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Friday, May 31, 2013

Counterfeit Kit Challenge - June Kit Reveal Blog Hop

Hello.  Welcome to our June Kit Reveal and blog hop.  I do hope you've worked up an appetite as I have something delicious to share with you.  Counterfeit Kit Challenge has given us many options for kit-copying this month.  Here are the selections, all from Scraptastic Club, from which we had to choose.

http://www.scraptasticclub.com/collections/current-kits/products/may-2013-after-the-storm-kit
http://www.scraptasticclub.com/collections/current-kits/products/may-2013-after-the-storm-add-on
http://www.scraptasticclub.com/collections/current-kits/products/may-2013-destination-unknown-kit
http://www.scraptasticclub.com/collections/current-kits/products/may-2013-destination-unknown-add-on

I decided to focus on the "After the Storm" kit as pictured here:
May 2013 After the Storm Kit

The color green is what first struck me when studying this kit.  I also noticed that between the kraft and corrugated cardboard, a good deal of brown is represented.  And when I see green and brown together, I think of this...


Presenting my June Counterfeit Kit 
KEY LIME PIE
(insert groan here!)

Just as Key Lime Pie is rich and decadent, I whipped up a kit to match the lusciousness of one of my favorite desserts.  First, let's take a look at the main ingredients (aka the papers)


I followed the inspiration kit's lead with the solid cardstock, but then just took off "going green" with the other papers.  Of course, I HAD to include the tangy lime slices!

Next, let's look at the ingredients that will make my layouts sweet.


A generous pinch of Studio Calico Wood veneers along with a dash of washi will ensure success.


One cup of corrugated cardboard butterflies and 1/4 cup of Basic Grey flags yield scrumptious layouts.


Equal parts Distress Ink (in Lemonade and Shabby Shutters) along with some Thickers in 2 shades of green are some of the secret ingredients!  (Shhhh...don't tell!)


The Key Lime Pie recipe is stored safely away in this recipe basket, but on top you can find a variety of journaling tags to add special stories to layouts.


I don't have a Silhouette, but my good old Cricut helped me to create a little "sunshine" tag.  Those papers with negative space cut outs are so popular right now.  And you can't have Key Lime Pie without the limes OR lime green flowers and baker's twine.

So, let's bring it all together again and take a look...

Ready for a slice?  Perhaps with a generous dollop of fresh whipped cream and garnished with a fresh lime? Oh...I wish I could really offer you some!  Instead, I hope I have offered you some inspiration to create your own kit this month.  Whether you choose "After the Storm" or any of the other fabulous inspiration kits, I hope you play along with us this month.  Be sure to link up your creations with Mr. Linky over at the CKC blog.  And if it's any consolation on not being able to offer you a slice of pie, consider this - at least your kit will be sugar-free, fat-free, and cholesterol-free, but full of 100% scrappy goodness!

If you've just stumbled in here, be sure to check out the rest of the design team's blogs for yummy inspiration.

Guest Designer: Sherri http://sherrithompson.blogspot.com/
Andrea http://snappingmonsters.blogspot.com/
Angela http://colestoucan.blogspot.co.uk/
Jemma http://just-jimjams.blogspot.com/
Jennifer http://jennifergracecreates.com
Lisa H. http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com/
Lynnette http://sassyscrapper2010.blogspot.com/
Milissa http://millermall.blogspot.com/














Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Knock-Off Bingo Chips


Did you notice those cool wood bingo chips by Crate Paper in the add-on kit?  No...you don't remember?  I know, there's so much to see and take in.  Well, here's a picture to refresh your memory...

March Mini Kit - Totally Rad! - Click Image to Close
There they are on the right!

They are a versatile little embellishment that can be used on many types of layouts - not just the one where you won the mega-jackpot at the local firehouse Bingo Bonanza!  They are great for a vintage flair, masculine pages, a graphic, modern feel...really anywhere.  And with this how-to post, you can customize the chips to include the significant numbers in your life like house number, age, speed limit, etc.  The assorted bag you get from Crate Paper may or may not have YOUR lucky number.  So let's get started!

Here is my counterfeit version

Let me show you how you can make them!  Let's gather some supplies.
Be sure to grab your heat gun, too!

 You will want to punch out circles using a 1 inch punch.  I used a cream cardstock to resemble the light wood of the original.

I outlined the circle using a red marker.  Perhaps an unnecessary step, but I found it made a deeper red outline once I embossed.

Using an embossing pen, I again outlined over my red marker.  I even dipped my pen in a pool of extra clear embossing ink to achieve a thick red rim around my chip.

Sprinkle red embossing powder.

Shake off excess and use a paint brush to remove any remaining.

I used my piercer to hold the circle in place while I heat set.

Use number rubber stamps to add the significant numbers in your life.

Punch another circle and add pop dots.  Add your embossed number to the top.

And there you have it!  A knock-off version of Crate Paper's Bingo Chips.

Here are some examples of them in use:


The "69" chip was perfectly crafted to designate the year of my hubby's VW Bug.  Not certain I would have found that in the pack.

Go ahead and give them a try yourself and add them to your next layout!



Sunday, May 5, 2013

CKC Challenge #1 - Using a mask



I had a loose interpretation of this prompt as I think my anchor (on the yellow paper) is really more of a stencil than a mask.  Or, is a stencil a type of mask?  I suppose you can say that part of the background paper is masked to create the anchor shape.  In any event, I cut out an anchor, used a small sponge and dabbed away with paint.  Let's call it a mask!

I did a lot of counterfeiting this month - which was really satisfying.  I had so much fun using my white gel pen to create some chalkboard art.  And this seemed like the perfect photo for the page.


And to add to the nautical feel, I whipped up some flags to attach to my chalkboard rope.  This was definitely a step outside of my comfort zone, but I have to say...I am thrilled with the results.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Scene of the Crime Blog Hop

Welcome to Counterfeit Kit Challenge's salute to National Scrapbook Day and around here we are celebrating ALL weekend!  There are lots of fun CSI-type challenges, activities and even prizes being offered to help you pay tribute to your favorite hobby.  Be sure to check out the blog here.  In keeping with the CSI theme, we are having a "Scene of the Crime" blog hop showcasing our scrap spaces and where all the creativity happens.   I have to admit, my space usually looks more like a crime scene than in the pictures below, but I figured I had better clean up before the "detectives" take a look!  Come on, let me show you!  You'll have to walk through my kitchen and down the stairs to my finished basement.


See...it's not a creepy, dark basement.  I have 3 basement sized windows, but the door with the large window really brightens up this space.  My hubby also installed recessed lighting which gives us proper lighting at night.  I am blessed that he is so handy.

Let's back up though and I'll give you a tour around the room.  You can't see it in this picture above, but my sewing area is directly to your left upon entering the room.  As seen here:


I love having my sewing machine out and ready to go.  The thread organizer was a wise purchase from Joann's.  I tried to utilize what I already owned to put my room together.  I decided on a Neapolitan stripe color scheme...you know, like vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream.  I made those curtains to put over the bookshelves as I thought it gave the room a more unified look.  I just spent a great deal of time organizing photos in those photo boxes on top of the shelves.  The task light and table are from IKEA years ago.  The lamp was my husband's in college and it was grey.  Some pink spray paint and it looks like it was made for my room.


Around the corner from the sewing table and to the left of my craft bench is this super-sized version of a scrapbook page.  I wanted something that truly reflects what goes on in this room.  And the kids are cute, too!  Below that canvas, my daughter has a little art desk so she can work along with me.  Her area looks a bit more like a crime scene, so I decided to leave it out!


Okay...now let's get down to business.  Here is command central.  This craft bench came in to existence after a terrible flood we had in our basement.  Luckily, minimal supplies were lost, but we were determined to make a plan so it wouldn't happen again.  The solution?  A sump put into the floor so if the water should enter, it has somewhere to go.  It was an awkward spot to have a hole in the floor, but with some creative maneuvering, we concealed it.  See that polka dot curtain to the right?  


Well, there is the sump and the pump!  We used 2 kitchen cabinets from IKEA and flanked a piece of counter top (also from IKEA) across them and over the hole of the sump.  A quick sewn curtain with leftover material and a tension rod, and that unsightly, but necessary hole is hidden.  Anyway, this isn't "This Old House", so I'll get back to the crafty stuff you came to see.

        

I have 2 groups of 4 cubes on the counter on either side of my main work area.  The left side houses all of my patterned paper.  I store all of my paper by manufacturer.  I'm pretty good about keeping tabs on what I have (especially now that I am on the design team and create a kit EVERY month) and know the basic gist of each style.  For example, if I am looking for papers that are vintage and youthful, I grab my October Afternoon or Jenni Bowlin.  If I am looking for floral and sophisticated, I may pull out Authentique.  The cubes on the right house all of my solid cardstock, which other than kraft, black and white, I use rather sparingly.  There are also spare page protectors and some "in-progress" projects ready to grab.  On the top I have some old canisters from my kitchen.  One has twill, the other has ric rac and the last one holds lace and crocheted trim.

There are a few more cubes on a little platform my husband built (just in case...)  

Christmas border strips and an arsenal of adhesive

All purpose border strips and flowers

Glue guns, assorted embellies and embossing supplies


 

My parents gave me this organizer one year for Christmas.  It is right in front of me when I sit at my bench.  The galvanized little buckets with the pink gingham handles came from the dollar area at Target.  They are great for holding pop dots, glue dots, distress pads, pens and pencils and scissors and adhesive.  In the cubbies of the shelf, one whole section is dedicated to washi...another to buttons, spray mist, distress inks and glitter.  Oh...and of course...ribbon!  Clear plastic jars from Michaels are within arm's reach on the top.  They hold baker's twine, bobbin type ribbons and chalks.  Another inexpensive light from IKEA provides targeted task lighting.

While sitting on my stool (which swivels and was a floor sample bargain at an unfinished furniture store), I have a drawer to my left and right

Scrap drawer
Punches
                                       

Here's a peek in to where I store my embellishments.  They are to my left on the bench in those cube drawers that are divided into little sections.  I organize by type since that is often how I scrap.  More often than not, I'll look at a layout and say, "I think I need some wood veneers."  Or, "Maybe I can add something metal to the page."  So it makes sense to me to sort by type of embellishment.


  



Underneath the bench in the knee space area is a good place to store those plastic rolling carts as seen here:


I use that pizza box for my misting and other messy projects.  The Iris cases have some previous month's counterfeit kits that still have lots of life left in them.  Let's take a look in the drawers...

Love me some Thickers!
Tiny types are also a FAVE!

Chipboard Letters

Stamp pads and blocks

MORE Thickers!

Rubber stamps

Rub-ons and masks




Behind where I sit, I have my old kitchen table.  It used to be hunter green with natural wood.  I painted the legs and backs of the chairs a mocha brown color to coordinate with the room.  This is a great place to spread out when my bench gets too crowded or messy.  (I have also been known to end up working on the floor when things get really wild, but try not to do that too much since the flood!)  I usually have my monthly kit pieces out on one side so that I can easily see which supplies I have available to me.

Have you ever seen those cool memo boards in the Pottery Barn Teen catalog?  They are super cool and super pricey.  In the true spirit of counterfeiting, my husband made me this one that I use as my inspiration board.


I like to showcase handmade cards I've received, packages of new products or embellishments and photos.  It has peg, cork and memo boards as well as a magnetic surface in the center.  Did I mention that I am blessed to have a handy husband?


We're making our way back to where we started, but first here's my photo printer and computer.  This is a family area as my husband will pay bills here or my son will do his homework.  You'll also see my Cricut over on the right with the cartridges in the pink bins on top of the desk.  I don't use it nearly enough, but luckily I never went crazy buying cartridges either.

And here is where we started...

I feel very fortunate to have this much space to dedicate to my hobby.  Luckily, my husband is also a hobbyist as he builds model airplanes and tinkers around with his '69 Volkswagen Beetle.  He completely understands the need for "stuff" and a place to put it all.  There was a time when I had this space set up (minus the craft bench) and I HARDLY scrapped at all!  I can say now with great certainty that scrapping is part of my daily life and this room gets used ALL THE TIME.  While I like it all neat and clean, I can also appreciate when it's messy and a flurry of activity.  Then I know for sure that lots of creating is going on!

Here's the list of the rest of the design team.  Hope you can pick and choose some of things we do to enhance your scrap space.

Guest Designer: Sherrie  http://sherriesmuddlepuddle.blogspot.ca







Lynnette http://sassyscrapper2010.blogspot.com/  YOU ARE HERE