Rozanne Paxman

You Have to Fall Down

Susan is a 43-year-old successful business owner, specializing in marketing and publicity. She is also a competitive ice skater.

I discovered this while eating Waldorf salad with Susan at California Pizza in Los Angeles. We met on the shuttle to our hotel that afternoon. After it was discovered that we were attending the same conference, we decided to be taxi cab buddies.

"You should try it again," she encouraged, when I told her that my only ice skating episode had been disastrous. As I recall, it involved a shopping mall, a burgundy sweater, rented skates, and a very wet bottom.

"You have to have your own skates," Susan confided. "It's no good without them. And don't worry about being too old. I was 32 years old when I started to skate."

"32?"

She nodded. "There's an entire adult ice skating competitive world out there... somewhat like your digital scrapbooking world."

I had no idea.

Susan told me all about her life as an ice skater. She sneaks away from the office twice a week for her lessons. She takes classes with little kids, their mothers looking at her like she is a dope. "I'm getting pretty good," she said.

"I'd have to get over my fear of falling down," I sighed.

"Oh, you have to fall down," Susan answered seriously. "In fact, my teacher tells me that I don't fall down enough."

She doesn't fall down enough.

I realized that even if Susan's teacher didn't realize it, her words have a broader life application than learning increasingly difficult ice skating skills. If we never fall down, we aren't taking risks. We are staying on the sidewalk because it is dangerous to cross the street in traffic. We are avoiding burns by never trying to bake cookies. We can't swim because we are afraid to wade into the water.

It seems that the requirement to fall down during our journey is one of life's ironies. We feel driven to succeed because we want to feel happy. And yet, we must fall down (and thus, feel pain) so that we can succeed.

So, here's our challenge for today: Try something new. Anything at all. And if you fall down when you attempt it, get back up and smile. You've just moved yourself one fall closer to getting it right.

- Ro

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
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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!

Theme Parks

Theme parks are truly magical, and it's so fun to see the magic unfold as a child discovers the excitement of a theme park's rides. Personally, one of my favorite things about visiting a theme park is seeing my kids' reactions to the rides. Without a doubt, a camera-in-hand is a must-have piece of equipment for any true scrapbooker, as our goal always is to capture our children in new, exciting, difficult, thrilling, and important moments.

With all of the theme park photos that you undoubtedly take, you are faced with the inevitable: You must scrapbook these photos! Let me help you find the perfect products to use on your next gorgeous theme park layout.

The first products that come to my mind are pretty obvious...

Theme Park Collection Biggie
ScrapSimple Alpha Templates: Theme Park
Theme Park Plain Paper Mini

But for an even better bargain, you can get them all packed together in a Super Pack (along with a great spiral dynamic brush set):

Super Pack: Theme Park

I love the bright, vibrant colors in Theme Park Collection Biggie! The loopy arrow is the perfect element to echo the curve of the roller coaster, and I'm in love with the background paper, yet another perfect element to convey circular motion.

Layout by Joann Brown
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Foam Play Mat 6101, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Mega Lift I-Squared Biggie and Lettering Delights Noodge Font are also available.

The sky really is the limit when you're creating theme park layouts. Use your imagination and focus on the feeling, mood, or story you want to portray. Do a search in the Scrap Girls Boutique, and you are guaranteed to find oodles of fantastic products to fit your mood. But just to get you started in the right direction, here is a list of more fantastic products that could easily be worked into a theme park layout.

Rocket To Me Paper Collection
Lil Mermaid Collection
Park Play Collection
Milk Jug Arrows Embellishments
ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates: Dream Boards
ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Iridescent Party Confetti 7601 Biggie
ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Jelly 2101
Aquarium Collection Mini
Robomania Collection Mini
SummerTime Collection
Sugar Baby Collection
Splash Of Color Collection
Circus on Parade Collection
Bursting Collection
ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Pop Op
ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Op Art Rays
Carnival Ride Collection Mini
ScrapSimple Paper Templates: SpinArt - Biggie
SpinArt Paper Mini
Alphabet Soup Boy Collection Biggie
ScrapSimple Layer Your Own Brushes: Ticket Stub Biggie
Trains and Tracks Collection Biggie
Xtreme Vibe Collection Mini
Out of this World Collection Super Mini
Space Kids Collection Mini
ScrapSimple Layer Your Own Brushes: Rocket
Digital Stickers: Robots
Childhood Memories Collection Biggie
Brush Set: Fairy Princess
A Princess Collection
Scrap Pack: Fairy Tale Princess
ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Sparkle Trails
Fairy Dust Paper Mini
Molly Milkshakes Collection Biggie

This next layout was made to specifically not use products that you would normally associate with a theme park, but these products work really well because of the overall theme of the layout. Take a look at the photos you are going to scrap and ride with your creativity! So pull out those theme park photos and start creating layouts that are as special as the memories you and your loved ones have created together!

Layout by Joann Brown
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Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Buggin' Out are also available.

Article written by Joann Brown

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 Kim Meeder
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Designer Freebie by Kim Meeder coordinates with her Polka Dot Paper Biggie - Spring

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Postage Due Cluster Frames and Lettering Delights Underwood Pica Font 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

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!

Emphasis on Embellishments Chat
Friday, April 23rd - 6:00PM MT

Join angelaNussbaum on Friday, April 23rd at 6pm MT for the Emphasis on Embellishments Chat. This chat is geared towards challenging you to use more elements/embellishments on your layout. Each month, you will be given a specific number challenge to inspire you to start using more elements on your layouts or to create your own cluster of embellishments!

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!