October 2026 - Let's Get Sketchy

 

 Are you ready for our third challenge of the month? This is where we use one of our favorite scrapbooking tools....a sketch! So, pull out that counterfeit kit and start creating with the sketch I've chosen. Remember, a sketch is just a jumping off point to make it your own. Flip it, rotate it, add extra layers, or move things around to suit your photos and your style. There is no right or wrong way to interpret a sketch. We can't wait to see how you use your kit to bring the sketch to life. But, first let's take a look at our inspiration kit.

  

 

Here's the sketch:

 

 Master Forger JoJo

 This months sketch was fun to work with. Perfect to show case her yard decorations. 

Master Forger Tina

This sketch was a fantastic way to showcase these photos and the kit Tina curated this month. 

 

Master Forger Jessica 

The sketch provided was great inspiration.  The only thing I changed to make it work for me was the orientation of the two smaller pictures and the embellishment clusters.  

Here's what's coming up next: 

• 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 #ckcoctober2026

Until next time!

Master Forger Laurie 

  

October 2026 - Challenge #2 - Plaid About You

 It's time for our second challenge of the month, Plaid About You! For this challenge we're letting plaid take center stage, it must be the prominent pattern on your layout. Whether you use it as a background, a large patterned paper, or in bold layers and accents, let plaid shine! Here's a look a our inspiration kit:

 Let's see how our Master Forgers used plaid in their layouts:

 Master Forger Tara created a layout using plaid as her background paper for her challenge layout this month.  She created a tilted design and added three main clusters!!  There's also a little stitching for texture and dimension!!

 Here are some close-ups of her layout!

Master Forger Amanda 

I used plaid as accents on this double page layout to add a bit of country charm for eating out at one of the few places we can have gluten free crunchy chicken burgers and the very best donuts! I thought it gave an almost fifties cafe vibe with the newspaper print background, orange plaid paper and wood veneer touches! 

 

Master Forger Jessica  

The plaid pattern is the perfect foundation for this fall layout!  The plaid helps frame the photos and brings out the warm tones in the decorations. Paired with the black cardstock border, it creates a nice contrast that makes the entire layout stand out. Overall, the plaid pattern captures the warmth and charm of fall and helps bring this happy, magical day to life!

 

Here's what's coming up next: 

• 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 #ckcoctober2026

Until next time!

Master Forger Laurie 

 

October 2026 - Challenge #1 - Fall Color

 Let's kick off our first challenge of the month with a little color play! Use your kit to create a layout using at least three traditional Autumn colors...orange, rust, mustard, brown, burgundy, olive or cream. Here's the fun part - add an unexpected pop of pink or purple! I can't wait to see what unexpected combinations you come up with! As a reminder, here's our inspiration kit:

 

Let's see what our Master Forgers have created: 

Guest Designer Jennifer Cain 

This layout came together quickly. In the Counterfeit Kit Club we like to add challenges. Used lots of Simple Stories Pumpkins and Plain collection. A woodgrain background and a sketch. Used beautiful fall colors and the challenge was to add a non traditional fall color. I chose teal. It was perfect with the photo. 

Master Forger Vikki 

 I absolutely love the kit this month.  Fall colors are my favorites, next to pink!  I was excited about this challenge because it uses all the colors of fall, plus a splash of pink.  I thought pink pumpkins were the perfect addition.  There's even a shade of pink in one cluster of leaves, tying the layout colors together.

Master Forger Briana 

When I made my kit I was concerned that I did not have many fall themed layouts to make.  Then I discovered that I had lots of photos that were taken during the fall season.  I documented a photo of a trip to Las Vegas in the month of October and this month's kit worked perfectly.  And the pink on the layout helps to bring out the pink on the photo!  Here is the link to my process video in case you are interested.  https://youtu.be/ch3ezT_2JrM

Here's what's coming up next:

• 18th - Challenge #2: Plaid About You
• 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 #ckcoctober2026

 

Until next time!

Master Forger Laurie 

 

October 2026 - Mini Kits and Project Reveal

Let's face it, we don't  always have time or the inclination to create a full kit, and that's okay. That's the great thing about creating your own kit  Make it work for you. Here's where a mini kit comes in. We have two Master Forger's that will show you how, what's in their mini kit and what they created.. First let's take a look at our inspiration kit:

 

Master Forger Christine 

For October’s Counterfeit Kit Challenge, the inspiration kit is Simple Stories Pumpkins and Plaid, and I decided to pull my Mini Kit from a collection I was already planning to use all month: Vicki Boutin’s Curiosities in Willow Grove. The colors, florals, leaves and generally cozy fall feeling seemed like a pretty good match for the inspiration kit, so I went digging through the collection and pulled together a little kit of my own. No shopping required, which is always a win around here.

A-sides

B-sides

Ephemera and Titles

Layout #1

My first layout features Brooke and Seth in Wisconsin. I loved using the colorful autumn papers and those big leafy patterns to create a page that feels very fall without being all pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns. I followed a sketch from a month-long hop (well mostly!).  I decided to use the floral ephemera pieces on this layout in a visual triangle.

Layout #2

Next up is Seth on a hike. (sorry about the glare!) This collection was perfect for these photos with all the leaves and earthy colors. I used the large leaf paper as the background and added plenty of ephemera leaves around the photos.  Unfortunately, some of my chipboard titles were victims of a feline attack.  So I went back to the collection and found a couple of good title pieces that fit this layout better.  

I especially love the little “Fresh Air” title. Because apparently if you go hiking, you must document that you got fresh air. It's basically scrapbook law.

Layout #3

The final layout is me and Brooke at a wedding in October 2026. I went a little more layered and collage-y with this one, using several of the softer papers behind the photo and adding the mushrooms and little word strips.

I really like that the same kit worked for three completely different stories: a trip to Wisconsin, a hike and a wedding.

And Then There Was Almost Nothing Left

This is probably my favorite part of the whole challenge.  After finishing all three layouts, I had three tiny 1½-inch square scraps left.

That's it.

Three little squares.

I'm calling that a successful Mini Kit.

I love the Counterfeit Kit Challenge because it gives me a reason to shop my own stash and actually use the pretty paper instead of lovingly moving it from one storage container to another. And this month, Curiosities in Willow Grove definitely earned its keep.

 

Master Forger Brandi 

I am definitely in the season of life where I'm spending more time making memories than documenting! So creating a mini kit for some October crafting was exactly what my schedule needed! October is by far my favorite month seasonally and I loved this kit! I decided to lean into the mini-concept and did not pull any 12x12 papers. I grabbed a few partially used 6x6 pads and a bunch of Fall-themed embellishments and loose ephemera to pull together my kit! 

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I was able to create two layouts using my kit so far! I decided to play along with Days 4 and 5 of the current round of 30 Days of Sketches - and these sketches just happened to be created by two of our Master Forgers, Tara & Amanda! Both my layouts are 8x8 - for a 2025 weekly favorites album! 

Layout 1 

       

Layout 2 

Here's what's coming up: 

• 12th - Challenge #1: Fall Color
• 18th - Challenge #2: Plaid About You
• 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 #ckcoctober2026

 Until next time!

Master Forger Laurie 

October 2026 - Forgeries on the Fourth

 

 Don't have the exact embellishments shown in your inspiration kit? Get creative and make your own! Use scraps of patterned paper, punches, stamps, dies, or even doodling to recreate the look and feel of embellishments you don't have in your stash. It's a great way to stretch your supplies and make your counterfeit kit truly your own.

  Here's  a reminder what the inspiration kit looks like: 

Here are a few that I made:

 

Jessica Haab

 

Master Forger Tara used some of her dies to create some additions to her kit from some of her papers:

 

  Master Forger Vikki:

 

 Here's what's coming up next:

• 6th - Mini Kit and Project Reveal
• 12th - Challenge #1: Fall Color
• 18th - Challenge #2: Plaid About You
• 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 #ckcoctober2026

Until next time,

 Master Forger Laurie