Rozanne Paxman

The Thinker

I have not been saying much because I have been thinking.
When I have finished thinking, I will have something to say.
If I say something before I finish thinking, I might say something I wouldn't have said with more thought.
Therefore, I will finish thinking and when I have finished, I will be ready to speak.

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 Elisha Barnett using June's Scrap Girls Club
larger view

Created for you by Syndee Nuckles

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 Melissa Renfro using June's ScrapSimple Club
larger view

Created for you by Melissa Renfro and Valerie Randall

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!

Creating a Party

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

I love to make my children feel special on their birthday. Fortunately, I can create a personalized party on a budget using my digital scrapbooking supplies. There are a lot of ScrapSimple Craft Templates that you can combine with the collection of your choice to create the perfect party.

To create a themed party, you must first choose a collection. This makes it easy to coordinate all the crafts. From this collection, choose two papers, one dark and one light, that contrast well and are fairly simple in style and design. It's better to choose a paper that has no obvious direction (up or down) because it can look funny when you assemble your craft. Once you have a couple of papers selected, choose three or four embellishments that best show off the theme of the party. I also chose one font to coordinate with the collection. I am doing a shark-themed party using the Shark Lagoon Collection. Here is an example of my choices for this project.

Next, I had to decide what types of things to make for this party. I wanted a centerpiece, cupcake decoration, a treat container, and a bookmark to put in each goodie bag. There are several choices in the Scrap Girls Boutique for all of these items. I eventually settled on:

ScrapSimple Craft Templates: Centerpiece - Shapes
ScrapSimple Craft Templates: Cupcake Wrapper
ScrapSimple Craft Templates: Treat Tub
ScrapSimple Craft Templates: Bookmarks 2
ScrapSimple Craft Templates: Bag Bibs

Once you know what you are creating, start filling in the templates with your chosen digital elements. All ScrapSimple templates come with great instructions that are specific to that product. Keep your designs simple to help create all these items quickly. I used brushes and layer styles to tie it all together. Remember, simple designs will help it go faster.

Once you have designed your object, print your designs on matte (non-glossy) photo paper. The thicker the paper, the better it will hold its shape.

Finally, assemble all the products according to the directions. To make nice, smooth folds, make sure you use a scoring tool to score all the lines. This tool can be anything that will indent, but not cut your paper.

For a nice sharp fold, press down on the edge with a bone folder or other hard tool such as the back of a spoon. This will help the odd-shaped items hold their shape really well.

Don't forget to make a coordinating invitation. You want the guests to know where and when it will be. Make the invitations in a 4x6-inch format for easy printing.

larger view

Now you have a perfectly coordinated set of party supplies!

Explore the flexibility of ScrapSimple Templates, plus 50 other digital scrapbooking topics, in Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed and MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed! Drop by the Scrap Girls Boutique now!

Project by Sara Peterson
larger view

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Wires 6401, Brush Set: Calendar Stamps Super Biggie, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Tucked Photos Biggie, AMC_Sketchy Solid Font, AMC_Sketchy Outlines Font, ScrapSimple Craft Templates: Cupcake Wrapper, ScrapSimple Craft Templates: Treat Tub, ScrapSimple Craft Templates: Bookmarks 2, ScrapSimple Craft Templates: Centerpiece - Shapes and ScrapSimple Craft Templates: Bag Bibs are also available.

Here's a girl-friendly set of party supplies using the same ScrapSimple templates but with different paper choices. As you can see, with just a few changes in paper and embellishment choices, there's no end to the diversity of original themes you can create with ScrapSimple templates!

Project by Sara Peterson
larger view

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Glitter Sparks 6401 Super Biggie, Lettering Delights Sweet Potatoes Font, ScrapSimple Craft Templates: Cupcake Wrapper, ScrapSimple Craft Templates: Treat Tub, ScrapSimple Craft Templates: Bookmarks 2, ScrapSimple Craft Templates: Centerpiece - Shapes and ScrapSimple Craft Templates: Bag Bibs 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: Combining ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates

Learn how you can combine ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates to create your own unique layout template written by Angie Briggs. You will get step by step instructions, with screen shots to follow and several sample layouts giving you even more ideas. You'll also receive ScrapSimple Digital Layout Album Templates: 12x12 Album Series 7, so that you may easily follow along with the instructions.

Scrapbooking 911 - 20 Sketches to Revitalize Your Digital Scrapbooking eBook

Are your creative juices drained? Need help finding ideas? Want a great starting place? Scrapbooking 911 - 20 Sketches to Revitalize Your Digital Scrapbooking is the answer to all of these questions. With twenty original sketches to work from, you'll be creating exciting, dynamic, and creative layouts 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

Step by Step Movie Tutorial: How to Create An Old Wall Mural

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 Syndee Nuckles
larger view

Designer Freebie by Syndee Nuckles coordinates with her ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Damask 6302 Biggie

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Damask 6302 Biggie, Brush Set: Damask Fragments and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Butterfly Shadows 6301 Mini 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, June 16th - 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 16th, we'll do a white space challenge! Create a layout using white space. This "negative" or blank space guides the eye to the important areas of your page. Remember, it certainly doesn't have to be the color white! Create your layout and upload it 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, June 17th - 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 Pat (PBarnes) at 2pm MT in the chat room Lobby! Hope to see you there!

Heritage Crop
Thursday, June 17th - 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.

What's New Chat
Friday, June 18th - 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!

Recipe Swap Chat
Friday, June 18th - 7:00PM MT

Join April (April Showers) at 7pm MT in the chat room for our Monthly Recipe Swap Chat. Please check the message board on Thursday, June 17th for this month's theme and the swap details!

Back-Up Party and Chat
Friday, June 18th - 8:00PM MT

Need a little extra motivation to back-up your layouts and stash? Join April (April Showers) in the chat room on Friday, June 18th at 8pm 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!

Coffee Break Chat
Tuesday, June 22nd - 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 Lynn on Tuesday, June 22nd 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
Tuesday, June 22nd - 7:00PM MT

Join Pat (PBarnes) and Carol Ann (Zaz) for the New Member Chat at 7pm 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.

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, June 23rd - 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 23rd, we'll do a multiple photo challenge! Create a layout on any theme, any topic, and any colors - using FIVE or more photos! Create your layout and upload it 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!

Ad Inspiration Chat
Thursday, June 24th - 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!

JUNE EVENTS

June Message Board Game: Quotable Quotes

The object of the game is to correctly guess the layout (created by either a product designer or layout artist) that contains a quote or journaling. Each day, you will be given a word found in the clue. We will keep giving words to the clues until a correct guess is made.

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 link it to the correct layout in the Boutique. We will play the game daily during the entire month of June. When a correct answer is given, the new puzzle will start the following day.

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

Layout Contests:

June Monthly Layout Contest: June is National Candy Month and who doesn't like candy!? For this month's layout contest, use the wrapper of your favorite candy for inspiration. Does your favorite candy have a great color combination, cool fonts or a fun striped pattern? Use whatever inspires you about it to create your layout. You don't have to include the candy's wrapper in your layout but you might mention it in your description. Create your layout and post it in the June Layout Contest Gallery by Midnight MT on June 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!