These past two years or so have been a challenge for me... a challenge that I willingly accepted initially, but at times I have struggled since then.

We decided to leave our high-tech rat-race lifestyle in "the big city" in November 2006 and moved our family back to my husband's tiny hometown in rural Manitoba to take over his parents' farm. Returning to his farming roots seemed like a wonderful way to be together as a family, work together, live off the land, and have a slower pace of life. We had so many dreams and hopes. Yes, I knew I was leaving behind family and friends and my local, well-stocked Dollar Store and Walmart, but I sought to minimize my losses and count the gains. I was starry-eyed as we made the move.

I have had many teary-eyed days since.

My attempts to maximize my gains have been met with some resistance by cynical townsfolk and by the realities of farming in today's economy and tech-driven life. The friends I thought I'd make have been much slower in materializing than I was led to believe they would be in "Friendly Manitoba." We are the only family in our demographic in our church – our kids are the Sunday School! In addition to grain farming, my husband has had to find off-farm work, and I stay home despairing that he is working too hard, that we won't see him much, and that I am powerless to help beyond caring for our four children. Shopping for anything beyond basic foods has become a day-long venture, necessitating babysitters, long car rides, precise lists, and much rushing about. Doctors and dentists are far away, and getting farther with each hospital closure or service reduction. I begin to wonder, Where is the slower-paced life we moved here for, that everyone claims farming life offers?

And I miss my friends. My dear, dear friends....

Scrapbooking has become an outlet for me... where I draw from my emotional well and try to make sense of it all. I have spent many late hours at night, crying and scrapping, working through my fears and hopes and dreams as I piece together my pages. It has become my therapy, my place to connect with friends and family, and to reminisce on the past. It has helped me to dwell on the present, too... cherishing the special moments I've had here in this strange new life. It reminds me that not all is bad in my world, that there is a rainbow in the clouds that sometimes seem so ominous... that hopes and dreams can and do come true... that sometimes our hardships are preparing us for things so much bigger than ourselves... and that life can be so beautiful. It helps me plan for the future... to remember to capture certain moments in photos for preservation and sharing. It helps me to appreciate the precious friends I have made here and all that I have learned. I have grown as a person, perhaps unwillingly, but slow, steady growth nonetheless. I've had to take a serious look at myself and how I relate to my world and the people in it. I've had to learn to keep reaching out and reaching up, even when I'd rather curl up inside and be alone with my sadness and frustration. Scrapping causes me to thank God every day that He has brought me to this place, teaching me to be content with the manna of His presence and promise while I look for the milk and honey of my "promised land."

I know that our plans will eventually come to fruition in His timing. And I am learning to wait, watch, and prepare...

...and scrap about it!

- Paula H.

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 Cherise Oleson 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!

Who I Am – Right Now

Oprah Winfrey said, "The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." In the recent "Who I Am – Right Now" class, the students took these words to heart and flooded the gallery with beautiful pages, celebrating their lives... big things, little things, serious and silly things. One month and 20 assignments later, each student had an album entirely about them. Every album, just like every student, was wonderful and unique. Rarely have I been involved with anything so positive and uplifting.

One of the class assignments was to create a page about your job. I loved how Carla (CRS) celebrated her work.

Layout by CRS
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Album Templates: 4x6 Lay it Out, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Subtle Photos 7601 Biggie, Brush Set: Leaky Stamp Super Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501, ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: Rename Layer PSE 11101, ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: Supply Tracker PSE 11101 and ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: File Save 1 PSE 11101 are also available.

Sometimes, recording the things you don't like is just as telling as writing about what you do like. I loved how Kay (kayoft) used a checklist to tell about her dislikes. It's a quick, fun way to journal. I also loved all the messy elements on the page.

Layout by kayoft
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Album Templates: 4x6 Lay it Out, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Keepsake Library Cards, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Worn Overlays, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Jelly 2101 and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Sanded Edge Black 6302 are also available.

Tamara's positive attitude in a difficult situation is so inspiring. It's so uplifting to read, and I loved how she kept the page simple and focused on the journaling.

Layout by eeyoretam
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Type Shapes: Journaling Around Circles, ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: Rename Layer PSE 11101, ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: File Save 1 PSE 11101 and ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: Supply Tracker PSE 11101 are also available.

One of the assignments was to create a page telling something that people wouldn't guess about you. I loved the journaling on this page... I never would have guessed! The messy, distressed elements work together perfectly with the text to create a playful, fun mood.

Layout by PolkaDot
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Frosted Glass 6401, ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: File Save 1 11101, ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: Supply Tracker 11101, Brush Set: Highlights 8301 Biggie and Lettering Delights Chicken Scratch Font are also available.

How can you have a "Book About Me" without including a self-portrait? I am so glad that Theresa (tiza126) decided to include this fantastic picture of herself. Sometimes it's difficult to scrapbook pictures of ourselves, but it is always worth the effort.

Layout by tiza126
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Album Templates: 4x6 Lay it Out and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Subtle Photos 7601 Biggie are also available.

Article written by Anna Mansfield

Weekly Layout Winners

Layout by Glorie
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: Supply Tracker PSE 11101 are also available.

Layout by SandyFeet
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: Supply Tracker 11101, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Painted Plastic 6401 Super Biggie and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Sea Glass 6401 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!

February's Monthly Layout Contest Winners

Layout by bjc
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Mega Lift I-Squared Biggie and ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: Supply Tracker 11101 are also available.

Layout by browneyedsusan
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: Supply Tracker 11101 are also available.

Congratulations to Bobbie (bjc) and Mendy (browneyedsusan) for winning the February Layout Contest. Their layouts each fit the theme of scrapping our Family. Bobbie and Mendy each receive a $10 Gift Certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique for their efforts. Congratulations!

Congratulations to this month's winners. Please email [email protected] to get your gift!

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

February's ScrapSimple Club Concepts Layout Winners

Layout by Art-C
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This first product is included in this month's ScrapSimple Club offering. Members receive a substantial discount on these club supplies. They are also available elsewhere in the Boutique at regular prices for those individuals who would rather not join a club.

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Quick Collage are also available.

Layout by RosemaryS
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The first two products are included in this month's ScrapSimple Club offering. Members receive a substantial discount on these club supplies. They are also available elsewhere in the Boutique at regular prices for those individuals who would rather not join a club.

Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Penned, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Frame Decor, ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: Copy and Close 11101 and ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: Supply Tracker 11101 are also available.

Congratulations, Bonnie (Art-C) and Rosemary (RosemaryS)! We loved your layouts so much we had to share them with everybody! Bonnie and Rosemary each receive a $5 Gift Certificate for their layouts using February's ScrapSimple Club! Congratulations!

Congratulations to this club's winners. Please email [email protected] to get your gift!

Want to see past winners of the ScrapSimple Club contest? Visit the ScrapSimple Club's Winners gallery on our message board here!

Member of the Month: March 2010

Congratulations Karen (KFiasco)! The Scrap Girls Team has chosen Karen as the Member of the Month for March!

Karen has been a wonderful addition to the Scrap Girls family since joining in April 2008. Karen is active in the Games Forum and she is quick to help other members out. Karen is all over the Gallery leaving kind comments on people's layouts. She has left over 2,300 comments! Karen is a large part of what makes Scrap Girls such a fun, kind place.

Karen receives a $10 gift certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique and has the honor of wearing the Member of the Month blinkie!

When you have a few minutes, Karen, please tell us a little about yourself and share a link to your favorite layout! Thank you for making Scrap Girls a wonderful, friendly place! Congratulations!!

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 Julie White
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Designer Freebie by Julie White coordinates with her Circus on Parade Collection

* 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

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

This month, join Mary Elizabeth (NS_Scrapper) and guest hostess Laurel (laurellakey) for some more tips on lighting. As a professional photographer, Laurel has lots of experience with lighting a variety of subjects. If you have not yet purchased her Scrap Girls 2009 Digital Scrap Link Class: Let There Be Light, you will want to add it to your basket. Laurel is going to discuss some common lighting challenges that most of us face, give tips on how to get better lighting in your photographs, and answer some of your lighting questions. Join the discussion to help shed light on new photography skills. 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!

Leaving Love Chat
Wednesday, March 10th - 4:00PM MT

Please join Sherry (Sherry_Lynn) for a Leaving Love Chat at 4pm MT! One of the greatest things about Scrap Girls is the generosity of our members... don't you agree? This goes for the Layout Gallery, too! Everyone likes to see a little "love" in the form of comments on a newly uploaded layout, so let's give it our all today and bombard the gallery with some purple fuzzies!

NSBR Chat - Early Edition
Thursday, March 11th - 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!

Project SG Chat
Thursday, March 11th - 5:00PM MT

Have you heard about Project SG yet? This challenge is all about creating an album for 2010 and scrapping your most current photos. Join Angela (angelaNussbaum) and April (April Showers) on Thursday, March 11th at 5pm MT for this month's Project SG Chat! Hope to 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!