Today is the first day of the speech and debate season for my son's high school team. This will be his last year competing on the team as he will be graduating this year, which makes this a rather bittersweet day.

Tournament days start for us around 4:30 a.m. and usually don't end until around 1:00 or 2:00 a.m. the following day. My husband and I have been involved with the tournaments for the past three years and very quickly realized that these hours were meant for the young, not the 40-something crowd! We are privileged to be able to judge the competitors at these tournaments. It's been quite an experience to see how these kids put so much hard work into their competitive areas. Anyone who thinks this is just a "fun" thing for kids to do is sadly mistaken. These kids put long hours into preparation for weeks, sometimes months, before a tournament. While it is fun for them, it's also a huge time and energy commitment. Sometimes I think adults could learn a lot from kids if we would step back and take a look with our hearts and minds open.

Over the years we have seen the same kids from many schools compete in the tournaments and have watched the changes in them. My son has always been more of a follower than a leader, but I've watched him change and grow over the past three years as he competes at the tournaments. He has gained confidence in himself and his abilities. He has gained the skills needed for public speaking and is not afraid to stand up in front of a crowd, and he has been given the opportunity to learn and demonstrate leadership skills. He has gone from being a timid first-year competitor to being an Event Captain for his team.

So on those days when I wish I didn't have to get up at 4:30 in the morning to leave for a tournament, I look back on the changes that this opportunity has brought about in my son and realize that I will miss those early mornings and late nights and the opportunity to watch my son grow. He is turning into a fine young man, and we are blessed to call him our son.

- Jeanetta Lennie

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 Shalae Tippetts using April's ScrapSimple Club
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Created for you by Jan Hicks and Shalae Tippetts

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!

Scrap Girls Member of the Month - April 2010
Member Name: Cheri T

1. What program do you use to digital scrapbook?

Photoshop CS3. But I am seriously coveting CS5, soon to be released.

2. Tell us the make and model of digital camera that you use.

Pentax K20D. We got started using Pentax over 12 years ago with my father-in-law's old manual-focus-only camera.

3. Name one thing that every beginning digital scrapbooker should know.

Ro's videos ROCK! Seriously. Oh, and don't be afraid to ask tons of questions. Sorry - that was two things.

4. If you could be transformed into a digital scrapbooking embellishment, what would you choose and why?

Anything chipboard. I never really "got" it when paper scrapbooking... it was so bulky without a good reason behind the bulk. Now I get that cool look on my pages and can fit more pages in a book. (And Jan Hicks' ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Coin Folders Chipboard - 3201 Mini are the best, in my opinion!)

5. What time of day do you find that you do your best scrapbooking?

Afternoons - while the baby is napping, or later in the evening when all three boys are asleep.

6. What is your favorite snack?

Mmmmmm... chocolate, preferably with caramel in it somewhere.

7. What brand of toothpaste do you use?

I like the cinnamon Crest.

8. What is your least favorite household chore?

I'd have to go with dusting. Blech.

9. Finish this sentence. "I couldn't live without..."

...Coke Zero, my family, friends, Scrap Girls and scrapbooking (not necessarily in this order.) DH (dear hubby) says I should add my laptop and Wacom tablet to this list, too.

10. What's your current favorite layout that you've done?

Layout by Cheri T
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501 are also available.

Weekly Layout Winners

Layout by sweetandkool
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Layout by jkjundt
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates: RipTornII and ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Stacked Photos 6502 PSE and PS Mini 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!

Contest Winners

March's Posting Contest Winners:

Congratulations to the winners of March's Posting Contest! The top poster receives a $20 Scrap Girls gift certificate. Everyone with over 250 new posts was entered in a random drawing for a $10 Scrap Girls gift certificate. Everyone with over 100 new posts was entered into a random drawing for a $5 Scrap Girls gift certificate.

Heatheranne - $20 Gift Certificate winner
Nutmeg - $10 Gift Certificate winner
Reminiscing - $5 Gift Certificate winner

Congratulations to the winners! Please email [email protected] to claim your prize, if you haven't received it already!

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 Keri Schueller
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Designer Freebie by Keri Schueller coordinates with her Avery Grace Collection Mini

* 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

Scraplift Challenge Chat
Sunday, April 18th - 2:00PM MT

Scraplifting can be a wonderful starting point for your layouts! Join Becca on Sunday, April 18th at 2pm MT to learn more about scraplifting, the importance of giving credit, and more! A few hours before the chat, I will post the name and gallery link to a Scrap Girls Layout Artist Team member, and you can choose one of their layouts for inspiration! Hope you'll join us!

U.F.O. Chat
Sunday, April 18th - 6:00PM MT

Please join Sherry_Lynn and special guest co-hostess Janine (J9Buckles) from our Layout Artist Team on Sunday, April 18th. Let's complete or revamp some of those layouts that are sitting in your "Layouts to be Completed" folder. Post your unfinished layout in the UFO Gallery and meet us in the chat room at 4pm MT to get some inspirational suggestions from our incredible professionals here at Scrap Girls!

Leavin' Love Chat
Monday, April 19th - 4:30PM MT

Please join Sherry (Sherry_Lynn) on Monday, April 19th for a Leavin' Love Chat at 4:30pm 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!

Coffee Break Chat
Tuesday, April 20th - 5:00AM MT

If reading the Scrap Girls Newsletter and having a cup of coffee, cocoa, or tea first thing in the morning is a part of your daily routine, join Sherry (Sherry Lynn) on Tuesday, April 20th at 5am MT for this month's Coffee Break Chat. We'll chat over the latest issue of the Newsletter AND create a challenge based on it! Hope to see you there!

New Member Chat - Early Edition
Tuesday, April 20th - 1:00PM MT

Join April (April Showers) at 1pm MT for a fun chat to get to know our newest members. We will discuss the message board, gallery, chocolate and so much more! Everyone is welcome, new or not so new! Not sure how to get there? Just click the "chat room" button at the top of this newsletter; you will need Javascript enabled to access the chat room.

Faith Journey Chat
Tuesday, April 20th - 5:00PM MT

Join Elisha (elibar) and Sherry Lynn for a Faith Journey Chat on Tuesday, April 20 at 5pm MT. All faiths are welcome! We'll be chatting and scrapping about our individual faith walk and how we also walk together. Watch the message board for this month's topic of discussion, and if you like - create a layout based on the topic!

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, April 21st - 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. This week, we will be doing a ScrapSimple challenge! Create a layout using at least one ScrapSimple product.If you haven't used them before, we'll have some great ideas for you in the chat. 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!

NSBR Chat - Early Edition
Thursday, April 22nd - 2:00PM MT

What is NSBR? It's a non-scrapbooking related chat! We talk about everything, including some scrapbooking and usually chocolate. It's a great chance to meet new friends, catch up on what everyone is up to, and just relax! If you have a problem, we'll lend an ear or a shoulder to cry on. Have some great news to share? We'd love to celebrate with you. So join Michelle (Shelbi) and Shari (Shari PV Mom) at 2pm MT in the chat room Lobby! Hope to see you there!

Ad Inspiration Chat
Thursday, April 22nd - 7:00PM MT

Join Pat (PBarnes) at 7pm MT for an Ad Inspiration Challenge and Chat. A few hours before the chat, a magazine ad will be posted on the message board to use as inspiration for a layout. You can use whatever you want to from the ad - the colors, the shapes, the composition. There are no wrong answers!

What's New Chat
Friday, April 23rd - 9:00AM MT

Join Michelle (Shelbi) and 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!

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!