Rozanne Paxman

Multitasking is code for...

Multitasking is code for: "I can spin a plate on my head while doing laundry and balancing my checkbook."

Multitasking is code for: "I can answer emails faster than you can send them. Neener. Neener. Neeee-nerrrr."

Multitasking is code for: "If I appear busy, I will not have to do any work."

Multitasking is code for: "If I spend less time on it, this boring project will finish itself."

Multitasking is code for: "I am talented and can split myself into ten pieces."

Multitasking is code for: "I am talented. I can get more done at once than I could get done before I learned to multitask. It is immaterial that it takes me longer to get things done because I do so much at once."

Multitasking is code for: "I can successfully stall. I am a master staller. I am the ringmaster of the circus of stallers who stall stuff so they don't have to do what they don't want to do at all."

Multitasking is code for: "If I tell myself that I'm busy, I do not have to see how little I am accomplishing."

Multitasking is code for: "If other people believe I am busy, then I am busy."

Multitasking is a mistake.

Do one thing at once and do it with gusto!

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 Angie Briggs using July's Scrap Girls Club
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Created for you by Angie Briggs

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
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Created for you by Melissa Renfro and Valerie Randall

Alert! Alert! TODAY is the last day you can sign up for the ScrapSimple Club and still get this great group of products at this amazing price. Don't delay... sign up now!

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!

How to Use ScrapSimple Alpha Templates

Note: Tutorial created using Adobe Photoshop CS4 on a Mac.

Sometimes when I'm creating a layout, I want to have a title treatment that matches well with a specific kit I'm using. In such a case, I have found that ScrapSimple Alpha Templates work great for creating a unique title. In this tutorial, I am using ScrapSimple Alpha Templates: Stitched Denim to make an original title for my layout.

First, create a new document at 300 ppi. I chose to make a 12x12-inch canvas for this layout. Next, open the paper of your choice, and drag it onto your newly created document.

From this point on, I'll describe what I did to create this specific title design. (You may want to use the same alpha product or something else. There are so many to choose from!) I opened the letter "M" from the Stitched Denim templates, and while holding down the Shift key, I dragged it onto my document.

This alpha set has three layers to each letter, so I selected the holes and stitches to go with the M and dragged them over to my layout document. The title is going to read MOM, so I dragged over the rest of the letters, as well as the holes and stitches that accompanied those letters.

My photo had a very creamy tone to it, so I made my letters a variety of creams and tans. To apply a color to the letter, I double-clicked on the background layer in the Layers Palette. This opened the Layer Style menu. I selected "Color Overlay" and then clicked on the color swatch to open the "Select Overlay Color" palette.

After picking the color, I set the Blending Mode to "Hard Light." (Hint: I find that lighter colors work better when set to "Hard Light" when I am using many of the ScrapSimple Templates.)

I liked the color, but I wanted the texture to show up a bit more. To achieve this, I duplicated the background layer by highlighting this layer and right-clicking, then selecting "Duplicate Layer."

I highlighted the "AMC_SSAlpha_Denim_M_Background copy 2" layer, then I did a right-click for the drop-down menu and selected "Clear Layer Style."

Now the layer was reset to its original grayscale tone. With "AMC_SSAlpha_Denim_M_Background copy 2" still highlighted, I set the layer to "Soft Light." The letter now has a bit more texture to it.

Next, I colored the stitches, holes, and other letters following the same process.

My title was done, so I added all my other goodies to complete my layout.

And there you have it, a quick-and-easy way to create a unique title that will personalize your layout!

When you dive into Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed and MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed, you'll learn basics and a whole lot more! Explore the multiple methods of quickly color-changing ScrapSimple Templates, of using ScrapSimple Templates to make your own backgrounds, and the tips and tricks for using ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates to create beautiful memories for yourself and your loved ones. And that's just the beginning - there's so much more! Drop by the Scrap Girls Boutique now!

Layout by Trish Yochum
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Alpha Templates: Stitched Denim, Brush Set: Junk Love and City Streets Collection Mini are also available.

Tutorial written by Trish Yochum

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: Tips and Tricks to Make Quick Albums Fast!

Have you ever received an email offer for a really great deal on a 20-page album? But then you sit at your computer and get overwhelmed. This eBook will cover some great tips and tricks to help you pull it off in a snap! Included with your purchase, you will receive a special digital layout template set of three layouts in both 8.5x11 and 12x12 size, with which you can practice the techniques taught in the eBook.

Artistry eBook by Marnie Adams

Artistry: A Celebration of Digital Design Excellence highlights the best-of-the-best in digital scrapbooking focusing on high quality layout design, imaginative use of products, creative vision, top-notch typography, and artistic expression.

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: Patterns, Blends & Filters, Oh My!

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 Melanie Johnson
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Designer Freebie by Melanie Johnson coordinates with her ScrapSimple Paper Templates: InstanTexture Biggie

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: InstanTexture Biggie and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Liquid Metals 6401 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, July 14th - 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 14th, we'll do a Stripes Challenge! Create a layout using stripes. Create your own or used striped paper. It doesn't matter as long as your layout has some stripes. 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!

ScrapSimple Club Chat
Wednesday, July 14th - 2:00PM MT

We know everyone is excited for the new ScrapSimple Club to come out on July 15th. Come join Sherry Lynn on Wednesday, July 14th at 2pm MT for a ScrapSimple Club Chat/Crop! We'll be discussing ideas on different ways to use the current club. As a challenge, let's create one more layout using June's Scrap Simple Club before the next one arrives. It's sure to be a blast! Hope to see you there!

NSBR Chat - Early Edition
Thursday, July 15th - 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, July 15th - 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.

Sketch Challenge Crop
Thursday, July 15th - 7:00PM MT

Join Marnie (sprinklz) for the Sketch Challenge and Crop on Thursday, July 15th at 7pm MT in the Scrap Girls Chat Room! Like getting a little jump start on your layouts? Then this challenge is for you! A few hours before the challenge begins, Marnie will post a sketch for you to use as the starting point for your page. You can be inspired by the basic arrangement, the amount of photos, or copy it literally. All interpretations are welcome and encouraged!

What's New Chat
Friday, July 16th - 9:00AM MT

Join Michelle (Shelbi) and Sherry (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 16th - 8:00PM MT

Need a little extra motivation to back-up your layouts and stash? Join April Showers in the chat room on Friday, July 16th 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!

Journaling Challenge Chat
Monday, July 19th - 6:00PM MT

Join Lei (Bride) and angelaNussbaum for a Journaling Chat at 6pm MT on Monday, July 19th. 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!

New Member Chat - Early Edition
Tuesday, July 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.

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, July 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. On July 21st, we'll do a font challenge! Create a layout on any theme, any topic, and any colors - using multiple fonts - at least 3 different fonts! Mix it up! 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!

JULY EVENTS

July Message Board Game: BINGO!

It's that time again! Join us for an exciting game of BINGO on the Message Board Forum in July! Pick 25 words from the list provided in the forum and send them in an e-mail to [email protected] with a subject line that says "BINGO CARD - your SG message board username" by Wednesday, June 30th (Midnight MT) in order to play in the first round, which will begin Thursday, July 1st.

Each day, members of the Welcoming Committee will call five random words from the Bingo list. Match just 15 of those words to win a BINGO. You must be first to call bingo in the forum to win that round. After a winner is called, the boards can be cleared and a new round will begin the following day. All winners win a $5 gift certificate to the Boutique! We like to see lots of winners, so please remember that each person can only win one round during the month. Have fun!

If you miss the first round cutoff date, you can still play! Just send in your Bingo card at any time during the month and you'll be eligible to begin playing when the next new round starts. Everyone who sends in a Bingo card will receive a confirmation email that their card has been received. If you do not receive confirmation within 24 hours, please re-send your list of words.

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

Layout Contests:

July Monthly Layout Contest: Most all countries have a national holiday. The time of the year varies across our wide world but the United States just happens to celebrate Independence Day in July. For this month's layout contest, we want you to create a layout showing us something about what you do to celebrate your nation or show your patriotism. Post your layouts in the July Gallery before Midnight MT on July 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!