August 2026 Inspiration Kit and Social Media Hop

 Welcome to August 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. For August I choose a kit from a UK company called Crafty Templates, and their May/June kit have lots of summertime, fresh fruit fun, with some great tags, some sequence and some great mixed media goodies! 

https://www.craftytemplates.com/product-page/may-june-2026-embellishments-kit

https://www.craftytemplates.com/product-page/may-june-2026-main-kit

Now, let's give a warm welcome to our Guest Designer, Sarah R, who participates often in our community!  

 I live in Newbury, Berkshire UK. I’m a PA to the Directors at a Building Society. I have two grown up children and one granddaughter Daisy who is 8. I’m a widow of 21 years so I know to make the most of every day - we’re only here for a visit. 

As a child I kept Newspaper cuttings of the Royal Family in a scrapbook and I started to scrapbook my photos about 13 years ago but stopped due to life events, however I really got back into it during 2020 - COVID and lockdown! I have followed Counterfeit Kit Challenge on the blog for years and a couple of years ago got stuck into creating kits from the inspiration each month. I have hundreds of photos still to scrap from many many years of snapping away and I like to use a defined kit for each event, occasion or holiday so CKC is great to help me focus on pulling different collections from my stash together to use this way for each project.  I love all the ideas each month and the support and comments posted in the group is so encouraging - everyone is so lovely.

I love CKC because it encourages me to use papers and supplies I already have, mix them with other kits, and make everything go further — especially all those odds and ends left over from older kits. This month’s inspiration kit is one I actually owned, as I’m a huge fan of Simple Stories, but I’ve used a lot of it already. By pulling in papers from my stash, I can recreate the same feel and make more pages for my summery photos.

I started by choosing papers that matched the inspiration kit, including unbranded fruit papers and some floral and checked designs from Carta Bella and Maggie Holmes — the patterns match even if the colours aren’t the same. Then I pulled out embellishing pieces such as file tabs, a few lemons, washi tape, pom-pom trim, and journaling cards that fit the theme and match the inspiration items. 

To stretch the kit even further, I added in older Simple Stories collections that share the same colour palette: Summer Snapshots, True Colors, Sun‑Kissed, plus the remaining pieces from Echo Park’s A Slice of Summer, which has lots of fruit elements. I also included my office style dies, a cut file (I have some birthday photos), some Vicki Boutin titles, matching Hobbycraft letters, and Bramble Fox Perspextives.

It’s a big kit, but I have plenty of photos to scrap — and hopefully more as we head into August. I’ve called my kit Lemon Sunshine.

Inspiration Hop Line Up:

Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog - http://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/
Guest Designer: Sarah https://buttononit.blogspot.com/

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/

Tina - https://tinasscrapcorner.blogspot.com/

Vikki https://www.instagram.com/memoriesandmomentsscrapbooking/

Amanda - https://youtube.com/@amandacreates1980

Shala - https://www.youtube.com/@Bookishshala

Briana - https://www.youtube.com/@lovemylifeonpaper

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 Adventure
• 18th - Challenge #2: Let's get a little Messy
• 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 #ckcAugust2026

I can't wait to see what you come up with - I hope you will play along with your stash! 

Happy Scrapping!  XO Amanda Bass 

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

Welcome to February on the Counterfeit Kit from all the Master Forgers! This month we have a new inspiration kit to help you use up your stash! I am Master Forger Amanda and I am hosting the blog for the month of February! I hope that you are refreshed and ready to tackle some more challenges and you play along with us on Facebook!  This month's inspiration kit is from The Scrap Room's Flavor of the Month from January 2024.  This kit features Carta Bella'a At Home, PhotoPlay's Bro's Amazing, Simple Stories' Winter Wonderland and Vicki Boutin's Discover + Create. 

To add a little more embellishment to play with - I decided to include the embellishment kit too! 

As you can see, this inspiration has a lot of options that you can scrap all sorts of events and everyday activities with!  Make your kit as big or as small as you want to!  There are soo many opportunities to get those memories scrapped!

I am pleased to introduce our Guest Designer for the month of February, Kathy Price. 

 Be sure to follow her on Instagram and YouTube!

 

 

"Hi, I’m Kathy — mum of five, Deputy Principal by day, and a scrapbooker for over 24 years. Scrapbooking has been part of my life through every season, and my style is best described as eclectic: I don’t believe in boxes, rules, or “one right way” to create. I’m always willing to give any scrapbooking style, trick, or tip a fair go. From clean and simple to messy, layered, budget-friendly or bold, if it helps tell the story, I’m in. My heart is in capturing real memories for my family, the everyday moments as much as the big ones. I truly believe scrapbooking is more than a hobby, it’s history recording In real time. One day, future historians won’t just look at textbooks; they’ll look at the stories we preserved. Our layouts show how we lived, what we valued, who we loved, and how life evolved over time. That’s pretty powerful. I love to scrapbook, I love all things paper and my motto - just add more!"

Kathy has some great papers and embellishments picked out for this month! She definitely has a variety in her kit!

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, Kathy Price   https://www.youtube.com/@kathyloves2scrap617
• Brandi - https://www.instagram.com/scrappy.boymama/
• Misty - https://craftysoup.com 
• JoJo - https://www.instagram.com/scrappyconfessions
• Julene - https://julenebydesign.blogspot.com/
• Ryann - https://www.instagram.com/scrapbookjoey/
• Tina - https://tinasscrapcorner.blogspot.com/
• Tara - https://kryptonite72-rambles.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 for Just the Gist of it!

• 2nd February- Just the Gist of It: A look at how to build your own counterfeit kit
• 4th February- Forgeries on the Fourth: Creating elements from the inspiration kit using your own stash
• 6th February- Mini Kit & Project Reveal:  See how the Master Forgers create a smaller version of the inspiration kit
• 12th February- Challenge #1 -10 Things I love about... 
• 18th February- Challenge #2 - Birthday Blessings - create a birthday themed layout that focuses on a birthday tradition
• 22nd February- Sketch Challenge from our Guest Designer - Kathy!   
• 27th February- March Sneak Peak (In Facebook Community) 
• 28th February- 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 #ckcfebruary2026.

Happy Scrapping!

Amanda Bass

May 2024 - Inspiration Kit Reveal and Social Media Hop

Hello everyone! Master Forger Misty here to bring you our activities for the month of May. Don't forget that May celebrates interNational Scrapbook Day (aka iNSD) as well. So there will be extra fun happening! Stay tuned for that.

Now, let's go ahead and dive into this month's kit inspiration. I've chosen the Timeless kit from a company called DLS Design. If this kit doesn't sound familiar, there is a good reason for that. This kit is offered by a kit company in the Netherlands. Since you are unlikely to have any of these items, you will really have to put those counterfeit skills to use this month!

This image from the company's website is a bit hard to see. So I've taken screen shots of all the kit elements and compiled them into an overview.

I chose this kit for that bold circle print which features red. I don't normally use red. However this bold color is well balanced with white, yellows, greens and pink. It all just called to me. Plus, a few of the icons–books, moths, lanterns and tea kettles–felt right as we shift from spring into summer here in the States.

There is even more to this line of paper goodness. If you want to explore all the add ons and extras in this offering you can head over to the Timeless Collection page to see even more.

___________

Now, let's welcome our guest designer for May. I'm so happy to introduce you to my friend Alison Day. Here is what Alison wanted to share about herself.

"Hi I'm Alison and I've been playing with pretty paper since 2009. I've dabbled in crafts of every description all my life, but I discovered scrapbooking when my children were small, and I didn't look back. I trained as an Interior Designer and tend to use my knowledge of colour and design on my pages and in my cards instead of other people's houses. I'm a life-long student so learning from others inspires me and tends to lead to ideas. More ideas than I have time in the day to implement! 

In 2021 I opened an Arts & Crafts store in my town of Ladner, BC. [Ladner Village Arts & Crafts]. It became my home away from home and being surrounded by not only racks and racks of pretty paper, but also fabric, yarn and painting supplies has had my brain buzzing ever since. It also allows me to give back in the form of teaching others what I've learned over the years. In the fall of 2022 I audited a beginner crochet class to be better educated as a yarn salesperson, and now I'm completely obsessed with all things yarn! Don't be surprised if my layouts are all about crochet projects now LOL.

I am super grateful to my friend Misty for giving me the opportunity to share my passions with you and can't wait to see what you all do with this month's inspiration!"

You can find Alison on her social media

• Blog: http://alisondaydesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daydesigning/
• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@AlisonDayDesigning

While you are checking out Alison, don't forget that the team has our kit reveal hop as usual.

1st May - Counterfeit Kit Challenge Reveal and Hop

• Counterfeit Kit Challenge - http://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/  

• Guest Designer - Alison Day http://www.youtube.com/@AlisonDayDesigning

• Brandi - https://www.instagram.com/scrappy.boymama/ 

• Christine - https://www.youtube.com/@ScrappingHarden/featured

• Cindy - http://cindyscreations-cinmfoster.blogspot.com/

• Jody - https://www.instagram.com/floppyearedfarm/

• JoJo - https://www.instagram.com/scrappyconfessions

• Julene - http://julenebydesign.blogspot.com/

• Misty - https://craftysoup.com/

• Ryann - https://www.instagram.com/scrapbookjoey/

• Tara - https://kryptonite72-rambles.blogspot.com/ 

• Tina - http://tinasscrapcorner.blogspot.com/

Now, let's take a look at what we have in store for this month's lineup.

• 2nd May - Just the Gist of It
• 4th May - Forgeries on the Fourth
• 4th May - Kick Off iNSD
• 6th May - Mini Kit and Project Reveal
• 12th May - Challenge #1
• 18th May - Challenge #2
• 22nd May - Challenge #3 Let’s Get Sketchy
• 24th May - Follower Showcase
• 30th May - Challenge #4 Baby Use Those Scraps
• 31st May - iNSD challenge deadline

 We really love to hear from our followers! Make sure that you come hang out with us on the Facebook Community Group. You can also hang out with us on Instagram by tagging #counterfeitkitchallnge and #ckcMay2024. See you next time.

November 2023 – Counterfeit Kit Challenge Reveal and Hop

Master Forger of Ceremonies Lisa here, your Counterfeit Kit Challenge host for the month of November. 

I’m always excited to host November as it’s my favourite month – yes really! There is so much to love about this eleventh month of the year! - and also our last kit of the year which makes it very special. 

(We always change things up in December and offer a different type of inspiration for those busy days before Christmas!) 

And now let’s get started….  

Before we take a look at our inspiration kit I'd like you to meet our Guest Designer - a very dear member of my German scrappy circle of friends and prolific scrapper and mini-booker, Silvia Jorke! She is a creative force to be reckoned with and produces such lovely pages and mini-albums featuring everything which is important in her life – a true memory keeper and a creative inspiration. 

"Hi Counterfeit Kit Community, my name is Silvia. I am 42 years old, and I live and scrapbook in Oberhausen, Germany. 

My scrapbooking life contains of crafting mini albums about sightseeing trips, layouts about friends, family and special events, birthday cards, the quarterly Scrapabilly swaps with my crafty besties and much more. 

In my non-scrapbooking life, I am a mathematician working as Data Scientist, a bunny mum of two fluffy cuties, a space-lover and much more. 

Thanks Lisa for inviting me as November guest designer to the Counterfeit Kit Challenge. I am excited to assemble a kit based on the inspiration and create some good stuff with it this month." 

Welcome Silvia – I’m excited to share this month with you!  

Now, onto the inspiration kit... 

I had a hard time finding a kit that really spoke to me for this pre-Christmas… autumn-ish/spring-ish (depending on where you are in the world)… entering Advent-time… coming up to winter… end-of-year time…. but in the end went for a kit that is quite festive.  

However, I really believe that it can be changed up to anything you want it to be 🙂.  

There are bright colours and interesting patterns included as well as a good number of embellishments to inspire. 

I hope you like it as much as I do and are excited to enter the festive time of year in a gentle way or take it in a different direction – there’s a lot going on at this time of year and this kit can be adapted for whatever you need! 

The Hip Kit Club November 2022 main kit 

 

Creating with the kit videos 

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqKLrsqQ7i4 
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPQlJD-1wUk 
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ3gktrszZQ 
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBmJQ-bFwcM 

I hope you are excited to make your own version from your stash & perhaps some "forgeries?  

Our Design Team of Master Forgers will inspire you as you hop through their kit reveals below.  

Don't miss a stop on the hop! 

• Counterfeit Kit Challenge - http://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/ 
• Guest Designer Silvia - https://www.instagram.com/silvia_scrappt/ 
• Brandi - https://www.instagram.com/scrappy.boymama/  
• Christine - https://www.youtube.com/@ScrappingHarden 
• Cindy - https://cindyscreations-cinmfoster.blogspot.com/ 
• Julene - http://julenebydesign.blogspot.com/ 
• Lisa - http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com 
• Tara - https://kryptonite72-rambles.blogspot.com/ 
• Tina - http://tinasscrapcorner.blogspot.com/ 

Here is what the rest of November‘s inspiration will look like: 

• 2nd November - Just the Gist of It - to help you find an easy way to create your kit. 
• 4th November - Forgery on the Fourth - Master Forgers share simple ideas for creating kit elements. 
• 6th November - Mini Kit Reveal and Project Showcase - Inspiration for a smaller kit or project ideas. 
• 12th November - Challenge #1 - To inspire you to get creating from your own kit. 
• 18th November - Challenge #2 - To inspire you to get creating from your own kit. 
• 22nd November – Bonus Challenge #3 – To celebrate birthdays and offer even more inspiration to use your kit this month! 
• 24th November - Follower's Showcase - who has caught our eye this month. 
• 30^th November - Killing the Kit - an idea or two focusing on using up the bits and pieces left in your kit. 

You know that we always love to see your work, so please share your kits and projects with us. You can post them in our Facebook Community or share them on Instagram (we are @counterfeitkitchallenge or tag us using #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcnovember2023).

Lisa

August 2023 - Counterfeit Kit Challenge Reveal & Hop

Master Forger of Ceremonies Lisa here, your Counterfeit Kit Challenge host for the month of August. Before we take a look at our inspiration kit I'd like you to meet our Guest Designer - a dear old friend of CKC & former Master Forger - Clair Rigby!

"Hello! Hello! I'm Clair, I live in the NW of the UK with my lovely fella and two, lovely, little black cats. I am blessed to have a little craft room in the attic, where I can retreat whenever I need a little bit of me time. 

I created my first Counterfeit Kit in 2011, which means that the ladies on the DT have been in my life for almost a third of it! I was lucky to be offered a spot on the DT in October 2015 and, with a few 'life breaks' here and there, remained on the team until 2021. I used up a lot of my stash :)

I've loved to see an influx of new followers over in the Counterfeit Kit Community Facebook Group and, even if I can't be there as often as I'd like to be, it's such a source of inspiration for my own crafting. I'm really looking forward to my month as a GD and can't wait to see everyone's kits and makes! 

Clair xx"

Welcome back Clair - it's SO good to have you with us this month! 

Now, onto the inspiration kit...

 I've chosen another new kit club for August - this time from the European online shop Pink and Paper. It's run by Flóra who has designed and worked with some of the big names including designing the latest Pinkfresh Studio collection, Lovely Blooms. Her kit club is a little different - it's a private membership which includes two online live workshops to create pages together using the kit elements - and of course I had to give a go! I love it when something is coming out of my corner of the world!  

 

Apart from the fact that I think new kit clubs should be applauded in general, I think this is an interesting mix of colours and motifs as well as being a kit that can be stretched as you need it - stronger colours can be picked out for colder seasons, lots of florals and summer colours for us in the middle of summer. 

Pink and Paper Subscription Club - June kit

You can find individual photos of all the pieces of the kit in our FB Counterfeit Kit Challenge community.

I hope you are excited to make your own version from your stash & perhaps some "forgeries? 

Our Design Team of Master Forgers will inspire you as you hop through their kit reveals below. 

Come back tomorrow for our "Just the Gist of It" post that gives an insightful break down of the inspiration kit vibe. "Forgery on the Fourth" shows ideas to craft your own version of kit elements.

Don't miss a stop on the hop!

• Counterfeit Kit Challenge - http://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/   
• Guest Designer Clair Rigby - https://www.instagram.com/obstinatepursuit/  
• Christine - https://www.youtube.com/@ScrappingHarden 
• Cindy - https://cindyscreations-cinmfoster.blogspot.com/ 
• Julene - http://julenebydesign.blogspot.com/ 
• Laura - https://www.instagram.com/mrsp_scrapsandtea/ 
• Lisa - http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com 
• Leslie - http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.com 
• Misty - https://craftysoup.com  
• Tara - https://kryptonite72-rambles.blogspot.com/
  
• Tina - http://tinasscrapcorner.blogspot.com/ 
  

 Here is what the rest of the month of August's inspiration will look like:

•  2nd August - Just the Gist of It - to help you find an easy way to create your kit.
•  4th August - Forgery on the Fourth - Master Forgers share simple ideas for creating kit elements.
•  6th August - Mini Kit Reveal and Project Showcase - Inspiration for a smaller kit or project ideas.
• 12th August- Challenge #1 - To inspire you to get creating from your own kit.
• 18th August - Challenge #2 - To inspire you to get creating from your own kit.
• 24th August - Follower's Showcase - who has caught our eye this month.
• 31st August - Killing the Kit - an idea or two focusing on using up the bits and pieces left in your kit.

You know that we always love to see your work, so please share your kits and projects with us. You can post them in our Facebook Community or share them on Instagram (we are @counterfeitkitchallenge or tag us using #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcaugust2023).

 

Lisa