Rozanne Paxman

Choosing Joy

We cannot control the weather.

We cannot control the traffic.

We cannot control the neighbors.

We cannot control other people.

We cannot control the prices.

We cannot stop ourselves from aging.

We cannot keep things new.

We cannot control the force of nature.

We cannot keep life still.

However...

We can choose what we think.

We can choose to help when we are needed.

We can choose to learn from trials.

We can choose to see our blessings.

We can choose faith when life seems dark.

We can choose to hold hope in our hearts.

We can choose to prepare for natural disasters.

We can choose to look forward and let the past go.

We can choose to alter our perception of ourselves.

We can choose to forgive ourselves and others.

We can choose to do something about our situation if we don't like it.

We can choose to cry, to mourn, to sigh, to storm.

We can choose to laugh, to love, to smile, to grin.

We can choose joy.

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 Ariadna Wiczling using August's Scrap Girls Club
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Created for you by Ariadna Wiczling

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 Kerry Veale 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!

The Original

When I first started digital scrapbooking, I didn't plan my layouts as I do now. I would just start throwing things into the layout and then try to arrange all the items in a pleasing way. Now I plan my layouts by first thinking about the mood I want to create based on the photos, journaling, and sense of emotion from the memory.

The layout that I have decided to redo is one of those early layouts. I loved the humorous journaling I had written for it, and the photos just strike me as hilarious. Unfortunately, the layout didn't convey that lighthearted humor. I wanted to add some energy and make the layout more fun.

Original layout by Sara Peterson

The Do-Over

The first things I noticed were that the font for the journaling took up too much space and the photos weren't the focal point of the layout. Also, the color scheme didn't feel right. I liked the bookish feel and the journaling, as well as the story aspect of the photos. So I decided to go with a handmade, artsy journal look. I found a paper that was a slightly different color, but matched the photos better. To keep the look of the book, I put photo corners on the four corners of the layout. This acts as a subtle frame. Also, I chose orange for that pop of color that I felt this layout needed. Orange is opposite blue on the color wheel.

Next, I wanted to place the photos diagonally across the page from top left to bottom right. I wanted the viewer to progress from one step to the next with each photo. In order to anchor the photos to the page, I found some hand- drawn black mats and some lifted frames that looked like an instant camera. Then, I placed staples on the photos to help anchor them to the mats. These choices suited the handmade artsy journal look I wanted.

Then I needed to recreate the title. In my original, the title didn't stand out enough, and I wanted it to stand out more. So I used an alpha brush that looked like doodled letters to get a hand-drawn look. I only used this for the word "Howler" so that it had emphasis. To make it look more hand-drawn, I used two layer styles.

In order to apply two layer styles to one object, first select the object. Then select the first layer style you want applied to it. Then, hold down the Shift key when you select the second layer style. This way, the second layer style adds onto the first instead of replacing the first.

I used a bold font for the rest of the title so that a similar layer style would show up well. For the journaling, I used the same bold font as in the title for the step-by-step numbers, and I used a hand-drawn-style font for the words. I also spent a little bit of time making the journaling fit into nooks and crannies so that it looked more hand-lettered. I used arrows that would help match the journaling to the photo.

With some extra finishing touches, I have my new layout that I am much happier with!

Explore the secrets used by our professional designers and layout artists to make amazing digital scrapbooking layouts! Check out the incredible tutorials in Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed and MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed. Drop by the Scrap Girls Boutique today!

Layout by Sara Peterson
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Commercial license versions of Commotion Collection Biggie, AMC_Chalk Talk Font, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Freehand Coloring 8201 Super Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Pencil Stroke 8201, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Retro Frames, Chalkboard Embellishments Biggie, Brush Set: Monsters in my Closet Uppercase Alpha Super Biggie, Brush Set: Monsters in my Closet Lowercase Alpha Super Biggie and Brush Set: Monsters in my Closet Monsters 1 Biggie are also available.

Designer Do-Over 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 2008 Digital Scrap Link Class: Understanding and Creating Color Sets

Learn to create perfect color palettes on your digital scrapbook pages with Understanding and Creating Color Sets written by Trish Yochum. Learn color terms, how to put together color palettes, how to mix and match colors by hue and how to create winning color combos every time.

ReMix: (Digital Scrapbooking) From Ordinary to Extraordinary! eBook

Have you ever wanted to get a makeover - A layout makeover? Do you ever wonder how someone might decide to make certain changes and why? In ReMix: (Digital Scrapbooking) From Ordinary to Extraordinary! eBook, you have the opportunity to virtually "look over the shoulder" during the remake process, as Scrap Girls Product Designer Marnie Adams takes member's pages and plies her design magic.

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 - PS: How to use ScrapSimple Tools: Custom Shapes & Patterns

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 Kerry Veale
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Designer Freebie by Kerry Veale coordinates with her
ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Rosemary Frames, part of this month's ScrapSimple Club offering!

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Rosemary Frames, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Rosemary, Dynamic Brush Set: Inking Textures, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Inked Doodles, Brush Set: Inked Frames, Intaglio Collection Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Intaglio Biggie 7601, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Subtle Photos 7601 Biggie and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Time Traveler 7602 Biggie 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

Project SG Chat
Tuesday, August 3rd - 5:00PM 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 (April Showers) on August 3rd at 5pm MT for this month's Project SG Chat! It isn't too late to start. We'll fill you in on all the details at the chat. Hope to see you there!

Creative Cards Chat
Tuesday, August 3rd - 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 April (April Showers) for the once-a-month Card Chat on Tuesday, August 3rd at 6pm MT. Can't wait to see you there!

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, August 4th - 10:00AM MT

Join April (April Showers) each Wednesday at 12 Noon Eastern Time 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 August 4th, we'll do a Water Challenge. Include water in your layout. It can be pool photos, a lake, sprinklers, a sunset on the beach, even a rainbow. Any kind of water, it is up to you. 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!

ATC Swap Crop Chat
Wednesday, August 4th - 4:30PM MT

Please join Lei (Bride) and Elisha (elibar) in the chatroom for our "Christmas in July" ATC (Artist Trading Card) Swap Crop/Chat on August 4th at 4:30pm MT. Come see what everyone has created and we'll talk about the August topic. We're looking forward to seeing you there!

What's New Chat
Friday, August 6th - 9:00AM MT

Join April (April Showers) 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 - Early Edition
Friday, August 6th - 2:00PM MT

Need a little extra motivation to back-up your layouts and stash? Join April Showers in the chat room on August 6th 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!

Life Moments Crop
Tuesday, August 10th - 5:00PM MT

Have you noticed that one person is missing from your scrapbooks; You? Life Moments Crops are designed to challenge us to scrap about ourselves. For this crop, let's scrap a layout about Music! What does music mean to you? Who are your favorite artists, albums and types of music? Do you sing or play an instrument or did you when you are younger? So join me Carla (CRS) in the chat room on Tuesday, August 10th at 5pm MT to chat about Music!

New Member Chat
Tuesday, August 10th - 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.

AUGUST EVENTS

August Message Board Game: Posting Contest!

It's that time again - Posting Contest time! This is where you are rewarded for your flying fingers and chattiness. The contest will run from August 1 when we post the thread to August 31 at 12:00 Midnight (MST). We are doing things a little differently this time, so here are the rules:

1) To enter the Posting Challenge, reply in the game thread with your CURRENT post count. This is the number under your Avatar that shows when you post. Do not post the number found on your profile; it is a different number that is calculated differently.

2) During the month, chat your fingers off!

3) On August 31, BEFORE Midnight (MST), go back to your original post in the game thread (the one with your starting post count) and take a screenshot of it. Send the screenshot to [email protected]. The screenshot is your contest entry! We will calculate your post count based on the numbers on the screenshot. (Directions for taking screenshots will be posted in the game thread.)

Prizes: The top poster gets a $20 Scrap Girls gift certificate. Everyone over 250 new posts will be entered in a random drawing for a $10 Scrap Girls gift certificate. Everyone over 100 new posts will be entered into a random drawing for a $5 Scrap Girls gift certificate.

For complete details, visit the Monthly Message Board Games folder on the Scrap Girls message board.

Layout Contests:

August Monthly Layout Contest: For August's layout contest, we want you to scrap about what you do to "get away from it all" when you can't get take a big vacation. Do you play tourist in your own town, do you pamper yourself with a spa day, do you just take a weekend day to do nothing? Post your layouts in the August Gallery before Midnight MT on August 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!