Scrap Girls is announcing its vacation plans... STAYCATION! The whole team is going to have a STAYcation this year, and we want you to STAYcation with us. Our Product Designers are having a STAYcation, too, and as a change from slaving away making beautiful digital scrapbooking supplies for you to scrap with, they're hosting chats all week! Trust us, you do NOT want to miss these chats. Our designers get out so rarely - this is a real treat!

We've got a schedule full of chats that our Product Designers and Welcoming Committee are hosting, plus our STAYcation Sale, games, freebies, contests, prizes and fun! Come join our family on our STAYcation!

Scrap Girls Digital Scrapbooking Adventures Blog - 20 32 Questions Game

Each day Dee will post questions on the Scrap Girls Digital Scrapbooking Adventures blog. Search the past blog posts for the answers and keep a document with the questions, your answers, and the links to the blog post where you found the answers. Email this document to [email protected] by Midnight (MT) on Friday, July 31st.

If you get all of the answers and their blog links correct, you will be entered into a drawing for a $20 Gift Certificate. If you get at least 16 of the answers and their blog 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.

Please do not post answers to any of the questions on the message board or in the blog comments. We cannot be responsible for lost or un-received emails. One email per member; you will receive a response indicating your email has been received. If you do not receive a reply in 24 hours, please resend.

Picnic Basket Of Doom

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You know it, you dread it, it's back... with a STAYcation twist! The Picnic Basket of Doom is here!

For those of you new to this game, the object is simple. You must correctly identify the items shown in the picnic basket image. There are 36 items to identify in this Picnic Basket of Doom.

Now don't panic! You don't have to find them all to play the game. (Whew!) But anyone 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 16 or more correct answers, you will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Gift Certificate!
• If you get 10-15 correct answers, you will be entered into a drawing for a $10 Gift Certificate!
• If you get 5-9 correct answers, you will be entered into a drawing for a $5 Gift Certificate!

To enter the game, send your guesses 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. Your email must be received by Midnight (MT) on Friday, July 31st. We cannot be responsible for lost or un-received emails. One email per member; you will receive a response indicating your email has been received. If you do not receive a reply in 24 hours, please resend.

Good luck, and happy hunting!

STAYcation Chat Schedule

Friday - July 31: Luau

11:00AM ET - What's New Chat - Michelle and Sherry Lynn
Join Michelle (Shelbi) and Sherry Lynn at 11am ET to chat about all the cool new things in the boutique. You never know who else is going to show up! 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!


1:00PM ET - Mini Class: Shortcuts - Jan and Ursula
Join Jan Hicks (ScrappingForever) and Ursula Schneider (Ursula) at 1pm ET for a fun mini-class. Learn easy short-cuts to make your digital scrapbooking go faster and how they are related to ice cream, picnics, camping and more!


6:00PM ET - Mini Class: Blending Modes - Katherine
Join Katherine (KatherineW) for a free mini-class on how to perform quick color changes using blending modes on Friday at 6pm ET.


8:00PM ET - Luau - Syndee and Katherine
Grab your favorite snack or beverage and join Syndee & KatherineW for a Luau Chat. Here is your chance to share and learn staycationing ideas, ask the designers about their work, receive great "freebies" or just chat it up with friends old and new.

*Schedule is subject to change... keep an eye on the newsletter and message board for the latest STAYcation happenings!

Ro Paxman

The Irony of it All

Did you know that...

...if you fall asleep on your keyboard, you may discover that you have written a wonderful essay that reads, “,,,,,,,,,, pppp ,,,,, ppppppp...”


...worrying about spilling punch on your freshly cleaned carpet dramatically increases the odds that you will accidentally spill a plate with barbeque sauce instead?


...it is easier to tear a hole in a brand new shirt than in an old one?


...throwing away worn out flip-flops is emotionally difficult?


...sales people arrive at your door when two telephones are ringing?


...car batteries run down when you fail to turn off the lights?


...it is easier to type at night when the lights are on?


...ice cream melts when you leave it on the counter?


...men on riding mowers cut the lawns on the putting green next door at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings?


...the printer ink runs out in the middle of critical print jobs?


...Internet connections go down in the middle of submitting long posts on message boards?


...you are less likely to receive a cell phone call if you leave the cell phone at home?


...important news bulletins are more likely to occur at the end of an exciting new movie than at the beginning of a rerun?


...it’s fun to think of lists of life’s ironies?

Ironically yours,

- 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.

SCRAP GIRLS CLUB

Join the Scrap Girls Monthly Club and you can have fun with the newest traditional digital and printable scrapbooking looks while saving! (A $27.94 value for $9.99 or less!)

The Scrap Girls Club contents are released on the 1st day of the month (or the closest business day to the 1st).

With the Scrap Girls Club, you will receive:

1 Collection Biggie
1 Paper Super Mini
1 8.5x11 Sheet of Word Art
1 Embellishment Set
1 Assemble Your Own Zoom Page Set
1 Designer's Choice Item

Layout by Brandy Murry using July's Scrap Girls Club
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Created for you by Brandy Murry

Alert! Alert! TODAY is the last day you can sign up for the Scrap Girls club and still get this great group of products at this amazing price. Don't delay... sign up now!

If you prefer not to join a club, the Scrap Girls club contents are available at regular prices in the Boutique. You can easily find them right now by checking the What's New? section of the Boutique.

Note: The Scrap Girls Club contents are always available for sale elsewhere in the Boutique at their regular prices once the associated club month is released. But all club contents are totally brand new, never seen before product releases for each month!

SCRAPSIMPLE CLUB

Join the ScrapSimple Monthly Club and you can enjoy the newest ScrapSimple looks while saving! (A $13.95 value for $6.99 or less!)

The new ScrapSimple Club contents are released on the 15th day of the month (or the closest business day to the 15th).

With the ScrapSimple Club, you will receive:

1 ScrapSimple Paper Template Set
1 ScrapSimple Embellishment or Word Art Template Set
1 Brush Set
2 Designer's Choice Items

A commercially licensed version of the ScrapSimple club is also available here.

Layout by Theresa Kavouras using July's ScrapSimple Club
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Created for you by Trish Yochum and Theresa Kavouras

If you prefer not to join a club, the ScrapSimple club contents are available at regular prices in the Boutique. You can easily find them right now by checking the What's New? section of the Boutique.

Note: The ScrapSimple Club contents are always available for sale in the Boutique at regular prices once the associated club month is released. But all club contents are totally brand new, never-seen-before product releases for each month!

Adding a Pop of Color With ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: 1898 Lace Borders

Note: Tutorial created using Adobe Photoshop CS2 with Mac OS X.

We all have it happen. You're working on a digital scrapbook page and something just isn't right. All the elements have been going together fine, but your layout seems blah. You know you need a pop of color, but after looking through your embellishments, you don't have anything the color you need. ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates to the rescue!

When you are new to Scrap Girls, you can feel a little intimidated by those gray products. They look cool and sound like a good idea, but maybe you aren't quite sure what to do with them. Let's look at a layout and see what a difference a little pop of the right color can make.

We have a chaise lounge on our back patio that I inherited from my grandparents. The other day, I made some new, colorful accent pillows for it. Now, my favorite reward after weeding and working in the sun is to sit in the shade, have a tall glass of lemonade and relax with a book. I was working on a layout with a picture of Grandma's chaise lounge and it happened. BLAH set in and adding contrast was the answer to chase away the blahs.

All you have to do is open ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: 1898 Lace Borders, select the border you would like to work with and bring it onto your layout.

Using the Eye Dropper Tool, select a color from your photo. In the layout below, the pink in the pillow looks like a good contrast color. Using the pull-down menu, go to Image> Adjustments> Hue/Saturation and click the "Colorize" box. The lace border will automatically turn a shade of pink.

With the Hue/Saturation window open, adjust the Saturation and Light/Dark sliders back and forth until you get the lace border to match the color in your photo.

If you want to make it look like the stitches are going through the photo, open a new layer below the lace. With a round brush set at about 19 pixels, brush holes beneath the stitches. You can then add a style like ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Stitching And Hole 4101 Mini to make the holes look realistic.

See how easy that was! What a difference one embellishment in the right color can make.

Layout by Paula Wright
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: 1898 Lace Borders and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Stitching And Hole 4101 Mini are also available.

Tutorial written by Paula Wright

FREE STARTER KIT

Free eBook "starter kit" turns your dreams of digital scrapbooking into reality today!

This dynamite eBook is 65 pages - packed full of the information, ideas, and help people need when they are about to dive into this great hobby. It answers all of the important questions new digital scrapbookers have. They are all here for you - in one easy to use eBook!

Bonus! Download the free "Warning" Label, too. It was created for you by Valerie Randall as a little bit of extra fun!

Would you like a chance to try digital scrapbooking yourself?

Scrap Girls' Refresh Collection Biggie offers you free samples of some of our most popular product types. Try making a layout, your own paper with a ScrapSimple Paper Template, a fast layout with a ScrapSimple Digital Layout Template, or experiment with a brush.

We know you'll love digital scrapbooking as much as we do, and we have thousands of products to feed your new addiction!

Ready to Take Off? In-depth Tutorials Help You Become a Great Digital Scrapbooker

Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed!

NEWLY UPDATED! Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop CS4, CS3, CS2, and CS
NEWLY UPDATED! Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop Elements 6.0 and 7.0*
Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Paint Shop Pro X (XI)

(*Have Photoshop Elements 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, or 5.0? We have a tutorial program that will work for you. Please visit the product details page for more information.)

Find out what tens of thousands of people have already learned: Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed is the fastest way to learn how to create digital scrapbooking layouts. And because this series covers so many topics with one purchase, it is a bargain!

In the tutorials, you'll see Ro working on her computer and hear her talking about why she is doing what she is doing. It's like having Ro come to your home and give you private scrapbooking lessons. You can create digital scrapbooking layouts today!

Download and CD versions available.

Photoshop and Photoshop Elements users receive:

30-31 movie tutorials
Companion eBook(s)
Collections
Other supplies

Paint Shop Pro users receive 31 movie tutorials.

MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed!

MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed! for Adobe Photoshop
MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed! for Adobe Photoshop Elements

It's time for you to stop playing catch-up in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements and start having a blast creating your own digital scrapbooking supplies! You'll also learn all sorts of tricks that professionals and advanced digital scrapbookers use in their layouts. And because Ro covers so many topics in the series, it is one of the most cost-effective methods of moving your skills to a higher level. Join in with the thousands of digital scrapbookers who have chosen to learn advanced skills from Ro. You'll be happy that you did!

Note: These are NOT beginning tutorials. If you get this training and you have never used Photoshop or Photoshop Elements before, or if you aren't pretty sure of yourself in the software, you are going to be lost. You simply have to understand layers, where things are located, and all of the basic, important skills that Ro teaches in her Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed series before you try to use it.

eBooks

Scrap Girls offers a large catalog of eBooks covering topics that will expand your digital scrapbooking abilities to new heights. Here are just a few samples:

The Virtual Canvas eBook

What happens when you move digital scrapbooking beyond the basic page? What happens when you allow the layout to blur the edges between keepsake and art? The Virtual Canvas: Celebrating The Art of Digital Scrapbooking eBook will provide those answers for you.

Digital Photography Simplified

Colour (me) Creative eBook with 36 color swatches

Scrapbooking 911 - 20 Sketches to Revialize Your Digital

Start to Finish eBooklets

Start to Finish eBooklet - PSE: Making a Just Because Card Using ScrapSimple Card Templates

Nothing could be simpler than learning to scrapbook digitally with Scrap Girls Start to Finish eBooklets. Step by step written guidelines and detailed screenshots will help you learn new digital scrapbooking skills. Included with the eBooklet are the actual digital files you need to create a finished project!

See more titles

STAYcation: Luau Bonus Freebie!

Layout by Sarah Batdorf
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Designer Freebie by Sarah Batdorf coordinates with her Summer Splash Collection Mini

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Deep Shadows 6501 PSE and PS Biggie and Lettering Delights Becca Font are also available.

Layout by Amy Lemaniak
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Designer Freebie by Jan Hicks coordinates with her Summer Borders Word Art Mini

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501 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.

CROPS AND CHATS

What's New Chat
Friday, July 30th - 11:00AM ET

Join Michelle (Shelbi) and Sherry Lynn at 11am ET Friday morning to chat about all the cool new things in the boutique. You never know who else is going to show up! 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!

NSBR Chat
Monday, August 3rd - 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) on August 3rd at 9pm ET in the chat room!

Baby Album Chat
Tuesday, August 4th - 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 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. For this month, let's scrap the first bath!

High Noon Crop
Wednesday, August 5th - 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! You'd be amazed what you can get done in just one hour! We hope you'll join us!

NSBR Chat - Early Edition
Thursday, August 6th - 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) on August 6th at 4pm ET in the chat room!

What's New Chat
Friday, August 7th - 11:00AM ET

Join Michelle (Shelbi) and Becca at 11am ET Friday morning to chat about all the cool new things in the boutique. You never know who else is going to show up! 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!

Scraplifting Crop
Sunday, August 9th - 5:00PM ET

Join Amy (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!

Aussie Chat and Challenge
Monday, August 10th - 9:00PM Australian Eastern Standard Time

Join Jo (scrappingjo) and Karen (kazbar73) for an Aussie Chat and Challenge. This week will be a Recipe Challenge. Down Under we are starting to move out of Winter (and not a moment to soon) but we want to know what is your favourite winter dish. When creating recipe cards, I like to make them on a 6 x 4 card and then print them on photo paper but you can be as creative as you want. Come along on Monday 10 August at 9pm Australian Eastern Standard Time and join in all the fun of our Aussie Chat. For International ladies, the chat will start at 7am New York time on Monday 10 August.

JULY EVENTS

July Message Board Game: Hide and Seek!

Join us this month on the Message Board for a month long game of “Hide and Seek!” The designers have each chosen their favorite product that they've designed and it's your task to find each one! Every day from July 1-31 a member of the Welcoming Committee will post up a designer's name (or two!) and a clue to their personal favorite product that they've designed. You'll get a special peek into the minds and inspiration of the Scrap Girls designers as you search for their favorites contained in the boutique. When you find the correct product, you'll know it because a special little sunny marker will be waiting for you to let you know “You found it!”

Compile a list of links to the correct products throughout the month and send the list to [email protected] by August 1st at 11:59 p.m. (MST) for your chance to win a prize! Everyone who finds all THIRTY-SEVEN products will have their name added into a drawing for one of seven $5 gift certificates to the Scrap Girls boutique! Happy hunting, enjoy getting to know your designers and HAVE FUN!

Layout Contests:

July Monthly Layout Contest: In the good ole summertime, we see lots of lightning. Summertime also brings out the fun side of friends and family members. For the July Monthly Layout Contest, we want to see your layouts featuring photos of lightning or scrap someone with an electric personality! Post your layouts in the July Monthly Layout Contest Gallery before July 31st at Midnight, EDT. The winning layout will receive a $10 gift certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique! Be sure to include the credits for items used in the description area or under the Details tab.

July Mid-Month Layout Contest: Ah, vacations! They're so relaxing and fun, but can be expensive, too. For the Mid-July Layout Contest, we want to see your layouts featuring your vacation or staycation photos! If you don't have any vacation plans, what will you do instead? Scrap those plans! Post you layouts in the Mid-July Monthly Layout Gallery before August 15th at Midnight, EDT and you could win a $10 gift certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique. Be sure to include the credits for items used in the description area or under the Details tab. Good Luck!

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.)