A Designer's Life: Marnie Adams

Growing up in the 1970s - the days of Brady Bunch and sadly, disco - we would often hear the U.S. Navy's tagline "It's not just a job, it's an adventure." Little did I know then, how much that motto would reflect my future life as an adult.

Life Muses by Ro: Seaweed Wrap Jubilee

She convinced me that it would be a good idea to have a spa treatment. Perhaps it would relax me and take my mind off of my troubles. Since I have little experience with such matters, I handed the "menu" of treatments available to her, and she pointed to an item on the card.

Life Muses by Ro: The Unknown Door

How to walk through The Unknown Door to find resolution...

Scrap Girls, Etc.: Family Games

Note from Heidi: Man, I love trivia! When I was a kid, Jeopardy! used to be a favorite TV program. I'd dream about what I'd do with all the money I'd win when I was old enough to finally get on the show. Trivial Pursuit was a favorite board game, and I could outplay anybody (except my dad) at any version. Reading about Julie White's family’s trivia game, I could totally relate! It sounds like something I would have done with my brothers and sisters when I was younger. Sounds like I need to make a scrapbook page, too!

Life Muses by Ro: Formula for a Pleasant Life

Ro shares one of her doodles! Check it out!

Customer Muse by Wendy Mosier

I have to admit it: I hate doing laundry. I can't really explain why because I actually respect the process and don't mind doing any singular chore that needs to occur for the laundry to become clean. I also love the smell and feel of warm, clean clothing. I just don't like doing it all.

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!

Want to see more cute layouts? Go to the bottom right of our Home Page and check out our newsletter links.

Monday, May 24, 2010

"1940s So Cute" by Charlene Crowder
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:

To give a shadow to the lace-like border from the Dear Friend Collection Mini, I found many options were overpowering. What I found to be most pleasing was one of the options from ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Shadowing Transparent Objects PSE 5301 Mini. For the items that I wanted to "lift off" the page more, I used ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Deep Shadows 6501 PSE and PS Biggie.

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Deep Shadows 6501 PSE and PS Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Shadowing Transparent Objects PSE 5301 Mini and Lettering Delights Timely Font are also available.

Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 7.0

Name of challenge: Create a layout using scanned photos.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Layout by Laurel Lakey
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Glitter Edge 6302 Biggie and ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates: Stylish Frames are also available.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Layout by Amanda Sok
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If you have praise, comments, or questions for any of our Product Designers or Layout Artists, did you know you can send them a PM (private message) using the message board? It's easy!

If you are a registered user of the message board, just click on the "PM" box at the bottom of any of their posts to send them a message. Or, to check out more of your favorite designer's layouts, visit the Scrap Girls Design Team section of the Layout Gallery.

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 June's Scrap Girls Club
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Created for you by Syndee Nuckles

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 Paula Wright using May's ScrapSimple Club
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Created for you by Brandy Murry and Paula Wright

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!

Best of the Message Board

See how our message board members are helping each other with questions about realistic drop shadows, Photoshop Elements, and more!

Digital Scrapbooking Tutorial: Monster Pillows

One of my favorite hobbies is sewing, and I have found my stash of digital scrapbooking supplies very helpful in my sewing adventures. I recently made some very simple pillows for my boys to play with.

Way Cool Stuff - Digital Scrapbooking Product Review: ScrapSimple Photo Templates

If you like making your papers, ScrapSimple Photo Templates are just the thing for you. These templates provide a starting point for creating beautiful background papers. You can change the colors using the Hue and Saturation sliders in your photo editing software. You can also layer it together with other finished papers or paper templates, experimenting with Blending Modes to get the look that you want. Or you can use it as is.

Digital Scrapbooking Tutorial: How to Make a Mini Cookbook Album

I love to cook! I mainly use the cherished recipes handed down to me by Mom and other family members. Appetizers, main dishes, desserts – you name it – I've got it. My goal is to try a few new recipes each week. Sometimes these new recipes fail for one reason or another, but many times I stumble upon one that we like so much, it becomes part of my beloved recipe collection. Between the tried-and-true recipes and the new favorites, there is quite a collection.

What Customers Are Saying...

Read what our great customers have to say about Scrap Girls, its products, newsletter, customer service and more!

Layout and Contest Winners

Congratulations to our Weekly Layout Winners, jhawkchris and Bambi! Check them out! Congratulations!

For more great ideas on creating beautiful digital scrapbooking layouts, using brushes, embellishments, and lots more, check out the incredible tutorials on Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed and MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed!

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: Combining ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates

Learn how you can combine ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates to create your own unique layout template written by Angie Briggs. You will get step by step instructions, with screen shots to follow and several sample layouts giving you even more ideas. You'll also receive ScrapSimple Digital Layout Album Templates: 12x12 Album Series 7, so that you may easily follow along with the instructions.

Scrapbooking 911 - 20 Sketches to Revitalize Your Digital Scrapbooking eBook

Are your creative juices drained? Need help finding ideas? Want a great starting place? Scrapbooking 911 - 20 Sketches to Revitalize Your Digital Scrapbooking is the answer to all of these questions. With twenty original sketches to work from, you'll be creating exciting, dynamic, and creative layouts in no time.

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

Step by Step Movie Tutorial: How to Create An Old Wall Mural

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 Brandy Murry
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Designer Freebie by Brandy Murry coordinates with her
ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Just Strings, part of this month's ScrapSimple Club offering!

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Just Strings, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Paper Roses, Brush Set: Special Day and ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Background Blenders - Masks 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

Creative Card Chat
Tuesday, June 1st - 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 Michelle (Shelbi) and April (April Showers) for the once-a-month Card Chat on Tuesday, June 1st at 6pm MT. Can't wait to see you there!

Life Moments Chat
Tuesday, June 1st - 7:00PM MT

Is there a man in your life that has inspired you to be a better person? Is there someone you look up to? Life Moments Chats are about making an album about YOU, one layout at a time. Join Carla (CRS) on June 1st at 7pm MT for another Life Moments Chat honoring the man in your life and your feelings about that man.

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, June 2nd - 10:00AM MT

Join April (April Showers) on 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 June 2nd, we'll do a Flower Challenge. You can use photos of flowers that are in bloom, use a floral paper, or embellish your page with lots of beautiful flowers. It is up to you! Upload your layouts 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!

Project SG Chat
Wednesday, June 2nd - 8:00PM 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 Showers on Wednesday June 2nd at 8pm MT for this month's Project SG Chat! It isn't too late to start. Hope to see you there!

NSBR Chat - Early Edition
Thursday, June 3rd - 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 Shari (Shari PV Mom) at 2pm MT in the chat room Lobby! Hope to see you there!

What's New Chat
Friday, June 4th - 9:00AM MT

Join Michelle (Shelbi) and 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, June 4th - 2:00PM MT

Need a little extra motivation to back-up your layouts and stash? Join April Showers in the chat room on Friday, June 4th 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!

Hybrid Craft Chat
Sunday, June 6th - 2:00PM MT

Have you ever thought about stretching your digital scrapbooking supplies a little bit further? Hybrid Crafts are a great way to use your stash and create beautiful gifts. Join Sherry (Sherry Lynn) and Carla (CRS) on Sunday, June 6th at 2pm MT, as we work on hybrid craft projects and get inspired to use our digi-scrapping supplies in new ways! Check the message board for our first project!

NSBR Chat
Monday, June 7th - 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) on June 7th at 7pm MT!

New Member Chat
Tuesday, June 8th - 7:00PM MT

Join Pat (PBarnes) and Carol Ann (Zaz) 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.

JUNE EVENTS

June Message Board Game: Quotable Quotes

The object of the game is to correctly guess the layout (created by either a product designer or layout artist) that contains a quote or journaling. Each day, you will be given a word found in the clue. We will keep giving words to the clues until a correct guess is made.

Be the first to answer it correctly and win a $5.00 Gift Certificate to the Boutique! You are only allowed ONE guess per daily clue, and you are only allowed ONE win per month. When you make your guess, you must link it to the correct layout in the Boutique. We will play the game daily during the entire month of June. When a correct answer is given, the new puzzle will start the following day.

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

Layout Contests:

June Monthly Layout Contest: June is National Candy Month and who doesn't like candy!? For this month's layout contest, use the wrapper of your favorite candy for inspiration. Does your favorite candy have a great color combination, cool fonts or a fun striped pattern? Use whatever inspires you about it to create your layout. You don't have to include the candy's wrapper in your layout but you might mention it in your description. Create your layout and post it in the June Layout Contest Gallery by Midnight MT on June 30th. 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!