Information

[FairyMouseMom]

Happy New Year to all of you out there!  I hope that 2008 will have wonderful things in store for all of you.The Creative Team would like to help start it out on a good note....filled with a bunch of new challenges to keep you busy and motivate you to get layouts, among some other items, done.* * * * * * * * * *

AD INSPIRATION CHALLENGE by MamaK321 (Kristianne)

Inspiration:  the act of influencing or suggesting opinions : to draw forth or bring out : an inspiring agent or influenceAd inspiration is like a step up from sketches. There is a basic sketch that you can pull out and use on your own layout but there are also a few other pieces to take inspiration from such as colors, patterns, title or keywords, theme, font styles, and element placement. You can copy a design straight from the ad or you can alter a design to fit your own layout. Most ads are 8.5x11" but you can adapt the design to fit any size. Remember, this is not a sketch and you are not required to follow every detail. The key is to really LOOK at the ad and find the pieces that INSPIRE you!
THIS CHALLENGE LAYOUT:  Paper or Digital
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CARD CHALLENGE by bamablue (Glenda)
Rip it up!  Tear it up!  What better way to start out the new year than by being destructive and then creating something cool out of it!

THIS CHALLENGE:  Paper or Digital

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COLOR CHALLENGE by Beth-W (Beth)
I recently read this on MM Blog:

"Pantone, Inc., the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, selected PANTONE 18-3943 Blue Iris as the color of the year for 2008.

"From a color forecasting perspective, we have chosen PANTONE 18-3943 Blue Iris as the color of the year, as it best represents color direction in 2008 for fashion, cosmetics and home products," explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "As a reflection of the times, Blue Iris brings together the dependable aspect of blue, underscored by a strong, soul-searching purple cast. Emotionally, it is anchoring and meditative with a touch of magic. Look for it artfully combined with deeper plums, red-browns, yellow-greens, grapes and grays."

The January color challenge is to do a page with Iris Blue (or navy blue if you don't have Iris) as one of your main colors.  Here is what the color swatch looks like:

Here is the page I did using the color:


THIS CHALLENGE LAYOUT:  Paper or Digital

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FAITHBOOK CHALLENGE by Keling (Sara)
There are all kinds of important people in our lives, but some of the most important are our clergy. This month, create a page that honours your pastor, priest, rabbi or another spiritual leader. You may want to include a scripture passage or inspirational quote, or even that person's favourite "catch phrase" - my former pastor would always tell me "cold hands mean a warm heart" because my hands were always ice cold when we left church at the end of the service!

My sample is an old LO of mine - it honours our former pastor and his wife with pictures from their last Sunday at our church and the verse Philippians 1:3 - "I thank my God upon every rememberance of you." It was under their leadership that I was sent out as a missionary to China!

THIS CHALLENGE LAYOUT:  Paper or Digital


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FOCAL PHOTO CHALLENGE by Mommybruno (Cassandra)
This month I'd like to put the focus - and everything else - on the photos. The challenge is to put all of your embellishments, your title, and your journaling on your photo(s). Let's see how you dress them up!

THIS CHALLENGE LAYOUT:  Paper or Digital


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HYBRID CHALLENGE by FairyMouseMom (Egle)
This month’s hybrid challenge is to create some sort of a book, whether it’s a matchbook, an accordian album, a tag book, a paper bag album (but, not just a “normal” hybrid layout).
Remember, for it to be considered hybrid, something done via your computer (and printer) is required.

My sample will be uploaded soon.

THIS CHALLENGE LAYOUT:  Combination of Traditional Paper and Computer Digital

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JOURNALING CHALLENGE by Mommybruno (Cassandra)
It’s the start of a new year, a time to reflect on the people in our lives and what they mean to us. My challenge to you this month is to write your journaling in the form of a letter, to someone important in your life. In addition, make sure that letter is written on some sort of paper - notebook, note card, post card, etc.

THIS CHALLENGE LAYOUT:  Paper or Digital

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MANUFACTURER CHALLENGE by 4peasinourpod (Pam)
This month's manfacturer's challenge is the very versatile Bo Bunny.  Their lines are coordinating, and are comprised all sorts of fun goodies.  From albums, to stickers...papers to ribbon...brads and everything in between, Bo Bunny has it all.  They also have full kits, if you would like them to do all the hard work!  Their papers run from classic to fun, and there is something for everyone!

I created a layout using an older line of Bo Bunny that I chose to match my dd's bathing suit.  I challenge you to create a layout or altered project using any line of from Bo Bunny and upload it to the manufacturer's challenge category in the gallery.  I can't wait to see what you come up with!  You can check out Bo Bunny in the Shoppe here.

THIS CHALLENGE LAYOUT:  Paper


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MONOGRAM CHALLENGE by mayerkt (Karin)
A very easy way to make a huge focal point is to use a monogram!  Pick a letter, any letter and use it in a big way on your layout!

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MULTI-PHOTO CHALLENGE by FairyMouseMom (Egle)
This challenge will take you away from only using one, two, or three photos on a layout.  With this challenge you are to use AT LEAST 8 photos per layout (per page), with most of them not being matted.  Just matte those where you really want the attention to be brought.My sample 2 page spread uses a total of 22 (different) pictures, along with a title and journaling.  Now let me see your take on this challenge.THIS CHALLENGE LAYOUT:  Paper or Digital# # # # #OUTSIDE YOUR BOX CHALLENGE by suslvgeo (Susan)
I saw this really cool technique in the January 2008 issue of CK. Printing two pictures, one in BS and the other color, to highlight something in the picture. Not really to keen on the silhoutte one I used on this one, but you get the idea.

The outside your box challenge this month is to use a technique or idea that you have seen either in a magazine (please list the magazine) or right here at ACOT's gallery. HAVE FUN!!!

Rules: Must do a techique that you have seen in an idea book or here in the ACOT gallery, that is outside your normal comfort zone.

THIS CHALLENGE LAYOUT:  Paper or Digital

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PHOTOGRAPHY CHALLENGE by nun69 (Angie)
Okay...so now that Christmas and New Year's Day has come and gone let's see those wonderful holiday pictures.  From opening gifts to ringing in the new year, we want to see them all!



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SKETCH CHALLENGE by Pam (4peasinourpod)
This month's sketch challenge is a 12x12 sketch from www.pagemaps.com  by  Becky Fleck.  It is a fairly simple layout, with TONS of possibilities!  Please upload your layouts to the sketch category challenge in the gallery.  I can't WAIT to see what you come up with!


THIS CHALLENGE LAYOUT:  Paper or DigitalHere is my layout and interpretation of the sketch.  I actually used the dress material as background paper.  It was so much fun!



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SUPPLY LIST CHALLENGE by Jackie Pettit (Jackie)
Create a layout using only KI Lace Cardstock, Buttons, and Letter Stickers.

THIS CHALLENGE LAYOUT:  Paper



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THEME CHALLENGE by Laura Fiore (Laura)
Each new year seems to be a time to think about making changes, resolutions, breaking bad habits. For the theme challenge this month, show us a layout about change.

THIS CHALLENGE LAYOUT:  Paper or Digital


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UN-RESOLUTION CHALLENGE by Jennifer (sarahwhithers)
This time of year everyone is all about change and resolutions, but what I want to see is a page about what you DON'T want to change. What do you want to keep as an un-resolution.

THIS CHALLENGE LAYOUT:  Paper or Digital


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USE UP YOUR STASH CHALLENGE by katarria (Kathy)
I can’t remember the last time I used vellum on a layout! On this layout I punched flowers from blue vellum and layered them over the flowers I hand cut from the patterned paper. I like how the vellum adds dimension to the flowers and yet still looks trendy as a clear accent!
 
This month I want to see you use vellum on a layout – you can punch it, tear it, journal on it, etc… Be sure to describe how you used it in your layout description in the gallery!

THIS CHALLENGE LAYOUT:  Paper or Digital (note:  Digital can either use vellum if it's available in a kit...or can reduce the opacity to give the appearance of vellum)

# # # # #SCRAP YOUR PET CHALLENGE by Tracy (ICanHasCherryOnTop) - Digital Guest CT
Chances are if you have pets, you have "typical" pet photos.  For this challenge I want you to scrap your pet from a different perspective.For me, my littlest kitty Lil' Bit has the daintiest little feet and I couldn't help but snap a picture of them. They're just so darn cute!So show me your favorite something about your pet. Their cute little noses, ears, and faces.  A look they make, or a trick they do.THIS CHALLENGE LAYOUT:  Paper or Digital

[Art_Teacher]

Woohoo!  You gals are on the ball!

[koala1966]

Great challenges, thank you!

[moodyonceamth]

Awesome!  Glad to see the sketch challenge back, thank you Pam!

[evilqueen]

Can't wait to get started.  I just love doing the sketch challange.

[Leeanna]

Great challenges, I really likek this sketch too!

[mommy2bean]

Awesome Challenges!! I think I may hang out in my scrappy room this rainy New Year day!

[MLee]

These are fantastic! I didn't do so great during December but with my new goals for '08 and a clean scrap room I'm ready to get started. Thanks for the motivation and inspiration!

[dundeegrl]

These are great challenges, can't wait to get started!  Happy New Year!

[bellaconsmom]

Great challenges!  Thank you!

[wahoo_mom]

Great challenges!  I have yet to complete a challenge and my goal is to complete at least one each month this year. You made it easy by giving so many great choices.

[RoseRansom]

Wonderful,can't wait~!!@!

[nun69]

Heidi, you can always do the photo challenge, that is a very easy one to do and then you could pick out another challenge and before you know it you've done 2!!!

[scrappinchic]

Looks like a fun list! 

[queenie_swb]

Great challenges!  I'm looking forward to trying a bunch!

[roxybonds]

Great Challenges.... my wheels are already turning!

[Henu_Nea]

Woo Hoo! I'm excited! I really look forward to the challenges every month. They really get me back to the scrap table more often than I think would without them!Thank you, ladies!Wunnea

[Joy]

Great examples and challenges!

[FairyMouseMom]

BTT with a challenge by Tracy added to the end of our list!