May 2024 - Just The Gist Of It!

 Do you ever have a hard time knowing where to start with a kit? Let me walk you through just one way I sometimes approach a kit build. As a refresher, here is our kit inspiration...

When I was searching for an inspiration kit to share this month, the first thing that caught my attention was that bold circular print. There were so many things I liked about it. That is the spark I will start my kit build with.

I'm going to go to my stash and find a paper that could be a good representation of this inspiration. Remember, a representation does not have to be a match. Here are the options I came up with in my stash, and perhaps you have one of these in your stash.

From left to right we have

• Shimelle, Little by Little, Bear Hug
• Vicki Boutin, Fernwood, Full Circle
• Vicki Boutin, Print Shop, Carved
• Vicki Boutin, Color Study, Spheres
• Vicki Boutin, Storyteller, Aseebmlage
• PinkFresh, Some Days, Turning Circles
• Vicki Boutin, Color Study, specialty vellum
• Crafty Soup, Fly High (a freebie over on my blog)
• Basic Grey, Out of Print, Daily News

That is a lot of choices. One of them is all limey-green, which isn't really a color in the inspiration. In fact, all these papers have their own colorways that aren't great matches. You may even notice that the few near the end are more interpreted in their shapes.

We have bold geometric shapes as well as pie wedge style circles. That final "paper" isn't even paper, it is translucent vellum. As you can see, there are many ways to take an inspiration image.

I decided on this paper.

It is a print from Heidi Swapp's Sun Chaser collection. Why did I pick this one over the others? Even though it has orange and mauve tones, it just worked better with the other paper options I was pulling from my stash. 

I find my kit building process to be a bit of a push and pull. I'll choose a variety of things and then start eliminating pieces as I see options beginning to click together.

So here is how my final paper selection ended up.

If you are new here it can be confusing on where to start. There is no one right answer on how to build a kit. I just hope this helps you with one idea on where to get started. 

The month is young and we still have lots of inspiration coming to you. Let's see what is coming up next.

• 4th May - Forgeries on the Fourth
• 4th May - Kick Off iNSD
• 6th May - Mini Kit and Project Reveal
• 12th May - Challenge #1
• 18th May - Challenge #2
• 22nd May - Challenge #3 Let’s Get Sketchy
• 24th May - Follower Showcase
• 30th May - Challenge #4 Baby Use Those Scraps
• 31st May - iNSD challenge deadline 

We really love to hear from our followers! Make sure that you come hang out with us on the Facebook Community Group. You can also hang out with us on Instagram by tagging #counterfeitkitchallnge and #ckcMay2024. See you next time.

May 2024 - Inspiration Kit Reveal and Social Media Hop

Hello everyone! Master Forger Misty here to bring you our activities for the month of May. Don't forget that May celebrates interNational Scrapbook Day (aka iNSD) as well. So there will be extra fun happening! Stay tuned for that.

Now, let's go ahead and dive into this month's kit inspiration. I've chosen the Timeless kit from a company called DLS Design. If this kit doesn't sound familiar, there is a good reason for that. This kit is offered by a kit company in the Netherlands. Since you are unlikely to have any of these items, you will really have to put those counterfeit skills to use this month!

This image from the company's website is a bit hard to see. So I've taken screen shots of all the kit elements and compiled them into an overview.

I chose this kit for that bold circle print which features red. I don't normally use red. However this bold color is well balanced with white, yellows, greens and pink. It all just called to me. Plus, a few of the icons–books, moths, lanterns and tea kettles–felt right as we shift from spring into summer here in the States.

There is even more to this line of paper goodness. If you want to explore all the add ons and extras in this offering you can head over to the Timeless Collection page to see even more.

___________

Now, let's welcome our guest designer for May. I'm so happy to introduce you to my friend Alison Day. Here is what Alison wanted to share about herself.

"Hi I'm Alison and I've been playing with pretty paper since 2009. I've dabbled in crafts of every description all my life, but I discovered scrapbooking when my children were small, and I didn't look back. I trained as an Interior Designer and tend to use my knowledge of colour and design on my pages and in my cards instead of other people's houses. I'm a life-long student so learning from others inspires me and tends to lead to ideas. More ideas than I have time in the day to implement! 

In 2021 I opened an Arts & Crafts store in my town of Ladner, BC. [Ladner Village Arts & Crafts]. It became my home away from home and being surrounded by not only racks and racks of pretty paper, but also fabric, yarn and painting supplies has had my brain buzzing ever since. It also allows me to give back in the form of teaching others what I've learned over the years. In the fall of 2022 I audited a beginner crochet class to be better educated as a yarn salesperson, and now I'm completely obsessed with all things yarn! Don't be surprised if my layouts are all about crochet projects now LOL.

I am super grateful to my friend Misty for giving me the opportunity to share my passions with you and can't wait to see what you all do with this month's inspiration!"

You can find Alison on her social media

• Blog: http://alisondaydesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daydesigning/
• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@AlisonDayDesigning

While you are checking out Alison, don't forget that the team has our kit reveal hop as usual.

1st May - Counterfeit Kit Challenge Reveal and Hop

• Counterfeit Kit Challenge - http://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/  

• Guest Designer - Alison Day http://www.youtube.com/@AlisonDayDesigning

• Brandi - https://www.instagram.com/scrappy.boymama/ 

• Christine - https://www.youtube.com/@ScrappingHarden/featured

• Cindy - http://cindyscreations-cinmfoster.blogspot.com/

• Jody - https://www.instagram.com/floppyearedfarm/

• JoJo - https://www.instagram.com/scrappyconfessions

• Julene - http://julenebydesign.blogspot.com/

• Misty - https://craftysoup.com/

• Ryann - https://www.instagram.com/scrapbookjoey/

• Tara - https://kryptonite72-rambles.blogspot.com/ 

• Tina - http://tinasscrapcorner.blogspot.com/

Now, let's take a look at what we have in store for this month's lineup.

• 2nd May - Just the Gist of It
• 4th May - Forgeries on the Fourth
• 4th May - Kick Off iNSD
• 6th May - Mini Kit and Project Reveal
• 12th May - Challenge #1
• 18th May - Challenge #2
• 22nd May - Challenge #3 Let’s Get Sketchy
• 24th May - Follower Showcase
• 30th May - Challenge #4 Baby Use Those Scraps
• 31st May - iNSD challenge deadline

 We really love to hear from our followers! Make sure that you come hang out with us on the Facebook Community Group. You can also hang out with us on Instagram by tagging #counterfeitkitchallnge and #ckcMay2024. See you next time.

April 2024 - Challenge #4 - Baby Use Your Scraps!!

Hi!  Master Forger Tara here!  Welcome back!  Today, I am bringing you our final challenge using our April kits!  Our final challenge is always "Baby Use Your Scraps".  Before we get started, let me remind you of our Inspiration Kit:

Let's see what our Master Forgers have created for you using scraps from their regular kits and mini kits!! 

Master Forger Vikki

I wanted to create some traveler's notebook pages and the scraps I had from my mini kit gave me the perfect opportunity.  I was able to get three TN pages done.  I love the versatility of a mini kit.  You can create 12x12 pages and smaller projects with what is left over.  I can't wait to see what you create with your scraps from this month's kit.

Master Forger JoJo

When I got to the end of my kit, I was running out of embellishments, so I made some

 out of my kit scraps. I punched 1.5 inch circles and folded the edges of some and

 glue them together to make these cute circle embellishments. I put some buttons from my 

 kit in the center of them. I also used a metal die to make the jean pocket and I stamped the

flowers and the leaves using a stamps from my kit. Sometimes your scraps can go along way.

Master Forger Misty

I turned to my trusted scraps technique -- punching shapes.

Using my grid mat I was able to align all my newly punched hearts to create a background for my layout. I used Press'nSeal to keep everything aligned while I transferred it to a sheet of cardstock.

Since I often work duplicate layouts for different family members' albums, I went ahead and created a second page with the leftover hearts. I used a few of the larger "scraps" as photo blocks and trim for both layouts. Each is just a bit different depending on what scraps I had available.

 

We really love to hear from our followers! Make sure that you come hang out with us on the Facebook Community Group. You can also hang out with us on Instagram by tagging #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcApril2024!! See you next time!

Master Forger Tara

 

April 2024 - Follower's Showcase

Hello Friends! It's time for our Follower's Showcase. This is one of my favorites - each and every month - as we choose one follower and share their kits and creations, whether they are layouts or cards. This is also one of the hardest jobs as a Master Forger!  Everyone does such awesome work that it's truly hard to choose just one of you!!!  This month I chose Simera.  However, before we get to see what her take on this month's kit was, let's take a look at what our inspiration kit.

Traci Reed - Felicity

 

Here's Simera's kit:

 Here's what Simera had to say about her kit:

For April I’m going to use Simple Stories Vintage Cottage Fields. I liked the pinks and greens from the mood board. I will pull cardstock from my stash and maybe a few odds and ends.

And here are some of her layouts that she has created with this kit!  Aren't they amazing? 

Here's what we have coming for you this month! So make sure you check out the blog!!

•  28th April - May Sneak Peek (on Instagram and the Facebook Community)
  
•  30th April - Challenge #4 Baby, Use Those Scraps Challenge

We really love to hear from our followers! Make sure that you come hang out with us on the Facebook Community Group. You can also hang out with us on Instagram by tagging #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcApril2024!! See you next time!

Master Forger Tara

 

April 2024 - Challenge #3 Sketch Challenge!

Hi!  Welcome back!  Today, I am bringing you our third challenge of the month!  Let me remind you of our inspirational kit, first!

Felicity Kit by Traci Reed Designs

Our third challenge is to use this sketch!

Guest Designer Nikki created this beautiful layout based upon the sketch.

 

 

 

Master Forger Jody

I love this month's sketch. I decided to use the same picture for both photos. I turned one into black and white to help move your eyes around the page. My April kit was made up of several items from Paige Taylor Evans Wonders collection. I wanted to use up those large die cut flowers so they were perfect to use as layering pieces. The XO embroidery hoop mimicked the large heart perfectly. I added a tag with a cut apart card as a title. To finish it off I added white acrylic paint splatters. I created a process video if you would like to see it all come together.

Thank you so much for stopping by! 

MF Laurie

I love a grid layout so this was right up my alley. Instead of using a heart I chose a large flower. I think it worked out well. As a nod to the smaller hearts on the sketch I added some small wooden hearts that have been in my stash forever. A tag with some word sentiments finishes it off nicely.

MF Cindy

 For this challenge I'm using page set #4. I started by cutting all the cut a parts that was part of this page set. I was planning on using one of the houses but changed my mind as I was making the layout. I also did not use any of the embellishments I had pulled for this page set. I did change the sketch up a bit. I have 4x4 photos instead of the 3 3/4x 3 3/4, I used a 3x5 journaling spot, instead of the date at the top of the right side it is on the bottom of my journaling.  I used a piece from the cut a parts where the date was. I did include a heart wood veneer and used ribbon instead of twine for my tag. I also roughed up the edges of the papers.  Since my pieces are bigger, I did not include the scallops as it was just too much.

 

MF Misty 

I loved many things about the sketch. I did alter it just a bit to fit a single photo and placed the title on the tag instead of under the tag.

I also ended up adding in an extra washi tape element. Since the single photo block took up less space than in the sketch, that block needed a bit more grounding. So I used this woven washi tape technique. 

 

Here's what we have coming for you this month! So make sure you check out the blog!!

•  24th April - Follower Showcase
•  28th April - May Sneak Peek (on Instagram and the Facebook Community)
  
•  30th April - Challenge #4 Baby, Use Those Scraps Challenge

We really love to hear from our followers! Make sure that you come hang out with us on the Facebook Community Group. You can also hang out with us on Instagram by tagging #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcApril2024!! See you next time!

Master Forger Tara

 

April 2024 - Challenge #2 - No Pink!

 Hello!  Master Forger Tara here to bring you the second challenge for April!  Let me remind you of our Inspiration Kit from Traci Reed Designs.

Traci Reed - Felicity

 

 

For our second challenge in April, I'd like to challenge you to use ABSOLUTELY NO PINK on your layouts! I know-the collection has lots of pink in it.  However, it also has blue, green, and kraft! Create a layout without using pink.

Guest Designer Nikki created this beautiful layout for this challenge! 

MF Tina love this challenge as for her no pink means nature photos usually with all the green. So she focused on the greens in her kit

MF Ryann was thrilled to use the flowers created in her forgery on this challenge!  Her sister's wedding vow renewal was Disney themed, and the navy blue was one of her wedding colors.  This flower forgery was such a fun way to commemorate a wonderful memory, that was full of special little touches!  The "so" wood veneer forgery was also made for this page, and included here to show the finished look.  

MF Brandi

If ever there was a challenge made especially for me, this was it! No pink, no problem! I focused heavily on blues for this sweet layout of my little guy on his first Easter in 2021. 

MF Tara

 Tara says, "I had to work pretty hard to find papers and embellishments with no pink, but I did and I really love how this layout turned out.  It's my "Ode To My Beloved Coffee".  LOL!!! 

Here's what we have coming for you this month! So make sure you check out the blog!!

•  22nd April - Challenge #3 Sketch Challenge
•  24th April - Follower Showcase
•  28th April - May Sneak Peek (on Instagram and the Facebook Community)
  
•  30th April - Challenge #4 Baby, Use Those Scraps Challenge

We really love to hear from our followers! Make sure that you come hang out with us on the Facebook Community Group. You can also hang out with us on Instagram by tagging #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcApril2024!! See you next time!

Master Forger Tara