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From the Helm - Welcome to SSR!
Cap'n Dawn Heath,Publisher
Welcome aboard SSR for our fabulous June issue! We have sailed around the southern tip around South Africa and made our way to Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) for a rest. We've traveled past the Tropic of Capricorn and the Equator twice during this trip! That's quite amazing for very large group of crafters don't you think? We stamped and scrapped all the way and just to prove it we have a drop dead gorgeous issue of SSR to share with you.
So, without further adieu I will let you read on to discover all the goodies hidden within this ezine.
Cap'n Dawn
Our Designer’s Challenge sponsor this month is Pennywise Arts! Pennywise Arts’ website is basically split into two sections: Shopping and Sharing! They carry a wide variety of products to compliment all of your paper art needs: microbeads, ribbons and fibers, book kits, DVD’s, as well as, paper and rubber stamps. In the sharing section you’ll find freebies, an art gallery, a creative team, a design team, contests, a chat room and a yahoo group you can join to get ideas and meet new friends!
Here is the picture from May's contest:
The winning quote is
"See no Evil, Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil"
Submitted by Janet Burditt!
Congratulations Janet!
Now, if you'd like to see the June 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 June 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 Alphabet Inchie swap from this past May. The inchie featured to the right was created by Lea Cioci! 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! The next swap gallery is going to be very exciting! The Ezine Yahoo! Group has been hopping with just recently with some fabulous conversations and all the talk about the next swap which is...well, I think I may just keep it a secret and you'll have to either join our Yahoo! group or wait until next month...
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 will accept 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!
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 returning to the origins of scrapbooking by reminding us of the eternal circle! She has created some gorgeous layouts with circles as the theme! I think this would be a fabulous challenge! So, this month create your own project (scrapbook page or a card, etc...) with a circle(s) somewhere in the design and share it with the Ezine Yahoo! group and/or the SSR Reader's Gallery! Just check out a sample to the right of what Aparna has created for you this month!
Kelli has created a gorgeous inspiration board tutorial for you! Well, truth be told, it's for her but she's sharing the process of how to make your own with your own color theme! You won't want to miss this fabulous project! You can see the finished projec to the right. After you have made yours can you share a picture of it with the Ezine Yahoo! group and/or the SSR Reader's Gallery? I'd love to see your version of Kelli's inpsiration board!
On our Digital Deck this month:
Laura Lou has taken on an interesting challenge that she is sharing with us! This looks like a great opportunity to get lots done each month without overwhelming yourself! The best part is that you can start it right now! You can start with June or July and work until next June or July! Just be sure to share your work with us on the Ezine Yahoo! group and/or the SSR Reader's Gallery!! We want to see too!! (Are you getting the idea that we want you to share your designs with us yet? It feels like Déjà vu repeating myself here ;)
Yvonne is sharing the emotion of the daily lives that her boys experience. She's capturing their essence in her photos and creating pages that years from now the person viewing her albums will know what is being shared. Just take a look at one of the layouts Yvonne is sharing to the right! This will be Yvonne's last feature on the Digital Deck...but don't worry she is taking two months off and coming back to share a brand new feature in the "Reflections Chapel" I can't tell you how excited I am about this new project!! I just know you are going to love what Yvonne will be sharing each month...too bad you have to wait two months huh??? ;) In the meantime, you can share your own layouts with us on the Ezine Yahoo! group and/or the SSR Reader's Gallery!
Now it's time for the Stamping Art Deck!
Flo's has created gorgeous backgrounds using the colors of the flag for the Ghana which is part of the region we are visiting this month. Flo created these beautiful backgrounds and then used different techniques to create the cards she is featuring. The card to the right is just one sample that Flo is sharing with you! I think this is just a wonderful idea and I'd love to see what you create using your own color theme for a background! Of course, you can share your cards with us on the Ezine Yahoo! group and/or the SSR Reader's Gallery! Do I sound like a broken record yet?
Judy's review this month is on "Altered Board Book Basics & Beyond" by Jan Bode Smiley. If you are sitting on the fence about altering books then this review is just for you! You will learn the different techniques you can use what adhesives work best and it will walk you through each step. So, it's time to get off that fence before you get splinters in your behind! Of course, you know what is coming now if you've read all the other designers descriptions...yes, you are correct! You can share your own altered books with us on the Ezine Yahoo! group and/or the SSR Reader's Gallery!!
Now for the news on the Altered Arts Deck!
Cindy is back on the Altered Arts Deck this month! We had so much fun with the Alphabet Inchies swap that Donalda hosted last month that she is sharing what she created to showcase all the fabulous inchies she received! Now, you can see the inchies in alphabetical order too! See...I told you this was an awesome swap! Wouldn't you like to be part of all this fun? Well, you know what I'm going to say next don't you...if you'd like to participate please join us on the Ezine Yahoo! group!
Michelle has created some some gorgeous tins as she shows us ways to create without a lot of expense! I love the tin with the bird featured to the right! It's absolutely gorgeous don't you think? Altering tins is a wonderful way to create and keep something out of the landfill. Have you created anything using tins? If you haven't now is a great time to try it and of course, we want to see it so be sure to share it with us on the Ezine Yahoo! group and/or the SSR Reader's Gallery!
Robin's feature this month is about creating inchies...the same ones we've talked about before but Robin is sharing how to create your own and what inspires you. You see, inchies are 1 inch masterpieces, a reflection of you! So, don't be shy, try them yourself and share them with us. I know I sound like a broken record here but I'll explain why in my final notes section...but sure to share it with us on the Ezine Yahoo! group and/or the SSR Reader's Gallery!
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 Debbie Ebat and was shared on the Ezine Yahoo! Group just this morning! 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!
Okay, I guess I need to explain why I have pushed the SSR Ezine Yahoo Group! and the Reader's Gallery so much in this issue. First, I want to say that SSR is FREE and always will be and you do not have to participate in either of these two options to read SSR. These are just opportunities available to you to have some fun, chat with our designers and share your designs, thoughts, opinions and participate in some fun programs that we offer. I'm recommending that you join us on the Ezine Yahoo! Group and the Reader's Gallery because we are getting closer to our 5th Anniversary and will be starting some fun contests and games with some fun prizes! The only way you can participate in these particular games and contests is if you are members. So, you see, I'm only suggesting this so you can have even more fun that you are already experiencing by being a reader of SSR!
It's amazing to me to think that SSR is celebrating our 5th Anniversary soon. We've come such a long way in 5 years and managed to come out on top! It's because of you that we are still averaging 450,000 page requests a month! Actually I say that as an average but I've noticed that it is steadily climbing each month and I want to thank you for sharing SSR with your friends and other Yahoo groups! You are the best and it's such a privilege for us to share the fun we are having with you! I know that this time of the year is very busy for most of you with end of school activities but be sure to take a moment and sit with a cuppa and read your favorite online ezine...SSR! It will be worth your time...that I can guarantee!
One last thing...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 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!
Calm sailing,
Cap'n Dawn
publisher@ssreflections.com
Publisher
Reflections Publishing Group
http://dawntheath.blogspot.com/
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