February's Fab Five!

SO many links on Mr. Linky this month!  That is phenomenal!!  Here are some great links you want to make sure to check out!

Virginia

Julie

Annie

Tina C.

Jane

There are a lot of amazing projects on Mr. Linky…so much inspiration!  Make sure to take a final look through before I have the new link up for March.  :)

February Members Blog Hop!

It is a great day for a hop!  Are you ready for some inspiration?

The challenges this month are:

1. Challenge #1 Ugly Sweater Inspiration - do you love them or hate them?  Let those big shapes and bright colours take centre stage on your projects!
2. Challenge #2 Angled Backgrounds -  create an angled background for your project
3. Challenge #3 10 Minute Craft Dash -  time yourself ... you have TEN MINUTES to make a card! 

We have assembled a great group ready to share with you what they have been working on this month!  I am thrilled to see some new faces today, too! 

Start with Jemma and then let each blog link you to the next stop on our hop.  (How very Dr. Seuss of me!)

Jemma    http://just-jimjams.blogspot.co.uk
Julene      http://julenebydesign.blogspot.com.au
Tina          http://tinasscrapcorner.blogspot.com
Annie       http://www.artyfartyannie.com
Lesley       http://ohblogitifyoucantbeatthem.blogspot.co.uk
Maggie    http://maggiebscrapblog.blogspot.fr
Chrissy     http://craftychrissycreates.blogspot.co.nz
Leslie        http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.com
Elaine        http://chidkids26.blogspot.co.uk
Karen        http://www.karenscorneroftheweb.blogspot.com
Susanne    http://snapsandsnippets.blogspot.com
Virginia     http://celtichouse.blogspot.co.uk
Cindy        http://www.cindyscreations-cinmfoster.blogspot.com
Lisa           http://lisahausmann.blogspot.de

Don't forget to take a moment to leave a comment on each blog!  

Inspired? ... you will be!

This month, I've been inspired by sequins. And I know I featured sparkle in our November inspired feature, but now I just want to talk about awesomely, gorgeous sequins - and I am in love!

I guess I've always loved sequins, right back to my dress making days when I made my first evening gowns with sequin fabric. And nearly all my going out/evening clothes feature sequins more or less. I have dresses, skirts, tops, shoes, handbags, cardigans... you name it, it's sequinned. So it was logical to jump right on to the use of them for my layouts.

I love the dimension, sparkle and prettiness they bring to a page and am very inspired by these layout finds:

Jill Sprott for Jenni Bowlin Studio (Pinterest source here). There is so much to love on this one with the gold elements, the stitching, the minimalist feel to it but most of all, that little stitched on pocket full of gold sequins! Sigh!

Nicole Nowasad (source here) I particularly love the bright colour the sequins add to this more toned down layout. They add just the right amount of bling bling without being overpowering. Perfect placement.

Stephaine Bryan for Glitz Designs (source here). Oh My! Look at that adorable strip of sequins along the bottom bringing colour, sparkle, dimension and whimsy to this delightful page. I lifted this idea myself when I first saw it - and I'll be doing it again!

Michelle de Leon in the Two Peas gallery  (source here). Clearly I need to raid my sewing supplies to track down some sequin ribbon like this. I used to have some... now where could it be!

Lilallie at the Two Peas gallery (source here) A fantastic double border of funky yellow and gold to really brighten up this page. The mix of yellow and pink along with the blingy stars makes this so happy.

And here are a few close up details that I would love to recreate on my pages...

Found on Pinterest (source here) Sequin filled mason jars with vellum and thread. A new take on a sequin-filled pocket.

Susan Stringfellow for Scraptastic (source here) A flutter of sequins flying away out of a vellum pocket. What a wonderful detail.

I love the idea of sequin filled pockets of all types to add to my pages and here is a great tutorial for mini 3x4 pouches to add to a mini book, a page or even Project Life. Works for me!

Polka Dot Creative blog (Source here)

Last but not least, sequins are the perfect small size to be ideal for card-making and these two are winners.

Betsy Veldmann for Paper Trey (source here) A shaker element full of gold sequins is sure to charm.

Pinterest find (Source here) This is a card I pinned months ago waiting for the perfect birthday boy or girl to receive it. Maybe I will just make it and send it to myself as I'd love to receive it. 

There's loads of choices out there for sequins from the scrapbooking manufacturers such as these....

Luscious, gold sequins by Jenni Bowlin Studions @ Two Peas shop (source here)

A mixed bunch of shapes and colours by Studio Calico @ Two Peas shop (source here)

However, don't forget to check out your own sewing supplies or your local craft/sewing shop for no-name packs which are bound to be more reasonably priced!

I hope you enjoyed the inspiration I found for you this month. If you use your kit to create a project based on any of these ideas, we'd love it if you posted on our Mr Linky page.

February member blog hop reminder

This is just a reminder that we are looking for YOU to come and join in on our monthly member blog hop.

This is always a whole lot of fun and a chance for you to show off your amazing creations with your Counterfeit Kits.

So.... if you have created a project using your Counterfeit Kit Challenge kit for any of this month's three challenges and have NOT posted it on your blog before, we would love for you to join in our member blog hop and share your creations

1. Challenge #1 Ugly Sweater Challenge - We are looking to the finest inspiration winter has to offer… UGLY SWEATERS!

2. Challenge #2 Angled background - Use an angled background on a card, tag, layout, you decide! 

3. Challenge #3 Ten minute speed challenge - You have TEN minutes to create something.  No more.  If it is not done in 10 minutes, you have to share what it looked like at that stage anyway. 

We LOVE it when you share so come on, join in on the hop and inspire us all.

Here is how it will work:

Your Blog Hop Project may be from any of the 3 challenges we offer throughout the month.

Your project must be something new, using a Counterfeit Kit Challenge kit, that you have not shown before and only post for the hop.

To be a part of our blog hop:

1.  E-mail us your name/blog address/promise to participate at counterfeitkitchallenge@yahoo.com  BY THE 18th!  (No late requests will be able to join this time due to the work it takes for us to get it put together.)

2.  You will receive  an e-mail from us by the 20th with a list of the hop participants.

3.  You will need to schedule your own blog post showing your project based on this challenge and links to the person after you in the hop.

4.  All Blog Hop posts will need to be scheduled to go live on the 24th at 12:00 A.M. Mountain Standard Time (Arizona)

Challenge #3: 10 Minute Speed Challenge

We have our kits ready to go.  Makes being creative SO much faster and easier.  So, let's see how much faster and easier!

Take some time to semi-plan a project if you like.  I suggest a card with this kind of time limit!  LOL

Find a sketch and pull what you want to use from your kit.

Now you have TEN minutes to create something.  No more.  If it is not done in 10 minutes, you have to share what it looked like at that stage anyway.

Ready?  Set?  GO!

Do you think our Master Forgers managed this challenge without cheating?  Let's see…

Here's a sneak peak of our Guest Designer Susanne's card

Be sure to hop over to her blog Snap and Snippets to view the full details.

LesleyG managed a Valentine's card for her husband

 Why not nip over to her blog to see how long it took her.

Lisa ran up not one but three at less than 10 minutes a piece! You can see the proof over at her blog.

Leslie got in on the cardmaking as well.

 

End of the Month Blog Hop:

On the 24th of each month we offer a blog hop opportunity to all of our followers!  A chance for you to show off a special project made with your counterfeit kit for that month.

Here is how it will work:

Your Blog Hop Project may be from any of the 3 challenges we offer throughout the month.

Your project must be something new that you have not shown before and only post for the hop.

To be a part of our blog hop:

1.  E-mail us your name/blog address/promise to participate at counterfeitkitchallenge@yahoo.com  BY THE 18th!  (No late requests will be able to join this time due to the work it takes for us to get it put together.)

2.  You will receive  an e-mail from us by the 20th with a list of the hop participants.

3.  You will need to schedule your own blog post showing your project based on this challenge and links to the person after you in the hop.

4.  All Blog Hop posts will need to be scheduled to go live on the 24th at 12:00 A.M. Mountain Standard Time (Arizona)

Challenge #2: Angled Background Challenge

I LOVE Blogloving.  LOVE IT.  It is so relaxing to get on my Kindle at bed time and browse my favorite blogs, all housed in one convenient place.  Makes me happy and I "like" so many ideas that we can use for inspiration here!  Win win!

Challenge #2:  Use an angled background on a card, tag, layout, you decide!

Here are some ideas for you:

Paper, Scissors, Superheros

Paper Trey Ink

Let's see what our Master Forgers have been up to!

Milissa used some washi to create her angled background:

Get more details on Milissa's blog.

LesleyG's eyes went wonky whilst creating her layout

You can see the full page on her blog

And our delightful Guest Designer, Susanne has not only been playing with words (in her blog post title!) but also playing with paper for her take on an angled background. You can check it out here. 

End of the Month Blog Hop:

On the 24th of each month we offer a blog hop opportunity to all of our followers!  A chance for you to show off a special project made with your counterfeit kit for that month.

Here is how it will work:

Your Blog Hop Project may be from any of the 3 challenges we offer throughout the month.

Your project must be something new that you have not shown before and only post for the hop.

To be a part of our blog hop:

1.  E-mail us your name/blog address/promise to participate at counterfeitkitchallenge@yahoo.com  BY THE 18th!  (No late requests will be able to join this time due to the work it takes for us to get it put together.)

2.  You will receive  an e-mail from us by the 20th with a list of the hop participants.

3.  You will need to schedule your own blog post showing your project based on this challenge and links to the person after you in the hop.

4.  All Blog Hop posts will need to be scheduled to go live on the 24th at 12:00 A.M. Mountain Standard Time (Arizona)

Hey...I Can Make THAT!

February Tutorials

Welcome to "Hey...I can make THAT!"  A monthly post to help you truly counterfeit many of the components of the current month's kit.  No need to go out and purchase...just use the supplies you already have to create some of the freshest and trendiest products out there.  Here you will find links to our amazing design team members' blogs and/or links to other craft sites on the web showing how to make these amazing products.

Get ready to see stars AND hearts in this round of tutorials pulled from our February Counterfeit offering.  Find out all about the inspiration kit here.

Now...let's get on with forging!

LesleyG has forged the MME Cupid's Arrow Love 3""x4" Cardstock Journal Element Cards

as well as the "Alpha Love" 12x12 

Jemma counterfeited Crate Paper's Sparked patterned paper, but substituted stars for hearts:

• Punch shapes from scraps, matching the colours in the rest of your kit
• Punch shapes from an old book page
• Stick them in curved rows onto a plain paper background with the minimum of glue
• Using a small zig-zag stitch machine-sew them down!

Leslie has also changed up the hearts for a "Starstruck" kit. A handful of counterfeit papers plus some neat embellis were forged from the papers in the inspiration kits.

Lynnette dug out our her watercolor crayons and her daughter's Crayola paint box to create this easy counterfeit heart paper.  Check out her blog here to see the easy peasy process and how she used it on a page.

Well, there you have it, folks!  Now that you are seeing hearts and stars, try your hand at some of these fabulous tutorials.  We'd love to see YOUR creations over on Mr. Linky!

 

Challenge #1: Ugly Sweater Inspiration

Yes, you heard me right!  We are looking to the finest inspiration winter has to offer…UGLY SWEATERS!

I created a lovely board on Pinterest (or maybe NOT so lovely) to give you some ideas.  You are welcome to find your own Ugly Sweater, but be careful to not let dear Aunt Ida know WHY you are using it.  LOL

Ugly Sweater Pinterest Board

I am proud to say that I had nothing to do with the Ugly Sweaters that gave our Master Forgers inspiration for today.  Nope.  Nothing. To. Do. With.  It.  LOL

LesleyG was "inspired" by this little number...

...see how her layout turned out HERE

 Julene has a vest she is ashamed to say that she chose the colours for.

It was the 1970s,the decade of fashion faux pas! I was only 16!!!

See the final layout here

Lisa checked out my Pinterest board and was inspired by all those hideous chevrons, large swirly bits, and generally louder colours and designs.

Check out the full layout over on her blog here


Lynnete took her inspiration from this winner!


As if the actual leg lamp from the movie, "A Christmas Story" wasn't tacky enough, here's a sweater featuring that infamous "major award"!  Check out her interpretation on her blog here.

End of the Month Blog Hop:

On the 24th of each month we offer a blog hop opportunity to all of our followers!  A chance for you to show off a special project made with your counterfeit kit for that month.

Here is how it will work:

Your Blog Hop Project may be from any of the 3 challenges we offer throughout the month.

Your project must be something new that you have not shown before and only post for the hop.

To be a part of our blog hop:

1.  E-mail us your name/blog address/promise to participate at counterfeitkitchallenge@yahoo.com  BY THE 18th!  (No late requests will be able to join this time due to the work it takes for us to get it put together.)

2.  You will receive  an e-mail from us by the 20th with a list of the hop participants.

3.  You will need to schedule your own blog post showing your project based on this challenge and links to the person after you in the hop.

4.  All Blog Hop posts will need to be scheduled to go live on the 24th at 12:00 A.M. Mountain Standard Time (Arizona)

February Kit Reveal and Inspiration Blog Hop!

We are back with another great month of inspiration to help you use up some supplies AND get the buzz of having a brand new (to you) kit to play with.

It has been a great start to the year so far, hasn't it?  I am getting so much more done this year than I did last year.  It is all about being creative in 2014!

We have some wonderful kit choices from Kits de Somni!

Choice #1

Choice #2

Project Life Choice

And who do we have to share some great inspiration with you this month?  None other than our very own former Master Forger, Suzanne!  Oh, we have missed her!

For some great inspiration, head over to her bog, Snaps and Snippets!

Our Master Forgers have been hard at work creating some beautiful kits for this month!  Here is our hop list.  Click on each link to get ideas for how to put together your kit!  Make sure to leave them some lovely comments!

Guest Designer Susanne: http://snapsandsnippets.blogspot.com

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

Lynnette http://sassyscrapper2010.blogspot.com/

Millisa http://millermall.blogspot.com/

Stephanie http://skylinepaperie.blogspot.ca/

************************************************************************************************************

Now, how can YOU participate?  Go to the sidebar and use Mr. LINKY to link us to YOUR kit or project using your kit so we can leave you some love!  We will make a brand new Mr. Linky for each month, so get your blog posts linked ASAP!

To make Mr. Linky a little easier for us to use, please type your name and then a description of what you are linking (ie: kit, mini challenge, ect...).

We also have a new twist on our Follower Blog Hop for this year!  I hope you like it!

End of the Month Blog Hop:

On the 24th of each month we offer a blog hop opportunity to all of our followers!  A chance for you to show off a special project made with your counterfeit kit for that month.

Here is how it will work:

Your Blog Hop Project may be from any of the 3 challenges we offer throughout the month.

Your project must be something new that you have not shown before and only post for the hop.

To be a part of our blog hop:

1.  E-mail us your name/blog address/promise to participate at counterfeitkitchallenge@yahoo.com  BY THE 18th!  (No late requests will be able to join this time due to the work it takes for us to get it put together.)

2.  You will receive  an e-mail from us by the 20th with a list of the hop participants.

3.  You will need to schedule your own blog post showing your project based on this challenge and links to the person after you in the hop.

4.  All Blog Hop posts will need to be scheduled to go live on the 24th at 12:00 A.M. Mountain Standard Time (Arizona)