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.

DEADLINE: Friday, April 29th, 5:00 PM Mountain Time.

Notifications of results will be sent to all applicants by Friday, May 6th.

What is Ro looking for in a new designer?

Talent
Desire to work with Scrap Girls and be a committed, active member of our team
Work ethic
Software and designing skills

If a talented person comes along whose skills are not quite what they might be, and if Ro feels they would be a super-committed, dynamic member of our team if given a little help, she may choose to put them through an apprentice program.

Rozanne Paxman

The building was huge. The street was narrow. I stood as far back as I could and tried to capture this bit of building-wisdom with the smaller Nikon camera I keep stuffed in my purse.

Your outlook on life is a direct reflection of how much you like yourself.

Pretty much true. However, I think that believing in God and His love for us can fill in the gaps when we aren't that crazy about ourselves during any certain time period.

Wake up and realize you are surrounded by amazing... possibilities?

I like that ending so we'll go with it.

Do it now, do it now, do it now!

Okay. Yes, sir. I'll do it now.

Life is full of setbacks.

Well, yes, it is, but good things can come from setbacks – if we look at them as opportunities. I know that all of the good things in my life were borne out of very large setbacks. If I hadn't had them, I wouldn't be where I am today. I certainly wouldn't be writing this article for the Scrap Girls Newsletter!

Write down your short and long-term goals... blah, blah, blah, blah.

I used to feel extremely guilty that I didn't make carefully written lists of goals. I believed the nonsense that says, "If you don't plan out your life, your life won't work out."

But guess what? My life has turned out much differently than I could have ever imagined if I had tried to make lists. If you had told me ten years ago that I would own a company like Scrap Girls, I would have told you that you were out of your mind. And then I would have said, "What's digital scrapbooking?"

Recently, I took a series of tests to see what my "style" is. I found out that my "style" is to be all over the place – multi-tasking like mad. I found out that it energizes me to multi-task because my brain needs periodic breaks from the intensity of focusing on any given task. Bouncing around is how I get so much done.

I found out that my "style" is to have mental lists and then to attack them in groups. Even when I do write things down, it is a mental exercise that allows me to spill all my ideas onto paper. But once that's done, I don't have to refer back to the list because my brain has organized it and pulls it back up when I need it. (If I happen to stumble on the list in a few years, I have usually accomplished it all.)

I have to say that I felt extremely relieved to find out that I am not quite as big of a goofball as I previously thought when I thought I had to be more organized and thoughtful about my life's plan. I am relieved to learn that my best plan is to work life according to the plan God gave me.

My advice to you? The advice I would paint on a wall, should I have the opportunity?

BE YOU.

- Ro

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!

What are ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates?

Note: Tutorial created using Photoshop CS4 with Windows 7

When we were asked to help explain some of the awesome digital scrapbooking products available in the Scrap Girls Boutique, I jumped at the chance to teach ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates because they're some of my very favorite tools to use for quickly creating a layout!

Using a digital scrapbooking template takes a lot of the work out of designing a layout because the composition is already done for you. Templates are versatile enough that you can change them if you want, but sticking with the template just like it is guarantees a nicely composed layout every time. I want to show you how quick and easy it is to use ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates to help you create your own layouts.

If you're using Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, simply open the PSD file of the layout you want to create. By opening the PSD file, your layers are already organized in a logical way, with backgrounds at the bottom of the Layers Palette, etc. If you're using another software program, you'll need to open and layer the individual PNG files that also came when you downloaded the templates. I'm going to use the first layout option in ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates: Lots of Shots in the 12x12-inch size.

To start using your ScrapSimple Digital Layout Template, simply click on the layer you want to fill in with a photo so that it is highlighted in your Layers Palette. (In other words, click on the black photo box that you want to put a picture in. This will highlight that photo box's template layer in the Layers Palette.)

Next, drag a photo onto your layout. It will appear in your Layers Palette directly above the template layer you highlighted. This placement is very important! If your photo layer is not directly above the template layer you want to use in the Layers Palette, move your layers accordingly now. (Move a layer up or down simply by clicking and dragging it up or down.)

I'm starting with the largest photo in the layout. You can see that because it falls in the middle of the Layers Palette, some of the photo shows up as tucked behind other layers. No worries! The next step will take care of that.

Now the magic of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates begins! With your photo file selected (highlighted in the Layers Palette), you'll create a clipping mask by clicking Ctrl+Alt+G.If you've done this correctly, the photo layer will have a little arrow pointing down to the template layer you've clipped it to.

You've successfully clipped your photo to the template! Congratulations! Of course your photo isn't fitting quite right in that layer of the template, is it? You're probably only seeing a portion of the photo that you've clipped to the template, like this:

Now it's time to resize your photo layer to best fit the size of the template layer. (Ctrl+T will make the "marching ants" around your photo turn solid and you can "transform" the size of your photo by holding down the Shift key while dragging the corners toward the center.)

Voila! Your photo fits the digital scrapbooking template layer, and you're on your way!

Repeat this step with all the different layers of your ScrapSimple Digital Layout Template (including clipping papers to the background layers). When you're done, your Layers Palette will look something like this with alternating photos or papers clipped to pieces of your digital scrapbooking template.

Add your title, journaling, shadows, and a few embellishments, and you've quickly created a wonderfully composed layout with very little effort - thanks to ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates. Well done!

Layout by Ang Campbell
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates: Lots of Shots and Cloudburst Collection Mini are also available.

Other Products You May Enjoy...

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates: Lots of Shots 2, ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates: Year In Review and ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates: Photos All Around are also available.

Article written by Ang Campbell

Twice the Bang for Your Buck: Thinking Outside the Box When Using Themed Digital Scrapbooking Collections

Note: Tutorial created using Photoshop CS4 on a PC using Windows 7.

When you are shopping for digital scrapbooking supplies, do you ever feel like you need to get the most "bang for your buck"? Of course you do! You're a smart shopper, and you realize that there are certain digital scrapbooking collections that can be more versatile. You are naturally drawn to certain colors or themes because they fit your scrapbooking style. But what are you overlooking or passing by?

Here's a question I am asked often: "Which collections are your go-to collections?" This is a tricky question because my answer is usually, "It depends on what I am scrapbooking." But a layout can be created from any collection - even from elements within a themed collection. It's true!

A themed collection has a particular theme – such as specific holidays, such as Easter, or specific events, such as graduation.

You really can buy those themed digital scrapbooking collections that perhaps you have been avoiding because you only want the collections that you can use - over and over again. I'm here to show you that in the world of digital scrapbooking, there is nothing that you can't use over and over again - even if it was originally from a themed collection.

Take the new Buds and Bunnies Collection Mini. I was initially drawn to it because I have some Easter photographs that I need to scrapbook. It is a darling collection with springtime pinks, greens, blues, and yellows - incidentally, all very versatile colors. In this collection, there are butterflies and flowers. There are some fun zigzag elements, scallop elements, some fun frames, and cute ribbon. All of these elements are not necessarily specific to Easter.

Take a look at the following Easter layout. I used a few Easter-specific elements (Easter eggs and word art that reads "Easter"), but I also used elements that would work well for any spring-themed layout.

Layout by Joann Brown
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Commercial license versions of Just Be You Collection Biggie are also available.

Using this same collection, I scrapbooked an entirely different theme. My family went on vacation to Disneyland last year, which means I took thousands of photographs! I have a lot of layouts to complete, so just about every collection I own is somehow used to scrapbook Disney photographs.

It is truly amazing how very versatile digital scrapbooking really is. Would you have ever thought, looking at the Buds and Bunnies Collection Mini, that you'd be able to scrapbook a Disneyland vacation with it? I challenge you to take a second look at that themed collection that you've been wanting, but thinking it wasn't a good investment. Think again! Think outside the box, and start scrapbooking today!

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Layout by Joann Brown
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: GraphX are also available.

Article written by Joann Brown

Layout by Keri Schueller
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Designer Freebie by Keri Schueller coordinates with her Spring Play Collection Mini

Commercial license versions of Avery Grace Collection Mini and ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Photo Masks - Envision are also available.

Today's freebie designed by Keri Schueller

* 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.

Sketch Challenge and Crop
Tuesday, April 12th - 6:00PM MT

It's time for the Sketch Challenge and Crop! Join Cheri (Cheri T) on Tuesday, April 12th at 6pm MT in the Scrap Girls Chat Room! Enjoy getting a little creative boost for your pages? Are you needing help getting started? Then this is the challenge for you! A few hours before the chat begins, I'll post a link for you to download the sketch. Use it as the starting point for your page; be inspired by the basic arrangement; flip things around or scraplift the whole thing hook, line, and sinker. All interpretations of the design are welcome and encouraged. Don't worry about any deadlines... post your layout when it works with your schedule.

Hybrid ATC Swap and Crop
Tuesday, April 12th - 7:00PM MT

Please join Shannon (tinkerbell11) and Lei (Bride) as we host the chat for another round of our Hybrid ATC Swap. Didn't participate this round? Not sure what it is? Come join us to find out all of the particulars on Tuesday, April 12th at 7pm MT!

New Member Chat
Tuesday, April 12th - 8:00PM MT

Join Pat (PBarnes) and Theresa (tiza126) for the New Member Chat at 8pm 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.

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, April 13th - 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 13th, we'll do a color challenge. Use the color green as a dominant color 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!

Hybrid Craft Chat
Wednesday, April 13th - 5:00PM MT

Join Shannon (tinkerbell11) in the chatroom for this month's Hybrid Craft Chat. We will be doing some fun Easter Crafts this month. Join in to see what else you can do with your digital supplies!

Baby Theme Crop
Wednesday, April 13th - 6:00PM MT

Join Shannon (tinkerbell11) and Theresa (tiza126) for a new twist on the Baby Theme Crop at 6pm MT! We're continuing the New Year with a new challenge. This month, we'll continue to work with ABC's. Include something in your layout that starts with a J, a K and a L!

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!