Scrap Girls Chit Chat Newsletter: April 16, 2009

Occasionally, email clients or Internet Service Providers have email delivery issues that are beyond our control. If you are having issues reading the newsletter or viewing any of the images, you may find it is easier to read the web page version. It is available here:
http://www.scrapgirls.com/NL/Chit_Chat_090416_Thurs_Look.htm

Cute Stuff

Digital scrapbook layout by Angela Blanchard

Layout by Angela Blanchard
larger view

Digital scrapbook layout by Angie Briggs

Layout by Angie Briggs
larger view

Digital scrapbook layout by Cherise Oleson

Layout by Cherise Oleson
larger view



Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Album Templates: 3.25x2.375 I.D. Badge Vertical, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Acrylic Bubbles Mini 1801 and Lettering Delights Hallmark Font are also available.

Digital scrapbook layout by Laurel Lakey

Layout by Laurel Lakey
larger view

Digital scrapbook layout by Amanda McGee

Layout by Amanda McGee
larger view



Commercial license versions of Lettering Delights Letterpress Font are also available.

Digital scrapbook layout by Angie Briggs

Layout by Angie Briggs
larger view

These 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.

Digital scrapbook layout by Ariadna Wiczling

Layout by Ariadna Wiczling
larger view




Commercial license versions of Dynamic Brush Set: Variae Formae 8201, Texture Set: Paper, Dynamic Brush Set: Inky 5001, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Journal Strips Biggie, Lettering Delights Underwood Pica Font and Lettering Delights Jilligraphy Font are also available.

Digital scrapbook layout by Brandy Murry

Layout by Brandy Murry
larger view

Digital scrapbook layout by Valerie Randall

Layout by Valerie Randall
larger view

These first five 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 Embellishment Templates: Printer's Ornaments, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Dirty Press, ScrapSimple Tools - Shapes: Curvy Mats 2103, ScrapSimple Word Art Templates: Dirty Press, Dynamic Brush Set: Letterpress 2101, Dynamic Brush Set: Paintstroke 5401, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Dirty Press 5401 Mini and ScrapSimple Type Paths: Curves 2101 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: Laughter Medicine

Editor's note: Ro is taking some well-deserved and much-needed time off. While she is having a break, we hope you will enjoy these muses contributed by members of our Scrap Girls team.

I went for a walk in the woods between rain showers last weekend and took my camera along with me. There were not any wild flowers open yet (we’re still having snow showers here) and none of the trees had started to leaf out, so it seemed kind of bleak. The terrain was pretty steep and without any trails it was hard going, but this was to my advantage because it forced me to slow down.

When I stopped to rest, I noticed that the fungus, moss and lichens were really thriving and one even had tiny orange-colored nodules on it that looked like some kind of flower or fruit.

I pulled out my camera and started taking pictures, realizing that the forest floor was another mini forest in itself. Like scenery from an alien planet or the landscape in a terrarium, it had its own beauty. There were so many different shapes and textures and so many varying shades of green, it was amazing.

I did this digital scrapbook page as soon as I got home so that I could capture the memory. It was just one of those little reminders for me to slow down and really look at what’s around me - from the big picture, down to the microscopic.

- Angela Blanchard

Digital scrapbook layout by Angela Blanchard

Layout by Angela Blanchard
larger view

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!

Important to Know: Retirement Sale

We've just opened a Retirement Sale section of the Boutique. Items in this section are always on sale for 30% off. The items you will find during any particular month will be discontinued permanently on the 5th of the following month. So if you see something you like, grab it while you can!

Way Cool Stuff Digital Scrapbooking Product Review: Dynamic Brushes

Note: Tutorial created using Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0

Dynamic brushes are a fun way to add interesting effects to your layout. They provide a lot of movement because the brush automatically changes direction when you sweep across your workspace. Some dynamic brushes also have a multi-colored effect, further adding visual interest. Allow me to show you how much fun, interesting and versatile these dynamic brushes can be.

My layout is about my little boy, who is very into trains these days. Here, I have already laid out my photos, background paper and a few embellishments.

Way Cool Stuff Product Review: Base layout.

I want to add a trail of smoke to Erica Hite’s cute little train from her Bouncing Baby Boy Collection. For this purpose, I use a cloud brush from Ariadna Wiczling’s Dynamic Brush Set: Seasons 8201. This brush has a multi-toned color capability, so I select two colors from my layout using the Color Picker Tool. I then set the cloud brush size to 500 px and simply sweep the brush across the desired area.

Way Cool Stuff Product Review: Pick colors.

I brush on a few more clouds, varying the sizes and colors. I brush them on different layers so that I can move them around or make changes to each cloud layer later, if necessary.

Way Cool Stuff Product Review: Brush clouds.

For extra interest, I also add text to one of the cloud layers. I type my text, place it over the cloud layer where I want it to be and hit Ctrl+G.

Way Cool Stuff Product Review: Type text.

I then add another trail of clouds to the train at the bottom part of the layout. I apply a black stroke to it for a doodled effect. (Edit> Stroke Selection, 5 px, Inside)

Way Cool Stuff Product Review: Add stroke.

My last steps are to add my journaling, drop shadows and “train tracks” using Ariadna Wiczling’s Dynamic Brush Set: Dashed 8201, applied with her ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Felt 8201 Super Biggie.

Digital scrapbook layout by Armi Custodio

Layout by Armi Custodio
larger view




Commercial license versions of Dynamic Brush Set: Seasons 8201, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Pierced, Dynamic Brush Set: Dashed 8201, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Felt 8201 Super Biggie and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501 are also available.

Armi Custodio

Article written by Armi Custodio

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

NSBR Chat - Early Edition
Thursday, April 16th - 4:00PM 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 Michelle (Shelbi) and Shari (Shari PV Mom) at 4pm ET, in the chat room Lobby! Hope to see you there!

Heritage Crop
Thursday, April 16th - 8:00PM ET

Do you have boxes of heritage photos just waiting to be restored and scrapped? Are there family stories just waiting for you to write down and preserve? Then this is the crop for you! Join April (April Showers) and Carla (CRS) for the Heritage Crop and Chat! We'll help you get motivated to scrap those heritage photos and record your family stories for future generations to enjoy.

What's New Chat
Friday, April 17th- 11:00AM ET

Join Michelle (Shelbi) and Sherry_Lynn at 11am ET 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!

Recipe Swap Chat
Saturday, April 18th- 9:00PM ET

Join Danna (scrappylibrarian) and April (April Showers) to chat about this month’s recipe swap. The theme for the month will be posted on the message board on Thursday, April 9th. We always end up with some great ideas so be sure to join us!

UFO Crop & Chat
Sunday, April 19th- 3:00PM ET

Please join Sherry Lynn and special guest co-hostess Kimmy (kimmybutton) from our Layout Artist Team, in the chatroom. Let’s complete or revamp some of those layouts that are sitting in your “Layouts to be Completed” folder. Post your layout in the UFO Gallery and meet us in the Lobby at 3pm ET to get some inspirational suggestions from our incredible professionals here at Scrap Girls!

Scraplift Crop & Chat
Sunday, April 19th- 5:00PM ET

Join ManiakMama and angelaNussbaum for a Scraplifting Crop. A few hours before the crop we will tell you the name of a Scrap Girls Team Member, and you will be able to choose one of their layouts to be your inspiration. During the crop we will also help explain about scraplifting, how to use a layout as inspiration, and the importance of giving credit. Scraplifting is a lot of fun! So come join us, you’re sure to enjoy it!

Coffee Break Chat
Monday, April 20th - 6:30AM ET

If reading the Scrap Girls Newsletter and having a cup of coffee, cocoa, or tea first thing in the morning is a part of your daily routine, join Sherry Lynn at 6:30am ET for this month’s Coffee Break Chat. We’ll chat over the latest issue of the Newsletter for a light and fun way to start off your week! Hope to see you there!

New Member Chat - Early Edition
Tuesday, April 21st - 3:00PM ET

Join April (April Showers) at 3:00pm ET for a fun chat to get to know our newest members. We will discuss the message board, gallery, chocolate and so much more! Everyone is welcome, new or not so new! Not sure how to get there? Just click the “Chat Room” button at the top of this newsletter; you will need JavaScript enabled to access the chat room.

April Events

April Board Game: The Alphabet Hunt

We're taking your ABC game skills to a whole new level this month... and tacking on some prizes as well! This month's message board game is The Alphabet Hunt. Each week we'll give you a theme and a searching task and then set you loose to start building our list in alphabetic order! For each item you correctly add to our alphabetic list in the game thread on the message board, your name will be entered into a drawing which will be held at the end of the month and the TEN winners of the drawing will each win a $5 gift certificate to the ScrapGirls Boutique!

Participation is what counts big this month, so join us on the message board for the detailed rules, weekly specifics and LOTS of fun!

Layout Contests:

April Monthly Layout Contest: With April 1st being April Fools Day we've decided to get Silly. If you have kids or grandkids, or even spouses, that like to mug for the camera, then you have what you need to do a layout for the April Monthly Layout Contest with the theme of Silly Faces. You could win a $10 gift certificate to the boutique if your layout is chosen! Just post your layouts in the April Monthly Layout Gallery before April 30th at Midnight ET and you will be eligible to win! Be sure to include the credits for items used in the description area or under the Details tab.

April Mid-Month Layout Contest: Do you have a mischief maker in your family? Pets or wildlife in your yard are often mischief makers, too. For this layout contest, we want to see your layouts of a mischief maker or two you have known. You could win a $10 gift certificate to the boutique if your layout is chosen! Just post your layouts in the April Mid-Month Layout Gallery before May 15th at Midnight ET, and you will be eligible to win! Be sure to include the credits for products used in the description area or under the Details tab.

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

Digital scrapbook layout by Syndee Nuckles

Layout by Syndee Nuckles
larger view

Designer Freebie by Syndee Nuckles coordinates with her Noteworthy Collection Biggie, part of this month's Scrap Girls 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.

1 8.5x11 Sheet of Word Art

1 Assemble Your Own Zoom Page Set

1 Designer's Choice Item