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September 1, 2006
From the Helm
Cap'n Dawn Heath,Publisher
We are visiting the fabulous country of Portugal this month! Portugal is one of the oldest nations in Europe when it became an independent kingdom in 1143. The portugese people weren't one to just stay put though and in 1415, the Portuguese set sail on an epic voyage that would make them the first to discover the ocean routes to India, Brazil, China and Japan, and at the same time founded settlements on the east and west coasts of Africa. The Portuguese language became one of the most widely spoken in the world! Since Portugal is so compact, (its about the size of Scotland) it's easy to take in something of each of its elements. For scenery you'll want to go to the most interesting parts of the country which aree in the north. There you will find the Minho, green, damp, and fabulous in its rural customs. Then you will find the sensational gorge and valley of the Douro, and then along its course by the railway, with its old branch lines that edge into remote Trás-os-Montes. If you are looking for contemporary Portugal, spend some time in both Lisbon and Porto , the only two cities of real size in the country. And if it's monuments you're after, the centre of the country, Coimbra and Évora, have kept a faded grandeur. The coast (I love the COAST) is a virtually continuous beach! I've been told that the loveliest are along the northern Costa Verde, around Viana do Castelo, or, for isolation, the wild beaches of southern Alentejo! I guess to really see all of the beauty of Portugal, we need to go there ourselves!
The goal of S.S. Reflections has always been to make the world just a little bit smaller and that you can enjoy visiting these beautiful countries virtually with us! Please be sure to share your own inspirations with all of us and we have made this even easier for you with our brand new interactive Readers Photo Gallery! If you are having trouble uploading to the photo gallery please feel free to email Diana at dianascott@ssreflections.com as she is our officer in charge! I know several of you have written to me, but I'm clueless on some of these issues! Diana is our resident expert and I'm sure she can help you!
Blogging!
Well...guess what? SSR is joining the bandwagon and blogging! We created out SSR profile last week which you can view here: http://www.myspace.com/ssreflections But, we have also created a myspace SSR group which you can now join too! Its brand new and we are still tweaking and having fun with it but we'd love to see you over there!
You can see that SSR jumped in with both feet! We hope that you will join us on myspace!! I do believe you have to be a member of myspace to join the group, but that is easy to do!
SSR is making a Call for Designers!
We are currently looking to expand all of our art decks! This is all 4 of them!! The Scrapping Deck, Digital Deck, Stamping Deck and Altered Arts Deck! We want to bring in the fall with a bang and wondered if you would be interested in joining our crew?
If you are interested in applying for a design position please send 5 samples of your work and a sample of your writing. Please write as though it will be your first article on SSR! Send all of this 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 we do have a deadline each month that is necessary and by applying you agree to stick to the schedule.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to email editor@ssreflections.com and we will do all we can to help!
Recap:
If you are new to SSR or coming back after some time away, let me explain some new features we've added to SSR! We have our Quick Links at the bottom of each page! Then there is the expansion of our Stamping Deck with the addition of the Altered Arts Deck! We have awesome Interactive Reader's Gallery! The designs being uploaded are just incredible! I hope you have had the time to check it out and even upload your own work! This new photo gallery will work along side our already established Ezine Message Board and our wonderful Ezine Yahoo! Group! If you are hearing about all these new features for the first time...you may want to join one of our wonderful areas of the Communication Deck! Our Yahoo! Group members and message board members were the first to find out about the latest news and updates! So, come and join in on the fun by boarding the SSR yourself! Have you signed up for our bi-monthly newsletter yet? You don't have to read our newsletter from the website, you can have it delievered to your inbox! The newsletter is FREE and is full of up-to-date information on what is happening on board the S.S. Reflections! If you would like to receive our newsletter you can sign up for it HERE.
We hope that you are taking advantage of our program to actually purchase the designs created by our amazing designers! All you need to do is click on the thumbnail of your favorite design, and if it is for sale it will be listed at the bottom of the supply list. You can email the crewmember directly for information about purchasing the design featured! Shipping and handling are not included in the price of the design. Insurance is required on all sales. Our featured piece of art for sale this month was created by Cindy Roland!! This pin is just gorgeous and I'm sure it will be sold very quickly so be sure to email Cindy as soon as possible!!
If you are joining us for the very first time, let me explain what S.S. Reflections is. We are a completely FREE online magazine for you with a truly unique concept. SSR is a virtual cruise ship from the Golden Era here to entertain you as we visit a new country/port each month. We have an amazing crew who create designs and share ideas with you each month from various areas of the ship. Our fly-out menu bar, to the left, can take you anywhere on the ship that you would like to be. It will guide you through each deck on this magnificent ship! If you'd like to read each and every feature, at the bottom of each page is a blue arrow and our click to link which will take you to the next page to read as though you were turning a page of a paper magazine! Each page is linked to the next. As mentioned above, we now have a Quick Links feature to help you get to where you want to go to next! We also have an into page for each deck which are listed in the Quick Links section. On these pages are ship's wheels with our crewmember's pictures inside - you can click on the wheel to read a short, fun bio for many of our designers. You can also click on the name of their room on the ship and it will take you directly to their article, or you can email each crewmember directly by clicking on their name! Please write to your favorite designer and be sure to let her know what you love about her and SSR!
If you read our mid-August newsletters or are a member of our Ezine Yahoo! Group then you know that we had a surprise mid-month Caption Contest!! We had some awesome submissions and shared a lot of laughter with the submissions! Well, its time to tell you who the winner is!!
Here is the picture from August's contest:
"Living life with Eyes wide open"
by Cheryl Wallace
Congratulations Cher!
As I mentioned above we have Julianna Hudgins coming on board for our trip to Portugal and this is a very special visit for SSR as we scheduled this specific port of call because of Julianna's heritage! Yes! We scheduled this visit over a year ago because we knew this was going to be a very special visit. Julianna is an exceptionally warm person and its with my greatest pleasure that I can share her with you. I know you will love all that she has to share with you.
We have been dedicating our VIP Lounge to introduce to you our crew in a more personal way. I hope you have been enjoying getting to know our fabulous designers and this month Cindi Bisson has some very exciting news to share with you! Please join me in congratulating her on a job well done!! We are so proud of you Cindi!
Our Designer’s Challenge this month has been sponsored Pansy Lane Rubber Stamps with their wonderful line of stamps! This is a new company and Cindy did a feature on this company just a couple of months ago! Now, you can see more that this awesome new company has to offer! The layout to the right was created by Cindi Bisson!! See...I told you these stamps were awesome!
Korbyn's Korner - S.S. Reflections Advertiser Spotlight!
korbynmay@ssreflections.com
Director of Sales
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!
Don't forget that we have created a store directory listing for you and if you don't see your favorite store listed, be sure to send them our way! If you own a store and are interested in having your store included (Brick and Mortar stores and Online stores) please contact Cap'n Dawn at publisher@ssreflections.com as we have a very special introductory rate for one full year!
Posh Impressions is celebrating this month! You can read all about it in the Stateroom feature on the Editorial Deck...of course, if you can't wait I'll tell you now. Club Posh is 5 years old! I never was very good at keeping exciting secrets...
Hearts in Touch. Have fun with these exciting brand new FUN FRAMES©. The is an exclusive new line by Hearts in Touch! The frames are die cut cardstock with scores ready in place with holes when folded provide for wall hanging using simple common pins. Simple and easy to use you can decorate these FUN FRAMES© to your hearts content! To see more about Fun Frames check out our Stateroom feature this past June!
New from PaperArtsy: Be sure to check PaperArtsy's website often as Leandra is constantly launching new stamps to play with!!
All plates are available unmounted, or on EZ mount. email sales@paperartsy.co.uk for details or go to www.paperartsy.co.uk
Stamp Francisco: Did you know that you can receive FREE (yes, I said FREE) stamps from Stamp Francisco? You can read all about it here: Free Stamp Program
If you would like to see your company spotlighted please contact either Korbyn or myself at info@ssreflections.com for information!
Be sure to check our sponsors websites often for monthly specials! Remember, without these very special sponsors we wouldn't have S.S. Reflections for you to enjoy!
News On Deck:
Editorial Deck:
On our Editorial Deck this month we have two special features just for you! My very good friend Linda Quinones went to Utah recently and was given a tour of the Rusty Pickle warehouse! So, she is sharing all sorts of goodies with you this month in Linda's Poop Deck! Linda is a brand new member of the SSR crew and her specialty will be reviewing new product and new companies with you! In the Stateroom this month we are celebrating Club Posh's 5th Anniversary! As you know, Posh Impressions has been a very special part of SSR since our launch and...Dee will be back next month for our third annivesary so its with great pleasure that we can help Posh Impressions celebrate this wonderful milestone!
Scrapping Deck:
Now on to the Scrapping Deck! Becky's tutorial is on mini-books this month. Becky has some fabulous ideas on how to use these handy little books. Cindi is scrapping the men in her life! She has some awesome ideas on how to use all those papers!! Janet's tutorial is using Alcohol Inks on her scrapbooking pages with amazing results! I know you are going to want to buy these for yourself when you see what Janet has done! Be sure to check out Hearts in Touch when you are finished as Frances sells the Alcohol Inks! (I know...shamless plug but I thought you'd want to know this!) Jill has created some gorgeous canvas creations! I love working on canvases myself and Jill has just fabulous ideas! Marilyn's feature is on foam letters! Just check out the awesome design to the right and you can see how wonderful these stamps are. Congratulations Marilyn on the birth of your new granddaughter Hailey!! What a gorgeous picture!! Stacie has taken the month of September off because of a family commitment but she will be back next month!
Digital Deck:
On our Digital Deck this month, you will find some awesome ideas! Dyan's tutorial this month is Texture Brushes in Paint Shop Pro! Dyan never fails to amaze me with her tutorials and her designs! Did you know you can download lots of different brushes? I did not. Boy, I can tell you...the digital designers we have on SSR are so fabulous at writing these tutorials! I've learned so much! Yvonne's tutorial is also on digital brushes!! Yvonne is using Adobe Photoshop Elements 4 which is a different program than Dyan uses! Brushes are what Yveonne likes to think of as ‘rubber stamps’ for digital Scrapbooking. They come with a lot of digital kits, or they come on their own. is tempting us with templates!! I just love all the amazing ideas that Yvonne shares with us!! The design to the right was created by Yvonne! It's just gorgeous isn't it?
Stamping Arts Deck:
Now on to the Stamping Art Deck! Debi's feature this month a review on The Powder Keg embossing powders! Jane Kelso Marshall is the owner of The Powder Keg and offers hand blended artist’s embossing powders. Debi's review is very informative and when you go to buy these powders...and I know you will, be sure to let Jane know you found out all about them on SSR! The card to the right was created by Debi to showcase these awesome powders! Judy's book review is "Unforgettable Invitations: Create Unique Announcements for Every Occasion Tips & Techniques to Spark Your Imagination" by Melissa Collette Giles published by C & T Publishing. Judy's review is informative and the designs she has created to showcase this book are just gorgeous! This is definitely a book to add to your library!!
Altered Arts Deck:
Now on to the Altered Arts Deck! Cindy is working with a recyclable material, Tyvek® envelopes. Now, I've never heard of these so Cindy has completely held my attention with her feature and a bonus is you've already seen the gorgeous pin she created to showcase her feature as its for sale!! You are going to LOVE what Cindy has to tell you! Robin has taken the month of September off because of a family commitment but she will be back in October!! Sue is doing this and that this month and boy is it gorgeous!! Just in case you don't believe me...(like that would ever happen!) you can see one of Sue's creations to the right!! See, would I ever steer you wrong? This month, we are saying good bye to Wendy. Wendy opened her own shop for her artowrk in her town in New Zealand and it is a smashing success! We are thrilled for Wendy's success but we will miss her on SSR very much. Good luck to you dear Wendy!!
Communications Deck:
Our Interactive Reader's Gallery! is not just for showcasing your scanned images, its also for your photos and your digital layouts! We want to see everything that you are proud of! The photo shown to the right was taken by ME! Yes, everyone once in a while I create or do something I'm kind of proud of. This photo was taken at the Chicago Air and Water show last month from the 32nd floor on just over Lincoln Park. It was such a beautiful shot and I'll be honest, I'm not the greatest photographer so I was really impressed by the finished shot! So, come on in and share what you are most proud of! We all want to see! If you're feeling shy, that's okay...come and see what everyone else is doing! The photo gallery is so much fun and filled with fantastic designs...stamped art, digital layouts and scrapped layouts not to mention the photo gallery! You can upload all the designs that you want to share with us ANYTIME you'd like! We have an opportunity to make comments and talk about the products you used and the techniques! You'll want to definitely add this to your favorites and come back often!
Final Thoughts:
Summer has come and gone. Our kids are back at school and guess what? We survived the summer once again! Now is the time to enjoy a little peace and quiet, get a cup of your favorite drink and sit back and enjoy your favorite online magazine...S.S. Reflections! We've all worked so hard on this issue to make it just perfect for you. We are always honored by your choosing to come aboard SSR for all the fun we can offer! Remember to find the joy in each day. I have so many blessings to be thankful for and even this past week, God has found many new ways to bless me. As always, we all hope you will be able to relax and enjoy our trip to Portugal! Thank you for allowing SSR to be part of your day!
As always,
Cap'n Dawn
publisher@ssreflections.com
Publisher
Reflections Publishing Group
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