For the Love of Candy

When we got ready to potty train Kai, it felt like we were starting at Ground Zero again.

Aspen had taken forever and was oh-so-stubborn. Caeleb practically trained himself in three days because he hated being wet.

Kai simply didn't care. In cloth undies, he'd wet himself and keep right on a-truckin'. We ignored the obvious disapproval when we opted to let him streak when we were home in the hopes that he'd prefer the toilet to the rug.

But at last we hit on something. Kai likes candy... a lot! It's a real motivator, and while we did our best not to resort to bribery, it quickly became apparent that it might be worth a shot.

We explained the way it would work for him. Going to the potty equaled one small morsel of candy. He liked the idea, especially after he put it to the test and was indeed rewarded with an M&M for his efforts. It wasn't long after that I discovered how much a little boy can resemble a dog in a park. A dog seems to have an endless amount and is determined to visit each tree, no matter how little is left at each tree. Kai was that dog. He visited the potty almost every hour on the hour... and managed to earn his M&M each time.

I was walking through the hallway, pondering this oddity, when I heard something in the bathroom. Peeking through the door (he always left it open), I caught sight of him perched on his seat. After a couple of moments, he got an impatient look on his face, huffed out a breath, and said,

"Come OOOONNN, pee-pee! Come OOOONNN, poo-poo!"

I had to stifle a laugh! Ah, for the love of candy!

- Jennifer Hamilton

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 Laurel Lakey 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 Thao Cosgrove using August's ScrapSimple Club
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Created for you by Thao Cosgrove and Brandie Valenzuela

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!

Jane
Scrap Girls Member of the Month - August 2010
Member Name: Jane in N.Z

1. What program do you use to digital scrapbook?

I use Photoshop CS and really need an upgrade so I can join in more of the classes. I'm working on this, but the CS version has worked well so far.

2. Are you a Mac or a PC?

I'm a PC user and again, I need an upgrade because mine is old. I'm working on this as well and hope to have a new PC by October.

3. Tell us the make and model of digital camera that you use.

I have a Canon 400D, and I love it. I've turned off Auto and I'm enjoying Mary Elizabeth's Photo Club challenges.

4. Name one thing that every beginning digital scrapbooker should know.

Keep practicing and don't compare yourself to others. As long as you love your creation, that's all that counts in the end.

5. If you could be transformed into a digital scrapbooking embellishment, what would you choose and why?

That's a hard one as for me. It depends on the photos I’m scrapping, but probably a ribbon (hopefully, that includes strings as well). I find ribbons so versatile and can be used on most layouts from the rustic to the glamorous, plus they come in so many shapes and sizes.

6. What time of day do you find that you do your best scrapbooking?

I'm a night scrapper mainly, and my best layouts have been done after I get home from work at 11:00 p.m. when everybody is in bed, it's quiet, and there are no distractions. I do scrap at other times, but I'm not as productive.

7. What is your favorite snack?

Well, this has to be chocolate - good old Cadbury's Dairy Milk. I'm weaning myself off it, and now I have Weight Watchers jelly! I'm not on WW, but their jelly is to die for, especially with a bit of fruit added.

8. What is your least favorite household chore?

All of them! If I had to pick one, it's probably washing the floors as we have quite a few tiles and it always seems to rain when I do it, and then the family walks in with muddy feet!

9. Finish this sentence. "I couldn't live without..."

...My Lord and Savior, my family, and then my friends - the rest I can replace.

10. What's your current favorite layout that you've done?

Layout by Jane in N.Z
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Crafty Plaster, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Ribbon Curls Biggie and ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Curled Up are also available.

Weekly Layout Winners

Layout by venedypics
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Commercial license versions of By Hand Word Art Mini are also available.

Layout by teabaglady
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Commercial license versions of Up at the Villa Collection Biggie, Hearth Collection Biggie, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Fragmented, Brush Set: Bible Verses About Confidence Biggie, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Flourished Photos, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Fantastic Frames, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Unique 5104 Biggie and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Unique 5101 are also available.

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!

August's Scrap Girls Club Concepts Layout Winners

Layout by PolkaDot
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These first three 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 Transparency Overlays: Fleeting Moments, Brush Set: Messy Mats, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Punch Out 5401, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Emboss 5401, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Embed 1801, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501 and Lettering Delights Underwood Pica Font are also available.

Layout by podiumchick
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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 Tools - Styles: Blended 8201 Super Biggie, Brush Set: Grungelle, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Sew Doodly Biggie 3201, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Chipboard 1801 Mini, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Photo Clusters 2, ScrapSimple Type Paths: Shapes 2101 and Lettering Delights Fadoodle Font are also available.

Congratulations, Dot (PolkaDot) and Kim (podiumchick)!! We loved your layouts so much we had to share it with everybody! PolkaDot and podiumchick each receive a $5 Gift Certificate for their layouts using August'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 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 Cherise Oleson
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Designer Freebie by Cherise Oleson coordinates with her Black and White Plus Collection

Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Black and White Plus Mini, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Lifted Photos Biggie -Weathered, Cozy Collection Biggie and Lettering Delights Debonaire Font 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

Recipe Swap Chat
Saturday, August 21st - 6:00PM MT

Join April (April Showers) and Lei (Bride) at 6pm MT in the chat room for our Monthly Recipe Swap Chat. Please check the message board on Thursday, August 19th for this month's theme and the swap details!

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, August 25th - 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 25th, we'll do a patterned paper challenge! Create a layout on any theme, any topic, and any colors - using multiple patterned papers - at least 2 different patterns! 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!

Desktop Challenge Crop
Wednesday, August 25th - 5:00PM MT

Tired of the boring desktop wallpaper backgrounds that your PC or MAC came with? Join Becca and Angela (angelaNussbaum) on August 25th 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!

NSBR Chat - Early Edition
Thursday, August 26th - 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 April (April Showers) at 2pm MT in the chat room Lobby! Hope to see you there!

Speed Scrap Crop
Thursday, August 26th - 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, August 26th, at 7pm MT!

What's New Chat
Friday, August 27th - 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!

Swap Crop Chat
Saturday, August 28th - 6:00PM MT

It's time for the Swap Crop Chat! We've done the swapping and created the layouts, now it's time to chat about all the gorgeous layouts! I don't know what it is, but these swaps bring out the best in everyone. This is the time to chat about the theme, the beautiful layouts and learn about the swap crop if you haven't participated before. We'll brainstorm a theme for next month, too! Join us, Carla (CRS) and Angela (angelaNussbaum), for a fun chat at 6pm MT on Saturday, August 28th!

Emphasis on Embellishments Chat
Monday, August 30th - 7:00PM MT

Join Angela (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 elements/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!

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, September 1st - 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 September 1st, we'll do a surprise color challenge! Create a layout using a color to be chosen by the group at the beginning of the crop! 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, September 1st - 5:00PM MT

Please join Lei (Bride) and Elisha (elibar) in the chatroom for our ATC (Artist Trading Card) Swap Crop/Chat on Wednesday, September 1st at 5pm MT. Come see what everyone has created and we'll talk about next month's topic. We're looking forward to seeing you there.

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!