Layout by Trish Yochum
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Layout by Melissa Anderson
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Layout by Amanda Sok
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These first three 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 Paper Templates: Florid Overlays, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Vintage Millinery Flowers and ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Worn Overlays, are also available.

Layout by Syndee Nuckles
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Commercial license versions of Design Pack: 4x6 On the Edge, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Hand-Tinted 6301 and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Sanded Edge 6301 are also available.

Layout by Amanda McGee
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These first six products are included in this month's Scrap Girls 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 AMC_Chalk Talk Font are also available.

Layout by Brandy Murry
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Layout by Paula Wright
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Layout by Angela Blanchard
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Layout by Kerry Veale
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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 Layer Your Own Brushes: Fragments, Brush Set: 4x6 Florid Ink, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Vintage Millinery Flowers, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Florid Overlays and Brush Set: Grungelle 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.

Thirty came and went. Still single and fearful.

Forty is approaching at breakneck speed. Still single, but excited.

First, I have to ask, how does it happen that each decade seems to take so much less time than the previous one?

In the almost ten years since I turned 30, I have found purpose. The biggest change happened within me. The difference from being fearful to excited happened when I became less consumed by the need to find THE ONE and more concerned with being the right one! When I stopped wanting that special someone to make me feel complete/happy/important, etc., I discovered happiness, meaning, and purpose within myself. Once I stopped and asked myself what do I want or need to feel complete/happy/important? I then realized that I was able to find ways of meeting the universal need for companionship and purpose on my own. I didn’t need someone else to make me, ME!

It began with an idea of changing careers. I hesitated and then jumped into the most life-changing experience of my life so far. I completed a bachelor degree in human biology and genetics. Me - the graphic designer – getting a science degree? What the heck was I thinking? I am not that smart. It is not even related to graphic design, let alone in the same brain hemisphere. Even I looked at myself strangely at times, much less friends and acquaintances who happened to ask what I was up to these days! I hadn’t even factored in that it had been at least 14 years since I finished high school. How would I manage?

The information overload left me with a tiredness that did not dissipate. I frantically tried to hold on to each new word and concept in the hopes that I might remember enough to pass each exam. Essay writing, reports, referencing, APA style, and journal articles sounded like they were in another language. How could I find anything I could understand, let alone write an essay on? What have I done?

The financial strain, the stress, all took their toll. But, I kept going – I loved the challenge - even when it seemed like I was the only person that never quite understood what we were being taught. Yet, I passed each unit and, on occasion, managed a distinction here and there. I was seriously just happy to pass, doing well was a bonus! But, the joy from finally understanding the material in my last year was incredible. I was so excited. I got it and I could answer the questions during the lectures. It wasn’t as hard anymore.

All along, I knew that this was something I was doing for me - totally, entirely, and selfishly for me. It was the most difficult and challenging thing I have ever undertaken, but the reward of completing this degree was beyond anything money could buy. I had done it.

It is so interesting to realize that once you achieve something you never thought in your wildest dreams you could do, everything else seems that much more possible. I am now completing a post graduate diploma in counseling and, when complete, I will be able to call myself a genetic counselor. It is a nice, fancy title, but it is also much more to me. It is the beginning of unwrapping my soul and letting it grow and develop into all that is possible. It is about sharing that with others who wish to discover the butterfly within them. Yes, the journey to that place is hard and many, many times it seems easier to quit. Yet, our soul knows it is not fully living and does not sit quiet, it yearns for more. Listen to your soul and there you will find joy, meaning, purpose, and fulfillment.

I had almost come to hate graphic design. I hated the ridiculous client demands, the stupid hours, and the negative impact to my health. Then, along came digital scrapbooking and Scrap Girls. The beautiful layouts and kits and the stories – the sharing. I again love being creative. I can now create for me. I can express myself and it is the perfect balance to my new life. I don’t need to cast off my past, but rather embrace it in new and fun ways. Thank you, Scrap Girls, for expanding my vision further!

- Kerry Beake

Layout by Kerry Beake
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Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Frayed Edges and Brush Set: Beautiful Distress are also available.

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.

What are you grateful for today? That is the question asked daily in the 30-day challenge class A Month of Gratitude: Everyday Blessings. This class encourages participants to count their blessings through daily moments. Class members receive a daily email with a quote, tips, and a photo challenge to capture something for which they are grateful. Participants take the challenge to shoot a picture a day and scrap it in a 4x6 layout, which they can combine in a mini album or in larger pages. Broad challenges like “New Beginnings” and “Community Color” leave lots of room for interpretation, and we certainly see that reflected in the gallery.

Since this is not a techniques class, layouts demonstrate a variety of styles. The fall offering of this class had 26 students who had diverse postings of more than 300 mini layouts in the class gallery. The layouts and active forum discussion offered lots of inspiration for reasons to be grateful – and ways to share them in layouts. With such a collection, it was difficult to select just a few to represent some of the wonderful work produced by class members. Here are samples from several regular contributors.

Layout by Sarah in VA
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Album Templates: 4x6 Blessings, Brush Set: Well Worn and ScrapSimple Layer Your Own Brushes: Worn Seals are also available.

Challenge: Be grateful for... new beginnings.

The challenge was to be grateful for new beginnings. Sarah used a picture with beautiful morning light and coupled it with a soft background and a quote that complemented it perfectly. She started with a 4x6 template, but effectively added elements to create a rather romantic feel.

Layout by PBarnes
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Album Templates: 4x6 Lay it Out and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Silver 5701 are also available.

Challenge: Be grateful for... the night time.

Pat answered this challenge with a spectacular night shot of the Omaha skyline. She experimented with the automatic programming modes on her camera. By combining the striking picture with an elegant, rich background and silver brackets, she created a very dramatic layout.

Layout by jeschaff
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Album Templates: 4x6 Blessings, Brush Set: Stamped Dates, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Micro Glitter 6401 Super Biggie and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Old Metal 5101 Super Biggie are also available.

Challenge: Be grateful for... future generations.

JoEllen chose to capture her beautiful daughters to meet this theme. As indicated in the title, she counted her blessings two by two as she followed her twins through the years. This fun layout demonstrates how many pictures you can effectively incorporate in the 4x6 format.

Layout by Yvonne53
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Album Templates: 4x6 Round Up are also available.

Challenge: Be grateful for... country and democracy.

Yvonne managed to incorporate a number of images of democracy in her layout honoring her son and his friend, who were stationed in El Salvador. Her pride in her son and her country come across strongly and the clean lines and iconic images create a powerful layout. The template that she has chosen demonstrates another option for using multiple images and color blocks in the small format.

Every day of the challenge brought new inspiration and reasons to be grateful. It offered new ways of looking at the people and places in our daily lives. The layouts prompted a range of emotions – some made you smile, others made you think, and still others touched the heart. All were a reminder of the many reasons that we have to be grateful. Take the challenge yourself and strive for a daily gratitude attitude. Capture the moments of gratitude in pictures and scrap them for days when you might need a reminder of your everyday blessings.

Class taught and article written by Mary Elizabeth O’Toole.

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

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 6am 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! High Noon Crop Wednesday, March 11th - 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 11th, we'll do a tag challenge! Create a layout using at least one tag as an embellishment! 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, March 11th - 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 are 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. New Member Chat Thursday, March 12th - 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. What's New in the Boutique Chat Friday, March 13th - 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!

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.)

Layout by Jan Hicks
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Designer Freebie by Jan Hicks coordinates with her Edge Decor Embellishment Mini - Summer Flowers

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Edgy, THIN, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Journaling 2 Paper Biggie and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Gilded 5101 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.