Celery Dance

There are days when I realize how unfortunate my children were to receive me for a mother. Thankfully, there are also days when I see that their fortune was not so bad after all...

My oldest came home with a new piece from band yesterday called Gypsy Dance. Today she pulled it out to show me its crazy rhythm. She will be playing percussion on this piece, so she really needs to get this rhythm down pat. The time signature is one I don't think I've ever seen before. It reads "6/8 + 2/4." A bar of eighth notes would sound something like this:

DA da da DA da da DA da DA da

My daughter was playing all the eighth notes evenly, which is correct (each eighth note is exactly the same length), but I explained to her that she needed to put a slight accent on the first part of each beat so the band could clearly feel the rhythm.

We sang this rhythm over several times, drummed it on the table, and then did the same with other rhythms in the same piece. With the same basic rhythm, there are bars with sixteenth notes added in and others with quarter notes tied to eighth notes, complicating things somewhat. But we drummed them out and I think she's got it. It's a quite a peppy rhythm, and I rather like it. You can almost see the gypsies dancing....

A little later this same daughter was sitting at the kitchen table working on her science while I was chopping veggies for tonight's soup. My six-year-old was standing on a stool beside the stove, reading Frog and Toad to me.

As I chopped celery, my daughter commented that she's still got that rhythm in her head. I wasn't surprised. Further, she said, it was driving her nuts that my knife was not chopping to that rhythm! (She is a lot more like her mother than either of us likes to admit.)

This is when I won the Mother of the Year Award. Okay, maybe that's a little extreme, but surely this will make me Mother of the Day. I began to chop my celery in the rhythm of Gypsy Dance.

WHACK chop chop WHACK chop chop WHACK chop WHACK chop

You could almost see the celery dance! "Much better," she said. Well, I aim to please, especially if it will help my children with their school work or music.

However, since I want to keep my thumbs for a few more years, I decided not to attempt the section with sixteenth notes!

- Heather

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!

Looking For A Few Good Layout Artists!

Do you want to earn free Scrap Girls products? Do you want the chance to have your amazing layouts published in the Scrap Girls newsletter? Are you a talented, fresh layout artist looking for a chance to be on our team?

Then you're in luck!

We are currently looking for new talent to add to our Layout Artist Team! If you're interested, go to the About Us page on our website, click on the "Find Out More" link to download the PDF and follow the instructions for sending in your application.

We are looking forward to hearing from you!

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
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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 Durin Eberhart using March's ScrapSimple Club
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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!

Recently a thread on the Message Board resurfaced: Things I Want To Scrap... Someday. I had bookmarked it when it first appeared. It's full of such great ideas, I wanted to pass some of the older and newer ideas along.

Original post:

For a long time, I have carried around notebooks so I could record ideas of things that I want to photograph and/or scrap. Little moments or objects that happen once or happen regularly. Quotes that I read or hear on the radio. Observations from children. Colors.

I know from many discussion threads that this is something many of us do – have a collection of things to get to "someday." This year, I have been doing the SG 52 Challenge, and it has emphasized how important those tidbits (to quote Angela, who has been offering weekly tidbits of inspiration) can be.

It occurred to me this morning that this could be a fun game AND a source of shared inspiration. Anyone want to play? I'll start...

Someday I want to scrap...

...thoughts on pictures I wish I had taken

...pictures of my older children that have to be scanned alongside pictures of their children doing similar things

...pictures from my own childhood

...my thimble collection

...the evolution of our garden

...our vacations

...little things like what we eat for breakfast

...ephemera I bring home from trips

...musicals/plays I did in high school

...about my grandparents

I once saw a page in a magazine that showed all the contents of a woman's purse with an explanation of why she carried those things. I'd like to do that someday. I like pages explaining those everyday things in our lives.

...my kids growing up, all in one album

...my granddaughter's college dorm room which was all decorated by her

...our years in the Air Force

...the next Scrap Girls Convention

...inspired by Ro's Muse (November 2009), I want to add maps of homes and neigborhoods that I can remember while growing up in different places. What a wonderful idea - for someday.

My Dad made a list of every car he has ever owned, when he bought each, and why he chose that particular car, including pictures! I would love to scrap that someday.

I would like to scrap a transitional four-season layout, with scenery and my dog.

I would like to scrap my craft room when I get it done.

If you're interested in reading all the responses or would like to add your own, you can find the thread on our Scrap Girls Message Board in the Fun and Games section!

Weekly Layout Winners

Layout by Cammy
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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: Painted Florals are also available.

Layout by podiumchick
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Photo Clusters, Brush Set: Raquel's Baby 1, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Birthday Wishes Biggie and ScrapSimple Type Paths: Shapes 2101 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!

March's ScrapSimple Club Concepts Layout Winners

Layout by camerabug
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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: Painted Florals, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Aged Photo Edges 6301 and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Micro Glitter 6401 Super Biggie are also available.

Layout by Anne-Marie
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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 ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Rolled Tears, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Painted Florals, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Blended 8201 Super Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501 and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Butterfly Shadows 6301 Mini are also available.

Congratulations, camerabug and Anne-Marie! We loved your layouts so much we had to share them with everybody! They each receive a $5 Gift Certificate for their layouts using March'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!

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 Doris Castle
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Designer Freebie by Doris Castle coordinates with her Country Charm 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

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!

Quote Challenge Crop
Sunday, April 11th - 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 will 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, April 12th - 9:00PM Australian Eastern Standard Time

Please come join Karen (kazbar73) and Jo (scrappingjo) at 9.00PM (Australian Eastern Standard Time) on Monday 12 April for the Easter/Passover Challenge Crop. With Easter/Passover having just been celebrated, it is an ideal time to scrap those wonderful photos. Is it all about the children and how much chocolate they can eat in a day, or do you celebrate Easter/Passover another way? Create a layout and come along and chat with us about your creation. For our International ladies, the chat will be held at 7.00AM New York time.

Photography Focus Club Chat
Monday, April 12th - 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. Note that this is not a class but an opportunity to share ideas, ask questions, and try something new. 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 Melissa Renfro (LissaD) for a monthly conversation about photography. This month, Melissa is going to focus her designer's eye on photography as she shares some tips on Composition and Perspective - and the impact those have on your images. She'll also be answering your questions related to these key photographic strategies. Join us for what is sure to be an informative session.

New Member Chat
Tuesday, April 13th - 6:00PM MT

Join Pat (PBarnes) and Carol Ann (Zaz) for the New Member Chat at 6pm 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.

Life Moments Chat
Tuesday, April 13th - 7:00PM MT

What is the Life Moments Crop? It's taking time to create an album all about YOU, one layout at a time! For this crop, let's focus on something you have been struggling with. You can scrap something very deep and serious or something lighthearted and crazy. It's up to you! So join Carla (CRS) in the chat room on Tuesday, April 13th at 7pm MT!

Baby Album Chat
Tuesday, April 13th - 8:00PM 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 us, Carla (CRS) and Shari (Shari PV Mom) in the chat room on Tuesday, April 13th at 8pm 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 first foods!

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, April 14th - 10:00AM MT

Join April (April Showers) each Wednesday at 10am MT for the East Coast High Noon Crop. 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 14th, we'll have a Single Photo Challenge. Create a layout using a single, large, wonderful photo! Upload your layouts to the special High Noon Crop Gallery. You'll be amazed what you can get done in just one hour, but there is no High Noon Sheriff timing you!

ScrapSimple Club Chat
Wednesday, April 14th - 1:00PM MT

We know everyone is excited for the new ScrapSimple Club to be released on April 15th. Come join Sherry_Lynn and March's ScrapSimple Club designers Durin Eberhart (Durin) & Theresa Kavouras (Wxchic) on April 14th at 1pm MT for this month's ScrapSimple Club Chat/Crop! We'll discuss ideas on different ways to use the current club. As a challenge, let's create one more layout using March's ScrapSimple Club before the next one arrives. It's sure to be a blast! Hope to see you there!

Heritage Crop
Thursday, April 15th - 6:00PM MT

Do you have boxes of heritage photos just waiting to be restored and scrapped? Are there family stories just waiting for you to write down and preserve? Then this is the crop for you! Join April (April Showers) and Carla (CRS) at 6pm MT for the Heritage Crop and Chat! We'll help you get motivated to scrap those heritage photos and record your family stories for future generations to enjoy.

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!