September 2026 - Mini Kits and Project Reveal

For the ones that don't like big huge kits but want to play along we are here to help :) 

 Here is a reminder what our inspiration kit looks like!

Our Mini kit curators this month are Master Forger Christine and Master Forger Vikki

 

Master Forger Christine

 

When I signed up for the Mini Kit for this month's Counterfeit Kit Challenge, I knew I wanted to keep things simple. Then I saw the inspiration kit and immediately noticed the travel theme. That sent me digging through my stash, and I remembered this Echo Park collection that had been sitting around waiting for the right photos.

 The collection is Echo Park's Born to Travel, which originally came from a June 2025 ScrapRoom kit. It wasn't an exact match to the inspiration kit, but it had the same general feeling—travel, adventure, bright colors, airplanes, maps, luggage and all the fun little details that make a travel collection fun to work with.

And, honestly, since it was already in my stash, it seemed like a pretty good excuse to finally use it!

Once I decided on the collection, I went looking for photos to match it. I landed on pictures from a 2011 trip to England. These photos have been waiting for a scrapbook home for a long time, so this challenge gave me the perfect reason to get them out of the photo box.

I ended up creating three layouts from the kit.

The first layout focuses on our visit to the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway. I loved the larger "Adventure Awaits" piece from the collection, so I built the layout around it and used the plaid paper as a big grounding element. The little windmill, clouds and travel embellishments helped reinforce the whole adventure theme without making the page feel too busy.

 

The second layout is all about the journey. I used the colorful travel-themed patterned paper behind the photos and added the large "Trip of a Lifetime" embellishment as the focal point. The little airplane, Big Ben, hot air balloon and travel pieces were just too perfect not to use.

And then there was the third layout, which might be my favorite of the three. I used the orange camera paper as the background and paired it with the green patterned paper behind the photos. The large stack of luggage across the bottom made a great embellishment cluster and really helped tell the story of getting ready to head off on an adventure.

And Then There Was... What's Left?  After completing three layouts, I took another look at my kit.  Let's just say I was pretty successful at using it up. 

What remains is basically some stickers and two 4x6 cut-apart pieces.

 

 

Master Forger Vikki  

 Here's my mini kit for the month. I didn't really have any travel photos ready to scrapbook, so I tried to stay with the colors of the inspiration kit.  I created a neutral kit that could be used for anything.

For my first project, I made a 12x12 layout using the cutest hot air balloon paper.  I cut the paper into 1/2 inch strips and spaced them just a tad apart on the background paper.

I used a few different papers from my kit to mat the photos and to layer behind the photos.

For my second 12x12 layout, I stamped several images of flowers in various colors.  I then fussy cut them out and they turned out to be a great forgery.  I made a flower wreath around the photo, alternating the flowers with a circle die.  I really love how this turned out.  With all that fussy cutting, it was definitely a labor of love.

 

• 12th - Challenge #1: Ready, Set, Explore!
• 18th - Challenge #2: Travels Documented
• 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 Scrapping! Tina

March 2026 - Mini Kits & Projects Reveal

 Sometimes we just don't have the time to curate a full kit, but we still want to play along.  Mini kits are the perfect solution when your time is booked!  Let me remind you of our Inspiration Kit before our two Master Forgers share their mini kits and projects with you:

Cocoa Daisy February 2026 Kit - Inklings

 Master Forger Christine

I kept my kit very "mini" this month!  Lots of things going on in life, which is why I love this challenge.  I selected 4 pattern papers and a piece of black cardstock initially.  But I do end up pulling in one more piece of black cardstock and a blue/green sheet on my last layout.

I had some great papers with ink splatter patterns, which is a perfect mimic of Inklings.  I also found a tone on tone aqua paper as well as a piece with paint brushes along the bottom.

You can check out the video of the kit here

For my embellishments, I saw there was some nice black accent pieces in the inspiration chipboard.  I found some stickers with a watercolor effect plus black accents, that seemed perfect.  I also noticed in the inspiration some glitter enamel dots, so I pulled a sheet from my own stash.  A few other watercolor and black/white pieces rounded out my selection.

For the first layout I used a piece that has a bit of a splatter effect with a slight woodgrain.  That, plus the black cardstock frame, and a single horizontal banner, was all I really needed to create the base.  A few of the embellishments and I have a simple, but complete layout.

For the next layout, I pulled the sheet with some ink splatter pattern along the top and bottom.  I also added some of the water color stickers to fill out the top.  I think my favorite part, though, is the script I created using ink and a stencil.  I fussy cut the paint brushes and made a horizontal shelf for the photo to rest upon.  I used the other black title stickers and a journaling card on this layout.

The last layout, I really only had the Monet painting paper plus the small black cardstock, so this is where I ran to my stash again and pulled a couple of additional cardstock.  Tearing the single sheet of pattern paper, gave me another pattern when I flipped it over and additional texture.  I decided to mount the two photos similar to how the Monet paintings were overlapped.  

And there we have it!  3 whole layouts from just a few sheets of paper and some embellishments! 

Master Forger Vikki 

 I consider my kit a true mini kit this month.  I started out with two papers from a Vicki Boutin collection.  I added a few single sheet papers I had and some Vicki Boutin ephemera, along with a few alphas.

 I love adding layers of patterned papers behind the photos on a layout.  I used pieces of ephemera or the title that were perfect for this page. I also added a few hearts to tie in the heart paper in the background.

Here's what we have in store for you this month:

• March 12th - Challenge #1
• March18th - Challenge #2
• March 22nd - Challenge #3 Let’s Get Sketchy
• March 28th - April Sneak Peek(FB Community & Instagram)
• March 30th - Baby Use Those Scraps

We love to see what you are working on!  Drop in your projects to our Facebook Community Group and of course tag us on Instagram at #counterfeitkitchallenge and #ckcfeb2026 

 

Master Forger Tara

 

February 2026 - Mini Kit and Project Reveal

 If you have new to building kits with Counterfeit Kit Challenge group or just need a smaller kit - this is the perfect post for you! Our Master Forgers Laurie and Christine are here to show you how to build and create with a mini-kit!

For February we are using The Scrap Room's Flavor of the Month and embellishment kits from January 2024 for inspiration.

MF Christine

I put together my mini kit by combining two of the inspiration kits...although, I happened to have the Carta Bella Home collection.  So I decided to pull in Vicki Boutin elements (inspired by the Discover and Create collection) and then the Carta Bella Home.  You can check out my kit reveal plus the process videos on my YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@ScrappingHarden 

Here are the 6 papers I chose (one of which I had already cut into as the moth's are great for fussy cutting).

Then here is my fun batch of embellishments.  I snagged the sticker sheet, chipboard elements, and puffy stickers from the Carta Bella collection and then a cardstock sticker and some ephemera from my VB stash.

Project 1 - "Enjoy Every Moment"

My first layout I went with a band design because I really wanted to use the little moth paper from the Carta Bella with the fussy cut moths from my VB paper.  Then I embellished with some of the stickers and chipboard pieces (plus 1 little puffy).

Project 2 - "Build a Life You Love"

I had selected a beautiful piece of navy pattern card stock with the Carta Bella collection, and that became my base.  Then I cut into my other two full sheets to create a vertical band and some layered blocks.  I used more of my fussy cut moths, plus some ephemera.  Really proud I used all those moths up!

Project 3 - "Gather Family"

This last project I did have to break into my cardstock stash for a couple of neutral sheets.  They are quite thin, so I used two sheets.  I cut one down an inch and then used a pen to doodle around the outside and scuffed the edge.  It gave the layout a bit of a 3D look. Then I used the little bit of scrap papers I had, plus the scallop border sticker from the sticker sheet.  Oh and one more tag.

All 3 together!

These are the 3 layouts shown together.  I show in my process video #3 what I had left - but basically it was two tiny pieces of scrap paper, a couple of ephemera and then sticker sheet plus chipboard.  Overall I was really pleased with how I "killed" this CKC Mini Kit!

MF Laurie

Since I’m putting together a mini kit using this month’s inspiration kit, I decided to focus on just one of the four kits. Since we’re in the middle of winter, that’s the kit I chose, Simple Stories Winter Wonderland.  Here’s my kit and the layouts I created.

We have a full month of inspiration and challenges.  See you back here on February 12th for our first Challenge!

• 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

 

January 2026 - Mini Kit and Project Reveal

 Today is when we show how the Master Forgers create a mini kit based on the inspiration collection.  If you are new to the Counterfeit Kit Challenge group, this may be the perfect post for you.  By having a smaller number of product/supplies in your kit, you might feel less overwhelmed.  You  might have less time to scrapbook this month, but still want to participate in the fun challenges we have.

Before we see how the Master Forgers created their mini kits, let's look at the inspiration kit, Curiosities in Willow Grove by Vicki Boutin.

Here is what our Master Forgers have created this month.

Master Forger Tara

For my mini (ish) kit this month, I pulled mostly Vicki Boutin Storyteller.  There’s a few other items in there, and I forgot to take a picture of the fun leaves a friend gave me for Christmas!  There is a video up on my channel showcasing my kit and my first layout that I created.  You can find my channel here.

Here's a photo of the leaves I forgot to photograph with my kit!

 

 

Two sheets of that patterned paper I put into my kit for fussy cutting.  I cut all of the leaves from the leaf paper and then cut up 1/3 of the sheet that has the colorful butterflies.

 

 

For my first layout, I created a two page layout using two of the sheets of patterned paper in my kit!  

 

 This is a simple layout that allows my photos to tell the story with a bit of help from my journaling.  I used a few of the fussy cut leaves and butterflies as embellishments as well as some ephemera and chipboard.  I pulled the word Document from my puffy stickers and used my alpha for the word "this". 

 

 

For my second layout, I am also scrapbooking about a Homeschooling moment.  One of our science projects in the spring of 2017 was to watch the metamorphosis of caterpillars into butterflies as well as hatch a praying mantis egg case.  This layout showcases the day that we got our box with the caterpillars and egg case.  I have already scrapbooked about the butterflies and their subsequent release! 

 

 

Master Forger Christine

My life right now is the perfect example of a time when Mini Kits are just the thing.  And I "cheated" even more because I actually own the inspiration kit.  So for my Mini Kit, I decided to work with items I might normally find challenging.

For my kit, I pulled the 6x8 paper pad, the Icons and Ephemera pack, the chipboard titles pack, and then the two 12x12 papers of tags and cut-aparts.  My project with this mini kit - to make some cards.  One of my goals in 2026 is to mail cards to my friends each week.  So what a great time to build a little mini stash ready to stick in an envelope and mail.

The quickest way to make a bunch of cards is to batch your processes.  So the first thing I did was to cut up all the tags and cut-apart papers.  Then I fussy cut the few elements I knew I wanted from those pieces.  After that, I went through the 6x8 paper pack and snagged 6 papers that looked like a good, solid base for cards.

I scored the 6x8 papers at the 4" mark to make the cards 6x4".  A bit non-traditional, but works well with what I have.  Once I had the bases ready, I went through and matched which tags and cut-aparts I wanted to go with each base.  
I then went through the chipboard and ephemera titles to build 6 sentiments.  After gluing those elements, I picked through the ephemera to decorate the card fronts and insides.

I added a little white cardstock to the inside of a couple of them so I could write a note to the recipients.  These cards don't really have a specific event (like a birthday) in mind, which made them easy to design with this kit. 
All in all, this took me just over an hour and I have 6 really unique cards while using quite a bit of items I might not normally grab.  You can see my video over on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@ScrappingHarden/videos 

You'll definitely want to check back when we start our January challenges.  See you then!

• 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 Challenge

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