An Uninvited Guest

All of us have milestones that mean, in some way, that we have come into our own. In my family, I am the baby... by far. My brothers are 10 and 14 years older than I am. By the time I was five, Robbie had moved out on his own and Davy had moved in with my father. Growing up, as the boys married and started families of their own, I longed for the day that I would be seen as an adult, too.

Finally, it was my turn. I was hosting my very first family gathering in my home. My aunt and cousins, along with some of their friends, all planned to attend. Since it was Thanksgiving, I got out my great-grandmother's black crystal. With so many people crowding into our tiny mobile home, I expected some chaos, especially considering the fact that I was nursing our one-month-old son and still trying to be an attentive host. To my surprise, everything was going great... that is, until the uninvited guest arrived.

We sat exchanging stories and laughing across the table when a sudden movement caught the corner of my eye. I glanced at the counter, but nothing was there. Looking back, I decided it must have been my imagination. But, no! There it was again! This time, I caught a fleeting glimpse. It was a mouse popping its head out from one of the burners on the stove! I couldn't believe it - a house full of company and I have a mouse in my stove!

It popped up again in a different burner - distinctly reminding me of the "whack-a-mole" game. I wondered if I could find a sledge hammer fast enough to do my part of the game. I looked around, mortified that someone had seen it. Sure enough, my aunt was giggling. I followed her gaze. Mr. Mouse was in yet another of the burners, looking quite pleased with himself. I knew that there was really nothing I could do at that point, short of scaring it, so I did just that.

The rest of the afternoon everyone in the kitchen was joking about the mouse (who kept making his appearances) while my cousins and their college friends remained blissfully unaware in the living room. The evening wound down and all but my dad and step-mother left. I had washed the crystal and set it on a towel to dry.

We were all in the living room recounting the day's events when something in the kitchen caught Bryan's attention. He got a strange sort of expression on his face - a sort of confident smirk - just before he threw the fork.

CRASH! The sing-song tinkling of shattered glass filled the air. Bryan's eyes grew bigger than dinner plates even as the color drained from his face.

"What did you do?" I demanded from the couch where I sat nursing Kai.

"Um, you don't want to know."

"Did you break my grandmother's crystal?"

"I was only trying to get the mouse!" He looked at me balefully.

"With a fork? Who do you think you are? Crocodile Dundee?"

Sure enough, Bryan had seen the mouse peeking from around the crystal and threw the only thing he had handy... his fork. A fork, really? He was going to dispatch the mouse with a salad fork?

The man is still living because it was only one wine glass that fell prey to his masterful skill with silverware. The mouse is not living because not long after that he decided the wires behind the oven looked yummy, ending my very first attempt at hosting a family gathering. I'm glad to report that the subsequent events have been less... um... eventful!

Jennifer Hamilton

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.

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!

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 Thao Cosgrove using October's Scrap Girls Club
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Created for you by Thao Cosgrove

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 Armi Custodio using October's ScrapSimple Club
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Created for you by Brandy Hackman and Erica Hite

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!

Every now and then a thread on the message board really catches my eye and I find myself wanting to share it with everyone. This is one such thread. I think it really points out how much fun everyone has on the message board and if you haven't checked it out recently, you should. Thanks, Carole, for posting it.

First, I apologize if I offend anyone. I certainly do not mean to do that, but there comes a point when someone has to take a stand! Someone HAS to stand up on their orange box or if they don't have an orange box, a wooden box of some sort that would hold one's weight without breaking and causing even more of a scene! But, I digress.

I am here standing on my newly mended, heavily reinforced, wooden box and I am taking a stand! Oh, yes! Someone has to do it and since everyone else seems to be burying their heads in the sand and pretending not to notice (I can see you all from my very high, reinforced box!) I will do something about it.

I have been a part of this wonderful world of Scrap Girls for several years now. It started slowly - receiving the newsletters each day and browsing through and reading them. I understood the tutorials and what's more, I could follow them and actually achieve what I was meant to! The muses made me feel like I wasn't the only one out there with a few things weighing heavily on my shoulders, there were other "real people" out there as well. I smiled as I read the newsletter. I found my mornings hadn't started until I read my newsletter and I was getting to know the people behind the stories.

The next step was going to the message board to read what posts I could. The friendliness had to be a farce, a pure facade to lure the unknowing into the wicked web. I joined the message board and posted! I received many responses to my "Hi, I'm new here" post. Another ploy to suck me in! These weren't insincere responses; they were genuine responses from people who really took the time to look at my layouts and listen to my blathering on.

Slowly, but surely, I found myself spending more time on the message board (or is it "in" the message board? I'm never quite sure which is grammatically correct.) getting to know some of the regulars. Before I knew it, the boutique beckoned me and my cart was beginning to topple over with the wonderful things I discovered in there. Yes, the noose was starting to tighten!

I took a few online courses and met more wonderful people and learned so much more about various things.

It wasn't until I posted my latest layout in the gallery (about an hour ago) that I realized that I was beyond help. Recently, I had decided that instead of just posting my layout with the names of the kits and collections that I use, the wonderful designers needed links to their products so that if anyone wanted a quick trip to the boutique, then I would do whatever I could to accommodate them. Surely, this is what any other person would do?

Oh, no! This is the final piece of the puzzle, the final straw, the last nail in the coffin, the icing on the cake, the... well, you get my meaning.

While finding and pasting the links to the products that I used on my layout (2010 Calendar - May ) I discovered many more wonderful products that I had somehow overlooked. So, they somehow fell into my shopping cart! It was then that the penny dropped. I was an addict and I needed an intervention.

I plan to foil this malicious plan. I won't be fooled into filling up my cart while posting links. I'm not sure how to do this yet, but I will find a way and when I do, you'd better believe that I will... I will... I will... well, I am not sure what I'll do, but I'll do it!

To all of you fellow sufferers, I am here to set you free... or I will be once I find out how to set myself free. But, until then, I'll be here trying to soldier on... buying kits that call out to me as I pass by them in the boutique. Lonely no more, they now have a home on my hard drive where they will be loved and used time and time again. Yes, I'm an addict, but at least I've completed the first part of my recovery. I have admitted my addiction.

Perhaps, there should be a new reality show: "InterSCRAPtion - Crafting Your Way Out of Your Digital Addiction."

I am now stepping off of my reinforced box as it's starting to sag under the weight and the pressure I have induced onto it.

Thank you for listening. I am now off to post another layout and fill my cart up even further!

Weekly Layout Winners

Layout by millpos
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Layout by ScrapninMX
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Lifted Photos - Doubles Biggie, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Bows To Go I and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501 are also available.

Want to see your layouts make an appearance in the Scrap Girls newsletters?

Simply post your digital or paper layouts that use Scrap Girls products in our online gallery, and if we choose your layout to be featured in the newsletter, you'll win a prize! To be considered, don't forget to list the Scrap Girls products that you used in your layout.

Congratulations to this week's selectees. Please email [email protected] to get your gift!

Want to see past winners of the Weekly Layout Contest? Visit the Weekly Layout Winners gallery on our message board here!

Contest Winners

Scrap Girls 5th Anniversary Event Winners:

Congratulations to KatieGrace, the winner of the Fab 5 Boutique game! She has won FIVE regular-sized collections from the boutique! The turnout for this game was phenomenal, and the winner was chosen at random. Congratulations, KatieGrace! Please send an email to [email protected] to claim your fabulous prize!

Congratulations to the following members who won a prize during an Anniversary Week chat!

scrappin'doc
scrapsoflife
Heatheranne
tiza126
Vaughnde
princessrunningfingers
SodScrap
JessicaLeigh
RosemaryS
eeyoretam
Tennismama
ScrapninMX
Sarah in VA
KatePD2SLO
Jane in N.Z
Cisco
Bride
jhbren
Soozlou
Reminiscing
no_idea

Congratulations to the following members who won a prize during an Anniversary Week message board game!

5 Techniques Game winner of a Collection Biggie is RKSP
5 Steps to a Fabulous Layout Game winner of a Collection Mini is Glorie
5 Designer Layout Game winner of a Collection Biggie is SoozLou
Ice Cream Sundae Crop Game winner of a Collection Biggie is aafaa

Congratulations to our contest winners! Please email [email protected] to get your prize, if you haven't already received it. Thanks for participating!

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.

Colour (me) Creative eBook with 36 color swatches

Learn about the color wheel, color terms and their meaning, how to load the colour palettes in Adobe or use the colour strips with a colour selection tool. You get both valuable lessons and inspiration in this book filled with 48 layouts showcasing the use of the colour palettes along with links of all the products used to create the digital scrapbooking pages.

Scrap Girls Tutorials & Way Cool Stuff eBook Set
2009 - 2nd Quarter

Now you can have all the past Scrap Girls Newsletter tutorials and Way Cool Stuff articles of the 2nd Quarter of 2009 in one convenient PDF format. It's easy to find those helpful hints with just the click of your mouse. You get two eBooks for the price of one!

Start to Finish eBooklets

Start to Finish eBooklet - PS: How to use ScrapSimple Tools: Custom Shapes & Patterns

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

Layout by Brandy Murry
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Designer Freebie by Brandy Murry coordinates with her French Linen Collection Biggie

* 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

NSBR Chat
Monday, November 2nd - 7:00PM MT

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 November 2nd at 7pm MT!

Life Moments Chat
Tuesday, November 3rd - 4:00PM MT

These crops are about building a scrapbook all about you, one layout at a time. This month we are focusing on Gratitude. Make a list or write down your stories, find some pictures and join Angela (angelaNussbaum) and April Showers for the Life Moments Chat and Crop on Tuesday, November 3rd at 4pm MT.

Creative Card Chat
Tuesday, November 3rd - 6:00PM MT

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, you can save money and have fun making cards with your stash! Make a note of any cards you might need for the upcoming month, and join Michelle (Shelbi) and April Showers for the monthly Card Chat on Tuesday at 6pm MT. Can't wait to see you there!

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, November 4th - 10:00AM MT

Join your guest host April Showers for the East Coast High Noon Crop every Wednesday at 10am MT. 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 November 4th, we'll do a white space challenge! Create a layout using white space. This 'negative' or blank space guides the eye to the important areas of your page. Remember, it certainly doesn't have to be the color white! 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!

What's New Chat
Friday, November 6th - 9:00AM MT

Join Michelle (Shelbi) and Becca at 9am Mountain Time on Friday mornings 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!

Back-Up Party and Chat
Friday, November 6th - 8:00PM MT

Need a little extra motivation to back-up your layouts and stash? Join April Showers in the chat room Friday November 6th for a Back-up Party and Chat. We'll also go over several different ways to safeguard your files. You won't want to miss this one!

OCTOBER EVENTS

October Message Board Game: Posting Challenge

It's time to put those fingers to the test and get chatty. This month, everyone who posts at least 250 times will have their name entered in a drawing for one of five $5 Gift Certificates to be used in the Scrap Girls Boutique. In addition, the one member who posts the very most in October will receive a $10 Gift Certificate! To be included in this month's game, you must post to the October Posting Challenge thread in the Monthly Message Board Games folder on the message board and include your starting post count as of Thursday, October 1st. Once you have reached 250 posts during the month of October, email Ang at [email protected] and include your forum user name, starting post count and your new post count total. Contest ends on Saturday, October 31st at Midnight MST!

Layout Contests:

October Monthly Layout Contest: You might be a city girl or maybe a country girl, but even those that live in the city can enjoy time spent in the country. For the October Layout Gallery Contest, we want you to scrap a page about time spent in the country. It could be a visit to a farm, or a state or national park, or maybe you live in the country. Create your layout and post it in the October Monthly Layout Contest Gallery by Midnight on October 31st. Be sure to list your credits in the description or under the details tab. If your layout is chosen, you will win a $10 gift certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique!

October Mid-Month Layout Contest: Anniversaries are very special times. For the October Mid-Month Gallery Contest, we want to see your layouts about an anniversary. It doesn't have to be a wedding anniversary. Birthdays are anniversaries too. Anything that you remember annually is an anniversary. Create your layout and post it in the October Mid-Month Layout Contest Gallery by Midnight on November 15th. Be sure to list your credits in the description or under the details tab. If your layout is chosen, you will win a $10 gift certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique!

Check our message board calendar if you have any questions about what is happening at Scrap Girls. All event times are given in Mountain Time Zone unless otherwise noted. Need help converting time zones? Check out the World Clock - Time Zone Converter. (Use 'USA-Utah-Salt Lake City' as the location for the Mountain time zone.)