Showing posts with label MF Briana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MF Briana. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

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


 

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

August 2026 - Challenge #2 Let's Get (a little) Messy!

 Our inspiration kit this month also had some spritz spray and some fabric trim, among other items that could be considered mixed media! 

Here is a reminder what our inspiration kit had in it!






Your challenge for Let's get (a little) Messy is to use some wet media (think spritz, splatters, inks, paste) and some fabric (trim, lace, ribbon, fabric square) on your layout! I always love some messy play with some of my layouts each  month -- you don't have to get super messy -- just a little messy will do! 

Guest Designer Sarah R

For For my layout I used one of the Vicki Boutin titles in my kit as a mask spraying Distress Spritz - this means I can use the cardboard title on another layout.




I’ve used the papers, a few odds and ends from ephemera and pompom trim that I put in my kit, which co-ordinate with the colours in the photo of my granddaughter.


Master Forger Amanda

I had a lot of fun creating this layout of my youngest and myself at the zoo at the butterfly garden.  The 49&Market paper from Nature's Haven was perfect to use on this along with some of the embellishments from the kit.  Since the challenge was to get a little messy, I used my heart stencil and Festive Berry Oxide and then some cream paste through a different stencil to add some texture. 

 The white flowers that I added is a fabric trim meant for sewing.  Lastly, I added some Nuevo drops to add some more mixed media and some glossy texture to the page. 

Here is the page all completed together, I love how the extra blends well with what was on the pattern paper, but adds additional texture and interest to the page! 

My process can be seen here: https://youtu.be/9vnrs26H0UE

Master Forger Briana


I started with texture paste and a Vicki Boutin stencil. This is actually my favorite stencil, and I've only used it a couple of times! I love polka dots, and this stencil is full of overlapping circles, so I'm not sure why I don't use it more often.

After adding the texture paste, I bordered the stenciled area with yellow pom-pom trim. I love the texture and little bit of whimsy it adds to the page.

Next came the experimenting. I took my regular watercolors and painted over the texture paste, hoping to mimic the colors of a sunset. I wasn't sure exactly how the watercolor would react with the texture paste, but I really liked the soft, imperfect effect it created.

I also pulled out some Vicki Boutin fiber paper, which was something I had never used before. I added it along the bottom of the page and painted over it with blue watercolor, hoping to give it the look of water. I love how the texture of the fiber paper adds another dimension to the page.

And since I was already playing with paint, I painted some clouds across the top of the page. Between the clouds, sunset colors, and blue “water,” the mixed media helped create a little beach scene around the photos.

The photos are of my husband and me on our Florida vacation in 2025. I used a clear “Sun & Sand” sticker for the title, which seemed like the perfect finishing touch.

I'm also getting to the point where I'm running out of embellishments from my August Counterfeit Kit, so instead of reaching for another collection, I stamped my own florals. I added sequins to the centers of the flowers for a little sparkle.

And then I stopped.

There was already quite a bit happening on this page between the texture paste, stencil, watercolor, fiber paper, painted clouds, pom-pom trim, stamped flowers and sequins. I didn't want to keep adding just for the sake of adding. The mixed media had already created so much texture and interest that I felt the page didn't need much more.  I definitely got a little messy with this one—and I had fun doing it!

My Process Video:  https://youtu.be/mbVsD2mx8EY

Master Forger Shala

Shala met the challenge by adding some splatter in multiple colors on the background paper, and added some ribbon up the sides!



Here's what we have coming up this month:

  • 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 

Saturday, July 18, 2026

July 2026 - Challenge #2 - Turn Up the Volume


Welcome back, scrappy friends!

We're continuing our month inspired by the Crescendo Deluxe Theme Kit, and today's challenge is all about building energy and impact on your page.

Inspo kit photo:


Challenge #2: Turn Up the Volume

Create a layout that uses repetition to build visual "volume."

Challenge Requirements:

  • Repeat one design element at least 5 times (stars, circles, tickets, labels, arrows, flowers, notes, etc.).
  • Use a large title.
  • Include at least one photo that captures excitement, celebration, or fun.

One of the things I love about music is how a crescendo builds. It starts quietly and gradually grows bigger, fuller, and more powerful. That's the inspiration behind this challenge.

Instead of increasing the volume with sound, we're going to increase the volume with design. Repeating elements across a page is a great way to create movement, draw the eye, and add visual impact. Whether you choose stars, circles, labels, flowers, tickets, or something completely different, let those repeated elements guide your viewer through your layout.

This challenge is also the perfect opportunity to pull out those embellishments you've been saving. Sometimes a single sticker is cute, but five or ten of them together can create a much bigger statement.

To really embrace the "turn up the volume" theme, use a large title that commands attention and pair it with a photo that captures a moment worth celebrating. Think vacations, parties, concerts, sporting events, family gatherings, holidays, or any memory that was full of energy and joy.

As always, don't overthink it. Start with one element you love and see where repetition takes you. You may be surprised by how much movement and interest it adds to your page.

We can't wait to see how our team interpreted this challenge and how you decide to turn up the volume with your own supplies.

Now let's see what everyone created!

Guest Designer Rona

My Counterfeit Kit was perfect to go with these photos of my grandson playing at the park. My "Crescendo" may be more of an Ostinato, but I do have repeating elements in my arrows and metal rings.  I also may have failed with a LARGE title. My title area is largeish, hopefully that still counts! My photos are definitely representing lots of fun though!! I love how the layout turned out and I'm glad I had pulled all these fun elements together because it made creating this layout a snap! Thank you so much for having me play along this month!

Check out the process video here.






Master Forger Amanda

This challenge really made me think on what and how I wanted to have repeating items that showed volume.  I used some of my 8x8 paper in my kit to make some squares in 1", 1.5" and 2" squares to repeat and get larger into the center of the page, where there was a larger picture 5" square which I matted in two more pattern papers from mini paper pads.  I played around with the placement and decided that a diagonal for the squares would work best, and then added some repeating triangles.  The fun, exciting picture I choose was of my youngest playing with slime,  which led to to large title in the same color as the slime. Since is accendently ripped a couple of letters, I added a little more grunge and ripped all the blue slime letters! You can see my process on my channel here.



      

Master Forger Shala

 When I put together my kit and picked this large cut file title, I knew exactly what pictures I wanted to use and it fit perfectly with challenge #2. My repeated design element was a no-brainer - musical notes and I think all three photos capture excitement and fun. This is my son and one of his high friends learning a dance for a candidate skit competition. They felt ridiculous but had so much fun.



Master Forger Briana

I've been using this kit all month to document photos from the Joey's Song Epilepsy Foundation fundraiser concerts, but for this layout I switched gears and scrapped some photos of my daughter. She shares my love of live music and attended a Mayday Parade concert that just happened to fall on her friend's birthday. It was the perfect combination of celebration, excitement, and great memories—exactly what this challenge called for.  I love how this layout celebrates not only a fun birthday concert but also my daughter's passion for live music. It's always satisfying when a challenge inspires you to tell a story that might have otherwise stayed on my phone!  See my process video here:



Here's what we have coming up this month:

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

Life moves Fast.  Scrap the moments that matter.

Love, Christine | ScrappingHarden

Thursday, June 18, 2026

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