Resisting the Invisible Woman Syndrome

We all struggle with the Invisible Woman Syndrome at times, I believe. But trust me on this - from the bottom of my heart, you matter. If you ever doubt this, post on the Message Board, and we will all reassure you. You make a difference in this world. The lessons you learn are important. Your daughters, nieces, and granddaughters, and even your neighbors are learning from you. How you allow yourself to be treated (by yourself as well as by others) is their model for how they will accept being treated, and how your sons, nephews, and grandsons will treat their own wives. Honestly, whether you want to be or not, you are a model for everyone you interact with - your children's friends, even the people in the grocery line!

We have the ability to make every interaction with another person either positive or negative. There is enough negativity in the world. When you can, won't you try to make your interactions positive?

Please, take a little bit of time for yourself every day. Please, treat yourself kindly. Please, know that you are a precious child of God. Please, believe you deserve to be treated with respect. You matter!

Virginia Satir said it best: The world is a better place because you are here.

Sent with love and hugs from Gayle Starker

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 Valerie Randall using May's Scrap Girls Club
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Created for you by Valerie Randall

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!

Melissa Renfro

Frugal Express

I kind of like to experiment at times. I like to try new things and learn something I never knew before. That's how I learned digital scrapbooking and Photoshop. I just went out on the Internet and figured it out, and I worked and worked at it. There are so many things that you can learn on the Internet. Lately, my searches have been about different things I could do to save a little money. I am sure many of us are thinking along these lines. One thing I found that was interesting to me was how to make your own liquid laundry detergent. Really! It's not some big mystery. There are a lot of recipes. I have been reading a few different ones for a while. (I am sure you can imagine how many loads of laundry I do in a week with five boys in the house!) I finally said to myself, "What do you have to lose?"

I went to the local hardware store to get some of the special ingredients. I spent $1.39 on a special bar of soap, about $3 each on a box of Borax and one of washing soda. The recipe only calls for 1/2 cup of each of those, so I figure my cost for one batch of this recipe was a grand total of $1.99. I guess I should have read the recipe through fully, though, because it made 6 GALLONS of laundry detergent. I was pulling empty milk jugs out of our shed trying to contain all of the detergent. I have used it a few times, and it really works. The best part is it smells amazing, much better than the perfumed detergents that cost $17 for a box. I was so excited to find a little something I could do at home to save some money for our family.

Next up on the frugal express... homemade yogurt! What do I have to lose?

- Melissa

Photo by Melissa Renfro

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photo Basics 5001 are also available.

Weekly Layout Winners

Layout by camerabug
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Alpha Templates: Plaid SansSerif1, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Felt 5201, Dynamic Brush Set: Decorative Stitching 4901 Biggie and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Stitch 1801 are also available.

Layout by Claireee
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Sketch It 2 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!

Member of the Month: May 2010

Congratulations Lei (Bride)! The Scrap Girls Team has chosen Lei as the Member of the Month for May!

Lei has been a wonderful addition to the Scrap Girls family since joining in September 2007. Lei is all over Scrap Girls! You can find her in every swap Scrap Girls has, offering to help other members and leaving love in the gallery. She offers prayers and congratulations, too. Lei is truly a sweet person and has helped to make Scrap Girls the wonderful place it is today.

Lei 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, Lei, 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:
Using Silhouettes in Scrapbooking

Learn to make and use silhouettes with Using Silhouettes in Scrapbooking written by Brandy Murry. Learn the history of Silhouettes, different ways to use them in scrapbooking as well as how to make a digital traditional style Silhouette using Photoshop programs.

Perfect Memories for Photoshop eBook

In her debut eBook Perfect Memories: Creative Solutions for Less-Than-Perfect Images, Katherine Weaver introduces her latest design-based secrets for overcoming the most common photo flaws, as well as additional ideas for getting your digital scrapbooking projects off and running in no time.

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 - PSE: How to Emboss & Texturize with ScrapSimple 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 Amanda Sok
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Designer Freebie by Amanda Sok coordinates with her Brush Set: Foam Stamp Alpha Super Biggie

Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Foam Stamp Alpha Super Biggie 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.

Did you miss the fun and excitement of Mischief Week? Not to worry - today is National Scrapbooking Day, and we have your day planned. Join us in the chat room for these SPECIAL events:

Saturday, May 1, 2010 - NATIONAL SCRAPBOOKING DAY

8:00AM MT - Scraplift Challenge Chat
Join Laurel (laurellakey) and Sherry (Sherry Lynn) on Saturday at 8am MT for a Scraplift Challenge Chat! Scraplifting can be a wonderful starting point for your layouts - join us to learn more about scraplifting, the importance of giving credit, and more! We're going to be doing this one a little different - come to the chat to find out who we are lifting! Hope you'll join us!


1:00PM MT - Snack Recipe Chat
Join Carla (CRS) and Sherry (Sherry Lynn) on Saturday at 1pm MT for a Snack Recipe Chat! It's National Scrapbooking Day and who wants to be in the kitchen? Not us, SO we're serving snacks for the entire family - create a card of your favorite snack recipe!


2:00PM MT - Favorite Supplies Chat
What is your go-to scrapbooking supply? Do you collect styles or hoard fonts like me? This is the chat to reveal your addictions to scrapbook supplies and see what other people enjoy. So, join Carla (CRS) at 2pm MT for a fun chat among people who share your passion and don't forget to bring links to your favorite Scrap Girls products!


4:00PM MT - Speed Scrap Crop
Join Carla (CRS) and Angela (angelaNussbaum) for a fun Speed Scrap Crop at 4pm MT. During the crop, we'll reveal items to include in your layout, and you have to scrap them as fast as you can! For National Scrapbooking Day, you will have a great looking layout done in a small amount of time! YOU can do it!


6:00PM MT - Hybrid Craft Chat
Join Carla (CRS) and Sherry (Sherry Lynn) for a fun new chat at 6pm MT. Were you a crafter before discovering digital scrapbooking? Did you know it's really easy to combine the two hobbies? We'll chat about projects and brainstorm ideas for Mother's Day gifts. It's sure to get your creative juices flowing!

* Schedule is subject to change... keep an eye on the message board for any changes in schedule!

CROPS AND CHATS

Project SG Chat
Monday, May 3rd - 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 Monday, May 3rd at 5pm MT for this month's Project SG Chat! It isn't too late to start. Hope to see you there!

NSBR Chat
Monday, May 3rd - 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 May 3rd at 7pm MT!

Creative Card Chat
Tuesday, May 4th - 6:00PM MT

Do you use your digital 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 monthly Creative Card Chat on Tuesday, May 4th at 6pm MT. Can't wait to see you there!

Life Moments Crop
Tuesday, May 4th - 7:00PM MT

Join Pat (PBarnes) for a Life Moments Crop and Chat on Tuesday, May 4th at 7pm MT. The purpose of the Life Moments chats is for you to work on an album about yourself. A topic will be posted on the Message Board the day of the chat. You can do your layout ahead of the chat, during the chat or after. There are no deadlines.

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, May 5th - 10:00AM MT

Join April (April Showers) on 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 May 5th, we'll do a Details Challenge. Create a layout showing a unique detail. It can be a close up photo or a layout focusing on a narrow subject. It is up to you. Have fun with it! 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, May 6th - 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!

What's New Chat
Friday, May 7th - 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!

Back-Up Party and Chat
Friday, May 7th - 2:00PM MT

Need a little extra motivation to back-up your layouts and stash? Join April Showers in the chat room on Friday, May 7th at 2pm MT for a Back-Up Party and Chat. We'll also go over several different ways to safeguard your files. You won't want to miss this one!

Aussie Challenge and Chat
Monday, May 10th - 9:00PM Australian Eastern Standard Time

Please come join Karen (kazbar73) and Jo (scrappingjo) at 9pm Australian Eastern Standard Time on Monday 10 May for a chat all about Mothers. Create a layout all about Mothers and then join us in the Live Chat Lobby for lots of fun and laughter as we talk about how we celebrate Mother's Day. For our International ladies, the chat will be on at 5am MT or 7am New York time.

MAY EVENTS

May Message Board Game: Geocaching - Scrap Girls Style!

There's no need for maps and compasses for this month's Geocaching trek! The object of the game is to correctly guess an item within a product in the Scrap Girls Boutique by solving clues and discovering the stars.

Each day, you will be given two clues: The first clue will be to the product (you will know you have found the correct product because there will be a star on the page.) The second clue will be to find a particular item within the product!

Send an email with the EXACT item name (within the product) and the link where the product is found to [email protected]. Use the subject line: Geocaching Scrap Girls Style in your email entry, and be sure to include your message board name and real name. Entries must be received by Midnight MT on May 31st.

Everyone who correctly identifies all 29 items will be entered into a random drawing for one $15 Gift Certificate!

Everyone who correctly identifies 19+ items will be entered into a rnadom drawing for one of two $10 Gift Certificates!

Everyone who correctly identifies 9+ items will be entered into a rnadom drawing for one of two $5 Gift Certificates!

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

Layout Contests:

May Monthly Layout Contest: Summer is right around the corner for some of us and winter for others. What is your favorite part of that season? For this month's layout contest, scrap your favorite parts of the upcoming season. Maybe you enjoy swimming in the pool, boating or hiking the trails. Or, maybe it's building a snowman, skiing or sledding. Whatever you love, scrap it for us to see! Create your layout and post it in the May Layout Contest Gallery by Midnight MT on May 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!