January 2026 - Just the Gist of It

Hello!  Now you've seen our inspiration kit for the month and how the Master Forgers took on the challenge.  Have you begun to create your own counterfeit kit yet?  If you're struggling with how to start, today's post is for you.  I'm going to show you how I put together my kit for the month.

Before we start, let's take a look at the inspiration kit, Curiosities in Willow Grove by Vicki Boutin for 49 and Market.

                                

There are A LOT of great elements in the inspiration kit.  The papers are amazing, too.  When I start my kit, I usually pick out a paper that includes the colors I want to represent in my kit. For me, this was the library card-ish paper.  I found something similar in my stash and built on from there.  A book is included in the ephemera of the inspiration kit, and I found a patterned paper with books in similar colors as my initial paper.  Perfect!

Here are the patterned papers that I chose.

Next are the solid papers.

I pulled a handful of stamps I think I might use.

I'm in love with wood veneer and want to use some this month.

I have a ton of leftover embellishments from Vicki Boutin's Flower Emporium, so I included them in this kit, in hopes of using them up.  I also pulled some labels and puffy hearts.

A girl can never have too many options for alphas.  I was sure to pull a BUNCH of alpha stickers in different colors and sizes.  I even selected a couple of alphabet stamps to hopefully use.

Finally, I found that I still had quite a bit of the Fernwood collection, and it happened to have butterflies and a cool magnifying glass.  I am including that collection in this month's counterfeit kit to see what I can use.

I feel like my kit took on a life of its own and that's okay.  The counterfeit kit doesn't have to perfectly match the inspiration kit.  It's okay to add an element of your own.  Also, don't be afraid to keep adding to your kit as you see fit.  I see a lot of opportunity for forgeries this month.  I'll definitely be creating some things to use in my kit.

I'll see you back here on the fourth to take a look at forgeries created by the Master Forgers.

 Be sure to come back and see everything we're doing on the blog this month.  

• 4th January  - Forgeries on the Fourth: Creating elements from the inspiration kit using your own stash
• 6th January - Mini Kit & Project Reveal:  See how the Master Forgers create a smaller version of the inspiration kit
• 12th January - Challenge #1 - Use Those Doilies!
• 18th January - Challenge #2 - 2026 Goals
• 22nd January - Sketch Challenge  
• 28th January - February Sneak Peak
• 30th January - Baby, Use Those Scraps 

The Master Forgers love to see what you create.  Share on our Facebook Community Find us on Instagram @counterfeitkitchallenge and tag us in your posts #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcjanuary2026.

Happy Scrapping!

Master Forger Vikki

January 2026 - Inspiration Kit and Social Media Hop!!!

 Hello and Happy New Year from all of the Master Forgers at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog!  We are thrilled to start off the new year with you and a new inspiration kit.  I'm Master Forger Vikki and I will be hosting the blog for the month of January.  I hope you have enjoyed the holidays and are ready to dive in to our challenges this month. For this month's inspiration kit, I've chosen a relatively new collection, Curiosities In Willow Grove by Vicki Boutin for 49 and Market.  This collection is just fantastic and I think it's a perfect choice to counterfeit.  Here are some pictures of the kit:

As you can see, this inspiration has a lot of papers and elements.  I don't know about you, but I'm already seeing opportunities to make forgeries.  I hope the collection I chose inspires you to pull from your stash and create your own kit.

I am pleased to introduce our Guest Designer for the month of January, Melinda Barkman.  Be sure to follow her Facebook group, Busy as a Bee Designs.

"My name is Melinda Barkman and I live in California.  I have been a scrapbooker, card maker and paper crafter for over 30 years.  I love the idea of taking paper and turning it into a unique album, card or scrapbook page that preserves my family life.  I have been married to the love of my life for 38 years and we have been together for 41.  We have two wonderful children and three fur babies.  I am very fortunate that my husband supports my crafting passion.  Being newly retired is allowing me to have more creative time.  In addition to paper crafting, I also love crocheting, sewing and spending time traveling with my husband and our fur babies.  I was introduced to CKC through Facebook.  I love being able to be creative with my stash and use up supplies to create memories for my family to look back on."

Look at the fantastic counterfeit kit Melinda put together!

Our Master Forgers have lots of inspiration for you as they share their counterfeit kits.  Be sure to check them out on their creative pages, as well as the Counterfeit Kit Community Facebook group.

• Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog - http://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/
• Guest Designer (Melinda)   https://www.facebook.com/groups/1983693112166026
• Brandi - https://www.instagram.com/scrappy.boymama/
• Misty - https://craftysoup.com 
• Cindy - https://cindyscreations-cinmfoster.blogspot.com/
• JoJo - https://www.instagram.com/scrappyconfessions
• Julene - https://julenebydesign.blogspot.com/
• Laurie - https://www.instagram.com/scrapbokingbits/
• Ryann - https://www.instagram.com/scrapbookjoey/
• Tina - https://tinasscrapcorner.blogspot.com/
• Vikki https://www.instagram.com/memoriesandmomentsscrapbooking/
• Amanda - https://youtube.com/@amandacreates1980

We have a full month of inspiration and challenges.  See you back here tomorrow!

• 2nd January - Just the Gist of It: A look at how to build your own counterfeit kit
• 4th January  - Forgeries on the Fourth: Creating elements from the inspiration kit using your own stash
• 6th January - Mini Kit & Project Reveal:  See how the Master Forgers create a smaller version of the inspiration kit
• 12th January - Challenge #1 - Use Those Doilies!
• 18th January - Challenge #2 - 2026 Goals
• 22nd January - Sketch Challenge  
• 28th January - February Sneak Peak
• 30th January - Baby, Use Those Scraps 

The Master Forgers love to see what you create.  Share on our Facebook Community Find us on Instagram @counterfeitkitchallenge and tag us in your posts #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcjanuary2026.

Happy Scrapping!

Master Forger Vikki

Christmas Bingo With The Master Forgers!!!

Hello everybody!  In December the Master Forgers take a break from regular kitting and do something special. Master Forger Ryann has created a Bingo card for us to use to help us get some layouts finished this month!!  There are 25 spaces on the Bingo card.  You may do a row, a column, or just individually.  You choose!  We are keeping this challenge light and easy to allow you the freedom to create as you can during this busy Holiday Month.

Here's the Bingo Card!  I will also share a link to the PDF in the community group!  

Note that the R column has all embellishments that start with an R.  For resin, you can use acrylic titles and shapes or even regular buttons-all made of a type of resin.  ;)  As always, feel free to ask questions in the FaceBook Community Group!  One of us will answer!   From the Master Forgers to each of you: 

Merry Christmas 

Master Forger Tara
 

November 2025 - Challenge #4 - Baby, Use Those Scraps

It's time for the final challenge of November! But first, let's take a look at our monthly inspiration kit again - October Glow by Cocoa Daisy 

As always, we end the month with a scraps challenge! Let's see what the team came up with this month. 

Guest Designer Lisa 

Master Forger Amanda

When completing my layouts this month - I realized that for one of my layouts I had way more pictures than I had thought I had to scrapbook with the layout -- so it is a great time to use up my scraps! I decided to make a 9x12 pocket page layout as a companion to the other layout to tie in what I had done, and still get those pictures on layouts! I also included a picture of the layout that I was making the companion pockets for. 

 

Master Forger Brandi 

Master Forger Misty

Misty didn't have many scraps leftover. She used paper tearing small portions to create a border for her circular layout.

We would love to see what you create this month! Join our Facebook Group or tag us on Instagram! Find us @counterfeitkitchallenge or use the hash tags #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcnovember2025. 

Happy Scrapping! 

*Brandi* 

November 2025 - Challenge #3 - Let's Get Sketchy

 

Welcome to our sketch challenge for November! Before we get into the challenge details, let's take a look at our monthly inspiration kit again - October Glow by Cocoa Daisy 

and here's our sketch for November! 

Master Forger Brandi

Master Forger JoJo

Here is my take on this month's sketch and I actually got to use the leaves that I stamped and fussy cut to tuck in.  I did a bit of stamping behind the photo, too.

Master Forger Vikki

I absolutely love autumn.  I love the colors of autumn and I especially love all the fantastic autumn scrapbooking papers out there.  It was especially fun creating my kit for this month.  This sketch was perfect for two photos that I took while walking my dogs and enjoying the colors of nature.  I was so thrilled to be able to use the fall dog paper.  I fussy cut some leaves from another sheet of paper to use as embellishments.  I love the texture that the burlap ribbon behind the photos provided.

Here's what's left in November!

• 30th November - Baby, Use Those Scraps Challenge 

We would love to see what you create this month! Join our Facebook Group or tag us on Instagram! Find us @counterfeitkitchallenge or use the hash tags #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcnovember2025. 

Happy Scrapping! 

*Brandi* 

November 2025 - Challenge #2 - Thankful, Grateful & Blessed

Welcome to our second challenge for November! Before we get into the challenge details, let's take a look at our monthly inspiration kit again - October Glow by Cocoa Daisy 

Here in the USA, November is a time to show thanks for the wonderful things in your life. So, create a layout featuring ANYTHING you feel thankful for. Please include at least one of these words on your page/title: thankful, grateful, blessed (or any variation of them) 

Master Forger Misty

Misty had the perfect story to go with this prompt. Using the word Thankful was just what she needed for her title.

MF Ryann

Ryann has been lifelong friends with these two ladies, and she couldn't be more grateful for that friendship!  These large poster photos in the background were taken by her dad when she and her friends were little.  Then they took pictures in front of them last year when they were all together - about 45 years from the first photos!  

MF Amanda

Amanda decided to document a favorite place her family visits as she feels so very blessed to be able to live near such beauty.  One large photo that is minimally embellished leaves the focus on the beautiful scenery. 

Here's a look ahead at what we've got coming up in November!

• 22nd November - Sketch Challenge - Single Page, Two Photos 
• 30th November - Baby, Use Those Scraps Challenge 

We would love to see what you create this month! Join our Facebook Group or tag us on Instagram! Find us @counterfeitkitchallenge or use the hash tags #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcnovember2025. 

Happy Scrapping! 

*Brandi* 

November 2025 - Challenge #1 - Tickets, Tags & Cards

 Welcome to our first challenge for November! Before we get into the challenge details, let's take a look at our monthly inspiration kit again - October Glow by Cocoa Daisy

One of the things that stuck out to me in the inspiration kit, were the variety of embellishment choices! I see tags, tickets and even a fun library card! Choose at least one of these elements to include on your project! 

Guest Designer Lisa 

Lisa used some tickets she forged using her stash! Here's some closeups and the full layout. 

Master Forger Brandi 

Tickets, especially the kind in the 49 & Market ephemera packs, are such fun clustering pieces! Check them out here! 

Master Forger Tara 

 

I had several tags and one library card in my kit-quite by accident since I built my kit before getting the information on the challenges!!  Good thing!  I layers tickets and the library card on my layout-some behind the photos and some in the upper left corner of my layout.  I added three detail shots of my layout as well, because I had included some clear mixed media stickers in my kit and I used one full sheet of them on this layout!  I did add some twine and a blue cardstock to mat my photos from my stash as well! 

 

 

Master Forger Amanda

I did not put a lot of cards, tickets or tags into my kit this time around - but I do have a tag punch that I decided that I could use this month - I used it both for white cardstock where I did my journaling, as well as I used some washi tape and punched the tags with that too! 

Here's a look ahead at what we've got coming up in November!

• 18th November - Challenge #2 - Thankful, Grateful & Blessed 
• 22nd November - Sketch Challenge - Single Page, Two Photos 
• 30th November - Baby, Use Those Scraps Challenge 

We would love to see what you create this month! Join our Facebook Group or tag us on Instagram! Find us @counterfeitkitchallenge or use the hash tags #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcnovember2025. 

Happy Scrapping! 

*Brandi*