Ah, out of the mouths of babes...

About a week after Aspen started kindergarten, her teacher came out of the classroom with a look of concern on her face. With sympathy-filled eyes, Mrs. Chatelain asked:

"Are you okay?"
"Umm, well, yes, I'm fine. Why?"
"Aspen told us about the wreck and how your van caught fire."
"Fire? What?"

Obviously confused, I told her that we hadn't been in a fiery wreck. Then it dawned on me what had happened. I smiled and explained that over the course of the last year, we had had a few issues with vans.

The first van we had was a gift from my father. Two weeks after Kai was born, it caught fire in the turn lane in front of Pizza Hut. The fire extinguisher in the restaurant didn't work, so we watched helplessly as our vehicle burned to a crisp. It was the only vehicle large enough for our family.

Then came van #2, which turned out to be so rusty that no mechanic would work on it for fear that more problems would arise.

Finally, van #3 was on its way back from Tyler, Texas, with my sleepy husband at the wheel. You get the drift - he woke up when he ran off the shoulder at 70 m.p.h., jumped a drainage ditch, went through a fence, and took out two good-sized cedar trees.

Aspen had combined three mishaps into one for a fantastic tale of a fiery wreck. Actually, it was a pretty good summary for a five-year-old!

- 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 Armi Custodio using October's Scrap Girls Club
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Created for you by Keri Schueller

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!

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 Doris Castle using October's ScrapSimple Club
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Created for you by Doris Castle and Angie Briggs

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 at Scrap Girls, we love to hear from our customers because you are the reason we are here! And sometimes you all say the nicest things....

Ro, I found and started purchasing products (lots and lots of them!) from Scrap Girls a few months ago. I have been working as a web designer for the past 10 years, so when I first found out about digital scrapbooking about a year ago (I started out as a paper scrapper about five years ago), I just knew it was something I had to investigate/try. With the help of all the great downloads I purchased, I was quickly creating tons of scrapbook pages for myself, as well as pages for albums to give as gifts. Unfortunately, several weeks ago my hard drive completely crashed, and I lost everything. I should have known better, (you only say it about a million times in your "15 Things..." eBook!), but sadly, I did not have any of my Scrap Girls downloads or any of my scrapbook pages backed-up. That's where Scrap Girls came to my rescue! My husband called Scrap Girls and was immediately told by Angie in customer service, "No problem, we will gladly resend your wife the download links for all the purchases she has made with us." I was amazed! Most companies would just say, "Sorry, you should have backed up your files/downloads. There is nothing we can do." But not Scrap Girls!

There isn't anything I can do to get back all the scrapbook pages I had already done, or was in the process of creating, but because of the fantastic customer service at Scrap Girls, I can at least re-download all the things I need (without having to pay for them again!) to start the monumental task of re-creating all my work. Until I'm old and gray, I won't stop telling everyone who will listen about how great your company is! Thanks for creating and running a company that is superior in every way! You should be proud!

Thank you so much, Angie! After the rough couple of days I've been having (work issues, aside from an external hard drive debacle), it was such great news to hear that you would be sending me new downloads to replace all the ones I lost! All I was looking for was a list of all my old purchases so that I could, in time, hope to buy all of them again... but this is so great! You've made my day... and possibly my week!

This is somewhat new and is very overwhelming to me. But I soooooooooo much want to learn digital scrapbooking... correctly! I think it looks like so much fun. Really cool looking stuff. I have been experimenting with another site, but Scrap Girls looks like it may be more informative for me, making it a lot easier.

This site is just so fabulous and keeps me going with new ideas.

Everyone here is so inspirational. You have given me so many great ideas about how and what I can scrap. Thank you so much.

I just wanted to say a big thank you! You have such a great site. I made my first purchase today, and I just wanted you to know (as a new digital scrapper - only one week now), you are one of the best sites out there. I love the newsletter, and your products are fabulous! Thanks again! Keep up the good work!

Yea! I found you! First, I want to tell you how much I loooove Scrap Girls. You've done such a great job on the site. I was just recently introduced to digital scrapbooking, so I've spent many hours surfing the web - and yours is my favorite.

I constantly marvel at the care you take of all of us who use Scrap Girls products. I also wonder at what hour you must get up and begin working. Be that as it may, thank you for solving my "problem" once again. I don't have much time to work with all the wonderful things I am acquiring, but love what I can do when I have time. Thank you once again for your part in all of this - both in design and administration.

I just love you all! I look forward to Ro's Muses, and I followed along faithfully on that great Christmas story last year. You all are wonderful, and I hope someday we will meet in person - I know I'm going to like you!

Just wanted to let you know what a great job you're doing and to say thank you for all the freebies you have given so freely. (I couldn't resist the pun - I tried but couldn't help it!)

Weekly Layout Winners

Layout by Jster025
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Textures 10401, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Well Worn, Brush Set: Well Worn, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Photo Masks - Grungy Stencils, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Peeled Paint 5701, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Clarify 11301 Mini and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501 are also available.

Layout by ArizonaAngel
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This first product is 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 Scenic Route Collection Biggie, Old Friends Collection Biggie, Brush Set: Bordering on Elegant, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Bow Borders, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Watercolor 4901 - Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Unique 5104 Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Vintage Canvas 6501, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Glittered Chipboard 6401 Super Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Blended 8201 Super Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Butterfly Shadows 6301 Mini and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501 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!

Contest Winners

Anniversary Week Winners:

Congratulations to the prize winners during Scrap Girls' 6th Annivesary Week:

6th Anniversary Week Layout Challenge:

PolkaDot - $10 Gift Certificate
Jenna - $5 Gift Certificate

Photo Scavenger Hunt:

teecee - Collection Biggie

Digi-Progressive Layout Challenge:

MLLatscrapgirls - ScrapSimple Digital Layout Template

Anniversary Boutique Hunt Game:

no_idea - $10 Gift Certificate

JIF 6 Boutique Hunt Game:

kaclink - $10 Gift Certificate

Chat Prize Winners:

Sandi C
JeriP
Heatheranne
Jenna
princessrunningfingers
MLLatscrapgirls
rbthl
Actnfunny
goodqueenbee
Westina
msgb
Livingoutloud
mbc72
Sara Arell
AnnBK
AggieB
podiumchick
Belle
LaughingSun
Sheri_in_Iowa
camerabug
daisies803

Congratulations to this event's winners! If you have not yet received your prize, please email [email protected] to get your gift!

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:

Scrapbooking 911 - 2-page Sketches to Revitalize Your Digital Scrapbooking eBook

Are you stuck in a creative corner? Need a jumpstart to your layouts? With a fresh collection of original sketches, all the hard design decisions have already been made for you. Using sketches, you'll spend less time arranging and more time playing with all your family pictures and digital scrapbooking supplies.

Scrap Girls 2008 Digital Scrap Link Class: Pattern Repeat Basics

Now you can own the class material taught at the 2008 Scrap Girls Digital Scrap Link event. Learn to create your own digital scrapbooking patterns with this eBook written by Amanda McGee. Learn to create a basic dot pattern and more advanced floral pattern repeats. Also includes a brush set mini to create your own floral patterns.

Ten Beginner Tips on Type eBook

If you're creating a digital scrapbooking layout, it's almost guaranteed that you'll be using type on your pages somewhere. But did you know that type can make or break your page? If you want to take some beginner steps towards improving the type on your layouts and improving the overall look of your layouts, then this eBook is perfect for you!

Start to Finish eBooklets

Start to Finish eBooklet - PSE: How to Combine ScrapSimple Paper & Photo Templates

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 Angie Briggs
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Designer Freebie by Angie Briggs coordinates with her Bootiful Collection

* 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

Swap Crop Chat
Saturday, October 30th - 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 Carla (CRS) and Angela (angelaNussbaum) for a fun chat at 6pm MT on Saturday, Octber 30th!

NSBR Chat
Monday, November 1st - 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) and Lei (Bride) on November 1st at 7pm MT!

Creative Cards Chat
Tuesday, November 2nd - 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 April (April Showers) and Theresa (tiza126) for the once-a-month Card Chat on Tuesday, November 2nd at 6pm MT. Can't wait to see you there!

Life Moments Chat
Tuesday, November 2nd - 7:00PM MT

Join Shannon (tinkerbell11) in the chat room for a Life Moments Chat on November 2nd at 7 pm MT. Do you have a hard time scrapping about yourself? This chat will give you a topic to scrap in a "Book of Me" Album! This month's topic will be posted on the Message Board a few days before the chat. Looking forward to seeing you in the Chat Room!

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, November 3rd - 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 November 3rd, we'll do a white space challenge! Create a layout using white space. This "negative" or blank space guides the eye to the important areas of your page. Remember, it certainly doesn't have to be the color white! 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, November 3rd - 6:00PM MT

Please join Lei (Bride) and Elisha (elibar) in the chatroom for our ATC (Artist Trading Card) Swap Crop/Chat on November 3rd at 6:00pm MT. Come see what everyone has created and we'll talk about next month's topic. We're looking forward to seeing you there.

Project SG Chat
Wednesday, November 3rd - 7:00PM 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 April (April Showers) and Shannon (tinkerbell11) on Wednesday, November 3rd at 7pm MT for this month's Project SG Chat! It isn't too late to start. You can be eligible for a prize by posting layouts and attending the chat! We'll fill you in on all the details at the chat. Hope to see you there!

NSBR Chat - Early Edition
Thursday, November 4th - 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!

ScrapSimple - Use It! Chat
Friday, November 5th - 8:00AM MT

Strengthening your abilities in scrapbooking is essential to becoming a better scrapbooker and learning to utilize the ScrapSimple product line available here at Scrap Girls will give you so many more unique and fun options with your layouts! Join Angela (angelaNussbaum) and Elisha (elibar) for this monthly chat on Friday, November 5th at 8am MT as we focus on using one of these versatile products!

What's New in the Boutique Chat
Friday, November 5th - 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!

OCTOBER EVENTS

October Message Board Game: Going on a Boutique Hunt!

Remember as a child when you played the game that started like this: "I am going on a ___ hunt and bringing..." then you listed an item with the first letter of your name or a specific letter? We are playing a similar game on the Message Board during the month of October. Each day, a new theme and starting letter will be posted in the Game thread. Members will search the Boutique for something that fits the theme and post a link to it in the Game thread. Only one product per letter per round will be counted, and products cannot be used more than once. Collections and their individual parts are one product, and time stamps will be used to determine which post came first in case of more than one post per letter. Entries are to follow the alphabet, starting with the letter posted with the theme each day. There's a limit of three posts per person each day, and there must be another player's post before posting again.

PRIZES: Members' names will be added to a drawing based on the number of qualified product links (up to three) which they post in the thread. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the month. Gift certificates will be awarded as follows: First prize, $15 Gift Certificate; second prize, $10 Gift Certificate, and third prize, $5 Gift Certificate.

Winners will be announced in the Newsletter on Saturday, November 6th.

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

Layout Contests:

October Monthly Layout Contest: October is National Family History Month in the United States but we can celebrate our family's history no matter what part of the world we live in. For this month's contest, we want you to do a layout telling a story from your family's history. Was there a black sheep in the family or someone who was a person of prominence? Did someone sacrifice a lot to keep their family together? Everybody has some story of note from their past. If you don't have photos of the particular members of your family that the story centers on, think about using a photo of a place where the story happened or just do a journaling page with embellishments that evoke a feeling from the time. Post your layouts in the October Gallery before Midnight MT on October 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!