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

 

October 2026 - Just the Gist of It

Master Forger Laurie here offering you some help in curating your own kit this month. Let's take a look at the kit I chose for this month's inspiration. Click here to take a better look.

When I look at this Simple Stories Pumpkins and Plaid collection, the first things that jump out at me are the cozy fall colors, pumpkins, plaid, florals, woodland critters, and lots of little bits of autumn goodness. It has that warm, comfortable feeling of crisp days, colorful leaves, sweaters, cozy blankets and all the things that make fall my favorite time of year.

But you don't need to own this collection to capture a similar look! That's where a counterfeit kit comes in.

To curate your own kit, start by looking past the individual papers and embellishments and concentrate on the "gist" of the collection. For this kit, I'd pull together papers in rust, orange, mustard, sage green, cream and burgundy, especially plaids, florals, leaves and simple patterns. Then add embellishments that give you the same feeling, pumpkins, acorns, leaves, woodland animals, flowers, tags, hearts and fall words or phrases.

Don't stress about finding exact matches. In fact, that's part of the fun! Shop your own stash for things that have the same colors, patterns and overall feeling. Add a few alphas, some journaling cards and scraps of coordinating paper, and you've got yourself a kit! I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Here's what's coming up next:

• 4th - Forgeries on the Fourth
• 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 #ckcoctober2026

Until next time!

October 2026 - Inspiration Kit Reveal and Social Media Hop

Hello October! It's me, Laurie,  I'm so excited to be your hostess this month as we take a look at a brand new inspiration kit and put our own creative spin on it. Let's take a look at the kit I've chosen. It's Simple Stories Pumpkins and Plaid. Click here for a better look.

 

Our Guest Designer for this month is Jennifer Cain. You may know her as ScrappinCain on YouTube and Instagram.

Hi my name is Jennifer Cain aka ScrappinCain. I have been scrapbooking for 25+ years. I live in Colorado with my two sons. Who are usually my scrapbook subjects. 

I enjoy using just about anything to show off my photos and tell my story. Masculine boy layouts are my favorite along with everyday type photos. I scrapbook 8 1/2x11 size, single layouts in portrait, landscape, and double page layouts. I use lots of different items in my scrapbooking. I love learning new techniques and finding new items to use.

My personal Instagram ScrappinCain with over 1k layouts created by me. 

http://www.instagram.com/Scrappincain  

YouTube channel 

https://youtube.com/@jenniferscrappincain

Jennifer's kit: 

 Inspiration Hop Line Up: 

• Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog - http://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/
• Vikki -  https://www.instagram.com/memoriesandmomentsscrapbooking/
• JoJo - https://www.instagram.com/scrappyconfessions
• Laurie - https://www.instagram.com/scrapbookingbits/
• Tara - https://kryptonite72-rambles.blogspot.com/
• Tina - https://tinasscrapcorner.blogspot.com/
• Amanda - https://youtube.com/@amandacreates1980
• Shala - https://www.youtube.com/@Bookishshala
• Briana - https://www.youtube.com/@lovemylifeonpaper
• Jessica -  https://www.instagram.com/kids2scrap/

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: Fall Color
• 18th - Challenge #2: Plaid About You
• 22nd - Challenge #3: Let's Get Sketchy
• 30th - Baby Use Those Scraps

Now grab your scraps, dig through those forgotten treasures and let's see what we can create. I can't wait to see where this month's inspiration takes us!  Remember to 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

September 2026 - Last Challenge is Baby, Use Those Scraps!

 Wow is it the end of the month already! September just flew by.... So we have spent the whole month creating and that leaves a bunch of scraps so join us today for one of my favorite challenges Baby, Use Those Scraps!

 Here is a reminder what our inspiration kit looks like!

 

 Let's see what the Master Forgers came up with for this challenge:

 Guest Designer Master Forger Karin

Karin says there were tons of cut-aparts in the paper pad in her it, so she had quite a few left over from the sheets she had started with. She tried to use as many as she could, with a "friends" theme to go with these photos of her bestie. She used up the last of her forgeries too. 

Master Forger Ryann used the last pieces of several of her embellishment packs for this layout of her granddaughter for this scraps challenge.  It was a lot of fun to create this layout using a black-and-white photo for this two-page layout.

 

 

Master Forger Tina 

 Used a bit of the scraps that I had left from my kit for this layout.

 

 Check out the Facebook group for a peek to next month's inspiration. Thank you all for joining me this month creating.

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 #ckcSeptember2026

Happy Scraping! Tina

September 2026 - Challenge 3 is Let's Get Sketchy

 Let's get sketchy!

 Here is a reminder what our inspiration kit looks like!

 

 Here is our sketch, created by our own MF Tara: 

Guest Designer Master Forger Karin 

Captured the sketch beautifully with her layout

Master Forger Briana

I changed up the orientation of the upper 2 photos.  I used my counterfeit kit to document photos of a trip to Florida.  I was so excited to use the large washi Vicki Boutin sticker.  Loving this sketch and how versatile it is.  Here is the link to my process video:  https://youtu.be/awpa6Wq5nBE 

 

Master Forger Laurie

This was a super fun sketch to play with! It was perfect to highlight photos from my recent trip to Booth Bay Harbor in Maine. 

 

 

 

 

One last challenge for the month! Hopefully you"ll be creating too! 

• 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 #ckcSeptember2026

Happy Scraping! Tina

 

September 2026 - Challenge 2 - Travels Documented

Here is challenge number 2! The kit is all about traveling so before we get to the challenge lets take another look at what the kit looks like.

 

 

Travels Documented Challenge

Challenge: Don’t just take the trip—document the journey! Use this 3 part challenge to create your layout and hopefully the 4th part will continue

• Capture: Take photos or videos of the places you visit.
• Document: Write down one memorable moment, discovery, or lesson from each trip.
• Share: Create a post, video, journal entry, or travel album telling the story.
• Repeat: Keep documenting every adventure and watch your travel story grow!

Challenge phrase:

“Travel it. Capture it. Document it. Remember it.”

 

 Guest Designer Master Forger Karin Used some photos from a short trip to Stockholm, the capital of Sweden for her story

 

Master Forger Tina I added a few neutral pieces to my kit so I could make the pictures of the trip shine too. Used this to tell of the start of the first full day of my trip in July.

 

 

Master Forger Tara grabbed her kit and some 2018 photos she took while on airplane and started created. She ended up documenting the story and using something from all three designers from her kit.  

 

Here are some close-ups of her layout: 

 

Here's a link to Master Forger Tara's process video:

 

 Master Forger JoJo went on a day adventure with her friends from her community, she wanted to capture the fun time she had with her friends, and then she Documented it to remember the good time they had.

 

 

 

• 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 #ckcSeptember2026

Happy Scraping! Tina