this layout are... keep it simple, you don’t have to have photos to tell a story, a few words can say it all. The little bit of technique I did use was to use Erica Hite’s Scrap Simple Style Punch Out to give the words ‘live’ and ‘laugh’ as well as the year 2009 some depth on the page.

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Punch Out 5401 are also available.

Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS4

Name of challenge: Resolutions

Other Ingredients:

• Font - BD Norway

“Transparent” by Christy VanderWall
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:

To get the transparent/distressed effect on my photo, I created two duplicate layers of the photo. I applied the ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Colored Vellum 5401 to each layer and turned the opacity of the top layer down to 46%. In between the two photo layers, I created a new layer. On this layer I placed a ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Beautiful Distress with a white color adjustment layer clipped to it.

Commercial license versions of Design Pack: Beautiful Distress, Brush Set: Living, Brush Set: Love Scribbles, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Photographic, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Colored Vellum 5401 and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Transparency 4901 are also available.

Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS3

Name of challenge: Resolutions

Other Ingredients:

• Font - Jeanna

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.

Enjoy the Journey

When I first started designing for Scrap Girls, I knew that I had this passion and I wanted to be as good as some of my favorite Scrap Girl idols. I also knew I had a lot to learn. One day, I asked one of the designers, “How do you decide what to design and how do you know people will like it?”

Her answer was simple and I adhere to it to this day. She said, “I design what I like.” It is really as simple as that. I have found that being true to myself is where the greatest inspiration comes from.

Now, a year later (I can't believe it has already been a year), I continue to grow and learn. I have also developed another guideline that helps me... not to over-think things. How many times have we reworked a layout to the point where we have lost the original idea in our journey to make it better? It's the same with designing.

I have had several occasions of working on something, only to go back to the original idea in its simplest form. Oh sure, there are lots of things that can be better and as I learned new skills or techniques, I used to want to go back and change things (yet again). Now, I save those new ideas for new projects. When I look at collections or layouts I did six months or a year ago, I can see growth and that feels good. Once I would look back on old layouts and cringe. Now, I smile and think, “Wow, I have come a long way.”

So, if I could give you advice, it would be to not be so critical of yourself in your own journey to develop your artistic skills. We all start somewhere and learn and grow at different paces. I admire each and every one of you for putting it out there and sharing your ideas, whether you are a beginner or a designer with many years of experience. I think that sometimes you have to forget about the destination and just enjoy the journey.

- Brandy

Favorite product I've designed:
ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Sketch It PSE 8501
or ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Sketch It PS 8501

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Sketch It PSE 8501 and ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Sketch It PS 8501 are also available.

I love the aspect of turning a precious photo into a work of art through this action and blending modes. You can get so many different effects.

Layout by Brandy Murry
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Sketch It PSE 8501 and ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Petite Frames are also available.

The ScrapSimple club contains items that allow YOU to decide the colors and looks you will end up for your digital scrapbooking designs because the ScrapSimple products are completely customizable. You get all the products shown above, a $19.15 value, for $6.99 or less! And if you would like to create designs to share or sell, there's even a commercial club available! Plus, each month we will help you find new ways to use your club contents to the fullest with this article full of ideas, tips, and projects to get your creativity going!

December’s Scrap Girls ScrapSimple Club’s featured designers are Erica Hite and Theresa Kavouras. Their club is full of fun products that can help you document your photos and get creative in amazing ways. Our entire Scrap Girls staff has put their heads together and come up with some ideas to help you get the most out of your fun, new digital scrapbooking toys!

Layout ideas:

• ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Patch It Up work well for scrapbooking a very loved recipe card which shows lots of wear and tear from frequent use.

• Did the dog really eat your homework? Or perhaps there was another mishap that happened to an important document or love letter? Use ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Patch It Up to help design your layout that tells the story about this frustrating situation.

• Brush Set: Watermark would be perfect scrapbooking photos of “Kool Aid” smiles on child's face or for layouts showing stains made by a favorite beverage on a t-shirt or other clothing. Would work well with ScrapSimple Paper Templates: TShirt Mania.

• Don't delete blurry or less-than-perfect photos – scrapbook them and make them look as if you fully intended them to have a distressed or worn look by using ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Patch It Up.

• Think out of this world! Create a layout for an astronomy fan or a fun layout about someone who is “out of this world” or “from another planet” with the use of Brush Set: Watermark. Also great for promoting creativity by having a child design their own planet. Let them tell you everything about their planet and list its characteristics.

Layout by Julie Moberly
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Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Watermark, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Glittered Epoxy 6041 Super Biggie, Lettering Delights Slender Font, Dynamic Brush Set: Star Bright Biggie, Brush Set: Well Worn, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Star Bright 5001, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Duo Tone Glitter Gels 6401 Super Biggie and Dynamic Brush Set: Glitter 6401 are also available.

Mini Tutorial - How to make a mini album with plastic card protectors:

These mini albums are durable, and just the right size to carry in your purse, or keep at your desk at work.

For this project you need:

• Layouts sized 2.6 X 3.3 inches
• Hard Plastic Card Protectors sized 3 x 4 inches (These can be found in the trading card section or toy section of big stores, or your local trading card shop.)
• Book Rings or Key Rings
• Small hole punch
• Ribbons and charms (optional)

First, create your layout on a document 2.6 inches x 3.3 inches. Print, and trim. Carefully slide your layouts into the protectors. Make sure the layout is down as far as it will go, so you can punch the holes in the protector without punching holes in the layout too.

Gently punch two holes on the loading end of the card protector. For subsequent protectors, line up the punched-out card protector with the one that needs to be punched. Gently punch the holes through, using the punched card protector as the guide. (I do not recommend trying to punch several cards at once, as they will crack.) Now, your cards will line up evenly when you assemble the album.

Place the pages of your album in the order you desire and bind with the book rings, or carefully work through the key rings. Embellish the rings with ribbons and/or charms. Enjoy!

Project by Julie Moberly
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Patch It Up, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Patch It Up, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Antiqued Bookplates and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501 are also available.

We hope this article gives you some ideas to get you scrapping! We’d love to see what you come up with. You can share ideas and tips on the message board, plus there’s a special gallery available for you to show off your Club creations and inspire each other, so start creating!

Have fun!

P.S. We hope you are enjoying one of our newest articles, Club Concepts. Each Monday, we give you ideas on how to use your current club selections in many different ways. We give you ideas for layout themes, embellishments, tips, cards, quotes, projects, and more! Well, we have realized that in creating these articles, we were leaving out one of the most important voices in our club... yours! So, we would like to announce that we will be looking for your help in creating these articles. And, of course, there are prizes involved!

How can you get involved, you may ask? Simply post your new layout using the current club selection (either the Scrap Girls club or the ScrapSimple club) in our Scrap Girls Club Members Gallery. Be sure to list all of the Scrap Girls products you used, as well as a short (1-2 sentence) description of the unique idea or theme your layout shows off. If your layout and its corresponding tip is chosen, they will be showcased in our Club Concepts article, and you will win a $5 Gift Certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique!

Scrap Girls' Newsletter Editor, Heidi, is looking for a Newsletter Assistant.

This is a real job that will pay real money.

Requirements:

• You must know Dreamweaver well. And by that I mean you should be able to take new data, put it into an existing Dreamweaver document, keep the data straight and have the document remain in its original state. You should know how to trouble-shoot common problems. You should know how to upload files to a website/FTP server, how to download files, and other basic functions. You understand Dreamweaver templates, what it means to modify them, and what the ramifications are to the associated files. In addition to knowing Dreamweaver well, you must also know how to code HTML by hand when necessary. A basic understanding of CSS is also required.

• You must know MS Word and Excel very well. By knowing Word, I mean that you have used Word long enough that formatting a Word document is as easy as pouring a bowl of cereal. By knowing Excel, I mean that performing standard Excel duties (such as sorts, search and replace, moving data from sheet to sheet) is as easy for you as combing your hair.

• You must be someone who can take direction well. Along with that, you must also be able to think well on your feet and in new situations. The newsletter often throws curveballs, sometimes at the last second. My assistant must be able to handle new situations and requirements with confidence and common sense.

• You must write well with a cheerful sounding voice. Cheerful means that email from you sounds like you are pleased to communicate with whomever is on the other end of the email chain and that you are happy to communicate with them even if the request that they have made is ridiculous or if they have been rude when they made their initial contact. Writing well means that you use the English language in a way that sounds friendly, yet professional. Writing well means that you can write short articles or put together articles from existing materials when required. Writing well also means that you can quickly make basic edits and proofread documents when necessary.

• You are a digital scrapbooker who uses Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. You have the ability to look at Scrap Girls Boutique and learn what is new in the Boutique and what is not new. In other words, you enjoy browsing around and memorizing what is out there.

You will work out of your own home. You will maintain your own computer equipment (including software) and your own Internet connection. You will maintain your own schedule within guidelines. There are currently three pieces of software my assistant will need: Adobe Dreamweaver (I prefer CS3 or above), Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, and an FTP transfer program.

While this is not a stepping-stone opportunity to become a Scrap Girls product designer, you will get to work with an extremely close, happy, talented group of individuals. And of course, you will make money working in a hobby industry you already know and love.

To apply:

Send the following information to Heidi at [email protected] with everything embedded into the email. (Please, no attachments.)

1. Resume - to include all contact information.
2. List every piece of software you know well. Don’t forget anything – even if it doesn’t seem important.
3. Links to online galleries that have some layouts you have created while digital scrapbooking.
4. Three references, preferably not related to you. Two of these should be people who can discuss your abilities with Office and Dreamweaver. The goal is to allow me to speak with people who have worked with you that can tell me that you do have the skills you say you have. I need my assistant functioning quickly, so this is why I would like to talk to someone.
5. A 500-word essay about why you believe you would make a great assistant for me.
6. If you have any online examples of your Dreamweaver work, please include links to them.

There may be a background and credit check prior to being hired.

Hope to hear from all of you wonderful assistant-type people out there soon!

Heidi

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

NSBR Chat Monday, January 5th - 9:00PM ET Did you survive the holidays... the food, the family, the chaos? If so, join me, Carla (crs) for a NSBR Chat on Monday, January 5th. We’ll talk about it all! And of course, scrapping and chocolate will be mentioned! See you in the chat room on Monday, January 5th at 9 pm et! High Noon Crop Wednesday, January 7th - 12:00Noon ET Join your guest host April Showers 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 January 7th, we'll do a photo challenge! Create a layout using your favorite recent photo(s)! 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! Journaling Chat Wednesday, January 7th - 8:00PM ET Join Shari_PV_Mom and angelaNussbaum for the Journaling chat @ 8pm. Are most of your layouts decorative? Do you have stories to tell, but just not motivated enough to make a layout with journaling? We are going to challenge you to do a layout with your Journaling in mind. Come join us and tell your stories. Sketch Crop Challenge Thursday, January 8th - 9:00PM ET Join me, sprinklz, for the Sketch Challenge and Crop, Thursday, January 8th, 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. Recipe Challenge Chat Saturday, January 10th - 8:00PM ET Join April Showers in the Chat Room Saturday, January 10th, 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! Quote Chat & Challenge Sunday, January 11th - Time TBA Come join Pat (PBarnes) for the Quote Challenge Crop! Including a quote on your layout can be a touching and meaningful addition, especially if you use the quote to create your own word art. Here's how it will work. On Sunday, I'll post a thread on the Chat section of the board giving you the quote that you will use to make your own word art. It's not hard, and I will have a layout with a Word Art example in the gallery. Then we'll meet in the chat room to have fun, chat, and create our Word Art layout! I'll post the time on Sunday, as the time changes around each time to allow participation by our international folks. Everyone can participate and create a layout, even if you can't make the chat. Hope to see you there! Scrap Girls 52 Chat Sunday, January 11th - 4:00PM ET Join Angela (angelaNussbaum) and Becca for the first ever Scrap Girls 52 Chat @ 4PM ET. What is Scrap Girls 52? Come to the chat and we will tell you! Before the chat, you will want to get those camera batteries charged and ready to shoot, as you're going to be using your camera more than ever! Have we got your attention? OK, good! Until the chat begins, your task is to take at least ONE photo daily - starting on January 1, 2009!! Keep your eyes on the message board for more details! Leaving Love Chat Monday, January 12th - 2:00PM ET Join Becca on Monday, January 12, 2009, at 2pm ET for this month's Leaving Love Chat! Bring a layout of your own and a few other from the Scrap Girls gallery so we can share some love! If you participate in the monthly Gallery Posting Challenge, this is one chat that you won't want to miss! See you there!

January Events

January Board Game: Jumpstart January! It's time to kick off the new year with fun and focus on scrapbooking! And a few prizes thrown in never hurt, right? Join us on the message board this month for “Jumpstart January!” This is a message board game and challenge to start your year with fun and focus on taking time to scrapbook regularly despite the little speedbumps of life. When the month is over, you'll have completed several layouts and been challenged and treated to some fun along the way. A member of the Welcoming Committee will post a mini-challenge/task every day from January 1-30. Some tasks will require message board participation, email responses, or gallery posting. Those who complete all tasks and submit or post required participation will be entered in a drawing to win one of three $10 Gift Certificates to the ScrapGirls Boutique! Those who complete just the layouts will be entered in a drawing to win one of two $5 gift certificates. Those who complete just the speedbumps will be entered in a drawing for one of two $3 gift certificates. (Those who complete all tasks will have their name entered in all three drawings!) Layout Contests: January Layout Contest: With a new year before us, let’s take a moment to think about the year just past. For this contest, I would like you to choose your favorite moment of 2008 and scrap it. If you have already scrapped that special moment, do another layout using a style that you don’t normally use. Post your finished layouts in the January Layout Gallery before midnight ET on January 31st, and you could win a $10 gift certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique! December Mid-Month Layout Contest: The holidays are here and it's a time full of parties, family, and fun. It's a time ripe for creating memories and sharing special moments with loved ones. What is your favorite holiday moment? For the Mid-December Layout Contest, we want to see your layouts featuring favorite holiday moments. Upload your layouts to the Mid-December Layout Gallery by January 14th at midnight and you could win a $10 gift certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique! Let's preserve those special moments!

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.)

Layout by Theresa Kavouras
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Designer Freebie by Theresa Kavouras coordinates with her ScrapSimple Patch It Up Embellishment Templates, part of this month's ScrapSimple Club offering!

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Patch It Up and ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Antiqued Bookplates 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.