A Few of My Favorite Things
Monday, November 14, 2011

IN TODAY'S ISSUE:

• 19.8% off Veterans Day Sale!
• Cute Stuff
• A Designer's Life: Syndee Nuckles - A Few of My Favorite Things
• Scrap Girls Club
• Back to the Basics:Online Class Report
• Designer Freebie
• What's Happening at Scrap Girls?
• Ongoing Opportunities for YOU

Article written by Syndee Nuckles

A Few of My Favorite Things

I think one of the best ways to learn about a person is to find out what their favorite things are! I can totally get lost in the blogosphere when I am reading what someone deems a favorite! Warning: I have a terrible time picking just one, so forgive me for cheating and listing more.

Favorite Books:

Star Girl - This is a young adult book, but I so love it and its message. Star Girl is about an eccentric character who dresses and acts differently. She moves to a new town, and at first, she is a novelty that everybody loves and emulates. But her individuality is eventually the downfall of her popularity.

The Notebook - Even though at times it was hard to ignore the freshman writer’s mistakes in this book, it was an endearing story with such heart that I forgave him.

The Midwife - Gripping and scary story and movie. When I was a junior and senior in high school, I really wanted to become a midwife, but after finding out how many years of training I would need, I gave up that dream. I still wonder how it would have changed my life.

Favorite Songs and Artists:

Love Me Tender - Because it's my parents’ song

Endless Love - Sung at my wedding by my friend, Christy Stout, whom I have regretfully lost touch with.

Somewhere by Barbara Striesand - I walked down the aisle at my wedding to this song.

Human Nature - Michael Jackson

Faithfully - Journey

Anything from the Dave Matthews Band

Woman's Work - Kate Bush

Love’s Divine - Seal

Anything by Jewel

Pink

Gwen Stefani

Adele

I could go on forever….

Favorite Foods:

Spicy!

Favorite Scrapbooking Supply:

Templates! I love the versatility of our ScrapSimple line of digital scrapbooking templates, and I can't get enough of them!

Favorite Vacation:

Disneyland 1999: We have been several times since that first family trip to Disneyland in 1999. There was something so magical about it; the kids were small (Brevyn, our youngest, wasn't yet born). It's still one of my all-time favorite memories.

Favorite Movies:

Some movies I never get tired of: Mrs. Doubtfire, Overboard, Being There, White Knights, Sound of Music, Forrest Gump. Too many to list! One of my very favorite movies is Up Close and Personal with Robert Redford and Michelle Pfieffer.

Favorite Actors:

Meryl Streep

Barbara Striesand

Hugh Laurie

Hugh Grant

Sandra Bullock

Simon Baker - I like how mischievous he is on the Mentalist!

Favorite Season:

Spring and Summer – Basically, any time of year with sun and no rain! But don't tell my youngest son, Brevyn, because he loves the rain and gets so upset when I talk about how much I dislike it! Cracks me up every time!

Favorite Car:

One that runs!

Favorite Perfume, Purse, Makeup:

Cristalle from Chanel, my red Louis Vitton bag (a much too extravagant present from my husband a couple years ago), Chanel and Philosophy make-up.

Favorite Artist:

Way too hard, but I do love Degas among many others!

Favorite Magazine:

Real Simple

Favorite Drink:

Starbucks’ Zen Green Tea

(I secretly love Coke®, but it doesn't love me or my waistline.)

Favorite Word for This Year:

Hopeful. The economy has really changed the world these past couple of years, and it's hard not to worry. But I have made it a rule to go into each new day with a hopeful spirit and positive thoughts. It sure can't hurt!

Favorite Camera:

Pentax - This is more of a nostalgic thing for me. Growing up, my dad always had Pentax cameras, and he bought me one when I had my first baby. I think he wanted to make sure I took a lot of photos of his first grandbaby! I always had cameras growing up, but not what I considered a real camera, so it was so special when he gave me my first Pentax!

Nikon - This is what I use now. My dad is now a Nikon fanatic, so again I am following in his footsteps. It's great because if I have any Nikon questions, he's only a phone call away!

Favorite Technology:

I can't possibly pick one, but at the top of my list right now is the iPad! The world is a better place because of it and Steve Jobs’ vision.

Blogs:

As I was trying to narrow down my favorite blogs, I realized a trend - most of them focus on country life. I guess I am just a country girl in a city girl’s clothes - or maybe it's just that I long for a quieter, calmer way of life.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/

http://thefarmchicks.typepad.com/

http://www.spudballoo.com/

http://www.joythebaker.com/blog/

Favorite Quote:

Let whatever you do today be enough.

I hope this favorites list gives you another little glimpse inside my world!

- Syndee Nuckles

Favorite Product I've designed:
Picturesque Collection Biggie

I really love how my Picturesque kit turned out. It includes some of my very favorite colors! I love the dreamy quality on some of the papers and then the stark contrast of some old wood-textured papers.

Layout by Syndee Nuckles
larger view

The first two products are included in this month's Scrap Girls Club offering.
Members receive a substantial discount on these club supplies. They
are also available elsewhere in the Boutique at regular prices for
those individuals who would rather not join a club.

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates: Journaling Strips 2, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photo FX 6301 Mini and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Butterfly Shadows 6301 Mini are also available.

		Join the ScrapSimple Monthly Club and you can enjoy the newest ScrapSimple looks while saving! (A $13.95 value for $6.99 or less!) The new ScrapSimple Club contents are released on the 15th day of the month (or the closest business day to the 15th). A commercially licensed version of the ScrapSimple Club is also available here. With the ScrapSimple Club, you will receive: 1 ScrapSimple Paper Template Set 1 ScrapSimple Embellishment Template 1 Brush Set 2 Designer's Choice Item CLUB EXCLUSIVE! Nano Collection CLUB EXCLUSIVE! Designer's Choice Item CLUB EXCLUSIVE! 2 Tutorials October's ScrapSimple Club has been created for you by Loni Harris and Cheré Edwards Club Exclusive! Nano Collection Club Exclusive! Designer's Gift
Layout by Loni Harris using October's ScrapSimple Club larger view	Layout by Cheré Edwards using October's ScrapSimple Club larger view	Layout by Loni Harris using October's ScrapSimple Club larger view

Online Class Report

Once a month, we share with you the details of a recent digital scrapbooking class that has been held at Scrap Girls. I’d like to share with you about a popular class called Mastering Brushes.

Online Class – Mastering Brushes in Photoshop
Instructor: Rose Ann Bright

Online Class – Mastering Brushes in Photoshop Elements
Instructor: Anna Mansfield

Let’s face it – digital brushes can be intimidating! For example, what’s the best way to use them? Are all digital brushes alike? What can and cannot be accomplished using digital scrapbooking brushes? The recent Mastering Brushes in Photoshop & Photoshop Elements classes were the perfect opportunity for Scrap Girls customers to find answers to questions such as these.

Using various methods, Rose Ann Bright and Anna Mansfield taught students how to unleash the creative power of digital brushes. The learning didn’t stop there, though, as students went on to learn new ideas for using brushes in digital layouts, tips for utilizing selection and eraser brushes, and how to create their own digital brushes. Weekly homework assignments tackled topics such as how to use brushes for masking photos and digital embellishments, as well as experimenting with combining brushes with various styles, effects, and textures.

Both software-specific classes were held over six weekly webinar sessions. Students received Shalae Tippetts’ Mastering Brushes eBook, as well as various digital brushes to practice weekly assignments. As with all our classes, there were private class galleries set up for students where they could post their before-and-after work and receive feedback. There were also private class forums where the students could ask questions and share information, which was another excellent way for students to further interact with Rose Ann and Anna. Students also received a video of each webinar session.

I’ve chosen two class layouts to share with you. The first is by Toni Van Cleve from Rose Ann’s Photoshop class:

Layout by Toni Van Cleve
larger view

This layout by MariJ is from Anna’s Photoshop Elements class:

Layout by MariJ
larger view

Commercial license versions of Brush Set: Misty, Brush Set: Sun Bursts, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Sketch It PSE 8501 Mini and ScrapSimple Word Art Templates: Title It - Beach are also available.

The Mastering Brushes in Photoshop & Photoshop Elements classes were already held, however, we do repeat classes. Be sure to keep watch on our Online Class section (http://store.scrapgirls.com/category/44/Online-Training-Classes) of the Boutique to find future class offerings to help you expand your digital scrapbooking and crafting skills.

Article written by Katherine Weaver

Layout by Cheré Kaye Edwards
larger view

Designer Freebie by Cheré Kaye Edwards coordinates with her
ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Rafia Fun 10401

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Rafia Fun 10401 and Dynamic Brush Set: Path Strokers 10401 are also available.

Article written by Cheré Kaye Edwards

* 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.

Journaling Chat
Monday, November 14th - 6:00PM MST

Join Carla (CRS) and Lei (Bride) for a Journaling Chat at 6pm MT on the second Monday of each month. Struggle to find the right words for your layouts? Are your layouts more decorative than descriptive of the moments you're trying to capture? Then you won't want to miss this chat - we'll have a special challenge to encourage you to journal on your pages more! See you there!

Hybrid Card Swap Chat
Monday, November 14th - 7:00PM MST

Join Carla (CRS) and Shannon (tinkerbell11) in the chat room for the Hybrid Card Swap Chat. Come talk about the cards you received and learn more about using your digital supplies to create your own beautiful Hybrid Cards!

New Member Chat - Early Edition
Tuesday, November 15th - 1:00PM MST

Join Debbie (B&K Mom) at 1pm MT for a fun chat to get to know our newest members. We will discuss the message board, gallery, chocolate and so much more! Everyone is welcome, new or not so new! Not sure how to get there? Just click the "chat room" button at the top of this newsletter; you will need Javascript enabled to access the chat room.

Faith Journey Chat
Tuesday, November 15th - 6:00PM MST

Join Elisha (elibar) and Lei (Bride) for a Faith Journey Chat on the third Tuesday of each month at 6pm MT. All faiths are welcome! We'll be chatting and scrapping about our individual faith walk and how we also walk together. Watch the message board for this month's topic of discussion, and if you like, create a layout based on the topic!

East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, November 16th - 10:00AM MST

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 November 16th, we'll do a multiple photo challenge! Create a layout on any theme, any topic, and any colors - using FIVE or more photos! 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!

November Message Board Game: Thankfulness Game!

It's time to give thanks for all the large and small blessings in our life! Each day during November, with the exception of Sundays, a member of the Welcoming Committee will post the name of an item for which we are thankful in the official game thread. To participate in the game, you will search the Scrap Girls Boutique and Gallery for layouts including that item, and then post a link to either the product or gallery page in the game thread.

Each member who links to a Boutique product layout will be entered into a drawing for one of three $3 Gift Certificates. Each member who links to a gallery layout (and leaves love on the layout) will be entered in a drawing for one of five $5 Gift Certificates!

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

November Monthly Layout Contest: This November, let's be a tourist in your own town! Show us around and tell us what makes the area you live in so special! Why do you live there? You can scrap about your town, city, county, or state. Share those layouts in the November Monthly Layout Gallery before Midnight MST on November 30th. 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!

Copyright Scrap Girls, LLC 2004-2011

This newsletter may be freely redistributed by email in its unedited form. We encourage you to share it with others.

Customers or advertisers, you may contact us at:
Scrap Girls
10817 Highland Circle
Highland, Utah 84003
www.scrapgirls.com

Toll-free: (866) 598-3444

P.S. If you ever need any assistance, please email [email protected] or call 866-598-3444 and we'll help you as quickly as possible!