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

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:

• Counterfeit Kit Challenge - http://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/
• Guest Designer - Rona Mallard - https://www.youtube.com/@ronamallard8547
• Amanda - https://youtube.com/@amandacreates1980
• Brandi - https://www.instagram.com/scrappy.boymama/
• JoJo - https://www.instagram.com/scrappyconfessions
• Laurie - https://www.instagram.com/scrapbookingbits/
• Ryann - https://www.instagram.com/scrapbookjoey/
• Christine - https://www.youtube.com/@ScrappingHarden
• Vikki - https://www.instagram.com/memoriesandmomentsscrapbooking/
• Briana - https://www.youtube.com/@lovemylifeonpaper
• Shala - https://www.youtube.com/@Bookishshala
• Tina -  https://tinasscrapcorner.blogspot.com/

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

Training Post

This is just a sample

Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog - http://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/
Brandi - https://www.instagram.com/scrappy.boymama/
Christine - https://www.youtube.com/@ScrappingHarden
JoJo - https://www.instagram.com/scrappyconfessions
Laurie - https://www.instagram.com/scrapbookingbits/
Ryann - https://www.instagram.com/scrapbookjoey/
Tara - https://kryptonite72-rambles.blogspot.com/
Tina - https://tinasscrapcorner.blogspot.com/
Vikki https://www.instagram.com/memoriesandmomentsscrapbooking/
Amanda - https://youtube.com/@amandacreates1980
Shala - https://www.youtube.com/@Bookishshala
Briana - Mommie_rn@yahoo.com

 

 

Master Forger Tara

 

 

Have a scrappy week-JoJo

 

Have a great day-Shala

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

June 2026 - Challenge #3 - Let's Get Sketchy!

 It is the third challenge of the month! This is always our sketch challenge.

Before we dive in, here is a reminder peek at our kit.

On to our sketch...
I decided on this one because it looks like an excellent place for us to use up a lot of those "last bits" of our packages of embellishments! So let's see how the team interpreted their layouts.

To add a touch more fun - I also want to encourage you to add Foam Squares (tape, dots, whatever) to this layout!  Here's the sketch from Hip Kit Club!

Here is how the team took the sketch and made it their own:

Master Forger Vikki

I love, love, love this sketch!  This was a great way to use a bunch of different patterned papers.  I turned one of the photos on the horizontal to make it work for the photos I wanted to document. I added foam squares to the butterflies and the scissors in the title.  This is definitely a sketch I will use again.

Master Forger Laurie

I used the sketch as the foundation for my layout by keeping the bold diagonal design that divides the background into four sections and placing my two photos in the center as the focal point. Instead of the large floral cluster shown in the sketch, I created balanced embellishment clusters with oversized flowers, leaves and a colorful rainbow to frame the photos. I also adapted the title placement by tucking it into the lower right embellishment cluster, adding dimension and visual interest while staying true to the overall flow and composition of the original sketch. 

Master Forger Ryann

used several circle patterns to continue the idea of Core Memories, which is the ride she was on at Disneyland California in these photos.  She pulled in a lot of the ends and packages of embellishments for the left side of the layout - layering a doily and stickers first, then building layers onto those and ending with enamel dots, bling, chipboard elements, and acrylic flowers for depth.  She used faux stitching to mimic the sketch by drawing with a pen.

Only one challenge left for the month! The easiest one to be creative with, right???

• 30th - Baby Use Those Scraps

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

June 2026 - Challenge #2 - Be Excellent to Each Other!

 It is the second challenge of the month!

Before we dive in, here is a reminder peek at our kit.

One of the phrases in the kit says "Be Excellent to Each Other," and those from my generation can hear the words of Bill and Ted ringing through our heads!  But I want you to document how someone has blessed you - in everyday life, or in crisis - or how you did something for someone else that you felt was “excellent” for this challenge!

Master Forger Briana had this to say about her layout:

I had a little help from my husband to choose an example of being excellent. I am a RN and do lots of volunteering but I feel that people bless me more than I bless them. My husband’s uncle is 69 and has dementia and in a memory care facility. I get to visit him when his wife is out of town. Our visits always lift my spirits. I also get to help his wife with navigating the health care system. I am blessed to have them in my life. I am terrible at journaling and trying to get better and this was important for me to journal. Forgive my scribbles. I used the sketch from 30 days of sketches and my kit. I don’t have many embellishments in my kit but lots of stamps so I stamped my own embellishments. 

 

You can watch Briana's process video HERE!

 
Master Forger Amanda

This was a little more of a challenge for me to think about and do. Normally I would say my spouse is this person for me always, but this last year was especially difficult with the mental health of our youngest child, and of course he was still a great support and my best friend, but I had three colleagues and friends step up in that crisis to be supportive and amazing throughout it.  I do not have a picture to go on this layout at the moment, but plan to have them pose with me so I can document them properly.  My journaling will be a little more detailed about how they supported me and continue to support me through this difficult time, but that will remain private.  I also used the sketch from 30 days of Sketches with Christie's Beautiful Life, and used some strips from this kit and some strips from previous kits to make the shelf, and I wanted to use some mixed media because I haven't gotten that messy lately.  The embellishments also came from my kit. 

Master Forger Christine

For Challenge #2, “Be Excellent to Each Other,” I immediately thought about my upcoming cruise with my best friend. Life has a way of keeping us busy with responsibilities, work, and the everyday demands that pull us in every direction. This trip feels like a true blessing for both of us, but especially for a friend who has spent so much time caring for others and deserves a chance to simply relax, recharge, and enjoy life.  I created this layout using my Counterfeit Kit, which is filled with colorful Vicki Boutin goodness. The bold title, playful layers, and bright pops of color capture the excitement and gratitude I feel as we count down to our adventure. The journaling will document not only the trip itself but also the friendship behind it...the kind of friendship that shows up, supports, encourages, and reminds us that sometimes being “excellent” means giving someone the gift of time, laughter, and shared memories.

I left the photo mat blank so I can drop in the photo we will get taken as we get on the boat.

This layout is a celebration of friendship, gratitude, and the simple joy of getting away together. Sometimes the biggest blessings come wrapped in ordinary moments with extraordinary people. 

How can we be halfway through our challenges already!?!  Luckily, there are still two more we can look forward to . . .

• 22nd - Challenge #3 - Let’s Get Sketchy
• 30th - Baby Use Those Scraps!

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