Scrap Girls Chit Chat Newsletter: April 22, 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_090422_Wed_Forgiveness.htm

What's New in the Scrap Girls Boutique

Digital scrapbook layout by Sarah Batdorf

Layout by Sarah Batdorf
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The third and fourth 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 ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Deep Shadows 6501 PSE and PS Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501, Dynamic Brush Set: Leaves 6501 and Lettering Delights Becca Font are also available.

Digital scrapbook layout by Durin Eberhart

Layout by Durin Eberhart
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Character 1, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Fabric Arts, Dynamic Brush Set: Sponge Painting 5101, Dynamic Brush Set: Rustic Stitches and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Gold 5101 Super Biggie are also available.

Digital scrapbook layout by Ariadna Wiczling

Layout by Ariadna Wiczling
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Pencil Stroke 8201, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Freehand Coloring 8201 Super Biggie, Brush Set: Stamp A Date and Brush Set: Homemade Grunge are also available.

Digital scrapbook layout by Amanda Sok

Layout by Amanda Sok
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Digital scrapbook layout by Melanie Johnson

Layout by Melanie Johnson
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Digital scrapbook layout by Durin Eberhart

Layout by Durin Eberhart
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Commercial license versions of Dynamic Brush Set: Rustic Stitches, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Gesso 2, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Character 1, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Fabric Arts, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Fabric Arts, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Antique Paper 5101 Super Biggie, Dynamic Brush Set: Sponge Painting 5101, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Satin Stitch 5104 Super Biggie and Lettering Delights Timely Font are also available.

Digital scrapbook layout by Erica Hite

Layout by Erica Hite
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The last 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 Tools - Styles: Dirty Press 5401 Mini, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Dirty Press Retro Inks 5401 Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photos That Pop B&W 1801 Mini , ScrapSimple Word Art Templates: Dirty Press, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Printer's Ornaments, ScrapSimple Tools - Shapes: Curvy Mats 2103, Dynamic Brush Set: Letterpress 2101 and ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Dirty Press are also available.

Digital scrapbook layout by Mary Elizabeth O'Toole

Layout by Mary Elizabeth O'Toole
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Online Class - A Month of Gratitude: Everyday Blessings

Digital scrapbook layout by Kim Meeder

Layout by Kim Meeder
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Jelly Beans 3 Mini, Dynamic Brush Set: Dashed 8201 and ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Ribbons To Go I 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: Slubs, Flaws, Inconsistencies

“The occasional slubs, inconsistencies and gentle shadings are inherent to the fabric. They should not be regarded as defects. They are characteristic of the fine yarns, which give this fabric its beauty and dramatic texture.”

Have you ever noticed that prayers are sometimes answered in unusual ways? The night before I found the tag containing this bit of wisdom on the floor, I had been on my knees begging for forgiveness for an enormous laundry list of flaws. I felt overcome with my inability to improve because most of the issues seem to be associated with my personality. And, changing your personality is hard � if not impossible.

The assurance I needed had fallen off some unknown garment. Since I hadn’t purchased clothing for some time, I had no idea how it came to be placed in my path as I walked across my bathroom floor.

I believe it was placed there by some unseen hand. “Your occasional slubs, inconsistencies and gentle shadows are inherent to your nature,” the tag instructed. “They should not be regarded as defects. They are characteristic of the fine fabric, which gives your soul its beauty and dramatic texture.”

A prayer had been answered and, once again, I was assured that I am loved and understood � even in my imperfect state.

- 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!

Important to Know:

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!

Digital Scrapbooking Tutorial: Distressed Monogram Embellishments in Three Easy Steps

Note: Tutorial created using Adobe Photoshop CS2 with Windows XP.

This tutorial demonstrates how to make monogram embellishments with ScrapSimple Alpha Templates: Distressed Monograms.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Drag paper.

First, open the PSD file of the letter of your choice. Then, drag a paper background onto the same document as the monogram. Make sure the layer with paper is placed between the layers “1-base” and “2-texture.”

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Clipping mask.

Next, create a clipping mask by selecting the paper layer and clicking Ctrl+G (or Alt+Ctrl+G in Photoshop CS2). The paper is now clipped onto the “1-base” layer.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Adjust Hue/Saturation.

Finally, select the “3-edges” layer and go to Image> Adjustment> Hue/Saturation. In the dialogue box, check the box for “Colorize” and use the sliders to adjust the Hue, Saturation and Lightness to your preference.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Examples.

Your monogram embellishment is now ready to be used in your next layout. These ScrapSimple Alpha Templates: Distressed Monograms work well with a variety of colors and patterns.

Digital scrapbook layout by Thao Cosgrove

Layout by Thao Cosgrove
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Alpha Templates: Distressed Monograms are also available.

Thao Cosgrove

Tutorial written by Thao Cosgrove

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, April 22nd - 12:00Noon ET

Join your guest host April Showers for the High Noon Crop every Wednesday at Noon ET. 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 April 22nd, we’ll do an inanimate object challenge! That’s right - your layout will be about someTHING, not someONE! Favorite dessert? Favorite drink? A child’s beloved toy? Your new car? Lots of possibilities! 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, April 22nd - 8:00PM ET

Join Becca and angelaNussbaum for the Journaling Chat at 8pm ET. 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.

Faith Journey Chat
Wednesday, April 22nd - 9:00PM ET

Join Shalae (satippetts) for the Faith Journey chat at 9pm ET. This is a great time to recieve support in your faith or challenges as we help each other grow in our testimonies of our beliefs.

Ad Inspiration Challenge & Chat
Thursday, April 23rd - 9:00PM ET

Join Pat (PBarnes) at 9pm ET for an Ad Challenge and Chat. A few hours before the chat, a magazine ad will be posted on the message board to use as inspiration for a layout. You can use whatever you want to from the ad - the colors, the shapes, the composition. There are no wrong answers!

What's New Chat
Friday, April 24th - 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!

Swap Crop Chat
Friday, April 24th - 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 Carla (CRS) for a fun chat at 9pm ET.

ATC Swap Chat
Sunday, April 26th - 3:00PM ET

Please join Sherry_Lynn and Michelle (Shelbi) in the chatroom at 3pm ET for our April ATC Swap Crop/Chat. For this month's challenge, we are doing ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) that feature “April Fool-ish Fun!” We can't wait to see the wacky cards you come up with!

Scraplift Crop & Chat
Sunday, April 26th - 5:00PM ET

Join ManiakMama and angelaNussbaum for a Scraplift Crop. A few hours before the crop we will tell you exactly what you will be scraplifting and you will be able to let your creativity loose!

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

Computer scrapbook layout by dinny

Layout by dinny
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Designer Freebie by dinny coordinates with her Go Green Collection

* 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