August Challenges
August is going to be a great month! I can just FEEL it. The CHA summer show in Chicago was a ton of fun for many of us here at ACOT and it left me feeling extremely inspired and ready to scrap. The Creative Team has channeled the mojo from all those new products and brought it to you via an excellent set of new challenges this month!
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 Scrapbooking
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 8.5×11" 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. You can use either one or both pages of this ad to inspire your layout. The key is to really LOOK at the ad and find the pieces that INSPIRE you!
Altered Object Challenge – By JulesinParadise (Jules)
Paper or Hybrid Scrapbooking
On Hiatus
Card Challenge – By bluejeans7 (Angela)
Paper or Digital Scrapbooking
I hate when I lose my scrap mojo or I just can't seem to come up with an idea to get me started. One great way to get out of that rut is to do a scraplift! So, this month I want you to scraplift my card. I can't want to see all of your scraplifted cards!
Color Challenge – by Art_Teacher (Laura)
Paper or Digital Scrapbooking
Maybe this should be called the August No-Color Challenge! I, like many scrappers, started scrapping on the actual page with a white background. Then, I began "wallpapering" my pages, and I liked it much better. Now, however, I can see that it wasn't the white page that was the problem with my early layouts, it was my overall layout. So, for this month, I challenge you to use a white background! You may use any color you like with it, but at least 50% of the background must be white. See how it can make your photos pop! 
Countdown Challenge – By sarahwhithers (Jennifer)
Paper or Digital Scrapbooking
For this challenge you will create a layout using a countdown method of items. I will list five different kinds of things (eg. elements, papers, photos) for you to use in your layout. Every month there will be five new items for you to use. This month I thought I'd throw some shapes at ya!
5 – Circle shapes (can be elements, paper, whatever you'd like)
4 – Tags or journal strips
3 – Pictures
2 – Papers (one solid and one patterned)
1 – Large circle shape (must be at least 8×8 in size and can be the shape of the layout or on the page)
You are welcome to use more than these items (eg. 5 tags instead of 4 is fine) just as long as you meet the required list and numbers asked for each. An example is seen below.
Die Cut Challenge – By Dianedi (Diane)
Paper Scrapbooking
For the month of August, create a summer themed layout using your die-cutting machine! At least 50% of the elements used on your page must be created by a die-cutting machine! (Sizzix, Cricut, Slice etc…) For my example, I've used the Graphically Speaking, Stretch Your Imagination, and Cindy Loo Cricut Cartridges! Have fun!
Digi CT Reveal Challenge – By Janello (Janell)
Paper or Digital Scrapbooking
Remember the Red White and Blue reveal? Well scrap a layout using those colors. It doesn't have to be a patriotic layout, but if you have 4th of July pictures this is a perfect time to scrap them!
Example Layout "Sean at 5" by Janell
Digi Designer Challenge – By MamaK321 (Kristianne)
Digital only
Stayed tuned to the message board for our designer this month!
Digi Do-Able Challenge – By Smiley-Scrap8 (Ronny)
Digital Scrapbooking
Welcome to another edition of Digi Do-Ables!
Check out the template based on a layout by SusanZenn in the Digi Shoppe and use that template to create your own layout. Flip it, change it, or just use it as it is, it's up to you!
Here is the template:
My Layout:
Faithbooking Challenge – By Keling (Sara)
Paper or Digital Scrapbooking
AUGUST FAITHBOOKING CHALLENGE – Who Is On the Lord's Side
"For someone who struggled with illness much of her life, Frances Ridley Havergal wrote a remarkable number of vigorous, robust hymns. The last manuscript she worked on was Starlight through the Shadows, a book for invalids. She died before she could complete the book, but her sister added the final chapter from Havergal's unpublished papers. That chapter is entitled 'Marching Orders' and concludes with the words of this hymn.
"The hymn is based on 1 Chronicles 12:1-18. In the biblical text, the early followers of David are listed: archers and slingers, experts in running and swimming. David asked them whose side they were on, and they responded: 'We are yours, David! We are on your side.' (1 Chronicles 12:18). Frances Havergal put the refrain like this: 'We are on the Lord's side, Savior, we are Thine."
Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879)
At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, "Are you also going to leave?" Simon Peter replied, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life." John 6:66-68
Taken from Great Songs of Faith, June 29.
For lyrics and to hear the music, visit:
http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Who_Is_on_the_Lords_Side/
Heritage Challenge – By JanetM (Janet)
Paper AND Digital Scrapbooking
Grandparents have always played such and important part of my life and I always enjoyed the times I got to spend with them. This month I want you to find and scrap a picture of your grandmother, grandfather or your great-grandparents. This picture is one with my oldest daughter and my oldest nephew with their great-grandmother. It's a special picture for me because with my brother living away it was the first time my grandmother got to see him and hold her two first great grandchildren.
Hybrid Challenge – By Smiley-Scrap8 (Ronny)
Paper AND Digital Scrapbooking
August Hybrid Layout: Use a digital kit to make a mini layout, print the layout, add it to cardstock and embellish. Your mini layout can be any size of your choice, for example 6×6, 8×8, 8.5×11.
Here is my example of my 8.5×11 mini digi layout:
And here is my finished layout after I added it to a 12×12 piece of cardstock and added a title and some embellies.
Journaling Challenge – By Jenn Kellams (Jenn)
Paper or Digital Scrapbooking
For the month of August I want you to journal about something you or someone you love wants to accomplish or has accomplished. My sister is amazing with children and her dream after getting her degree in Early Childhood Education was to open a daycare of her own. She is finally beginning that dream and made it a reality with a one room classroom for pre-school children. So proud of her!!
Manufacturer Challenge – By 4peasinourpod (Pam)
Paper Scrapbooking
This month, we are going to feature Fancy Pants Designs!
Musical Inspiration Challenge – By Kimandasmo (Cindy)
Paper or Digital Scrapbooking
On Hiatus
One Word Challenge – By Jenn Kellams (Jenn)
Paper or Digital Scrapbooking
For the month of August, in the "One Word" challenge I would like for you to use the word ALWAYS. I used my on a layout of my cousins and niece. They are perpetually photographed together and always will be because they are all a month apart.
Photography Challenge – By nun69 (Angie)
Photography
It's simple! Show me something that makes you just "smile"! For me it is the perfect little girl's room that I created for Abby 
{plus I am a PINK girl at heart!}
Scraplift the GCT Challenge – By Kimandasmo and SarahA (Cindy and Sarah)
Paper or Digital Scrapbooking
This month we are honored to have Jenna(Deerewife) as our GCT. Please check out her awesome gallery and lift one of her layouts. While you are there make sure to leave her some love.
I chose to lift her layout: Daddy Loves Me
Here is my lift :
Scrap Your Life Challenge – By nun69 (Angie)
Paper or Digital Scrapbooking
This month I want you to scrap one of those things you always seem to do when summer arrives! For my kids summer = sprinkler!!!!
Sketch Challenge – By Laura Fiore and 4peasinourpod (Laura and Pam)
Paper or Digital Scrapbooking
Looking for EASY PEASY? Looking for INSPIRATION? Looking for a jumping off point when your mojo goes missing? Then SKETCHES are just the ticket to get you scrapping again! Follow it exactly, follow just the photo placement, heck, just copy the cool embellishments… no matter how much of a sketch you choose to use, it will definitely make your scrapping easier! Thanks Juliana for this awesome sketch!
Here's mine:
And Pam's:
Supply List Challenge – By Beth-W (Beth) and 4peasinourpod (Pam)
Paper or Digital Scrapbooking
Ok… here are Beth's requirements 
– 5 patterned papers
– chipboard
– the color yellow (she did that to mess with me. I think my orange is the new yellow )
– a button
Here is my example
Bring it on!
Theme Challenge – By ScrapGoo (Jess)
Paper or Digital Scrapbooking
This month we're getting down and dirty! Scrap something messy or dirty. I chose to scrap photos of Owen's first attempt at "solid" foods… it doesn't get much messier than that!
Trends & Techniques Challenge – By Megamay (Meg)
Paper Scrapbooking
I've been watching the news from CHA, and one thing I saw a lot of was misting and masking. Several companies are coming out with new masks for us to use our ever expanding stash of mists and other medium on. So this month I challenge you to some masking! You can use whatever medium you like -doesn't have to be mist. You also don't have to use a premade mask.
In my example here I used punched butterflies to mask my glimmer mist.
Very cool challenges!!! Love the masking!!!
wow, these are some really exciting challenges AND a crop this month!!!
OH!! So many ideas are running around in my little head! Great challenges!
Great challenges ladies!!!
These r the best challenges yet
Loving these challenges.
as always cool and interesting challenges and wonderful examples to look at
very inspiring way to kick-off this month 🙂 thanks ladies!!
I am loving all the circles and the white space -that ad is AWESOME! Thanks for putting these together!
WoW…awesome challenges
They look like fun – especially masking since I never do it!
i think i will try one this time
I am having so much fun with these it seems like I have pics for almost ever group! now just to get started on the rest!
Great challenges this month! Thank you!
Looking forward to getting atleast one of these challenges done since I will be home and off my feet for the month.