Sunday 6 March 2011

Counterfeiting Calico

Here's the deal with my Counterfeit Kits. In January, I managed to put together a beautiful kit, which I didn't manage to use - at all. In February, I managed to put together another beautiful kit, which resulted in just one layout.

This month the team have counterfeited all five of this month's Studio Calico releases - and I'm wondering whether I'll manage more than putting them together. But, with the exception of the Mossy Knoll kit (which was just too dark) I had no trouble at all feeling enthusiastic about the colours, patterns and themes. I actually had to force myself to eat breakfast before running off to 'shop my stash'. So, I am hoping that this will be the month that I shake off the winter lethargy and find my crafting mojo!

Here's my four counterfeited kits, along with links to the original 'inspiration' kits.

I tackled the Sunny Clearing kit first because I knew that I would be able to use papers from my We Are Memory Keepers stack, 72 & Sunny. I didn't really need to add much, so I kept it simple with some co-ordinating ric rac and butterfly punches, along with some Buttons and Thickers from American Crafts.

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Next, I took on the challenge of counterfeiting the main kit Into The Woods. Again, I pulled quite a lot of the papers from 72 & Sunny, added in some American Crafts and pulled together some co-ordinating cardstock. There's also a partial sheet of Love, Elsie stickers, Thickers, labels, dimensional butterfly stickers, a chipboard frame, wooden star and some butterfly ribbon.

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Moving on, I chose to work on the Babbling Brook kit next. At first I thought that I might not be able to find matching colours or patterns in my stash, but I decided to work with the circular theme or the kit and pulled out some more 72 & Sunny (the stack that keeps on going) and some polka dot papers from American Crafts, before adding in a Jenni Bowlin paper which - somehow - works really well. There's also some Papermania cardstock alphas, sticky labels, chipboard embellishments and some pretty, flower trim.

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Flagging a little by this point I moved onto the last of the kits, Wildflower. It's so much more feminine and much, much softer than the other kits, but it's turned out to be my favourite and I can't believe it's the only original kit that's still available.

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In my counterfeit kit is a very special Basic Grey paper that I've hoarded for far too long, several sheets of patterned paper of unknown origin and some additional, partial sheets of Basic Grey. To complete the vintage feel I've added some pages from Enid Blyton's 'Hedgerow Tales'. The alphas are, of course, American Crafts - I am in no way affiliated with them, just in case you were beginning to wonder! There's also some pretty laces which I've added to an old ribbon card and a sheet of chipboard buttons from Crate Paper's Sweet Branch range.

WWDetail2

WWDetail1

Now, just in case you're wondering the beautiful rose cabochons and the pretty, lace flower are both from....Primark. Check out the accessories aisles and you'll be able to pick these up for just a pound or two. It's my secret source of scrapbooking products!

So, now that I've shared all my secrets and sources, do let me know what you think of the kits I've put together. I've had so much fun and I'm beginning to wish someone would pay me to do this for a living.

32 comments:

  1. These are cool Clair!

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  2. S'alright - I didn't use much of mine either, but I still really enjoyed putting it together! You have made a lovely job of this one.

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  3. Super, super kits! As soon as I've identified a free evening, what say we scrap so I can make sure you use your lovely goodies?! (And we can also discuss the whole business we're going to set up where you create gorgeousness in kit form and I hang onto your coat-tails pretending to be an equal partner, OK?)

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  4. What beautiful kits you've put together. I hope you manage to get a little more done this month. Regardless, these are timeless and I'm sure you'll enjoy them whenever you get teh chance to use them.

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  5. If the other kits are as gorgeous as these are you need to do some serious scrapping, or better yet forget scrapping and send them my way. I would be happy to scrap your lovely stash.

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  6. Your kits look great! I'm doing the Counterfeit challenge for the first time this month. I only did the Into the Woods kit. It's fun to "shop" your stash!

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  7. Lots of work, but great to "shop your stash". I keep what I don't use together and label it for later use. I'm sure you'll use your kits sooner or later. It's fine finding all these matching things we already have. You did a great job.

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  8. Really fantastic kits! I'm jealous!

    Bethany
    Counterfeit Kit Challenge

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  9. Oh how I wish your kit was for sale somewhere! I love your papers!

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  10. This is all pure eye candy Clair - I love these! I'm glad you made time for breakfast though - you'd be faint with excitement otherwise ;-)

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  11. What great kits I especially like that last one. very pretty.

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  12. LOL...saw your comment about the kit and shopping on my blog. You are right...we would shop a lot if we were together. And it would be nice to check in to see how we are doing...along with everyone else.

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  13. Fabulous kits. I hope this is her month to find your mojo!

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  14. It's all so beautiful. I love all the color. I can't wait to see what you come up with.
    TFS
    Ang

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  15. I think I like your kits better than the originals! What great colors and embellishments. Can't wait to see what you create with it.

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  16. wow you sure did put together one heck of a stash... your pics of your kit are very creative and pretty so that's a great start

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  17. love your bright color choices! and you did a fab job of photographing it all too! Go create!

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  18. You're kits are SO pretty! I have faith that you will be able to create LOTS of layouts this month :)
    *meridy*

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  19. Wonderful - I am impressed that you show such restraint in picking embellishments.

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  20. I love your kits, and wildflower is my favorite too! I especially love the "accessory" flowers!!Hope you get to use them all!

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  21. Beautiful kits! My favorite is your version of Wildflower. I would buy this kit!

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  22. I have a secret....

    I LIKE YOUR KITS BETTER THAN THE ONES WE ARE SUPPOSED TO COUNTERFEIT. LOL!

    And I didn't do anything with my Feb kit either. It's still in the baggie I stuck it in. :( Sigh.

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  23. Absolutely love your kits!!! And I hear you on not using up the kits, I did this last month and barely used the kit. LOL Oh, and I really really love how you photographed your kits!!! xoxo

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  24. I love the papers you choose and I love the Sunny clearing the best! Great job!

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  25. just lovely! i too hoard basic grey...my goal next month, take a sheet like you did :)

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  26. Beautiful!! I don't use all my kits, but I like the idea of having everything ready for me!! I love the way you photograph too!!

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  27. 72 and Sunny was a collection I liked a lot, so I look forward to seeing what you do with it!
    Oh, and your closeup shots are just beautiful.

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  28. Wow your kits are amazing!! You will have so much fun creating with these! :)

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  29. Clair, I'm flying you to Maine next month to put my kits together for me, lol! These are gorgeous! I love your colors and supplies! :)

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  30. oooooh, me,myself and i think this is similar to my PMS kits...way to go clair. I've got some catching up to do over here ;)

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