Rozanne Paxman

Leaving Something of Value Behind

Recently, I've been thinking a lot about my life and what I'd like to leave behind once I depart the world. I've actually thought so much about it that after a while, I started to have mild panic attacks at night, worrying that I wouldn't get myself organized before I go! (Sounds morbid, doesn't it? But I figure it's better to act now. You never know what's going to happen to you. Life is filled with so many surprises.)

So far, I've only come up with a few things that would mean something:

A note of farewell (done)


My journals (in process)


My scrapbooks (in process)


My life story (in process)


My printed muses (I'm seriously behind on this one.)


Organized financial records (in process)


Life insurance (done)


A trust that distributes, in a systematic manner, anything I might have left so that my family won't argue with each other about what they will or will not get. (done)

"Things" will wear out, get lost, disappear, or be spent. But I can leave behind who I am through my stories.

I'm working on my story now. This is why I have recently released the ScrapSimple Digital Album Templates – My Life series. I realized that I needed something to tie my life together so that my collection of journals, scrapbooks, and muses will make sense to my family. Because I feel intimidated by the thought of trying to write out a complete tale, I decided to go at it by answering a series of questions about various parts of my life through the layouts in the My Life items. The scrapbooks and journals will fill in other topics.

I have written my note of farewell. I'll put it in the folder with my trusts and other financial documents. I suspect it will make my family laugh because it is so "me." (I purposely threw a few weird pieces of advice because I want them to smile when they think of me.)

Here it is:

Dear Family,

Since one never knows how long they are to be in this world, I thought I might take this opportunity – because I'm still here – to write you a note of farewell. It is true that my farewell might be today, tomorrow, or 40 years from now (only God knows when He will call me home), but since I am writing my note this morning, it will be more sincere if I pretend that I will depart this afternoon at 2:43 p.m. sharp.

I will begin my farewell by telling you that I love you. I hope there will be no doubts in your minds on this point. I loved you ever since the moment I saw you. I loved you with such a distraction that I'm sure that I loved you before you appeared in my life. I loved you with the love that only a wife who feels adored and a mother who feels blessed can love her children.

Now that we have the all-important love topic covered, we will move to the portion of my farewell that you are expecting: Advice. (How could I – the Queen of Advice – let my last chance to impart my pseudo-wisdom pass by?)

Here we go then.

Pay your bills on time.
Pay God His 10% (tithing) and give Him your whole heart, mind, and soul.
Pay yourself 10% by putting money in your savings account and leave it there for a rainy day. (Trips to the mall to escape bad weather and new big screen TVs do not qualify for withdrawals.)
Help people who are struggling. (Compassion is perhaps the most important quality you can seek to acquire.)
Be honest with yourself and others.
Put your clothes in the hamper when you take them off.
Keep your gas tank half full.
Clean your refrigerator every now and again.
Stand back up when life knocks you down.
No matter how bad today is, tomorrow will be here tomorrow.

Now that I've run out of advice, I will end my farewell by saying, "Kiss my grandchildren and tell them that Grandma loves them."

Your wife and mother,

Me

P.S. All directions for what to do next can be found in my trust.

P.S.S. By the way, I'm planning to pick you up when it's your turn to go. I welcomed my children into the world so it is only right that I welcome them out of it, and I'll be waiting anxiously for Gary to show up. It's hard to be without him. See you.

Layout by Ro
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Album Templates: 12x12 My Life 1, ScrapSimple Digital Layout Album Templates: 12x12 My Life 2 and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Gold 2201 Biggie are also available.

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

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 Armi Custodio using February's ScrapSimple Club
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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!

How to Create a Title with ScrapSimple Tools - Styles

Note: Tutorial created using Adobe Photoshop CS3 with Windows 7.

It's easy to create a title with the look of cookie cutter letters on your digital scrapbooking layouts by using ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Cookie Swap 6101 and following these simple steps.

Begin by creating your layout, leaving a space for the title. In this example, I have used papers, elements, and word art from About a Scout - Girl Collection Mini.

Next, type the title with your desired font choice. You might want to use a thick rounded font that will create a more realistic cookie shape.

Be sure to load the style set into Photoshop. A quick and easy way to do this is to click and drag the styles file from the folder onto the Photoshop workspace. It should automatically load your styles. You can also follow the detailed instructions with your styles set download.

Select the Type layer, then simply click on your desired style. This will instantly apply the style to the letters in your Title layer. In this example, I have used AMC_SSTooles_Styles_CookieSwap_6101_Snickerdoodle.

Next, add any other desired type or shapes. You must place them on separate layers to create different style effects. This surely makes for a delicious-looking title!

For more great ideas on using styles in your digital scrapbooking layouts, check out the incredible tutorials from Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed and MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed!

Layout by Amanda McGee
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Commercial license versions of AMC_Friendly Font are also available.

Tutorial written by Amanda McGee

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:

Scrap Girls 2009 Digital Scrap Link Class:
Creating a Painting With Styles

Learn how to create the look of a painting with your digital photographs using simply styles and some filters. You can create the depth of an oil, acrylic, or watercolor painting with various style textures and techniques. You will also learn some other fun techniques to use styles to create real looking embellishments such as a rusted frame.

Ten Basic Design Principles eBook

Learn to design digital scrapbook pages like a pro! Learn to use a grid and understand 10 basic design principles shown through examples with grids and detailed explanations. Includes a 12x12 Grid in png format to get you started.

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 - 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

Layout by Syndee Nuckles
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Designer Freebie by Syndee Nuckles coordinates with her
ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Quick Collage, part of this month's ScrapSimple Club offering.

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Journaling Blocks and Brush Set: Penned 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

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, March 3rd - 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 March 3rd, 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!

What's New Chat
Friday, March 5th - 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!

Back-Up Party & Chat
Friday, March 5th - 2:00PM MT

Need a little extra motivation to back-up your layouts and stash? Join April Showers in the chat room on Friday, March 5th 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!

Quote Challenge Chat
Sunday, March 7th - 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. Here's how it will work. On Sunday, Pat will post a thread on the Chat section of the board, giving you the quote that you can use to make your own word art. It's not hard, and she will have a layout with a Word Art example in the gallery. Then we'll meet in the chat room to have fun, chat, and create our Word Art layout! Everyone can participate and create a layout, even if you can't make the chat. Hope to see you there!

Aussie Chat & Challenge
Monday, March 8th - 9:00PM Australian Eastern DST

Come join Karen (kazbar73) & Jo (scrappingjo) for an Aussie Quote Challenge Crop! Here's how it will work... On Sunday, we will post a thread on the challenge board giving you the quote which you will use to make your own word art. It's not hard, and we'll even have a layout with a Word Art example. Then we'll meet in the chat room to have fun, chat, and create our Word Art layout! The chat will start at 9pm Australian Eastern Standard Daylight Savings Time. Everyone can participate and create a layout, even if you can't make the chat. Hope to see you there! For our International ladies, the chat will start at 5am New York time or 3am MT on Monday 8 March.

Photography Focus Club Chat
Monday, March 8th - 7:00PM MT

Do you want to challenge yourself and improve your photography? Check out the Scrap Girls Photo Focus Club. No membership required - everyone is welcome. If you are looking for tips, techniques or inspiration to help you take better images, this is the chat for you. Join Mary Elizabeth O’Toole (NS_Scrapper) and special guests for a monthly conversation about photography. Each month, we’ll have a theme and post a photography challenge. The challenge will be posted on the message board a week before the club meets to give you a chance to plan or practice your 'assignment' - and consider some of its challenges. Note that this is not a class but an opportunity to share ideas, ask questions, and try something new.

Baby Album Chat
Tuesday, March 9th - 2:00PM MT

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 on Tuesday, March 9th at 2pm MT 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's challenge, let's scrap Baby's Favorite Things!

New Member Chat
Tuesday, March 9th - 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, March 10th - 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 March 10th, we'll do a geometric challenge! Create a layout using at least one triangle somewhere on your page! 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!

Journaling Challenge Chat
Wednesday, March 10th - 12:00Noon MT

Join Becca and angelaNussbaum for a Journaling Chat at 12Noon MT on Wednesday, March 10th. Struggle to find the right words for your layouts? Are your layouts more decorative than descriptive of the moments you're trying to capture? Then you won't want to miss this chat - we'll have a special challenge to encourage you to journal on your pages more! See you there!

MARCH EVENTS

March Message Board Game: Posting Contest!

It's that time again - Posting Contest time! This is where you are rewarded for your flying fingers and chattiness. The contest will run from March 1 when we post the thread to March 31 at 12:00 midnight (MST). We are doing things a little differently this time, so here are the rules:

1) To enter the Posting Challenge, reply in the game thread with your CURRENT post count. This is the number under your Avatar that shows when you post. Do not post the number found on your profile; it is a different number that is calculated differently.

2) During the month, chat your fingers off!

3) On March 31, BEFORE midnight (MST), go back to your original post in the game thread (the one with your starting post count) and take a screenshot of it. Send the screen shot to [email protected]. The screenshot is your contest entry! We will calculate your post count based on the numbers on the screenshot. (Directions for taking screenshots will be posted in the game thread.)

Prizes: The top poster gets a $20 Scrap Girls gift certificate. Everyone over 250 new posts will be entered in a random drawing for a $10 Scrap Girls gift certificate. Everyone over 100 new posts will be entered into a random drawing for a $5 Scrap Girls gift certificate.

Layout Contests:

March Monthly Layout Contest: Smile! The month of March includes Smile Day. Does seeing someone else's smile make you smile? For this month's contest, we want to see your layouts featuring a smile. Create your layout and post it in the March Layout Contest Gallery by Midnight MST on March 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, 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!