Rozanne Paxman

Heavy Metal Scrapbooking

"Do you have any need for earth-moving equipment?" the cheerful, female voice asked.

"No, I do not," I replied, wondering why I would receive an early morning phone call asking me such a question. I wondered briefly if it was a prank call.

"Let me know if you do," she continued.

"I can assure you that I won't," I replied before I said goodbye.

As I walked away from the phone, I wondered why I had received the call. We generally push our furniture around in our home when rearranging it, and while the effort creates quite a rumble, it does not require large equipment to accomplish.

Our yard is fairly large (in suburb terms), but owning a decent wheelbarrow covers our occasional need for moving dirt from one side of the yard to the other. And while I occasionally feel "the earth move under my feet" as Carly Simon sings, my honey giving me a great big smooch is the reason the world shifted.

I suppose an argument might be made that earth-moving equipment might be handy on frustrating days when our laundry room has gotten completely out of control. A backhoe might be useful as we try to push aside the large mountains of white clothing to make a walking path through the room.

Of course, I realized the truth rather quickly. The hapless saleswoman who was pestering me didn't take time to read through her contact list closely. She was obviously making cold calls from a list of companies with names that seemed right for the products she represented. She hoped to find construction companies and companies that deal with scrap metal. It was the Scrap in Scrap Girls that misled her.

When I realized what had happened, the image of digital scrapbookers wearing purple construction hats as they drove around on backhoes and forklifts filled my mind. "Oh yes," I chuckled. "That will be the next project for Scrap Girls. We're going to start collecting scrap metal for our layouts. We'll need earth-moving equipment to push the file downloads through the Internet."

She called me back the other day. "Do you have any need for earth-moving equipment?" her hopeful voice asked.

"No. This is a scrapbooking company. Scrapbooking companies do not need earth-moving equipment."

"Oh," she said, before quickly hanging up the phone.

I doubt I'll hear from her again. If I do, I think I'll ask her if she'd like to know about digital scrapbooking. I'll suggest that she might find it to be the perfect hobby for relieving the stress she must feel after making all of these misplaced phone calls.

See you later. That is, unless I have decided to buy myself a purple construction hat and start exploring the world for scrap metal.

- Ro

Update: I wrote this muse in 2007. I guess she lost track of her notes because the poor thing called me again a few months ago. I suppose this means that she has not taken up digital scrapbooking to help her rewind after a long day of calling wrong numbers.

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 Trish Yochum using February's Scrap Girls Club
larger view

Created for you by Trish Yochum

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

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

Layout by Cherise Oleson using February's ScrapSimple Club
larger view

Created for you by Cherise Oleson and Syndee Nuckles

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!

QUESTION: When I try to run the scripts, I get an error message JavaScript code missing!

ANSWER 1: Margot, Christy helped me fix the same problem. Here's the information on the easy way to fix it:

I finally got my FileSave1 script installed in Windows XP for PSE 7. The trick was figuring out that the instructions were on pp. 18-20 of the PDF.

However, I'm still having difficulty. I have a PSD file open and have changed it so that I know it "needs" to be saved. When I open the PhotoEffects and double-click on the FileSave1 icon, I receive an error: "JavaScript Code was missing." There are no other details. Suggestions, clues? I do not have any experience debugging JavaScript errors in Adobe products, so I am hoping for some ideas!

From Christy: Barb, when you get this message, it means that your script file (the JSX file) is in the wrong place. Your action is good (the ATN and PNG files), but the JSX file needs to be moved to the right location. Double check the path in the instructions.

ANSWER 2: Yep, Barb is right! Your action part is installed right, but the JSX (script) file is in the wrong place. Get that moved to the right place and off you'll go!

ANSWER 3: I am in this club, too... learning to read ALL the instructions before I begin! I was just too excited to think clearly, silly me!

I have everything up and running now. Christy, your instructions were great (once I actually slowed down to read them). I am totally joining the Christy Fan Club... you are my time-saving hero!

ANSWER 4: OK, what am I missing? Other than a functioning brain? The instructions on p. 15 for Photoshop Elements (PSE) on Vista and Windows 7; I'm on Windows 7.

Install the script to following location - C:\program data\adobe\PhotoshopElements

Where do I go after Photoshop Elements?

ANSWER 5: LOL! You don't go anywhere! You copy the JSX file to that folder! It will be the first "file" in that folder, along with a couple other folders that are in there.

QUESTION: Good evening! I have been reading a few of the forums on the scripts by Christy. Can anyone explain to me what they actually do? I am sort of new to this, and I am trying to understand as much as possible! Thanks for all of the advice! You all are a great group of gals!

ANSWER 1: They all do different things; the ScrapSimple Tools – Scripts: Rename Layer 11101 makes it so you run the action when you open up a paper, embellishment, etc., and names it so when you put it into your layout, it keeps that name instead of being just Layer 1. Then the ScrapSimple Tools – Scripts: Supply Tracker 11101 takes all those renamed layers and makes them a list of the things you used in your layout and also fills in the file info, so Exif properties will come up when you upload to the gallery. The ScrapSimple Tools – Scripts: File Save 11101 script takes a previously saved PSD file and saves it as a 3600x3600 for printing and also a 600x600 to upload to galleries in one easy step. I hope this helps. They are a huge time saver. I love them!

ANSWER 2: Hey Laura! Thanks for asking about the scripts! Like Shannon said, they are each a bit different. But they are the same in that each one is designed to help speed up repetitive tasks that digital scrapbookers do. Probably the best thing you can do is read through each of the product descriptions. There are also samples/screenshots on the product pages to help give a visual of what they do.

The layouts on the product pages also explain the scripts in a little bit different way that may help you understand a bit better.

If you have specific questions after that, feel free to ask!

There are Photoshop and Photoshop Elements versions of each script, so if you decide to purchase anything, be sure to buy the right ones.

ANSWER 3: I don't have all the scripts, only ScrapSimple Tools – Scripts: Supply Tracker 11101 and ScrapSimple Tools – Scripts: Copy and Close 11101. ScrapSimple Tools – Scripts: Supply Tracker 11101 is a HUGE time saver because when we post a layout or send it out to be published, we have to give credit to the designers whose products we use. Each time we place a paper or embellishment on a layout, we have to change the name of the layer or remember to write it on a list. Even though it only takes a few seconds, the seconds accumulate. Not to mention that sometimes I get so into a project that I forget to keep track as I go along, and then I am in the tricky position of trying to remember all the products I used. So I just love ScrapSimple Tools – Scripts: Supply Tracker 11101.

But I especially love ScrapSimple Tools – Scripts: Copy and Close 11101 because it copies the products right into my layout and then closes the originals so I can't ruin them accidentally... and then it renames the layers with the product names so that the ScrapSimple Tools – Scripts: Supply Tracker 11101 can do its thing when I need it to.

They are really ingenious, and Christy has put a ton of thought into them. Hope that helps.

ANSWER 4: I have ScrapSimple Tools – Scripts: Copy and Close 11101, ScrapSimple Tools – Scripts: File Save 1 11101 and ScrapSimple Tools – Scripts: File Save 2 11101. The easiest way for me to understand them for me is to compare them to the keystrokes required without them.

So, for instance, ScrapSimple Tools – Scripts: Copy and Close 11101, without the script: either File> Place, navigate to the image, click on it, click Open, ONE image at a time...

...or drag images in, which puts them in the Organizer (one or several at a time). Then drag each one into the PSD image, and resize it carefully, making sure you don't exceed the original resolution, and position each paper at the corner and the same for each embellishment.

With ScrapSimple Tools – Scripts: Copy and Close 11101, drag all images of interest to PSE. Select the PSD image and double-click the Copy and Close symbol, and just watch! All images and papers are dropped into the PSD document at the correct resolution, labeling the layers with the product name, and then closed. All papers are aligned correctly, centered and full size. Start working on your layout!

ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: File Save 1 11101 removes lots of keystrokes, too, and prevent errors in resolution selection and file naming.

Without the script: File> Save As... Choose JPG, remember to uncheck "Save as Copy." Choose a resolution/finished size and enter it, e.g. 3600 pixels. Remember to name this copy of the image "2009_PartyLayout_3600" and Save, click through resolution confirmation, etc. Now, click File> Save As... remember to setup new name: "2009_PartyLayout_600." Choose resolution/finished size, e.g 600 pixels, Save, click through confirmation.

With the script: Double-click the script name. Check the additional sizes beyond full-size and 600-pixel finished size, or uncheck either, and click OK. All images are correctly created and named immediately.

For double-page layouts, ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: File Save 2 11101 is even more amazing. Hope this helps!

ANSWER 5: Thanks, Barbara! I think I am contacting you guys next time I need to write up product descriptions!

RESPONSE: Thank you so much! I will definitely add these to my basket! You all are so smart and wonderful with your help! I look forward to continually learning from all of my newfound friends!

QUESTION: Oh, help! I have ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: File Save 1 11101 and ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: File Save 2 11101. I have NO idea what the "pixel sizes" mean. I've always saved in inches with 300ppi. Now there's talk about JPGs losing clarity with too many saves? Can someone explain - in simple terms, please - what the relationship is with the pixel numbers and the inches? Like if I'm saving a 12x12 at 300ppi what does that mean in pixels? To print? Then for the web - it's 72?

I'm pretty confused here and can't find a table of reference. Is any of this in the Scrap Girls University?

ANSWER: Hey, Candy! The pixels-wide field is simply your inches-wide x 300 dpi. So if you created your page at 12x12, you will see in the Original Size for ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: File Save 1 11101 is '3600' pixels-wide, which is 12 inches x 300 dpi. If you scrap at 8x8, then that field would read '2400' pixels-wide = 8 inches x 300dpi.

So if you want to save a high-resolution version at the same size you created the layout, then do nothing in the pixels-wide field. The script automatically defaults that to whatever you created at.

If you made your layout at 12x12, but prefer to save a full-resolution JPG at 8x8, then enter '2400' in the 'Original Size' pixels-wide box.

If you, for some reason, wanted a 12x12 and an 8x8 full-resolution JPG, then you could use ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: File Save 1 11101 and leave '3600' in the 'Original Size' and put '2400' in the 'Other' pixels-wide.

These high-resolution files are ones you use for print.

All of the 72-dpi saving options are for the web. For a regular user who posts to a gallery like Scrap Girls, you would only need one size 72-dpi copy of your layout. So if you are using ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: File Save 1 11101, leave Option 1 checked and leave pixels-wide at 600, and you will get a perfectly-sized copy for posting online.

The other 72-dpi saving options (2 and 3) were added for the benefit of people like the Scrap Girls Design Team. In order to create all the images you see in the Boutique and Newsletter, we must save a 600 pixels-wide, 300 pixels-wide and 150 pixels-wide version of each of our layouts.

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:

Scrapbooking 911 - 2-page Sketches
to Revitalize Your Digital Scrapbooking eBook

Are you stuck in a creative corner? Need a jumpstart to your layouts? Want more ideas how to go from a blank page to a digital masterpiece? With a fresh collection of original sketches, all the hard design decisions (such as balance, composition, and rule of thirds) have already been made for you.

Scrapbook Quotes eBook
The right quote for your scrapbook layouts

Looking for scrapbooking quotes or quotes to use for greeting cards? Here's your solution. This packed eBook contains hundreds of quotes, collected over many years by Rozanne Paxman specifically for use on scrapbooking layouts.

Scrap Girls Tutorials & Way Cool Stuff eBook Set
2009 - 3rd Quarter

Subscribers to the Scrap Girls Newsletter have one thing in common: they love to learn new techniques! Each issue shares ideas, tutorials, and new ways to use Scrap Girls quality digital scrapbooking products. Now you can have all those past tutorials and Way Cool Stuff articles of the 3rd Quarter of 2009 in one convenient PDF format.

Start to Finish eBooklets

Start to Finish eBooklet - PS: The Beauty of Blending Modes: Using them with ScrapSimple Products

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 Syndee Nuckles
larger view

Designer Freebie by Syndee Nuckles coordinates with her November Sky Collection

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Aged Photos 6301 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

Coffee Break Chat
Tuesday, February 23rd - 5:00AM MT

If reading the Scrap Girls Newsletter and having a cup of coffee, cocoa, or tea first thing in the morning is a part of your daily routine, join Sherry_Lynn on Tuesday, February 23rd at 5am MT for this month's Coffee Break Chat. We'll chat over the latest issue of the Newsletter and create a challenge based on it! Hope to see you there!

New Member Chat
Tuesday, February 23rd - 7:00PM MT

Join Pat (PBarnes) and Carol Ann (Zaz) for the New Member Chat at 7pm MT in the Live Chat room lobby. This is a great place to ask questions about getting around the Scrap Girls site or about digital scrapbooking in general - and a great place to make some new friends. All are welcome, new and long time members included. You do need to have Java installed on your computer to access the Live Chat.

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, February 24th - 10:00AM MT

Join your 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 February 24th, we'll do a surprise color challenge! Create a layout predominantly using a color to be chosen by the group at the beginning of the crop! 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!

Life Moments Crop
Wednesday, February 24th - 11:00AM MT

Join Becca for the Life Moments Crop and Chat on Wednesday, February 24th at 11am MT. These crops are about building a scrapbook all about you, one layout at a time. This month, we are going to scrap about our jobs - past or present. Create a layout telling us what you do for a living now or in the past, the career you wish you had, or your all-time favorite employer! Hope to see you there!

NSBR Chat - Early Edition
Thursday, February 25th - 2:00PM 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 Michelle (Shelbi) and Shari (Shari PV Mom) at 2pm MT in the chat room Lobby! Hope to see you there!

Ad Inspiration Chat
Thursday, February 25th - 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, February 26th - 9:00AM MT

Join Michelle (Shelbi) and Sherry (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!

Swap Crop Chat
Saturday, February 27th - 6:00PM MT

It's time for the Swap Crop Chat! We've done the swapping and created the layouts. Now it's time to chat about all the gorgeous layouts! I don't know what it is, but these swaps bring out the best in everyone. This is the time to chat about the theme, the beautiful layouts and learn about the swap crop if you haven't participated before. I'll even reveal the theme for next month! Join Carla (CRS) for a fun chat at 6pm MT on Saturday, February 27th!

FEBRUARY EVENTS

February Message Board Game: BINGO!

It's that time again! Join us for an exciting game of BINGO on the Message Board Forum in February! Pick 25 words from the list provided in the forum and send them in an email to [email protected] with a subject line that says "BINGO CARD - your SG message board username" by Saturday, January 30th (Midnight MST) in order to play in the first round, which will begin on Monday, February 1st.

Each day, members of the Welcoming Committee will call five random words from the Bingo list. Match just 15 of those words to win a BINGO. You must be first to call bingo in the forum to win that round. After a winner is called, the boards can be cleared and a new round will begin the following day. All winners win a $5 gift certificate to the boutique! We like to see lots of winners, so please remember that each person can only win one round during the month. Have fun!

If you miss the first round cutoff date, you can still play! Just send in your Bingo card at any time during the month and you'll be eligible to begin playing when the next new round starts. Everyone who sends in a Bingo card will receive a confirmation email that their card has been received. If you do not receive confirmation within 24 hours, please re-send your list of words.

Layout Contests:

February Monthly Layout Contest: During the month of February, many people turn to thoughts of love. What greater love is there than the love for family. For this month's contest, we want to see layouts about your family – either the one you grew up with or the one you have started. Create your layout and post it in the February Layout Contest Gallery by Midnight MST on February 28th. 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, it 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!