The ACOT Creative Team Places The Spotlight On YOU!!!

Whether it's traditional paper, high tech digital or a perfect blend of the two, we've got the latest and greatest from our gallery spotlighted right here. Enjoy!

Charmeur vs. farceur by Gouzinette

was chosen by Jenn Kellams.  Jennifer loves this layout because of the unique color scheme and the exquisite placement of all the elements. The "battle" of personalities is a great idea too!

when I grow up . . . by MicheleBeck

was chosen by ScrapGoo.  Jess loves the confidence of this title! The combination of soft patterns and colors with the distressing really feels like it reflects the scrapper and all the little details are fabulous!

Starting Fresh by skrappykath

was chosen by sarahwhithers.  Jennifer thinks this page is beautiful. The colours, the circles, it's all so whimsical and goes great with that adorable picture!

You can view all of the beautiful projects hand picked by our Creative Team right from our ACherryOnTop.com Gallery by reading the 'October Creative Team Spotlight'.  

Fantastic job as always and thank YOU for the inspiration!

 

Scrapbooking Product Review: Dear Lizzy by American Crafts

Scrapbooking with JanetM

American Crafts brings us wonderful things like Thickers and Specialty Papers, but they also create beautiful scrapbooking and paper crafting collections.  Dear Lizzy is no exception.  Janet designed some inspiring projects using the Dear Lizzy Christmas line:

'Holiday Moments' Mini Book by JanetM

-inside peak at Janet's Holiday Mini Book

Janet also designed this lovely Holiday Greeting Card using Dear Lizzy's Mini Pearl Brads and Tidings Layered stickers: 

 

'Warm Wishes' greeting card by JanetM

View Janet's complete review, 'Dear Lizzy, Love Your Line' on our Resources Page!

Product Preview:

 

Scrapbooking Product Review: Traditions by Fancy Pants Designs

Scrapbooking with Diane (aka: Dianedi)

Here's what Diane had to say about working with Fancy Pants' Traditions line:

'You can't go wrong with the beautiful shades of red, green, blue, brown, and white and fabulous candy cane stripes, polka dots, flourishes, and damask patterns. With this incredible collection, you'll find fabulous papers, rub-on's, glitter cuts, Journaling Tags, Tags and Titles, Ribbons, and more!

For this card, I started with one of the 4"x8" journaling cards as the base. I layered several other journaling cards, added a scallop border, felt flowers, stamping, ribbon, holly leaves, and glitter.'

'Believe' Christmas Card by Diane

'In this layout, we've gotten our cookies, milk and carrots all set to go on the fireplace and it is just about time to get to bed. In the bottom corner of the layout, I've included the note that Santa left for the kids the next morning.'

 

'Happy Holidays' by Diane

 

Read Diane's full review, 'Fancy Pants Traditions' on the ACOT site. 

 

Product Preview: 

 

Scrapbooking Product Review: Parisian Anthology by Pink Paislee

Scrapbooking with Jess (aka: ScrapGoo)

The 'Parisian Anthology' line of products is the result of a collaboration between the creators of 'House Of Three' and Pink Paislee.  'House Of Three' was founded in 2009 by well known designers Rhonna Farrer, Janet Hopkins and Heidi Swapp.  

'Somewhere In Between' by Jess

This week, Jess takes this line for a spin and lets us know what she thought about 'playing with' the Paris inspired products:

'...these papers opened new scrapbooking doors for me.  As soon as I took the plunge and dug in to play I felt FREE in a way I haven't in a long time.  Those endless possibilities were nothing to be scared of and it turns out that my creativity really needed the boost I got from being to add my own colors.  It is going to be hard to go back to "regular" papers after this!'

'Parisian Merci' card by Jess

Read Jess' full review, 'We'll Always Have Parisian Anthology' on the ACOT site! 

Product Preview:

 

October's Featured Digital Designer: CG Essentials - Kim Hill

This month our featured designer is none other than the incredible Kim Hill! Kim is another designer who has been with us since ACOT first began offering digital product. Check out the in depth Q&A in ACOT Resources and take a peek at some of her latest and greatest products.

Our amazing Creative Team worked with some of Kim's digital elements to create these fantastic projects and layouts!

'That's One Big Raddish' by Kim2002

 

'Hybrid Halloween Banner' by Nun69

Don't forget to participate in the monthly Featured Digital Designer Challenge. All you need to do is grab your favorite product by Kim Hill/CG Essentials from the digital shoppe, create your layout or hybrid project and upload to the gallery.

We can't wait to see what you create!  

Scrapbooking Product Review: Maya Road

Scrapbooking with Pam (aka: 4peasnourpod)

Pam is our Creative Team Coordinator, but we think she may have missed her calling as a salesmen because she's always finding (and getting ACOT to carry) fabulous new lines that we may have missed!  Maya Road is one of those companies.  

Pam created this absolutely amazing paper crafting project using Maya Mist and Maya's Canvas Pendant Banner Album:

 

'Autumn Banner' by Pam

Pam cleverly suggested using the reverse of the banner for a different season or event.  We love multi-purposing!

This next project was inspired by one of our other designers - Jules.  I may even have to take this idea for the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday.  It would make a terrific tradition and keepsake for years to come.  

 

'So Thankful' album by Pam

A peek inside the 'So Thankful' album:

View Pam's complete article at ACherryOnTop.com!

Product Preview:

Scrapbooking Product Review: Snow Day by Crate Paper

Scrapbooking with SarahA

Here's what Sarah had to say about working with Crate Paper's 'Snow Day' collection:

'I was so happy to get to work with Crate Paper's Snow Day line this month! This was one of my favorite lines from CHA and I've been waiting for it to hit the shoppe here since July! The colors are my favorites to scrap with and the patterns are amazing. Add in the fact that the texture of Crate Paper is the best, and here you have my favorite winter line ever!'

'Four' by SarahA

The 'Snow Day' line is full of papers and embellishments done in non-traditional winter colors.  Check out the rest of Sarah's reveal HERE.

 

Product Preview:

 

 

Scrapbooking Product Review: Market Street by My Mind's Eye

 Scrapbooking with Laura Fiore

Laura says, 'There was a time, back in my scrapping career that I was completely addicted to My Mind's Eye papers and word embellishments. Whenever a new line would come out, I would rush to my LSS and quickly buy two of every sheet of paper, and more word strips and journaling tags than I could use up on all of the two page layouts I was  doing. Nothing wrong with that, but there came a time that I felt the need to spread the manufacturer love around a little. Besides that, I was bored!'

'My Baby Boy' by Laura Fiore

 Laura continues,

'What I didn't know, as I was walking away from my favorite company, is that I was suffering from overuse syndrome!  I didn't know that it was going to be several years before I fell in love with it again! Well, this month, I jumped back in with both feet, when I found the Market Street Line!'

'Cute Besties' by Laura Fiore

'All of the beautiful, double sided papers that I have always adored (EVEN THE DIECUT SHEETS are doublesided!), beautiful diecut embellishments, and this time, they've even got buttons and brads to go with! The icing on the cake for me, was that some of the papers are glittered!!! Oh MY!'

Read the rest of Laura's reasons for falling in love all over again with My Mind's Eye in her 'Market Street' article at ACherryOnTop.com.

Product Preview:

Scrapbooking Product Review: Wander by Basic Grey

Scrapbooking with Cindy (aka: Kimandasmo)

Cindy worked with the much anticipated 'Wander' line from Basic Grey.  Here's what Cindy had to say about designing her 'Destination Unknown' scrapbooking layout:

'In this layout I used  2 tags tied together as an embellishment on my layout. I also cut one of the Wander pieces in half and used each half. The little extra strip on the bottom of the page that you normally cut off and throw away was also used..the word wander was cut from it.'

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'Destination Unknown' by Kimandasmo

Be sure to check out Cindy's complete Article Here for other layout and project ideas using Basic Grey's 'Wander' collection.

Product Preview:

 

 

October Scrapbooking & Paper Crafting Challenges!

It's time to FALL into our October Challenges!  Every month our lovely Creative Team posts some amazing ideas and challenges to help encourage you to try something new!  Get inspired by checking out the complete list of challenges on our site!

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

Here are a few of the many challenges/contests posted by our Creative Team for September:

Digi CT Reveal Challenge - By Janello (Janell)

Paper or Digital Scrapbooking

For October take inspiration from this Digital CT Reveal: "Man's Best Friend". So let's see a pet or animal inspired layout!

Best Buds by Jenn Kellams

Manufacturer Challenge - By 4peasinourpod (Pam)

Paper Scrapbooking

The month of October is Quick Quotes!

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

Paper or Digital Scrapbooking

Nothing like a sketch to make your scrapping SO EASY! Try this sketch from the fabulous Juliana Michaels and see if you don't agree! The combination of large and small photos makes it really fun!

Juliana's sketch:

We'd love to hear about your scrapbooking or paper crafting project!

Get To Know ACOT's October Guest Scrapbooking Designer!

Susan (aka: SusanZenn on the ACOT Message Board)

Here's an excerpt from her interview:

Favorite (NSR) magazine publication: All You (has great coupons!)
Name 3 of your favorite scrapbooking companies/lines:   My Minds Eye, Fancy Pants, Basic Grey
Name 3 of your favorite candy bars: Snickers, Whatchamacallit, York Peppermint Pattie
Name 3 musical artists you enjoy: Jack Johnson, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi

Susan did a fantastic job creating projects using Best Creation's sparkly Trick Or Treat line.

'Haunted House' by SusanZenn

'Boo Crew' by SusanZenn

View the complete interview at ACherryOnTop.com.

Welcome Susan!

October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Unfortunately, odds are in today's world we have all been affected either directly or indirectly by Cancer.  Our A Cherry On Top Family is no exception.  Please take a moment to read Kristin's Story.  October marks the official national Breast Cancer Awareness month.  It's a time where there is a strong focus on self-exams and being proactive in our over all health.  The best defense for any fight with this disease is early detection.  To find out more information or ways to become involved in the hunt for a cure, visit the National Breast Cancer and the American Cancer Society websites.

Susan G. Komen's Breast Self-Awareness Interactive Tool