Hello, it's Susan here with something I hope will help you as you pull together your kits!
When I first started participating in the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog and making my own kits, I had a hard time figuring out where to start and what to include. My mental conversation with myself went something like this: "I have a Felicity Jane paper like the one in the kit - let me find it. Oh hey, there's a fun stamp that would go. Sequins would be good - I wonder where they are? I can't forget to add those Crate Paper die-cuts - I should grab them now. Ooooh, those Elle's Studios puffy stickers would be great to include - I think they're in the upstairs closet." I'd sometimes stretch out the kitting process over a couple of days because I'd just get overwhelmed and distracted.
When I first started participating in the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog and making my own kits, I had a hard time figuring out where to start and what to include. My mental conversation with myself went something like this: "I have a Felicity Jane paper like the one in the kit - let me find it. Oh hey, there's a fun stamp that would go. Sequins would be good - I wonder where they are? I can't forget to add those Crate Paper die-cuts - I should grab them now. Ooooh, those Elle's Studios puffy stickers would be great to include - I think they're in the upstairs closet." I'd sometimes stretch out the kitting process over a couple of days because I'd just get overwhelmed and distracted.
I started writing a
"shopping list" to help me keep track of the designs and styles and
colors of the inspiration kit and I'd keep it with me as I shopped my
supplies. While the list was helpful in
capturing the mood or feel of the inspiration, it didn't really address the
specific types of items I needed to include.
Inevitably, I'd miss something and would have to go back and add it.
This was especially annoying after I'd photographed my kit and written my blog
post about it.
Eventually, I came
up with a system that worked for me and I thought I'd share it with you. I've written a checklist that sorts the kit
components you might want to include into basic categories. It also has a place for notes about the
inspiration kit and a spot to list the photos and stories you might want to use
with the kit.
So where's this
checklist? You can download a copy right here. I tailored the
list to my needs but you can always add anything you know you'll use that I
might not have included. I hope you'll
find it useful as you put together your next kit!
An excellent article! I know the feeling, and I also found my own system to help me out with building my kit.
ReplyDeleteLoved your ideas!
Thank you, Libeeti! Having a good system makes everything so much easier.
DeleteThanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first month trying out the Counterfeit Blog Challenge and yeah, putting the kit together was overwhelming! I will definitely be trying out your list; TY!
ReplyDeleteI hope it helps, Doreen! And kit making definitely gets easier with experience!
DeleteThank you for the tips. I'll have to try that!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Tish! Hope you give them a try!
DeleteAwesome List :) I remember struggling the first few months of doing the kits and this would have been a big help :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tina! I actually struggled for a while too before I finally decided to put this together. I know that you have a lot of experience with kit-making now, so if you have any tips to share. please pass them along.
DeleteGreat blog post and list you shared. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kristie - I'm glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteSusan, Heidi here in Canada despite how/what my little avatar says there to the left. (Our youngest uses this for a game he plays because I don’t let him have his own quite yet.) Thanks so much for this honest look at the kitting process and sharing what you have found has worked for you (as well as your process that landed you there). Thanks for sharing the sheet, maybe next month I’ll use it to make my kit. (Although I sort of wonder how I actually make mine now-lol. I’ve done it so many times that I don’t even think about it much now, I guess?? I have no clue. Obviously.). This post was a brilliant idea. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteHeidi - so nice to have you here! Sometimes I'm on auto-pilot too but at least it's an improvement from the wandering and wondering I used to do!
DeleteThis is great. Although I have put my first kit together it is just the basics. I know I always want to go back and add more or not use something I may have added. I am sure I will get better as I go along and I need to try and challenge myself to make a layout with what I have got. The list will help me to put together things to begin with <3 thank youu
ReplyDelete