Ever wish that you could be a Product Designer for Scrap Girls?

Well, now's your chance to apply!

If you are interested, please forward the following items to [email protected].

The subject line must read: Product Designer Application.

1. 3 color palettes that you might use as a basis for designing collections.

2. A collection mini, consisting of 6 background papers, 1 "sheet" of embellishments, and 1 "sheet" of word art.

   A "sheet" consists of a grouping of items that will fit on an 8.5x11 document. Take care to make sure that the collection mini's color set is well balanced and that it has an idea that ties it together. It should contain enough embellishments and word art to be useful to someone who wishes to make several layouts from it. Also, take care that the embellishments are not a grouping of a small number of items that have just been re-colored. This is your opportunity to show your versatility and skill-level.

3. At least one sample layout using the collection mini.

4. A brush set with 3 brushes.

5. A paper template set (like our ScrapSimple Paper Templates) with 2 papers.

6. An embellishment template set (like our ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates) with 3 embellishments.

Also, answer the following questions in the body of your application email.

Approximately, how much would you like to earn each month?
Approximately, how many hours do you have to dedicate to design work each week?
What are your goals as it pertains to design work?
Why are you interested in working with Scrap Girls?
What software do you use?
Any other information that you will would be helpful as we make our decision.

Other instructions: Save your files as 600px wide, 72 dpi. Place them in one zipped folder and forward with your application email.

Rozanne Paxman

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!

How to Upload a Layout to the Gallery

This tutorial will teach you how to upload a scrapbook layout into the Scrap Girls Gallery - an online digital scrapbooking treasure trove of ideas and inspiration!

At Scrap Girls, we have an online gallery where you can share the digital scrapbooking layouts you have created. To get to the Scrap Girls Gallery, click on the word Gallery at the top of almost any page on the Scrap Girls website.

When you arrive at the Gallery, you will see many different categories. We have categories for certain scrapbook themes, like families and vacations, and other categories for our many layout challenges and contests.

Some categories even have subcategories so that we can keep the Gallery organized. Layouts are uploaded to categories; but sometimes, they are uploaded to subcategories. If a category has a subcategory, you will have to pick the applicable subcategory.

In all cases, you will upload your layout to the place that makes the most sense. For example, if you have a layout about puppies, you would probably place it in the Pets - We love 'em! subcategory. You would get here by scrolling down to the category titled Family, Kids, and Pets and click on the subcategory called Pets - We love 'em!

When you arrive in the category or subcategory where you want to upload your layout, you will look for the button that says NEW IMAGE. Click on it to upload your layout.

NOTE: Before you upload your layout, you must make sure that it is 72-dpi and not any larger than 600 pixels wide and 600 pixels tall. Uploading a layout larger than this will result in an error message.

Now you will see a new screen where you can upload your layout and give some details about it.

In the PHOTO INFORMATION area, place the title of your layout in the CAPTION spot. You must give your layout a title of some kind.

In the DESCRIPTION area, you will see a larger white box. Here is where you can tell about your layout. You can include your journaling, what supplies you used (do list Scrap Girls products used in your layout; don't list websites for non-Scrap Girls products), etc. You must list something in the Description box – people love to know what you've used to create your masterpiece!

You can also add your copyright info in the COPYRIGHT box, if you wish. This box is optional.

Towards the bottom is where you actually add your layout. Locate UPLOAD PHOTO section, and you will see the words IMAGE TO UPLOAD next to a rectangle box. Click on the button that says BROWSE.

A new window will pop open to allow you to locate and select your layout from your computer. Go to your layout, click once on it to select it, and then click OPEN.

Now, click SUBMIT IMAGE.

After you click SUBMIT IMAGE, you briefly see this next screen if you have done everything correctly:

After you see the "Image successfully uploaded!" window, you will see your layout posted in the Gallery. It's now ready to be viewed and commented on by our Scrap Girls members. Congratulations!

Article written by Brandie Valenzuela

Now with exclusive MEMBERS-ONLY Club content!

Creating Digital Scrapbooking Backgrounds with Dimension

Note: Tutorial created using Adobe Photoshop CS3 with Windows XP

You can add a lot of dimension and interest to your digital scrapbooking layouts by using just your Eraser Tool or the Delete key. Let me show you how.

First, open a new document.

Next, stack two papers. I've used the ones from the Miracles Collection Biggie and Murano Collection Biggie. The bottom layer is the yellow paper.

To create this effect, you can use either dynamic or regular brushes. Install the brush set you wish to use by following the instructions in the Scrap Girls ScrapSimple Instructions Handbook. In your Tools Palette, select the Eraser Tool (shortcut: click the letter "E" on your keyboard). In your top toolbar, you will select the brush you want to use where you see the word Brushes. Click the down arrow to open the Brush Preset Picker and select the brush you wish to use. Drag and click your mouse around on your top layer in your document, which will erase the top layer to make the bottom layer show through.

This method can also be used with other products like embellishments, embellishment templates, word art, shapes, and more. You can even use it with your journaling!

Here is how to create this effect with finished embellishments: Again, start with two different papers in a document, one paper on each layer. Add your embellishment on top of the top paper. In the Layers Palette, "select" this embellishment by holding your Ctrl key and clicking your mouse pointer directly on the image thumbnail for that embellishment (this will create precise "marching ants" around the shape of your embellishment). Now, click on your top paper layer in the Layers Palette and click Delete. Return to the embellishment layer and turn off the visibility of this layer (click on the Eye icon to the left of the embellishment thumbnail in the Layers Palette). Apply a drop shadow to the top paper layer (I used ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Basic Shadows 6501). And you're done!

Check the details of my layout to see where I used this method:

In the example below, I used stars from the Beautiful Life Collection Biggie.

Here, I used the lace embellishment from the Miracles Collection Biggie to create an intricate-looking, lacey cut-out on the teal paper which allows the blue to show from underneath.

Finally, I used Dynamic Brush Set: Dashed 8201 to erase both the paper and the photo for these large circle-punch cutouts. For more interest, I used ScrapSimple Tools – Actions: Glue It PS 8201 on the alphas to make them look glued to the paper layer beneath.

Here's my finished layout:

Layout by Ariadna Wiczling
larger view

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Glue It PS 8201, Dynamic Brush Set: Dashed 8201, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501 and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Fabric Fill 8201 Biggie are also available.

Article written by Ariadna Wiczling

Layout by Julie White
larger view

Designer Freebie by Julie White coordinates with her ScrapSimple Alpha Template: Hodge Podge,
part of this month's ScrapSimple Club offering!

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Alpha Template: Hodge Podge, Brush Set: Hodge Podge, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Decoupage Flowers, ScrapSimple Word Art Templates: Hodge Podge and ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Layered are also available.

Today's freebie designed by Julie White

* 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.

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, April 6th - 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 April 6th, we'll be doing a Brush Challenge. Try to use at least two brushes in your layout. 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! Hope to see you in the chat room!

ATC Crop and Swap Chat
Wednesday, April 6th - 6:00PM MT

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

U.F.O (Unfinished Objects) Chat
Wednesday, April 6th - 7:00PM MT

Everyone has them - those projects you started but just haven't gotten around to finishing! Join Shannon (tinkerbell11) and our guest this week Elisha (elibar) one of our very talented Layout designers in the chatroom at 7pm MT to talk about all of them. Post your layouts in the Unfinished Objects Layouts Gallery before the chat so we can get Elisha's input and also get help from the everyone in the Chat.

NSBR Chat - Early Edition
Thursday, April 7th - 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!

What's New in the Scrap Girls Boutique Chat
Friday, April 8th - 9:00AM MT

Join April (April Showers) at 9am MT on Friday morning to chat about all the wonderful new products in the Scrap Girls Boutique! What are your favorite new items? Is your shopping basket full? What did you kaboodle? Have you already done layouts or other projects with your new goodies? Come tell the designers how much you love their work. You never know who will show up. There's a thread every Thursday and now there's a chat too!

Recipe Swap Chat
Saturday, April 9th - 7:00PM MT

Join April (April Showers) and Lei (Bride) at 7pm MT in the chat room for our Monthly Recipe Swap Chat. Please check the message board the Thursday before the chat for this month's theme and the swap details!

April Message Board Game: BINGO!

Join us for an exciting game of Springtime BINGO on the Message Board Forum in April! Pick 25 words from the list provided and send them in an email to [email protected] with a subject line that says "BINGO CARD - your Scrap Girls Message Board username" by Saturday, April 2nd at Midnight MST in order to play in the first round. The first round will begin on Monday, April 4th. If you miss the first round deadline, 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.

Each day, a member 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 game thread to win that round. After a winner is called, the boards will be cleared and a new round will begin the following day.

Each winner will receive a $5 Gift Certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique! We like to see lots of winners, so please remember that each person can only win one round during the month. Have fun!

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

April Monthly Layout Contest: Earth Day was started in the United States in 1970 and it went global in 1990. For April's Monthly Layout Contest, we want you to show us what Earth Day means to you or what you are doing to make our precious world a little greener. Post your layouts in the April Monthly Layout Gallery before Midnight MT on April 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!

Stop! Before you unsubscribe... Did you know we have a Weekly Round-Up newsletter?

This action-packed newsletter is sent out on Tuesday afternoons and summarizes what has happened in the past week. It's perfect for people who feel that they are too busy to read the daily editions! If you would like to receive our Round Up Newsletter, scroll to the bottom of this email and use the "Update Profile/Email Address" option to join the Round Up list and/or change your subscription options to our newsletters.

Of course, the Weekly Round Up Newsletter contains a fresh, new freebie, so even if you like to get the daily newsletters, you might want to join the Weekly Round-Up Newsletter, too. It's a great way to keep track of all of the fun things you are learning!