Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog Hop and & More Giveaways!!

Welcome to the last stop on the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog hop! I'm filling in on the regular hop today because Bethany had a family emergency. You should have gotten here via Glinda's blog. If not, you can go back to the challenge blog to find your way.

The challenge for this blog hop is all about Flower Power!

"Find a creative way to use flowers on your project! If you need some fun new flower ideas, Miss Arts has a great new class on making flowers...you should check it out!"

What a perfect challenge for those of us who tend to "collect" products such as flowers! I admitted yesterday to having more than my fair share of Prima's "Got Flowers", and promised to give you another fun idea for using up some of these babies that are collecting dust in your stash!

I found this fantastic idea on a scrap blog awhile back, which I thought was a brilliant way to create something a little more fancy looking out of these simple paper blossoms. I decided to make a few of these to show you, and use them on a quick card with items from my kit. I hope you get a chance to give it a try!
The top right flower is what I started out with, and the top left is the flower I cut to make my "leaves". I used four or five layers to make my flowers very full. These "Got Flowers" are a natural creme color, unlike the green ones in my kit, but otherwise they are the same flowers. After gluing the layers together, I misted my flower with red Maya mist for a completely different look.
I hope you've had a chance to check out our awesome sponsor this month! One lucky winner will win a two month membership to May Arts Papercrafting school! I've heard their classes are excellent.


We have another exciting giveaway this month! Polkadot Whimsy, the kit club that created our fabulous inspiration kits, has graciously offered the Liberty Sparks add-on kit as a prize this month! See all the details on this post at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog to enter.

Speaking of prizes, I am also giving away my vacation mini kit! All you have to do is post on this thread or yesterday's DT blog hop thread for a chance to win. I will choose one random winner next week! Good luck!


Thank you for joining us this month for the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog hop! I hope you got some great ideas on using flowers in your scrappy projects, and had fun in the process! I hope to see you next month.

July Masters of Forgery Blog Hop & Giveaway!!

Welcome to the Counterfeit Kit Challenge DT blog hop!! I'm hoping you got here via Susanne's blog. If not, you can go back to the challenge blog to get your bearings.

Flower Power!! That is what our blog hop challenge is all about this month! If you are anything like me you have flowers. Many, many flowers! I am a complete sucker for those big jars of tiny little Primas "Got Flowers" that you can sometimes find on sale for $2 or $3 at the local crafts store. I buy them just because they are sooo cute! The problem is, I have several bottles of them now, and each bottle holds almost 200 flowers. Even if I used one on every layout I ever make, it's going to be years before they are all used up!

Here is one solution! Use a whole bunch of these little guys on a fun altered frame for summer! I started out with one of those $1 frames you can get at Michael's or similar store. This particular frame came in a pack from Ikea years ago, but you can find something similar anywhere. You can even use a chipboard frame, if that's what you have on hand.

I sanded the frame lightly to smooth any splinters, and then painted the edges with acrylic in a warm yellow color that matched my paper. I then covered the front of the frame with one of the papers from my kit. I managed to spill a bunch of matte medium on my cutting mat in the process, but we won't go into that! You can see in my photos that my mat is well used! Any liquid glue works for this. I cut around the edges with my exacto knife, and then sanded the edges for a smooth finish.

At this point, I went to town, with a bunch of flowers from my kit/stash! I also used a few stickers to go with my theme. I would suggest placing everything on your frame before gluing down. The bonus is I also used a bunch of brads from my stash! This is another item that will never seems to get used up.


The great thing about a frame like this is that you can change the photo if you want! And, since they are so inexpensive to make you can give it away to an admirer, or recycle (or donate) it when you are tired of it!

I am also doing a giveaway this month! I will choose one blog hop participant by random drawing to win my travel mini kit! All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post.

Tomorrow, I'll post another idea on how to use those little paper flowers in your stash! The next stop on the DT blog hop is Meridy's. blog. Enjoy the hop, and don't forget to leave a comment!

Gallery Stand Out Challenge!

One of my favorite pastimes is to look through online scrapbook galleries for inspiration! The latest challenge at Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog was the perfect opportunity!

"Mini Challenge #3: Gallery Standout Challenge Go forth and find a gallery for inspiration and use it to create a project. Be sure to post a link to your inspiration as well as a photo of your project so we can appreciate YOU!"

I got my inspiration from this layout on Scrapbook.com. I loved the ink splats, line of circular embellishments, and mixture of patterns on this page!

Here is my version:

I can't wait to see where you get your inspiration!

MIni Challenge #1 - Emboss your heart out!

First of all, I wanted to mention our fabulous July sponsor!! One lucky winner will receive a two month subscription to Miss Arts Paper Crafting School, which holds online classes for all kinds of interesting techniques and projects! Make sure to take part in our blog hop for a chance to win!

Mini Challenge #1:

The first challenge this month at Counterfeit Kit Challenge was to use embossing on a project.

"Challenge #1: Embossing Challenge! Find some creative ways to emboss on your project! I don't care if you use embossing powders....embossing folders or even a stylus. Emboss your heart out for this challenge! "

I don't think I'm alone in that I own all the tools I need to for embossing, but don't always take advantage of them. At first, I was a little stumped about what to do for this, but then I remembered the cool embossed titles I've seen and admired. I used some pre-cut cardstock sticker letters from my stash, and adhered them to an old sticker backing sheet. This allowed me to run them through my Cuttlebug, and not have them stick to my embossing folder (Tim Holtz). I used an additional technique where I painted the inside of the embossing folder (right side) with black paint before running through the Cuttlebug, to add even more depth and texture to the impression. It worked very well, except in some places, where the embossing was particularly deep, and tore the letters. I just made sure to glue them down in their original shape. I also embellished the journaling spot with a heat embossed flourish, and a placed a few little stamped and embossed stars around the page.

For this page, I used a few photos of my oldest son and his best friend, who just moved away to another town. I've heard the expression for my title, and thought it fit their relationship. My son's friend spent many hours at our home, and felt like part of the family.

I used my "Liberty Shores" knock off kit for this page, because the colors were just right for the photos.

I'm excited to see what everyone else comes up with! It's always fun to learn something new.

Here is another page I did for a crop last weekend at Absolutely Alter It message board, using my July kit and a sketch from the July Pagemaps sketches.

July Counterfeit Kit and more!!

Summer is such an exciting time for scrapbooking! There are so many opportunities to capture aweseome photos this time of year, with 4th of July celebrations, vacations, outdoor activities, and family reunions. This month at the Counterfeit Kit challenge blog, there are several ways for you to create a kit that's perfect for your scrapping your summer occasions.

Our July inspiration kit come from a club called Polka Dot Whimsy. There are two add-ons, as well, which are each very different in style. I was very excited about the main kit, because I happened to have a few of the items that were featured. I thought it would be easy as pie putting my version together. It ended up being one of my most challenging kits ever, mostly because I kept changing my mind about what papers I wanted to use. Since I did not have any patterned paper with banners, airplanes, or little shirts/flip flops, I had to make a few substitutions. I finally settled on the suitcase paper, which I included in my kit a few months ago, but had not used. I also used a bold sheet of pennant paper by Sassafras Lass and car paper by American Crafts. We always go camping in summer, and I embraced that by including a few items from Cosmo Cricket "Mr. Campy", as well. I'm still not about my final kit, but it will be interesting to see how it goes when I start working with it.

Papers: Coordinating cardstock (Bazzill), Cosmo Cricket (Early Bird "Farmer's Market"), Paper Trunk (Socialite "Posh"), Sassafras Lass (Amplify "Intensity"), Jenni Bowlin Homespun "A Cherry on Top" &(Play Date "Die Cut Label Paper", Cosmo Cricket (Mr. Campy "Skipping Stones" & "Happy Trails", American Crafts (Road Trip "Rest Stop"), Crate Paper (Emma's Shoppe "Dolls"), Pink Paislee (Hometown Summer "Summer Fun"), October Afternoon (Thrift Shop "Great Find"), and Deja Views (Pack Your Bags "Baggage Claim").

Embellishments: Cosmo Cricket - Mr. Campy journaling cards & rub-ons, Jenni Bowlin red trim cardstock alpha stickers & Homespun banner alphabet stickers, October Afternoon Fly a Kite word stickers, 7 Gypsies Top Ten stickers, Bazzill library pockets & yellow banner border, kraft journaling spots (Jillibean Soup), travel transparencies (Little Yellow Bicycle), summer bingo cards (Pink Paislee "Hometown Summer"), flowers (Prima), and other misc. items from stash (ribbon, tickets, journaling spots)

I also put together a vintage inspired "Liberty Shores" add on, which was much easier to. I included some very old (out of business) Rusty Pickle "Mayflower" line from way back in 2007! I'm very excited about scrapping with this kit, because I got some good shots of fireworks this 4th of July, which this kit will coordinate with perfectly!

Add-on contents: Jenni Bowlin papers (Bullseye, Naptime, Cherry Pie, and Snack Time), Rusty Pickle papers (Mayflower "Pricilla Mullins", "Miles Standish", "Stephen Hopkins", and quote cut-outs, Tim Holtz Season Paper (4th of July block words & vintage fireworks), Cosmo Cricket "Halfway Cafe" journaling cards, Jillibean Soup celebration alpha stickers, American Crafts Thickers black "Bumble", Pressed Petals metal squares, Jenni Bowlin buttons, flowers (Prima), and ribbon/trim from my stash.

This month, I also made a vacation mini page kit, which you can see by scrolling down to the previous blog post. I'm excited to get working with my kits, and I can't wait to see what the rest of you have put together!

July Travel Mini page kit!

At the Counterfeit Kit Challenge, we are trying something new. Each month, one of the Masters of Forgery makes a mini page kit of their own, including a sketch. I was lucky enough to be able to make a travel/vacation mini kit this month! Our family's big vacation each year is a camping trip to one of the gorgeous parks we have within a few hour's drive of our home in California.

I recently purchased My Mind's Eye Abbey Road "Round and Round" collection, which I failed to get two years ago when it was released. I love the colors and texture of this paper, which I thought would be perfect for this kit and the page I had in mind! My kit included some of the papers and cardstock embellishments from that paper line, as well as dimensional vacation stickers by K & Co., mini alphas my Making Memories, a fun vacation stamp set, and buttons.

This is Pencillines sketch #228, which is simple, yet just right because of the shaped cardstock included in my kit.

My layout features photos from our "stay-cation" camping trip last summer.

I have another fun idea for saving all of the memorabilia you've collected on your summer travels! Why not make a cool travel souvenir case?!! I've included a simple tutorial, which you can see by scrolling down to the prior blog post.

Travel Souvenir Case Tutorial

I order lots of photo prints from my local Walgreens. Each time, the photos come to me in these sturdy card weight envelopes. I usually recycle them, but I started thinking that there must be something to make with them. Here is my solution! Make a cool vacation travel souvenir case for all of your post cards, brochures, and even 3-D momentos you've collected this summer! All of the items used on this project are things you probably already have around the house! Items needed for this project are: photo envelope, old map (National Geographic works well) or other paper, adhesive of choice (you can use liquid or dry, as long as it's strong and permanent), scissors or exacto knife, some kind of closure for your envelope (I used a circle punch, eyelets, and string to make a library envelope style closure), alphas and travel themed embellies for decoration, and ink for edges (optional).


Start off with your photo envelope.

Carefully tear open you envelope at the sides, where it has been adhered. Lay flat you your work space.

Apply adhesive to the printed (up) side of the envelope. You should have a line of adhesive along all of the edges (get as close to the edge as possible), along any of the fold lines, and a bit in the middles for good measure. Next, lay your envelope up side down on the WRONG side of your map. It's a good idea to look at the map first to figure out what part you want to have show up on your project. Smooth your envelope out with your hands to make sure it is well adhered.

Next, use your scissor or exacto knife to cut around all of the edges.


At this point, you should fold along all of your fold lines, making sure to accordion fold the sides and bottom folds. Next, apply adhesive to the map side of your side flaps, and fold the front panel up and over your side flaps. The edges should be square. Press gently to make sure the adhesive is firmly in place.

Use some type of closure system for the top flap. I used two circles cut from thin cardstock with a circle punch, eyelets, and my Crop-a-dile to fasten a library-type closure to my case. Measure the centers and hold the circles up to the case first to make sure they will fit. Wrap and tie string around the top circle, and leave enough to wrap around them a few times.

Now, you can fill your envelope with all of the goodies from your vacation, and enjoy!! This would easily fit in your car's glove compartment during your trip, and you could also fit a small photo album or mini book of your trip inside! Imagine the possibilities!!

A love affair with paper???

I know I'm not alone in my obsession with beautiful scrapbook paper. It's almost like a serious crush or infatuation, really! You know what I mean, don't you? When I see a gorgeous new paper line from across the room, my heartbeat quickens and I feel a little flush. Then, comes the inevitable stalking stage, where I keep looking at photos of my obsession, even bookmarking the page where I can get a quick peek periodically throughout the day. Eventually, I cave into my desire to possess my crush, buying the entire line online or at a store. Occasionally, I feel a tinge of regret over my purchase, but usually I'm so enamored with my coveted new love, I keep going back to fondle, gaze at, and even smell it! In the end, it becomes a part of my ever expanding stash of product. If I'm really smitten with a certain paper, I might even "save" it until I find the absolute "perfect" photos to scrap with it. As a result of this hoarding behavior, I've got quite a few pieces of my favorites languishing in my stash. That does not stop me from seeking out new papers to play with, however!

Although I adore new products, I will never forget my former loves! I've recently decided that I should revisit some of these old favorites! I even went so far as to buy an entire line of two year old product I have admired from afar. I always loved the My Mind's Eye Abbey Road collection, and really enjoyed using the papers from the Stomp line. I never bought "Round and Round", although I secretly coveted it! The fun greens and reds were perfect for pages about my four kids, and especially the three boys. I never acted on my impulses, for some reason. Recently, I saw the entire line for sale online, and purchased every piece I could get my hands on!

Some of my other favorites include the 2007 release Cosmo Cricket "Halfway Cafe"! I bought two entire sets of this collection, which I used on many, many pages. It was a fabulous summer romance, and was so fun and easy to use, it seemed to make all of my photographs look good!

One of my favorite manufacturers, Rusty Pickle, sadly closed it's doors a few years ago. Not before I was able to purchase many sheets from the 2007 (a good year!) "Mayflower" collection! This paper was perfect for many different occasions, although it definitely had a stately old Americana patriotic feel.

You will be seeing some of these old favorites in my counterfeit kits this month! I encourage you to revisit some of your old loves! I'd love to hear what some of your favorites have been throughout the years!