Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Summer-Long Counterfeit Challenge and Tutorials: Smash Books

Happy Summer Everyone!!!  This post, and Summer-Long Challenge, is a surprise for everyone, even our Design Team, the Master Forgers!!!   In addition to our regularly scheduled program, I decided to create a summertime challenge that will extend through June, July, and August, so here goes...
K&Company Photo Credit
In my on-line browsing, I have seen over and over "Smash Book-this, and Smash Book-that", naturally, I had to see what the hype is all about.  Well, at the very first glance, I thought..."I can counterfeit this!!!".  So today, I am presenting you with a mini Counterfeit Challenge and tutorials so you can create your own Smash Book just in time for your summer vacation (or any other occasion)!!!  We will run this challenge all summer long, feel free to add a link to your Smash Book in the comments section of this post.

What is a Smash Book?
Here's the original idea by EK Success and K&Company... Smash Book Introduction

What are the various parts and pieces?
Here are the different options and accessories you have for embellishing your Smash Book... Accessories for the Smash Book

Spiral notebook versus 3-ring binder?
If you like the idea, but would rather be able to move your pages around and add some pictures, check out the Ditto Book and all of it's accessories (which is also easy to counterfeit).

Tutorials:
This is a great video to get you started... DIY Smash Book Part 1
DIY Smash Book Part 2


A list of scrapbook goodies (and tutorials) to add to your Counterfeit Smash Book...

A list of memorabilia to add to your Smash Book...
  • Ticket stubs
  • Napkins
  • Coasters
  • Matchbooks
  • Business cards
  • Maps
  • Brochures
  • Flyers
  • Cards
  • Photos
  • Receipts
  • Certificates
  • Paint swatches
  • Magazine clippings
  • Class schedules
  • Report cards
  • Paycheck stub
  • Typical "to do" list
  • Programs
  • Hospital bands
  • Coins/currency
  • Hand prints/ foot prints (of kids)
  • Invitations
  • Letters
  • E-mails
  • ID cards
  • Postcards
  • Dried flowers
  • Keys
  • Fabric swatches
  • Locks of hair
  • Ribbons/awards
  • Menus
  • Trip itinerary
  • Scraps of wrapping paper from a special occasion
  • Buttons from favorite outfits
  • Newspaper clippings
  • Typical grocery list
  • Empty seed packets
  • Clothing price tags
  • Recipes
  • Endless possibilities...

And if you still need some more inspiration, here is a whole blog dedicated to Smash Books... http://www.smashstoriesblog.com/.  If you look on the right hand column of the blog, there is a list of various topics to use for your smash books.  

I have made 2 smaller books for my mom and sisters' trip to Europe this summer, and I am going to be making one larger one for my daughter's Kindergarten year in school, which starts this July!  What do you think you'll make one for?  

Rather than a Mister Linky for the Smash Books...leave a link to yours in the comments below.  To easily find this post in the future, there will be a "quick link" towards the top of the right hand column called "Counterfeit Smash Book Post".  I'll leave the quick link up throughout the summer!!!  I'm super excited to see every one's work!  (Oh, feel free to post your "blank" and/or "completed" Smash Book.)  Since this challenge is a surprise, even to our DT, I don't have any examples of the finished product to show you today.


ETA -  I just found this blog http://inthesuncourse.blogspot.com/, it looks like she will be posting different prompts/ideas/techniques to use in a journal every day this summer.  Here is the post that explains what she is doing.  http://inthesuncourse.blogspot.com/2011/05/taa-daa.html  It looks interesting!!!

Monday, May 30, 2011

Family Tree Project

I saw this on a blog and LOVED it...


Go HERE to read more about it...
I see all kinds of fun scrapbook applications for this!  It would be a great inspiration for a layout, too!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

I Spy...Olivia!




**I love the use of the number paper on the second layout!

Saturday, May 28, 2011

May Blog Hop!


It is another hoppy day around here!  We are excited that so many of you want to participate!  We love seeing your projects!

Blog Hop Challenge:  Pick your favorite scrapbook manufacturer and use their blog/projects to inspire a project of your own!

Get comfy and grab some coffee!  We have quite a list for you today!


I'm the last stop on our Blog Hop, so see you soon!

Friday, May 27, 2011

Master Forger May Blog Hop!

Welcome to the HOP!



I SO look forward to this time of the month!  As usual, our talented design team is ready to dazzle you!  Don't forget to come back tomorrow so we can show off what YOU have been doing!

Blog Hop Challenge:   Pick a favorite scrapbook manufacturer and use them to inspire your project!

Let's go!
Guest Designer:  Jen



FYI-Blogger is acting up again, I was only able to comment on about half of the blogs...so some of you many not have any comments, not because no-one tried, but because Blogger isn't allowing us to comment.  Everyone's layouts look wonderful...very inspiring!
*meridy*

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Make your own scratch off lottery tickets


Isn't this a great idea?  I think I want to make a supply of them that my kids can earn this summer to do some fun things....the excitement is not knowing what you will get it half of the fun!  I'm betting I can bling them up a bit, too.  LOL

For complete instructions go HERE.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Blog Hop Reminder and a Sneak Peek!

Here are some peeks of my projects for the blog hop...and yes, I did say project"S".  LOL




If you want to participate in this months hop, you need to e-mail us by tonight to let us know.  We will then send you an e-mail with instructions and the order of the hop.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

I Spy...Julie Ann



**Love the mix of patterns...and the flags are adorable!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Making charms/pendants with your scrapbook supplies!


How sweet are these?  I love it when I can use my love of scrapbooking for other applications!

Check out her complete tutorial HERE !

**I got some clear charms to try this!  I can't wait!

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Mini Challenge #3 Master Forger Projects!

Jen
For this challenge, I chose this whimsical bird "Woolie" by Basic Grey, as my embellishment inspiration.  He was so sweet and I thought he would look great on a boy themed LO.  From there, I chose my papers to match this bird.  I settled on a colour palette of blue, red and yellow.  I then looked for a photo that would go well with this palette.  Next, I looked for a sketch that would allow me a spotlight this embellishment and work for the vertical orientation of my photo.  I found this fun sketch from Page Maps.  Here is my LO!  :)




Crystal




Bethany


 
Gabrielle




Margie
**Check out Margie's Blog for a close up of the cute cheerleader dolls she started with...


Saturday, May 21, 2011

Mini Challenge #3: Embellishment Challenge


I am pretty sure I have never made a layout or card with NO embellishments.  Let me think....nope.  Before you panic, I would never ask you to do that.  At least not yet.  LOL  This time I have something different in mind!

Embellishment Challenge:  Choose an embellishment and plan a card or layout around THAT.  Make sure to take a photo of both so we can see your inspiratation!

Friday, May 20, 2011

I Spy...Michelle!


**Very cute mini album and a great take on the card sketch challenge!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Going on a Treasure Hunt!


I love to randomly look for great paper crafting blogs and happily bookmark a LONG list of favorites.  Here is one that YOU should check out!


Their goal is to post the best digi layouts that they find on the web.  How cool is that?  And since Digi Layouts EASILY translate into paper layouts...this site is a goldmine!

Check out some of these awesome finds on there:






You have hit the jackpot, my friends!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Mini Challenge #2: Playing Favorites

Admit it.  You play favorites.  I know you do.  You are supposed to love them equally, but you just can't help yourself.  You really do like that one just a little bit better. 



My list of favorite manufacturers is MILES long.  Seriously.  Paper Trey Ink, Unity, Cosmo Cricket, Crate Paper, Jillibean Soup, October Afternoon....all sigh worthy in my opinion.  As soon as the new releases come out I pounce on the blogs so I can drool.

So here is our BLOG HOP CHALLENGE:

Pick your favorite scrapbook company and head to their blog.  Find something to inspire you and create a project based on it.  Don't forget that we will want to see both the inspiration and your project.  I have a feeling that I will be full of inspiration at the end of this hop!

Blog Hop Details:
Create your assigned project and take a photo of it.

You have until the 25th to e-mail me at counterfeitkitchallenge@yahoo.com with BLOG HOP in the heading.  In your e-mail, please give me the LINK TO YOUR BLOG and be ready to publish a post with your challenge on the 28th (12:01 AM Eastern Time) for the hop

We will put together a list of all participating blogs and will e-mail everyone the order of the blog hop and how to do their post!


By the 28th (or earlier if you want to schedule it to simply post on the 28th) you will create a blog post that shares your creation and then post the link to the next blog on the list!  Easy!

I took a little poll of our Master Forgers and had to laugh at how many different "favorite" companies were named.
Here are our Top 3 favorites:
Pink Paislee
Crate Paper
Paper Trey Ink

And here are some others that made our list:
Unity
Jillibean Soup
Cosmo Cricket
Prima
Maya Road
Imaginisce
Nikkisdoghouse
Cosmo Cricket
Miss Fancy Pants
Prima
October Afternoon
Graphic 45
Tim Holtz
American Crafts
Sassafras
Studio Calico

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

I Spy....Susan White!!




**Love her mix of Alphas...and look really closely at some of her subtle details!  Awesome job, Susan!

Monday, May 16, 2011

"Boy" Layout Inspiration

Boy, oh Boy...how about these for some great inspiration?

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And a few from our fabulous Guest Designer this month...Jen!  Her blog is FULL of little boy layouts!!!


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 I know finding boy embellishments is a bit more challenging than "girly" ones.  I hope this month's Add-On kits, tutorials, and inspirational layouts will make it a little easier! 

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Mini Challenge #1 : Master Forger Cards

You are in for a treat!  Our Master Forgers made some fantastic cards from our card sketch this month!

Here is the sketch:


And here we go!

Jen (Our guest designer)













Are our Forgers awesome or what?  Love these!