Scrap Girls Chit Chat Newsletter: March 3, 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_090303_Tues_Unknown.htm

What's New in the Scrap Girls Boutique?

Computer scrapbook layout by Angela Blanchard

Layout by Angela Blanchard
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Woven Whatnots and Brush Set: Grungelle, are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Syndee Nuckles

Layout by Syndee Nuckles
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Old Photos 6301 Mini PSE are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Trish Yochum

Layout by Trish Yochum
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Ice Cream Shoppe and ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates: Day To Day Life are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Launa Valente

Layout by Launa Valente
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Glitter Sparks 6401 Super Biggie and ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photo Basics 5001 are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Jan Hicks

Layout by Jan Hicks
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Commercial license versions of Brush Set: 4x6 Brush Stroke Frames, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Photo Masks - Brush Strokes, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Sew Doodly Biggie and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Well Loved 5001 are also available.

Computer scrapbook layout by Ariadna Wiczling

Layout by Ariadna Wiczling
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Commercial license versions of Brush Set: YOUnique Super Biggie, ScrapSimple Digital Layout Album Templates: 4x4 YOUnique, Dynamic Brush Set: Dashed 8201, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Expedition Passport Stamps Super Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Blended 8201 Super Biggie and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Emboss 5401 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: Fear of the Unknown

Fear of the Unknown - a terrible fellow. He stands in hip boots and shakes fists in the air. He pulls frightening faces. He points and he paces. He laughs when he scares you. He just doesn’t care.

Fear of the Unknown – a terrible wild man. He’ll rip up your sofa and steal all your bread. He’ll total your car and embezzle your money. He’ll fire you, disown you, and leave you for dead.

Fear of the Unknown – a powerful fellow ’cause that’s what he’s told you and that’s what you think. But the truth of the truth (and it’s time that you knew it) is that Fear of the Unknown’s a weak, sniveling stink.

He is vanquished forever when questions are answered - his ill-mannered questions that torment at night - the questions that stand in the back of your closet - that jump out and get you and give you a fright.

“What if you fail here?” He whispers and teases. “What if they fire you and send you away? You’ll starve, don’t you know? You can’t handle disasters. You’re weak. You’re a coward. You’re foolish and lame.”

“What if you’re sick?” He mentions while moaning. “What if you’re so sick that you pass away? You’ll leave them behind without any money. They’ll suffer and hate you when you’re in your grave.”

Fear of the Unknown – a persistent fellow. He sits in the parlor and rides in your truck. He follows you closely and sticks to your clothing. He walks in your shadow and laughs when you’re stuck.

Fear of the Unknown – a sham of a fellow. His questions of terror you do need to hear. So listen and grab them and hold them and squeeze them. Write them and read them. Get rid of the fear.

Prepare for the worst things, the worst that he asks you. Decide what you’d do if your nightmares come true. Consider each one, from beginning to finish. How would you manage? What would you do?

And then he will leave you, old Fear of the Unknown. He’ll leave you alone. He will go far away. Preparing and planning when you hear his questions are certain to scare him. He’ll go without pay.

’Cause Fear of the Unknown loves shadows and darkness. Fear of the Unknown loves terror at night. He doesn’t like bravery or courage or action. He doesn’t like people who put up a fight.

- 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!

Designer Do-Over: Ursula Schneider

The Original

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial: Original layout

Original layout by Ursula Schneider

My style has evolved so much in just a little over a year. In January of 2006, I discovered Digital Scrapping and thought, “Hey, I wonder if I could do that.”

Now, I was extremely computer illiterate at the time, but I was determined. I'd seen some examples of digiscrapping in various publications and I wanted to be able to achieve some of those same effects. I found a book on Digital Scrapbooking and I set out to learn using her step-by-step instructions. It wasn't long before I had completed the layout you see above using a pick-and-plop template that came with the book. I added a bit of journaling and I was done.

The Do-Over

Today, I've developed my skills and the way I scrap is completely different. I tend to scrap very freely, so here is how I revised my page.

I retrieved the photos and adjusted the saturation on the one of my son unwrapping packages, making it black and white. I tweaked the contrast values as well to give the photo a bit more punch than it had originally. Then, I enlarged the focal photo. In my original, I had no real focal point. It was just a couple of pictures meant to give basic documentation of an event.

I began with a bright solid from the All Wrapped Up Solid Papers as my background. This time, I wanted to focus on Jakey's cake-eating experience, so I enlarged that photo. You'll also notice that the colors in the first layout are kind of drab. This time, since I am scrapping a celebration, I chose bright colors and patterns, layering bright patterned papers from the All Wrapped Up Papers and Birthday Party Papers. When I started scrapping, I thought the papers for boys should be “boy” colors. But as you can see, the bright cheerful colors, even with hints of pink, bring out the celebratory theme without making the page girly.

Another thing that was lacking in my original layout was embellishments. My do-over adds a fun piece of cake and some colorful brads from the Birthday Party Embellishments Collection, as well as a fun date from the Labeled Dates Embellishment. I also added a tag from the All Wrapped Up Embellishments, which reminds the viewer that this is a celebration.

Next, the journaling in my original was rather dry and uninteresting, and was set right on top of the page. This time, I found a piece of journaling paper from the Grunge Guru Embellishment Biggie and added my journaling to the top of that in an interesting font, called Lettering Delights Mother's Typewriter. I retained the same ideas that came from the first layout, but tried to make the writing a bit more interesting and flowing, using a bit of alliteration.

Lastly, my poor original had no title. This time, I added a bright title using the Felt Alpha Super Biggie, to give the viewer a big hint at what my focus for this page is. You'll also note that I tilted a lot of the elements on the page, to draw the viewer's eye back and forth across the page.

Thanks for coming along with me on my Do-Over journey! I hope you had as much fun as I did!

Computer scrapbook layout by Ursula Schneider

Layout by Ursula Schneider
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Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Labeled Dates and Lettering Delights Mother's Typewriter Font are also available.

Ursula Schneider

Tutorial written by Ursula Schneider

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

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

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!

Aussie Chat & Challenge
Monday, 9 March - 9:00PM Australian Eastern Standard Daylight Saving Time

Please come join Karen (kazbar73) & Jo (ScrappingJo) at 9PM (Australian Eastern Standard Daylight Saving Time) on Monday, 9 March, for the Desktop Challenge Crop.

Tired of your desktop being some graphic that you would've liked to have made? Tired of a solid background? Did you know with your digital scrapbooking skills you can make a fabulous background for your enjoyment? Come join us in the Chat room and learn how to jazz up your desktop.

For our International ladies, the chat will be on at 5am New York time.

Card Chat
Monday, March 9th - 8:00PM ET

Do you use your digi-supplies to make cards? Do you want to? Instead of going to the store every time you need a card, we thought it would be better (and more fun) to use our digi stash to make any cards we might need for the upcoming month.

Birthday Cards, Thank you Cards, Get Well Cards, various holiday cards.... We will be posting our cards in the gallery. See you there!!

Baby Album Crop
Tuesday, March 10th - 1:00PM ET

Do you need some motivation getting those baby albums done? Children grow so fast; let's get those baby memories scrapped! You can scrap your children, grandchildren, or even your own baby album.

Join me, Carla (crs), in the chat room on Tuesday, March 10th at 1 pm et to work on those albums! You can start from fresh on a brand new album, or jump in where ever you are in your project. I'll provide an optional challenge each crop for motivation if you want it.

This month, I challenge you to create a family tree for the star of your album!

Life Moments Crop and Chat
Tuesday, March 10th - 9:00PM ET

Join me, Carla (crs), for another installment in our Life Moments Crop and Chat. This crop challenges you to focus on yourself and leave a record for future generations.

Watch the message board for this week's topic! I'll see you in the chat room on Tuesday, March 10th at 9 pm et!

March Events

March Board Game: Posting Contest

This month, post to your heart's content and potentially win a prize because of your chattiness! That's right folks... it's time for one of those infamous posting challenges! We want to see you post the most! The top 10 posters this month will each win a gift certificate to the boutique! (Top 1-3 will each get a $10 GC, 4-6 will each get a $5 GC, and 7-10 will each get a $3 GC!)

We've got a system to keep track of your posts throughout the month. If you want to keep your own tally, feel free to note your post count here in this thread before you start posting on Monday, March 2nd. Contest ends on Tuesday, March 31st at midnight MST!

So go on with your gabby self! This is the month for you!

Layout Contests:

March Layout Contest: Mesmerizing, hypnotic, charming, spellbinding.... These are all words that can be used to describe things we might take photos of or do scrapbook pages about, from a mountain vista to a new baby’s face. For this contest challenge, we want you to do a layout about something that you feel fits these words. If your layout is chosen, you will win a $10 gift certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique. All layouts must be posted by midnight Eastern Time, March 31st and credits listed to be eligible.

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 Caroline Kaiser

Layout by Caroline Kaiser
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Designer Freebie by Caroline Kaiser coordinates with her Stylish Beauty Collection Mini



Commercial license versions of Lettering Delights Mother's Typewriter 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.

1 8.5x11 Sheet of Word Art

1 Assemble Your Own Zoom Page Set

1 Designer's Choice Item