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April Challenges!

Inspiration from the Creative Team

This month there will be no challenges.... Ha! Just April fooling!  We know you anxiously await the newest set of challenges and we wouldn't want to disappoint!  April showers are in full swing but those clouds aren't bringing me down.  I know that the sun will soon be shinging and the flowers will soon be blooming.  Spring is on our doorstep so take time this month to get some scrapping done.  Do some Spring cleaning of your supplies and put them to good use on layouts inspired by these challenges!

Remember:

- only one LO per challenge will enter you into the points drawing

- LOs cannot be entered into more than one challenge category

- *please* only enter LOs that meet the specific challenge instructions  

Ad Inspiration Challenge - By MamaK321 (Kristianne)

Paper or Digital

Ad inspiration is about taking ideas, such as colors, patterns, title or keywords, theme, font styles, and element placement, and using them to create your own layout. You can  break the ad inspiration down to a basic sketch, copy a prominent 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 ad 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!

Card Challenge - By bluejeans7 (Angela)

Paper or Digital

Create an Easter card based on this card sketch from Becky Fleck Page Maps!

 

Color Challenge - by Art_Teacher (Laura)

Paper or Digital

This month's challenge is to use a color I hardly ever use in my scrapping and even find it difficult to use in large quantity.  Yellow....color of the sun, should brighten our spring days!  You can add in any other colors you like, but the majority of your layout should be some shade of yellow.

Digi CT Reveal Challenge - By Janello (Janell)

Paper or Digital

Take inspiration from the Digi CT Reveal "You Make Me Feel like a Natural Woman."

Use elements designed by Mother Nature. From rustling leaves, vibrant flowers, and  sandy beaches...make a layout with natural elements.

Layout by Nun69 "Abby Lou"

Digi Designer Challenge - By MamaK321 (Kristianne)

Digital only 

Our featured digital designer this month is Randi Oh, create a layout using any of her products from our shoppe. 

Digi Do-Able Challenge - By davsar and Smiley-Scrap8 (Sarah and Ronny)

Digital only

Welcome to another edition of Digi Do-Ables! Each month we'll be highlighting one of the wonderful scrappers here at A Cherry On Top. You never know who we might select, and each scrapper who has their layout featured will receive 100 ACOT points! Our featured layout this month is "Found an Ant" by 1LuckyMom.

For this challenge, go to the Digi Shoppe and download the free template.  Then, use that template to create your own layout. Flip it, change it, or just use it as it is, it's up to you.



Ronny's Sample "Stick to It"


And my sample "Brothers"

Digi Double Challenge - By nun69 (Angie)

Paper or Digital

On Hiatus!

Digi Technique Challenge - By MamaK321 (Kristianne)

Digital only

For this month your challenge is to use the Dodge & Burn tools as I illustrate in this tutorial!

Everyday Inspiration Challenge - By davsar (Sarah)

Paper AND Digital

There are so many everyday objects, everyday moments that make up our lives. But how often do we scrap about them? Well, let's incorporate a few of these items into our albums.

This month's focus is Where You Eat - your kitchen table, a favorite dive, a picnic blanket.

Here is my example (yikes - ignore the Wendys!  Thank goodness they are active kids!):

Faithbooking Challenge - By Keling (Sara)

Paper or Digital

RENEWAL

Create a layout or other project inspired by the concept of Renewal. The meaning, Bible verses and quotes are for your inspiration ~ feel free to use them if you wish, or use other quotes or passages from your personal spiritual book.

After a long, dark, grey, rainy, cold winter, the sight of daffodils, crocuses and snow drops popping up along roadsides has really brought the joy of spring to my heart. With the start of spring, and the approaching Easter season, I am reminded of renewal - everything starting new again.

As Christians, we find the strength to start over again in Christ. Think a spring cleaning of the soul.

Renewal - (1) The act of renewing; (2) The state of being renewed; (3) an instance of this.

Renew - (1) To begin or take up again, as an acquaintance, a conversation, etc., resume; (2) to make effective for an additional period; (3) to restore or replenish; (4) to make, say or do again; (5) to revive, re-establish; (6) to recover; (7) to restore to a former state, to make new or as if new again.

Psalms 51:10-12 - (10) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (11) Do not cast me away from Your presences, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. (12) Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

Isaiah 40:31 - But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Romans 12:1-2 - (1)I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

"Having thus chosen our course, without guile and with pure purpose, let us renew our trust in God, and go forward without fear and with manly hearts." ~ Abraham Lincoln

"We need quiet time to examine our lives openly and honestly... spending quiet time alone gives your mind an opportunity to renew itself and create order." ~ Susan Taylor

"Rest when you're weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work." ~ Ralph Marston

Hybrid Challenge - By Smiley-Scrap8 (Ronny)

Paper AND Digital

Create a layout with photo/s that are enhanced by a digital frame. I chose a stamp style tri-frame by Little Mrs. Liz, set it up with my photos and printed and cut it out to place it on my layout.  You can also use a grunge overlay or even print your frame on a transparency to lay on top of your photo. Just have fun with altering your photo digi style before printing and placing it on your layout.

Journaling Challenge - By Dianagirly (Diana)

Paper or Digital

Is there someone in your life that you admire? Perhaps a friend or parent that you look up to? I want you to create a layout that includes journaling about what you respect about a particular person, living or dead.

In my layout, I wrote about the hard work my husband puts forth in all he does, something I have always admired about him.

Let the Music Move You Challenge - By Kimandasmo (Cindy)

Paper or Digital

Have you ever heard a song and have it take you to a special memory everytime you hear it?? Well, this song always makes me think of my Uncle Tommy when I hear it. He grew up as the only boy in a family of five girls and he was also the baby. My mom has been sending me old pictures as she goes through them and when she sent me this I knew it was perfect....have fun with this one...lots of good lyrics to use.

We are Family  by Sister Sledge

We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up ev'rybody and sing

Ev'ryone can see we're together
As we walk on by
(FLY!) and we fly just like birds of a feather
I won't tell no lie
(ALL!) all of the people around us they say
Can they be that close
Just let me state for the record
We're giving love in a family dose
Living life is fun and we've just begun
To get our share of the world's delights
(HIGH!) high hopes we have for the future
And our goal's in sight
(WE!) no we don't get depressed
Here's what we call our golden rule
Have faith in you and the things you do
You won't go wrong
This is our family Jewel

Here is my example

Manufacturer Challenge - By 4peasinourpod (Pam)

Paper only

This month's manufacturer is.....you guessed it....Jenni Bowlin Studio!  My obsession has yet to even come close to ending, but since I just got another box from ACOT packed with it, I decided to give the rest of you the chance to order it!

Here is a layout of My daughter Kiley and her cousin Anna at Christmas.  The Jenni Bowlin Studios line was perfect for it!


As always, upload your layouts to the manufacturer's challenge in the gallery by the end of April to be included in the drawing for points!

One Word Challenge - By nun69 (Angie)

Paper or Digital

This month's word is PATIENCE

Photography Challenge - By nun69 (Angie)

Photography only

This month it is all about FUN and RELAXATION…whether you are at the lake tubing, spending some time relaxing in your favorite chair reading, or getting some alone time to have some scrap therapy…show me the RELAXATION in your life this month…JUST TAKE TIME TO TAKE A BREAK!

Pick an Element Challenge - By suslvgeo (Sus)

Paper or Digital

On hiatus!

Scrap Your Life Challenge - By nun69 (Angie)

Paper or Digital

So this month’s Scrap Your Life Challenge: What is the one thing you wish you had more courage for?….for me, it is PATIENCE with my children and realizing that at the end of the day they just need mom to be a little more PATIENT with them.

Sketch Challenge - By Laura Fiore and 4peasinourpod (Laura and Pam)

Paper or Digital

Busy, Busy, Busy! That's all I can say about most of our lives! If you're short on time but still would love to get some scrapbooking done, a sketch is the perfect way to go. Follow it closely for an easy no-brainer layout, or just be inspired by photo placement and make it your own! CT Member Pam has taken her example over the top this month with a beautiful two page layout!

Here's the sketch:


And here's Laura's take on it:



And Pam's: She's an overachiever on this one!

Supply List Challenge - By Beth-W (Beth)

Paper or Digital

For the challenge you must use: a transparency, the color green (because it reminds me of Spring), at least 3 pieces of ribbon, at least 3 rub-ons and at least 3 buttons.
 
Here is my page:

Theme Challenge - By ScrapGoo (Jess)

Paper or Digital

This month I want you to focus on favorites!  You can scrap your own favorites right now (as I did) or the favorites of someone you love.  Think about scrapping favorite things, places, or people!

Trends & Techniques Challenge - By katarria (Kathy)

Paper or Digital

I saw a thread in the Cherry Blossoms Forum where members were asking for ideas on distressing.  Since I get a lot of inspiration from the gallery here, I figured it would be fun to ask everyone to use distressing techniques on this month's layouts.  Here I inked the edges of my photo mats and used an edge-distressing tool on the large piece of green paper.  You can tear paper, ink edges, use paint, sand chipboard, use distressing tools, really...anything goes!  Can't wait to see all of your ideas!

About the author ...
Jess began playing with scrap supplies decades ago but has only seriously scrapbooked since 2004. Besides playing with paper she also enjoys baking cupcakes, entertaining at home, traveling abroad, and making French beaded flowers. She has a degree in Theatre with a concentration on Costume Design and remains active in her local theatre scene. Jess lives in Framingham, MA with her husband, Ryan, and three naughty cats.

Published on 04/01/2009. Submitted by ScrapGoo