Ro Paxman

Simply Sweet Rolls

I love a good sweet roll and I love homemade ones the best. However, I'm fairly busy and need shortcuts. I discovered a quick way to make homemade sweet rolls that are so good they fake people out. Once, I took these to a breakfast meeting and everyone flipped over them. They thought I had gotten up during the night to start the rolls!

First secret ingredient: Rhodes frozen dinner rolls

(Note about this: It is easier to use their frozen bread dough, but I forget to buy it. Since we usually have some dinner rolls in the freezer, I use them the most. The day I made the batch I am showing you, I tried a different brand of frozen rolls. Truthfully, I didn't like them that much. I'm going to stick with Rhodes from now on because it was a disappointing experience. If you don't have access to Rhodes, you'll need to experiment with the available brands to find out which is best.)

Take a bag out of the freezer and let it thaw. When I need breakfast rolls, I do this right before I go to bed.

Roll the dough out on a floured counter.

Brush the dough with melted butter or margarine and sprinkle sugar on top. You can use either white or brown sugar. It's up to you.

Now, you get to do the fun part: Decide what to use as a filling. I've used all sorts of things. On this particular day, I used dried cranberries and grated apples. I wanted to use dried cranberries and orange zest, but I forgot to buy an orange. The apple was okay, but I don't know that I'll use this particular combo again.

My favorite fillings:

Orange rolls - butter, white sugar, orange zest

Cinnamon raisin rolls – butter, white sugar, cinnamon, raisins

After you have the filling on the dough, roll it up.

Cut in slices and put on a baking sheet sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

Cover and let rise. It is ready when you can poke the dough and the impression remains. (Don't let it rise too much, though.) Bake at 350 degrees until done. (About 18 minutes.)

Drizzle with some light buttercream frosting.

Buttercream Frosting

Ready for a non-scientific recipe? Here goes...

Melt a little butter or margarine in the microwave. (How much? Depends on the amount of frosting you need to end up with.)


Add butter to some powdered sugar. (How much? Depends on how much frosting you need to end up with. Play it by ear.)


Add flavorings. In the past, I've used these things alone or together: vanilla, fresh lemon juice, orange juice, lemon zest.


Add a little milk (just enough to make the right consistency)

Frosting too thin? Add some more powdered sugar. Frosting too thick? Add a little milk. (Warning: Add a little bit at a time. The most common mistake in making frosting is adding too much liquid at one time.)

Beat until smooth.

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 Shalae Tippetts using November's Scrap Girls Club
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Created for you by Melissa Renfro

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 Brandy Hackman using October's ScrapSimple Club
larger view

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!

Creating large format calendars with ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates - Calendar: 11 x 17 Big Photo 2010

Note: Tutorial created using Adobe Photoshop CS3 with Windows Vista.

ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates - Calendar: 11x17 Big Photo 2010 are designed to showcase your photographs and make it easy for you to create spectacular photo calendars. This classic calendar format is the perfect gift for any occasion. Print it out as either single 11x17 inch or two 8.5x11 inch sheets. The calendar can be bound at the top or in the middle, either at home or a copy center. The greatest thing about creating calendars digitally is that you can make several copies without much extra effort or cost. They make a perfect Christmas gift!

Your download includes twelve digital layout templates as well as a cover page template. All in layered PSD and individual PNG files.

Open the layered PSD file and drag in the photograph you want to use. Create a clipping mask by pressing Ctrl+G (Cmd+G for Mac) for Photoshop Elements or Alt+Ctrl+G (Opt+Cmd+G for Mac) for Photoshop CS2 and highter.

Repeat this step with the other layers, using digital scrapbooking papers. Embellish the page to your liking. Assemble each month, using the same process.

Printing and Binding

Calendar pages created using ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates - Calendar: 11 x 17 Big Photo 2010 can be printed at home or professionally. For professional printing, check your local copy center, office supply store, or online service.

You can also print your calendar at home with a large format or a regular printer, using cardstock or photo paper. If you have a large format printer, print the 11 x 17 inch layouts. If you don't own a large format printer, you need to divide your finished layouts into two smaller, letter-size documents before printing.

Pages can be bound at home, using tools such as the Bind-it-All.

Dividing a 11x17 inch Calendar into two 8.5 x 11 inch Documents

Open your assembled calendar page. To protect your work, save the file under a different name. Flatten the image by going to Layer> Flatten Image.

Next go to Image> Canvas Size and change the image size from 11 x 17 inches to 11 x 8.5 inches. Make sure to change the Anchor of the crop from "Center" to "Top" or "Bottom" (see below). Save the file under a different name, such as "12_Top.jpg."

To crop the other half, undo the change or re-open the document saved in the first step. Repeat the resizing steps for the other half of your calendar. Save it under a new name, such as "12_Bottom.jpg."

Repeat with the rest of your calendar layouts. Print, bind and enjoy!

Project by Ariadna Wiczling
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates - Calendar: 11x17 Big Photo 2010, ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates – Calendar: A3 Big Photo 2010, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Journaling Highlighters Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Pencil Stroke 8201, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Star Bright 5001 and Lettering Delights Scratchy Pen Font are also available.

Tutorial written by Ariadna Wiczling

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:

Artistry: A Celebration of Digital Design Excellence eBook

Artistry: A Celebration of Digital Design Excellence highlights the best-of-the-best in digital scrapbooking focusing on high quality layout design, imaginative use of products, creative vision, top-notch typography, and artistic expression. There are different layouts in a wide range of styles and techniques to be found in the book, and there are a multitude of ideas to be culled from the pages.

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 - PSE: How to Emboss & Texturize with ScrapSimple 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

Layout by Melissa Renfro
larger view

Designer Freebie by Melissa Renfro coordinates with her
Inspired Collection Biggie, part of this month's Scrap Girls Club offering!

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photo Basics 5001 and Lettering Delights Debonaire 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.

CROPS AND CHATS

What's New Chat
Friday, November 13th - 9:00AM MT

Join Michelle (Shelbi) and Sherry Lynn 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!

Scraplift Crop
Sunday, November 15th - 3:00PM MT

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

Quote Challenge Crop
Sunday, November 15th - 6:00PM MT

Come join Pat (PBarnes) for the Quote Challenge Crop at 6pm MT. Including a quote on your layout can be a touching and meaningful addition, especially if you use the quote to create your own word art. On Sunday, Pat will post a thread on the Chat section of the board giving you the quote that you will use to make your own word art. Then we'll meet in the chat room to have fun, chat, and create our Word Art layout!

Scrap Girls 52 Chat
Monday, November 16th - 6:00PM MT

Join Angela (angelaNussbaum) and Becca for November's SG52 Chat at 6pm MT, as we discuss ways to stay motivated to scrap those daily photos! As the holidays approach and the year comes to a close, it's the perfect time to get together and talk about what photos and layouts you have left to scrap for this year's album!

New Member Chat - Early Edition
Tuesday, November 17th - 1:00PM MT

Join April (April Showers) at 1pm MT for a fun chat to get to know our newest members. We will discuss the message board, gallery, chocolate and so much more! Everyone is welcome, new or not so new! Not sure how to get there? Just click the "chat room" button at the top of this newsletter; you will need Javascript enabled to access the chat room.

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, November 18th - 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 18th, we'll do a font challenge! Create a layout on any theme, any topic, and any colors - using multiple fonts - at least 3 different fonts! Mix it up! 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!

Faith Journey Chat
Wednesday, November 18th - 7:00PM MT

Join Shalae (satippetts) for the monthly Faith Journey Chat on Wednesday, November 18 at 7pm MT. We'll be chatting and scrapping about our individual faiths. All faiths are welcome!

Heritage Crop
Thursday, November 19th - 5:00PM MT

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

Ad Inspiration Chat
Thursday, November 19th - 7:00PM MT

Join Pat (PBarnes) at 7pm MT for an Ad Inspiration 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, November 20th - 9:00AM MT

Join Michelle (Shelbi) and Sherry Lynn 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!

NOVEMBER EVENTS

November Message 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." Every few days, we'll give you a new theme and a searching task and then set you loose to start building our list in alphabetic order! Find the specifics about game play in the November Message Board Game thread in the Monthly Message Board Game folder on the Scrap Girls forum.

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. Five winners will be drawn and each will win a $5 gift certificate to the Scrap Girls boutique! Additionally, the person with the most correct contributions to the game will automatically win a $10 gift certificate to the Scrap GIrls boutique! Participation is what counts big this month, so join us on the message board for the detailed rules, search specifics and LOTS of fun!

Layout Contests:

November Monthly Layout Contest: Life is busy; so full of activities and distractions. What pulls you away from what you really want to do? We want you to scrap it! For the November Layout Contest, we want to see what pulls you away from what you want to do. Create your layout and post it in the November Layout Contest Gallery before Midnight on November 30th. Be sure to list your credits in the description or under the details tab. If your layout is chosen, you could 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.)