Counterfeit Kit Challenge

Tutorial-Substitutions and Previous Tutorials

2012-03-10T00:01:00.027-07:00

We have previously posted quite a few tutorials that can be utilized for counterfeiting this month's inspiration kit. Here are some of those links...

Pearl Embellishments/Flourishes
Mini Roses
Wooden Embellishments
Chevron Paper

And a few supplies you may want to substitute for the "real thing" from this month's inspiration kit...

If you don't have Glossy Accents, use a few layers of Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE)
If you don't have "painted/distressed" wood grain paper, use strips of chipboard and crackle paint.
If you don't have 12x12 corrugated paper, recycle a corrugated cardboard box and paint it the color you would like.
If you don't have seed beads, use glitter or micro beads

Tutorial--which has NOTHING to do with our kit!

2012-03-09T00:01:00.001-07:00

So, I saw a link to this video today and HAD to share it right away. I think the concept/idea is sooo awesome. Sorry that it really doesn't have anything to do with our inspiration kit this month. It is about taking (hybrid) scrapbooking to a whole new level!

Fast forward through the video until about 7 minutes 50 seconds to see this great idea...enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4_b3asmqSI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Tutorial-Denim Frames

2012-03-08T00:01:00.001-07:00

Denim Frames by Fabscrap

These are truly easy to replicate. If you have an old pair of jeans lying around, simply cut a bit of fabric from them to use for this embellishment. You can create embellishments in one of the following ways:

1- cut a frame using a die cut machine (it is especially simple with something like a Sizzix or Cuttlebug---rather than an electronic one).
2- (even easier) simply cut fabric squares/rectangles using fabric pinking shears. You can use the fabric rectangles as mats (rather than frames)
3-Using pinking shears and regular scissors, create a denim frame like the ones above.

There you have it! Very simple, you can also use different fabrics to give your layouts some texture. Have fun!

Tutorial-Painted Embellishments and Paper

2012-03-07T00:01:00.005-07:00

MME "Miss Caroline Collection" Lucky Title

MME "On the Bright Side" Yellow Chevron Paper

Playing off the the overall distressed/painted feel of this month's kit...I thought using some of those acrylic paints I have had sitting in my stash of supplies for YEARS would be a great idea...

Yellow Chevron Paper
I ran across this tutorial last week...and although the chevron pattern won't be an exact replica... I think it will DEFINITELY work with the overall feel of this month's kit!!!

Faux Wooden Sign Title
So I have some REALLY old photo realistic wooden plank paper in my stash...(I'm talking circa 2002, most likely). Well, it works PERFECT to re-create this title embellishment. Here are the directions...

Supplies:
Scrap of Faux Wood Plank Paper
Various Alphabet stamps and/or Phrase stamps
Flower (or other small shape) stamp---like those from the $1 bins
Acrylic paint(s)

Step 1:
Stamp the phrases/words/titles/images you plan on using on your "wood plank" paper. You can use a variety of colors of acrylic paint rather than ink for this step. The paint will give your stamped images that "distressed" look. To stamp with acrylic paint, I brush the paint lightly on the stamp with a foam brush (rather than dipping the stamp into the paint). I also like to do a test stamp on scrap paper before stamping with paint onto my "good" paper.

*You must clean your stamp(s) really well after stamping with paint. I run the stamp under water immediately, before the paint has too long to dry on them).

Step 2:
Cut your stamped title to the desired size, don't forget to add the notches at the ends, to make the cute "banner" type shape!

*I also added the "outline" to one tag to make it more legible. The next time I try this, I will use paint colors that contrast more with the paper.

March 2012 Master Forgers Counterfeit Kit Blog Hop

2012-03-06T00:01:00.001-07:00

This month blog hop is, once again, showcasing our Design Team's Counterfeit Kits. You are at the beginning of the hop, and in case you get lost, here is the order...

Guest Designer: Mry Buttons http://craftycreation.blogspot.com/
Crystal http://crystalscraftycreations.blogspot.com/
Glinda http://razzledscrapper.blogspot.com/
Helen http://craftimperfect.blogspot.com/
Jen http://mypair-a-dice.blogspot.com/
JulieAnn http://julieannshahin2.blogspot.com/
Lisa http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com/
Margie http://scrappinmargie.blogspot.com/
Melissa http://millermall.blogspot.com/
Bethany http://inspiredscrapper-bethany.blogspot.com/
Meridy http://www.meridy77.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!!!

March 2012 Inspiration Kit Reveal

2012-03-05T00:01:00.005-07:00

Happy Spring!!! While we are excited to see some new product from the Winter 2012 CHA---most of the current kit clubs haven't included it in their kits yet...hopefully next month! So onto this month's inspiration...

This Month's Inspiration Kit...

The March 2012 Inspiration Kit is the March kit put together by Birds of a Feather Kit Company. Their March 2012 kit is so neat and tidy, you can view the contents at their web site found at http://birdsofafeatherkitco.com/item_611/March-2012-Kit.htm. This was a perfect inspiration kit for me, as I have been trying to create my kits on the smaller side so I can use them up in one month. If you preferr working from large kits, then the Birds of a Feather kit will make the perfect "starting point" for you.

What's the next step???

The CHALLENGE is to use this kit for inspiration. How, you ask? Well, there are many ways to go about this. Here are a few ideas...

Try and match every piece in the kit as close as possible to something from your supply stash.
Use the "kit contents" as inspiration, and recreate your own kit with the same types of supplies, but in a different color or style that corresponds better with your preferences/photographs/scrapbook style/tastes.
Make an even smaller "page kit" or "card kit"..."counterfeiting" just a few items from this month's kit as inspiration.
Using the color scheme from the kits as inspiration, try to re-create a kit of your own using whatever supplies you have available.

What's to come?...

Tomorrow we will post pictures of the inspired Counterfeit Kits we put together from our stash of supplies. The link for you to share pictures of your Counterfeit Kits with each other is here.
Over the next week, we will add links to tutorials for counterfeiting many of the embellishments in this month's inspiration Kit's.
Over the next month, we will post mini challenges to USE your new kit, as well as organize a blog hop to share your creations!
We hope you all find some inspiration in the kit club we choose this month!!! If you aren't sure where to begin, check out the "Hints and Tips" page of our blog for some help. Feel free to leave a comment, questions, or any suggestions!!! We look forward to hearing from you.

Mister Linky For February 2012

To find the Mister Linky Post quickly, there is a link on the top right sidebar of our blog called "Mister Linky Post". Every time you would like to link a picture of your counterfeit kit, or a layout you made with your kit, please link it to that Mister Linky, also found here.

You do not need to have a blog or on-line gallery to link your pictures. You can upload the picture to your Facebook (don't forget to share it as "public") and link that web address to Mister Linky! Or, if you need help figuring out how to link your work, please e-mail us, attach your picture, and we'll help you out. Our e-mail is counterfeitkitchallenge@yahoo.com.

March 2012 Mr. Linky

2012-03-04T21:26:00.000-07:00

Here is the Mister Linky for ALL of the links for the month of March...whether you are linking a picture of your kit, a mini challenge, or anything else you have created, link it here. There is a "quick link" to this Mister Linky on the top right side bar of the blog as well.

In order to make this Mister Linky a little easier to *understand* with so many different types of links in it...in the "name" field below, type your name and either the word "kit", "mini challenge", or "other" according to what you are linking. Hopefully that will keep it a little organized!!!

Organize This...Week 5

2012-03-04T00:01:00.002-07:00

Photo Credit-Cooks, Cleans, Plays with Paper Blog

If you are following along with our organizational mini challenges, you should have been working on organizing you paper for the past 2 weeks. I have to admit, I fell behind these last 2 weeks. I have not worked on my paper one. little. bit. But I HAVE been scrapbooking--quite productively, I might add.

This week's organizational challenge, found here, is all about organizing your paper SCRAPS! If you use your scraps (or if you really WANT to use your scraps---but can't because they are too inconvenient/unorganized) this is definitely a post you should read.

My goal this week is to accomplish these 3 things with my scraps:
1-border punch and layer my 12" long scraps into "pre-punched" border strips
2-cut any thing shorter than 12", but larger than 4 1/2"x 6 1/2" into photo mats
3-group the remaining tiny scraps into color schemes to make either layouts, cards, mini banner, embellishments, or decorative tags to use in my scrapbooks

It's All in the Numbers

2012-03-03T00:01:00.004-07:00

I came across this AWESOME blog post...First let me ask you, how do you feel about making 7 layouts in 3 hours using a limited amount of SCRAPS??? I say..."my kind of challenge"!!! And in the author's words she used "very old scraps, but in current colors"---she uses current colors and shapes/trends from the Winter 2012 CHA!!! So, without further ado... How to Make 7 Layouts in 3 Hours with your Scraps, by Katie Scott. Enjoy! I'm going to try this tonight :)

PS- Katie has also made LOTS of layouts from her old supplies that were inspired by layouts and paper lines from the Winter 2012 CHA---her recent blog posts are FULL of them. Look for "Winter CHA Knock Offs" in her blog post titles. Here is her "wrap-up" post of all of her CHA scraplifts http://kissandtellscrapbooking.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/02/winter-cha-2012-scraplifting-series-wrap-up-slide-show.html

Do you add anything else to your Counterfeit Kits?

2012-03-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

I love working from my Counterfeit Kits. Sometimes I just grab a kit and go (to scrapbook at a crop or a friend's house). So that got me thinking, what else besides the scrapbook supplies, can I put into my kits to make them even more complete and ready to use? Here are a few things I thought of...do any of you have any other ideas???

Coordinating Photos (enough for multiple layouts)
Journaling notes
Sketches

I would love to hear some other ideas!

Been Caught Stealing-March 2012 Guest Designer

2012-03-01T00:01:00.002-07:00

We would like to introduce you to our March Guest Designer, Mary Buttons...

"Hi fellow counterfeiters my name is Mary Buttons (Bainbridge really but I love using buttons so chose that as my user name) I am a grandmother to 3 Grandsons (my daughter has two boys and my son has one),I am retired, and was widowed in 2002. I live with three cats Rudi my 15 year old male and two lively black & white 7 month old female kittens.

I didn't start scrapbooking till about 2003, after my husband died I wanted a way of preserving his memory, and for the first 18months I did nothing but digital scrapping, teaching myself and making all my own papers and embellishments. I progressed to paper scrapping when I joined a club that was just starting in my area but my first love is still digital and still with all my own creations.

Over the years I have accumulated so much stash that just gets put in drawers and not used much so when Jemma (Jimjams) joined your DT and told us about it (we are in the same team on UKScrappers) I thought what a good way to use some of my stash mountain.

I have been in the process of sorting and tidying my craft room and conservatory (where I mostly paper scrap) and so have been doing digital for the last month. My space is nearly ready to paper scrap again. I did produce a digital counterfeit kit in January and that was great fun to do."

You can find Mary at her inspirational blog (she has a few digital freebies on here too) at http://craftycreation.blogspot.com/

A Clue!

2012-02-29T00:01:00.002-07:00

I know what this means. Do you?

Master Forger Coloring Challenge

2012-02-28T00:01:00.002-07:00

Guest Designer: Brenda

I must admit that I was stumped with this challenge. I am NOT a stamper and have never attempted any type of coloring. At first I was trying to figure out how I could take the easy way out, but then I realized that this was supposed to be a challenge. So I took one of my favorite background stamps, a circle pattern, and stamped it at the top right and bottom left of my layout. Then I colored it in with a blue colored pencil. And if I'm being honest, I'm kind of fond of how it turned out!

Bethany

Helen

Jemma

Lisa

Susanne

I hope we have inspired you to be a kid again and color something!

Challenge #3: Coloring Challenge

2012-02-27T00:01:00.001-07:00

I have always loved to color! I still get excited when I buy a brand new box of crayons. Crayola, of course, and the bigger the box, the better! I have expanded my love of coloring a bit to include Copics, chalk, watercolors and other fun sparkely things.

Challenge #3: Coloring Challenge: Copics, colored pencils, chalk, water colors....show me some mad coloring skills on your project!

I Spy....Stacey and Helen!

2012-02-26T00:01:00.001-07:00

Stacey's Blog

**Check out her homeade embellishments!

Helen

**She posted a great Valentine Mini Album!

Online Inspiration

2012-02-25T00:01:00.002-07:00

Loading up my Pinterest Boards again! Here are a few of my favorites!

February Card Sketch!

2012-02-24T00:01:00.001-07:00

I found an intriguing sketch for us this month...

Tami Mayberry

As soon as I saw this sketch, I was struck with how interesting it would be to stamp the same scene on all three cards and layer them so it looked like one paper. Hmmmm...I wonder if I can pull that off?

Storage Envy

2012-02-23T00:01:00.002-07:00

Totally inpracticle...totally unnecessary...totally wonderful!

Madame Cupcake

Creating Keepsakes

BHG

Master Forgers Doily Challenge!

2012-02-22T00:01:00.002-07:00

Guest Designer: Brenda Smith

I decided to go in a different direction for today's challenge by creating a cover for a Fancy Pants brag book album. I actually used the negative of a doily on this project by laying an 8" doily on a piece of white cardstock and misting. Then I built on top of the misted cardstock with other pieces from my kit. My intention for this album is to document the every day so I thought this "Fresh Memories" sticker from Pebbles was appropriate. I hope to show you the beginnings of this album in the next week or so.

**Margie also created a digi layout for this challenge, too!

Susanne

February Challenge #2: Doiley Challenge

2012-02-21T00:01:00.001-07:00

Let's jump right into our next challenge!

Challenge #2: Doiley Challenge! Glue it, punch it, stamp it, but use it on a project! Let's see how many uses we can find for doileys!

Looking for a bit of inspiration?

Ideas for Scrapbookers

So what doily craftiness will you come up with? I can't wait to see!

Fun Project: Rainbow Mini Album!

2012-02-20T00:01:00.001-07:00

Our Indiana winter has been strange to say the least. Hardly any snow...up and down temperatures and very grey skies.

Photo Credit

I am ready for some sun and color, aren't you? To tide me over until spring, I found this adorable mini album from Amy Bell.

Head over to her blog to take a closer look and get some details...Positively Splendid.

Organize This: Week 4

2012-02-19T00:01:00.028-07:00

Head over to My Love Affair with the Label Maker to read her entire post about organizing paper. I am pretty lucky in this area because I tackled it a LONG time ago. My storage has changed over the years, but my categories have not.

Here is how I organize my paper:
Cardstock: By Color (I have a specific order that I use for all of my supplies)
**Red, Pink, Purple, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Black, Grey, White, Cream, Brown

Patterned Paper:
1. Random PP is sorted by my Color Order System
2. Paper from Manufacturers is sorted by the Manufacturer (I usually buy stacks/kits and just keep them together)
3. I do keep some of my paper sorted by themes:
**nature, boyish, typography, Christmas, school, fall, Halloween, Valentines

When I first started this ~~obsession~~ hobby, I started out with Iris cases. This was easy to maintain when I just had baby themed supplies.

Amazon

As I got more paper, I moved on to Cropper Hoppers. I liked that I could easily flip through my growing stash to find what I needed. I loved the dividers, too, so I could begin a sorting process.

Amazon

The more my stash grew, the more Cropper Hoppers I collected and the less places I could find to keep them. LOL They get pretty heavy with lots of paper in them.

I was very fortunate to move onto this:

I can't imagine having my paper any other way. It is right above my desk and SO convenient! Everything has a slot and I always know what I have. I do use one Cropper Hopper for my MME paper stacks...they come with ALOT of paper and it is easier to flip with them standing up. I also use a second C.H. for my scraps until I utilize them, but you will have to hear about that another week!

So how do you store your paper? Pictures please!!

Come Window Shop with Me...

2012-02-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for this? I mean hold onto your wallet really ready? We are just WINDOW shopping today. Don't blame me if it ends up costing you a bit of cash.

Design Memory Craft

**How amazing is this! And I don't dare put up the price because I don't want anyone to feel sad. LOL

2 Peas Link

**These are really beautiful! They would be a show stopper all on their own!

Do it Yourself Thickers

**Ummmm...HELLO! Brillliant!

Pretty Little Studio

**Really, you might as well bookmark this one...really amazing products!

Do you have any great new finds YOU want to share?

Lisa's Love Notes Page Kit

2012-02-17T00:01:00.001-07:00

Lisa's Blog

I love that Lisa picked this awesome sketch first and then planned her page kit around it.

Pagemaps

Is this not the prettiest thing ever?

February Photo Inspiration

2012-02-16T00:01:00.002-07:00

Since we have a short month this month, I thought it would be nice to bump up the photo inspiration so we don't lose it altogether.

I really love this photo...it is so woodsy and the colors are gorgeous!

Photo Credit

So does this get you thinking? Hmmmm....feathers might be a fun touch in a project, too!

Master Forger Love Note Projects

2012-02-15T00:01:00.003-07:00

I have a feeling many years from now we will all be really happy we did this challenge.

Helen

Glinda

February Challenge 1: Love Letter Challenge

2012-02-14T00:01:00.002-07:00

There are so many things I want to tell my family, but sometimes it is hard to express. I get so caught up in the business of my day and don't take the time to tell them how incredible they are.

LOVE LETTER CHALLENGE: Include a "love" letter on your layout to let that person know how much they mean to you.

For a bit of extra inspiration, check out this lovely layout by Jill Sprott (from 2 Peas):

2 Peas Gallery...check here for more detail shots

Stop in here tomorrow to see what we came up with!

February Sketch Inspiration

2012-02-13T00:01:00.002-07:00

Today's Inspiration Sketch is a one page layout from Creative Scrappers.

Sketch 194

I LOVE the idea layout of the rectangles in the middle. You could go crazy with photos or using patterned paper instead.

Tutorial: Using Stamps to Recreate Embellishments

2012-02-12T00:01:00.004-07:00

Fancy Pants Love Story Element Sticker

My Mind's Eye Love Me Die Cut Accessories

To replicate the above embellishments, I pulled some of my stamping supplies...

This is what I created...

ETA- Crystal has also created a few embellishments with her stamps. You can see them on Crystal's Blog.

Tutorial: Papers

2012-02-11T00:01:00.007-07:00

October Afternoon-- Sidewalks "Marbles"

To recreate this paper you will need:

Small bits and pieces of scraps in various colors ad patterns
Circle punch(es) --I used 2 sizes of circles, and one circle with rigid edges
1 piece of cardstock for the background
Machine stitching (optional)
Adhesive

Step 1: Choose coordinating scrap pieces (I choose to match the other colors in my Counterfeit Kit)
Step 2: Punch/cut circles in various sizes from the scraps
Step 3: Cut about half of the punched circles in half

Step 4: Start adhering the circles and half circles on your paper. I did one line at a time in a random pattern/order.
***I made certain that I never put 2 of the same color next to each other in any row or column.

Step 5: If desired machine stitch down each column of circles. (I did this mainly so everything will stay in place, especially if I eventually cut the paper into smaller pieces.)

Close-up...I think it would also be cute with a zig zag stitch.

Ali, a fellow Counterfeiter, also lifted this design, check it out on her blog, http://alits.blogspot.com/2012/02/counterfeit-paper.html. Great job Ali!!!

Margie also recreated a few papers from this month's inspiration kit, check out her blog for those tutorials at http://scrappinmargie.blogspot.com/2012/02/making-your-own-patterned-paper.html.

Tutorial: MME Layered Embellishments

2012-02-10T00:01:00.016-07:00

My Mind's Eye Funday Layered Stickers

Some of these embellishments can be easily recreated with scraps of paper and various punches. Here is a tutorial for recreating the Scalloped Circle Embellishment on the bottom right side of the sticker set above.

Tutorial: Free Downloads

2012-02-09T00:01:00.001-07:00

There were lots of ideas for printable this month. Here are a few that I thought matched pretty well!

Speech Bubbles

Printable Mini Flags

Vertical Journaling Cards

Horizontal Journaling Cards

Graph Paper Journaling Cards

Cool Journaling Cards

Red Bingo Card

Bracket Journaling Cards

Labels

Valentine's Mini Flags

Tutorial: Found Items and Felt Flowers

2012-02-08T20:54:00.002-07:00

Inspiration Items for this Month

My Mind's Eye Funday Happy Day Borders
Canvas Corp Kraft Corrugated 12×12
1 Doily
1 pack Lily Bee Memo Index Journaling Cards

Similar "Found" Items to use instead...

Doilies
Graph Paper
Index cards (of any color)
Rolodex Cards
Recipe Cards
Corrugated cardboard pieces
Old Raffle Ticket Style Tickets

Felt Pom Pom Flowers

2 Basic Grey Indie Pom Poms

I found a tutorial for a similar flower here http://mrspriss.com/2011/02/03/tutorial-felt-pom-pom-flower-thingamabobs/.

And one of our Master Forgers, Jemma, has also created her own tutorial on her blog, Jemma's Pom Pom Tutorial.

Tutorial: Hexagons and Chevrons

2012-02-07T00:01:00.008-07:00

My Mind's Eye Love Me Die Cut Accessories

Hexagons:
Julie Ann created this awesome tutorial a few months back for creating hexagon embellishments from scraps...Hexagon Embellie Tutorial

Here is a free printabel of hexagon page accents, they can be used a journaling blocks, or an embellishment, or for use in an embellishment cluster...there are so many uses for these great Honeycomb Accents!

American Crafts Chap Jim

Chevrons:
Do you have any old diagonal striped paper laying around??? If so, you are in luck! You can use some of that old paper to create NEW chevron patterned paper!, the best part...it's super simple!!!

Here's what you need...

2-identical pieces of 12x12 diagonal striped patterned paper (or 6x6 if you want to create 6x6 paper)
paper trimmer
1 (or even 2) pieces of 12 x12 paper to use as a background (you will not see this paper, so you can use up some old, ugly paper that you have lying around---I'm pretty sure we all have some of that!)
adhesive

Step 1: Lay the 2 sheets of diagonal paper side by side

Step 2: Turn ONE piece of the paper 90 degrees so the diagonal lines go the opposite direction.
Step 3: Cut strips from both papers (see the crooked lines I tried to draw on my photo for placement).
The strips must be cut in a width that divides into 12 inches evenly...1/2", 3/4", 1", 1.5", or 2" will all work.

Step 4: Glue the strips from alternating pieces of paper to your "background paper" to form a chevron pattern.
***You may find that the lines don't line up perfectly, I had to stagger them slightly to make them line up correctly, then I trimmed the excess off of the top and bottom of the paper, therefor my final piece of chevron paper is just shy of 12" tall.
***You will be able to create 2-12x12 pieces of chevron paper from the 2 sheets of diagonal paper.

Another example of chevron paper, this was cut from diagonal paper with uneven stripes.

Design Team Counterfiet Kit Reveal Blog Hop

2012-02-06T00:01:00.015-07:00

This month we are doing a blog hop showcasing our Design Team's Counterfeit Kits. You are at the beginning of the hop, and in case you get lost, here is the order...

Guest Designer: Brenda Smith http://theimperfectscrapper.blogspot.com/
Crystal http://crystalscraftycreations.blogspot.com/
Glinda http://razzledscrapper.blogspot.com/
Helen http://craftimperfect.blogspot.com/
Jemma http://just-jimjams.blogspot.com/
Jen http://mypair-a-dice.blogspot.com/
JulieAnn http://julieannshahin2.blogspot.com/
Lisa http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com/
Margie http://scrappinmargie.blogspot.com/
Melissa http://millermall.blogspot.com/
Susanne http://www.snapsandsnippets.blogspot.com/
Bethany http://inspiredscrapper-bethany.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!!!

February 2012 Inspiration Kit Reveal

2012-02-05T00:01:00.028-07:00

I hope everyone is finally back in the swing of things after the holidays, so now on to February's Inspiration Kit.

This Month's Inspiration Kit...

The February 2012 Inspiration Kit is your choice of two kits released in January and February by Scrapbook Circle. The first choice is their Valentine's Themed Kit called "You and Me", the second choice is their December Kit called "Note to Self". Feel free to counterfeit one or both kits!

What's the next step???

The CHALLENGE is to use this kit for inspiration. How, you ask? Well, there are many ways to go about this. Here are a few ideas...

Try and match every piece in the kit as close as possible to something from your supply stash.
Use the "kit contents" as inspiration, and recreate your own kit with the same types of supplies, but in a different color or style that corresponds better with your preferences/photographs/scrapbook style/tastes.
Make an even smaller "page kit" or "card kit"..."counterfeiting" just a few items from this month's kit as inspiration.
Using the color scheme from the kits as inspiration, try to re-create a kit of your own using whatever supplies you have available.

What's to come?...

Tomorrow we will post pictures of the inspired Counterfeit Kits we put together from our stash of supplies. The link for you to share pictures of your Counterfeit Kits with each other is here.
Over the next week, we will add links to tutorials for counterfeiting many of the embellishments in this month's inspiration Kit's.
Over the next month, we will post mini challenges to USE your new kit, as well as organize a blog hop to share your creations!
We hope you all find some inspiration in the kit club we choose this month!!! If you aren't sure where to begin, check out the "Hints and Tips" page of our blog for some help. Feel free to leave a comment, questions, or any suggestions!!! We look forward to hearing from you.

Mister Linky For February 2012

Mister Linky February 2012

2012-02-04T17:27:00.000-07:00

Here is the Mister Linky for ALL of the links for the month of February...whether you are linking a picture of your kit, a mini challenge, or anything else you have created, link it here. There is a "quick link" to this Mister Linky on the top right side bar of the blog as well.

In order to make this Mister Linky a little easier to *understand* with so many different types of links in it...in the "name" field below, type your name and either the word "kit", "mini challenge", or "other" according to what you are linking. Hopefully that will keep it a little organized!!!

Organize THIS-Week 3

2012-02-04T00:01:00.031-07:00

Wow, we are already on our 3rd week of our Organize This!!! I hope your brainstorming over the past 2 weeks has given you some encouragement and motivation to move ahead. I have a LONG list of things that don't really work for me, but on the up side, I also have a good sized list of things that I LOVE about my space and it's set up.

This weeks' Challenge, found here, as all about getting some of those "problem" areas removed from your space, so you can replace them with a better storage/organizational solution. I personally will be moving just my problem areas out (a few at a time)...But for those of you planning on starting your space with a completely blank slate, here is the bonus blog post for you to refer to. There are links to TONS of inspiration rooms/areas in this bonus post.

Feel free to add any pictures of your space as you go through this weeks' process on our Facebook page, or linked in the comments below. Is anyone planning on starting with a completely blank slate?

One of my many "problem areas",
the space between 2 storage shelving units. It is "supposed" to be punch storage...
but instead is a "catch-all" for all sorts of stuff!!!

It's All in the Numbers

2012-02-03T00:01:00.001-07:00

Photo Courtesy of Graphic's Fairy

Whether you need to brush up on your photography skills, need some inspiration for Project Life (or P365), or just need a little scrapbooking inspiration, here is a list of "101 Must Take Photos in 2012"

And if you would like a more detailed "Checklist of Spring Photos", check out Rebecca Cooper's Blog for a list of 50 photo ideas and photography prompts.

I like working from these types of lists, it helps me improve my photography skills, and I can make sure I don't miss photographing any "special events" throughout the year.

Counterfeit Kit Storage Options

2012-02-02T00:01:00.032-07:00

Last month one of our fellow counterfeiters asked the questions, "How do you guys store the kits until you are ready to use them? Anyone have any photos for examples? Thanks!"

Here are some of the examples I found for Counterfeit Kit storage...

Our Guest Desinger this month stores hers like this

Brenda's Kit Storage

I keep mine in the clear plastic 12x12 storage envelopes (I get them a the Dollar Tree, or at Michael's when they are on sale). When I run ou of those, I use 2 gallon Zip Lock storage bags (which I also find at my Dollar Tree or Wal Mart) Then I keep all of my envelopes in a storage bin.

Lisa keeps hers in pizza boxes that are larger than 12"x12"---great idea!!!

Studio Calico has some great options pictured on their blog, including Iris Cases and a stacking drawer system.

Been Caught Stealing- February 2012 Guest Designer

2012-02-01T00:01:00.003-07:00

We are excited to introduce our February 2012 Guest Designer, Brenda!

"Hello all! My name is Brenda Smith and I can't even begin to express how ecstatic I am at having been asked to be the CKCB Guest Designer this month. I have always thought myself to be a creative person and have tried my hands at all sorts of art forms. My scrapbooking journey began in July of 2010 when my daughter was 3 months old. It seemed like she was doing new things every day and I wanted to be sure that I would remember those memories in the years to come. Scrapbooking has become a form of self-expression as well as a means of memory preservation and I cannot imagine loving any other craft as much I love paper crafts. I am now quite the collector of scrapbooking supplies and have greatly appreciated the inspiration CKCB provides to use up my rather large stash. I am blessed to be on the design team for Authentique Paper. The owners and my fellow DT members have been such a joy to work with and I feel I have learned so much from all of them.

I live in Southern California with my husband Adam and my daughter Harper. I was home-schooled up until 9th grade by my art-loving mom and had the love of creating instilled in me from a very young age. I have a large family with nine siblings, seven nieces and nephews, and two sets of parents. Needless to say, holidays are always lots of fun and very loud. I work as a nanny and love my job. Even though the hours can be long and the work is often difficult, it is also very rewarding. I am about to start a new job and am looking forward to getting to know a new family.

With working full time and coming home to a (very busy) toddler of my own, my scrapping time seems to be diminishing. But I squeeze it in as often as possible and am looking forward to the inspiration and encouragement that will come with this month's CKCB. I can't wait to see what you all will create with your kits this month. I am always inspired by everyone's creations and know that this month will be no exception. Thank you for having me as your guest this month and please feel free to stop by blog, http://theimperfectscrapper.blogspot.com/."

We are happy to have Brenda with us this month, stop by her blog for BEAUTIFUL scrapbook and card making inspiration!!!

Hint for February

2012-01-31T00:01:00.004-07:00

Yes, it is that time again! We have some awesome kits to counterfeit next month...care to guess what they are?

Hint #1: These kits are definitely not square!
Hint #2: Think about the holiday coming up...
Hint #3: Our second kit has me all KEYED up! Love it!

Any guesses? Comment here!

Photo Challenge

2012-01-30T00:01:00.004-07:00

Photo Credit

**This is actually a really cool spot on Route 66. We stopped last summer and this was our favorite "attraction". I love the colors and the vintage feel of this photo!

Family Add On Kit

2012-01-29T00:01:00.005-07:00

Master Forger Crystal has put together a great family page kit and sketch so we can get some of our Family moments down!

Scrapbooks Ect. Sketch 005

Here is Crystal's take on it!

Thanks for the inspiration, Crystal! Now let's see what you all make!

Master Forger's Challenge #3: Confetti

2012-01-28T00:01:00.039-07:00

I'm afraid we had a bit too much fun with this challenge.

Guest Designer: Van

Lisa

Bethany

**Check out the fun tutorial I found for you...it is posted on my blog!

Challenge #3: Confetti Challenge

2012-01-27T00:01:00.001-07:00

Photo Credit

Confetti just SAYS party, doesn't it? It also says pain in the but to clean up, but I try to not listen to that part. Since we all still have glitter on our desks, we might as well go all the way!

Challenge #3: Confetti Challenge - use confetti on a project!

I LOVE these confetti projects!

I Spy...Rahel Menig

2012-01-26T00:01:00.002-07:00

Swiss Girl Designs

**Head on over to Rahel's blog to check out an awesome tutorial on Glitter Splatter...then browse around and check out her blog. She has alot of awesome stuff on there!

Etsy Inspiration...

2012-01-25T00:01:00.002-07:00

I did a bit of Valentine browsing on Etsy. I found a few gems!

Crocheted Hearts

** I SO wish I knew how to do this!

Jauary Card Sketch Inspiration

2012-01-24T00:01:00.002-07:00

Today's card sketch is brought to you by:

and the number:

Head on over to:

Unscripted Sketches #141

Don't forget to post to Mr. Linky so we can shower you with adoration!

Storage Envy

2012-01-23T00:01:00.005-07:00

Photo Credit

Yes, I admit it. I have storage envy. But take a look at this before you judge me!

**There is one just SITTING around at my kid's school, but, alas, they will not sell it to me. It is displaying papers on top. It is needed. Sigh.

And look at this Alpha Wall!

Repurposed Pet Store Rack

Who can blame me? I love all of this stuff!! I'm off to find some more pretty things to show you next month!

Master Forger's Challenge #2: Glitter Challenge

2012-01-22T00:01:00.002-07:00

Anyone else have a desk full of glitter right now? I am rockin' the sparkely look and so are our Master Forgers!

Jemma

Crystal

Challenge #2: Glitter Challenge

2012-01-21T00:01:00.003-07:00

My glitter obsession started when I was quite young:

Let's see...how many glittery things are inhabiting in my scrapbook studio?
Stickles
Glitter (fine and chunky)
Glitter paint
Glitter buttons
Glitter alphabets
Glitter embossing powders
Glitter paper
Glitter pens
Glitter ribbon

Getting an idea of what our next challenge is?

Challenge #2: Glitter Challenge: Find some fun ways to add some sparkle to your project. Or just blow some glitter around your room and call it a day.

Make your own glitter rub ons
Make your own glitter paper
Glitter Techniques
Using Embossing Folders to add glitter

Now go forth and glitter something! (And if it won't stand still long enough, then try some glue...)

A Little Romantic Project

2012-01-20T00:01:00.002-07:00

With Valentines Day fast approaching...how about something sweet and made from the heart for a special someone in your life?

I LOVE this:

From Etsy

**I could see the tree being something significant, like a letter from you...or your special song...

I would LOVE one of these!

Think of interesting things to write for the "fortunes"....I'll let you dwell on that for awhile...

ORGANIZE THIS: Week 2

2012-01-19T00:01:00.002-07:00

Welcome to Week 2 of Orgazine This! How did you do with your

Head over HERE to read up on this week's challenge. It is all about brainstorming what kind of space YOU want to have!
Here is my space. I am fortunate enough to have a whole room to myself. I am fairly organized, but am always looking for ways to tweek it.

First up is my closet. Yep. We took the door off because it was in the way. I hate that part. Maybe some curtains would help. All of my stamps, magazines and die cut machines are in here. Oh, and I put up a rod to hang ribbon from, too.

Next is the WONDERFUL seven foot desk my sweet hubby found me. I have a great wall system (sadly from a scrapbook store closing) for my paper, cricut carts, buttons/flowers and odds and ends. I wish I did not have so much stuff ON my desk, but I'm not sure where else to put it. There is storage under my desk, too, but it is not stuff I want/need there. I just haven't gotten rid of it or moved it, yet.

I have kept a folding table up in here so my daughter can scrap with me when she wants to, but am thinking about putting it back in the garage for now. I do love my jetmax, but need a better way to store some of the stuff in it. And my clip it up. LOVE that! I really do like my room, but there is ALOT I would like to change, if I could have my dream room.

I'm a list maker, so here is what I would love to see in my dream room:

1. Natural Light

2. Big enough for a cozy chair with ottoman to sit and look through inspiration (I have a day bed now)

3. Different stations for stamping, die cutting, embossing...

4. A Library card catalog because I LOVE them

5. displays for all of the lovely cards that my friends send me (and my kids make me)

6. More closed drawer space to put things away

7. Funky, fun decorative pieces

I found a few spaces that I love. I totally need to design my own, though.

Cozy Hideaway

Love the Cabinetry

So my style

Jemma was kind enough to share a great layout she made about her dream scrapbook space:

Jemma

Here is the page I did for a competition back in 2007 to scrap your dream scrap space. I chose to borrow the Tardis from Dr Who:

Just like the real Tardis, my layout is much bigger than it at first appears.

and even bigger than it at second appears too!

The Tardis would be my dream scraproom for several reasons:

Unlimited scrapping time without neglecting my family - they wouldn’t even notice I was away!
Plenty of room inside: for me to spread out - for my friends to scrap too - for loads of stash
Travelling to distant crops would be near instantaneous with no parking problems either
AND Doctor David Tennat might just stop by!
Time And Room Definitely Increase Scrapping

If you are looking for some inspiration and a reason to start dreaming, check out these sites for some great rooms and great ideas:

Scrapjazz

Inspiration for Decoration

The Dailey Telecraft

I would LOVE to see what you are starting out with! Make sure to link up some pictures for us whether it is a room, a closet or a rolling tote we would love to see it! And if you have a picture of your dream space...share that, too!

Time for some Window Shopping

2012-01-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

Care to do a bit of browsing with me to find some new must have scrapbook items to ~~buy~~ couterfeit? (Okay, maybe I will do a bit of actual shopping, too.)

Jenni Bowlin Blue Ribbon Punch

**I will admit it...I own this one! Whoohoo!

Ticket Punch and Jester Punch

Not done shopping yet? Head over to Paper Crafter's Corner for some more sneak peeks of new products coming out soon!

Bethany's Outdoor Page Kit

2012-01-17T00:01:00.004-07:00

I'll admit it. I am not a good snow person. I don't mind it exhisting, but I would rather be curled up INSIDE with a good book then be playing around in it. Serious mommy flaw. My kids do not have much snow experience (Daddy is not a snow person at all!) that I will have to get over this year. Because of that, most of my outdoors paper has more to do with warm weather activities. Go figure.

I still managed to pull together something I loved and made it have a subtle winter theme.

I started with a piece of paper I have been saving for a while: Jillibean Soup's Chit Chat.

Normally I don't know what to do with patterns like this (I hate to cover it up), but I really like it and think I can manage if I keep things small and clustered. Gotta keep the owls!

My kit:
Jillibean Soup Chit Chat paper
Green Heidi Grace paper
Orange Polka Dot from Recollections
Brown tone on tone diamond paper (random)
Leaf/Wood grain paper from K&Co Edamame

Jewlery Box Thickers in White
Tiny Type stickers in Red
Journaling Shape : by Bethany
Glittered snowflakes (Walmart After Christmas)
Wooden buttons (Michaels Dollar Spot)
Chevron Sticker (Basic Grey)

I found a cute sketch to go with my kit. Want to see it?

Write. Click. Scrapbook.

** Go to their site for some great examples with this sketch...and for other pretties!

I Spy...Chiaki

2012-01-16T00:01:00.013-07:00

Stamps, Ink, Paper....Create!

**I love the texture she managed on this card! A lot of great layering and embossing!

Master Forger Challenge #1: New Years Goals

2012-01-15T00:01:00.036-07:00

Challenge #1: New Years Goals

Guest Designer: Van

Lisa

Kim

Helen

Susanne

Bethany

Rebecca

Jen

Crystal

So many good ideas! I love these ladies!

Challenge #1: New Year Challenge

2012-01-14T00:01:00.003-07:00

Are you a resolution kind of person? Goal oriented? I used to LIVE by New Years resolutions. My problem is, I am a perfectionist and if I missed even one day, it would throw me off and get me all frustrated. Now I am ~~older~~ wiser and am not so hard on myself. I have some general things I want to work on, but the check lists are out the window. Much lower key now. I am mellow. Instead of all ARGH about it I am like all Hey Man.

So......

Challenge #1: Make a layout about your goals (resolutions, if you will) for 2012!

**And if one of your goals is to scrapbook more...well, then...there you go!**

January Layout Sketch Inspiration

2012-01-13T00:01:00.004-07:00

I have picked a fun sketch for you today! Head on over to Creative Scrappers and check out

Sketch 189!

So much potential for mixing and matching patterened paper! It would be really easy to put in as many photos as you want (those circles have got me thinking). So get crackin'!

Tutorial: Previous Counterfeit Kit Tutorials that can be Used in this Month's Kits!

2012-01-12T00:01:00.001-07:00

Well, it sometimes gets difficult for me to find tutorials that we haven't used before for pieces of the inspiration kits. We have written over 80 blog posts with tutorials and links to tutorials in the past year! Some of those tutorials can be re-used for this month's kits. I decided to link a few of those today. I promise next month, all 6 tutorial posts will be something new. But here are some previously posted tutorials (that you may have forgotten about) that can be re-used for January's Counterfeit Kits...

Pennants on toothpicks
Kraft Mini Envelopes
Glimmer Mist
Pearl Flourishes
Faux Wooden Mini Shapes and Chipboard Shapes (snowflakes in January Inspiration kit)

If you ever want to see all of our tutorial posts in one place, go to our Tutorial tab found here.

Tutorial: Faux MME Layered Chipboard Elements

2012-01-11T00:01:00.020-07:00

Original Embellishments from Inspiration Kit

1- Find bits and pieces of scraps, label stickers, and border stickers that have similar "base" colors and patterns.
2- Cut the scraps into the desired shapes and mount a few on chipboard.

3- Layer various patterns and pieces of paper on top of one another
4- Embellish the pieces with glitter, rhinestones, pearls, liquid glass (glossy accents), and/or pearlized puffy paint.

Tutorials: Various Tutorials from Fellow Counterfeiters

2012-01-10T00:01:00.024-07:00

Just in case you didn't make it to our Master Forger's Blog Hop or Mr. Linky to check out fellow Counterfeiter's Tutorials, here are the links to tutorials that YOU have all posted so far this month...

Here is a whole FREE Digi Kit to download!!! Thank you, Mary!!!

Find a DIY Patterned Paper here.

Here is a quick step by step overview to creating a pearlized snowflake.

Tutorials for 2 Patterned Papers and the October Afternoon Flower Sack can be found here.

Ideas for Pink Paislee Mistable Ribbon are here.

A DIY patterned "ruler" paper tutorial is here.

Tutorial: Free Downloads

2012-01-09T00:01:00.033-07:00

7 Gypsies Silhouette Collage Tissue Paper

October Afternoon "Sunday Dinner"

These papers were in our Inspiration Kits this month. Here are a few similar images to download and print...

Vintage Furniture #1
Vintage Furniture #2
Chandeliers
Vintage Keys
Home Decor
Victorian Couches

Tutorial: DIY Border Strip Paper

2012-01-08T00:01:00.012-07:00

No "Border Strip" Paper...no problem!!!

Echo Park Border Paper in the "Merry and Bright" Inspiration kit.

And some options for counterfeiting this type of paper...

http://ramblingrose.typepad.com/journal/2009/11/crazy-quilt-paper.html
http://www.ihanna.nu/blog/2010/01/how-to-sew-stripe-paper/

(These examples both use sewing, but you could easily replicate the look without a single stitch, simply use tape or glue instead.)

Tutorial: Faux Vintage Button Cards

2012-01-07T00:01:00.006-07:00

The cute buttons in this month's kit from My Mind's Eye
came on a great faux vintage button card.

For the full size file of this card, go to The Graphic Fairy

A set of 7 Button Cards can be found here- http://kirstyneale.typepad.com/gingerandgeorge/2011/09/back-to-buttons.html

And 2 more great vintage button cards can be found here-
http://justsomethingimade.com/2009/06/button-cards/

Here are a few more cute ones-
http://doecdoe.blogspot.com/2009/04/vintage-button-tags.html

And this is a CUTE alternate idea...She just added buttons to journaling tags! Perfect!!!
http://antheam.wordpress.com/2011/09/14/vintage-button-cards-in-my-etsy-shop/
And an example of a Button Card put in action...
http://michellewooderson.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html

Master Forger Blog Hop

2012-01-06T00:01:00.030-07:00

We are going to try switching things up for a while and do a blog hop for our Design Team's Counterfeit Kits. You are at the beginning of the hop, and in case you get lost, here is the order...

Guest Designer: Van Nguyen http://likethecar.blogspot.com/
Crystal http://crystalscraftycreations.blogspot.com/
Glinda http://razzledscrapper.blogspot.com/
Helen http://craftimperfect.blogspot.com/
Jemma http://just-jimjams.blogspot.com/
Jen http://mypair-a-dice.blogspot.com/
JulieAnn http://julieannshahin2.blogspot.com/
Kim http://lovejoyscrap.blogspot.com/
Lisa http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com/
Margie http://scrappinmargie.blogspot.com/
Melissa http://millermall.blogspot.com/
Rebecca http://howiburb.blogspot.com/
Susanne http://www.snapsandsnippets.blogspot.com/
Bethany http://inspiredscrapper-bethany.blogspot.com/
Meridy http://www.meridy77.blogspot.com/

I'm going to start the hop off here with my Counterfeit "Sunshine and Snowflakes" Kit. I tried to keep it as close to the inspiration kit as possible...

January 2012 Kit Reveal

2012-01-05T00:01:00.053-07:00

We have missed counterfeiting so much this past month, but the break was much needed with all of the hustle and bustle of the holidays...and now...back to scrapping!!!

This Month's Inspiration Kit...

The January 2012 Inspiration Kit was SUPPOSED to be your choice of FIVE kits released in December by Cocoa Daisy. But I see that one of the kits has been recently removed from the site...so we are down to these 4*.

Amber Snowflake
Sunshine and Snowflakes
Frosty Windowpane
Cocoa and Marshmellows

*The fifth kit was a red/white/green "Christmas" kit. Some of our Design Team probably Counterfeited this kit, so if you would like a "traditional Christmas" kit, please use their counterfeit kits as your inspiration.

Like we said, technically there are/will be 5 kits to choose from, feel free to counterfeit any or all of the beautiful kits!!!

What's the next step???

The CHALLENGE is to use this kit for inspiration. How, you ask? Well, there are many ways to go about this. Here are a few ideas...

Try and match every piece in the kit as close as possible to something from your supply stash.
Use the "kit contents" as inspiration, and recreate your own kit with the same types of supplies, but in a different color or style that corresponds better with your preferences/photographs/scrapbook style/tastes.
Make an even smaller "page kit" or "card kit"..."counterfeiting" just a few items from this month's kit as inspiration.
Using the color scheme from the kits as inspiration, try to re-create a kit of your own using whatever supplies you have available.

What's to come?...

Tomorrow we will post pictures of the inspired Counterfeit Kits we put together from our stash of supplies. The link for you to share pictures of your Counterfeit Kits with each other is here.
Over the next week, we will add links to tutorials for counterfeiting many of the embellishments in this month's inspiration Kit's.
Over the next month, we will post mini challenges to USE your new kit, as well as organize a blog hop to share your creations!
We hope you all find some inspiration in the kit club we choose this month!!! If you aren't sure where to begin, check out the "Hints and Tips" page of our blog for some help. Feel free to leave a comment, questions, or any suggestions!!! We look forward to hearing from you.

Mister Linky For November 2011

January 2012 Mister Linky

2012-01-04T22:32:00.000-07:00

Here is the Mister Linky for ALL of the links for the month of January...whether you are linking a picture of your kit, a mini challenge, or anything else you have created, link it here. There is a "quick link" to this Mister Linky on the top right side bar of the blog as well.

In order to make this Mister Linky a little easier to *understand* with so many different types of links in it...in the "name" field below, type your name and either the word "kit", "mini challenge", or "other" according to what you are linking. Hopefully that will keep it a little organized!!!

Organize THIS--Week 1

2012-01-04T00:01:00.042-07:00

Bethany and I both LOVE to organize things...a lot. When I start to pull the items for my Counterfeit Kit each month, I TRY to start with and clean, organized, and orderly supply stash. So we thought it might be helpful for you to get organized too. We found out about Wookie Mouse's Organizational Challenge and would like to link you to that blog every 2 weeks to work on a new supply or area of your scrapbook stash to organize.

Here is an overview of what her blog is all about... http://wookiemouse.blogspot.com/2009/05/let-challenge-begin-overview.html

Feel free to keep up with us and start organizing each new area/supply when we post the reminder twice a month. Or work at your own pace (all 29 weeks of her challenge are already posted since she created the blog in 2009). Please feel free to share any links or pictures of your progress in the comments below, or add pictures to our Counterfeit Kit Facebook Page showing us your organizing skills (try to include the week # in your photo description). Bethany and I both hope to totally overhaul our scrapbook rooms, possibly purge some supplies (this is REALLY hard for me though), and make our scrap areas work better for us.

Drum roll please.....
Week 1--Audit Your Space

One more thing...if you want to join, lets have some fun, put your "before" picture on the Counterfeit Kit Facebook Page.

It's All in the Numbers

2012-01-03T00:01:00.040-07:00

Click here to design and print your own free "Quirky Bird" calendar

365- # of days since we posted out first Counterfeit Kit Challenge!!!

29- # of weeks of scrapbook organization inspiration coming this year! (see tomorrow's post for more details)

2- # of days until the REVEAL of January's Counterfeit Inspiration Kit

42- # of days until Valentine's Day...are you planning on making any cards with your supplies???

8- Average # of layouts I created each month with my Counterfeit Kit in 2011--How many did you complete?

15- # of pieces of patterned paper I include in most of my Counterfeit Kits

5- # of Inspiration Kits to choose from in the January 2012 Inspiration Kit Club

494- # of fellow Counterfeiters that are following the blog---HOLY COW!!!

Been Caught Stealing-January 2012 Guest Designer

2012-01-02T00:01:00.014-07:00

We are proud to introduce our first Guest Counterfeiter of 2012, Van!!!

Happy New Year, fellow Counterfeiters! My name is Van Nguyen and I am beyond honored and thrilled to be this month's guest counterfeiter. What a fantastic way to ring in 2012, right?! I began scrapbooking in early 2010 while on maternity leave with my amazingly strong-willed yet sweet daughter, Charlotte. It didn't take long before I acquired an extensive collection of scrappy supplies to satiate my scrappy appetite. After I returned to work as a big firm attorney, I found creative refuge in scrapbooking. Scrapbooking also gave me an outlet to write my family history - both the major and mundane events in life. The preservation of history - this was a topic I studied as a student of public history in both college and graduate school. Who knew that my academic studies would one day help mold how I scrapbooked?! :)

I was born and raised in San Diego in a traditional Vietnamese home. After high school, I left the mild southern California sunshine and bounced around the world - from Connecticut to Wisconsin, Hanoi to Melbourne. I eventually found myself back in California for law school. During law school, I married my high school sweetheart and best friend. After a year of long-distance marriage, we finally found ourselves back home in San Diego. This past September, with military orders in hand, I quit my big firm job and we moved our family of three to Rhode Island. So here I am, now fully immersed in my east coast sabbatical and scrapping/ crafting as much as my daughter lets me.

I have been playing with the Counterfeit Kit Club for two months now and I absolutely love the support and motivation to craft down my scrappy stash. I can't wait to see what this month's kit inspires all of us to create! Thanks again for this amazing invitation to guest design with you and know that you can always find me at likethecar.blogspot.com

We are excited to have Van join us this month...check out her blog for some supurb inspiration!

Happy New Year!!!

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

New Year Resolutions by Helen

2011-12-31T00:01:00.004-07:00

Hello - it's Helen here - well we've finally reached the end of the year! This is usually a time for reflection - a time to look back and a time to look forward. A time for New Year Resolutions

Some people love them and some aren't so keen.

Some people think that they don't really achieve much.

What scrapbooking resolutions will you be making this year?

Scrap more?
Finish those half done projects?
Use the stash you have up or sell/donate it?
Scrap faster?
Try new techniques?
Try new challenges?
Buy smarter - make a list of what you need/already have?
Blog more?
Comment more?
Join a crop?
Use those tools that you bought but are gathering dust?
Fill in the gaps in your albums to tell a coherent story?
Learn better photography skills?
All of these and more?

Sometimes it can be helpful to keep it simple and to focus on just one thing

If that doesn't help them there's always a more chilled approach

Whatever you decide I hope that the New Year involves you joining us in the Counterfeit Kit Challenge - we'd love to see you. From all of us to all of you - Happy New Year!

Preparing for a New Year of Scrapping by Susanne

2011-12-30T00:01:00.005-07:00

If someone asked you what you do to mark the end of a successful year of scrapbooking, what would you say? Would it be - get ready for the next one?
Well, a new year is upon us – and since I get a kick out of starting something new, I thought I would share 5 tips to prepare for it.
1) Get over the fact that you did not finish some of the projects you started. There you have it, and lest you think I am all talk and no action, pop over to ^{my blog}^{and see.}

a. Either reclaim the pictures and usable supplies from them for your stash or
b. Toss them as is (count how many – I will explain later),
c. or if you must, pick 1 or 2 and make them a priority in January, pledging to go back to steps a. and b. if they are not finished by Jan. 31^st.As a favorite mug of mine says – Get Over It, Get On With It. Move Along.

2) Purge 7 or 17 or 27 things from your workspace. If you are familiar with ^FlyLady then you know all about the 27 fling boogie. Without over thinking it, just grab the items you know you will never use again because

a. you don’t like them anymore,
b. you don’t know how to use them,
c. you don’t think you have anything to go with them or
d. you don’t know why you ever bought them.If you cannot toss them, you can donate them to a local elementary school, church rummage sale or charity crop and enjoy a little more elbow room in your space.
3) Set up some simple housekeeping chores for your workspace.
a. Clean up a little more often – even doing 3 or 4 simple tasks to keep tidy will keep you ready for the next project.
b. Each of our spaces is set up differently, so tackle that one problem area you have and add to it as good habits develop.
c. Enjoy that neat and tidy elbow room.4) Make your pictures a priority. For most of us, most of the time, that is where the layouts start. You cannot help but be inspired by pictures. So surround yourself!
a. Organize them – this means making sure they are accessible.
b. Get a ready supply of pictures printed.
c. Figure out a few ways to display your pictures and finished layouts.5) Decide to try something new for the New Year – do!
a. Take a class at your local scrapbook store, attend a local crop regularly or make a standing date to scrap with a friend.
b. Participate in an online forum – at an online scrapbook store, or an online education site, or a kit club forum. Select some blogs to frequent. There are lots of options – find ones you like and participate OFTEN.
c. Join in online challenges – there are beau coup choices on photography, techniques, sketches, related forms of art, supplies challenges and, of course, the challenges right here on this blog.
d. Figure out which activities best spur you to actually scrapbook and concentrate on those.

Thank You Cards by Jemma

2011-12-28T00:01:00.003-07:00

Have you finished all the left-over turkey yet? Eaten all the chocolates? Found the cat/dog/baby beneath all the discarded wrapping paper? After the Yuletide excesses of eating, drinking and gifting comes the task of saying “Thank you”! I was brought up to hand-write letters to thank for my Christmas treats although my children prefer to e-mail (which can be rapidly edited to tailor it for the next recipient) or simply phone. However, I still like to send (and receive) thank you notes. With this in mind I wanted to add interest this year by making some super-quick cards with my scrapping supplies.

This card is really easy to do - just die-cut some card letters and add to a piece of folded card for a faux dry-embossed look. [Inspired via Pinterest - here]

Or how about some tags from scraps with stickers or stamps to express your gratitude? [Inspired via Pinterest - here] It’s also a great way to use up scraps of Christmassy patterned papers:

If you need to mass-produce some cards and have a colour printer there are plenty of resources available, including these lovely cheerful designs by Creativemama:

Creative Mamma Mulit Lingual

Creative Mamma Thanks So Much

Or create something yourself with an on-line tool like Tagxedo:

Pop over to my blog if you want to know how I produced my word-art!

Thank you for stopping by!

Post Christmas Chaos!!!

2011-12-26T00:01:00.005-07:00

Ahh, the day after Christmas! I hope all of you out there had a wonderful holiday. All the rush is over and its time to sit back and relax right? Well, not really. You still have those decorations to contend with in a few days. And why would I bring that up now? Well, I have years and years of layouts of all the same layouts: sitting on Santa's lap, putting up the tree, opening presents, etc. This year I wanted to add a little something different to my collection of layouts. I wanted something fresh. I created this layout to add pictures to in about a week or so:

Have you guessed? This layout is reserved for when those wonderful decorations come down and those lights get all tangled up! Don't you just love my little light border? I used my Gypsy to create it using the Christmas Cheer cartridge for the light bulbs and the Cindy Loo cartridge for the string part.

Another topic that you could use with the same title would be the aftermath of opening presents.

What out of the ordinary topics have you scrapped for the holidays? Let me know!

Happy Post Christmas Chaos!!!

Milissa

One Little Word by Bethany

2011-12-25T00:01:00.005-07:00

For the last two years I have been inspired to participate in Ali Edwards One Little Word Challenge. You can find the details from last year HERE. The basic premise is this...

You spend some time contemplating a word that you want to define you for the next year.

Once you have picked your word for the year, you need to document it in some way...find a way to display it and put into words why it is meaningful to you.

I chose to cut my word out in vinal and put it up in my craft room. Here is my word for 2011 displayed over my favorite window.

I also created a layout last year about my word. I thought it would be a good time to get myself onto a layout for change.

When I move onto my new word, I move the vinal letters to another wall in the room. Soon I will have my words going all the way around the top of my room. I really love that. It is a work in progress.

I have already chosen my word for this year and will be sharing it on my blog in 2012. I hope you will join me in picking a word and attitude that will be significant for you this year.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

2011-12-24T00:01:00.006-07:00

Christmas is tomorrow! Are you ready? Or will you be up most of the night wrapping presents? I would like to encourage you to take some time today to just stop, take a breath and enjoy, because it will all be over tomorrow!

A tradition that we have at my house…my husband always reads “A Visit From Saint Nicholas” (also known as “Twas The Night Before Christmas”) to the kids after they open their new Christmas pjs. I love it, it is so sweet to watch them all stare at Daddy intently as he reads! I ould love to encourage you to start this tradition with your own children if you haven’t already!

You can find this gorgeous printable version at The Graphics Fairy:

This would be beautiful printed out on vellum or parchment paper, folded or downsized, and tucked into your December Dailies!

Merry christmas Eve!!!
-Margie

Milk and Cookies for Santa

2011-12-23T00:01:00.005-07:00

Merry Christmas, everyone! This is Sherri, and I want to share some adorable ideas that I found online for leaving out milk and cookies for Santa. Some are simple and include free downloads for you to print; others are more elaborate but totally inspiring. I hope you find an idea that inspires you, too! The links to original blog posts are below the photos.

http://www.partyblog.mygrafico.com/santa%e2%80%99s-milk-and-cookies/

Merry Christmas!

This first photo just amazes me. Isn’t it beautiful? It’s also the perfect alternative for me, since my kids aren’t little anymore. The “grown-up” feeling would be great for a holiday party, as well. There is a link to an affordable download, or you could take inspiration from the photo and make your own decorations.

http://tatertotsandjello.com/2011/11/28968.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FOivM+%28Tatertots+and+Jello%29

This next photo is from a fabulous blog called “Tatertots and Jello.” Tons of great ideas and free printables! The “Cookies for Santa” printable is a free download that you can print on white cardstock or patterned paper (like Jen did.) I love the patterned background-I think this would look great printed on ledger paper, don’t you? Just print, add some red baker’s twine, and attach to any empty jar. I like the glass mug, too!

http://www.scribd.com/doc/45798250/Cookie-Milk-Note-to-Santa-by-Fresh-Chick-Design-Studio

This last photo is also a free printable that would be perfect for those procrastinators (like myself) who decide on Christmas Eve that they want to do something special for Santa. Simply print the sentiment, have your child sign the letter, then frame it. Display the frame beside a plate of cookies and a glass of milk. I love the little milk bottle in the printable-an empty Frappuccino bottle would be perfect to hold milk for Santa!

I hope you’ve enjoyed these ideas-and I hope that your holidays are the happiest! Merry Christmas!

-Sherri

Winter Solstice by Rebecca

2011-12-22T00:01:00.004-07:00

This is Rebecca. Happy Winter Solstice, for those of us in the northern hemisphere. While our southern counterparts are enjoying their longest daylights of their year, we are experiencing the shortest daylight of 2011.

But it's a celebration, because it just gets lighter from here! So take advantage of whatever light you can find today and celebrate the return of light:

--Take an outdoor picture. Check out http://weather.thefuntimesguide.com/2006/01/winter_pictures.php for some good basic winter photography tips. And I found this site http://photo.net/learn/point-and-shoot-tips with some really good general photography tips for those of us with point-and-shoot, basic digital or film cameras. I sometimes wish I had a fancy camera and the skills to use it; This article made me realize that I could just get better with what I've got!

--If you're doing a December Daily/Journal Your Christmas type project, think about using Winter Solstice as your theme today. Some journaling prompts: How does the short daylight time impact you and your mood? What is it like to go to work in the dark and come home in the dark and not get to see daylight? What do you look forward to with the return of more daylight? This blog post http://womensmemoirs.com/memoir-writing-prompts/memoir-writing-prompt-winter-solstice-and-more/ provides a good journaling prompt idea, to focus on a turning point in your life. It's a good day to feel a little gratitude!

--Read about the origins of winter solstice and Yule celebrations. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/wintersolstice.shtml Even if you're not Wiccan or Pagan, see if you can find any of your own traditions in the historic roots and celebrations of Winter Solstice/Yule! http://www.circlesanctuary.org/pholidays/SolsticeArticle.html

--Light a candle or a fireplace to usher in the return of light. Or, for a more delicious rake on that symbolism, make a Yule log cake (Buche de Noel)! I collected several pictures/recipes on a Pinterest board here: http://pinterest.com/rebecca_delo/bouche-de-noel/

--And for less calories, try a yule log craft, like http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/11/toilet_paper_tube_yule_log.html or http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/yule-log-favor-boxes

Hope you are enjoying the daily posts here on the blog. We're coming close to the end, and this is my final post for the month, so Merry Yule, Happy Solstice, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

See you in 2012!

Rebecca

Using Punches to Make Embellishments

2011-12-21T00:01:00.005-07:00

Have you ever used several of your punches together to make an embellishment for your projects? I discovered two really cute Christmas embellishments a few years back that can be made using 5 punches.

For instructions on how to make the tree or Santa visit my blog at http://razzledscrapper.blogspot.com/.

Happy Scrappin' and Merry Christmas,

Glinda

Recycled Christmas Cards by Jen

2011-12-20T00:01:00.009-07:00

CHRISTMAS CARDS

Here are some great ideas I found on Pinterest.

What are you going to do with all of the holiday cards you received?

A wreath. The holly leaves are made from Christmas Cards. Originally from Good Housekeeping.

Good Housekeeping How To

Ornaments made with lids. They suggest canning lids, but I think this could be easily adapted to any lids. Originally from Better Homes and Gardens.

BHG How To

Monogram gift tags. I love these. They really dress up a gift. Originally from Martha Stewart.

Martha Stewart How To

Triangle gift boxes. These are so cute and practical. Originally from make homemade gifts.com

http://www.make-homemade-gifts.com/gift-box-patterns.html

Cube box. As shown it can be opened and have a gift inside, but I like the idea of a closed cube also. It reminds me of the photo cubes you can buy. Originally from Crafts@suite 101.

http://kathleen-duffy.suite101.com/make-a-victorian-box-from-old-cards-a158821

Circle punch ornaments. I have seen these all over the place the last few years. This is a great tutorial. Originally posted at ScoutieGirl.

http://www.scoutiegirl.com/2009/12/tutorial-crafting-a-holiday-card-keepsake-ornament-by-nicole-of-lillyella.html

Christmas Card book. This is a great tutorial on how to save your cards into a book. I love this idea as is, but I am thinking about making my December Daily next year by using my Christmas card fronts backed with patterned papers. A card for each day. Pictures on the patterned paper side, journaling or whatever on the card side. Originally from The Creative Place.

http://thecreativeplace.blogspot.com/2010/01/tuesday-tutorial-christmas-card-saver.html

There are a lot more ideas of things you can make with Christmas cards on Pinterest. I have a Uses for old Christmas Cards board that you can see at http://pinterest.com/jennifercro/uses-for-old-christmas-cards/ if you would like to see more ideas. There are so many here that I would like to make. I hope I get TONS of Christmas cards.

Merry Christmas!!!

Jen

Peg Angels by Helen

2011-12-19T00:01:00.002-07:00

Craft Imperfect

Hello, its Helen here today with an idea for some Christmas decorations. Do you remember making these peg dolls as a child? I can remember one dressed in fabric scraps, and decided to make 3 little peg doll angels using paper scraps and trims. This is a great project to do with the kids (or just for yourself if you are a big kid like me!)

They are really easy to make and cheap too - my pegs came with stands and I got 10 for £1 in the sale at The Works earlier in the year. Everything else is just scraps and a great excuse to break out the sparkly papers and trims. Some of the left over pegs will get painted for tree ornaments and some our daughter will decorate for herself.

First of all I drew the faces and coloured the hair with Sharpies and felt tips. Next I made a template for the dress and wings out of scrap card - again this is easy - but I've taken a photo to give you an idea if you'd like to make your own and would like a starting point.

Then I chose the paper for the dress, cut it out and decorated with sparkly trims and ribbons. I ran a strip of glue down one edge and wrapped the dress around my peg.

For the wings I found a really old sheet of glittered vellum - but any paper would work and paper doilies would look pretty too. Once my wings were cut I added fluffy, glittery fibers around the edges - I knew if I kept them long enough I'd find a use for them!

Once the wings were glued in place I made a halo from a gold pipe cleaner (thank you Ellie). You could easily use any wire you have to hand - even that silvery, twisty wire that holds toys in place in their packaging! The end of the pipe cleaner is pushed down the back of the dress (poor angel!)

A bit of blu-tac helps to keep my pegs in their bases - but it would be easy to make these into hanging ornaments if you added a screw-in eyelet to the head (poor, poor angel!) or tied ribbon around the peg before adding the dress. You could also wrap a pipe cleaner around the peg for arms and have her holding a little hymn sheet. Here are my 3 finished angels

Finally for inspiration here are a few links to others who have made some really gorgeous peg dolls.

http://ideasforscrapbookers.blogspot.com/2010/11/tropical-christmas-angels-by-sandy.html

http://rubberstamping.about.com/od/projects/ss/Clothespin_Dolls.htm

http://mysweetimaginations.typepad.com/mysweetimaginations/2008/12/red-friday-shop-update.html

http://nicethingsforyou.blogspot.com/2007/11/peg-angel-fairy-dolly.html

The Details of the Season by Lisa

2011-12-18T00:01:00.002-07:00

Lisa

Today I’d like to talk to you a little about scrapping all the small things that make up this time of year. And I’m not talking about the little scamps that many of you have running around getting hyper-excited at the thought of all those presents, though.

Yes, today I’m talking about non-kiddie scrapping! In fact, let’s try scrapping even without people.

Just a few of the things that I see right now that make me get into the jolly feeling are:

· The shops filling with scrumptious Christmas cookies and chocolates

· The arrival of the Toffee Nut Latte at Starbucks

· The opening of the Christmas markets here in Germany

· The Advent wreath and the lighting of the first candle

· The tree (oh how I love my tree!)

· Cookies, or rather Plätzen in German, preferably home baked if I have time

· The food and drink that’s only available at the Christmas markets – Poffertjes and Glühwien

· Sparkly fairy lights on the balcony

· My sometimes un-traditional coloured decorations

I find that my Christmas scrapping mostly involves these details rather than the main events – the dinner, the presents and the people – because these are the things that add the sparkle to Christmas for me. I’m not going to forget the dinners we have or the members of my family but I might forget how excited I was when I tasted my first Toffee Nut Latte, or how beautiful my pink baubles were.

So this year, I decided it was time to record the first Poffertjes of the season. Never heard of them? Nor had I before my first Christmas Market. They are a Dutch speciality and are sort of tiny, mini, puffy pancakes that are served with butter and icing sugar. They are simply divine! You can read about them here (http://www.kitchenbutterfly.com/2010/01/20/how-to-make-poffertjes-aka-dutch-mini-pancakes/) I was inspired by a layout from the October Afternoon blog featuring an over-laden banner and pretty much lifted it completely! (http://octoberafternoon.typepad.com/october_afternoon/2011/11/thursday-sketch-2.html )

This layout makes me smile and is another piece in the puzzle of what makes Christmas for me. I had such fun using up all those bits and pieces on my layout - sprinkles of sequins, buttons, bling, labels and twine. It came together really quickly and makes me want to do the same over and over again!

What details are missing from your scrapbook pages? Try to identify one little thing that is part of Christmas for you and record it. No kids allowed J

Thanks and have a great day! Lisa

Christmas Gift Card Holders by Sherri

2011-12-17T00:01:00.003-07:00

With less than 10 shopping days left until Christmas, are you beginning to wonder if you will be able to finish your holiday shopping? Every year, I tell myself that I will begin my shopping earlier and finish before December even arrives. Never happens-ever! I find myself resorting to gift cards at the last minute, especially for some of my hard-to-buy-for relatives. To add a personal touch, I love to wrap the gift cards in a cute little gift card holder. Here are some festive gift card holders, for both kids and adults, that I found on Pinterest:

http://addinkandstamp.blogspot.com/2010/12/snowman-gift-card-holder.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32385314@N03/6344785855/

http://blog.papermonkey.org/index/2008/12/holiday-house-gift-card-holder-tutorial.html

Here is a cute cash holder, too!

http://www.bhg.com/christmas/crafts/ornament-shape-gift-card-holders/

I’m so sad that this will be my last post for the Counterfeit Kit challenge, but I am so very glad to have found this incredible blog and met the wonderful girls who make it so much fun. I can’t wait to play along again this summer. Until then, may you all have the happiest of holidays!

Hugs, Sherri

Ribbon, Ribbon, Buttons...Oh, my! by Crystal

2011-12-16T00:01:00.002-07:00

Crafting for Caitlyn

I have had these done for a while and kept thinking they would fit into one of the design team projects I needed to do but they did not, well they sort of did this week for Frosted Designs but I chose to go with something else.

The trees are from M's they are the cardboard ones since I was too cheap to buy the foam (four bucks a tree vs 1.19 for the big one here.) NOW the ribbon tree and I fought, A LOT but I love how it came out just do NOT put your hand inside as the ribbon is held on there with pearl stick pins since the glittered ribbon I was using would NOT stick! I think I used six or eight whole rolls of ribbon on it, but I did not pay more than a buck for each roll. I LOVE how it came out! I will be packing it up nicely and using it over and over.

Now with the button tree which I must admit I love the best, I painted the chipboard (I think that is what it is) tree with green acrylic paint, then got all my red and green and a few clear buttons out and randomly placed them on there with glue dots. Some are held with pearl pens and then some Sticko Shimmering silver dots (LOVE THESE THINGS NEED TO FIND MORE!) for some added bling. Super simple and easy and I love it! I did use all but two of my red buttons though LOL!

Both of the trees have toppers from the mini tree area at Hobby Lobby ( I think they were a buck a piece).(Put the topper on the button one after pictures!) Not too bad for two very unique pieces huh? I have one more and had intentions of doing it with scrap paper, curled up but it will be a project for next year.

What do you think? They are so much more vibrant in person and blingy!

Photographing Christmas Lights and Your Christmas Tree

2011-12-15T00:01:00.028-07:00

Ever since I got my DSLR camera (2 Christmas' ago), I have wanted to be able to take some good pictures of my Christmas lights and tree. Last year at this time I was still stuck in "Auto" mode...but this past year I have really learned how to use all of the Modes, including Manual. So I started searching for a few tutorials to get me moving in the right direction for photographing my tree. I have even found ideas/tutorials for using a point and shoot camera for these types of photos. This is what I found...

A blog post from "Unskinny Boppy" with camera settings for a DSLR

A blog post with lots of examples using both point and shoot and DSLR cameras by August Tea Photography.

Another post by professional photographer, Danielle Bryson

Another blog post with lots of links by Midwestern Sewing Girl

Merry Christmas!!!
-Meridy

Christmas Poinsetta Flower Tutorial- By Glinda

2011-12-14T00:01:00.011-07:00

It’s that time of the year when everywhere you look you see beautiful Christmas poinsettia flowers. They seem to show up on every door step, painted on store windows, and as decorations in the malls. Well, I think that they also make a great embellishment to use on cards or on a scrapbook layout. So, today I want to share a very simple paper pieced poinsettia flower I made.

You will need 4 things:

1- Leaf pattern cut 5 from green paper for leaves and 7 from red paper for petals.

2- Circle pattern cut 6

3- Black pen

4- Glue

Directions:

After you have cut out leaves, petals, and circles take a black pen and draw lines inside and around edges of them. Then fold the petals in half to give them dimension before you start t glue them together. When you are ready to glue start with the green leaves then the petals and last the gold circles in the center.

There you have it a beautiful paper pieced Christmas poinsettia flower to use on a special project.

I would love to see your projects using poinsettia flowers. Just leave me a comment with a link to your picture.

Happy Scrappin' and Merry Christmas,

Glinda

Recycle, Recycle, Recycle by Jimjams (aka: Jemma)

2011-12-13T00:01:00.001-07:00

Here at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog we are all about using up supplies rather than buying new. So the idea of recycling magazines for Christmas is right up my street. I was searching the Winter-Wonder-Web for ideas to recycle too and came across a lovely pom-pom gift topper:

Pom Pom Gift Topper

The original tutorial for making this is here but I also wondered how it would look punched from a heart shape and whether I could simplify it by dispensing with the ribbon punch (as I didn’t have one)! This is how I recycled the idea:

There’s a step by step of my adapted method (for circles and hearts) on my blog today.

I also found some other lovely recycled toppers to share:

Pleated Paper Topper

made by the clever Michele Pacey of Michele Made Me

Loopy Bow

from the talented Jessica Jones over at How About Orange

Happy Recycling!

Use Your Stash..

2011-12-12T00:01:00.003-07:00

Here's an idea that's perfect for using up all your scrapbooking stash...gift tags!!!

If you are anything like me, you have tons of scrapbooking supplies, stamps, stickers, and especially paper.

So I decided to get out all my supplies and have some fun.

I stared with tags that I've had forever, because you can buy them at your local office supply store for $5.00 for 100 tags, so they last a long time!

I tried stamps first. You can't get any easier than these! A little glimmer mist or stickles and ink the edges. Perfect!

Next I used some scrap pattern paper, round tags, stickers, brads, and buttons.

Finally, I got a little more fancy, layering some paper with punches, embossing, and using a left over 3D stickers sheet from last years

I also found these adorable printables (free) and thought they'd be really cute to use on tags or on presents alone.

So enjoy them!

And please share a link with us if you make some tags!

Happy Holidays!

xoxo-Kim

http://lovejoyscrap.blogspot.com/

Pinterest Inspired Embellishments

2011-12-11T00:01:00.006-07:00

Hi friends! It's Julie Ann here. Feeling like you need some new embellishment inspiration for Christmas layouts and December Daily pages? Look no further! Here are my favorite Christmas Embellishment ideas I've gathered from Pinterest! Let's take a look, these are ordered in no particular order!

20 Inspiring Christmas Embellishment Ideas from Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Julie on Pinterest

#1. These Christmas Paper Dolls were created by Sandy aka sandbeech on flickr using digital images from her digital collage collection. You could re-create something similiar using your heads from your own photos, christmas patterned papers, and a free paper doll template.

Source: stampinaddicts.com via Julie on Pinterest

#2. Santa Owl On Paperclip Embellisment by Mad Swapper - you can use the Stampin' Up Owl Punch to make two owls and sandwich the paperclip between them, add googly eyes for extra fun! And who says you have to make just owls? Check out all the other creatures this blogger named Stephanie created here.

Source: landofnod.com via Julie on Pinterest

#3. Felt Mitten Garland - These SOLD OUT felt mitten garlands from Land Of Nod would be adorable to counterfeit in miniature version for personal use as embellishment on a scrapbook page. They were sold as each mitten measuring 5.5" x 7" however you could make each mitten to fit within a one inch square. Make just three or the whole garland!

Source: flickr.com via Julie on Pinterest

#4. Stocking Advent Calendar By Trilliumdesign ~ Caroline- this is one of the most adorable advent calendars that I could also see transferring as an idea to paper. I do love the colors she used. If you want to re-create this, I believe you can buy mini clothespins at Michaels or A.C. Moore. If you are interested in her quilting tutorial, you can view here Part 1 and Part 2.

Source: megduerksen.typepad.com via Julie on Pinterest

#5. Christmas Mega Bottle Caps -by Meg Duerksen

I don't know about you but I have tons of bottlecaps sitting around. This is a great way to use up scraps and make fun embellishments.Check out Meg's tutorial here.

Source: twocrazycrafters.blogspot.com via Julie on Pinterest

#6. Altered Christmas Playing Card from A Sugar Kissed Christmas - Twyla and Lyndsey share a tutorial for altering a playing card and using images from a vintage sewing pattern to create this delightful project. I love the white glitter.

Source: scrapagogo.typepad.com via Julie on Pinterest

#7. Pearl Center on Snowflake - this embellishment idea from the Scrapagogo Blog is very sweet and simple. I love the non-traditional color of mint green mixed with red and aqua. Use manufactured pearls or make your own.

Source: jbsmercantile.com via D on Pinterest

#8. Fussy Cutting with Buttons, Twill, and Silver Leaves - by Briana Johnson for JBSMercantile. As if fussy cutting the beautiful floral paper wasn't enough, the adorable buttons (threaded), curled twill, and lovely silver vintage-style leaves make this embellishment cluster a sophisticated and gorgeous addition to any holiday page!

Source: reavespartyofthree.blogspot.com via samone on Pinterest

#9. Felt Flower with Date and Name Tag - This is a wonderfully simple cover for a December Daily album by Nicole Reaves. It could also be used as an embellishment anywhere. Simply make 8 white felt petals, layer them like Nicole has shown, then either print out a date for the center or add a button to the middle. Finish off with a tag with baker's twine!

Source: flickr.com via Eryn on Pinterest

#10. Embellished Numbers - by Samantha Wright aka samw1984 - Here's a cute idea for your December Daily album or advent. I love how the envelopes have the numbers clustered with embellishments on them. I happen to have this, it's an actual advent calendar kit sold at one of the big box stores, and I just love how Samantha put hers together. If you want to counterfeit something similar, here's a free ornament pattern template from homemade by jill. You can get a free pocket template here (it's the second template, pocket A)

Source: flickr.com via Julie on Pinterest

#11. Number Tags by Alissa Fast - Fun stamping on white tags, with a bit of glitter for good measure!

Source: raggedyscrappin.com via Julie on Pinterest

#12. Free Printable Christmas Tags from Raggedy Scrappin - you could either print these and fill them in with Copic Markers or use them as templates for paper piecing embellishments.

Source: lynniemarie.blogspot.com via Julie on Pinterest

#13. O Christma Tree Tag - by Lynn Warner - this Christmas tree was created by "ginormous" photo corners stacked on their sides to create a tree. I love the doodling and stick pin for a tree topper. There is great texture to this tag!

Source: lynniemarie.blogspot.com via Julie on Pinterest

#14. Flocked Trees Tag - by Lynn Warner - I love al all the layering on this tag. The vintage colors pop off the red background.

Source: thecraftycrow.net via Laurensija on Pinterest

#15. DIY Snowflakes from Doilies by The Crafty Crow - Isn't this ingenius? I want to go play right now!

Source: flickr.com via Julie on Pinterest

#16. Vintage Music Sheet Holly by Pam Garrison - Cut up some holiday music, add some silver glitter and red medallions for a festive embellishment! I love that she used pinking sheers to cute the paper and the white crepe paper medallion too!

Source: heroarts.com via Julie on Pinterest

#17. Joy Medallion Embellishment Tutorial by Jennifer McGuire for Hero Arts - Here is a video tutorial for how to make this adorable embellishment that you can adorn a gift or a layout! It is joyful indeed. I love all the pleated layers.

Source: websterspages.ning.com via Julie on Pinterest

#18. Christmas Flower Decorations by Laura McCollough - You can see each of these flowers in full size here, here, and here. Laura states, "I made these flowers to put on Christmas presents or decorations around
the house! I simply used green polka dot ribbon and gathered them around
Glubers then put a Webster's Pages flower in the middle, some bits of Vintage lace
and some jewels or silhouettes in the middle!" You must click on the links above to see these beauties in full size!

Source: marthastewart.com via Julie on Pinterest

#19. Glitter Snowflakes by Eric Pike - These glittered snowflakes are made from card stock cut with 2-inch
craft punches -- a new, larger size that makes crafting decorations fast
and easy. Read more at Marthastewart.com: Eric Pike's Glittered Snowflake Ornaments

Source: nicholmagouirk.typepad.com via Paula on Pinterest

#20. Stamped Circle Tag Accents by Nichol Magourik - you can get a peek at how she used these tags here (scroll down to middle of post). She used TT Ali Edwards stamp sets: The Family Circle Words We Love Set. Different colors of ink for the individual stamped images really makes the design pop.

There you have it! 20 Inspiring Christmas Embellishment Ideas from Pinterest. I hope you found something new and exciting that you can use. Have fun andHappy Holidays,Julie Ann Shahin