Layout by dinny
larger view

The last product is 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 Brush Set: Go Green, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Edgy, THIN and ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates: Fairy Dust are also available.

Layout by Thao Cosgrove
larger view

Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Bible Verses About Comfort and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Flecked Mulberry 8201 Super Biggie are also available.

Layouts by Kerry Veale
larger view

Layout by Ariadna Wiczling
larger view

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Freehand Painting 8201 Super Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Pencil Stroke 8201, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Blended 8201 Super Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Altered Photos PSE 8201, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Deep Shadows 6501 PSE and PS Biggie, Brush Set: My Descriptions, Brush Set: Stamped Dates and ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates: Stylish Frames are also available.

Layout by Durin Eberhart
larger view

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Character 4, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Character 2, Dynamic Brush Set: Sponge Painting 5101, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Borders 5101, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Distressed 5102 Super Biggie, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Gesso 3, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Studio 1 Biggie and ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Faux Finish 4 are also available.

Layout by Angie Briggs
larger view

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photo Basics 5001 and ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Photo Masks - 4x6 Fanciful are also available.

Layout by Valerie Randall
larger view

Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Graduate 2101, Brush Set: 4x6 Inky, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Beautiful Distress, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Graduate, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Painted Plastic 6401 Super Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Glittered Epoxy 6402 Super Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Paper Textures 4901, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Dirty Press 5401 Mini and ScrapSimple Transparency Overlays: Spirals 1 are also available.

Layout by Thao Cosgrove
larger view

The last product is 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 Brush Set: Bible Verses About Love Biggie, Brush Set: Sketchbook Pencil Biggie, Dynamic Brush Set: Drawing 5701, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Freehand Coloring 8201 Super Biggie and ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Dirty Press 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.

It's time for Mischief Week!

For those of you that haven’t been with us for the past several years, Mischief Week is a week of general madness and mayhem. We have lots of crazy chats, classes, games, prizes, and other random events just in time to usher us into the wonderful world of spring.

Convention Mischief Game

I had a dream about the convention! In the story, an item is underlined. List each item and a link to a product in the Scrap Girls Boutique that contains the underlined item. Products can only be used once, although some underlined items may be repeated, which means that there is another product containing the same item.

Send your items, boutique links, message board member name (if you have one) to [email protected] by Midnight ET on Thursday, April 30th.

If you get all of the products and their links correct, you will be entered into a drawing for a $20 Gift Certificate. If you get half of the products and their links correct, you will be entered into a drawing for a $10 Gift Certificate. The remainder will be entered into a drawing for a $5 Gift Certificate.

Good luck and have fun!

I’m going to the Scrap Girls Convention!

I had a dream the other night about the Scrap Girls Convention. In my dream, it was October 7th, 2009, and I was packing for my trip! I got out my suitcase and packed my laptop first thing! The next thing I packed was my camera and extra memory cards. I threw in some clothes and I was all set!

On my way to the airport, I saw a neighbor of mine walking their pet tiger in the park. There were children riding their bikes in the park, but they didn’t seem afraid of a second tiger running loose. Normally, it only takes ten minutes to get to the airport, but we had to wait for a train to pass through.

As I checked in my suitcase at the ticket counter, the agent told me a story about her pet hamster. She said he loves to play with his beach ball & pail and shovel! I thought it was strange, but I was so excited about my trip that I didn’t pay much attention. I got my tickets and headed for security. The security agents were all wearing stethoscopes! As I went through the metal detector, it beeped at me! The agent waved his magic wand at me and then let me pass. I found my gate without any problem and sat down to wait for boarding to start.

The flight was fun. Moss was on my flight! And a soccer team from Mexico. One player had a band-aid on his forehead. We flew through a freak October blizzard, but that didn’t cause any delays. I took a rocket to the Guest House and checked in. I stopped to admire the scenery and breathe in that fresh Utah air. The trees had golden, orange and red leaves. I could feel the excitement in the air!

The next morning, I went over to the convention site early. The first person I saw was Angela Nussbaum! She was wearing a pink duct tape hat! Then I saw Valerie holding a baby bottle and burping a baby! What a sight! Over in the corner, sitting in a chair, were Carol Ann and Becca. They were talking about how wonderful Ro’s Software Secrets really is! And Ro was there, too, wearing a green dress!

The convention started right on time, at least according to my watch. We spent the day learning new techniques in the classes. I took notes with my notebook and pen. During a break, Pat showed me her grandfather’s pocket watch. It had a touching inscription, but I had to use a magnifying glass to read it! After the break, we did a round robin swap. We worked on a layout for five minutes, then rotated to the next seat, and worked on that layout. That layout was a challenge! I nearly spilled my coffee cup when I saw it! It had a blue brad, a pink ribbon, and a plaid tag. The photo was a man riding on a surf board. I wondered if I could find some shells to tie it all together.

We were about to switch seats again, when a surprise visitor appeared. The visitor started to sing “Rock of Ages” by Def Leppard! That’s when I realized my alarm clock was trying to wake me up. I rolled over in bed and hugged my teddy bear tightly. What a great dream! I think I’m going to mark off the days on my calendar with a purple crayon! I can’t wait!

Garden of Doom:

Layout by Janine Buckles
larger image

You wonder WHEN it will appear, you worry if it WILL appear, but still you WANT it to appear and HERE IT IS... just in time for spring. It’s the Garden of Doom!

For those of you new to this game, the object is simple. You must correctly identify the Scrap Girls products used in the Garden of Doom image.

43 different Scrap Girls products were used to create the image. While ScrapSimple products may have been used, there are no styles, actions or shapes involved... but you may find a brush or two! Here’s a little hint... some of our designers are represented more than once or twice � just focus on finding the products.

Wait! Don’t panic! You don’t have to find ALL of them to play the game; however, everyone who DOES get them all correct will automatically win a $10 Gift Certificate!

This means more than one person can win a $10 gift certificate. (Anyone this motivated deserves a prize!) The winners of these gift certificates can get in on the rest of the game, too!

For all players:

• If you get 20 or more correct answers, you will be entered into the drawing for a $25 Gift Certificate!
• If you get 15-19 correct answers, you will be entered into the drawing for a $10 Gift Certificate!
• If you get 10-14 correct answers, you will be entered into the drawing for a $5 Gift Certificate!

To enter the game, email your guesses and message board member name, if you have one, to [email protected].

For each item guessed, you must include BOTH the product name and a link to where you can find it in the Scrap Girls Boutique.

Emails must be received by Midnight EST on Thursday, April 30th. (We can not be responsible for lost or non-received emails.) Game limited to one email per member. Janine Buckles (J9Buckles) will respond to your email to let you know it was received. If you do not receive a reply in 24 hours, please resend.

Good luck and happy gardening!

Here is the schedule for the week:

Tuesday, April 28th

• 11:00AM ET – Creative Photo Challenge - April and Kelly
  Want to do something fun and different with your photos? Join KellyChron and April Showers in the chat room at 11am ET. About an hour before the chat, Kelly will post a challenge (with a tutorial) on the ScrapGirls Message Board.

• 1:00PM ET – Mischievious Freebie Crop - April and Carla
  Join April Showers and Carla (CRS) in the chat room for a mischievious freebie challenge crop at 1pm ET on Tuesday!

• 2:00PM ET – FREE CLASS! Customizing Your Twitter Background - Katherine
  Ever wonder how to customize your personal Twitter page? Join KatherineW in the chat room for a free mini class on customizing Twitter backgrounds with your favorite Scrap Girls products. Participate in the chat & you could win a ScrapSimple Digital Layout Album Template!

• 3:00PM ET – FREE CLASS! Super Strokes Mini Class - Anna
  Are you looking for a really easy way to make your photos stand out on your layout? A quick way to make a mat or a frame? Do you want to turn text, embellishments, and custom shapes into stickers? Strokes are the way to go. They are quick and easy and oh, so versatile! Join Anna Mansfield (anna) for a mini class that’s all about strokes – the basics and beyond. Software specific – Photoshop Elements.

• 8:00PM ET – Mischievious Journaling Chat - Becca and Angela
  Join Becca and angelaNussbaum for a special Journaling Chat. It’s always great to get some journaling on your layouts, to pass on the stories. This chat will be no exception, but with a wild twist. Join us and find out a fun way to journal!

• 9:00PM ET – New Member Chat - Carol Ann and Pat
  Are you new to Scrap Girls and wondering what all this mischieviousness is about? Join Carol Ann (Zaz) and Pat (PBarnes) in the Live Chat Lobby at 9pm ET. We’ll be there to answer questions about getting around the Scrap Girls site or digital scrapbooking in general. We’ll have some fun and games too. Please come! (Long time members are welcome too.)

Wednesday, April 29th

• 12:00Noon ET – High Noon Crop - Betsy and April
  Join Betsy and April Showers at Noon ET for a fun chat and crop. 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 29th, we’ll do a multiple photo challenge! Create a layout on any theme, any topic, any colors – using multiple photos! 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!

• 3:00PM ET – Wacky Ad Challenge - Sherry Lynn
  Have you had enough mischief yet? If not, come join Sherry_Lynn in the chat room at 3pm ET for a Crazy Ad Challenge and Chat! Here’s how it works: A few hours before the crop I will post the ad for those of you that would like a head start. Then, do a layout that is inspired by our wacky ad. Of course, there will be a prize to give away at the chat too!

• 6:00PM ET – FREE CLASS! Alpha Brush Mini Class - Debbie
  Join Debbie (dlayden) at 6pm ET for a free mini class on creative ways to use alpha brushes!

• 8:00PM ET – Desktop Crop - Becca and Angela
  Join Becca and angelaNussbaum for the Desktop Crop. With May almost here, and a wacky week upon us, it’s definitely time to get a new desktop made! We will be doing something wild and wacky, so watch the message board for a thread that will be posted a few hours before the chat for your challenge.

• 9:00PM ET – Oddball Trivia & Mischievious Facts Chat - Marnie and Sherry Lynn
  Are you a master at Trivial Pursuit? Do you know lots of arcane bits of information? Do your friends call you Norm (like the trivia king character in Cheers)? Well, we have the chat for you! Join Marnie (sprinklz) and Sherry_Lynn at 9pm ET for the Oddball Trivia & Mischievious Facts Challenge in the Scrap Girls Chat Room lobby. Not only will silly questions and useless information abound, but there will be lots of fun noises, good laughs, and super cool prizes. Bring your thinking caps and be part of the adventure!

• 10:00PM ET – Late Night Scrapper’s Chat - Kelly and Debbie
  Are you a night owl? Do you stay up until the wee hours of the morning scrapping? Then join Debbie (dlayden) and Kelly (KellyChron) in the chat room at 10pm ET for some late night scrapping and fun!

Thursday, April 30th

• 11:00AM ET – Critique Chat - Kelly and Laurel
  Kelly (KellyChron) and Laurel (laurellakey) from the ScrapGirls Layout Artist Team invite you to join them in the chat room at 11am ET for a critique chat. Look for instructions on the ScrapGirls message board about where to post your layout. The team will offer suggestions and let you pick their brains about what makes a layout “work!”

• 12:00Noon ET – FREE CLASS! Gradient Map Magic for Photos - Jan
  Want to learn an easy way to change your photos from bland to spectacular? How about an easy way to change the tint of your photos, remove blue tones or create amazing black and whites, with a click of just a few buttons? Then be sure you don’t miss this mini class with Jan Hicks (ScrappingForever). And since it’s Mischief week, you can be sure there will also be some silliness and a prize given away! For Photoshop and Photoshop Elements users.

• 4:00PM ET – NSBR Chat - Early Edition - Michelle and Shari
  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!

• 7:00PM ET – University Chat - Shari and April
  Join Shari PV Mom and April Showers at 7pm ET for a special Mischief Week University Chat and Crop! We’ll provide you with a tutorial from the University. Create a layout created using the tutorial and post it in the gallery for a chance to win a prize! We hope you’ll come and have some fun with us!

• 8:00PM ET – Secret Pal Chat - Pat and Michelle
  You’ve asked for it and now it’s here! Join Michelle (Shelbi) and Pat (PBarnes) in the Live Chat Lobby at 8pm ET for the kick-off of a new round of Secret Pals. We’ll go over what being a Secret Pal is all about. You do not have to attend the chat to be a part of this Secret Pal round. The sign up will be posted on the Message Board on Friday, May 1st. We look forward to seeing you at the chat!

• 9:00PM ET – Hodgepodge Sketch Challenge Chat - Marnie
  Feel like mixing things up? Up to a digi challenge? Want to try to shake up your creativity? Come on down! Join Marnie (sprinklz) at 9pm ET for the Hodgepodge Sketch Challenge in the Scrap Girls Chat Room lobby. For our regular attendees, this sketch challenge will have a special Mischief Week twist (I know you are dying to know what it is... but you have to wait... it’s a secret.) For those that are unfamiliar with this challenge, sketches are basic outlines of a layout showing suggested placement of the photos, embellies, papers, and text. Feel free to follow the sketch as designed or change things around as you wish. A few hours before the chat, I’ll share the sketch link and give you an example layout. You may complete your own page before, during or after the chat � no time limits here! Hope to see you there for frolicking, silliness, and fun. And, oh, did I mention, there will be a prize!

• 10:00PM ET (12Noon - May 1st - Australian Eastern Time) – Aussie Mischief Chat - Jo and Karen
  Join Jo (ScrappingJo) and Karen (kazbar73) as we come together for a good old Aussie Mischief Chat. Like to know what we will be doing? Then you will have to come along and see what mischief we can all get up to Australian style.

Note: While every effort will be made to adhere to this schedule, details are subject to change.

(Note: I “stole” this article from my blog, Life Muses by Ro.)

Yesterday, I told you about ROI – Return on Investment. (Article: Into a Tunnel of Light) While I was speaking in terms of a business making sure that there is a benefit to whatever they are doing in that article, it got me thinking about a larger question:

What is the ROI for my own life?

This question led me to other questions, such as:

• Am I doing things that are worthwhile?
• Why are they worthwhile?
• Is there anything I can drop?
• Is there anything I am doing that I need to do that I don’t want to do?
• Do I see the big picture of my life?
• Am I having any fun?
• What feels fun to me?
• Why have I not been allowing myself to have some fun every day?
• Who is important in my life?
• Do they know that they are important to me?
• Am I spending enough time with these important people?

The whole thing reminded me that I often become too serious. Sometimes, I start to feel guilty if I am not working or doing things that I deem as productive.

But, wait a minute... It is productive to have fun. It is. When I am not having fun, my mind starts to feel like an elastic band that is ready to fly out and pop someone in the eye. When I am not having fun, my productivity slows down because I become tense. My mind spins. I stop eating enough. I don’t exercise. I get worried when I am not having fun. I even have less faith when I am not having fun.

Oh, wow. I need to have fun.

So, that lead to the next question, “What do I enjoy doing?” Here’s my list:

• Reading and looking at books
• Taking photographs
• Blogging
• Journaling
• Drawing
• Cooking (Sometimes. When I am not exhausted or ravenous.)
• Planning
• Talking to friends
• Watching my shows on TV
• Talking about politics (Does that surprise you? I love it. I keep that particular subject out of my blog, but I’m very passionate about what is going on right now.)
• Digital scrapbooking (Especially when I don’t try to get too fancy-smancy. I have learned that I adore doing simple things that focus on the photo, with a few well-placed words.)

So, here I am... I shouldn’t be working - not now. But, guess what? I’m not. In the past 45 minutes I have...

• Written three blog posts
• Taken one photo
• Made two digital scrapbooking layouts
• Eaten a handful of chocolate-covered cranberries

Now, it’s your turn. What do you like doing for fun? Have you been allowing yourself to have fun or are you wrapped up in fear and worry? Are you trying to beat yourself into submissive productivity?

If you’d like to share your thoughts with me, I’d love to read them. You can add a comment to the original blog string.

Have a great day, everyone. And, have some fun!

- Ro

Photo by Ro

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Stacked Photos PS Mini 6501 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.

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!

Question: Is there any reason to upgrade to PSE 7 from PSE 5? I do run Vista 64 bit. Thanks for your input.

Answer 1: I really can’t advise you about upgrading to PSE 7 because this is the first PSE program I’ve had and I just can’t compare it with the other two versions. I just want to tell you that it runs perfectly with Vista 64 bit. I should add that it’s almost always been my software philosophy to go with the latest version. More often than not, I’ve been happy with that choice. Even if a new program has a bug, there’s usually a patch available pretty quickly.

Answer 2: I am a PSE 5 user that is using the 30 day trial of PSE 7. I have been happy with the change and I am sure I have only scratched the surface of what it can do. I was worried about the darker interface, but find it is easier on my eyes. I also run Vista 64 bit and have not had any issues.

Answer 3: There are some fun new features in PSE 7 and it certainly makes upgrading attractive. I’ve barely scratched the surface in using the new features and I’ve been using it since it came out. I upgraded from PSE 5 to PSE 7 and haven’t had the urge to go back to PSE 5 at all. I’m keeping it on my computer so that I can help answer questions about it here on the message board, but I’m happy with PSE 7. I was very happy with PSE 5, too. As a side note, unlike version 6, in PSE 7 you can change the dark interface. There is an adjustment slider under Preferences that you can lighten to any amount you want, up to a light gray. I skipped version 6 because I tried the dark interface and didn’t like it.

Answer 4: Thanks for the info on PSE 7. This is good to know. That is one reason that I didn’t use PSE 6, because of the dark interface. I still use PSE 5 and love it. I will now have PSE 5, PSE 6 and PSE 7 on my computer. I know that you can only run one at a time. I’m looking forward to receiving my new PSE 7. I already have Ro’s Secrets Revealed for PSE 7 and More Secrets.

Response: Since you have been using PSE 7 after coming from PSE 5, you are probably the best person to ask about the differences between the two programs! I knew about the feature for changing the interface and I also know that to switch to a different document using the Photo Bin you must double-click on a photo rather than just click it once. I would really like to know about the new actions player. Can you use regular Photoshop actions in it or do you still have to get the actions/effects designed for PSE? Are there any other new features or ways in which the program operates differently to PSE 5, especially with regard to digital scrapping?

Answer 5: I upgraded from PSE 5 to PSE 7 also and have been very happy with the change. I have been using PSE 7 since it came out and would certainly do so again. One thing to note for those thinking of upgrading from PSE 5 is that Adobe has announced that it will no longer offer support for version 5. I really like being able to adjust the darkness of the interface - there is a separate preference for the Organizer, other than the Editor, so you can adjust them independently. Also, if you use the Organizer, it functions differently (and much more smoothly) in PSE 7. I LOVE the actions player and use it all the time - I have found it easier to use than I did in PSE 5. I have quite a few actions, but they are specific to Elements. I think they still have to be because there are still some things that only the full version of Photoshop can do. I know some people who upgrade from PSE 5 to PSE 7 have expressed concerns about dragging items onto a document. If you have your layout in the Photo Bin, you have to drag the new item DOWN onto your layout, instead of the other way around. If you do it the other way, it becomes a “Smart Object,” which will not be the right size and will have a box around it. The other way to do it is to have your windows in Cascade view and drag from one window to another. This is just something to keep in mind to avoid future frustrations. The other thing I like about PSE 7 (it is available in PSE 6, but not PSE 5) is the Smart Brush options (for doing things like enhancing details, whitening teeth and brightening up the sky). Now that I figured out how they work, I use them all the time on my photos. I hope this helps people still deciding!

Response: If you drag items down to place them on your layout, does the image name go with it? What I mean is, right now, in PSE 5, when I pull something up from the Photo Bin onto my layer, the layer takes on the name of the product. Does it do that in PSE 7?

Answer 6: If you drag UP from the Photo Bin, it will take the name with it, but the image will be a Smart Object until you simplify the layer. If you drag DOWN it will make a new layer, but not change the name. Smart Objects are like Custom Shapes - you can resize them up and down without losing image quality. If you don’t want the hassle of remembering to simplify the layer, you can just drag the other way and rename. Also, if you use File> Place, it will add the name of the file and you don’t have to do the simplifying thing. (You just need to navigate to the folder where your item is.) I hope that this helps and isn’t too confusing!

Response: What about all of the differences in loading styles? It seems in PSE 7 it is a lot more difficult. Is that the case? What about dragging up or down and names staying or going? Is it a huge inconvenience to get used to the new way in PSE 7?

Answer 7: To me, it doesn’t seem that PSE 7 is more difficult and it doesn’t take long to get used to the difference. Once you learn how to get your styles to show up, I don’t think it’s hard. After you do it a few times, I think it goes pretty easy. I’ve added over 20 styles since I got PSE 7. It’s only styles that have the new way of adding them (if you want them to show up in the list). Brushes, shapes, etc., are the same - they go in the Presets folder. I guess the dragging and name thing depends on how invested you are in the name going with it. Since the file names can get kind of long, I almost always changed them anyway. This is just my two cents. I’m happier knowing that I have a version that Adobe still supports.

*To find this thread and other great tips, you can check out our message board here!

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

Journaling Crop & Chat Tuesday, April 28th - 8:00PM ET Join Becca and angelaNussbaum for a Journaling Chat. It's always great to get some journaling on your layouts, to pass on the stories. This chat will be no exception, but with a wild twist. Join us and find out a fun way to journal! High Noon Crop Wednesday, April 29th - 12:00Noon ET Join Betsy and April Showers at Noon ET for a fun chat and crop. 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 29th, we'll do a multiple photo challenge! Create a layout on any theme, any topic, any colors - using multiple photos! You'll have one hour to create a layout and upload to the special High Noon Crop gallery. You'll be amazed what you can get done in just one hour! We hope you'll join us! What's New Chat Friday, May 1st - 11:00AM ET Join Michelle (Shelbi) and Becca 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! ATC Mixed Media Crop & Swap Sunday, May 3rd - 3:00PM ET Do you love mixed media? Ever wondered what it is exactly or about giving it a try? Love to exchange cards through snail mail? Then this crop is for you. Break out your creative thoughts, your favorite Scrap Girls supplies, some paper, pens, and whatever else comes to mind. Join Sherry_Lynn at 3pm ET for our Mixed Media ATC Crop and Swap. Card Chat Monday, May 4th - 8:00PM ET Join Michelle (Shelbi) for the once a month Card Chat. Do you use your digital 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 digital scrap stash to make any cards we might need for the upcoming month – birthday cards, thank you cards, get well cards, various holiday cards. This month will be doing Mother’s Day cards. See you there!! NSBR Chat Monday, May 4th - 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 Carla (CRS) at 9pm ET in the chat room! Baby Album Crop Tuesday, May 5th - 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 Carla (CRS) and Shari (Shari PV Mom) in the chat room on Tuesday, May 5th at 1pm 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. We’ll provide an optional challenge each crop for motivation if you want one. This month, let’s scrap those Baby Shower photos or a special gift! Life Moments Crop & Chat Tuesday, May 5th - 3:00PM ET Please join Pat (PBarnes) in the Chat Room at 4pm ET for the Life Moments Chat and Crop. The Life Moments are about doing a scrapbook about yourself, one page at a time.

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.)

Layout by Janine Buckles
larger view

Designer Freebie by Jacelen Deinema coordinates with her Watercolor Baby Boy Collection

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Page Protectors, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Sew Doodly Biggie 3201 and AMC_Happy 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.