Rozanne Paxman

What was the last miracle you experienced? Can you remember? Did you look for one? Or do you expect that miracles are for everyone - except you?

If you believe you never experience miracles in your life, you're right. You don't experience miracles because you aren't looking for them. It's not that you don't get any; it's more than likely you are dismissing them when they come your way. You have become miracle-blind.

If you believe that miracles come to you regularly, you're right. Your life is full of them, and because you look for them, you are grateful each time one appears. You are miracle-aware.

Often, people miss miracles because they are always looking for earth-shattering-someone-was-brought-back-from-their-death-bed-to-go-on-to-become-a-billionaire miracles. If they don't see that, then they think that all miracles have ceased.

They also mistakenly believe that unless God rescues them from all trials, pain, heartache, and sorrow, He isn't interested in them. They may even shake their fists toward heaven, wag their eyes, or shrug their shoulders, and say, "There is no God, or if there is, He doesn't love His children. He certainly doesn't love me." They may become bitter and angry, supposing that a "good" God would stop all wars, prevent earthquakes, heal all illnesses, send money to struggling people and economies, and mediate political differences. If they do still believe in God, when they observe Him allowing us to experience the consequences of our choices or experience life in a natural world, buffeted by the forces of nature, decay, and instability without interference, they say, "The God of Moses sleeps. Miracles have ceased."

And yet, if they would but open their eyes, they would see Him quietly at work, inspiring us to help each other. They would witness the relief that comes when we listen to His Spirit and reach out to each other, to bind the wounds of the weak, to help those who suffer from natural and man-made disasters, to lift the weary, and to reach out to the down-trodden. They would hear the sound of the Spirit whispering answers, warnings, and peace as we walk – together - through this life.

They would see the miracle of a tire going flat in a driveway instead of in the middle of rush hour on the freeway. They would celebrate the miracle of an inspirational prod to go to a little-visited shop to discover, upon arriving, that the thing that has been long needed is available at a big discount. They would find miracles in dreams that guide and memories of little-used information being brought forward, just when it is needed most.

I have discovered a formula to receive the small miracles that regularly sustain me. If I may, I'd like to share it with you.

• Seek out God, as He is the true source of miracles.

• Follow His way so that it's easier to communicate with Him.

• Ask for help and guidance on a regular basis.

• Have faith that He helps those who seek His help.

• Look for miracles to occur.

• Give credit where credit is due. A miracle is often mislabeled a "coincidence."

• Thank Him for the miracles you receive.

Have I ever received any big miracles?

Yes, I believe I have.

My life has been spared on at least four separate occasions. I was advised by many doctors that I would never bear children - and yet, I bore two. My husband spotted me across a crowded room when I was just a twerpy 14-year old. He says that my eyes spoke to him, and he simply had to meet me. And then, he was not able to forget me. Since he has been one of the stabilizing factors of my rather eventful life, the fact that he has been able to love me despite my silliness continues to feel absolutely miraculous to me.

But most of the miracles are small ones, and it is those miracles that cause me to rejoice the most. Answers. Inspiration. Walking into a room just at the right time. Being led to see the right thing at just the right time. These are the miracles that help me most.

So, I'll end as I began, "What was the last miracle you experienced? Can you remember? Did you look for one? Or do you expect that miracles are for everyone - except you?"

If you find a few miracles, perhaps you'd like to make some layouts about them. I can't think of anything better to document than reminders that God has been with you - all the time.

- 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 eBooks?

Note: Tutorial created using Adobe Photoshop CS4 with Windows XP

Electronic books (also known as digital books or eBooks) consist of text and graphics and are accessible from your home computer, laptop, eBook reader, or cell phone. Originally, electronic books were the counterpart of traditional publications; however, a recent trend towards stand-alone digital books has become the norm. Scrap Girls eBooks are incredibly easy to use. Forget about trips to the local (or not so local) bookstore, standing in lengthy check-out lines, or waiting for shipping because all Scrap Girls eBooks can be purchased, downloaded, and used immediately. Let me show you how!

After you've shopped in the Boutique and found the eBook you want, purchase it, and simply download the digital file to your computer's hard drive.

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At your leisure, you'll enjoy reading your new digital scrapbooking eBook on your computer, laptop, eBook reader, or iPad. Did you know it's easy to refer to an eBook's important information when working in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements? With both Photoshop and the eBook file open on your computer, use keyboard shortcut Alt+Tab (Mac: Cmd+Tab) to toggle between programs.

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Whether you're a seasoned digital scrapbooker looking for advanced techniques or just getting your toes wet looking for basic instruction, Scrap Girls offers industry-leading know-how and creative inspiration for all skill levels. For example, beginners and pros alike will benefit from the Creative Solutions For Less-Than-Perfect Photos eBook for Photoshop. Available for Photoshop Creative Suite and Photoshop Elements users, you’ll learn my favorite design-based solutions for tackling the most common photo flaws, like how to craft beautiful digital scrapbooking layouts with old, discolored photos. No in-depth knowledge of Photoshop tools is needed, which makes Creative Solutions the perfect go-to manual for beginners and pros alike.

So you can go from this:

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To this:

Layout by Katherine Weaver
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Commercial license versions of Lettering Delights Long Hand Font and ScrapSimple Word Art Templates: Title It - Life are also available.

Article written by Katherine Weaver

Mischief Week is Here!

For those of you who haven't been with us for the past several years, Mischief Week is a week that's full of general madness and mayhem. We have lots of crazy chats, classes, games, prizes, and other random events just in time to usher us into the wonderful world of spring.

We've got a schedule full of events that the Scrap Girls Team are hosting, plus our Mischief Week Sale, games, freebies, contests, prizes and fun! Clear your calendars - you won't want to miss this!

Brownies Mischief Game

Ready to play a game?

We are baking a special batch of brownies for Mischief Week and have cooked up a little story game to celebrate. There are 50 underlined words in the story. For each underlined item in the story, list the item and a link to a product in the Scrap Girls Boutique that contains the underlined item. Products can only be used once, although some underlined items may be repeated, which means that there is another product containing the same item.

To enter the game, send an email to [email protected] with the subject line "Brownie Story." For each item guessed, you must include BOTH the product name and a link to where you can find it in the Scrap Girls Boutique. You have until Saturday, April 30th at Midnight (MDT) to enter.

Now don't panic! You don't have to find them all to play the game!

For all players:

• If you get 25 or more correct answers, you will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Gift Certificate!

• If you get 10-24 correct answers, you will be entered into a drawing for a $10 Gift Certificate!

• If you get 5-9 correct answers, you will be entered into a drawing for a $5 Gift Certificate!

The Day I Made Brownies

The Family Reunion was getting close, and I still hadn’t decided what to bring for dessert. Since chocolate is always a big hit with my family tree, brownies came to mind. I checked my cook book, and found my pantry was lacking some ingredients. So I hopped into my truck like a bunny rabbit and headed to the grocery store. I put my favorite cassette tape in the player and turned it up loud. On the way, I passed the barnyard where the cows were out grazing and the farmer was busy planting some corn. As I reached town, I noticed that the statue of Lady Liberty was coming along nicely.

I found a parking spot at the end of the row near the stop sign. I hiked into the store and found the baking aisle. I picked up some cocoa powder, eggs and sugar. The check out lanes weren't busy, so I couldn't stop and look at the magazine covers. I made my purchase and headed home. I picked up my mail, and noticed a postcard from a Scrap Girls' friend!

Once home, I was greeted by my dog and the phone was ringing. As I chatted on the phone with my friend who just got home from a trip to Las Vegas, I set up my stand mixer and preheated the oven. I added all the ingredients and poured the batter into the cookie sheet. Into the oven, it went. As a reward, I licked the spatula!

I had just sat down in my comfortable chair in front of my computer, with my hand on the mouse, when the doorbell rang. My neighbor came over to talk about forming a car pool for the soccer games this summer. We stepped outside to look at the daffodils and tulips in my garden. As we talked about planting our vegetable gardens, I noticed that there was smoke coming out of the window! As I ran inside to the kitchen, my neighbor called the fire department on her cell phone. I grabbed an oven mitt and removed the burned sheet of brownies from the oven as a fire truck pulled up in front of my house!

Once the firemen realized everything was under control, they went on their way. I thanked my lucky stars! I started the baking process over again, making sure I set the timer and put it on the table next to me. While working on a layout and relaxing, the timer rang and the brownies were done. I didn't burn them this time! After adding some sprinkles to the top, I went back to my layout and added a ribbon, a green button and some stitching and considered it finished! Since the sun was still shining, I went outside to sit under the shade of a tree and write in my journal. As I sat there, the school bus came and dropped the girls off. I took them inside and told them about all the excitement. What a Thursday!

Brownie Recipe Cards

Mischief Week wouldn't be the same without chocolate, right? Our Scrap Girls Design Team has cooked up their favorite brownies and created recipe cards just for you! Check out the Newsletter each day for high-resolution downloads of these designer-crafted goodies – a high energy, no carb treat that's sure to please everyone!

Recipe Card by Shalae Tippetts
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Click HERE to download the high-resolution version of this card.

Commercial license versions of Sweet Shoppe Collection and Picnic Lunch Collection Mini are also available.

Recipe Card by Cherise Oleson
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Click HERE to download the high-resolution version of this card.

Commercial license versions of Brownie Collection Mini are also available.

Mischief Week Chat Schedule

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

10:00AM MT - Tuesday Freebie Challenge
Join Carla (CRS) for a Tuesday Freebie Challenge! Carla will pick a freebie from the Newsletter for you to use in a layout. It's so much fun to see how everyone uses the same freebie in different ways!


5:00PM MT - University Chat
Join April (April Showers) and Shannon (tinkerbell11) as we explore the Scrap Girls University. We will post a link to the university tutorial we're going to cover on Tuesday morning. Come to the chat room at 5pm MT and we'll help you try out a new technique! As always there will be fun, games and a little bit of mischief.


7:00PM MT - New Member Chat
Join Pat (PBarnes) and Theresa (tiza126) 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.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

10:00AM MT - East Coast High Noon Crop
Join April (April Showers) and Debbie (B&K Mom) 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 27th, we'll do a patterned paper challenge! Create a layout using at least two patterned papers. 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!




2:00PM MT - Mess or Masterpiece? Crop
Join Ro for a digital scrapbooking crop that will get you laughing while you create a layout or two with the "ingredients" you'll take out of your folders as directed. Luck will determine if each layout is a mess or a masterpiece!




5:00PM MT - Mischief Journaling Chat
Join Lei (Bride) and Amy (mimes1) in the chat room for an hour of Mischief Journaling fun! We'll have a journaling challenge for you to use in your layouts. You never know what crazy ideas we'll have for you!




6:00PM MT - Mischief Quote Challenge and Chat
Come join Theresa (tiza126) and Shannon (tinkerbell11) for the Mischief Week edition of the Quote Challenge and Chat at 6pm MT. Watch the boards on Wednesday morning for our chosen mischievous quote. Then, create a layout using the quote as your word art, and come to the chat to join in the fun and games!




7:00PM MT - Critique Chat
Have you ever spent hours working on a layout that won't behave? No matter what you try, the layout just doesn't feel right? If so, join Shannon (tinkerbell11) and Ashleigh (caprimom) for a Critique Chat and we will help you teach your mischievous layout some new tricks! Simply bring a link to your layout and we'll provide the brownies!




8:00PM MT - Easy Page Class with Ro
Ready to begin digital scrapbooking? Join Ro for this entry-level digital scrapbooking class and make your first layout in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements!

Prior to the start of the class:

Download and unzip the Easy Page freebie found here.
Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now by clicking here.
Please have your Photoshop or Photoshop Elements software open and ready to use when you come to the class.
Have a photo ready to use for your layout.

Note: An Easy Page is a scrapbook page with the papers and embellishments already in place.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

2:00PM MT - Thursday Challenge Chat - Pat
4:00PM MT - Out of the Box Challenge Crop - Angela & Shannon
6:00PM MT - Scrap Simple Use It! Chat - Amy & Angela
7:00PM MT - Brownie Recipe Swap - Shannon & Theresa

Friday, April 29, 2011

9:00AM MT - What's New (or Old) Chat - April
12:00Noon MT - Customer Submitted Challenge Crop - Lei & Debbie
3:00PM MT - Mischievous Siggy Challenge Crop - Angela & Lei
5:00PM MT - Scraplifting Chat - Angela
6:00PM MT - Speed Scrap Crop - Carla & Angela
8:00PM MT - Late Night Scrappers Crop - Cheri & Ashleigh

Saturday, April 30, 2011

10:00AM MT - Saturday Color Challenge Chat - Debbie & Carla
2:00PM MT - Sketch Challenge Chat - Cheri & Theresa
6:00PM MT - Swap Crop - Angela & Carla
7:00PM MT - Cram the Chat Room - Theresa & Cheri
8:00PM MT - PJ Party Chat - Angela & Theresa

* Schedule is subject to change... stay tuned to the Newsletter and Forum for the latest Mischief Week happenings!

Adding Trim to Your Layout

Note: Tutorial created using Photoshop CS4 with Windows XP

Trims are one of my favorite ways to dress up digital scrapbooking layouts. Adding trim embellishments like ribbons, braid, lace, twill tape, raffia, and string give visual dimension and balance to your pages.

Here is my layout without any trim. Some of the flowers look randomly placed, and the photo cluster doesn't look grounded on the page.

Below, you can compare what the large cluster looks like with and without trims. First, I placed the string on the bottom layer of the cluster with the pink ribbon above the foliage and some of the flowers, but it is still below two of the larger flowers. I put the green braid on the layer just below the large rose. Varying the angles, layer, and placement of the trims will make your flower clusters more interesting and give them a more realistic look.

Another embellishment option is shown in the finished layout below. I added a piece of ribbon and a scrap of lace behind the photo. The vertical placement of the trim grounds the photo cluster and adds balance to the page.

Now you know two simple ways to dress up your pages and add dimension to your clusters by adding trim to your layouts!

Layout by April Martell
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Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Creases, Ribbons To Go Embellishment Biggie, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Just Strings, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Edgers Biggie, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Stackers Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Realistic Shadows - Basic 11301 and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Dirty Press Distressed 5401 Biggie are also available.

Article written by April Martell

Layout by Brandy Murry
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Designer Freebie by Brandy Murry coordinates with her ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates: Signature Mats I and ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates: Signature Mats II

Commercial license versions of Pressed for Time Embellishment Biggie are also available.

Today's freebie designed by Brandy Murry

* 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.

New Member Chat
Tuesday, April 26th - 7:00PM MT

Join Pat (PBarnes) and Theresa (tiza126) 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.

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, April 27th - 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 27th, we'll do a patterned paper challenge! Create a layout using at least two patterned papers. 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!

What's New Chat
Friday, April 29th - 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!

Scraplifting Challenge Chat
Friday, April 29th - 5:00PM MT

Are you in a rut? Do you need some inspiration? Join Angela (angelaNussbaum) in the chat room at 5pm MT for a crop and chat about scraplifting! Scraplifting can be a huge source of inspiration to you and your layouts, and it's a lot of fun for the person who inspired you. Come and see what fun we will be having!

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!