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Commercial license versions of Fade to Gray Collection Biggie and Memories of Green Collection Biggie are also available. |
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Layout by Syndee Nuckles
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photo FX PSE 6301 Mini and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Butterfly Shadows 6301 Mini are also available. |
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Layout by Jen Reed
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Layout by Cindy Rohrbough
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Metal Scrolls, Rustic Alley - Leather Paper, Rustic Alley - Metal Paper, Rustic Alley - Metal Embellishments - Trinkets, Rustic Alley - Wood Embellishments and Autumn Glow Embellishments are also available. |
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Layout by Joyce Schardt
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Commercial license versions of The Patriot Biggie Collection are also available. |
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Layout by Elisha Barnett
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Edgers Biggie are also available. |
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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.
I'd Rather Be a Could-Be If I Cannot Be an Are
Friday, October 7, 2011
IN TODAY'S ISSUE:
- What's New in the Scrap Girls Boutique?
- Life Muse by Ro
- Scrap Girls Club
- Tips from the Pros: Designer Do-Over
- Designer Freebie
- What's Happening at Scrap Girls?
- Ongoing Opportunities for YOU
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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 fourth quarterly drawing winner will be announced in the Saturday, January 7th 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*
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I'd Rather Be a Could-Be If I Cannot Be an Are
"Hurry up," he demanded. "You're going to make us miss our train."
"We have plenty of time, dear," I replied as I looked through my suitcase, wondering if I had packed everything. "Relax."
He began pacing around the hotel room. "We don't have time. You have got to come now."
I sighed. "We are on vacation. Why are you in such a dither today?"
"Because I don't want your doodling about to make us miss the train."
I looked at my watch and gasped. He was right! At that very moment, I heard the train horn blow in the distance. I immediately began to cry hysterically. My stalling was going to ruin our trip.
We ran for the elevator and mentally pushed the machine to get us to the lobby more quickly. When we got to the front of the hotel and explained our situation, the bell captain said, "It's okay. Why don't you go down to the station? The train may still be there."
We started running through the streets, but our progress was hampered when I started tripping and falling down. As we got close to the station, to our horror, we saw the train start to move. A cab driver, who was watching us with amusement said, "Missed your train?"
I nodded at him in misery.
He urged, "Get in. I'll drive you to the next stop."
Thoughts of how expensive that would be ran through my mind, but I decided that since we were on vacation, I would throw caution to the wind and put the bill on my credit card. I would go for it and have fun.
The cab driver drove fast alongside the train, attempting to chase it down. As the car sped along, Gary and I looked out the backseat windows and saw the landscape begin to blur as the car began to move faster and faster. Then the car began to drive on a road right next to the train track, and the driver engaged in a race. He was determined to beat the train to the next station. Faster and faster and faster we went. I held onto Gary and looked at him with fear in my eyes. Suddenly, Gary started to feel very squishy and soft. I looked down and saw that his hand had turned into a pillow.
I was in bed - and the dream was over.
As I often do when I have interesting dreams such as this, I rolled over and grabbed the notebook I use to jot them down. I often write with my eyes closed because I have learned that I remember the details a little bit better before I move completely out of a dream state. I have also learned that if I don't write down my dream, it usually flits away, never to be recalled, and the opportunity to learn from the experience is lost.
As I have considered this particular dream, the message became clear. "Stop doodling around making that decision," I told myself. "Quit taking so long to get ready and just get on with it. If you don't, you are going to miss opportunities that are meant to be yours."
Milton Berle once wrote this little ditty, which is very pertinent to this discussion.
I'd rather be a could-be if I cannot be an are;
Because a could-be is a maybe who is reaching for a star.
I'd rather be a has-been than a might-have-been, by far;
For a might-have-been has never been,
But a has-been was once an are.
So let's go... go... go.... Catch that train while we can!
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!
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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:
October's Scrap Girls Club designed for you by Cherise Oleson
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 Layout by Becca Hauck using October's Scrap Girls Club larger view |
 Layout by Rozanne Paxman using October's Scrap Girls Club larger view |
 Layout by Charlene Crowder using October's Scrap Girls Club larger view |
Designer Do-Over
When I first began digital scrapbooking, there were so many techniques I wanted to learn. Often, I would create a page using the techniques, then I'd look for a photo that I could work in. While this served me well to learn, it really didn't do much for my family photo album.
Below, you can see one of those layouts. I like a lot of things about it, but it has never looked right to me. Even though it is an important photo to me, the layout never made it into the family album.
This layout was an early lesson in weaving ribbons and blending photos, two techniques that I use frequently today. However, I made some big design mistakes, including some mistakes that distract from what should be the most important part of the layout - the photo.
First, I looked at the pink backpack and used pink as an accent color. But what I really love here is my daughter's green top and blue jeans with the lush green foliage and the waterfall, not the backpack. Secondly, I've placed the embellishments and the title around the page in a manner that draws the eye away from the photo. Even now, my eye goes directly to where the ribbons intersect.
I want to re-do this layout using the techniques I learned in the original, along with techniques and design concepts that I've learned since, but this time I'm making the photo the star.
Layout by Elisha Barnett
The Do-Over
First, I blended the photo into a more neutral paper with branches and leaves that support the theme. This time, though, instead of painstakingly erasing the edges of the photo, I got the same effect quickly and easily by using a paper template as a mask. I applied a style to the photo that lightened it up a bit and helped that pink backpack fade out.
Next, I found a couple of ribbons in a blue and green that will compliment the important colors in the photo. I chose curled, flowing ribbons rather than straight, and placed them to mimic the casual angle of the subject. To weave them together, I used the technique I learned on the original - sandwiching the blue ribbon between two copies of the green ribbon, and erasing away the top ribbon where I wanted the blue to appear on top.
Next, I added a title and some identifier tags, along with a few more embellishments. In the original layout, my title tag drew the eye away from the photo. This time, I kept the title and identifier tags in with the ribbon grouping. This grouping serves to anchor the photo.
To finish the layout, I tucked in a branch and scattered some leaves to mimic the background paper and support the natural, woods-y theme. I ended up using the same techniques and photo placement as in the original layout, but now it's the photo that really shines!
Finally, this layout will be printed and put in the family album.
Layout by Elisha Barnett
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Background Blenders II Biggie, Well Loved Collection Biggie, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Subtle Photos 7601 Biggie and ScrapSimple Tools - Scripts: Jumble 6301 are also available. |
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Article written by Elisha Barnett
Learn to make digital scrapbooking layouts and more! – Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed Ready to learn advanced techniques? – MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed |
Layout by Syndee Nuckles
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Designer Freebie by Syndee Nuckles coordinates with her Alphabetica Collection
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Butterfly Shadows 6301 Mini are also available. |
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Today's freebie designed by Syndee Nuckles
* 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, October 7th - 9:00AM MDT
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!
Recipe Swap Chat
Saturday, October 8th - 7:00PM MDT
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!
ScrapSimple Club Chat
Monday, October 10th - 7:00PM MDT
Join April (April Showers) and Shannon (tinkerbell11) on Monday, October 10th at 7pm 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 you could be chosen to be featured in the Newsletter and receive a prize? 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!
Life Moments Chat
Tuesday, October 11th - 6:00PM MDT
Join Shannon (tinkerbell11) in the chat room for a Life Moments Chat. These chats are meant to get you started on layouts about yourself. Earlier in the day, a layout idea will be posted for you to get a jump start.
New Member Chat
Tuesday, October 11th - 7:00PM MDT
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.
October Message Board Game: Product Picks
Join us for a new game in October, where we encourage you to stroll through the aisles of the boutique and do a little window shopping!
Each Monday through Saturday in October, a member of the Welcoming Committee will post the name of one or two product designers in the Product Picks game thread. You will then head to the Scrap Girls Boutique and navigate to that particular designer's product pages. Choose any of their products (your favorite product, one you like, or one you wish you owned), then head over to the Product Picks game thread and share the product name, Boutique link, and a brief explanation of why you chose that product.
At the end of the month, members who haves posted links to 42 products (one for each designer) will be entered in a drawing for one of three $10 Gift Certificates. Members who have posted links to 16-41 products will be entered in a drawing for one of two $5 Gift Certificates. And members who have posted links to 10-15 products will be entered in a drawing for one of two $3 Gift Certificates.
For complete details, visit the Monthly Message Board Games folder on the Scrap Girls Forum.
October Monthly Layout Contest: October is all about color! Show us those fabulous fall colors or spring colors for our Southern Hemisphere members! Maybe you have a favorite color you'd like to showcase or a very colorful photo to scrap. Remember, it's all about colors! Share those layouts in the October Monthly Layout Gallery before Midnight MT on October 31st. Be sure to list your credits in the description or under the EXIF Properties. Two layouts will be selected to win a $10 Gift Card 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!