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From the Helm - Welcome to SSR!
Cap'n Dawn Heath,Publisher
We have survived our first month of summer! I don't know about you but I'm ready for some peace and quiet again! This past month has been action packed with unbelievable rains and flooding followed by mosquitos. We have approximately 38,659 mosquitos in my back yard. I'm not including the front yard in that number...So, I am really looking forward to our virtual tour around Scandinavia. Such beautiful clear waters, fresh air, fresh fish, drop dead gorgeous landscapes and some of the friendliest people to be found. I think we will have a wonderful time this month with all the activities we have in store!
Cap'n Dawn
As part of our celebrations, we will have a brand new contest over the next few months! The first person to email me at dawnheath@charter.net (this is my personal email address since my SSR emails aren't working) with the list of pages that each piece of artwork in the front page collage comes from will get a small prize! I need the name of the designer who created the art and what page you would find the art on! The first person to get all 5 images listed correctly will be the winner! I have a package of stamps from PaperArtsy for the winner!
Our Designer’s Challenge sponsor this month is River City Rubber Works! River City Rubber Works dubs itself as “a fun little rubber stamp company”. They are located out of Wichita, Kansas and make all of their own stamps! And, they don’t use clip art…they do all of their artwork themselves! Wood mounted, unmounted, cling-mounted and clear stamps, they have it all, along with all that you need for your paper art! And, their website boasts a gallery, to give you ideas and get you started! The design to the right was created by Judy Cantrell!
Here is the picture from June's contest:
There was a tie between two contestants this month. In the event of a tie the contestant with the earliest entry date will be the winner. Debbie Ebat entered on June 1st and Cheryl L on Jul 10th.
Debbie you are this month's contest winner with...
"Is it safe to come out yet"
Cheryl L, since you tied with votes, there will be a prize for you as well.
"Can you see me now??"
Congratulations Debbie and Cheryl!
Congratulations Janet!
Now, if you'd like to see the July Caption Contest card, you'll have to visit Cindy's Caption Contest page! We can't wait to hear your captions! All entries must be sent to our yahoo group, just click the link below to join and be part of the fun and have a few laughs! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SSReflectionsezine/
Special thanks to Third Coast Stamps for sponsoring the July Caption Contest! We at SSReflections appreciate our sponsors so much! We love you Val!
Donalda has been busy organizing such awesome swaps on the Ezine Yahoo! Group. The swap featured right now is from the Folded ATC swap from this past June. The cards featured to the right were created by Debbie Ebat! Congratulations to all the ladies who participated on a job well done! If you'd like to participate in one of Donalda's swaps all you have to do is join the Ezine Yahoo! Group and sign up! We'd love to show your work too!
As you finish reading this jam packed issue of S.S. Reflections, please make your way to our Making Waves page and visit our advertisers! We have revamped the page to make it more accessible to you and easier for you when you are shopping! Some of our Advertisers have wonderful specials and announcements just for you! We have also changed our COMM policy on the Ezine Yahoo! Group and the Forum Message Board! We are now allowing COMM's from all vendors on the Ezine Yahoo! Group and message board on Mondays!
If you would like to come on board as a VIP Sponsor on the BEST online magazine for stamping and scrapping anywhere on the internet. Please feel free to view our ad rates and sponsorship information by clicking here! You can email Dawn at publisher@ssreflections.com if you have any questions. Please click here to read our terms and conditions for the legal information when advertising with SSR.
S.S. Reflections: SSR has created a store directory listing for you and if you don't see your favorite store listed, be sure to send them our way! We have two separate directories for easy access to anyone interested which includes an alphabetical store listing and location listing. Please contact Cap'n Dawn at info@ssreflections.com for more information. There is a minimal fee to be included in our directory program of only $100 for one full year! SSR keeps it's costs low as we are committed to supporting the small business!
SSR is celebrating it's 5th anniversary in just a few months. We're already planning some great activities for our big celebration! 5 years is a long time on the internet and we've consistently provided the best information on the internet with an amazing crew of designers. SSR is NOT a non-profit business but we promised to keep our ad rates down so the small business could afford to advertise on a quality magazine. The industry is changing. Manufacturers are creating more and more choices for you to buy and it's harder and harder for the small business to keep up with the demand for the latest products and that effects their advertising budget. SSR is a free magazine for you to enjoy and that isn't going to change. We will continue to offer SSR free of charge to you, our faithful readers, but we would appreciate your donations to help offset the operating expenses. We have not set an amount to donate. You can donate $1 or more that is totally up to you via paypal. Here is the donate button:
Everyone's Secretary is the answer for small businesses! Now you have the option to only pay by the hour for needed office assistance. Everyone's Secretary only charges for the work you require. Whether you need two hours a week or two hours a month, you only pay for what you need!
This is a confidential and personalized service. Please email Dawn at esecretary@charter.net or call 262-374-1491 for rate information.
Hearts in Touch HIT has started a new "Free Stamps" program. For every full sheet of stamps you order Frances will enclose a CIRCLE DIE CUT. When you get 10 circles, mail them back to Frances with the name of the free sheet of rubber you want. That's it!
News Just in from Frances! Independence Day will be here before you know it. Frances is fixing up a special for you. Spend $25.00 + $1.00 postage. Frances will cover the balance.
Liberty sheet #99
1 sheet ea. red and blue WorldWin cardstock
3' ea. red,white, & blue fibers (9' total)
3' red/white/blue ribbon
3' red wire edged ribbon
2 tiny flags (on a stick)
YOU MUST EMAIL FRANCES at fnaeve@heartsintouch.com TO SIGN UP FOR THIS BRAND NEW PROGRAM!
Be sure to join the HIT Yahoo! group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeartsInTouchRubberStamps/ and keep up to date on all the new products coming along very soon and meet a lot of wonderful crafting friends.
We also have free, online classes at the HIT website chat room. Anyone is welcome to join.
PaperArtsy: New from PaperArtsy this past spring are the mini stamps. These are on EZ mount and perfect for ATC's, small gift cards and 'inchie' art.
Also new from the 'Urban Snapshots' Stamp Collection is the Fancy Dress series and Wrought Iron series of 4 plates in each of these families. Check out www.paperartsy.co.uk
Stamp and Scrap Canada: Stamp and Scrap Canada: Read our latest newsletter online - http://www.stampandscrapcanada.com/papercraftnewsletter.html
See what's new in the shop (items added regularly) - http://www.stampandscrapcanada.com/new.html
We've got a HUGE clearance sale going on - 25 to 50% off on lots of items (most are 40% off) - http://www.stampandscrapcanada.com/sale.html
And if you're buying regular priced products here's a couple ecoupon codes you can use. Type the ecoupon code in the text box on the shopping cart page.
To get $5 off an order that includes $40 @ regular prices type: ssreflections5
To get $15 off $100 @ regular prices type: ssreflections15
If you would like to see your company spotlighted please contact us at info@ssreflections.com for information!
Be sure to check our sponsors websites often for monthly specials! Remember, without the VIP sponsors we wouldn't have S.S. Reflections for you to enjoy!
Would you like to be part of the best online magazine on the internet? We are actively seeking scrapbookers and digital designers. If you are interested in joining the SSR crew please send 5 samples of your work and a sample of your writing. Just write as though it will be your first article on SSR! You can write about a product you love, a subject that means a lot to you, or even using a color theme or a favorite technique. Send your writing sample in Word format (preferred) and your designs to editor@ssreflections.com
Please size your jpgs to 475 pixels (the longest side) so it is easier to send through email. You need to be aware before you apply that if you are chosen to be a member of the crew you agree to commit to our deadline for your submissions each month.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to email me at editor@ssreflections.com and I will do all I can to help! If you applied once before don't hesitate to apply again!
We've shared all the exciting features on the Editorial Deck above so we will no longer include it in the "News On Deck" feature of the Welcome page.
Let's start with the Scrapping Deck:
Aparna's creating minimalist layouts for us this month! Not every page you make needs to have to be a masterpiece and yet will stand out in your album. Every page does not always need embellishments. A title is not always necessary. And while we do give great importance to journaling, there are times when you can actually do away with that, too. To read more of Aparna's ideas just click on the thumbnail to the right!
Ramie is joining the scrapping deck this month with a gallery of July 4th Celebration layouts! I love this part of the summer! This is really the highlight for me! We have a wonderful festival in town at Sunset Park with the Elkhorn Community Band playing during the fireworks. It's a great time to get together with friends we don't see that often as everyone is at the park! Just click on the thumbnail to the right to see Ramie's fabulous July 4th pictures!! She's got some awesome shots of the fireworks!!
Our Digital Deck this month is featuring the editing software PhotoElf:
Laura Lou has done a feature on masking with the software PhotoElf. You'll discover that our entire Digital Deck this month is featuring the PhotoElf software! Each feature is using this fabulous software in one way or another! If you'd like a copy of this software for yourself please click on the link in the menu bar to the upper left!
Michelle has lent her computer expertise to our Digital Deck this month by reviewing the PhotoElf software for herself! PhotoELF is a low-cost, feature rich solution for people just beginning to edit images for personal use in art. Scrapbookers would especially enjoy this software because of the masking feature alone. You'll see for yourself just how much fun this feature is! Check out the photo to the left to see what Michelle's been playing with!
Ramie has been experimenting with quite a few features of PhotoElf including the masking feature! Here is a layout created using one of the photos Ramie altered with PhotoElf to the right!
Now it's time for the Stamping Art Deck!
Flo is focusing on the use of embellishments on her cards and Flo is featuring Denmark which is the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, the author of such tales as “The Princess and The Pea”, “The Little Mermaid”, and “Thumbelina”. Flo's artwork is focusing on these wonderful tales and how she incorporates her embellishments! Just take a look to the card on the right for Thumbelina!
Judy's review this month is on "Paper Arts with Creativity" By Catherine Mace published by Design Originals. Catherine was a dear friend to SSR and was one of our first advertisers on board when we were just a gleam! We miss her friendship and her beautiful papers. Judy's feature is fantastic and I know you will love the samples she's created! The card to the right is just gorgeous wouldn't you agree?
Lea's is a brand new designer on SSR and we are so excited to have her join us! Lea is well known in the industry as a designer and teacher and we have her first feature to share with you this month! Lea actually used to live about 25 minutes away from our offices but she moved south last year. We enjoy sharing local memories and of course sharing our art! Lea's sharing colors and beautiful backgrounds this month with us! Just take a look to the right to see one of Lea's gorgeous samples!
Now for the news on the Altered Arts Deck!
Michaela has created an altered “Game Box” to tote her families favorite games along with them while we visit family and friends this holiday weekend. This was a simple patriotic project that could easily be adapted into something else like a toy storage box, craft storage, bath storage, a gift box for your next baby or bridal shower, the possibilities are endless and Micheala's project is just fabulous!
Robin's feature this month is about creating your own flowers! Flowers are still the rage in our creating and Robin has discovered cost effective ways to either create your own or change the colors to what you need for your project! Robin is using the Silhouette Digital Craft Cutter to create her own! Just check out one of her altered book pages to the right!
Wendy is back! She has finished her radiation treatments and is slowly regaining her strength. We have kept Wendy uplifted with our prayers over the past 6 months and it is such a blessing to have her back. Wendy is going back to the basics in creating Altered books and she's sharing her ideas and her art with all of us! Just check out the fabulouse pages to the right!
We need more images on the SSR Interactive Reader's Gallery! So, share your work with us! We want to see all that you are doing at home! The Reader's Gallery is for you to showcase your scanned images, your photos and your digital layouts, stamped cards and altered projects! We want to see everything that you are creating! So, come on board and share what you are most proud of! The beautiful card featured to the right was created by Chris Keys and was shared on the Reader's Gallery! We hope that you are inspired by all that was shared this month by both our professional designers and by our faithful readers who participate on the Yahoo! Ezine Group, and the Interactive Reader's Gallery!
I hope you are still with us and made it down this far in the welcome page! I need to make a small announcement to you. I've had some serious issues with my SSR email. I'm able to receive email but for the past 3 weeks I've not been able to send. This means that I'm not able to respond to your emails. I've read each one and I appreciate all your thoughts and ideas! We are changing our email client this week and when the transfer is complete I should be able to respond to each and everyone of you. Please know that I will be sure to respond when I'm able. This has been a very frustrating time and I appreciate your patience as we get this problem solved!
We will be finishing up our first Bingo game on the Ezine Yahoo! Group this week! This is part of our celebrations for our upcoming 5th Anniversary! Who will the winner be? We have a fabulous prize from PaperArtsy for this first game! We'll start a new game soon. So, come and join us and have some fun!
If you enjoy blogging I have a list of the crew's blog web addresses on my own blog and a list of some of our readers! If you'd like to be included in my list please let me know and send your url to me and I'll be sure to add it! I would love it if you'd participate in one of the polls I have set up every 5 days or so. (I need to set up a new poll today!!) I do have music on my blog though as it's important to me. Be sure to turn your speakers down if you aren't interested in hearing some of my favorites! You can find my blog by clicking Here!
It's a beautiful day today here in Wisconsin. I can't help but feel the joy of this very special day as we begin another month. We're officially half way through the year 2008! Where does the time go. I challenge you to focus on 3 blessings in your day. Keep the joy in your heart and thank God for giving us another day together...even over the internet!
Calm sailing,
Cap'n Dawn
publisher@ssreflections.com
Publisher
Reflections Publishing Group
http://dawntheath.blogspot.com/
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