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Ahoy Maties! It's time to plunder the Scrap Girls Boutique! You'll love the scrapbooking booty you haul away to your hard drive. Arghhh. But you better come on board because the raid is over at Midnight, MST, February 28th!
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What's New in the Scrap Girls Boutique? |
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Layout by Sarah Batdorf
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Layout by Trish Yochum
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Layout by Jan Hicks
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Layout by Amanda Sok
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Layout by Christy VanderWall
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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. |
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Life Muses by Ro: Night Conversation |
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
It’s 12:45 a.m. and I’m wondering when I’ll begin to feel sleepy.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
I look around the room and notice the evidence of an unsettled mind. Unread books fill the shelves of the bookcase. Bottles of unused lotion sit in a basket. An empty water bottle rests beneath a lamp.
“How long has that been there?” I wonder, realizing that I have no idea when the water evaporated from the bottle.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
Deciding that it is time to rearrange the furniture, I strap on mental moving gear and start shifting it around the room in my mind. “Ugh,” I think. “I’m stuck. I can’t figure out a new position for the bed. I want to be able to watch TV. I can't get it to work.”
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
“I thought that clock had a backlight,” I think, miffed. “I can’t see it at all. What’s the point of owning a clock if you have to get up and stick it in your face to see it?”
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
I peer at the clock. 12:53. Eight minutes since the last time I looked. “Why does time go so slowly when you can’t sleep?” I wonder. “Am I such bad company that I bore myself?”
Moving along, my mind notices the conversation it is having is as tedious as a cement driveway. “Why, exactly, do I bore myself? Am I boring or is this a momentary boring event?”
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
“Could it be that I always divert myself by working, talking, eating, and watching television? Am I unable to bear quiet?”
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
I ask the questions, but don’t like the answers I receive. The truth is, I feel nervous if I am not either doing something, reading something, drawing something, or watching something. Perhaps, I’m afraid of what I might say to me if don’t have something there - such as my journal – to moderate the action.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
I breathe.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
“Perhaps, I’m not afraid,” I realize. “Perhaps, I’m simply inexperienced. Perhaps, I can solve the problem if I practice sitting alone and don’t do anything other than simply be... Be me... Yes... that’s it. I just need practice doing nothing while I be me.”
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
Clickety-clack. Clickety-clack.
“Wait a minute,” I say aloud. “What’s that sound?”
“It’s your NEO Alphasmart, you dope,” I respond. “You’ve been documenting your experience as you tried to go to sleep.”
Oh. Right. I’m starting to have a hard time typing. I’m feeling sleepy.
Tick. Tock. Tock. Tock.
It’s now 1:25 a.m. Time to turn out the light. I’ll try to straighten myself out some other time. I’m going to sleep now.
’Nite!
- 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 Soozlou, mtorres_usa, and teabaglady! |
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Best of the Message Board |
Question: I tried to follow Christy's tutorial on using patterns to make unique word art. I got the text layer and the background layer okay, but I can't figure out the acrylic bubble layer. Has anyone worked through this that could help me? I create the new layer on top of the others. When I apply the bubble pattern, the text and background are covered up - no matter what blending options I choose. Thanks in advance for any tips.
Answer 1: Did you put a layer above the box and text layers? It should be the same exact size as the box/rectangle below. I just copy the box/rectangle layer (make a duplicate of it) and put it on top. Then, apply the bubble style to it. I can see through it. (I just tried it to make sure.)
Answer 2: I use ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Acrylic Bubbles Mini 1801 but, to make it look right, you usually have to duplicate the layer and the one with the acrylic bubbles style applied to it is clear.
Question: Yesterday, Christina posted a thread about favorite tricks in CS3. (Some of them are certainly doable in my version of PSE4 Mac.) So, I thought we could post some of our favorites, too. Here's one I learned a few months ago that I use all the time now.
If I need to erase just a portion of an item that is covering another item (like if I'm erasing part of an alpha that I want to look like it's going under another alpha) I always had trouble getting it precise - until now! First, make the alpha layer you want to ERASE active. Then, find your other layer and direct select it (Cmd+Click the thumbnail or Ctrl+Click the thumbnail if PC). You should see the marching ants around the alpha which is not being erased. With the Eraser Tool, erase the part of the alpha you want erased. Once you are done, Cmd/Ctrl+D to get rid of the marching ants. By using this technique, you can ONLY erase the part of the alpha that is within the marching ants! No worries about being sloppy with the Eraser Tool. It's always precise and saves a lot of time trying to get it right!
I've used this technique with layer masks as well, so it's not a permanent deletion to the layer. It works like a charm. What do you have to share? Fill us all in!
Answer 1: My favorite time-saver is when I have several layers with elements of the same “weight.” I will fiddle with the shadow to get the right settings and then right-click on the active layer to copy the layer style. Then, simply right-click on the other layers and paste the layer style. You can change the color of the shadow if you want. This works for any style!
Answer 2: Here's one off the top of my head. It is probably not exclusive for PSE, but I use PSE4. I use this method to edit photos that are a little dark. It's so quick and works almost all the time for good results.
To lighten a dark photo quickly, duplicate the photo and set the Blend Mode of the top layer to “Screen.” It's probably too light, so we'll add the shadows back in. Click on the bottom layer to activate it and then add a “Levels” adjustment layer. (It will appear between the two copies of your photo.) Playing with the sliders will add the shadows back in. When you're satisfied, merge the layers.
Response: I recently learned to apply that marching ant idea to deleting part of items hidden under another element and could not believe how nice it worked! I had used it for other similar applications but had not done it across the board. This is a great idea for a thread, too. I'll be back to this often. (I can't think of an idea right now.)
Answer 3: I have a freebie that I downloaded to do layer masks, but I just learned how to do them without my freebie. Add a layer below the layer you want to mask. Group the layers together (Ctrl+G). Because your bottom layer has nothing on it, your picture should disappear. Now, use your Brush Tool on the bottom layer to color in what you want to show. If you add too much back in, just erase the extra brushwork.
Answer 4: I'm so glad you started this thread. I struggle with getting red eye out. I always try auto fix first, but it doesn't always work and sometimes it's too dark. If that doesn't work, I use the Color Replacement Tool (found by right-clicking on the Brush Tool). I select a color by holding down the Alt key (I'm using a PC), and then paint with the brush. It's more opaque than the regular brush and doesn't eliminate the highlights in the eye. It takes a little practice, but it's worth it if the auto fix doesn't work.
Question: I've never used Bridge before, but today, I figured out how to make keywords and then open the file directory and have the keyworded items come up. Now, I'm stumped about a bunch of stuff. I open a new document in CS3, close and go to Bridge, click on the directory to search and find the keyworded item. Once it comes up, how do I get it over to the CS3 document? I tried to Edit> Copy, but once I went back to CS3, I couldn't copy and paste it onto my document. Does anyone know of an article that explains how to move between the two programs and insert files? I searched on Google, but didn't really find anything I understood.
It might just be that this organizing might be too much for me to learn right now. In that case, I'll just keep it on my hard drive and continue to search through all of my files. But, it seems to be so time consuming. I was excited when I heard about using Bridge, but I just don't understand it. I’m sorry for sounding so lame about this, but I hope that someone can shed some light on it for me.
Answer: I just drag and drop from Bridge to CS3, or you can double-click and it opens in CS3.
Response: That was too easy. Now I just have hundreds of items to keyword!
Response: All the organizing is so worth it. I hope it goes smoothly. |
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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 Crop
Tuesday, February 24th - 8:00PM ET
Join Becca tonight at 8pm ET for a Life Moments Chat and Challenge! This crop is focused on YOU!
A few hours before chat time, a challenge will be posted on the message board, and during the chat, we'll bounce ideas off one another for even more inspiration! Hope to see you there!
New Member Chat
Tuesday, February 24th - 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, February 25th - 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 February 25th, we'll do a surprise color challenge! Create a layout predominantly using a color to be chosen by the group at the beginning of 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!
Journaling Chat
Wednesday, February 25th - 8:00PM ET
Join Becca and angelaNussbaum for the Journaling chat at 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.
Desktop Crop
Thursday, February 26th - 8:00PM ET
Join Angela (angelaNussbaum) and Becca tonight at 8pm ET for this month's desktop crop!
If you're tired of your computer's boring and basic wallpaper, this is one chat and crop that you won't want to miss! You'll learn how to use your digital scrapbooking supplies to make a unique and fun-to-look-at wallpaper for your computer!
Each month, we will give you a theme and a technique challenge for this crop. It will be announced on the message board a few hours before chat time!
What's New in the Boutique Chat
Friday, February 27th - 11:00AM ET
Join Michelle (Shelbi) at 11 am EST Friday morning to chat about all the cool new things in the boutique. What are you getting? What did you Kaboodle? And most importantly, show us the layouts or other projects you made with your new goodies! There's a thread every Thursday and now there's a chat too!
Swap Crop Chat
Friday, February 27th - 9:00PM ET
It's time for the Swap Crop Chat! We've done the swapping, and created the layouts, now it's time to chat about all the gorgeous layouts! I don't know what it is, but these swaps bring out the best in everyone. This is the time to chat about the theme, the beautiful layouts, and learn about the swap crop if you haven't participated before. I'll even reveal the theme for next month!
Join me, Carla, for a fun chat at 9 pm et on Friday, February 27th!
Scrap Girls Monthly Club Chat/Challenge
Sunday, February 28th - 3:00PM ET
Here we are with another Sunday club release! We know everyone is excited to get their hands on the new Monthly Club, but for today we'll just have to look with anticipation for Monday.
Come join me, Sherry_Lynn, on Sunday, March 1st, at 3 PM EST for a Scrap Girls Monthly Club Chat/Challenge! We'll be oohing and aahing over the download we'll get tomorrow. As a challenge, let’s create one more layout using February's Monthly Club before the next one arrives. It’s sure to be a blast! Hope to see you there!
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February Events |
February Board Game: BINGO!
It's that time again! Join us for an exciting game of BINGO on the Message Board Forum in February! 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 - your SG message board username” by Monday, February 2nd (midnight MST) in order to play in the first round, which will begin Tuesday February 3rd.
Each day, members of the Welcoming Committee will call five 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:
February Layout Contest: Amour, Amor, Amore! The word LOVE is one of the most popular in any language across the globe. For this month's contest, we want you to use the word “Love” on your layouts. Let's see how creative you can get with it by using it in a unique way on your pages. Post your Love layouts in the February Layout Contest Gallery by midnight ET on February 28th, and if yours is selected, you will win a $10 gift certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique.
February Mid-Month Layout Contest: Did you know that February is International Friendship Month? Let's honor the special people we call friends by featuring them in a layout! Post your Friendship layouts in the Mid-February Layout Contest Gallery before March 14th at midnight eastern. You will be eligible to win a $10 gift card to the Scrap Girls Boutique! Let's get scrapping!
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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.) |
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Layout by Amanda Sok
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Designer Freebie by Amanda Sok coordinates with her ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Worn Overlays, part of this month's ScrapSimple Club offering!
* 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. |
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Night Conversation
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
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- 17.8% Off Booty Sale!
- What's New in the Scrap Girls Boutique?
- Life Muses by Ro
- Themed Thoughts: Prom
- What's Happening at Scrap Girls?
- Designer Freebie
- 2009 Digital Scrap Link Convention Information!
- Getting Started
- Expand Your Skills
- Online Classes Currently Available
- Scrap Girls Clubs
- Ongoing Opportunities for YOU |
The Scrap Girls newsletter is created for you by a virtual army of Scrap Girls team members. Without them, we couldn't possibly share these resources with you, and I'm very grateful for their ongoing help and support.
I hope you enjoy today's issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together.
Ro
CEO - Scrap Girls, LLC
P.S. Your email address is safe with us. We never share, rent, sell, or loan our list with anyone!
P.P.S. If you ever need any assistance, please email [email protected] or call
866-598-3444 and we'll help you as quickly as possible!
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Scrap Girls is Having a Convention! |
Here are the facts:
When: October 8-10th, 2009
Note: Convention begins at 1:00 pm - Thursday, October 8th and ends at 6 pm - Saturday, October 10th.
How many people may attend? We've already sold more than one-third of the available spots after only one week of being on sale! Don't miss out on this opportunity - secure your place now!
Where: Salt Lake City, Utah
Sign up now!
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Free eBook “starter kit” turns your dreams of digital scrapbooking into reality today!
This dynamite eBook is 65 pages - packed full of the information, ideas, and help people need when they are about to dive into this great hobby. It answers all of the important questions new digital scrapbookers have. They are all here for you - in one easy to use eBook!
Bonus! Download the free “Warning” Label, too. It was created for you by Valerie Randall as a little bit of extra fun!
Would you like a chance to try digital scrapbooking yourself?
Scrap Girls' Refresh Collection Biggie offers you free samples of some of our most popular product types. Try making a layout, your own paper with a ScrapSimple Paper Template, a fast layout with a ScrapSimple Digital Layout Template, or experiment with a brush.
We know you'll love digital scrapbooking as much as we do, and we have thousands of products to feed your new addiction!
Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed!
Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop Elements 6.0 and 7.0
Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop Elements 5.0
Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop Elements 4.0
Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop Elements 3.0
Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed (Photoshop 7, CS, CS2 and CS3)
Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Paint Shop Pro (PSP) X
Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Paint Shop Pro (PSP) 9
Do you wish you could learn how to scrapbook digitally, but feel kind of intimated? Well, here's the solution for you! This large set of video tutorials allow you to actually watch Ro scrapbook. And because Ro covers such a large number of topics in this item, it is one of the most cost-effective digital scrapbooking tutorial series available today. No wonder tens of thousands of people have chosen Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed as their method of learning to scrapbook digitally!
In the tutorials, you'll see Ro working on her computer and hear her talking about why she is doing what she is doing. It's like having Ro come to your home and give you private scrapbooking lessons. You can create digital scrapbooking layouts today!
Start to Finish eBooklets
Start to Finish eBooklet - PSE: How to Make a Birthday Scrapbook Page
Nothing could be simpler than learning to scrapbook digitally with Scrap Girls Start to Finish eBooklets. Step by step written guidelines and detailed screenshots will help you learn new digital scrapbooking skills. Included with the eBooklet are the actual digital files you need to create a finished project!
More Titles Available |
Conquering the Fear of Patterned Paper
Thursdays, February 26 and March 5 - 3:00PM ET
This in-depth digital scrapbooking class is a wonderful opportunity to learn how to use patterns. Patterns can be overwhelming and challenging to use. Learn some simple rules and guidelines to make them easier. Discuss different types of patterns, and how to effectively combine them. Study real examples, and see how applying the rules can improve your layouts.
Cooking Up Color Schemes
Wednesdays, March 4 and 11 - 9:30PM ET
This in-depth digital scrapbooking class is a wonderful opportunity to learn about color schemes. Colors can be overwhelming and challenging to use. Learn some simple rules and guidelines to make them easier. Learn to use a color wheel to choose colors that work together harmoniously. Study real examples, and see how well thought-out color schemes can improve your layouts. |
Join the Scrap Girls Monthly Club and you can have fun with the newest traditional digital and printable scrapbooking looks while saving! (A $27.94 value for $9.99 or less!)
The Scrap Girls Club contents are released on the 1st day of the month (or the closest business day to the 1st).
With the Scrap Girls Club, you will receive:
Layout by Angie Briggs using February's Scrap Girls Club
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Created for you by Erica Hite
Alert! Alert! SATURDAY is the last day you can sign up for the Scrap Girls club and still get this great group of products at this amazing price. Don't delay... sign up now!
Remember, these items are available separately in the Boutique at regular prices for those who would rather not join a club.
Note: The Scrap Girls Club contents are always available for sale elsewhere in the Boutique at their regular prices once the associated club month is released. But all club contents are totally brand new, never seen before product releases for each month! |
Join the ScrapSimple Monthly Club and you can enjoy the newest ScrapSimple looks while saving! (A $13.95 value for $6.99 or less!)
The new ScrapSimple Club contents are released on the 15th day of the month (or the closest business day to the 15th).
With the ScrapSimple Club, you will receive:
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1 ScrapSimple Paper Template Set
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1 ScrapSimple Embellishment Template Set
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1 Brush Set
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1 ScrapSimple Layer Your Own Brush Set
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1 Designer's Choice Item
A commercially licensed version of the ScrapSimple club is also available here.
Layout by Kerry Veale using February's ScrapSimple Club
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Created for you by Amanda Sok and Kerry Veale
If you prefer not to join a club, the ScrapSimple club contents are available at regular prices in the Boutique. You can easily find them right now by checking the What's New? section of the Boutique.
Note: The ScrapSimple Club contents are always available for sale in the Boutique at regular prices once the associated club month is released. But all club contents are totally brand new, never-seen-before product releases for each month! |
Customer Muses: Would you like to share your own Life Muse with our readers? To have your own essay considered for publication as a muse in the column for our special Saturday newsletter, send your essay to [email protected]. If your essay is selected, you will receive a $20 Gift Certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique.
Way Cool Scrap Girl: We are so excited to have all of you meet some of the amazing people that have become Scrap Girls! If you would like to be spotlighted and win a $25 Gift Certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique, send the following items to [email protected]:
- 500-900 word essay about your experience with digital scrapbooking, Scrap Girls, and specific examples of how we have helped you.
- A 600-pixel wide, 72 dpi copy of a layout you've created that uses Scrap Girls products, plus a complete list of those products.
- A 100-pixels wide, 72 dpi picture of yourself.
- Permission to use your statement.
Club Concepts: We would like to announce that we will be looking for your help in creating these Club Concepts articles. 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!
Suggest a Challenge, Win a Prize! Have a great idea for a gallery layout challenge? Submit it to [email protected]. If your challenge idea is chosen, you will win a prize! Friday will be Customer Challenge Day, so keep an eye out on the message board calendar. It will be fun to see what YOU come up with for us to do!
 Scrap Girls is giving away birthday gifts to our message board members! Of course, it is a surprise what you will get because birthday presents are always surprises! But you will like it for sure because most people like money... Anyway, make sure your message board email address is current and that you have the correct date entered into your profile to participate.
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