Monday, April 6, 2026

April 2026 Mini kits & project reveal.

 Sometimes you don't have time to make a big kit but still want to join in the fun. Let me remind you of our kit before showing you what our mini kitter has done.



                                  Our mini kit is from:                               

Vikki

When I started creating my mini kit for this month, it was HUGE!  Definitely not a mini kit.  I tend to pick out a lot of embellishment packs or sticker sheets that I might be able to use and then really pare down to just a few from a pack.  I do try to have photos in mind while I'm putting together any kit that I create. I do pull more alphas than I will likely need, only because I like to have options.





For my first layout, I made a 12x12 page about my dogs, of course.  Because I usually always take photos of my dogs, I try to put some sort of dog ephemera in my kits.

  


For my second layout, I made a page that will fit into a Citrus Twist Life Crafted album.  The page measures approximately 4 1/4 x 8 1/4.  I am going to use this album for favorite photos of my honey and me.  Unfortunately, my photo printer decided to give me issues while I was doing this page, so I will have to print the photo when I have more patience.


I still have some papers left in my mini kit, so I'll be making some more layouts throughout the month.




I was really excited to see a 6x8 paper collection as our inspiration.  The coolest part, I even had a paper pad that was a fairly good match for it.   The 2023 Fancy Pants collection "Unique".  I found a geometric print, a bird print, a dark blue on blue and another blue print.  From my stash I found a woodgrain and a black and white floral.  Luckily, I still had some embellishments from my Unique selection, plus a little stash in the way of chipboard pieces from 49&Market.


I was able to get 2, 12x12 layouts from my selection.  Just perfect for a mini kit :-)

My first layout I went with the black and white floral as a background.  Then I cut 3 of the patterns into vertical strips.  I started with this design because I knew I could use the cut-offs on the next layout.
I put the vertical strips a little off center to add interest and added some embellishment clusters in a diagonal.  The photo is a really old one of my Daddy holding me and my sister.  


So because I had documented that photo of my dad, my sister and I, my next layout is a companion to this one of a more recent photo of the 3 of us.  I don't have many like these - so if this post does anything, it's to encourage you to TAKE THE PICTURES.  I wish I had more of the three of us.

But back to the layout.

This one was quick and easy too.  I simply layered my two remaining full 6x8 pages plus two of the off-cuts from the first layout as a vertical base.  Then I took the one gold tone on tone off cut, cut it in half and layered it horizontally behind the photo, which I mounted on white cardstock.  Just a few embellishments on this one.  

Quick, easy, and just what a mini kit calls for!



Here's what is coming up.

  • April 12th - Challenge #1
  • April18th - Challenge #2
  • April 22nd - Challenge #3 Let’s Get Sketchy
  • April 28th - April Sneak Peek (FB Community & Instagram)
  • April 30th - Baby Use Those Scraps

We love to see what you are doing so don't forget to add your work to our facebook group and tag us in Instagram.


Julene


Saturday, April 4, 2026

April 2026 - Forgeries on the Fourth

 


 We often forge our own items for our kits when we can't find anything like the original.

Here is our inspiration kit.





Guest designer Diana has created these forgeries

Stamping white paper with floral pattern
(I must admit I had the same idea!)


                                                      

                                          Stamping and fussy cutting then painting flowers



                                                                 Master Forger Julene
I used my trusty big flower stamp to create a floral paper by dabbing on inkpad, then quickly stamping randomly. I like that ink is darker on some parts and not others, it adds to the overall effect.



Master Forger Misty
Misty turned to ideas she has used before. She created faux puffy stickers using Nuvo Drops style products. She also created faux chipboard by punching and stacking shapes.




Master Forger Laurie

I created some phrase tickets using a rectangle die, a circle punch and some phrase stamps.  You could just cut a rectangle using a paper cutter if you don’t have dies. For the flair I punched circles and stamped in them. For the cute little bunnies, once again I used stamps and fussy cut them. It’s so easy to make your own embellishments and fun!



These are all fabulous ideas. Now it is your turn, will you make something or perhaps try one of these ideas.

Here's what is coming up for the rest of the month.

  • April 6th Mini kit ideas
  • April 12th Challenge #1
  • April 18th Challenge #2
  • April 22nd Challenge #3 Let's get sketchy
  • April 28th May sneak peek.
  • April 30th Baby use those scraps.

That's all for now.



Thursday, April 2, 2026

April 2026 Just the gist of it.

 This is to help those who have never curated a kit of their own or searching for more help putting a kit together.



I look closely at the papers first then try to match them with mine. Sometimes there is something that you don't have anything like it!

In this month's kit I have no woodgrain but looked closely at what i did have and came up with 2 Kraft papers. They have tiny neutral patterns on them but will do the job.

I also write a list for example birds, flowers, branches, wire pattern, chains. I then look at the embellishments and add to my list.

 
These circles have cow, sherbet, lemon, milk bottle, coffee, flower, star. Then go looking for those in your embellishments. OR use your stamps to create something.
The enamel dots might inspire your choices of embellishments. For example, pale pink washi to go with the blues and black and white in the kit.
I then other things that will match eg washi tapes, ribbons, buttons, chipboards.

(Hint: if you start early, you might find more over the next few days)

There is no hard and fast rule and if you look at the master forgers you'll see we are all different.

Enjoy making up your kits this month.


                                                                   Master Forger Julene

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

April 2026- Inspiration kit and social media hop.

 

Welcome to another month at CKC.  Our kit for April is Life Crafted FLEA MARKET FINDINGS 6" x 8" Pattern Paper – Citrus Twist Kits  I've chosen it because it made me think of spring and Easter. There are fresh blues, gorgeous florals, plus golds and yellows.










The embellishments are light on for this kit but you can choose items that co-ordinate I am sure.









I would like to introduce you to Diana who is our Guest Designer for this month.





Here is a little bit about her.



This is exciting for me. I have never been asked to do anything like this before. 

I love CKC because it challenges me to use my stash in so many new ways. I am so glad I found this community! 

I have been a paper crafter for most of my life and I started making layouts 35 years ago. I am a wife (for 46 yrs.) My hubby and I are quite a pair. He is "ducks" and I am "squirrels"...makes for a fun and interesting life. I am mom to 2 adults children (and their partners) and Nana to 7 grandchildren, ranging in age from 7 yrs - 20 yrs old. These people are my life and most often the subject of my layouts. A few of the grandkids even craft with me.

I have a full time job at an industrial laundry. We supply our regional hospitals and care facilities. When I am not at work, I enjoy my aquafit and gym classes. I love making food art for my family, for every holiday. I love being outdoors. I enjoy photography. I love viewing and making visual art. Lately I'm loving mixed media. And of course, I love spending time with my family 

Fun fact about my layouts: I hate making titles because too often I feel like they end up ruining the whole design. I hope you all enjoy the month of April at CKC.


Here is Diana's kit for April.














She has also made a couple of forgeries for the fourth.


Make sure you check out our Social Media Hop:



Here's what we have in store for this month. 

  • April 2nd Just the gist of it.
  • April 4th Forgeries on the Fourth
  • April 6th Mini kit ideas
  • April 12th Challenge #1
  • April 18th Challenge #2
  • April 22nd Challenge #3 Let's get sketchy
  • April 28th May sneak peek.
  • April 30th Baby use those scraps.



We love to see what you are working on so don't forget to show us on our Facebook community page. (2) counterfeit kit community - Search Results | Facebook


Enjoy your time with us this month.

Julene

Monday, March 30, 2026

March 2026 - Let's Use Those Scraps!

I hope you've had a good month and used up quite a bit of your kit this month!  Before, I talk about the last challenge of the month, let me remind you of our inspiration kit: 

Cocoa Daisy February 2026 - Inklings

The last challenge of the month is always a challenge to use the scraps you have created this month from playing with your kit!  I hope you have lots of them left, or if you are good at using them as you go, NONE left.  However, if you do have a nice pile of scraps left, I'd like to encourage you to use them up.  There's so many ways that you can do this! 

Our Guest Designer, Neyla, gave us three layouts using scraps this month:



 

Master forger JoJo used her punches and her dies to create most of the embellishments on her page.  It's a great way to personalize your pages by color coordinating the embellishments to match your page.

 



Master Tara created a couple of layouts using scraps from her kit: 
 

You can watch the process video for this one HERE !

 

You can watch the process video for this one HERE 
 
Thanks for hanging out with me and the Master Forgers this month.  A great big round of applause goes to this month's Guest Designer, Neyla!  Thank you for making this such a fun and wonderful month of kitting and counterfeiting.  I'll see you next month on the group!  Join us on the first when Master Forger Julene takes over the blog with a new Inspiration Kit!
 
We love to see what you are working on!  Drop in your projects to our Facebook Community Group and of course tag us on Instagram at #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcfeb2026 

 

Master Forger Tara

 

Sunday, March 22, 2026

March 2026 - Challenge #3 - Let's Get Sketchy

Wow!  Where is this month going?  It's time for our third challenge of the month and that is always going to be a sketch!  First, let me remind you of this month's Inspiration Kit:

Cocoa Daisy February 2026 - Inklings

In March, June, and October, there's a YouTube Hop called 30 Days of Sketches With Christy's Beautiful Life.  She provides us with sketches for the whole month-thirty days worth!  This is an amazing hop and a great community.  I am using this month's Day 22 sketch, created by Stacy Doner Tewari: 

Our Guest Designer, Neyla, and the Master Forgers have some examples for you! 
 
Guest Designer Neyla said that she used washi folded over and stapled instead of ribbon or twine for the tags holes.  This was a tip she got from another creator!  What a great way to use some washi!
 
  

MF Julene

 I used one of my counterfeit papers and an olive-green cardstock. This was an AZTEC ceremony I saw in Mexico.


MF Ryann had a lot of fun putting together this really simple layout! These are photos of the table decor from her wedding reception (A Masquerade Ball). The tie-dye watercolor paper gives the layout a little extra depth and motion without adding a lot of extra thickness to the layout. 


MF Amanda

Amanda used her forgery paper for the background for the sketch, and used a metal di to cut two larger tags, that she made into flips to add additional pictures to the layout. Extra splatters to add some sparkle and a little bit of journaling on labels, with a couple embellishments makes this a quick and simple layout to put together!
 


A look at the tags flipped open! 
You can see her process come together on Amanda's YouTube Channel. 

  • March 28th - April Sneak Peek(FB Community & Instagram)
  • March 30th - Baby Use Those Scraps

We love to see what you are working on!  Drop in your projects to our Facebook Community Group and of course tag us on Instagram at #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcfeb2026 

Master Forger Tara