 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Boom! Wait. Wait. Wait. Boom!
Friday, July 1, 2011
IN TODAY'S ISSUE:
- What's New in the Scrap Girls Boutique?
- Life Muse by Ro
- Scrap Girls Club
- Tips from the Pros: Using Bold Colors on a Summer Layout
- Designer Freebie
- What's Happening at Scrap Girls?
- Ongoing Opportunities for YOU
GENERAL INFORMATION
Support Center We Accept:
|
|
The entire Scrap Girls team wants to say how grateful we are that you have chosen to participate with us. You'll never know just how much your support means to us and our families. Ro P.S. Your email address is safe with us. We never share, rent, sell, or loan our list with anyone! P.P.S. If you ever need any assistance, please email [email protected] or call IMPORTANT TO KNOWDon't forget to check out the Retirement Sale section of the Boutique. Items in this section are always on sale for 30% off. The items you will find during any particular month will be discontinued permanently on the 5th of the following month. So if you see something you like, grab it while you can! OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUCustomer Muses: Would you like to share your own Life Muse with our readers? To have your own essay considered for publication as a muse in the column for our special Saturday newsletter, send your essay to [email protected]. If your essay is selected, you will receive a $20 Gift Certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique. Way Cool Scrap Girl: We are so excited to have all of you meet some of the amazing people that have become Scrap Girls! If you would like to be spotlighted and win a $25 Gift Certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique, send the following items to [email protected]:
Project SG Challenge: Stay motivated to scrap your current photos! Post your 2011 layouts in the Project SG Challenge Gallery to earn one point per layout each month. You can earn up to four points per month this way! Earn a bonus point each month by attending the monthly Project SG Chat! Each point gives you an entry into a quarterly drawing for a special prize! And at the end of the year, each month that you participated in will earn you an entry into the Grand Prize drawing for a 12 X 12, 52 page Keepsakes photobook from Color, Inc! Our third quarterly drawing winner will be announced in the Saturday, October 8th Newsletter. Suggest a Challenge, Win a Prize! Have a great idea for a Gallery layout challenge? Submit it to [email protected]. If your challenge idea is chosen, you will win a prize! Friday will be Customer Challenge Day, so keep an eye out on the Message Board calendar. It will be fun to see what YOU come up with for us to do!
Of course, it is a surprise what you will get because birthday presents are always surprises! But you will like it for sure because most people like money.... Anyway, make sure your Message Board email address is current and that you have the correct date entered into your profile to participate. *ADVERTISEMENTS*
|
Boom! Wait. Wait. Wait. Boom!
Why I am a patriot.
When I was a kid, the 4th of July was my second favorite holiday (following Christmas, of course). Our little town made a big deal of it. We had a parade that traveled down our main street. The parade lasted about 30 minutes even though there were long breaks in between the floats.
As I said, I grew up in a little town.
In fact, the town was so little that saltwater taffy was tossed off of nearly every float. (It's not that expensive to feed the need of a small group of children.)
My mother bought me a new outfit (red, white, and blue) as an indication that the 4th of July was a very important day. The outfit usually consisted of some shorts, a new T-shirt, and perhaps some new sandals.
The three wards in town (that's what my church's congregations are called) took care of the celebration in the park – rotating the "fun" around. I distinctly remember the year that my dad was put in charge of the celebration. I got sneak peeks at what the prizes were going to be.
The celebration in the park consisted of fishing booths(they gave us little toys), some minor carnival games, a ride on a bouncy wagon that was pulled behind one of the local farmer's red tractors, pony rides, a program with dancers and singers, a great dinner, and snow cones.
Oh, the snow cones... cherry, lime, and grape (only three flavors to pick from). There is something about the thrill of a once-a-year snow cone that makes a girl overlook the sticky stuff running down her arms.
In the late afternoon, there would be some small contests for the children, complete with foot races, pig chases, swimming contests, and other events that I always lost. (I am not athletic.)
And then... finally... fireworks! FIREWORKS!
Now, keep in mind that our town was little. In fact, it was so little that my family always watched the fireworks as we sat in lawn chairs at the end of our driveway. The program went like this.
Boom.
OOOOOOOO..... AHHHHHHHH......
Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait.
Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait.
Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait.
Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait.
Boom!
OOOOOOOO..... AHHHHHHHH......
Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait.
Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait.
Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait.
Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait.
Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait.
Boom! Boom!
OOOOOOOO..... AHHHHHHHH......
If we were lucky, there would be approximately 20 BOOMS!
There is something about only seeing 20 BOOMS! a year that make fireworks prettier, somehow.
Finally – at last - Mom would pull out a couple of boxes of sparklers, and we would draw designs and our names in the air with fire. If we were lucky (we usually weren't), she would give us some of these disgusting things called Worms. Worms were fireworks that melted in such a way that they created creepy-black wormy-spots on the sidewalk that didn't fade away for more than a year.
Thus the name, Worms.
But then – sadly – the 4th of July would be over.
During the day, everyone talked about the founders of our country. They reviewed our history. We sang the National Anthem accompanied by the high school band, and we stood as we held our hands over our hearts whenever the flag was seen. Our hearts swelled with pride that we lived in a free nation called the United States of America.
It was something to be celebrated – this country of ours. We could become anything we wanted – in this country of ours. We could grow up, go to school, build businesses, and raise our families in relative safety because of this country of ours. And we were proud, yes, darn-tootin' proud to be an American, despite any and all problems that arise from living in a representative democracy.
And that, my friends, is why I am patriotic. And that is why I have a brand new T-shirt with a cool American flag on the front, hanging in my closet just waiting for me to wear it to the big fireworks display called The Stadium of Fire.
BOOM!
This is a tiny sample of the type of fireworks show that is seen at The Stadium of Fire event. As you can tell, I don't live in a small town anymore.
Photo by Kaye Collins, 2010
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!
|
Follow Ro's popular blog – RoPaxman.com Follow Ro's newest blog – How Mom Did It |
|
|
Join the Scrap Girls Monthly Club and you can have fun with the newest traditional digital and printable scrapbooking looks while saving! (A $40.87 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:
July's Scrap Girls Club designed for you by Keri Schueller |
|
|
|
|
|
 Layout by Angie Briggs using July's Scrap Girls Club larger view |
 Layout by Angie Briggs using July's Scrap Girls Club larger view |
 Layout by Angie Briggs using July's Scrap Girls Club larger view |
How to Successfully Use Bold Colors and Patterns in a Summer Layout
Note: Tutorial created using Photoshop CS3 with Windows XP
Are you drawn to bright, fun papers - but unsure how to use them in a digital scrapbooking layout? This tutorial will teach you how to successfully use bold colors and patterns in a summer layout. For this example, we will use Tropical Fruit Collection Biggie.
After you decide what the theme of your layout will be, pick one (or two) bold-print papers and either a solid, stripe, or something a little more subdued to go along with it. If you have too much going on everywhere, it will confuse the viewer's eye and draw attention away from the subject of your layout.
Here are a few possible combinations (left to right) that work well. Don't let these guidelines define your choices, but rather, let them inspire you.
Now, figure out how you want your layout to look. Often, I place a solid paper as the background and bring in the patterned paper to "support" my photo. You can also use the pattern (or patterns) to bring "pops of color." The important thing to remember is you want to use the bold patterns and colors to liven up your layout, not overpower your subject matter. That's why we seek to temper the liveliest papers with something quieter to help pull the eye to the real star of the show - your photo!
Here are a couple more examples of how to creatively use bold colors and patterns in a summer layout. Besides using a patterned paper to ground the photos, we bring another bold-patterned paper into the title for an extra kick.
In the next example, the pattern fades into the solid paper with a gradient mask. Remember, the sky is the limit with digital scrapbooking!
Layout by Sheri Johnson
larger view
|
|
|
|
|
|
Article written by Sheri Johnson
Learn to make digital scrapbooking layouts and more! – Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed Ready to learn advanced techniques? – MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed |
Layout by Julie White
larger view
Designer Freebie by Julie White coordinates with her American City Collection
|
 |
|
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.
What's New in the Scrap Girls Boutique Chat
Friday, July 1st - 9:00AM MT
Join April (April Showers) and Theresa (teecee) at 9am MT on Friday mornings 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!
Life Moments Chat
Tuesday, July 5th - 3:00PM MT
Join April (April Showers) in the chat room on July 5th at 3pm MT for another Life Moments Chat and Crop. These chats are focused on building a scrapbook all about you, one layout at a time. This week we will be focusing on Summertime Memories. What were your favorite things to do in the summer? Did your family go on long vacations each year? Did you go to camp? Did you spend your days on the beach or at a lake or were your days filled with hard work? Go ahead, dig through your files, write down your memories, and be sure to join us in the chat room!
ScrapSimple Club Chat
Tuesday, July 5th - 5:00PM MT
Join April (April Showers) and Shannon (tinkerbell11) on Tuesday, July 5th at 5pm MT for a chat and challenge using this month's ScrapSimple Club. Did you know that every time you create a layout with the ScrapSimple Club and upload it into the ScrapSimple Club Gallery that you could be chosen to be featured in the Newsletter and receive a prize? Well, join us for the chat so we can encourage and inspire you and help with any questions that you may have. Let's get those ScrapSimple Club layouts done and uploaded!
Creative Cards Chat
Tuesday, July 5th - 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 the first Tuesday of each month at 6pm MT. Can't wait to see you there!
East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, July 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 July 6th, 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! 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!
July Message Board Game: Summer Scavenger Hunt!
Dust off those thinking caps and hunting boots! We're having a Summer Scavenger Hunt, and you're invited! Join us for the July Message Board Game, where each Monday through Saturday during the month of July, a member of the Welcoming Committee will post a clue in the official game thread. The clue will describe a product from the Scrap Girls Boutique. To participate, search the Boutique for the product and post a link to the product page in the official game thread.
But wait, there's more! In a new twist to the scavenger hunt game, on certain days you will be sent to the Scrap Girls Gallery to look for layouts using specific products or collections, and then post a link to your layout comment in the official game thread.
Three winners will be drawn from all the members who correctly identify a product or find Gallery layouts throughout the month. Each winner will receive a $10 Gift Certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique! Good luck in your search!
For complete details, visit the Monthly Message Board Games folder on the Scrap Girls Forum.
July Monthly Layout Contest: As the United States celebrates its independence this month, we'd love to see some examples of how you've gained independence! For July's Monthly Layout Contest, show us your layouts featuring someone displaying independence! It could be a toddler learning independence or a young person out on their own for the first time. You could even scrap about a time you displayed some independence! Be sure to include some journaling to support your photos. Post your layouts in the July Monthly Layout Gallery before Midnight MT on July 31st. Be sure to list your credits in the description or under the EXIF Properties. If your layout is one of the two chosen winners, you will receive 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!