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Of Hills and Mountains
Saturday, June 18, 2011
IN TODAY'S ISSUE:
- 40% off Brush Sets! Two Days Only!
- Cute Stuff
- You Speak Out
- Technology Saturday: Using Grids and Guidelines
- ScrapSimple Club
- June's Member of the Month: Michele
- Just Because It's Fun
- Designer Freebie
- What's Happening at Scrap Girls?
- Ongoing Opportunities for YOU
GENERAL INFORMATION
Support Center We Accept:
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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 hello@scrapgirls.com 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 hello@scrapgirls.com. 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 hello@scrapgirls.com:
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 second quarterly drawing winner will be announced in the Saturday, July 9th Newsletter. Suggest a Challenge, Win a Prize! Have a great idea for a Gallery layout challenge? Submit it to challenges@scrapgirls.com. 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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Of Hills and Mountains
Recently I took up cycling. It was a choice partially made for me since I decided I was going to take my daughter to school, and she wanted to ride her bike instead of having me drive her there.
The first day after leaving her at the school, I just kept going. I rode all the way to a bird preserve in the area where there's not much traffic. I was surprised by a small hill on the way back, since getting there hadn't been that hard. I went around a neighborhood, so I wouldn't be in the kids' way, and then after 8:50, I was home free. It was exhilarating and amazing.
Since then I've graduated to longer rides and more sophisticated roads. Even though I still go to the bird preserve, I'm taking longer to get back home and have added more miles to my route.
However, it's still surprising to come to a hill. The climb just kills me. Sometimes I can see the hill coming up, so I've decided the only way to conquer it is by attacking it. My approach is simple: Pedal harder and faster and try not to lower my gears. I just keep going until I'm almost at the top of the hill, then I can slow down a bit. It's a killer on the legs, but after a few days, they can handle it.
At other times, the hills sneak up on me. In the dark, the only help I have is a small light attached to my bike. When I realize my breathing is more labored, then I start pedaling harder. However, it's more difficult because I wasn't prepared to meet it head-on. The hill had an advantage over me.
I think our personal experiences in life are that way. Sometimes they sneak up on us when we least expect them. We have to labor hard to overcome them. Other times we can see a hardship coming our way, or we have prepared wisely for an unexpected event, and we can survive the experience, feeling better for doing so.
Recently, I crested a personal hill myself. I consider myself "at the hill" actually. I was asked by someone younger about the view from my perspective. I told him that it was wonderful. Even so, I didn't have the heart to tell him that there were more hills coming, that the one I am at is not the last one, even if from his point of view, it seems far away and somewhat unimportant. I can also see all the other hills and mountains I've crested and left behind through the years. And when I do that, I feel like I accomplished so much.
So, how do you tackle your hills or mountains? Can you see what you left behind? Does it make you sad or happy?
Thanks for the chance to pedal along with you.
- Patricia Gardner
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 hello@scrapgirls.com. If it is selected for publication in the Scrap Girls newsletter, you'll get to have fun shopping!
Straight Talk: Using Guidelines to Line Up Your Supplies on Your Layout
Are you on the constant lookout for ways to make things less complicated and less time-consuming, especially when it comes to digital scrapbooking? I know I am, and one of the things that I can spend huge amounts of time on is trying to line things up on my layouts and projects. Does this sound at all familiar? Thank goodness for guidelines and grids which come to our rescue!
I like to use both a Grid and Guidelines together, depending on my project. To add a grid to your layout, go to View> Show> Grid (Photoshop CS5). In Photoshop Elements, go to View> Grid.
A grid will be added to your document.
The default is in one-inch increments, but you can change that in the Photoshop Preferences pane.
Go to Photoshop> Preferences> Guides, Grids & Slices for Mac users or Edit> Preferences> Guides, Grids & Slices for PC users. (In PSE, click on the vertical or horizontal ruler that is at the edge of your layout to go to Preferences> Guides & Grid, then adjust your guideline increments as desired.) You can also change the color of the grid and guidelines so they will show up better depending on the color of your background.
Now, you could just use the grid lines to line up your elements like I did below, but using guidelines will make it a snap!
To add a guideline to your layout, go to View> New Guide.
A pop-up will appear that allows you to place your guidelines horizontally or vertically and in whatever increments you choose.
The best thing about using guides is that you can select the Snap-to Guides feature!
The snap-to feature is a magic little tool that will "snap" the element or even a photo to the closest guideline as you are moving it. You will really notice this feature in action if you have several guidelines set up on your layout.
A quicker way to set up guidelines is to turn on your rulers, go to View> Rulers or use the shortcut Cmd+R (Mac) or Ctrl+R (PC). Now click on the ruler either on the side or the top, left-click your mouse, and hold then drag out your guideline. As you see below, I have added both a vertical and horizontal guideline. You can drag out as many as desired. I turned on the grid to make sure my spacing was precise.
Using grids and guidelines work wonderfully for lining up embellishments, titles, journaling, photos, and just about anything. I hope this helps speed up your process and gives you even more time to scrap!
Until next time!
- Syndee
Technology Saturday is a weekly column focusing on all sorts of gear, gadgets, and software from the digital scrapbooking world. Stay tuned each week as a Scrap Girls' team member brings you software reviews, organizing tips, printing and scanning techniques, and much more!
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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). With the ScrapSimple Club, you will receive:
A commercially licensed version of the ScrapSimple Club is also available here. June's ScrapSimple Club has been created for you by Brandy Murry and Syndee Nuckles |
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But that's not all! ScrapSimple Club members now receive these exclusive, club-only items!
and two Club Exclusive tutorials! |
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 Layout by Brandy Murry using June's ScrapSimple Club larger view |
 Layout by Armi Custodio using June's ScrapSimple Club larger view |
 Layout by Brandy Murry using June's ScrapSimple Club larger view |
Michele
Scrap Girls' Member of the Month - June 2011
Member Name: Reminiscing
1. What program do you use to do your digital scrapbooking?
I used Photoshop Elements 5 (PSE5) until last November, when I took advantage of Adobe's Black Friday sale, and I finally upgraded to PSE9. I adjusted easily, I'm happy with it, and I'm glad I skipped all the problems I read about the other version in between.
2. Are you a Mac or a PC?
Again, I have recently switched. After 18 years using PCs, I bought my first Mac at the beginning of May. It has been easy to make the switch, but I'm still working on reorganizing my scrap stash, which used to be split up between PC and external hard drive (EHD), and sloppily backed up.
3. Tell us the make and model of digital camera that you use.
This month I celebrate the anniversary of my first DSLR purchase, a Canon Rebel T1i. Happily, I do feel my photography has improved a little in the last year.
4. Name one thing that every beginning digital scrapbooker should know.
Play around with PSE (or whatever editing program) without fear – there's always Control+Z (Undo) – as much as you can because the more you do, the more you will learn.
5. If you could be transformed into a digital scrapbooking embellishment, what would you choose and why?
This is such a hard question for me. After much pondering, I think maybe I'm word art, because I love language - and writing and quotes too!
6. What time of day do you find that you do your best scrapbooking?
Any time that I can be alone, but since that is not often (being a homeschooling mom), the earlier in the day, the better. I'm a morning bird.
7. What is your favorite snack?
Again, this was hard for me to decide. Sometimes I want salty, usually potato chips, and sometimes I want sweet – I love cookies – and I also think leftovers from favorite dinners make excellent snacks (like the sweet potato and sausage dinner I made this week and ate four times in two days).
8. What is your least favorite household chore?
I would like to never have to clean the bathroom.
9. Finish this sentence. "I couldn't live without..."
...my husband.
10. What's your current favorite layout that you've done?
Layout by Reminiscing
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Commercial license versions of JIF 6: Loved are also available. |
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Saturday Newsletter Challenge
Every third Saturday of the month, Ro will have a Newsletter-exclusive layout challenge for you! Post your layouts in this Gallery by the following Wednesday at 11pm MT (don't forget to list the supplies you've used!), and if your layout is chosen to appear in next Saturday's Newsletter, you will be awarded a $10 Gift Certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique!
Ready for today's challenge? Dig into your stash of digital scrapbooking papers and select three different papers to work with. I know, I know, how are you ever supposed to limit yourself to just three papers? This will be the hardest part of the challenge. Take those three winning papers and create a layout. Something fun. Something elegant. Something energetic. Something wonderful. The sky's the limit!
Here are just a few product suggestions to get you started...
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Commercial license versions of Embossed Vellum Paper and Old Lace Flowers Paper Biggie are also available. |
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Weekly Layout Winners
Layout by PhotoshopScrapper
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Commercial license versions of Scenic Route Collection Biggie and Scenic Route Word Art Mini are also available. |
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Layout by Belle
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501 and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Inked Edges 1801 Mini are also available. |
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Want to see your layouts make an appearance in the Scrap Girls newsletter?
Simply post your digital or paper layouts that use Scrap Girls products in our online Gallery, and if we choose your layout to be featured in the Saturday Newsletter, you'll win a prize! To be considered, don't forget to list the Scrap Girls products that you used in your layout.
Congratulations to this week's selectees. Please email prizes@scrapgirls.com to receive your gift!
Want to see past winners of the Weekly Layout Contest? Visit the Weekly Layout Winners Gallery on our Message Board!
June's Scrap Girls Club Concepts Layout Contest Winner
Layout by bjc
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These 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.
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Commercial license versions of Lettering Delights Long Hand Font are also available. |
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Congratulations, Bobbie (bjc)!! We loved your layout so much we had to share it with everybody! Bobbie receives a $5 Gift Certificate for her layout using June's Scrap Girls Club! Congratulations!
Congratulations to this Club's winner. Please email prizes@scrapgirls.com to receive your gift!
Want to see past winners of the Scrap Girls Club Concepts Contest? Visit the Scrap Girls Club Concepts Winners Gallery on our Message Board!
Layout by Ro
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Designer Freebie by Ro coordinates with her Scrapbook Quotes: The right quote for your scrapbook layouts
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Photo Fix 2202 and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Velvet Glitter 2201 Super Biggie are also available. |
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Today's freebie designed by Rozanne Paxman
* 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 - Early Edition
Tuesday, June 21st - 1:00PM MT
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 here for the Scrap Girls Chat Room. You will need Javascript enabled to access the Chat Room.
Faith Journey Chat
Tuesday, June 21st - 6:00PM MT
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!
Life Moments Chat
Tuesday, June 21st - 7:00PM MT
Join Theresa (tiza126) for another Life Moments Crop! This crop focuses on you, the scrapper, creating a scrapbook one layout at a time. The theme for this chat will be posted on the Message Board on the day of the chat. Hope to see you there at 7pm MT!
East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, June 22nd - 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 June 22nd, 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!
U.F.O Chat
Thursday, June 23rd - 6:00PM MT
Everyone has them - those projects you started but just haven't gotten around to finishing! Join Shannon (tinkerbell11) and our guest this month Amy (mimes1) one of our very talented Layout Artists in the chatroom at 6pm MT to talk about all of them. Post your layouts in the Unfinished Objects Layouts Gallery before the chat so we can get Amy's input and also get help from the everyone in the Chat.
June Message Board Game: Re-JUNE-venate!
We helped you jumpstart your January and now it's time to re-JUNE-venate your focus on scrapbooking! Join us on the Forum this month for "Re-JUNE-venate!" This is a Meassage Board game and challenge that focuses on taking time to scrapbook regularly despite the little speedbumps of life. When the month is over, you'll have several completed layouts and will have been challenged and treated to some fun along the way... with prize opportunities thrown in as well!
A member of the Welcoming Committee will post a mini-challenge or task each day Monday through Saturday from June 1st - 30th. The tasks will be formatted in LARGE PURPLE FONT for ease of locating them in the game thread as it grows. Some tasks will require Message Board participation, email responses or gallery posting. Read each daily task carefully to see what is required of you.
Those who complete all tasks and submit or post required participation will be entered in a drawing to win one of three $10 Gift Certificates to the Scrap Girls Boutique! Those who complete just the layouts will be entered in a drawing to win one of two $5 Gift Certificates. Those who complete just the speedbumps will be entered in a drawing for one of two $3 Gift Certificates. (Those who complete all tasks will have their name entered in all three drawings!)
Join us in June for some serious scrapbooking re-JUNE-venation!
For complete details, visit the Monthly Message Board Games folder on the Scrap Girls Forum.
June Monthly Layout Contest: Father's Day is celebrated in June in the United States, but a day set aside to honor our male parent is celebrated in many countries on different dates throughout the year. For June's layout contest, we want you to do a layout honoring your father, whether he is living or not. Post your layouts in the June Monthly Layout Gallery before Midnight MT on June 30th. 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 prizes@scrapgirls.com and we'll get it out to you right away!