February 2022 - Counterfeit Kit Challenge - Challenge#1 Love Stories

 Hey! I'm back with a layout for Challenge #1 over at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge where MF Misty is asking us to tell our 💕 love stories 💕. 

I'm also participating in ScrapHappy's LOAD222 (layout a day) which I adore and, as I did in February 2021, I'm making my month 28 Days of Mabel. This was my chance to fulfil two challenge at once!

Picking out some softer elements from my kit, I came up with a layout featuring our Christmas 2021 photo with Mabel and talk about how we both love her so much. She really might be the best decision we EVER made - well, after getting married maybe! 😉

I started off printing my photo at 5x7 because I really wanted to focus on this super cute photo of the three of us (internet shy husband I'm afraid!) 

Then I cut the strips and decided to go for probably my most-used design of the broad, layered stripe along the bottom half of the page.

I tucked in two pocket page cards and a few small embellishments - mostly from Heidi Swapp - and then picked out my title. I did add in the smaller alphabet (Pinkfresh Studio) but everything else comes from my kit!

My journalling is hand-written even though I've been doing a lot of printed strip journalling recently. But the story was short and I tried to concentrate to get it right!

A sprinkle of ink and some small enamel sparkles as well as some smaller elements from the pack of Thickers, and the layout is done. This was fast and easy and came together really easily. Reaching for a happy design is my go-to when I need to get something make quickly 😉

I'm keeping this short this evening and hope to be able to share more puppy love later in the month!

Don't forget that the month is still young and there is plenty going on over at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog as well as the FB community. 

Here is what the remained of the month looks like.

• 18th February: Challenge #2 to inspire you to get more layouts done.
• 24th February: Followers Showcase - who has caught our eye this month
• 28th February: Killing Kits - an idea or two focusing up the bits and pieces left in your own kit.

You know that we always love to see your work, so please share your kits and projects with us. You can post them in our Facebook Community or share them on Instagram (we are @counterfeitkitchallenge or tag us using #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcfebruary2022).

Thanks so much for stopping by! We can't wait to see your kits and projects this month!

February 2022 - Counterfeit Kit Challenge kit and reveal

 It's been a while. I know I say that a lot but I feel it's important to let you know that I know! I am trying to do better and as always at the beginning of the year, I have plans... wish me luck.

But I think you're not here to hear my platitudes and (seemingly empty) promises 😉. I hope you are here for the new Counterfeit Kit Challenge kit and to see my interpretation of it. So let's get going.

Hopefully, you've reached me from Leslie and next up is Tara. This is such a fabulous kit that you know you're not going to want to miss a single stop on the hop so that you catch all the inspiration so make sure you say hi as you go along. And of course, say a special hello to our wonderful Guest Designer Gretl Dixon - who we are delighted to have with us in February.

Onto the inspiration.

Design Team member Misty is in charge of us all this month with her simply gorgeous selection of the February 2021 Cocoa Daisy kit Demin and Blush - and I have to say that I am in love. You can find more photos and details of the kit over at the Cocoa Daisy site here.

February 2021 Cocoa Daisy kit - Demin and Blush

I thought these planner papers were particularly gorgeous and they drove my choices more than the set you can see in the full kit above. 

February 2021 Cocoa Daisy kit Demin and Blush

I was recently recording a podcast (more details nearer the release date 😉) and I mentioned that the kitting process often identifies missing items in your stash and this month was no exception. I clearly need more blue toned papers. I was struggling a little and I love using blue - note to self to pick some up next time I'm over at Scrapabilly 😉

Anyway, let's not dawdle. I'd like to introduce you to Starstruck

I know what you're thinking... it seems to have wandered off the path of the original kit somewhat but I promise you, I can see the inspiration. 

These are the papers and I started off with the sheet top left by Paige Evans Bungalow Lane. I thought the pink was perfect and it is dark blue in the background. From there I grabbed a handful of Pinkfresh Studio papers (top line) from different collections to pick out the pinks, denim and then the mustard and green of the original kit. They are not perfect matches but I think I like the mix. 

Then I remembered my Studio Forty Lunar collection and as this has softer tones of pink and the colours of the night sky - aka blues - I thought this would also be a good fit. This collection is full of romance - the night sky, the sentiments and the whole dreamy feel of the collection. The whole bottom row of papers are from the collection. I agree that the two rows don't necessarily go together perfectly but I think I can make them work - and it's a LOAD month in February so I am in the whole Glue and Go modus which means making things work which I might not have done at other times!

Then I went to town with the embellishments adding in everything I had from the Lunar collection, including a set of stamps which are hardly touched as yet. I am challenging myself to learn to stamp more in 2022 so this should be interesting!

Some pocket cards, some expoxy stitckers along the night sky theme, a few washi tapes and an almost completed sheet of sparkly enamel dots by Paige Evans.

I wanted to include a set of alphas to give me a lot of choice so added some in different sizes and colours. I think I'm going to need more small stickers at some point but I will add them in as I need them. This looks like a good mix for a start.

And then my eye fell on the Heidi Swapp embellishments from the Carefree collection and something about it just made me throw it all in. There is definitely some blush/pink elements in there as well as some gold which I think is missing from the rest of my selection and even some blue shades. I'm not sure if I can get it to work with the other products in which case I might be short on embellies but I'm curious to see how I work with the kit!

I think this is going to be an interesting kit to use and at the moment, I'm not 100% sure of some of my choices but that's what so fabulous about a Counterfeit Kit Challenge kit - it's my kit and I can make changes to anything or even all of it if I want during the month. 

My kit, my rules 😉

So I hope you will join us this month and make up your own kit - we can take this challenge together!

Here's the full hop list in case you need it and don't forget to share your kits and creations over in the Counterfeit Kit Challenge FB community here or over on IG  - @counterfeitkitchallenge / #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcfebruary2022

• Counterfeit Kit Challenge - https://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/
• Guest Design - Gretl Dixon - https://bearlitemedia.blogspot.com/
• Misty -  https://craftysoup.com/
• Cindy - https://cindyscreations-cinmfoster.blogspot.com/
• Juliet - https://www.instagram.com/julesd/
• Leslie -  http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.com/
• Lisa - http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com
• Tara - https://kryptonite72-rambles.blogspot.com/ 
• Tina - http://tinasscrapcorner.blogspot.com/
• Tracey - http://3obsessions.blogspot.com/?m=1

November 2021 - Counterfeit Kit Challenge kit reveal and hop

 How is it possible that the last time I posted anything here on my blog was way back in June? That's going to have to change. New year, new plans 😉.

But in the meantime, I hope you've hopped over here to see what I've done with our November Counterfeit Kit Challenge inspiration kit!

I love picking out the November kit and making it extra special - it's my birthday month in case you were wondering why! - and this month is no different.

Not only did I get to pick out a kit that I adore in autumnal colours that call out my name, but I also got to invite an online bestie, Susanne to join us as Guest Designer for the month! Win-win-win!

So, here is the inspiration kit I picked out for us - Felicity Jane September 2021 - Emily.

Felicity Jane September 2021 - Emily

I usually try not to pick an inspiration kit which only has exclusive products but this one really got my heart racing and decided it had to be the one for us in November. The colours are stunning and I really liked the patterns and designs of the papers and embellishments. You can find out all the details over at the Felicity Jane site here.

Now... here's the thing... I've got full-on rogue this month and done something that is totally not my usual counterfeit style.

When I was looking through my supplies, my eyes fell on some Studio Calico pouches that I picked up in a sale some time ago - two years ago maybe, although probably even longer. And I felt sure that I could find some gorgeous autumnal stuff in there. Well, not only did I find a piece of paper in a rather fetching shade of orange that I fell in love with, but that whole kit (Studio Calico June 2016 - Expedition) just seemed to fit the colours, design and feel of the Emily. So... do you know what I did? I decided just to use the WHOLE kit as my November Counterfeit kit. 

😳 😉

On another level of fun, this Studio Calico kit was actually chosen as our exclusive extra inspiration for (i)NSD in 2019 (find all the details here) and I only realised that when I saw the sheet of paper with the large quote. Anyway, I did take out one or two items that just didn't fit what I wanted my kit to be but it has all the basic colours and designs that you can find in the original even if it's a little brighter and bolder! And of course, no doubt I will add some extras in as I go along - alphas, enamel dots etc.

But honestly, I just didn't feel in the mood for reinventing the wheel when I had a kit that just spoke to me, that's years old but still untouched and that I know I will enjoy using! I just needed the push to make the first cut. I'm not sure I've ever just picked up an existing kit and said that this was my Counterfeit kit and it feels good to shake things up this month.

I told the team, "My kit month, my rules!" and I want you to take away this message - your kit, your rules. There's no "right" way to make your kit. Just bring together products that make you happy and you're good to go.

So after such a long introduction, here's my "Highlands" kit.

The oranges, the yellows, the graphic black and white, the dark blues. It's all there! I've got a plan to make a few travel pages and I know that with the focus on the outdoor of these products, it's going to be a good combination. Wish me luck!

It's going to be a great month and I can't wait to get started - how about you?

Here's the full hop list today in case you get lost and don't forget to share your kits and projects over at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Facebook Community, or share them on Instagram (we are @counterfeitkitchallenge or tag us using #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcnovember2021). 

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

• Guest Designer Susanne - https://susannestampsandscraps.blogspot.com

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

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

• Juliet - https://www.instagram.com/julesd/

• Kate - https://kateblue.blogspot.com

• Leslie - http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.com

• Lisa - http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com

• Misty - https://craftysoup.com

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

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

• Tracey - https://3obsessions.blogspot.com

June 2021 - Counterfeit Kit Challenge kit reveal and hop

Wow, it's been a while. I know I say this a lot, but I really like blogging and rather miss it when I don't so while I'm not promising anything at all, I'd like to try harder to get back here more often.

But onto the reason I'm here today. It's the first of a new month and that means that it's Counterfeit Kit Challenge and we've got a scorcher today.

Hopefully you've reached me via Tracey's blog (here) and next up is Cindy (here) - you'll find the full hop list at the end of the post.

But you are definitely not going to want to miss any of the reveal this month - the kits are fantastic and we have a total celebrity as our Guest Designer! I'm having a bit of a fangirl moment to be honest as we are honoured to have the fabulous May Flaum with us in June! I think May was one of my first scrap crushes and I was definitely into everything she did right from the very start back in 2006. My memories are hazy but I'm sure I did at least one of her classes and checked out all her creativity back in the day when our time was filled with reading blogs and not a lot else. Am I right that she was a lead Fiskateer - I have my scissors in my hand every time I scrap and am proud #2058! Ah, in the days when things were a little simpler and it was easier to follow the inspiration. 

Anyway, I'm so thrilled to have her with us and hope that she will fall in love with our little corner of the world and want to hang out with us more!

On to this month's kit. MF Tara has given us a cracker - the August 2020 Cocoa Daisy kit, Backyard Blooms. It's gorgeous and I knew I was going to have fun with it. You can find out all about it over at the Cocoa Daisy site and there are variations too if the main kit isn't your thing.

Cocoa Daisy - August 2020 Backyard Blooms

Cocoa Daisy - August 2020 Backyard Blooms

I had a conversation with Tara and she mentioned it being red, yellow and blue and I think that's funny as I saw it in a completely different way as you can see below. But first, here's Rainbow and I'm in love!

My list consisted of pink, aqua, yellow, puffy stickers, enamel dots, tapes, words, die-cuts, vellum, watercolour and words. Then off I went and ticked those off one by one to produce a kit which is not exactly me but one I'm excited to cut into!

I started off picking out papers from Color Story which are new for me and I knew that they picked out the colours I had picked out in the original kit. From there, I selected some florals by Carta Bella to bring out the softer summer shades and themes, and then added in some watercolour effect papers to round it off.

The embellishments were easy. I went through my kist starting with the die-cuts, stickers and puffy word embellishments from the Color Story collection and then added in other embellishments to fit the list and match the colours. 

A handful of pretty vellums which might be used on cards rather than pages - let's see - and some black alphas that need using or losing. I'll add in mini-alphas as I need them.

Three washi tapes rounded off my kit and I think this is all perfect! What do you think?

Don't forget that you can find out all the info about the kit, links to our Instagram and Facebook community and what's going on for the whole month over at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog. Start there and you'll be sorted!

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

• May Flaum video - https://youtu.be/B9dVdR02Yn0

• Tracey - https://3obsessions.blogspot.com/

• Lisa - http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com/

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

• Leslie - http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.com/

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

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

• Laura - https://www.instagram.com/mrsp_scrapsandtea/

Can't wait to spend this month with you all!

February 2021 - Counterfeit Kit Challenge - At the Heart of It!

Back today with the Counterfeit Kit Challenge February challenge #1:

At the Heart of It!

As this month's layout is called Herzstück, which could be translated as "at the heart of something", I decided to challenge us all to record something or someone who is at the heart of it all in some way, or even just to make sure that we use lots of hearts on our layout. I managed to do both!

I'm in the middle of LOAD221 at the moment and decided to make it a "28 Days of Mabel" so of course, the topic of today's layout just had to be our puppy and how she is most definitely in the heart of our little family.

My heart-filled kit was perfect for this layout and I just went for a bunch of layers and a generous sprinkle of flowers, stickers and tiny bits and pieces. You might notice that the green paper in the background is strategically placed so that you only see flowers and the leafy wreath design. In reality, it's covered in gorgeous birds but they just didn't fit the theme of any of my layouts so I had to be clever to make sure you could see the beautiful paper but not necessarily the detail of the design - I'm crafty like that 😉

This is a photo from Christmas (along with my internet shy husband) and one of the few where you could see us all and Mabel wasn't just a blur of wriggling or trying to lick one or both of us! Maybe I should have written about that too - or perhaps that's a story for another layout with another Christmas photo!

(I have no idea why all my photos are turning out so badly right now!
The background is a nice, bright white in reality!) 

I had fun with the splats of ink and small embellishments. Sometimes I love just using up a bunch of small items in a sprinkled, spread out cluster. Gets those items off the plastic backing and onto pages which is what this is all about, isn't it? 

Over at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog you'll find a whole bunch of layouts interpreting this prompt so make sure you check them all out. 

And if I've inspired you to make your own layout about someone or something at the heart of it, then make sure you share over in our Counterfeit Kit Challenge FB community here or over on Instagram here (@counterfeitkitchallenge or tag us using #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcfebruary2021). We love to see what you do with your own kits 😍