Valentine's Day started an odd chain of thoughts for me. A newspaper article mentioned one gentleman who wished to set a Guinness World Record by giving the largest amount of hugs.

I started wondering how many people did he know if he started on a quest like this? Probably, he'd hug strangers and make friends with them. Or would he be bothered at all? Maybe it would be like a hugging assembly line.

And I wondered what a hug meant. If you start analyzing, it's not so simple at all!

I hug my kids when they've had a bad time and they need some assurance that the world hasn't collapsed. Sometimes, a hug shares a moment of happiness. Sometimes, when I feel down, a hug from my kids just clears my head and makes me feel life is worth living again.

My parents are not very demonstrative in their affection. Until recently, I always touched their feet (it's a social custom) whenever I met them. But recently I noticed they've started hugging. When I meet them during my annual visits, I get a welcoming hug, full of joy. When I leave, it's sad, and though they are the "stiff upper lip" kind, their hug says it all.

A few losses among my friends and cousins have suddenly made us feel how transient life is. Our casual "hi" has turned into a hug, as if those of us who are around just rejoice in life.

So, hugs are not only actions: They are emotions transmitted from one person to another. Can you just run a record to count that?

Looking for new topics in scrapbooking also made me wonder... how about a page on hugs?

- Papiya Das

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 Amanda McGee using April's Scrap Girls Club
larger view

Created for you by Amanda McGee

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 Brush Set
2 Designer's Choice Item

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

Layout by Theresa Kavouras using March's ScrapSimple Club
larger view

Created for you by Durin Eberhart and Theresa Kavouras

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!

Ariadna Wiczling

Wedding Mini Albums

One of my friends got married recently, and I wanted to create a special "something" for the newlyweds. I decided to make two small albums. Using pictures from the ceremony, I made envelopes which include inserts with some free space for personal journaling. I included some starters like "I remember our first meeting..." or "I love you for the little things you do...." I hope they will journal in the albums for each other and exchange them. Or if they miss each other or feel a little blue, they can read what they wrote to each other and reassure themselves of their mutual love and devotion.

Album by Ariadna Wiczling

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Altered Photos PS 8201, Dynamic Brush Set: Textured 8201, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Beautiful Distress and ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Posy are also available.

Weekly Layout Winners

Layout by MargotW
larger view

Layout by tinkerbell11
larger view

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!

March's Monthly Layout Contest Winners

Layout by PolkaDot
larger view

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Photo Masks - Reawakening, Brush Set: My Descriptions, Brush Set: Reversed Paint - Months Biggie, Brush Set: Grunge Block Alpha Super Biggie, Brush Set: Highlights 8301 Biggie, Brush Set: Grungy Fragments and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Fleur 6301 are also available.

Layout by CanJan
larger view

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Tuscany and ScrapSimple Type Paths: Spirals 2101 are also available.

Congratulations to Dot (PolkaDot) and Jan (CanJan) for winning March's Layout Contest. Their layouts each fit the theme of scrapping "Smiles." Dot and Jan 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!

Member of the Month: April 2010

Congratulations Cheri (Cheri T)! The Scrap Girls Team has chosen Cheri as the Member of the Month for April!

Cheri has been a wonderful addition to the Scrap Girls family since joining three years ago. Cheri is very supportive of other members, offering support and kind words. She is very active in the challenges and Boutique threads, often starting new threads about the Scrap Girls Clubs and sales. Cheri helps to make Scrap Girls a fun, happy place!

Cheri 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, Cheri, 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!!

Contest Winners

Congratulations Lizzy (Romantic Heart)! You have been randomly chosen as the Project SG Challenge - First Quarter winner!

Lizzy receives her choice of one of the ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates from the Scrap Girls Boutique! Please send an email to [email protected] to claim your prize!

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:
Let There Be Light

Follow Laurel, Scrap Girls' Layout Artist Coordinator, along as she teaches you the basics of light in your photography. You'll learn about the different types of lighting, about reflectors (including frugal ideas), and secrets on how to photograph small items or embellishments.

ReMix: (Digital Scrapbooking) From Ordinary to Extraordinary! eBook

Have you ever wanted to get a makeover - A layout makeover? Do you ever wonder how someone might decide to make certain changes and why? In ReMix: (Digital Scrapbooking) From Ordinary to Extraordinary! eBook, you have the opportunity to virtually "look over the shoulder" during the remake process.

Scrap Girls Tutorials & Way Cool Stuff eBook Set
2009 - 4th 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 4th Quarter of 2009 in one convenient PDF format.

Start to Finish eBooklets

Start to Finish eBooklet - PS: How to Combine ScrapSimple Paper & Photo 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 Elisha Barnett
larger view

Designer Freebie by Valerie Randall coordinates with her Assemble Your Own: Easter Eggs Biggie

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Easter Eggs, ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates: Dream Boards, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Glitter Edge 6302 Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Sugar Coated 6501, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Deep Shadows 6501 PSE and PS Biggie and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501 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
Monday, April 5th - 7:00PM 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 Carla (CRS) on April 5th at 7pm MT!

Creative Card Chat
Tuesday, April 6th - 6:00PM MT

Do you use your digi-supplies to make cards? Do you want to? Instead of going to the store every time you need a card, you can save money and have fun making cards with your digi-stash! Make a note of any cards you might need for the upcoming month, and join Michelle (Shelbi) and April (April Showers) for the once-a-month Card Chat on Tuesday, April 6th at 6pm MT. Can't wait to see you there!

ATC Swap Crop
Tuesday, April 6th - 4:30PM MT

Please join Sherry Lynn and Elisha (elibar) in the chatroom for our April ATC (Artist Trading Card) Swap Crop/Chat on Tuesday, April 6th at 4:30pm MT. We're looking forward to seeing you there.

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, April 7th - 10:00AM MT

Join your host April Showers for the East Coast High Noon Crop every Wednesday at 10am MT. All coasts and time zones are welcome! 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 April 7th, we'll do a "Use Your Stash" challenge. Create a layout from those irresistible collections you purchased but haven't used yet. 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, but there is no High Noon Sheriff timing you!

Journaling Challenge Chat
Wednesday, April 7th - 4:00PM MT

Join Becca and angelaNussbaum for a Journaling Chat at 4pm MT on Wednesday, April 7th. 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!

NSBR Chat - Early Edition
Thursday, April 8th - 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, April 8th - 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 Showers on Thursday, April 8th at 5pm MT for this month's Project SG Chat! Hope to see you there!

Sketch Challenge Crop
Thursday, April 8th - 7:00PM MT

Join Marnie (sprinklz) for the Sketch Challenge and Crop on Thursday, April 8th 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, April 9th - 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!

ScrapSimple - Use It! Chat
Friday, April 9th - 6:00PM MT

Strengthening our abilities in scrapbooking is essential to becoming a better scrapbooker! Learning to utilize the ScrapSimple Tools available here at Scrap Girls will give you so many more unique and fun options with your layouts! Join angelaNussbaum and Becca for this monthly chat and challenge on Friday, April 9th at 6pm MT.

Recipe Swap Crop
Saturday, April 10th - 8:00PM MT

Join April (April Showers) at 8pm MT in the chat room for our Monthly Recipe Swap Chat. Please check the message board on Thursday, April 8th for this month's theme and the swap details!

APRIL EVENTS

April Message Board Game: Progressive Word Scramble!

The object of the game is to correctly guess the name of a product in the Scrap Girls Boutique by solving clues and unscrambling letters we give you. Each day, you will be given a letter found in the product name as well as a clue. You won't know how many letters are in the product name until it is complete. We will keep giving clues until a correct guess is made.

The designer's name or the word "Collection" are not included as part of the puzzle. Letters from any other words in product names (such as "Biggie," "Brush" or "Transparency") may be given as part of the puzzle.

Be the first to answer it correctly and win a $5.00 Gift Certificate to the Boutique! You are only allowed ONE guess per daily clue, and you are only allowed ONE win per month. When you make your guess, you MUST provide a link to the boutique item you are referencing. We will play the game daily during the entire month of April. When a correct answer is given, the new puzzle will start the following day.

For complete details and examples of game play, visit the "Games" folder on the Scrap Girls message board.

Layout Contests:

April Monthly Layout Contest: It's time to get your silly on! For this month's layout contest, we want to see layouts featuring the silly or mischievous antics in your life. Let us see the silly faces, crazy clothes and hilarious moments. Create your layout and post it in the April Layout Contest Gallery by Midnight on April 30th. 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!