Rozanne Paxman

The Unknown Door

How to walk through The Unknown Door to find resolution:

List every possible outcome of the crisis you face, including best-case and worst-case scenarios.


Determine what information you are missing.


Fill in your informational gaps.


List every possible course of action – even if you think they are far-out.


Choose a course of action.


List all of the tasks that must be performed.


Determine who is going to perform various tasks.


Pray.


Do your best.


If things don't turn out as you hoped, repeat the process until the crisis is finally resolved.

Doodle by Ro
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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 Paula Wright using May's ScrapSimple Club
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Created for you by Brandy Murry and Paula Wright

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!

Monster Pillows

Note: Tutorial created using Adobe Photoshop CS4 with Windows 7.

One of my favorite hobbies is sewing, and I have found my stash of digital scrapbooking supplies very helpful in my sewing adventures. I recently made some very simple pillows for my boys to play with. This is what you will need to create the pillows:

Canvas fabric that has been prepared for the printer. Always check the instructions. Different brands and different types of fabric may have different instructions.
Fabric for the back of the pillow. I used some flannel that I had lying around, but any basic fabric will do.
Fiberfill or whatever you would like to stuff your pillow with.
Scissors
Needles
Thread
Pencil
Sewing machine (optional)

First, choose what you would like on your pillow. I love to use Brushes so that I can color them to match my decor or the color requests of my boys. Remember, when you print onto fabric you may lose a lot of fine detail.

Open a new 8.5x11-inch document at 300 dpi in your photo editing software. Select the Brush you would like to use. For this project, I am using Brush Set: Monsters in my Closet Monsters 1 Biggie and Brush Set: Monsters in my Closet Monsters 2 Biggie. I increased the Brush size to 2500 pixels, which happens to fill the letter-size paper very well. Stamp the Brush onto its own layer.

Now fill the various parts of the brush with the colors of choice. I put all the fill colors on their own layer in case I wanted to change a color. I used the Magic Wand Tool to select the various parts of the brush outline. Then I filled the selection by pressing Alt+Backspace. (Don't forget the background if you want it to be a color other than white.) Using solid colors to fill works well on this project since the fabric will add plenty of texture. Flatten the finished design and save it.

Press Ctrl+P to open the print feature in all versions of Photoshop. Print this at a normal resolution, instead of a high resolution. This prevents the use of too much ink, which could cause the ink to run later on. Feed the canvas fabric through the printer one sheet at a time. Allow some time for your fabric to dry thoroughly before proceeding. Peel the fabric from the paper backing.

My fabric instructions required that I rinse the fabric of excess ink before I started sewing. Rinse the fabric under tap water until the water runs clear. This prevents the ink from running if it were to ever get wet again. Allow fabric to air dry before proceeding.

Decide on the shape of your pillow. It helps to draw that shape on the backside of the fabric to make sewing easier. Sew the back of the pillow to the front of the pillow holding wrong sides together. Don't forget to leave a 2-3 inch section not sewn for turning the pillow right-side out. This can be done on any straight section of the seam.

I chose to box the bottom corners of my pillow so that it would stand up a little easier. This is an optional step. You do this by folding the corners so that the seams line up. Then sew across the corner creating a triangle.

You can now cut the fabric about a 1/2-inch away from the seam and clip any curves or corners to help it lay nice and smooth. To clip a curve, you just cut a triangle pointing at the seam, but be very careful not to cut the seam itself.

Now turn the pillow right side out and stuff your pillow.

Sew the opening closed by hand.

You have just created a one of a kind pillow. Don't forget to make some more to match!

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Learn the basics - and a whole lot more - of digital scrapbooking when you check out the incredible tutorials in Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed and MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed!

Layout by Sara Peterson
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Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Monsters in my Closet Monsters 2 Biggie and Lettering Delights Mother's Typewriter Font are also available.

Tutorial written by Sara Peterson

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 Keri Schueller
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Designer Freebie by Keri Schueller coordinates with her Adoration Collection Mini

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: In Bloom Biggie, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Embroidered Florals and ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Lace Set 2 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

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, May 26th - 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 26th, we'll do a color challenge. Use the color yellow as a dominant color in your layout. 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!

Journaling Challenge Chat
Wednesday, May 26th - 4:00PM MT

Join Becca and angelaNussbaum for a Journaling Chat at 4pm MT on Wednesday, May 26th. 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!

Speed Scrap Crop
Thursday, May 27th - 8:00PM MT

Ever wonder what you can get done when time is tight? Here is your chance to find out! Join Angela (angelaNussbaum) and Carla (CRS) for a Speed Scrap Crop! We'll give you six items, spread out over an hour, for you to include on your layout. It's a challenge that is also a lot of fun! We'll see you in the chat room on Thursday, May 27th at 8pm MT!

What's New Chat
Friday, May 28th - 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!

Swap Crop Chat
Saturday, May 29th - 6:00PM MT

It's time for the Swap Crop Chat! We've done the swapping, and created the layouts, now it's time for the chat! I don't know what it is, but these swaps bring out the best in everyone. This is the time to chat about the theme, the beautiful layouts and learn about the swap crop if you haven't participated before. We'll even reveal the theme for next month! Join Carla (CRS) and Angela (angelaNussbaum) for a fun chat at 6pm MT on Saturday, May 29th!

Desktop Challenge Crop
Sunday, May 30th - 5:00PM MT

Tired of the boring desktop wallpaper backgrounds that your PC or MAC came with? Join Becca and angelaNussbaum on Sunday, May 30th at 5pm MT for this month's Desktop Challenge Crop. We'll show you how to use your digital scrapbooking supplies to create a personalized desktop wallpaper of your own. For this challenge, we'll give you a theme and a technique challenge to choose from! Keep your eyes on the message board for more details!

Creative Card Chat
Tuesday, June 1st - 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 digital 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, June 1st at 6pm MT. Can't wait to see you there!

Life Moments Chat
Tuesday, June 1st - 7:00PM MT

Is there a man in your life that has inspired you to be a better person? Is there someone you look up to? Life Moments Chats are about making an album about YOU, one layout at a time. Join Carla (CRS) on June 1st at 7pm MT for another Life Moments Chat honoring the man in your life and your feelings about that man.

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, June 2nd - 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 June 2nd, we'll do a Flower Challenge. You can use photos of flowers that are in bloom, use a floral paper, or embellish your page with lots of beautiful flowers. It is up to you! 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!

Project SG Chat
Tuesday, June 2nd - 8:00PM 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 Wednesday June 2nd at 8pm MT for this month's Project SG Chat! It isn't too late to start. Hope to see you there!

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 random drawing for one of two $10 Gift Certificates!

Everyone who correctly identifies 9+ items will be entered into a random 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!