The Round Up

My January Counterfeit Kit Challenge kit, Candycane Kisses, is officially done and dusted.

The last few embellishments and letter stickers have been returned to their respective homes and the tiny scraps of paper that remained have made their way to the kids' craft box.

So what was the final tally from this kit: 9 layouts and 2 sets of divided pages for my Christmas Album from 2011 and one card.

I am thrilled to see that many pages created and in my album and some unloved supplies used at last.

I can't wait for February so we can start all over again.

Happy Scrappin

Lisa J

Happy Australia Day

Happy Australia Day everyone.

We truly are the lucky country and today is a great day to celebrate that with family and friends.

While I have to work today, tonight we will be by the pool enjoying a bbq and a few cold drinks.

However you spend it, I hope you enjoy your day.


Lisa J

January CKC Challenge 1 Blog Hop

Hello and welcome.

I hope you are enjoying the hop so far. If you have missed any be sure to start here at the Counterfeit Kit Blog and work your way through - you don't want to miss any of the inspiration.

Now, by the time I decided to play along with this challenge my January kit was reduced to a little bag of scraps so the natural (and only) choice was to make a card to fit the challenge criteria:

I have used:
3 patterned papers - polka dot, merry christmas print and blue snowflakes all from My Minds Eye
3 embellishments - bakers twine, red bling and a staple (a staple counts right!)
3 word title (or in my case sentiment) - "Happy Christmas Mate!"

plus a cute Santa stamp from Stampin' Up!.

Your next stop on the hop is Rebecca. Enjoy.

Happy scrapping

Lisa J

Another day in Paradise

Hi guys,

I played along with the ScrapFit colour inspiration workout for this month.

Here is the gorgeous inspiration photo

Very calm and serene!

And here is my take on the challenge

Some more photos for my Fiji album (wow that is like 2 whole pages in 11 months now- better slow down wink)

The journalling reads:

"Beautiful weather, soaking in the pool, a short stroll along the beach to an amazing buffet dinner and the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in. I could get used to this. Fiji Shangri-La".

I used a background sheet from Stampin' Up! (It was a travel collection that featured orange, navy and kraft) and my bottomless box of paper scraps to assemble the base of the layout.

I then went searching for embellishments in co-ordinating colours. I am seriously considering re-sorting my embellishments into colour groups rather than by type. It seems to be the way I look for things lately eg I need something "blue" for that corner rather than I need a brad. Not sure which way to go there. It could be an interesting weekend project.

How do you store your embellishments? Do you have any tips??

Happy scrapping

Lisa J

Another day, another challenge...

In my efforts to reduce the overflowing scrap box I am seeking out challenges wherever I can to spark some inspiration.

Today's effort is for the ScrapFIT Workout #83 - using stars.

 Stars, stars and more stars. All of my embellishments were cut from the patterned paper. I think it was all from the Awesome range from Simple Stories but I could be completely off on that. None of the branding strips were left on my paper scraps.

 

My Amy Tangerine date stamp has been getting a workout lately too (well for everything post 2012 that is LOL).

Happy Scrapping,

Lisa J

Bula Fiji!!

It has now been eleven months since our family trip to Fiji and I have finally scrapped the first page for our album!!! Obviously these things can't be rushed...maybe I am  still on Fiji time??

Anyways, I decided to have a go at the White with 1 challenge this  month which was to create a layout using aqua and red (and white of course) and use a summer photo.

I misted my background with Glimmermist in Turquoise and then raided the scrap box for papers in the colour range.

A bright happy page for the opening of the Fiji Album. I just hope it doesn't take another eleven months to finish it.

Happy Scrapping

Lisa J

Strategies for Scraps

Or what to do when your Counterfeit Kit has become barely more than a series of little scraps of paper. Is it time to call it done? Of course not,we can get a few more layouts out of that kit yet.

One of my favourite strategies for scraps, and one that is very much inspired by Glitter Girl, is punched circles. This video from Glitter Girl is an excellent source of inspiration for using those scraps.

The diecut sheet I included in my January Counterfeit Kit included a lot of circular elements that I hadn't used yet so together with some punched circles and bling this layout was born.

I used a sheet of Bazzill Swiss Dot for the background and I love that extra little bit of texture it adds to an otherwise very simple layout.

Another strategy I use for scraps is to use them in divided page protectors where only small accents are required.

Here are a few pages for my Christmas 2011 album using some of the last few scraps from my  kit.

The little glassine pocket is to hold the tags that the boys have in the photos. I have kept them safe for the past year and now I can't find them. Hopefully they will turn up soon and I can finish off my page.

What are your go to strategies for using up those last few bits and pieces?

Happy Scrapping

Lisa J

Ombre Hombre

I have a confession...until I started seeing the word "ombre" on pinterest I didn't know there was a name for the graduated colour designs I was seeing. Shocking I know.

One of the challenges this month at Counterfeit Kit Challenge is to create a page using ombre.

I decided to attempt an ombre background. I took a sheet of resist cardstock from Stampin Up! and two shades of pink Glimmermist (Cherub Pink and Cranberry Zing). I sprayed away starting with a light spray of the Cherub Pink at the top of the page and building up to a darker pink at the bottom.

As you can see it is not an exact graduated pattern with mist but you get the idea and I was quite happy with it. I especially like the resist print where the ink was darkest.

Of course that much mist made all my corners curl up.

Here is a shot of my layout in progress with various items from my desk holding down the corners. I am sure it will be fine once it is in a page protector in my album but it was a challenge to scrap on. Of course if I was patient I could have left it to flatten out under a few books but that wasn't going to happen. Once I had my idea I had to scrap....right then.

I layered in lots of extra bits and pieces (mostly off my desk - really should clean up that desk) including a doily, some stars punched from vellum, some chipboard phrases from Echo Park, more lovely printed tissue and my title lettering which is from Heidi Grace (from about 2006 I think).

Here is the completed layout (curly corners and all).

 I added in this cute striped paperclip (from K& Co's Smash Line).

A closer look at the journalling.

And one  last peek at a few more of the layers.

Hope you can join in the Third Challenge at Counterfeit Kit Challenge this month and try your hand at ombre.

Happy Scrapping

Lisa J

Kraft It Up January

I am trying to play along with a few challenges this year to make the most of my stash and to stretch myself and try new things.

The Kraft it Up challenge for January is a colour challenge. So the plan is to use the colour swatch and of course to create your layout on a kraft background.

How bright are those colours!!

 I really had no plan for this layout so I started with my ever-growing scrap basket looking for off-cuts to match the colour scheme. Apart from the kraft background sheet I only ended up using scraps for this layout. Colour challenges may be the way to go to finally make a dent in that scrap basket.

I included one last piece of hot pink Love Elsie paper from my January Counterfeit Kit Challenge kit and set to work layering the scraps I found. My turquoise is more aqua but since I was only working with scraps that was the closest I had - pretty close I think.

 The end result used papers from Sassafrass Lass, Pebbles, Love Elsie, Making Memories and Crate Paper. I even found a box of chipboard embellishments from Lil Davis and used the stars from that as well.

The other embellishments include random flowers, brads from Dear Lizzie and Basic Grey, buttons from Stampin' Up!, labels from October Afternoon and some chipboard numbers and photo corners from Heidi Swapp. I added a touch of white with a paper doily and some sprinkles of Mr Huey.

So what challenges are you playing along with this month? Any colour challenges to recommend?

Happy scrapping

Lisa J

My sweet boy

I have a little secret to share...

See that gorgeous multi-patterned strip across my layout... it is actually cut from the Manufacturer's branding page that was on the front of the My Mind's Eye kit!! It was too pretty to throw away so I trimmed off the section with the barcode and ta-da perfect border strip ready to use.

Here a few closer looks at the embellishing

 It is pretty simple page but I didn't want to overshadow one of my favourite photos of my second eldest boy. There is something about kids in Santa hats that is just so cute.

So that is layout number 7 from my rapidly dwindling January Counterfeit kit.

Also, don't forget Paper Issues (the creators of this month's inspiration kit) are sponsoring the Challenge this month.

They have a 20% discount offer on all orders (don't forget to use the code COUNTERFEIT!!!) together with a random prize drawing at the end of the month from all the Mr Linky entries for a $20 voucher to the store. I know, as if you need another reason to play along this month.

Happy scrapping

Lisa J

A little bit shabby

 This layout is a little shabbier with curled and inked paper eges and ink sprinkles.

The idea for this layout all started with these three paper scraps that were sitting on my desk. I loved the colour combination so I cut them into banners and away I went.

I had to raid my stash for a background sheet since I had no more full sheets and found an old K & Co paper that I distressed and inked and then backed with a sheet of red cardstock.



And even though the photo looks crooked it really is straight. Have to work on photographing my layouts straight.
I added a large bow to the tag with the seam binding ribbon from my kit and some little strips of a gold polka dot washi tape from my stash.

Happy Scrapping

Lisa



Blast from the Past - Page Pebbles

Each month when playing with my Counterfeit Kit I like to include at least one blast from the past - you know those really old embellishments that you have held onto forever.

Well this month's Blast from the Past are Page Pebbles from Making Memories. I stumbled across these at the bottom of an embellishment drawer when I was searching for a little something to finish a page.

My package still had the original price tag ($8.30 - yikes) from when I bought them in approx 2003.

This month's inspiration kit included several flair badges which I don't have and I really had no idea how to make my own without purchasing a badge maker. Enter the Page Pebbles - I decided the round shape and glossy finish would be a fair substitution for the badges from the original kit. So with my trusty circle punch and patterned paper scraps I set out to make some embellishments.

I punched three ornaments and added the page pebbles to accent this page. Super quick and easy.

 

And a few close-ups:

So there we have it, at last those Page Pebbles have found a home on a scrap page.

 Happy Scrapping

Lisa

Happy Happy Joy Joy

Another layout from my January Candycane Kisses Counterfeit Kit Challenge Kit (say that three times fast).

This one started with a Kraft cardstock base and some layered papers. After I added the three photos and journalling I wanted to include, there was not a great deal of space left for other embellishment so out came my trusty circle punches, diecuts and some of the Basic Grey fabric brads from my kit to make smaller layered clusters that could overlap the photos slightly.

Love the pure joy in my boy's face - great memories.

And another closer look:

So there you go layout number 4 from my kit and there are still  plenty more to come.

Happy Scrapping

Lisa

Merry & Bright

I think this was a record for me..my sister-in-law gave me a photo of her gorgeous kids on Christmas Day and I had it scrapbooked and in the album on Boxing Day.

I don't scrap my photos chronologically (although I do store my layouts that way) so I will often be working with photos from many years ago. It does work well for me though when I am working with a kit as the layouts usually all end up in different annual albums. Of course, it wouldn't be a big deal if they were in the same album ..I would probably be the only one to notice the repeating papers.

Here is a little close-up of some of the embellishments on my layout. The shiny red circles are from the Thickers alphabet I have been using. They were too cute to waste so I sprinkled them little groups of three on the layout.

This was a fun layout to make mixing lots of different paper companies but all from the kit.

Happy Scrapping

Lisa

Gorgeous and free

I just wanted to share some links to some cute (and free) printables that I think would work well with this month's kit (be sure to click the links to take you to the downloadable versions).

First up we have this gorgeousness from The Scrap Shoppe.

Secondly how about these cuties from One Velvet Morning.

For all of you embarking on Project Life this year, One Velvet Morning has a great selection of free printables.

What is your go to place for lovely printables?? Have you found any great ones for Project Life or this months CKC? Please share in the comments if you have.

Happy Scrapping

Lisa

What's red, white and cuddly?

My sweet little Santa baby of course.

I love the texture in this layout in person.

I started with a Crate paper background sheet that I sprinkled with Glimmer Mist in Antique Brass for a little shimmer.

The next layer I used was (believe it or not) a tissue. Yes a tissue.

On our trip to Pokolbin and Cessnock before Christmas my mum, sister and I stumbled across a gorgeous little paper shop (the name escapes me at the moment). They had for sale little packs of tissues printed with the sweetest patterns. Of course I saw more than nose-blowing potential in these tissues and had to have the pack printed with music notes. They also had gorgeous notebooks, washi tape and some items from the K & Co Smash line. I could have browsed that little shop for hours but of course the children were less than keen for that idea.

But back to my layout, I layered various patterns from my Counterfeit Kit mainly using a cream and red theme. The "Santa" sticker came from an old sheet of Pebbles Inc label stickers.

Layers, layers, lots of lovely layers.

The only other non kit item on the layout is a scrap of scalloped lace. I wish I knew where I got that one from - it is sooo pretty.

Happy Scrapping

Lisa

Sprinkles and Sparkles

Look at those pretty sparkles -just makes me want to touch it.

As soon as I saw the branch in this month's inspiration kit I knew I would be dangling ornaments from it. After all it is a Christmas Kit - it would be a shame not to.

To dress up my branch I applied a layer of Shimmer paint from Stampin Up! While the paint was still wet I sprinkled a generous layer of chunky glitter in silver. Shimmery and sparkly -what's not to love.

Here is the finished layout using my Counterfeit Kit for January. 

When I started using the kit I ended up swapping out the white Pebbles alphabet for some red shiny Thickers. They worked much better with the cream based papers and it was nice to see them used. They had been sitting in my stash unloved for far too long.

The only other extra item on this page is some aqua washi tape (this tape found its way on to quite a few layouts -let's call it my add-on).

Any questions about the layout feel free to leave a comment and I will answer as soon as I can.

Hope you are having fun with your kit this month too.

Happy Scrapping

Lisa