Scrap Girls Chit Chat Newsletter: February 20, 2009

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_090227_Fri_BU.htm

What's New in the Scrap Girls Boutique?

Life Muses by Ro: BU

I looked at the blog and heard a familiar voice of discontent whisper in my ear that the blog was proof that my life isn’t good enough. “You should be like that,” the voice said. “You’re boring. You’re messy. You’re wrong.”

I held my head in my hands and groaned. I was so weary of these feelings. “How do I get them to leave?” I wondered.

The response was short and to the point, “BU.”

“BU?” I asked, puzzled.

“Write it down,” came the instructions.

“BU,” I scrawled in my notebook.

“Not that way,” the whisper called. “Vertically.”

I stared at the stacked letters.

I said them out loud to make sure I was receiving the correct message.

“Be you,” I repeated. “Yes, I need to be me. That’s the answer. I just need to be me.”

It is a small and simple idea and yet it’s powerful. If you happen to be like me and sometimes feel like you are not enough, just remember this little thought. I think it will help.

- Ro

I made this wall art for my office wall so it catches my eye whenever I walk into the room. I framed it in a black frame from the fashion emporium, Target. (If you’d like to see my office, you can check it out on my blog.)

Computer scrapbook layout by Ro

Layout by 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!

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial: Creative Title Treatments

Note: Tutorial created using Adobe Photoshop CS3 on a Mac.

A little while ago, I received a few questions with regard to a technique I did on a title treatment for my product layout. I love playing with different techniques, especially on type, so this was a perfect opportunity to share a couple of ideas.

First, create a layout, except for your title.

Digital Scrapbooking Tutorial Screenshot: Add title.

Next, add your title in the font and size that you want it to be. I want this title to border my photo and be playful, so I am using the AMC_Chalk Talk Font at a little over 100 pt.

Digital Scrapbooking Tutorial Screenshot: Load selection.

Now that you have your type where you want it, select the first two words by clicking on that type layer in the layout and then going to Select> Load Selection. Then, a window will open up. Make sure that “New Selection” is checked and click “OK.” Quick note: In the document drop-down bar it will show the name of whatever you have your layout saved as. The Channel drop-down bar will show you what layer you are choosing to select.

Digital Scrapbooking Tutorial Screenshot: Put selection on its own layer.

With your type outline selected, copy a portion of your background paper by going to Edit> Copy and then paste it on its own layer by going to Edit> Paste.

Digital Scrapbooking Tutorial Screenshot: Change Blend Mode.

With the new layer selected in the Layers Palette, choose “Multiply” from the Blend Mode drop-down menu.

Digital Scrapbooking Tutorial Screenshot: Add layer style.

You'll want to add a bit of an edge to the textured type, so double-click on the new layer and that will open up your Layers Style Palette. On the Layers Style Palette, click on “Inner Shadow” and pick a color to use from the background paper. Then, set the Blend Mode to “Multiply,” Opacity to 80%, Distance to 0%, Choke to 10%, Size to 15px, and click “OK.”

Apply the same steps to the next portion of your type. Add a few more embellishments and presto! You now have a fun digital scrapbooking layout.

Computer scrapbook layout by Trish Yochum

Layout by Trish Yochum
larger view




Commercial license versions of AMC_Chalk Talk Font and AMC_Sketchy Solid Font are also available.

Trish Yochum

Tutorial written by Trish Yochum

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

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, March 1st - 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!

NSBR Chat
Monday, March 2nd - 9:00PM ET

What is NSBR? It’s a non-scrapbooking related chat! We talk about everything, including some scrapbooking and usually chocolate. It’s a great chance to meet new friends, catch up on what everyone is up to, and just relax! If you have a problem, we’ll lend an ear or a shoulder to cry on. Have some great news to share? We’d love to celebrate with you.

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

High Noon Crop
Wednesday, March 4th - 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 March 4th, we'll do a font challenge! Create a layout on any theme, any topic, and any colors - using multiple fonts - at least three different fonts! Mix it up!

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!

NSBR Chat
Thursday, March 5th - 1:00PM ET

What is NSBR? It's a non-scrapbooking related chat! We talk about everything, including some scrapbooking and usually chocolate. It's a great chance to meet new friends, catch up on what everyone is up to, and just relax! If you have a problem, we'll lend an ear or a shoulder to cry on. Have some great news to share? We'd love to celebrate with you.

So, join us, Michelle (Shelbi) and Shari (ShariPVmom), on March 5th, at 1 PM EST, in the chat room Lobby! Hope to see you there!

Sketch Crop Challenge
Thursday, March 5th - 9:00PM ET

Join me, sprinklz, for the Sketch Challenge and Crop, Thursday, March 5th 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.

What's New in the Boutique Chat
Friday, March 6th - 11:00AM ET

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!

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 Christy VanderWall

Layout by Christy VanderWall
larger view

Designer Freebie by Erica Hite coordinates with her Creative Spirit Collection Biggie, part of this month's Scrap Girls Club offering!


Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photos That Pop B&W 1801 Mini 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.

1 8.5x11 Sheet of Word Art

1 Assemble Your Own Zoom Page Set

1 Designer's Choice Item