Monday, July 6, 2026

July 2026 - Mini Kits & Project Reveal

 

Hello, scrappy friends!

Now that we've had a few days to play with our July kits, it's time to share our Mini Kits and Project Plans.

Here are some photos of our inspo kit to get your creative juices flowing:







Now let's take a look at the mini kits and project plans from the team. I always love seeing which supplies everyone chooses to focus on and how differently we all interpret the same inspiration.

Master Forger Tara

The grunge in the inspiration kit really reminded me of Basic Grey!  I dug into my stash and was able to find some papers that I thought would be easy for me to use up for this mini kit and projects.  I pulled all of my papers from my 100 Patterned Paper Challenge box including one 49 & Market background paper that matched my Basic Grey choices perfectly!  I threw in some embellishments and my forgeries and I have a rather large mini kit!  
 

For my projects, I did two layouts.  I used up almost all of my papers and even one of my forgeries!  
 
 
Here are the closeups for this one:
 



You can watch this layout come together over on my YouTube channel HERE.  
 
For my second layout, I used up almost the rest of my patterned papers!
 

 Here are some closeups of this layout:
 



Master Forger Laurie
 
I'll admit I had a difficult time with this kit.  The colors were darker than what I tend t6o use, but I went for it. Since it was a mini kit I pulled just five papers. Instead of the music paper I chose a black and white floral. I also chose a navy and white stripped paper which gives a nod to the navy and white in the Counterfeit kit. I added a dark wood grain and a white wood grain. For embellishments I included a music stencil, a background stamp for controlled splatters and a heart die set.  I did pull in white and black card stock. Here's my kit:
 

I was pretty happy that I was able to complete four layouts. I did pull in some washi tape on my Sweet Girl layout I used the "B" side of the navy and white stripped paper, which happened to be pink text and was perfect for this layout. My favorite is the one with the houses. I stamped, colored and fussy cut the houses, then did some mixed media under each one.
 





Are you a mini kit player too?  Be sure to visit the Facebook group and share yours!


Here's what we have coming up this month:

  • 12th - Challenge #1: Summer Soundtrack
  • 18th - Challenge #2: Turn Up the Volume
  • 22nd - Challenge #3: Let's Get Sketchy
  • 30th - Baby Use Those Scraps
We'd love to see what you create! Share your projects in the Counterfeit Kit Community on Facebook or tag us on Instagram @counterfeitkitchallenge.  #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcjuly2026

Life moves Fast.  Scrap the moments that matter.

Love, Christine | ScrappingHarden


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Saturday, July 4, 2026

July 2026 - Forgeries on the Fourth


 

Happy Fourth of July to our friends in the United States, and happy crafting day to everyone else!

One of my favorite Counterfeit Kit traditions is Forgeries on the Fourth. This is our opportunity to take a closer look at the inspiration kit and recreate some of its elements using supplies we already have on hand.

The Crescendo kit includes lots of fun music-inspired details, layered embellishments, and energetic design elements. Rather than purchasing something new, I challenged myself to look through my stash and see what I could recreate.

One of the things I love most about scrapbooking is that creativity often flourishes when we work with what we already own. A little ingenuity, a few punches, stamps, dies, scraps, or even some fussy cutting can often give us the look we're after.

Today I'm sharing my forgery and hopefully it inspires you to take a second look at the supplies already sitting on your shelves.

Now to be completely honest, my forgery is a bit off center.  Here's what I mean by that.  I noticed the darker paper in the original kit had music notes all over it.  So, I pulled my darker paper and initially thought to just use my VersaMark to put little music notes all over the paper.


Well, that turned out to be harder than it looked!  I had a hard time seeing the little notes on the pattern of the paper I selected.  So I decided to pivot and go ahead and add embossing powder.  I chose Seafoam White.


So, in the end, I do have a darker piece of paper with music notes all over it - but they are white!


Master Forger Tara

I created some forgeries using my Cameo. Here's the screenshot of my computer screen.  The musical cut files aren't an exact match but work for my personal kit.


 Here's my completed forgeries:

For the banners, I didn't use a music note patterned paper.  I couldn't find one so I pulled this black and white print from a Maggie Holmes collection.  I cut out three of each banner so I could stack them and make them appear to be chipboard.  I like to do this the most with titles on my Cameo.


 The other two items are cutfiles. The heart is one I TRIED to make as similar as the one in the inspo kit, but it was an epic fail.  I will use it anyway.  The second one is just a cutfile that I purchased somewhere.  Here they are:

 


Master Forger Amanda

Two things out of the kit caught my attention for forgeries this month - that green bird wearing headphones, and the chevron like paper with the purples, blues, red and oranges. 

I used a stencil to make a background inspired by the chevron like paper.  I had a spellbinders stencil called Dynamic Backgrounds, and used the distress oxides in Festive Berries, Crackling Campfire, Villainous Potion, and Prize Ribbon. 

To make the birds, I used two different stamp-sets, and couldn't just stop at one bird!  I drew the headphone for this green bird - I am sure you can tell - but I love how he turned out! 

 I spent some time coloring each of the birds, fussy-cut some out, and stamped a whole pile extra to color at a later date!





Here's what we have coming up this month:
  • 6th - Mini Kit and Project Reveal
  • 12th - Challenge #1: Summer Soundtrack
  • 18th - Challenge #2: Turn Up the Volume
  • 22nd - Challenge #3: Let's Get Sketchy
  • 30th - Baby Use Those Scraps
We'd love to see what you create! Share your projects in the Counterfeit Kit Community on Facebook or tag us on Instagram @counterfeitkitchallenge.  #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcjuly2026

Life moves Fast.  Scrap the moments that matter.

Love, Christine | ScrappingHarden

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Thursday, July 2, 2026

July 2026 - Just the Gist of It

Hello, hello!  Master Forger Christine here!

As a reminder, our inspiration this month is the Crescendo Deluxe Theme Kit from Not Just For Boys Kit Club. This kit is packed with music-inspired elements, bright summer colors, and lots of movement and energy.





When building your kit, I want you to focus on the gist of the kit rather than trying to copy it exactly. Maybe it's the music theme that caught your eye. Maybe it's the bold color palette, layered patterns, or sense of rhythm and motion. Pick one aspect of the kit that speaks to you and use that as your starting point.

Here's a few examples of how I interpreted the gist of this kit:



When I first saw the Crescendo Deluxe Theme Kit, I was immediately drawn to the music theme and all of the layered patterns and interesting textures. While I loved the bright, energetic colors of the original kit, I knew I wanted to put my own spin on it using supplies from my stash. Instead of matching the color palette, I focused on the overall feel of the kit—the sheet music, vintage tickets, labels, stripes, and all the little details that create rhythm and movement throughout the collection.

As I shopped my stash, I found these papers from PhotoPlay along with some coordinating neutrals and music-themed die cuts from my electronic die cut machine that captured the same vibe in a completely different way. I added a few embellishments that fit the theme, and before long my July counterfeit kit came together. I love that it's a little softer and more vintage than the inspiration, while still staying true to the musical spirit that first caught my attention. That's one of my favorite things about Counterfeit Kit Challenge—you don't have to duplicate the inspiration, just let it spark your own creativity.

Remember, counterfeit kits are all about using what you already own. Don't worry if you don't have music-themed products. Think about the feeling of the kit and let that guide your choices.


Here's what we have coming up this month:

  • 4th - Forgeries on the Fourth
  • 6th - Mini Kit and Project Reveal
  • 12th - Challenge #1: Summer Soundtrack
  • 18th - Challenge #2: Turn Up the Volume
  • 22nd - Challenge #3: Let's Get Sketchy
  • 30th - Baby Use Those Scraps

We'd love to see what you create! Share your projects in the Counterfeit Kit Community on Facebook or tag us on Instagram @counterfeitkitchallenge.  #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcjuly2026

Life moves Fast.  Scrap the moments that matter.

Love, Christine | ScrappingHarden


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Wednesday, July 1, 2026

July 2026 - Inspiration Kit and Social Media Hop


Welcome to July and a brand-new month of Counterfeit Kit fun!

I'm excited to be your Master Forger this month, and I think you're going to love the inspiration kit I chose.  For July, we're taking inspiration from the Crescendo Deluxe Theme Kit from Not Just For Boys Kit Club.





At first glance, you might notice the obvious music theme, but don't stop there! What really caught my eye was the energy of this kit. The bright summer colors, layered patterns, movement, and playful mix of icons all feel like the soundtrack to summer. Whether you lean into the music theme or simply use the colors and overall vibe as inspiration, there is plenty here to spark your creativity.

One of the things I love most about Counterfeit Kit Challenge is that there is never a "right" way to interpret the inspiration. Maybe you'll focus on the music. Maybe you'll be inspired by the colors. Maybe one small detail will send you in a completely different direction. That's the fun of building a kit from your own supplies.

Now, let's give a warm welcome to our Guest Designer, Rona Mallard (ScrapRona). We're so happy to have her joining us this month and sharing her creativity with us.


Hi! I'm Rona (ScrapRona on the socials). I have been scrapbooking for almost 30 years. I owned a scrapbook store for 9 years. I enjoy the community around scrapping almost as much as the actual scrapping. My dream of being on the Pretty Little Studio design team came to fruition two years ago and I also started a YouTube channel around that same time. Both have been exciting adventures!


Video Showing Rona's Kit: https://youtu.be/7Zo8CTuM-g0

For my Counterfeit Kit I looked at the feel of the kit and chose several items from Simple Stories Rustic Legend because of the musical aspect. I didn't have too many musical choices in my stash but was thrilled to have these items to pull in since the colors also seemed to go well with the look of the kit. I also really liked the Ella & Viv graffiti paper and wanted something with that feel. I had this Ella & Viv Graffiti paper called "the wall" and it seemed perfect. I added a few other papers that also would coordinate and read as solid (for possible stenciling or stamping.) The alpha looked a bit like cork so i put cork alphas in my kit and also to go along with that some basic grey cork stickers. I chose BoBunny background stamps like the kit and two different stencils I thought I might be able to use. I look forward to playing along with everyone this month and hopefully getting lots of layouts done with my kit!! Thanks for asking me to join as a guest designer!

Now it's time to see how everyone else interpreted this month's inspiration. Be sure to visit each stop on the hop and leave some love along the way.

Inspiration Hop Line Up:



Here's what we have coming up this month:
  • 2nd - Just the Gist of It
  • 4th - Forgeries on the Fourth
  • 6th - Mini Kit and Project Reveal
  • 12th - Challenge #1: Summer Soundtrack
  • 18th - Challenge #2: Turn Up the Volume
  • 22nd - Challenge #3: Let's Get Sketchy
  • 30th - Baby Use Those Scraps

We'd love to see what you create! Share your projects in the Counterfeit Kit Community on Facebook or tag us on Instagram @counterfeitkitchallenge.  #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcjuly2026

Thanks for joining us for another month of shopping your stash, getting creative, and making a dent in those supplies.

Life moves Fast.  Scrap the moments that matter.

Love, Christine | ScrappingHarden

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Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Training Post



This is just a sample
 
 

Master Forger Tara

 
 
Have a scrappy week-JoJo

 

Have a great day-Shala

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June 2026 - Baby, Use Those Scraps!

 It is the final challenge of the month!
Before we dive in, here is a reminder peek at our kit.


Master Forger Tina
Just a few scraps as Tina has not played with her kit as much as she would have liked. But with the scraps she had she created some pennants for a fun foodie layout 

 
Master Forger Ryann
 used a lot of the leftover pieces of her kit to punch stars for this layout.  The punch she used gives an outside and inside star, so she used both pieces to create some "magic" elements for her layout.


The layout used the base page she counterfeited at the beginning of the month, as well as the counterfeit circle border she made.  She added a few of the stars onto the border, then layered the stars onto the page, and put all the center stars on foam squares.  She added the smallest bling she could find from her kit to add that "magical" feeling.  The title background paper is also a scrap she cut from one of her leftover papers as well.
 

And that, my friends, is a wrap!!!  I hope you have had as much fun as the rest of us have!

We love to see what you are working on, so don't forget to show us on our Facebook Counterfeit Kit Community.



Remember, Make Every Day a Day Worth Scrapbooking!
~Ryann



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