Note from Ro: I found this touching muse by Trish Yochum in the Scrap Girls Digital Scrapbooking Adventures blog. I just had to show it to you. There's a lot to relate to!

Trish Yochum

The Past Ten Years

This year, my husband and I will celebrate ten years of marriage. This is amazing to me because it doesn't feel like a decade has passed, even typing that seems odd. When I look back over the years, I have to smile over conversations that we have shared. Many of these moments are things that now make me grin, but at the time that may not have been the case. The number one thing that stands out to me is that we make each other laugh and that element of our relationship is the glue that holds us together. Here are a few highlights of what ten years of marriage looks like.

When we first graduated from college and got real jobs, we were broke all the time. There were many months that we were living on $25 in our checking account and trying to stretch it till the next payday. It was at that time that he bought a plastic green ring from a vending machine for a quarter and asked me to marry him. I said "Yes," but informed him that if the ring turned my finger green, we were done.

For seven years, we worked at the same company. Joe would call me about nothing much, but then wouldn't let me get off the phone. He would keep talking just to aggravate me, especially if I said I needed to use the restroom, until I would hang up on him. My friends that sat around me would always remark that Joe was so sweet and ask how I could be so mean to him. They laughed when I told them that he was on the other end of the phone saying "Oh, did you need to go? Well, I just have to tell you one more thing. Wait - just one more thing really. Your friends think you are being mean to me right now, huh? You really shouldn't hang up on me. That isn't nice. I just wanted to tell you one thing... really!" He still laughs at this when someone brings it up.

And to show that some things just never change, here was our conversation this evening:

Joe (asking from downstairs): "Trish, are these clean?"

Me: "Are what clean? I can't see through the wall."

Joe: "What do you think? I am in the kitchen."

Me: "I think you can see through walls and know what I am saying to you right now."

I am glad that we still enjoy each other's company and have fun together. I hope that the laughter continues for years to come. It does a marriage good.

- Trish

Layout by Trish Yochum

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 Amanda Sok using January's Scrap Girls Club
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Created for you by Amanda Sok

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 Thao Cosgrove using December's ScrapSimple Club
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Created for you by Thao Cosgrove and Caroline Kaiser

Alert! Alert! TODAY is the last day you can sign up for the ScrapSimple 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 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!

ScrapSimple Tools – Patterns

Patterns are one of those products that may seem intimidating at first, but once you get to know them, they're really quite awesome! They can add texture and interest to your papers, embellishments, custom shapes, and more.

In my layout, I decided to use ScrapSimple Tools – Patterns: Fabric 5401 to add a little bit of texture to my background paper. To use the pattern, I created a new layer above my background paper by going to Layer> New Fill Layer> Pattern.

I clicked "OK," then found the Fabric Pattern in my files and clicked "OK" again to create a new layer filled with the pattern. At this point, the pattern is only a black and white layer. To make the layer more workable, I rasterized the pattern fill layer.

Then to make the texture work with the background paper and really come alive, I selected the Pattern Fill layer and changed the Blending Mode to "Multiply." That allowed it to interact with the background paper, giving it the texture and look that I wanted.

I also repeated this process with the swatch of accent paper behind the photo and came up with a great texture and feel that I loved.

That's it! That's how easy it is to use patterns in your digital scrapbooking layouts. Now go out there and have fun.

Layout by Laurel Lakey
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Patterns: Fabric 5401, ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates: Blackberry, Brush Set: Swirly Star Borders, ScrapSimple Alpha Templates: Nessa, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Spray Paint 5401, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Baby Firsts and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Epoxy 1801 Mini are also available.

Article written by Laurel Lakey

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
NEWLY UPDATED! Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop Elements
Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Paint Shop Pro X (XI)

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

Now that you've learned the basics of digital scrapbooking with Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, you are ready to learn advanced skills for having even more fun while you create digital scrapbooking layouts!

Get a big boost learning how to use ScrapSimple products to make your own backgrounds, embellishments, and alphas with the MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop Elements movie tutorial series. You'll learn so much that your digital scrapbooking layouts will never be the same!

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:

Inspirations eBook

With three richly illustrated sections, Inspirations eBook not only offers a virtual gallery of stunning works by EIGHTEEN contemporary digital artists in a variety of styles, but it also describes the techniques they used and gives several key points on how you can recreate each of these TWENTY-EIGHT layouts yourself.

Ten Beginner Tips on Type eBook

If you're creating a digital scrapbooking layout, it's almost guaranteed that you'll be using type on your pages somewhere. But did you know that type can make or break your page? What typeface will you use? What size font? Where will you place it on your page? If you want to take some beginner steps towards improving the type on your layouts, and thereby improving the overall look of your layouts, then this eBook is perfect for you.

digital Photography Simplified eBook

This eBook is full of easy to understand information and photographic examples, and is tailored to the beginning digital photographer who wants to take better photos. More advanced photographers will also benefit from this eBook with the sections that get you out of your comfort zone.

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 Kara Swanson
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Designer Freebie by Jan Hicks coordinates with her ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Mudstained 1

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Word Art Templates: Mudstained Christmas and ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates: Tiny Tales 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

NSBR Chat
Thursday, January 14th - 2:00AM 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 Michelle (Shelbi) and Shari (Shari PV Mom) at 2pm MT in the chat room Lobby! Hope to see you there!

ScrapSimple Club Chat
Thursday, January 14th - 5:00PM MT

We know everyone is excited for the new ScrapSimple Club to come out January 15th. Come join Sherry_Lynn on Thursday at 5pm MT for a ScrapSimple Club Chat/Crop! We'll be discussing ideas on different ways to use the current club. As a challenge, let's create one more layout using December's ScrapSimple Club before the next one arrives. It's sure to be a blast! Hope to see you there!

Sketch Challenge Chat
Thursday, January 14th - 7:00PM MT

Join Marnie (sprinklz) for the Sketch Challenge and Crop on Thursday, January 14th at 7pm MT in the Scrap Girls Chat Room! Like getting a little jump start on your layouts? Then this challenge is for you! A few hours before the challenge begins, Marnie will post a sketch for you to use as the starting point for your page. You can be inspired by the basic arrangement, the amount of photos, or copy it literally. All interpretations are welcome and encouraged!

What's New Chat
Friday, January 15th - 9:00AM MT

Join Michelle (Shelbi) and Sherry_Lynn at 9am MT 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!

UFO Chat
Sunday, January 17th - 4:00PM MT

Please join Sherry_Lynn and a special guest co-hostess TBA from our Layout Artist Team in the chatroom on Sunday, January 17th at 4pm MT. Let's complete or revamp some of those layouts that are sitting in your "Layouts to be Completed" folder. Post your layout in the UFO Gallery and meet us in the chatroom lobby to get some inspirational suggestions from our incredible professionals here at Scrap Girls!

New Member Chat - Early Edition
Tuesday, January 19th - 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, January 20th - 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 January 20th, we'll do a five-photo challenge! Create a layout using five photos - no more, no less! 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!

Heritage Crop
Thursday, January 21st - 6:00PM 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) at 6pm MT 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.

JANUARY EVENTS

January Message Board Game: Jumpstart January!

Join us on the message board this month for "Jumpstart January!" This is a message board game and challenge to start your year with fun and focus on taking time to scrapbook regularly despite the little speedbumps of life. When the month is over, you'll have completed several layouts and been challenged and treated to some fun along the way.

A member of the Welcoming Committee will post a mini-challenge/task every day from January 1-30 in the games folder on the message board. Check out the game thread titled "Jumpstart January 2010" for complete details and rules.

Those who complete all tasks and submit or post required participation by 11:59PM MT on January 31st will be entered in a drawing to win one of three $10 Gift Certificates to the ScrapGirls Boutique! Those who complete just the layouts will be entered in a separate drawing to win one of three $5 gift certificates. (Those who complete all tasks will have their name entered in both drawings!) Winners will be announced in the newsletter on Saturday, February 6th.

Layout Contests:

January Monthly Layout Contest: Did you have dreams as a child as to what your life would be like? Did you dream as a young adult how you wanted your future to pan out? Do you, as a mature adult, have dreams unfulfilled? The beginning of a new year is a great time to think about the future. This month's layout contest, create a layout about your hopes and dreams. It might center on family, a job or a recreational pursuit, show and tell us what your dreams are and how you are making them come true. Create your layout and post it in the January Layout Contest Gallery by Midnight on January 31st. Be sure to list your credits in the description or under the EXIF Properties. If your layout is one of the two chosen, you will win a $10 gift certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique!

Club Concepts Layout Contest: Post your new layout using the current club selection (either the Scrap Girls club or the ScrapSimple club) in our Scrap Girls Club Members Gallery or the ScrapSimple Club Members' Gallery. Be sure to list all of the Scrap Girls products you used. If your layout is chosen, they will be showcased as a Club Concepts layout winner, and you will win a $5 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.)

Haven't received your prize as a contest winner? Please send an email to [email protected] and we'll get it out to you right away!