A Fulfilling Career Change

Once upon a time, I was a mom with a corporate job. I woke up early every morning between Monday and Friday, quietly got myself dressed for work, and then packed multiple bags with bottles, diapers, jars of baby food, extra clothing, and blankies, all before waking my two young girls and driving them to the day care center.

On my way there, I always passed this one newish subdivision near a beautiful park. When I was running a little early, I would usually get stuck behind the big yellow school bus that was stopping there to pick up a whole gaggle of kiddos from that entire subdivision. I grew not to mind the brief halt in my morning rush, because my oldest daughter was fascinated with the process of the kids getting on the bus and all of the flashing bus lights. I informed her that someday, she too would be getting on a bus to go to school like these big kids. She was ecstatic!

None of the above retelling is unusual... except that while my daughter was checking out the routine of the kids getting on the bus, I was noticing the routine of one particular mom. She was always there, calmly sipping her cup of coffee and dressed as though she was just going to go back in her house and curl up with a good book or the morning paper and relax once the bus pulled out with her kids on it. She looked so... so... the opposite of me! It wasn't even 7:30 a.m. yet, and there I was - madly dashing to get the children to day care, hoping one of them wouldn't whine too badly with separation anxiety and make me late for work again, while she moseyed back up her own driveway, coffee in hand, while the neighborhood kids happily waved good-bye to her.

I was jealous.

I hated having to drag my kids out of their comfy little beds, and I didn't really like the amount of time they had to be taken care of by someone other than me. By the time I got them home, the youngest would be awake less than two hours - not much mother/daughter bonding time there. Usually, it was food, a bath, and maybe 20 minutes of actual play before our bedtime routines began. I always reminded myself that I had to do it. I had to go to work to pay the bills. During that time, I fantasized about working from home - doing freelance writing and graphic design. I bought and read a lot of books on freelancing, but I just didn't feel brave enough to trust my talents to bring in enough money.

This spring, I think God gently pushed me out of that nest I had made of my corporate job. Like many others in 2009, I was laid-off due to simple corporate cut-backs. I didn't get fired. I didn't do anything wrong. One minute my cozy corporate job was there, and the next minute it wasn't. At first, I was a jumbled mess of anger, hurt, and stress - not knowing at all what I was going to do. But during that time, I also dared to share with others my secret dream of freelancing from home, and after getting much encouragement from my former coworkers, my family, and definitely my spouse, I started my own freelance business, working out of the comfort of my own home office. My two little girls are now able to sleep as long as they need to in the morning, and they get to spend most of their day with their mommy, even while I'm working.

At first, I worked myself round-the-clock, taking in every client I could find because I didn't trust that I could make enough to pay the bills. But I'm starting to feel like I'm going to make it now (thanks to my repeat clients!). I'm starting to allow myself to enjoy being my own boss and to take the time I need to enjoy the small moments I have throughout the day with my girls. Yesterday, I drove my oldest to her first day at preschool. It was while I sat in the car, sipping my coffee, waiting to drop her off that it hit me - I have become that calm and collected mom I used to admire as I madly dashed off to my corporate job.

It made me smile.

It's only been a little over five months since I said good-bye to my corporate mom routines. But today, I just might scrapbook my severance pay stub into a layout to celebrate that job ending... and how it was the boost I needed to become the kind of career woman - and mom - I always wanted to be.

Suzanne

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 Amanda McGee using July's ScrapSimple Club
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Created for you by Amanda McGee and Kerry Veale

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!

Here are a few of the nice things our customers have said lately:

Everything was perfect! No complaints from me. Scrap Girls has fantastic products and incredible customer service. Thanks for the wonderful site!

Wow, what a nice surprise to get an email from the CEO of my favorite business and the best business I have ever dealt with. Let me say, I have never had anything but positive experiences with Scrap Girls. Thank you for providing such quality items, a fabulous Message Board, the best (by far) newsletter ever, plus superior staff to help.

I'm loving all the helpful hints I've gotten in Ro's Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop Elements. As a new digital scrapper, I'm slowly figuring it all out with the help of Secrets!

I appreciate the hard work you do running Scrap Girls. I have often thought I wished I lived near you so I could come and work for free, just to learn more and be around all of you wonderful ladies.

Thank you for your attentiveness and continued commitment to your customers!

I look forward to doing business with you often and cannot praise you and the other wonderfully creative Scrap Girls enough! I have come to see the whole Scrap Girls experience as something to look forward to each day when I open my mailbox! So please, thank the rest of the gang for me for what each does to make Scrap Girls such a wonderful experience.

As far as my experiences with the Scrap Girls Boutique, it's been the best ever! I can't imagine anyone not being completely satisfied with how you run this very special business of yours. The only problem I have with it is that I can't go there without wanting to buy more and more goodies!

Angie, you are a star! Your customer service is brilliant, and I'll be singing your praises to all my scrapping friends! Thank you so much! I don't know what was different this time, but it all went through just fine! Thank you so much for your help... I really appreciate it!

Ro, I am an avid Scrap Girls fan, and I don't know how you have time to do all that you do, especially your Muses. I am busy with four children (16, 15, 14, 12) and hardly have time to even read the emails. You are an inspiration and are doing a wonderful job with the site. I bought a journal and have been trying to keep up with my "creative self," but that has been hard, too. Thanks for everything you do; I always look forward to your email and insights. You have some very talented and creative people working for you!

Keep up the great work there at Scrap Girls. I so look forward to your newsletter. Thank you for all your hard work. Scrap Girls Rule!

Weekly Layout Winners

Hybrid Card by scrapcritter
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Layout by alsoarty
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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!

July's Scrap Girls Club Concepts Layout Winners

Layout by Loriebug66
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These first two products are included in this month's Scrap Girls Club offering. Members receive a substantial discount on these club supplies. They are also available elsewhere in the Boutique at regular prices for those individuals who would rather not join a club.

Layout by Michelleds
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These first four products are included in this month's Scrap Girls Club offering. Members receive a substantial discount on these club supplies. They are also available elsewhere in the Boutique at regular prices for those individuals who would rather not join a club.

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Photo Masks - Reawakening, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Background Blenders and Brush Set: Mudstained Photo Edges are also available.

Congratulations, Loriebug66 and Michelleds!! We loved your layouts so much we had to share it with everybody! Loriebug66 and Michelleds each receive a $5 Gift Certificate for their layouts using July's Scrap Girls Club! Congratulations!

Congratulations to this club's winners. Please email [email protected] to get your gift!

Want to see past winners of the Scrap Girls Club Concepts contest? Visit the Scrap Girls Club Concept's Winners gallery on our message board here!

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 Julie White
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Designer Freebie by Julie White coordinates with her Year Round Collection Biggie

Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Stitching 1 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

Scraplifting Challenge Chat
Sunday, July 25th - 2:00PM MT

Scrap-lifting can be a wonderful starting point for your layouts! Join angelaNussbaum and guest co-hostess Marnie (sprinklz) on Sunday at 2pm MT to learn more about scrap-lifting, the importance of giving credit, and more! This month, we'll be scrap-lifting Marnies's layout gallery, and you can choose one of her layouts for inspiration! Hope ya'll join us!

Emphasis on Embellishments Chat
Monday, July 26th - 7:00PM MT

Join angelaNussbaum and Janine (J9Buckles) on Monday at 7pm MT for the Emphasis on Embellishments Chat. This monthly chat is geared towards challenging you to use more embellishments on your layout. Each month, you will be given a specific number challenge to inspire you to start using more elements on your layouts or to create your own cluster of embellishments! You will be amazed at what YOU can do at this chat!

Coffee Break Chat
Tuesday, July 27th - 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, July 27th 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!

Hybrid ATC Swap Crop
Tuesday, July 27th - 5:00PM MT

Do you love mixed media? Ever wondered what it is exactly or about giving it a try? Love to exchange cards through snail mail? Then this crop is for you! Break out your creative thoughts, your favorite Scrap Girls' supplies, some paper, pens, and whatever else comes to mind. Join Sherry Lynn on Tuesday, July 27th at 5pm MT for our Mixed Media ATC crop and swap.

July's Siggie Swap Chat
Tuesday, July 27th - 6:00PM MT

Join Michelle (Shelbi) and April (April Showers) in the chat room at 6pm MT for the July Siggie Swap. During this chat, we will swap the siggies we made for each other. You can upload your siggie the day of the chat. We'll all talk about how much fun we had and "ohhh and ahhh" over each other's cute new siggies. Hope to see you there!

New Member Chat
Tuesday, July 27th - 7:00PM MT

Join Pat (PBarnes) 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, July 28th - 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 28th, we'll do a Nature Challenge! Create a layout that shows nature in some way. Could be flowers, wildlife, camping - anything that highlights nature. 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, July 29th - 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 Pat (PBarnes) at 2pm MT in the chat room Lobby! Hope to see you there!

Desktop Challenge Chat
Thursday, July 29th - 5:00PM MT

Tired of the boring desktop wallpaper backgrounds that your PC or MAC came with? Join Becca and Angela (angelaNussbaum) on on July 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. Stay tuned for the challenge! We will post it the day of the chat!

Speed Scrap Crop
Thursday, July 29th - 7:00PM 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, July 29th at 7pm MT!

What's New Chat
Friday, July 30th - 9:00AM MT

Join 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!

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!