Rozanne Paxman

To Grow Up

To grow up, one must release the need to please anyone but God.

When you have been a needy individual, you cause shockwaves when you begin to act independently. You cause earthquakes when you require respect. You spin through whirlwinds as you establish boundaries. You chew your fingernails down to your knuckles as you nervously suppress the desire to run back and say, "I was wrong."

You know - as you wait - that it would be easier to return to how things were, but inside you know that you must separate yourself from the crushing activity of mollification. The only true help through your course change is Heavenly Father.

If you need to change your approach, He'll tell you. If you need to stay the course, He'll help you do it. If you need comfort as people who don't like change leave you, He'll be there.

To grow up, one must release the need to please anyone but God.

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 Armi Custodio using June's Scrap Girls Club
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Alert! Alert! TOMORROW is the last day you can sign up for the Scrap Girls Club and still get this great group of products at this amazing price. Don't delay... sign up now!

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 Valerie Randall using June's ScrapSimple Club
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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!

QUESTION: Just wanted to ask a question about ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Fantastic Frames which I bought from Scrap Girls' Boutique. I'm using Photoshop Elements (PSE), and I cannot seem to work out how to color them in. I'm new to digital scrapbooking and PSE. The frames are grey, black, and white, and I wanted to add a different color to each petal, star, etc. Hope you can help and hope I have made sense.

ANSWER: These come in a layered PSD file, which you can use in PSE.

Pull that layered file into PSE and then select the layer you want to recolor. (Make sure you work with a copy so that your original file remains untouched so you can easily use it again.) Then you hit Ctrl+Click on the thumbnail (the little icon next to the layer in your Layers Palette) and "marching ants" should appear around the border of the element on your layout. You can fill this with color using your Paint Bucket Tool. You can also use Styles to change the look of each layer OR you can use a clipping mask and make the layer look like it was cut out of paper. To do this, you would pull a piece of paper into PSE and position it in the layer right above the layer you want to change. (You can do this by clicking and dragging and dropping the layers over in your Layers Palette.) And then making sure the paper layer is selected, hit Ctrl+G and this will "clip" the paper to the shape below it.

ANSWER: Another option which can work, and I believe is available on PSE, is to select a color, then go to the layer where you want to change the color. Go to the top menu bar of your program, go to Layer> New Adjustment Layer> Hue/Saturation. Check the box that says "Colorize" in lower right corner. Then hit OK. It will color with what you selected. You might have to adjust the "Lightness" and "Saturation" to your liking, but that's quick and easy.

ANSWER: You've already gotten some really good techniques. For future reference, you can find some tutorials in the Scrap Girls University about how to color the Scrap Simple Templates.

QUESTION: Hello! Are there instructions for making a re-usable layered template in PSE 8? I don't know if PSE is capable of doing this or not, but any help would be appreciated.

ANSWER: I am not sure about instructions, but I know you can do it. I do it all the time. Just make your layout and put basic shapes in the spots where you want your things to be, like a rectangle for a picture, a circle for a flower bud, or an actual flower bud or balloon, etc. Make them different shades of gray and save that. Make sure to put everything on a different layer. Then it's ready to go whenever you want that look again.

ANSWER: Sure you can! Though I can't say I've ever made my own entire layered template from scratch, I do make my own templates. Angie Briggs did a class at the last convention that teaches how to combine parts from premade digital layout templates, customizing them to suit your needs and personal style: Scrap Girls 2009 Digital Scrap Link Class: Combining ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates.

Build your own template and save it for future use, and use it over and over again.

ANSWER: The only thing I would add is that when you open your saved template, do it with File> Place and rename and save it under that new name immediately.

If I know what I want the layer to be in the finished template (photo, mat, embellishment, etc.), I give the layer that name when I make the template. (This makes it easier when you reuse it to clip the layers where you want them.)

QUESTION: Hi, I am using PSE4. I thought I was choosing my preset and have finished a scrapbook for my husband for Father's Day. I just realized that I saved it in web format at 72 pixels instead of 300 ppi. I have the PSD file. Is there any way that I can change the files to high resolution, or am I going to have to start over after a huge cry session and three days of work?!

ANSWER: I did the same thing recently. I'm sorry, but I think you just have to start crying and then redo. I really don't think there's a way around it. You can always size down, but sizing up is not so good. The good news is, you already did the hard part with the design, and now you can put it back together really quickly at the higher resolution.

ANSWER: I've done that before, too. Unfortunately, once you save in a format with fewer pixels, you can't get them back. At least you have the design planned, and it shouldn't take you forever to re-do it.

ANSWER: Been there, done that. I'm so sorry, but I sure know how you feel. It won't take as long the second time, though. You can open up your low resolution file as a layer in your new file and use it as a sketch - placing the elements right over the top - sort of like a paint-by-number.

ANSWER: Oh dear, heartbreaking. I'm so sorry! Low resolution is not your friend when you are trying to make something larger. Hope the redo goes quickly for you!

ANSWER: I'm so sorry to hear about the error, and although everyone who has answered you so far has been scrapping longer than me and knows more than I do, I couldn't help but wonder about your PSD file. Is it the full file and what resolution is it? If it's 300 dpi, then you can save it as 300 JPG. Just a thought! Good luck with the re-do.

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 Melissa Renfro
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Designer Freebie by Melissa Renfro coordinates with her
ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Sequins N'Things, part of this month's ScrapSimple Club offering!

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Sequins N'Things, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Purses and Bags and ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Paper Scraps 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

Desktop Challenge Crop
Tuesday, June 29th - 5:00PM MT

Tired of the boring desktop wallpaper backgrounds that your PC or MAC came with? Join Becca and Angela (angelaNussbaum) on Tuesday, June 29th 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 month's theme, let's scrap our pets or any animals! And for the added challenge, try an out-of-bounds technique on your desktop layout!

Life Moments Chat
Tuesday, June 29th - 6:00PM MT

Join April (April Showers) in the chat room on June 29th at 6pm MT for another Life Moments Chat and Crop. These chats are focused on building a scrapbook all about you, one layout at a time. This week we will be working on Graduations. High School, College, Kindergarten, Middle School - it is up to you! Dig through your files, write down your memories, and be sure to join us in the chat room!

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, June 30th - 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. On June 30th, we'll do a Stars Challenge! Create a layout using at least one star. It can be embellishments like brads, buttons, stitching, brushes, or even a layout template. There are so many possibilities - have fun with it! 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!

Scrap Girls Club Chat
Wednesday, June 30th - 2:00PM MT

We know everyone is excited to get their hands on the new Monthly Club to be released tomorrow. Come join Sherry Lynn on Wednesday, June 30th at 2pm MT for a Scrap Girls Monthly Club Chat and Challenge! As a challenge, let's create one more layout using June's Monthly Club before the next one arrives. It's sure to be a blast! Hope to see you there!

NSBR Chat - Early Edition
Thursday, July 1st - 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!

What's New Chat
Friday, July 2nd - 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, July 2nd - 2:00PM MT

Need a little extra motivation to back-up your layouts and stash? Join April Showers in the chat room on Friday, July 2nd 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!

NSBR Chat
Monday, July 5th - 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 July 5th at 7pm MT!

Creative Cards Chat
Tuesday, July 6th - 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 once-a-month Card Chat on Tuesday, July 6th at 6pm MT. Can't wait to see you there!

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, July 7th - 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. On July 7th, we'll do a color challenge! Create a layout on any theme, any topic, using the color TURQUOISE! 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!

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!