The Digital Scrapbook Place
N e w s l e t t e r
 

A Letter from Team Digital
Greetings of the Season to you all!

The holidays are always my favorite time of year (okay, so October's pretty good too - birthdays are always nice<g>) But the connection to family is always strongest between Thanksgiving and the New Year.

Growing up, my sisters and I had the undivided attention of both sets of grandparents. Mom was an only child, and Dad's sister lived out of state - so we got everyone for every holiday. Thanksgiving was Grandma Skold's holiday. We then went to Grandma & Grandpa Chatham's in mid-December to pick out our tree and celebrate Grandma's birthday. And then everyone came to our house to celebrate Dad & Mom's birthdays and Christmas.

Even though our grandparents are no longer with us, they feel especially close at this time of year. We tell stories about holidays past, and we still follow the traditions set over the years.

But we're also developing new traditions with the new generation. Patrick now helps his Grandpa make Swedish pancakes for Christmas breakfast (something we never got to do!) We've adjusted to in-laws and sharing the holidays at other homes. And playing board-games has become an after presents/before dinner tradition (Devon beat us grown-ups soundly last year - much to his delight!) And we have three new birthdays to celebrate between early December and early January!

So, whichever holidays you're celebrating at this time of year, enjoy your old traditions, try something new, and cherish the connections with family and friends!

Kristen Skold
Moderator & DSU Instructor

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See more samples and sign up for the club here.

This month's Club Digital has: two Page Kits (Mocha Dream and Floral Decor), an overlay, an Alpha, Word Art, a Quick Click, a Font, and a Stamp set! Don't miss out!

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Art Journaling
There are so many different on-going challenges at DSP - I thought I'd make a place here to show off one each month for a while. We're starting with Meg's Art Journal Challenge. I asked her to suggest a few art journalists to talk to, and asked them what they've discovered through their Art Journals.

from carinc:
Why do I love doing Art Journal pages? For me it is a place to discover and unleash creative urges. I had suppressed them for so long that I almost didn't know they were there anymore. The suppression really was due to the fact that I had no idea how to translate and let them out. I thought I hit jackpot when I found digital scrapbooking because I took to it right away and was excited. It was a perfect match - I like the computer, I've always been intrigued by graphic art, I've recently become interested in photography, and I have a DS that is generating a ton of memories that I wanted to capture. Little did I know that I'd also find this "priceless gem" which somehow has unleashed a renewed frenzy of super energized creative urges almost to the point that I don't know how to keep up... or which to follow first. It's even spurred me to begin to pursue non computer art... an area I had given up on. My empty unused sketchbooks are even getting used!

Why is Art Journaling affecting me this way? I think it is a combination of things. Timing in my life is one... this was the year I was determined to truly embark on the journey to "find myself". So much time has been spent playing other roles; girlfriend, fiance, wife, mother, daughter, employee... but somehow all these roles were played to such an intense extent that there was no time, energy or desire left to play myself. The most engaging part of the art journal process is the fact that there are NO RULES to follow. Layouts come from within and are not limited to a photo or event to be memorialized. It is a pure expression of "me" not directed by any one else's expectations. The challenges give you a direction to go in but often the the final result is one I would never have imagined at the start. It is completely liberating and fills the "creative well" within with new thoughts, ideas and paths that take you on amazing journeys. For me it is just a thrill ride and I can't seem to get enough of it right now. To sum it up, I do Art Journal because I want to fly... I've been a caterpillar way too long.

from LoreneHill:
I started art journal as a means of releasing emotion. This for me is its basic purpose. There is no right or wrong way to AJ. Before DSP I kept paper journals full of scraps, scribbles and material swatches. Now, I just digi it. Anything that lets out an emotion that you need to release or that can spark a new idea can be made pictorial and put into an art journal. Like most things AJ has its "fads" and right now I guess its "in". I have discovered that while my actual AJ pages may not look all that great to other people, when I'm done with one I can usually come up with a bunch of ideas for scrapping and sketching-my other love.

This one shows what AJ has helped me to discover. It's a little sad though.

I have seen a lot better work from my fellow scrappers, but because of AJ challenges here at DSP, I have grown tremendously as a scrapper. I am not sure if this helps your article any good luck with it.

from ArtcTiger:
I was hooked on Meg’s challenge from the get go. I am a fine artist by trade and have been scrapping for over a decade, digitally for one. The Art Journal challenge was the chance to mix the two worlds together- digital meets deep self expression. I had such a hard time with the first few because I am a mixed media 3-d artist I had a hard time relating that digitally. I could see it in my head but couldn’t figure out how to break through to make it work on the screen. Meg introduced me to sxc.hu (stockexchange) and the gates opened. I had almost any image at my disposal and a head full of lyrics. So I was able to combine the two to create art journal pages that spoke volumes to me...then it came easy. Meg’s offering of challenges helped provoke some wonderful work from all of us. I was thrilled when she asked me to host a week. With the theme of “Turning point”, I asked everyone to use two ribbons from their stash and a charm. I think everyone responded beautifully. “Turning point” has become one of my favorite AJ pages of my own because it speaks of strength, vulnerability and is beautiful.... peaceful to look at, and I LOVED manipulating all that ribbon!

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Read more about her here! Congrats Ann!
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Featured Designer: Kim Liddiard

‘Tis the season to be creating.... creating a holiday spirit and look in our homes... creating an atmosphere of giving... creating memories with loved ones... creating scrapbook pages to share with friends and family... the list goes on.

Life always seems to kick in to full gear around the holidays. In the whir of the season, don’t forget to take time for yourself and the ones you love. As I always say, “Be Creative!” Create memories for your family and friends.

A memory that I will always treasure is, each year my two oldest girls work hard baking goodies and decorating them for friends and family. They usually make about 30 plates to be delivered. Packaged with care and brimming to the edge with goodness, the recipients are always so delighted with their thoughtful treats. What wonderful memories for all. Another favorite memory that we shared with my mom was a simple drive to enjoy the brightly lit and decorated homes as we sipped hot cocoa and sang Christmas Carols. Although she will be gone 10 years this year, her creativity and memories live on in me and those around me.

Creativity can be subjective. Many times you will hear someone say "I am not that creative." I am here to tell you, you ARE creative and I encourage you to step out of the box and get creative with one thing this holiday season. Whether you make a special meal or a give a special gift, stretching your creativity can always be rewarding!

As you look back at your year, or look forward to a new year, cherish the memories and moments that you have right now, the ones that are in your hands.

Gifts are for the present...Memories last a lifetime. So give the gift of a memory today!

I hope you enjoy the Bits of the Season Charms I created for you for this month’s freebie! Be Creative and Enjoy!

Warmest Holiday Wishes,
Kim Liddiard
Senior Designer & Store Administrator
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We are excited to announce several new classes to be added to the DSU line up in 2007!

January- DSU175- Intro to DIP taught by Lori Davis
February- DSU290- Exploring Digital Design Styles taught by Lauren Bavin and Sharon Topliss
April - DSU332- PSP Advanced Techniques taught by Lori Davis
June- DSU192- Intro to Graphics Tablets

You still have a chance to get in on our December classes. Late registration is open until December 5th. If you are interested in these classes or any of our classes that we will be offering in 2007, please visit the store.

I'd like to take a moment and thank all of you who have participated in our classes in 2006! It was a pleasure having you and we hope that you have a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

January classes
DSU130 – Corel/Jasc Paint Shop Pro: Introduction to Digital Scrapbooking
Instructor Emma Powell
This 4-week Paint Shop Pro course exclusively for scrapping shows step-by step how to create new 3 layouts: paper style, graphic montage, and elements collage. In-depth instructions on each tool, filter, and style used to create basic layouts, backgrounds, maneuver text, create simple elements, and save for printing and sharing on the web.

DSU151 – Photography: Taking Better Snapshots
Instructor Suzanne Walker
Take your snapshots to the next level in this 4-week class. Topics and assignments will focus on avoiding common snapshot pitfalls, and learning techniques that will make your snapshots an even more meaningful center of your scrapbook pages. Students must have a digital camera, or 35mm camera and scanner for this class.

DSU160 – Adobe Photoshop Elements: Introduction to Digital Scrapbooking
Instructor Emma Powell
This 4-week Photoshop Elements course exclusively for scrapping shows step-by step how to create new 3 layouts: paper style, graphic montage, and elements collage. In-depth instructions on each tool, filter, and layer style used to create basic layouts, backgrounds, maneuver text, create simple elements, and save for printing and sharing on the web.

DSU175 – MS Digital Image Pro: Intro to Digital Scrapbooking NEW CLASS
Instructor Lori Davis
Discover how you can use Microsoft's Digital Image editor to create your own scrapbook projects. From the fundamentals of page construction, to customizing ready-made elements, to the basics of creating your own elements from scratch, this course covers it all. (Instructions given are for Digital Image 2006, but users of earlier versions, such as Digital Image Pro 9 and 10, will also be able to follow along.)

DSU215 – Adobe Photoshop Actions and Automations ( Photoshop v.7 and above)
(Pre-requisite- DSU 110 or similar experience)
**NOTE: This class is not for PSE.**
Instructor Lisa Carter
They say every action has a reaction. Well how would you like the reaction to be one click of a button and you get a Sepia Image, or Apply Texture to your paper, or one of MANY other actions you can run to speed up some of the processes in Photoshop. Learn how to run the actions Photoshop provides, download some amazing actions from the web, and WRITE YOUR OWN!! This class does have you downloading actions from the internet. Please be aware of this BEFORE you take the class. Lisa Carter nor DSP will be liable for any damage caused by downloading and/or running the actions. You can still take the class and learn much from it, you will just skip the downloading portions of the class.

DSU220 – Adobe Photoshop: Brushes
(Pre-requisite- DSU 110 or similar experience)
Instructor Emma Powell
Join me for an in-depth exploration of Photoshop brushes. We'll learn how to use the Brushes Palette and practice different settings and techniques in several tutorials. Tutorials include: Aging Photos, Paper tearing, Making Custom Brushes, Downloading Brushes from the Internet, Making Fibers, Custom Grungy Backgrounds, Using the Healing Brush, and finally, Photo Montage.

DSU221 – Adobe Photoshop/Photoshop Elements: Montage NEW CLASS
(Pre-requisites: DSU 110/160 , DSU 220/270)
Instructor: Emma Powell
Master a variety of tools in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements while doing montage mini projects and layouts. You will learn far more about your software than just doing montage layouts: tools, composition, blending layers, masks, digital painting, and more! In addition, each week you receive a digital gift that corresponds with the lesson.

DSU225 – Adobe Photoshop: Paths ( Photoshop v.7 and above)
(Pre-requisite- DSU 110 or similar experience)
**NOTE: This class is not for PSE.**
Instructor Lisa Carter
Did you ever wonder how to make a scalloped border, the dotted circle, perfect matting or how to extract an object and place it on a new background? Has the pen tool baffled you from the beginning, causing you to avoid it like the plague? Have you ever used your shape tool then resized the shape and ended up with jagged edges? Not after this class. The pen is your friend and you too can make amazing scrapbook pages and elements once you finish this 4 week class. You will be making tags, lace, eyelets, ribbon, silhouettes and so much more, all with your path tools. This class is loaded with freebies! You should have a basic understanding of Photoshop prior to taking this class. This is an In-Depth class on the Drawing Tools (Path Tools) in Photoshop. Video Tutorials included.

DSU361 – Adobe Photoshop Elements: Creating Digital Elements for Advanced Users
(Pre-requisite- DSU 261)
Instructor Emma Powell
Create more realistic embellishments in PSE in this 4-week class following DSU 261. Learn more tools to create new realistic page elements each week, and learn to combine tools in unique ways to make your own creations.

Be sure to visit our classes page for more information regarding these classes and our other great classes at DSU!

Amber, Dean of DSU
dsu@digitalscrapbookplace.com
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Challenges/Contests/Events
Check our Calendar of Events and the December Links thread for a complete list of all events and challenges. Here are a just a few of our exciting Challenges!

Beginnings with Bethy:
For the first two weeks in December we'll be talking about fate, destiny, love, the thought of it being meant to be! And it's a dual challenge! Use either my galaxy-inspired kit, It's In The Stars, or the richly feminine, Hearts and Flowers (both in the store on December 4th) and you'll get a coordinating freebie as a posting bonus! So, come join us for inspiration, fun, and bonuses!!

From René:
I'm going to have a Christmas/Gift Tag Challenge called "Tis the Season Tag Challenge", which starts Dec. 5, featuring my new kit series "Holly Jolly Christmas" (in store Dec.4). I will be providing a FREE gift tag template which you can download FIRST to do the challenge. There will be a posting bonus.

Then on mid December, I'm going to have a "Winter Wonderland" Challenge- to scrap your favorite snow or winter photos- featuring my new kit series "Let It Snow."

DET Bootcamp
Join in to stretch your scrapping skills in preparation for the next DET Contest coming up in March 2007. (Come join even if you don't plan to enter the DET contest - the Bootcamp is open to all!)

Prompts & Props with Bethy and Z
Prompts are a challenge idea, something for you to scrap about. Props are a freebie, something for you to scrap with! From now to the end of the year we're going to focus on gift making, so that you can have a few easy quick things done and in the bag at Christmastime.

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Items Of The Week (IOTW)
Each week a new item goes on sale for only 99 cents. Check out the IOTW challenge starting each Sunday. Buy the kit, use it to make a layout, post it to the IOTW gallery and the designer will have different prizes for you! It could be a posting bonus, random drawings, chances at a free fonting, you never know! Check it out this week!

The Item of the Week for November 26th is Fun & Games by Lisa Carter. Wanna make a layout about your family at play? With this kit, you will have everything you need to capture the fun of family game nights!
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What's New at DSP?

We have some incredibly fun and creative new products in the store this month - just in time for making holiday gifts!

Scraps of Fun – Around the World Check out our latest CD! Here are a wonderful array of kits designed to help you showcase those Travel Photos. CD link Downloadable link	Scraps of Words – Brothers and Sisters This CD includes 30 quotes in several formats and 20 titles to aid you in creating beautiful layout of the siblings in the family. Cd link Downloadable link

New Board Books! We had so much fun with the first batch, we've added six new ones! Free downloadable template with your order. Coordinating Shaped Board Book Instant Albums - fill up these Shaped Board Book Albums quickly with our fun Instant Albums.

mimi DigiScrap Laptop Tote Carry your laptop in style! The mimi DigiScrap Laptop Tote is perfect for the digital scrapper! It holds your computer, CDs, cords, mouse, and even a small digital camera! It fits most 15.4" widescreen laptops. The pouch for your computer cables, mouse, or camera cable is designed to prevent tangled cords. The tote also includes a key ring that snaps into place, so no more searching for your keys at the bottom of your bag.
The Microsuede series comes in kiwi with chocolate details.	The Signature series is available in black, pink with chocolate details, and lilac with chocolate details.

Block Albums Check out this innovative product from DSP! A fun new way to wow your friends and family. A DSP block album is a 100% solid wood set of six blocks that fit in a tray. The outside of the tray measures 5 ¾”L x 4 ½”W x 1 ½”H. The blocks measure 1½” square. Be creative and decorate the tray and blocks digitally! Just print, cut, and paste your favorite digital images. Or have fun and get your hands messy! Try painting, sanding, staining, or varnishing. Or do both! Any way you make it, you will create a fun, lasting keepsake that’s uniquely you.

Order Deadlines!
While you are making a list and checking it twice,
Planning for proper delivery can be quite nice.

Use the following deadlines when ordering our products to ensure your products
get to you in time for gift giving during the Christmas Giving Season.

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The Newsletter Desktop Calendar Ploppers
A newsletter exclusive! Specially designed ploppers for your computer desktop. This month we have calendars both from our featured designer Kim Liddiard and from Suzanne C. Walker.

Kim used her Dear Santa page kit and her new Calendar Grid2. Download the file of your choice here: 1024x768 hires version and 800x600 regular version.

Suzanne created a non-holiday plopper for us, using the calendar grid from the first Calendar Grid Brushes by Kim Liddiard. Download the PNG file of your choice here: 1024x768 hires version and 800x600 regular version.
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