A Letter from Team Digital

Ah… October, my favorite month. Not really due to the fact that my birthday is in October, because as an adult I don’t seem to get so excited about that.  No, it’s because of the weather change. Here in the southeastern U.S. where I live and have done my whole life, October is a pleasant, breezy, balmy month until just before Halloween. It might be a day, a week, two weeks before Halloween, but each year there is a sudden distinct change in the air. It isn’t gradual, it simply seems to be absent one day and there the next. When I go outside I can smell it. It’s a crispness. It marks the end of the warm days, but in a refreshing and soothing way that makes me smile. I’m sure the same weather condition exists at different times all over the globe; it must. But for me, for here, it’s in October, and I love it.

I noticed another change this season when I shopped for school clothes for my daughter. Fall color schemes seem really new and exciting this year. There are still the nice olives, browns, and golds, but they are mixed in fresh new combinations which include mulberry, persimmon, cranberry, fuschia, and lavender.  I find myself adding the “new” fall colors in to my design plans, because they are exhilarating, like the quick change of weather, and I notice the other designers are doing this as well.

I know that on the other side of the globe, the weather is moving from the cold into the warmth of spring and summer, so wherever you are I hope you have taken lots of seasonal photos, or will do if you are in North America where the leaves are changing colors now.  Landscape photos are so soothing and relaxing, and I never tire of enjoying my own or viewing others’. Scenery is different but yet the same all over the world, so I look forward to seeing the change of your season in the galleries!

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New to DSP?

Are you new to DSP?  Still trying to find your way about or thinking about posting your first layout?  Well, here's something just for you!!  DSP Designers Bethy Nixon and Elizabeth Weaver host a once a month chat for new DSP members.  This month it will be on Tuesday, October 23 at 9:15pm EST.  Come to the chat, ask questions about DSP and how to get around and get started and get a free kit just for coming!!  More details here.

Thinking about posting your first layout?  Well, go for it!!  Check out this challenge and if you post your first layout in October, you may be a random winner for a free page kit!!

In this forum, Introduce Yourself, you can post a thread to let us know all about you! That's a great way to get started. Are you new to digital scrapbooking?

Then check out this article, Digital Scrapbooking 101!

Have a question you can't find the answer to? Well, there's a forum JUST for beginners! Post any questions you might have . . . we keep a special eye on that forum and there's always helpful people around to help you out!

Welcome to DSP! 

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New Kids on the Block 10

It's time to sign-up for New Kids 10 ! First Round starts Monday October 8th (It's not too late to join in right now!).

To participate, you must:

• have fewer than 50 layouts in your gallery
• never won a contest where your layout was chosen by judges
• never been published in a book or magazine (print or online)
• never participated in the New Kids contest. You're only a New Kid once.

Okay - so what is this New Kid thing? What exactly would you be getting yourself into?

New Kids consists of 3 weekly challenges. Each week there's a different kit provided and a different challenge.

You then have a week to create your layout. You are allowed, no - you are greatly encouraged - to post consecutive versions of your layout, asking for constructive criticism and making changes as you go. This is the most important part of New Kids!

By the end of the week, you move your final version into the judging gallery. After that, the designers, moderators and advanced scrappers judge them. This usually takes 3 days.

We do this 3 times, and then I calculate the Overall Winners and we announce them at a chat. But the general consensus has always been that Everyone Wins with new layouts, now skills, and new friends.

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Attention Dayton area scrapbookers!  Be watching for a fun event near you in mid-November!

Watch the events forum for more info soon!

Inspiration Station

Inspired?! Want to inspire others?! Check out the DSP Inspiration Calls!

Chosen inspiration pieces may be included in our Blog, Store Inspiration Newsletter or anywhere deemed appropriate. You'll find submission guidelines and the current calls there.

Want to get published? Why not start out here at home?

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Club Digital
Are you a member of the club?

Ever wished for a monthly fix of the best digital scrapbook products money can buy delivered direct to your inbox? Well now you can have it. Club Digital is the hottest club in town.

Each month you receive a wonderful selection of scrapbooking products . Something to suit every style and level of digital scrapper.

You will always receive two complete page kits, one plopper or an overlay and an alphabet, some great word art and more - a font and a set of png "stamps" for your scrapping pleasure, and don't forget the quick click template included in each club digital pack. Now club digital subscribers get an extra gift of an exclusive coupon for use on future purchases in the store 

All this for the incredible price of $5.99 or even less!!!

Thats well over $23 value for such a great price -

The longer you subscribe - the cheaper it becomes and the better value for you!!!!!

Buy a 3 month subscription and go into the draw to be upgraded to a 6 month subscription, buy a 6 month and you might win an upgrade to a 12 month subscription , and all those who buy a 12 month sub will go into the draw for a $30 coupon for the DSP store.

Click here to subscribe to Club Digital today

In addition every month there is an exclusive contest for club digital subscribers with great prizes.

October's Club Digital Content is packed full of goodies for you to scrap your fall photos and many more. This months content includes: Seasons of Delight Page Kit, Cranberry Citrus Page kit, First Day Plopper, Pumpkin Time Alpha,With a Bang Stamps (PNG Format), For Autumn Word Art, DSP Font - DSP Shaunesy Script, and 3 to 1 Quick Click. We now include an exclusive store saving coupon just for Club Digital customers.

Here is a selection of layouts created by the DSP designers using this month's Club Digital Selection.

See more samples and sign up for the club here.

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Member Spotlight

October brings us another DSP spotlight member. This month it's Nancy better known as nancyr. Her gallery is filled with gorgeous paper-style layouts of her two boys and lots of gorgeous birds.  And she's been pushing herself with some art journal style layouts that are really fantastic! 
Read more about her here:
See her gallery here:
Then be sure to check out the Scraplift the Spotlight challenge here:

Thanks for being our spotlight Nancy!

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Featured Designer: Nicole Young

Get Your Running Shoes On…We Are Going to Exercise!

Ok, so you don’t really need running shoes for this exercise, but you will need focus and a lot of stretching!!!  We are all artists, whether we just signed up on DSP or whether we have been here since the beginning, but artists, just like athletes, need to stretch! There is always something new to discover, new to learn, new to try!

Do you remember feeling overwhelmed by all the amazing activities when you first signed up? Maybe that is where you are at right now, but don’t worry! There are tons of “trainers” around the site that can steer you in the right direction. There are classes and tutorials that will help you build the “artistic muscle” that can get you started. There are “fans” joining you on the side lines and cheering you on along the way! Just stretch your abilities!

Do you feel stuck on that plateau that you can’t seem to conquer? Try something new, something that you never dreamed of doing before! You could scraplift one of your favorite layouts. You could try a new challenge that you have never done before. You could attempt a different style of layout, use a sketch, or an inspiration. Just stretch your skills!

Are you nearing that finish line and feel comfortable where you are at? Maybe you could “coach” or mentor someone who isn’t quite there yet. You could “run” a challenge. You could be the “cheerleader” for those that are just starting their journey! Just stretch your limits!

So let’s stretch and reach to those limits that we never dreamed of!!! There will always be Team DSP encouraging you along the way!

To get what you’ve never had, you must do what you’ve never done! -author unknown-

Nicole Young
DSP designer

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DSU Information

I can’t believe the year is almost over- where has the time gone? November will be the last month for DSU for 2007 as we are taking a break in December. Here is the line up of classes for November.

DSU110 – Adobe Photoshop: Introduction to Digital Scrapbooking

DSU151– Photography: Taking Better Snapshots

DSU160 – Adobe Photoshop Elements: Introduction to Digital Scrapbooking

DSU175– MS Digital Image Pro: Intro to Digital Scrapbooking

DSU231– Corel/Jasc Paint Shop Pro: Creating Digital Elements for Beginners (Pre-requisite DSU130 or similar experience)

DSU261– Adobe Photoshop Elements: Creating Digital Elements for Beginners (Pre-requisite- DSU 160 or similar experience)

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

We would love to hear your suggestions on future classes! Send your suggestions and comments to me at dsu@digitalscrapbookplace.com.

We’re also looking for qualified DSU instructors! If you would be interested in teaching, please contact me for more information.

Amber, Dean of DSU
dsu@digitalscrapbookplace.com

Get MORE out of DSU challenge with Emma Powell
After finishing your class, really get your money’s worth by participating in the Get MORE out of DSU monthly challenge. Revisit techniques you want to try again, or finally finish that pesky Lesson 4!

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Challenges/Contests/Events

Check our Calendar of Events and the Events & Activities Links thread for a complete list of all events and challenges. Here are a just a few of our exciting Challenges!

The Next Step - Have you worked through the tutorials and found yourself looking for something more?  Come join Meg to take The Next Step in scrapping!  Monthly challenges include 2-Page Sketches and Ad Inspired layouts. Also a member-led tutorial on advanced photography or scrapbooking techniques.  And if you're ready for the next step, you're ready to submit your work for publication. Current magazine calls are posted regularly and many challenges are geared toward those calls. Come step it up with us!

Gimme and Freebs combined chat - They will take place at Gimme's regular time of 9 PM on Thursdays. So, you will get 2 chats, 2 challenges, and 2 freebies all in 1 convenient hour! We hope you are as excited about this change as we are! Find out all about Gimme More Chats! Find out all about Freebs Chats!

Becky's Challenge - Join Becky every week for a new challenge!

Jamie's Chats and Challenges - Join Jamie every Monday night at 10PM EST for alternating chats and challenges! Creating from Color is a fun challenge where you get to suggest a kit theme, then give your suggestions to help build the kit. Once the kit is completed, posting bonuses are awarded to anyone posting a layout with the kit. Inspiration Quick Crops will provide you with some type of tool or inspiration and you'll have one hour to post a layout. Posting bonuses are awarded.  Check out Jamie's chat forum for further details on challenges.

Encore! Encore! Challenge - with Nicole Young. Want to make your layouts POP?  want some added inspiration for those WOW layouts?  Join in the Encore! Encore! Challenge and the SUPER Encore! Challenge for tons of freebies and fun!

Encore! Chat every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 11pm Eastern- come for inspiration, tips, freebies and fun!

The All for One with Linda Challenge is a weekly challenge/chat hosted by designer Linda Rechtin on Wednesdays, 9:00pm ET. Every week Linda gives out a chat freebie, and assigns a featured kit for the week.Members have one week from the date of the chat, midnight, to purchase and create a layout using the featured kit and then post it in the All for One with Linda Gallery. After that, she sends a PM with a posting bonus to all participants! This way, members end up with all three items - All for One price!

NEW! Stylelift Challenge with Emma Powell

If you have a favorite artist whose style you love and want to try to reproduce, the monthly Stylelift Challenge is the perfect way to get help recreating beautiful layouts.

Scrapalong with Emma Powell is back by way of forum challenge (no chat).

The Scrapalong scraplifting challenge is back! Nominate your favorite layout, and learn new techniques as you recreate it.

DET Bootcamp
Join in to stretch your scrapping skills in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. (Come join even if you don't plan to enter the DET contest - the Bootcamp is open to all!)

Our Heritage Chat with Meryl at 10.00p.m. every Wednesday, join us to work on your Heritage album – each week we have a new challenge and award a page kit voucher as a prize.

Tea for Two & Two for Tea with Meryl at 11.00 a.m every Thursday – each week we tackle a different scrapbooking technique, and your prize is a sneak preview of Meryl’s latest products.

Super Bonus Bingo- every other Friday night with René Bross. Every one who attends will get a bonus freebie and if you get a Bingo, you'll win René's latest page kit!

Beginnings with Bethy
DSP Designer Beth Nixon hosts the Beginnings with Bethy challenges and October is looking to be lots of fun! The first challenge, starting on October 1st, will feature Winging It. - a fun, retro-styled kit filled with unique elements. Check out the forum for the details on the challenge and see how you can get the coordinating add-on, with more great birds and backgrounds, as a free posting bonus!

But there's more!! There'll also be a challenge featuring a gorgeous fall kit. Rich tones, elegant elements.  And if you use the first kit, you'll get a complete coordinating second kit as your posting bonus!!  That's right TWO kits for the price of one when you jump in on the challenge!!  And more!  Beth has put together a really unique Halloween themed kit and add-on.  She'll be running a bonus challenge the week before Halloween and the week after giving you the chance to use the kit and get the add-on as a posting freebie!!  And you WILL want these!  Fun pieces that will make your Halloween layouts stand-out!!

So, be sure to check out the forum for all the details!

Props and Prompts
Each month DSP Designers Elizabeth Weaver and Bethy Nixon co-host a chat and challenge.  In October there will be two featured kits.  Come to the chat on October 9 at 9:15pm EST to find out all the details!! Or, check out the forum here.

This month we will be featuring Staples of Love by Beth Nixon and Persimmon and Paisley by Elizabeth Weaver.  Come to the chat to get the coordinating add-on for one of the featured kits, do the challenge using either of the featured kits and get the other coordinated add-on!! Yep, come to the chat, do the challenge and you could have both add-ons for the two featured kits!!! 

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Newsletter Challenge!

We are striving make our newsletter more interesting and useful. If you have an idea, let us know about it! If it's an article idea, a feature, even something you'd like to write, shout it out to us. If we incorporate your idea into the newsletter, you could win a free page kit! So, put your thinking caps on and come up with some new features, article ideas, or something fun you'd like to see in our monthly newsletter. Then email it to comments@dsplace.com. (Please type "Newsletter IDEA" in the subject line of your email.) We can't wait to see your ideas!

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Item 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, a random drawing, chances at a free fonting, you never know! Check it out this week! The Item of the Week for October 8th is Just Married, from the Scraps of Life - Milestones CD.

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What's New in the DSP Store?

Scraps of Life - Milestones Scraps of Life - Milestones (downloadable)	Scraps of Words - Milestones Scraps of Words - Milestones (downloadable)
Jacquard Keepsakes 25% Off These products are jacquard woven, never printed, 100% cotton, machine washable and will not fade! Blankets, wall hangings, pillows and tote bags. It's not too soon to be thinking of holiday gifts!	Photobook Creator $125.99  $107.09 Save: 15% off Use this PhotoBook Creator with the PhotoBook Covers in White or Black to create high quality hardbound books at home in just 90 seconds! It's not too soon to be thinking of holiday gifts!

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The Newsletter Desktop Calendar Plopper

A newsletter exclusive! Specially designed ploppers for your computer desktop. This month's offering is by Nicole Young, using her Sweet Autumn page kit.

Download the plopper:
Both 1024x768 & 800x600 are included.

And just like any of our ploppers, put your photos on a layer underneath the desktop plopper. Angle and size them as you please, add journaling, and save it as a jpg. Then update your desktop wallpaper background by browsing to your new image! Voilà! Favorite photos matched with this month's calendar to help keep you up-to-date all month! Look for a new one each month in our newsletter!

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