January 2020 - Counterfeit Kit Challenge kit reveal and blog hop!

Hello! And welcome to a new month, a new year and even a new decade right here on my very neglected blog!

There's been a lot going on over at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog the last weeks but nothing round here so I hope you've been catching up over there instead.

But today, it's a new month and a new kit and a new beginning so hopefully you're back to see what inspiration we have for you to use your own wonderful supplies to make up fabulous kits that you will love to use!

You should have reached me via the ever delightful Leslie and up next is our new team member and talented YouTuber Shannon both of whom will no doubt thrill you with their takes on this month's kit which I had the pleasure of picking out for us all this month.

Don't forget to check out the full hop (at the end of this post) to catch up with ALL the team and our great Guest Designer Melodee too! So many ideas to get your creativity moving this early January morning!

I decided to choose a kit that was predominantly Christmas themed because we don't do a December kit over at CKC and this time of year, I have a bunch of photos from the recent festivities that I'm ready to think about scrapping! However, I think that the Citrus Twist kit I picked out has enough going on that could be taken in a non-Christmas direction with lots of nature themes and non-traditional colours. So if you're DONE with all that holiday cheer, then there's something for you too!

Our kit is the Citrus Twist Christmas Stories 2019 kit which can be found on this link here. There's lots of extra photos and a full content list over there as well. If you'd like to see the unboxing video they made, you can find that here.

I was in two minds about if I wanted to take it down the Christmas route or make it fresher but in the end, my Christmas supplies won out and I went all in on the jolly product selection!

So here is Yuletide!

I started with a new sheet of Christmas tree paper (top left) that reminded me of that tree design in the original kit (bottom left) and went from there.  I picked out some darker colours but made sure to include the reds, greens, blues and pinks - in varying intensity - from the original kit. I know this is a big kit but I haven't actually made a kit for a while and if I have any chance of actually scrapping some Christmas photos, then I will need a lot of choice!

I included some florals, some snowflakes, some repeated designs as well as cut apart sheets and the all-over words and woodgrain that you can find in the original.

There's a lot of newer paper here but also some really old stuff from SEI and K&Co which must be 12 or more years old! It will be good to see if I can mix these together and get them used up.

Then came the list of embellishments which is always the fun bit. Doilies, pompoms, sequins, word stickers, die-cuts, alphabets, twine (although I suspect that I've selected something that isn't real twine - let's see!), enamel dots, stickers and pocket cards.

Again, I think you can see that there are older and new products here so I'm curious to see what comes of this mix. I'm sure all those Thickers will need extra glue to keep them on the page!

Lots of stickers that can be used on cards, pockets and pages. I really need to use some of them up!

Cute puffy stickers - maybe too cute for my style?

A bunch of sequins and a section of random die-cut elements from Pinkfresh.

Oh yes, and a selection of tapes which need starting. Most of these items came from older Shimelle Christmas kits.

And there you have it - Yuletide - incorporating lots and lots of Christmas products from across the years in a way that hopefully bring it all up to date. I'm hoping to scrap at least a handful of festive pages and cards with this so wish me luck.

And the name? I tried to find something that meant more than just the couple of days of Christmas itself and this seems to refer to the period around Christmas which seems perfect to me. I'm not sure how far after Christmas it really relates to but let's just say that this girl is making the rules and for me, that's this first month at least!

Here's the full hop list today to make sure that you don't miss out on any of the fun. Make sure you say hi to all the team as you hop along!

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

Guest Designer Melodee - https://www.instagram.com/melodeeruley/

Cindy:- http://cindyscreations-cinmfoster.blogspot.com/
Julene:- http://julenebydesign.blogspot.com//
Leslie:- http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.com/

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

Shannon:- https://www.youtube.com/user/ShannonAllor 

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

Tracey:- https://3obsessions.blogspot.com/
Tina:- http://tinasscrapcorner.blogspot.com/

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

We always love to see your work, so please share your kits and projects with us. You can use our Monthly Link-up page, post them in our Facebook Community, or share them on Instagram (we are @counterfeitkitchallenge or tag us using #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcjanuary2020). 

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

Counterfeit Kit Challenge January 2019 kit reveal blog hop

Welcome 2019 

and welcome to each of you on this bright and fresh 1st January!

I'm excited to kick off the new year with a brand new Counterfeit Kit Challenge kit to get the inspiration started!

You should have reached me from the ever delightful Leslie today and next up is prolifically creative Lori but you can find the full list at the end of the post if you need it! Don't forget to check out our wonderful Guest Designer, Meagan Johnson too. We are thrilled to have her this month and she will wow you with her layouts for sure so check out her blog or Instagram too. 

Master Forger Susan has picked out a Felicity Jane kit for us the month to calm things down a little after all the hectic of the festive season. 

You can find all the details on the "Hannah" kit here: https://felicityjane.com/collections/hannah - isn't it lovely? Look at all those gorgeous shades of grey, blue and pink - *sigh*!

This is where the inspiration took me. May I present "Sigh".

I started off by going through some of my older Christmas kits if you can believe it and took out papers in the colours - grey, white, black, blues and pinks - that reminded me of the original kit as well as matching up some of the core patterns - woodgrain, spots, diamonds and stripes. I didn't have any suitable floral so this outline camera print is a good substitute. The number paper is a replacement for the word paper. I seem to have lost some of the deeper colours from the inspiration kit but love the mix that I have put together.

Puffy alphas, glitter hearts, tags and some bits and pieces - including a few random die cuts pieces that are left over from my Christmas tag extravaganza - that reminded me of the colours or elements of the Felicity Jane original. I also included a pocket page kit that I found from Studio Calico that had a lot of the same colours - I thought it might be useful if I did some of my Project Life.

Lots of small labels, word stickers, stars in a matching colour, circles die cut from papers with the same tones, a bunch of washi tape in blacks, greys and golds and two sets of Shimelle stamps from the last two years of Christmas kits. Even if I don't make Christmas pages, there are plenty of words and elements in the sets which could be used - I need to remind myself to get stamping more often.

The black and white puffy elements also reminded me of the Felicity Jane kit.

All in all, it's an interesting kit to start the year and I hope I get to make some pages in the days to come. You never know, I might even have a go at forging one or two of the items in the inspiration kit  ;-) 

Thanks for joining me today. Here's the full blog hop list so do make sure you hop along to see everyone's take on the kits. There's always so much inspiration to be found in how each of us interpreted the original kit for our own style! 

Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog: http://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/

Guest Designer Meagan Johnson: http://www.thepracticalscrapper.com/

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

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

Leslie: http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.com/
Lisa: http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com/
Lori: https://loriannie670.blogspot.com/

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

And as always, we love it when you share with us so don't be shy and connect as much as you can! 

You can join in via:

• the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog here and the link up page here
• the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Facebook community here
• the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Instagram account here (find us @counterfeitkitchallenge and share with #counterfeitkitchallenge)

Counterfeit Kit Challenge January kit reveal blog hop

It's 2016! Welcome to the New Year. I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for this brand new year and hope that it brings you much happiness. I, for one, have high hopes for 2016 and look forward to what it will be.

However, no doubt you are here for the new Counterfeit Kit Challenge kit and if you have arrived here via Leslie's blue box of wonder then you are on the right lines. If not, jump back to the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog to start at the beginning and catch the whole blog. Margie is up next and the full list can be found at the end of the post in case you get lost along the way!

We are kicking off the new year with a planner kit to inspire us. This doesn't mean we've all changed into planner girls - although some of those gorgeous planners out there are sure appealing! - but we are just using one of the planner kits to help us build our scrapping kits for January.

The Planner Society Kit Club kits by Scarlet Lime are offered as a starting point and any of them are fair game. Try checking out some of these links April, May and June Kits, July Kit, August Kit Video, September Kit Video, October Kits

I decided to go with the December kit which appealed because of its bright, fresh colours and non-seasonal feel. Here's what it looked like! Lots of exclusive items so I needed to get creative with my product selection.

I decided to approach this a little differently than usual and this will give me some direction and focus for my kits in the next few months, but first of all, let me show you my January kit, Rekindle. I know it doesn't look much like the original, but if you keep reading, you will see how I got there!

You might remember me saying at the end of last year that I was struggling to use up the kits I make each month - mostly because I make HUGE kits and also because I'm not as prolific as I used to be. I'm also aware that I use a lot of new products which is lovely but means that my older items are still sitting on my shelves, unloved and forgotten!

This year I'm determined to do better at enjoying both the older and newer products and getting the most out of my kits. So the first thing I have decided is that I will limit myself to 5 papers plus one specialty paper if one catches my eye. And I will always have at least two old(er) sheets.

For Rekindle, I looked at the inspiration kit and saw that there were two floral papers - one small and one large, there were pinks and blues and reds, lots of frames, a sheet of paper that could be fussy cut, paper clips, veneer, washi, a stamp, tabs and stickers. I decided to go with the starting point of two floral papers (from vintage BasicGrey Infuse - one of my all time favourites) and then I added a stripe, a blotchy spot and a frame printed sheet in an aqua which goes well with the stripe in shades of pink, red and blue. For my paper clips, I added a gold foiled acetate from the Memorandum collection. And that's it! I'm interested to see how this limitation of papers will work for me!

Then I went through the embellishments and matched them up by item and then colours to match my papers. Again, I've made a decision to always add some random, older items into the mix to encourage me to use them up.

So, here are frames - both card and veneer, a veneer shape which is just hanging around and a pink washi tape. I keep all my die cut shapes and cardstock left overs in a tin and I intend to pull out some items each month for my kit - this half clock seemed to match my colours perfectly.

I also saw that vintage price tag and some smaller items which could add to the vintage mix. I've included several alphabets in large and small to use up - very limited letters so I need to get creative. And a small stamp to remind me to use up some tools too from time to time.

I found some tabs in my die cut tin which are a nice colour contrast and those mini envelopes were some I bought last year at Paper Source where Lynnette took us when we met up. Time to use them up.

I've also decided that every kit will have some pocket page cards because I have quite the collection and still no Project Life to be seen! I mixed up some from different manufacturers and collections.

And there you have it. My "rules" for the next few months and my reduced size kit which will hopefully yield around three layouts and get some much neglected stash used up.

1. Five papers plus one specialty or "just because" sheet
2. At least two older papers
3. Die cut and chipboard tin to be used every month
4. Older partially used alphas to use up
5. Pocket page cards to be included
6. Remember to include stamps or other tools
7. Add in some "random" items to see how they inspire
8. Keep it small

Sounds like a plan to me! What do you think? Have you set any rules for your own kit making for the new year? Do you think I'm going to be successful?!? Let me know in the comments.! :-)

Here's the blog list in case you get lost along the way, but next up is Margie - can't wait to see what she's done with these planner kits!

Susan: http://littlethingsbigdays.blogspot.com

Stephanie:  http://skylinepaperie.blogspot.com

Susanne:  http://snapsandsnippets.blogspot.com

Clair: http://obstinatepursuit.blogspot.co.uk/

Jemma: http://just-jimjams.blogspot.co.uk

Julene:  http://julenebydesign.blogspot.com

Kelly: http://66.147.244.112/~honeysv0/

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

Lisa:  http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com

Margie:  http://scrappinmargie.blogspot.com

Counterfeit Kit Challenge January kit reveal blog hop

Welcome to 2014 and welcome to each of you on this New Year's Day!

I'm here to kick off 2014 by sharing my brand new Counterfeit Kit Challenge kit - what a great way to start the year :-)

Hopefully, you've arrived here via Lesley who is the bottom slice of my Lesley/Leslie sandwich (!) and is sure to have thrilled you with her kit this month. If you've arrived here directly, you might want to start back at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge kit to make sure you catch up on all the forgers and also check out our lovely Guest Designer, Tara!

Bethany has chosen a gorgeous kit for us to be inspired by this month - the December Hip Kit Club (here). And if you need more embellishments, you can go over to the Oh, Deer Me December Embellishment Kit (here).

The December Hip Kit Club kit

I realised straight away that there was not much in the kit that I could match up exactly. There was a lot of Studio Calico, Alison Kraft and Dear Lizzy elements but I didn't have any of these ranges in my stash! I had received the Studio Calico die-cut words for Christmas and had recently purchased a few more of the veneer stars but apart from that and some doilies I had none of the items. I especially loved the star map and confetti paper by Alison Kraft in the original kit and happily realised that I had also received a pack of the mini bags from the Alison Kraft range for Christmas which included these designs and decided that this is where I would start my kit. The result is a very fresh feeling selection which I am looking forward to using with all sorts of different photos and stories. Please let me present "Begin" to you...

I built up a set of papers from mainly Dear Lizzy papers which reflected some similar colours and designs from the inspiration kit and rather than that wonderful star map paper, included a sheet of the North Pole paper by Echo Park (of which I have bought at least 10 sheets I love it so much!). Not all the sheets are complete and I also threw in some of the cut apart elements from Dear Lizzy that I tracked down.

I built up the other elements depending on the colours, materials or designs that were found in the inspiration kit - veneers, doilies, journalling spots, alphas, brads, stars.

And then I added in a smattering of other embellishments which matched the items I had already added and would support my way of scrapping. There are two rolls of washi, some sequins, some flairs, some mistable canvas cameras, a roll of twine and a few other items.

I haven't been scrapping much recently apart from trying to get my December Inspiration journal completed so I'm really looking forward to getting some regular crafting done with my new kit!

Your next stop on the hop is Leslie who always delights me with her creativity in counterfeiting elements for her kits. Check out her blue box over at her blog (here).

Here is the full blog list in case you get lost along the way and please make sure you share your kits over at Mr Linky page on the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog

Guest Designer:  Tara O: http://kryptonite72-rambles.blogspot.com/

Angela:  http://colestoucan.blogspot.co.uk/

Jemma:  http://just-jimjams.blogspot.com/

Julene:  http://julenebydesign.blogspot.com.au

Lesley G.:  http://ohblogitifyoucantbeatthem.blogspot.co.uk

Lisa H.:  http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com/ You are here

Leslie:  http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.com Go here next

Lynnette:  http://sassyscrapper2010.blogspot.com/

Millisa:  http://millermall.blogspot.com/

Stephanie:  http://skylinepaperie.blogspot.ca

Counterfeit Kit Challenge January kit reveal blog hop

Welcome to 2013!

Internet image (no original source found - sorry)

I've got my fingers crossed and have high hopes that this will be a good year. I've had a few rough ones recently ;-) so I think I've earned it!

So to all my blog readers, I wish you a most wonderful New Year and all the very best for all your dreams and wishes for the next 12 months.

It's the 1st of the month and this means a new routine round here. The Counterfeit Kit Challenge kit reveal blog hop has now moved to today which means that you get no delay in all that kit inspiration. And we are kicking off the year with a new team full of some familiar faces (that would be me and a few others!) along with some talented new ones. So I really suggest you drop by every single one of us on the hop and check out all that new inspiration. There's a whole lot of scrumptiousness to soak up so don't miss out on any of it and if you've arrived here directly, I suggest you pop back to the Counterfeit blog (here) for the starting point. And if you've already been working through the list and are here via the very talented Libeeti, then don't run off to make your kit already. Stop a while and check out mine and the rest of the team. There's so much to share!

This month, we were given the most gorgeous after Christmas kit to forge - A Merry Winter December kit by Paper Issues over on Etsy. Yummy. I would have bought this kit if I'd seen it!

Such a lot of lovely colours and so many ways to use up the kit without it being ALL Christmas. I was really drawn to the pinks, the reds, the aquas and the sparkle.

I was sad to realise that I didn't have a single one of the Crate Christmas papers (now on my list!) so I had to start from the basics and build up from there.

First let me present my January fresh start 2013 kit, Renew...

As always, cardstock came first. Lots of white and kraft and then just two sheets of coloured card (it's getting harder and harder to use it on layouts these days).

Then I tried to pick out papers which either had the overriding colour, or a design feel of the original but without going the Christmas route. I found that my Echo Park, Everyday Eclectic had just the right amount of colour, geometric designs and playful feel to them for them to be the basis of the papers. Many of them were also double sided which gives such a great extension to the kit and makes it so much more versatile. As always, there's one or two really old ones in there hoping for an appearance on a real live page!

And the fun bit - the embellishments. I tried to match up the types of embellishments from the original, even if they look totally different - so pins, buttons, flowers, flairs, some veneer items, some kraft tags (rather than the banners), some frames that can be misted (rather than chipboard), ribbon, twine, bling mist, alphas and labels. I have a lot more of this stuff in my kit but you know how I love to load up the "pretty stuff"!

This is a perfect pick me up kit for the new year and I'm looking forward to breaking into it and getting going again after what feels like an age without any creating at all. Wish me luck to track down that mojo at the same time.

Here is the complete blog hop list in case you get lost along the way and off you go now down under to visit new forger Lisa J! Funny to have two Lisa's on the team now!! On a side note, I spent all my younger years being Lisa S rather than just Lisa and now I'm Lisa H instead - makes me smile!

You won't want to forget to leave me a comment to let me know you were here. You never know, it might be worth your while! *wink wink*

I'm feeling in a generous mood and would love to share a bit of love with you too. It's the perfect way to start the new year don't you think. :-)

Guest Designer: Madeleine Lopez http://senoritaml.wordpress.com/

Andrea  http://snappingmonsters.blogspot.com/  

Angela  http://colestoucan.blogspot.co.uk/  

Jemma http://just-jimjams.blogspot.com/  

Jennifer  http://www.jennifersjumbles.blogspot.com/  

Julie  http://www.hisglorygirl.blogspot.com/  

Libeeti http://creationswithlove-li-bee-ti.blogspot.com/  

Lisa H. http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com/  ß you are here

Lisa J. http://thesimplelifewithlisa.blogspot.com.au/ ß go here next

Lynnette  http://sassyscrapper2010.blogspot.com/

Milissa http://millermall.blogspot.com/  

Rebecca http://howiburb.blogspot.com/

So here's to a wonderful year full of fun, scrappy inspiration and wonderful counterfeiting friends!

Image found here

Happy kitting everyone.