January 2023 - Mini Kit Reveal & Projects

 

Sometimes, you just don't have the time or motivation to make and use up a full kit. Maybe you need to replenish your card supplies, or have a small mini-album in mind to make.

This is where we show you mini-kits that we've made up as well as the small projects that we made with those supplies.

Today Master Forgers Lisa & Laura share their ideas and we hope that you will also feel inspired to give this a go if you need to take a slightly different direction this month!

A quick reminder of the inspiration kit in January to kick-things off:

Hip Kit Club December 2022 Main Kit

MF Lisa - I pulled together a small kit full of Pinkfresh Studio products after the original kit gave me that Pinkfresh vibe (check out the "Just the Gist of It" post here for more info on that direction) and decided to make some quick and easy cards. Let's face it - cards are always quick and easy when I'm in card making mode! But I needed a small kit to take away on a short trip so that I could finish off the assignment on the road and therefore, quick and easy definitely fulfilled the scope this time around. 

So here's the kit with lots of products from the "Let's Stay Home" and "Keeping It Real" collections as well as a few random items that caught her eye when I was pulling the mini-kit together. (The photos have that winter daylight blue tone giving those blues and lilacs prominence in the photos but in reality, this kit is softer and pinker - you will have to take my word for that!!)

It looks like a large kit but for card-making, you generally need a mix of embellishments to add to the card fronts and there is no need to be thinking along the "Kill the Kit" lines.

Then it was just a matter of deciding what elements on the cut-apart sheet I might want to use on the cards and then cutting background pieces and elements to layer up in different ways. The floral die-cuts proved useful for adding dimension and colour on several cards and the other elements of the kit were dipped into as and when they seemed to fit.

If you've seen other card posts from me, you will see that the designs are always pretty similar but that's ok as different cards go to different recipients and no one notices these similarities anyway! 

You can find more details and photos over on my blog here.

MF Laura - I based my mini kit around the 12x12 paper. I added in some scraps of patterned paper and an alpha, but no embellishments as I really wanted to fussy cut the flowers and birds from that paper!

I created a traveller's notebook spread, and did end up adding in a couple of little extras just to finish it off, but it's fun to see how you can stretch 1 sheet of paper!

You can check out Laura on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/mrsp_scrapsandtea/

And of course, as always, we have a full month of inspiration to keep you inspired!

January is only just beginning and there is plenty more going on round here:

• 12th & 18th January: Challenges #1 & #2 - to inspire you to get creating from your own kit 
• 24th January: Follower Showcase - who has caught our eye this month 
• 31st January: Killing Kits - an idea or two for using up the bits & pieces left in your kit box 

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 #ckcjanuary2023). 

 Thanks so much for stopping by! We can't wait to see your kits and projects this month.

Lisa!

 

January 2020 - Mini-kit reveal and project

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the idea of a big kit this month?

 Perhaps you just want to pull together a few products to get those creative juices flowing again.

Maybe a mini kit is the answer!

Today we'll be sharing a couple of mini kits and projects to give you a little inspiration.

First, here's a reminder of our January inspiration:

Master Forger Clair

Clair has created a mini-kit, based on the colours of the inspiration kit, but raided her scraps box instead of her main stash. She's omitted the 'Christmas Green' which makes the selection feel a little more 'Valentine'. She's selected some random embellishments that need to be used, all of which match the main colours of her kit. Let's see what's she's made, shall we?

From her kit, Clair die-cut lots of little borders, then added them to some small card bases; selected a sticker sentiment; and added some enamel dots. This basic card is one of her favourites, as it's easy to make in batches - and uses a lot of little leftovers!

Make sure that you visit our Facebook Community to see what else Clair makes with her mini-kit this month!

Master Forger Lori

I did not get a chance to work on any of my December Daily or 52 Favorites during the holiday season so I am going to see how much of it I can do in January. My kit may not look like a mini kit, but compared to some December Daily kits out there, this is a very mini kit! Here's a look at my  kit:

I pulled what Elle's Studio Christmas goodies that I had on hand for my kit. The colors are a good match to those in the inspiration kit and they are perfect for what I was wanting for my December scrapping. I pulled a few 6x8 and 6x6 papers, labels, tags, alphas, wood veneer pieces, puffy stickers, die cuts, and journaling cards. I also included a touch of gold with some trim and a couple of stamp sets. I also included 3 - 12x12 papers in my kit. 

Here is my first project with my kit:

I have created a Traveler's Notebook spread in my 52 Favorites TN of the Christmas tree ornaments that my daughter and granddaughter made for us this year. You can read more about my layout and my kit on my blog here. 

Stay tuned to see how much of my holiday scrapping I can get done this month!

Don't forget that we've got a whole bunch of stuff coming up this month to give you some tips, ideas and challenges as you put together and use your kit:  

• January 12th & 18th:  We'll give you two challenges to help you use the kit you've made. 
• January 24th: I'll be showcasing one of the CKC community who's caught my eye this month 
• January 30th: We'll be offering another installment in our Killing Kits Series to help you find ways to use up all of your kit. 

We always love to see your work, so please share your kits and projects with us. You can use our Monthly Link-up page, post them in our Facebook Community, or share them on Instagram (we are @counterfeitkitchallenge or tag us using #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcjanuary2020). 

Thanks so much for stopping by! We can't wait to see your kits and projects this month!

Lisa
xxx

Killing Kits - Washi, Washi, Washi.

Hello lovelies! Ready for a new kit to counterfeit? Or do you still have lots of little leftovers from this month's kit? Today, I have a short and sweet video for the Killing Kits Series, that focuses on one or two methods I use to make the most of the beautiful washi that's often included in my monthly kits!

I have so much washi that I'm sure I'll do another washi focused Killing Kits Video over the summer. Let me know if there's any other kinds of stash that you would like me to cover?

 

Still in need of other ideas to use up the last bits of your kit? Watch the full Killing Kits Series or head over to the Counterfeit Kit Facebook Community where the Master Forgers and our friendly followers will be happy to help!

Killing Kits - Little Bits and Branding Strips

Hello lovelies! It's time for the first video of the Killing Kits Series for 2019! The series aims to offer some ideas to help you finish off your current kit, or the remains of older kits that you may have in your stash. When I started the series in May 2018, I had the leftovers of many, many kits - and with a new kit each month - I was a little overwhelmed. Happily, I've worked so hard on the series (!) that I now only have the leftovers of the seven kits in the video. I'm thrilled to have whittled down my stash so much and hope that some of you have had successes too!

Newer members of our community may like to watch the full series, which includes an introduction and an overview of how I store my kit leftovers and I would love to hear your comments here, on YouTube, or over in the Counterfeit Kit Facebook Community.

Those of you that have been a follower for a while, or follow me over on Instagram will, no doubt, have seen these little cards before. I love to make them at the end of a craft session; and typically, make them when I have a lot of little thin strips leftover. It's also my favourite way to make the most of branding strips! In fact, I make them so often - and send them all the time, with Pocket Letters and little parcels - that I can't believe I've not featured them before!

You'll see me make a few mistakes in this video and I do really think it's important that these aren't edited out, because I know that as crafters we all make them - and it can make us feel bad if we only ever see 'PERFECT' on screen. Learn from my mistakes and use a quick drying ink - like Stazon - if you decide to stamp onto 'shiny' labels. Or run the risk of them smudging - even after they've been set aside for several minutes! *meh*

I'll be back next month with more ideas for using up these last little bits. In the meantime, let me know if there's anything that you always struggle to use!

Clair x

Killing Kits Series: In The Christmas Mood

Hello! It's Clair here today with a new video for the Killing Kits Series and today, I've used the leftovers from my wonderful November 2018 Wild Hare Kit so that I can make room for some new holiday themed stash! Honestly, the best bit of finally finishing off all of these kit leftovers, is that I feel less worried about the occasional stash addition!

The kit was full of the most incredible selection from the December Days Collection by Pinkfresh Studios, Sweater Weather by American Crafts and a whole host of extra embellishments. Now, I felt that I used most of it in my December Daily 2017 album, but I still had a lot leftover and I've utilised most of those leftovers in the video to make a set of little cards!

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Please feel free to leave comments here, on YouTube, or find me over in the Counterfeit Kit Facebook Community. I would love to hear from you!

Killing Kits: Mix & Match Cards

Hello lovelies! It's Clair with a new video for the Killing Kits Series and today, I've used the leftovers from my Wild Hare Kit from May 2018. It was full cardstock and embellishments from the Be You Collection by Pinkfresh Studios and I didn't have a lot of it left!

I've made the most of all my little leftovers by combining them with the Chevron Mat Die from Avery Elle, but it's really easy to adapt my 'mix and match' method - and, as a bonus, you could use up some extra washi, ribbon or trim!

Please feel free to leave comments here, on YouTube, or find me over in the Counterfeit Kit Facebook Community. I would love to hear from you!

Quick Cards {Killing Kits Series}

It's time for me to share the next video in our Killing Kits Series and this time, I dived into the leftovers of my 'Field Notes' Counterfeit Kit from September 2017. I loved the colours of this kit - it seemed like the ideal transition between summer and autumn, and it had a lovely botanical feel.

I've made two cards, both based on a card that I made for the Wild Hare Kits back in May (see that card here) with some of the leftovers from an earlier mini-album. I adored that card because it looked fantastic, but it took me less than ten minutes to make it! In the video for today, I've used the same basic materials - a white card base; cardstock leftovers; die-cut sentiments and little jewels - to recreate that card.

Different colours and textures make the cards look so different - seasonal almost - and, because this method would be so easy to 'batch' for multiple cards, I'll definitely be making more of these come winter!

Please feel free to leave comments here, on YouTube, or find me over in the Counterfeit Kit Facebook Community. I would love to hear from you! 

Handmade Embellishments & Quick Card Process Video {Killing Kits Series}

It's time for me to share the latest of the videos in our Killing Kits Series and, today, I'm delving back into the leftovers of my 'Planning For Perfection' Counterfeit Kit from January 2016.

This was such a massive kit that I had to store the leftovers in two files (!) but I've nearly finished the first file - and I've loved making new, with old! I often find it easier to work in batches, so today's video includes a set of handmade embellishments *and* a little card. Who doesn't love a two for one, eh?

Whether you are struggling to finish a current kit, or need to revisit some older stash, I hope that the Killing Kits Series inspires you to love - and use - what you have!

As always, feel free to leave comments here or over in the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Facebook Community. I'd love to hear from you!

Patchwork Cards Process Video {Killing Kits Series}

Hello! I'm excited to share the first of the videos in the Killing Kits Series. (Check out the Introduction for a little overview if you missed it earlier in the month.)

This video features the leftovers from my 'Summer In The City' Counterfeit Kit from August 2015! I was a little shocked when I realised it was that old, but I'm so happy to have rediscovered an older kit - that I still love - and I think, that with the addition of a few recent embellishments - it looks on trend!

Whether you choose to use the ideas in this new series to help you finish off your current kit, or whether you haul out the remains of some of those older kits, it’s up to you. But, I hope that the Killing Kits Series will help you to make the most of those little leftovers!

January Challenge #2: Matching Card and Tag

Photo Çredit

Challenge #2: Make a Matching Card and Tag! Sometimes it is fun to get all cute with your gift giving.  Making a coordinating card and tag is a great way to show you put some effort into it.

I know our Master Forgers always go the extra mile.  Take a look at their creations!

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Susanne starts us off with her example, where the tag is tucked into the card.  Check out her blog for more information.

Kelly has another tag-and-card combo--see her blog for all the details.

Julene has produced this pretty tag and card set

Don't forget that we LOVE it when you join in the fun and sign up to be on our member blog hop on 24th! Find out how below!  Go on, you know you want to!

Your project should be something new, using a Counterfeit Kit Challenge kit, that you haven't shown before and only post for the hop. Be inspired by any of the challenges this month, or just share something you've created with your kit. Remember, the more the merrier and it never fails to be a lot of fun!

TTo be a part of our blog hop:

1. E-mail us your name & blog address & promise to participate at counterfeitkitchallenge@gmail.com BY THE 18th 
2. You will receive an e-mail from us by the 20th with a list of the hop participants.
3. You will need to schedule your own blog post showing your project based on a challenge and link to the person after you in the hop.
4. All Blog Hop posts will need to be scheduled to go live on the 24th at 12:00 A.M. Mountain Standard Time (Arizona) but we will help you with the scheduling!

September Challenge #2: Card Collection

Challenge #2:  Make a collection of 3 cards using the same type of paper/embellishments from your kit.  Keep them similar, but add a different twist to each one.

Cards are a great way to use up scraps of leftover paper and miscellaneous embellishments. You can find my inspiration for this challenge HERE at the Echo Park Blog.

Need some fun ideas to get you started?  Here's what our designers whipped up … 

Julene has made these 3 cards using one sheet of paper and scraps.

Lynnette often finds it hard to fill up the "real estate" on cards, so she used some smaller sized prints to fill the space.  Using scenery shots from the same photo session creates 3 similar, but uniquely different cards.  Check out the details HERE.

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We would LOVE to have you participate! 

 Check out the How to play along with us tab at the top of the page to see how you can play along after you make your kit!  We have a month full of special challenges and ideas so we can get some creating done and get some supplies used up.

Challenge #1: Roll the Die Challenge REMIX

Photo Credit for Tardis

We going to have a great month this month going back to the beginning of our blog and recreating our original kit and doing some of our first challenges.  Personally, I think we can get a LOT of inspiration from projects we have done in the past.  We may not have the same style anymore, and we may have some new skills and products, but we can find a good starting point.

Challenge #1:  Roll the Die Challenge:  One of our first challenges was based on some "inspiration" dice I made to help me when I was stuck for a good idea.  Click on the link to see the original post.  For this challenge you will be making a CARD inspired by FASHION with some BLING

We have some interpretations of this challenge ourselves that we are excited to share with you!

Susanne's card pairs an old tag with vintage-style paper and with a stamp set 

that had been in her stash for even longer - making it vintage as well.

Leslie's card used the buttons in the Magpie Box to add a tailored touch!

Link to blog post HERE

Our Lovely Guest Designer for the month played along with this one, too.  We love her paper choice for this card! Really pretty details, Susan!

 

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We would LOVE to have you participate!  Check out the How to play along with us tab at the top of the page to see how you can play along after you make your kit!  We have a month full of special challenges and ideas so we can get some creating done and get some supplies used up.

New Baby Cards - Part Two

Today I'm working on Buttons & Banners-inspired New Baby cards.

I've pulled an assortment of buttons to add to my supplies.

Another boy card:

Pinterest inspiration HERE

And one for a girl:

Pinterest inspiration HERE

When I started to work on ideas for New Baby cards,
I kind of had it in my mind that it would be a card sent to new
parents but there are other functions of new baby cards.

What about this for a birth announcement?

Pinterest link HERE

I'm a sucker for a banner & this one made me swoon!
(Now if I can only lay my hands on my crochet hooks...)

Pinterest link HERE

 And don't forget Grandma!

Pinterest link HERE

I hope you have enjoyed our month of card inspiration here at Counterfeit Kit Club challenge blog! We have one last post tomorrow & then it is back to the usual scrappy fun in 2015. Be sure to return for the January kit reveal on the first & be the first subscriber to post your own counterfeit kit!

Enjoy the remainder of the month with your family & friends.
See you next year!

New Baby Cards - Part One

Well I think this has been a really FUN month of card inspiration!

Very timely as we are about to begin a new year - a time when we all pretend that THIS year we will be organized & resolve to keep up with our correspondence & sending cards to those we love. I hope to spend some time during quiet January to be inspired by all of the wonderful things the DT came up with and to stock up with a new card supply for 2015.

New Baby Cards

Isn't he precious? 

Born just last week to a close friend of my daughter.

(Guess who will be getting one of my cards, hehe!)

Putting together my kit was as easy as pulling out these two boxes,

one for boys & one for girls, (reveal tomorrow) in which I have collected 

scrappy goodness for grandbaby pages. Added some card blanks & voila!

I spent a lot of time trolling Pinterest & discovered that most of 

what appealed to me fell under the category "Buttons & Banners".

More on that tomorrow! Today's card was inspired by crib mobiles...

Pinterest inspiration HERE

The animals were from a puffy sticker set in the boy box.

 Tune in tomorrow for New Baby Cards - Part Two!

And not to steal any thunder from our posts regarding Christmas cards,

but I can't help but think of the precious baby Jesus at this time of year.

This is the CHRISTmas version of a "New Baby" card:

My prayer for you is that His birth, death & resurrection 

would lead you to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

New Home Cards - Inspirations and Templates.

Hello, Angela here again, with some of the cards I've made with my New Home card making kit (see yesterday's post), and some links to fabulous free templates I've found around the web, for making those cards a little extra special.

My Cards.

The one on the left here is done using Iris Folding. I took the cutout piece, running it through a bricks embossing folder to make the centre piece house for the 2nd card.

Links to Free Templates.

Iris folding, is a really easy, yet very impressive looking technique. The website is no-longer active, but The Circle of Crafters have kindly left all their free iris folding templates up and available for us. You can find the house shaped template here.

Iris Folded House Card - Click for Free Template

If you have a cutting machine, you could pick up this gorgeous free cutting file from Bird's Cards.

Free cutting file @ Bird's Cards.

I found some pop-up card templates too, for making the inside of your cards stand out.

Make Popup Cards have a number of free templates, including this simple house. There's even a video tutorial. To get the free template for the simple house you need to sign up to their free newsletter.

Simple House pop-up card. Need to sign up to their newsletter for the free template.

Popupology have something a little more detailed, again with a video tutorial.

Popupology Free Pop-up House Template.

For my final piece of inspiration, I've found this lovely door card by Lynn Pratt. She has shared a free template in her fabulous blog post.

Double door card with free template.

Happy card making everyone, and be blessed, from Angela.