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Scrapbooking for Beginners Part 1

Good morning friends! I started this blog with a very generalized idea of community. People getting together to talk about scrapbooking, memory keeping and crafting.

I know that sometimes I cover a wide variety of topics so I thought maybe it was time to go back to the basics for a little while.

I am going to try to alternate my Sketch Saturday Card posts with some very specific posts aimed at those who want to start scrapbooking in some fashion but don’t know where to start.

So to that end, welcome to – Scrapbooking for Beginners Part 1.

Introduction:

Scrapbooking, memory keeping, telling your story – no matter how you phrase it, the thought of getting started can be a little overwhelming.

Let’s start with a few questions:

Do you love pictures?
Does looking at a photo immediately take you back to that time or place?
Do you have family stories that everyone brings up when you are all together?
Would you like to have an album of printed pictures on hand for you and your family to look through & enjoy?
Do you want to make sure you and/or your children have basic information about who the people in those pictures are?

If you answered yes to any of the above, maybe you would enjoy some type of Scrapbooking or Memory Keeping.

Scrapbooking Your Way:

For some people, the term scrapbooking sounds old fashioned. It brings to mind cutting your pictures into odd shapes & gluing them onto cardstock with a few stickers thrown around the page.

Possibly you have been to a crop where you were told to only use a certain type or brand of product.

Maybe you have looked at Pinterest and seen pages with 1 tiny photo surrounded by a ton of stuff, but you have so many pictures you want to use.

Well, let me tell you – there is no wrong way to keep your memories.

Memory keeping is about getting your photos off your phone or camera and being able to share them with your friends & family. How you share & enjoy them is entirely up to you.

Starting with Supplies:

As with any hobby, there are some basic supplies that you will need to start with. However, I need to caution you to ONLY think about the bare minimum at this point.

Sometimes it is better to have fewer choices to make, especially in the beginning.

Stay with me over the next few weeks and let’s take this one step at a time.

At the most basic level you will need some photos, patterned paper and/or cardstock, adhesive and a pen.

Scissors and/or a paper trimmer would be helpful and you will want some type of stickers or embellishments to dress everything up.

At this point you don’t necessarily need an album but it would help if you had an idea of the size and style you want to work with when making your first layout.

Below are two handouts to help you with this step.

The first is called The Bare Necessities & it lists some of your options for each basic supply category.

Keep this handy when you are either in a store or looking online as there are multiple brands, types & styles of supplies. Keep it simple & basic for the first time around.

(Shameless plug inserted here: I do believe that Creative Memories has some of the best tools & albums in the scrapbooking industry. I have been using them for over 20+ years.

I am currently a CM Advisor if you would like to use my affiliate link. Please note that using this link is no extra charge for you but I will make a small commission on any products purchased.)

The second handout is about the albums. Again, there are many brands, types & styles. This will give you some information about the available options.

A lot of it is personal preference & remember – you can always change your mind later if you begin with one size or style & decide you don’t like it or it isn’t working for your current project.

A lot of people use different sizes/styles for different types of projects or sets of pictures.

Scrapbooking for Beginners Part 1 - Action Plan:

What I would like for you to do this week is to start with your photos.

We take SO many photos today, of really anything & everything. BUT, there are still going to be those special pictures of little moments, big events & loved ones that stand out above the rest.

These are the photos you want to save & cherish for years to come.

So the first step is to identify a few pictures (maybe 4 – 8) that are special to you & related in some way. It could be of the same time frame or the same person (or group of people) spread over the years. It could be a weekend trip or event like a graduation.

Choose pictures you are excited to work with right now and print them.

Again, we are starting simple, so don’t worry about photo sizes just print them all in a 4 x 6 format.

The second step is to pick an album size. If you want to buy an album or if you already have one that is great but not necessary as long as you know that size you want to use.

Refer to the handout above to see some of the options. You can also read my previous blog post about album sizes for additional information.

You may want to also give some thought to single or double page layouts. This just means, do you prefer to make one page at a time or two?

I personally always make a double page spread so that my pages facing each other in the album match & are of the same subject. The only exceptions are my title pages & end pages of my book.

If it does not bother you if the pages are different, then use whichever you prefer the look of.

The last step is to gather your basic supplies. Refer to the supply handout above for some additional information about options and my recommendations.

If you have already started a stash of goodies, use what you have on hand.

One tip for choosing paper is to coordinate either the theme of the pictures or some of the colors in the photos.

So if you have birthday pictures, choose bright happy colors or go all out & pick paper with confetti or balloons. It can be as simple & subtle or as themed as you prefer.

I go for a variety in my scrapbooking but I always start with the photos for the inspiration of my pages.

Conclusion:

We have reached the end of Scrapbooking for Beginners Part 1.

Although this probably seems like a LOT of information, I hope I have broken it down into manageable steps to consider and get you started.

In Scrapbooking for Beginners Part 2 we will be making our first layout, so make sure to check back in soon.

In addition to the handouts above, you can also download these resources about photo management:

If you would like to read the blog post on Organizing your Photos you can find that here.

If you have any questions or would like some additional help/information, please leave me a comment below or a message on the Contact page.

You can subscribe to the blog & receive my Story Starter handout. The form is in the sidebar on the right.

You can also join my VIP Facebook Group or follow me on my social media channels.

I appreciate everyone who stops by & I hope I inspire & encourage you to save, organize & enjoy your photos & family stories.

Check back in soon!

Machelle

Scrapbooking Photo Management

Albums Memory Keeping Scrapbooking

July 3, 2024

Memory Mate Case

Hello again! I know I usually do not have two posts this close together, but there has been a lot going on lately.

Creative Memories launches new products every two weeks with specific promotions in between. This time they introduced a new spin on an old classic – the Rainbow Dots Memory Mate Case.

I don’t remember what the older version was called but I have three of them & they are at least 15 or 20 years old. They are still in great condition & I use them all the time.

Now, as you can see, mine are pretty plain compared to the colorful polka dots and “island waters” interior but I wanted to give you a few ideas for ways you could use these.

The two main differences for you to note besides the color, are that the new one has a side zippered pocket to store small items (multi-purpose tool) and the handle is not attached to the zipper.

The older version is just slightly (like 1/2 to 3/4 inch) longer than the new one & I think maybe 1/4 inch taller. It is a minimal amount.

They do both have a divider that you can turn either direction or take out altogether.

Now let’s look at just a few of the things you can use the Memory Mate Case for.

First let’s look at some other Creative Memories tools and essentials.

On the left you have the Creative Memories Custom Cutting Circles and Ovals with the three blades. Of course, there is plenty of room to add other shapes or extra blades.

On the right I have quite the assortment of basic tools I use all the time. There are several different types of adhesive (regular, mini, extra strength & repositionable) along with refills.

In the front I have some My Life Mini Buttons in support of the Alzheimer’s Association, a couple of Creative Memories binder clips, scissors, multi-purpose tool, glue pen, lifter stick & distressing tools.

Now let’s look at some items related to card making:

On the left there are several sizes & shapes of stamping blocks for clear cling stamps. There is still room for more, but remember that the cases are fabric so you don’t want to weigh them down too much.

On the right are different size ink pads and a date stamp. The large ink pads have 4 stacked together for a total of eight plus 4 of the Distress regular size ink pads and 4 mini ones.

I don’t know about you, but I have several hobbies other than just scrapbooking. I also like to make craft projects with my Cricut machine and sometimes random stuff I find on Pinterest.

So here are a couple of other crafty uses for the Memory Mate Case:

On the left I have supplies I use to make keychains with acrylic blanks and tassels. I make them with initials in vinyl or etched using my Cricut machine.

And finally, I also crochet, so here is a Memory Mate Case with a couple of skeins of yarn, crochet hooks and needles. This one is super light & could easily be taken somewhere to work on while you were in a waiting room or riding in the car on a trip. (I forgot to put scissors in the picture, but there is still plenty of room in the front pocket to add them in.)

Keep in mind, these are just a few of the items you can use these for. I know some of the other Creative Memories Advisors use them for personal items, especially packing for trips.

They are so versatile you could use them for just about anything! I would love to know what you would use them for, so leave me a comment & let me know.

If you are interested in more organizing, check out this post about my Rolling Cart Organization.

For organizing pictures for a crop or specific projects you can read about how I handle Picture Overload.

I am constantly organizing and re-organizing my supplies and looking for great products that have several uses.

The Rainbow Dots Memory Mate Case fits the bill & it’s super cute, too!

I will be back with more crafty inspiration and encouragement to save, organize & enjoy your photos (and crafts, and hobbies).

Talk again soon,

Machelle

P.S. – If you are interested in any of the Creative Memories tools that have I have featured in the pictures above, you can ask me a question or send a message on the Contact Us page.

If you would like to shop for any of these products, I would appreciate you supporting my business by using the link directly to my Advisor Page.

Thank you!

May 23, 2024

Creative or Crafty?

I recently saw an ad on Facebook that asked the question “Do people call you creative or crafty?”

What's the difference?

That was my first thought – aren’t they the same thing? But really they are not.

To me, being creative means sitting down with a blank piece of paper, canvas, etc. and creating something new. Starting with just an idea in your head.

Being crafty, on the other hand, is being able to replicate some idea or item you have seen. That doesn’t mean you can’t change it up and make it your own, just that the idea or item was not original to you.

In fact, most of the paper crafts I make end up not looking like the original, but some aspect sparked the idea.

Is one better than the other?

Absolutely NOT! They are just different. I personally am not a creative person, but give me a few minutes on Pinterest & I can find a multitude of things I want to make.

As long as I have a visual guide or written instructions I can make pretty much anything. Sometimes just a picture will do, depending on the item.

Below are two examples of this – the first one is a pin for a crochet pattern. Obviously, I need the written instructions to make this headband. However, the second pin in just a picture of the “mood board” page I made for my Word of the Year 2023.

Sharing and encouragement

I love the internet for inspiration and appreciate all the people who share their talents and ideas, regardless of whether they are creative or crafty.

That is one of the reasons I love crafty hobbies – because of the community. Everyone is so open and giving of their time and skills. Teaching, sharing and encouraging others.

Time well spent

Spending time on your hobbies is an important form of self-care. It always relaxes me to sit down and make something pretty. It is a bonus if I get to do that with friends, either in person or through Zoom or Facebook groups.

It also gives me a sense of accomplishment, especially if I have learned something new.

Creative or Crafty?

Which do you consider yourself? Let me know in the comments and share something you have made.

I am in the process of adding a gallery of some of the things I have made for inspiration and encouragement. Be sure to check back soon for more.

Machelle

Card Making Other Hobbies Scrapbooking

Cards Scrapbooking

August 20, 2023

Random Photos and Stories

Hello again! Some of you may be wondering, since I follow Stacy Julian’s Library of Memories category system, how can you have random photos and stories? Wouldn’t they fall into one of the main categories of Us, People, Places or Things?

Well, the short answer is yes, BUT I have some “just for fun” ideas and also some longer, just because stories and journaling I would like to do. I don’t necessarily want them in my regular family or travel albums.

I have been holding on to some memorabilia like ticket stubs, wrist bands and phone screenshots that I wasn’t sure what to do with either.

On the other side of this dilemma, I have had one of Creative Memories Happy Albums for a while now. It is a great size, not too small and not too big, BUT it is not square. It is 6.75 x 10.

Now I’m sure that sounds a little silly but for some reason I just kept staring at this book and I couldn’t figure out what to do with it.

I actually had not opened the album because I bought a package of refill pages and had been trying to use those. When I finally opened it, I realized there were pre-printed pages included.

After posting some random photos and stories about my favorite singer on Facebook & Instagram the other day, it hit me – I needed a home for those longer stories and random memorabilia. So that is what I decided to use the Happy Album for.

When I gathered everything together I found that these two pages were perfect for this story. Here is the layout I made with a couple of photos & ticket stubs from several concerts over the years.

As a bonus, I used some rub-ons I have had in my stash for years. They were still good and look like they were already part of the background. I love it when that happens!

The next story I have in mind is about moving. I have always thought of myself as a homebody, so I envisioned when we bought a house we would live in it for 20 or 30 years; however, that has not been the case.

For various reasons, Scott & I have lived in 6 different houses over our almost 25 years of marriage.

This is definitely a story I want to tell. I want to document each of the houses; but I also want to journal about the moving process as well. (ALL those boxes!)

Then there are stories that maybe I don’t have photos for. I could just journal with no pictures or I could look something up on the internet and print it out.

Since this album will be just for me I can ramble a little more, be a little more artistic and not worry about what order anything is in. Truly random.

So, do you have random photos and stories that you haven’t told because they didn’t fit in your current system? There are so many ways to preserve, organize and document your memories, find the way that fits you best & enjoy them!

You can check out this previous post about my album categories and download the handout to help you organize your photos if this way appeals to you.

In this one I give you some story starter ideas that may not be obvious from just the photo. Sometimes there is a story behind the photo that no one will know unless you tell it.

Let me know if this gave you some ideas or if you have any questions or suggestions. You can leave a comment here on this post or send me an email through the Contact Us page.

Thanks for stopping by,

Machelle

Photo Management Scrapbooking

June 16, 2023

How to Manage Inherited Family Photos

Welcome back! Today I wanted to talk to you about Inherited Family Photos. In my case, this included boxes & boxes of pictures spanning over 65 years. There were also newspaper clippings, graduation & wedding invitations, greeting cards, etc. This is what we started with:

Now, I’m not gonna lie, it would be easy to become overwhelmed very fast. Take a deep breath and remember, one step at a time.

Step 1: Purging/Deleting

I know from personal experience that throwing away or deleting photos is HARD. This is especially true of inherited family photos. However, for the first go round just pull out: duplicates, blurry photos, scenic photos with no people in them or trees/flowers if they have no special meaning.

You will be surprised how much you can pare down with this simple step. Once you get started it becomes much easier to determine what is meaningful to you and what doesn’t need to be saved.

While you are purging the obviously bad photos, also set aside any photos that have people you do not know in them. If you have other family members or extended family you could ask then do so. If not, or if they do not know, then it’s easier to toss them.

This basket is full of the pictures and memorabilia we need to shred. There were also two trash bags full of items like greeting cards, maps, brochures, etc. that we did not need to save.

Step 2: Sorting

Now that you have less to deal with, you can start sorting. In my case, we sorted by family. My mother-in-law had four boys. A few of the boxes were full of school memorabilia and already sorted for each child.

For the rest, we just made a photo box for each family and anything that was specific to them went in their box. There were also photos of all of the family together and those were separated for everyone to look at and divide up.

Step 3: Scanning, Organizing & Saving

If there were really good photos or something we did not have a copy of, we set it aside for scanning. Once scanned, it was imported into my photo management software (Historian).

Once all the photos are in Historian then I can rate them, tag them with my categories and run facial recognition. If we know the dates they were taken (before digital) then I can change the dates as well.

All of this will make it easy to find the photos I want to scrapbook later on.

You can refer to my previous post “How to Easily Find Your Photos” where I talk about the categories I use for organizing my photos. There is a free category sheet and an example sheet you can download for your use.

Step 4: Sharing

The final step is to upload to an online storage system (we use Forever) so you can share with family & friends. In the case of inherited family photos, I feel this is the easiest way to reach any extended relatives who may want to download or print their own copies of these pictures.

Of course, sharing can include social media but please make sure this is not your only storage or back-up solution.

Final Thoughts:

This post was aimed at those of you who may be in the same situation and have inherited family photos, memorabilia and physical STUFF that you are feeling overwhelmed with.

However, the same steps will work with your own photos, too.

Start with the things that you can throw away without regret. Then take one small section at a time. It WILL take time but if you need to, just walk away & come back another day.

We went through several boxes before we came across the best surprise – Scott’s parent’s wedding photos. From 1955. There were photos from the wedding ceremony, the reception, a newspaper article & their wedding invitation.

Memories to be treasured and shared.

Remember, it is up to us to keep our photos and stories organized, preserved and shared for all our family & friends to ENJOY.

I would love for you to leave me a comment and let me know if this post was helpful or if you have any questions. Don’t forget to download your Category worksheet and subscribe if you would like email updates from Small Town Scrap.

I hope that you check back in soon,

Machelle

Photo Management Scrapbooking

May 6, 2023

Scrapbooking Purpose Statement

Hello everyone & Happy (inter)National Scrapbook Day! I decided today would be the perfect time to post my most recent project – my Scrapbooking Purpose Statement extended story.

It is no secret that I am a huge fan of Stacy Julian. She doesn’t just show you how to make a scrapbook page or project, she teaches concepts that you can take and put your own style on.

Even in her photo management class, Photo Freedom, she encourages you to take the basic ideas and use what works for you.

I am also a part of her Live Your Story Membership and that is where I first heard her talk about a Scrapbooking Purpose Statement.

This, along with her EQ (Enough Quotient) was one of our challenges last month in the membership.

The basic idea of the Scrapbooking Purpose Statement is to condense into one sentence or paragraph what scrapbooking means to you.

The Enough Quotient as it relates to this topic is what is enough for you? That could mean in time spent per week, number of pages or projects done or even how much forward progress you are making.

It took me a while to wrap my head around ALL the things that scrapbooking means to me and why I continue to enjoy this hobby after over 20 years. Once I stopped trying to make the Scrapbooking Purpose Statement all fit into one sentence, I could see it would be better as a bullet-type list instead.

Here is my cover page:

It is basically just a list of all the reasons why I scrapbook – to Remember, Celebrate, Document, Enjoy & Create.

But then I had to explain what those meant to me, specifically the people, places, events, big & little moments that we scrapbook. So I added another of Stacy’s concepts – an extended story.

Once I had the idea to combine the two, the rest came together easily. I had already done a double page layout about scrapbooking in general and my friends that share this hobby, so I used that as my 12 x 12 base.

Here are those pages:

I wanted to include journaling documenting what prompted me to start scrapbooking. Of course, I had to talk about my friend, Janelle, who introduced me to Creative Memories and all the fun supplies.

Here is “My Why” page:

You can also find more about my personal “why” in this blog post from July 12, 2022.

All that was left was to find pictures to represent each bullet point. In true creative style, I couldn’t just add pictures, though, I had to have a little fun with the title cards.

I used stencils to create a blended background and then used my Minc to foil the words to create a monochromatic color scheme.

In this picture, hopefully you can see the shine of the foil:

Here are the rest of the pages:

Now I feel that my Scrapbooking Purpose Statement truly reflects why this hobby is so important to me. As long as we are making memories, I will keep scrapbooking them!

As for my Enough Quotient, I have trouble following through with scheduling scrapbooking time. I tend to grab a few minutes here & there during the week and then try to have 2 to 3 hours sometime on the weekend.

This seems to work well for me and when I have a deadline for a project, I will carve out the time I need.

Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what hobbies you enjoy & why they are important in your life.

If you have ever done a Purpose Statement, please share that as well.

Thanks for stopping by!

Machelle

Scrapbooking Traditional

January 5, 2023

Word of the Year 2023

Welcome to a new year, which for me means a new planner & a Word of the Year 2023. I always enjoy reflecting on the past year and updating my goals for a new beginning.

I have been choosing a Word of the Year for several years; sometimes it comes easily and sometimes it takes a while to decide on one that feels right. You can read about the previous two years here: 2021 and 2022.

There is a class taught by Ali Edwards every year called “One Little Word” if you are interested in diving deeper into ways to use and live with your word each month.

This year it took me quite a while and a long list of words to settle on my Word of the Year 2023: Value.

I am excited about this one because I can already see that it will be very versatile and can be taken in different directions.

First, the Definition:

Noun: the importance, worth or usefulness of something; a person’s principles or standards of behavior; one’s judgement of what is important in life.

Verb: consider to be important or beneficial.

Now let’s consider how that can translate to our goals and everyday life. How we divide our time is one of the most important decisions and for me, one of the hardest.

I love setting up my planner & writing down my goals, but then comes the hard part – deciding which of those will make the top 3 or top 5 or how many you decide on for the year.

I love to make the goals and feel they are worthy and important but then I tend to let everyday life get in the way of actually executing them.

I am hoping this Word of the Year 2023 will have an impact on what I choose to focus on every day.

Inspiration:

I also love to set up my planner with a Vision Board including my word to refer back to when life gets hectic or busy. I can look at my inspiration page and remember the things that hold the most Value.

I also love to find a quote each month to write in my planner to keep me motivated and engaged with the different ways to use my word. The quotes always give me a new perspective.

In my #wordsonwednesday series on Instagram I will be sharing my quote each month. Here is the one for January:

This year I want to Value:

My health – I have had several years of random health issues that I feel are finally under control and manageable. I want to continue to improve and value my progress.

My self – I tend to put other’s wants and needs above my own, so I want to focus on some “me” time this year. Not being so hard on myself when I make mistakes & also pampering myself a little more. Putting myself first sometimes.

My space – I want my home to be cozy and peaceful. For me, that means decluttered and there are several projects we need to finish. Some painting and rearranging; adding storage options, etc.

My personal time – I also need to prioritize my time off work. I need to schedule fun outings with my husband and time for hobbies and crafts on the calendar & stick to them. So much of our weekend just slips away doing chores and more work. This is a BIG one!

My website/crafts/side business – Again, this is something that gets put last a lot of the time. I need to make sure time is fixed into my planner & make this a priority as well.

The Plan:

So my plan for the Word of the Year 2023 is to use my daily/goal planner more; block out time in my schedule and stick to it and be more gentle with myself.

Do you choose a Word of the Year? If so, please leave me a comment and let me know your word & why you chose it. I would love to hear other’s thoughts and ideas.

Also, if one of your goals this year is to focus on your photos, please let me know. I would love to help you save, organize, share & enjoy your pictures! You can leave a comment or send me a message on our contact us page.

Talk again soon,

Machelle

Blog News Scrapbooking

November 12, 2022

Counterfeit Kit Challenge #1

Welcome back! It’s time for the Counterfeit Kit Challenge #1 for November. The theme for this challenge was “Life Right Now” using the Pinkfresh Studio embellishment pack from the inspiration kit.

Be sure to visit their blog (link above) for lots of ideas and approaches for how to make a kit from your stash & then play along with their challenges to see how everyone uses their supplies.

There are so many ways to interpret this challenge – you could do a “currently” page about what you are reading or watching, current projects you are working on or what your hobbies look like right now.

Then there is the literal what is happening in your life, maybe at work, school or church. A group you are part of, like a book club or exercise class. Maybe you are somewhere that Fall is in full swing and you could do a page about the changing of the seasons.

You could also interpret that as a season of life you are in, such as a new parent or empty nester.

I decided to do a two-page layout documenting our “Life Right Now” fostering a puppy. It has been quite a while since we’ve had a puppy and we couldn’t have asked for a better foster.

We are volunteers with a great rescue group called Texas Husky Rescue. Their motto is #savemorehuskies. We do some behind the scenes work for them but haven’t fostered since we “failed” with our dog Haley.

A few weeks ago; however, a plea came in for 5 puppies that the rescue couldn’t take unless they had dedicated fosters. So we ended up transporting 3 puppies for a 2 hour car ride! That was an experience for sure.

Two of the puppies went to other foster homes & we kept one. All of them were very laid back for puppies and especially husky puppies. We didn’t have him long though. After just about a month, he found his forever home.

I was very excited to dig into my kit “Everyday” for the counterfeit kit challenge #1 & use some of the papers and die cuts. I was able to use two 12×12 patterned papers for the background and a couple of the cardstock pieces for the layers and triangles.

I also used lots of cute puppy pics in various sizes. I like using a few square photos mixed in with the regular 4×6 size.

I did pull some pet embellishments from my stash that were not part of the original kit; however, I also used several of the circle die cut pieces and both of the little notebook journal cards.

I also used the “This is the Life” 4×4 card that I have had for YEARS from an old Simple Stories collection.

I am really pleased with how this layout came out & am looking forward to using up some more of this kit soon.

If you participate in the Counterfeit Kit Challenge #1, be sure to leave a comment or a picture of what your “Life Right Now” looks like.

Be sure to check back in soon!

Machelle #1

Scrapbooking Traditional

November 1, 2022

10 comments

November 2022 Counterfeit Kit

Hey there! I am excited to be the Guest Designer once again for the November 2022 Counterfeit Kit Challenge. I always enjoy playing along with their challenge to use your stash.

This month the kit was picked by Lisa Hausmann & this is what she had to say about the inspiration kit:

“I wanted to find a different kit – something that can take us in different direction depending on where we are and how we feel about this time of year – you know that this is my FAVOURITE time of year and I think it has the right hint of autumn for me!”

Here is the kit that Lisa chose:

Scrapbook Werkstatt – October 2022 – Herbstzauber

It is a bright, colorful kit with cut apart sheets, lots of die cuts and gold letter stickers. It also has a cozy feel with sentiments about self-care, road trips & life right now.

Color is always the first thing that catches my eye, so I pulled some colors from one of the cut apart sheets & then added in a LOT of die cuts, some stickers, enamel dots and flowers. I even had a sheet of gold letter stickers.

So here is my version of the kit:

November 2022 Counterfeit Kit: “Everyday”

Now lets break it down a little so you can really see the details.

For the papers, I tried to pull some of the colors but also the patterns. There was a lot of variety in the inspiration kit. There are some circles, stripes and a ledger print. I have added some solid scraps and a flower cut apart as well.

Next are the stickers. I had a couple of partially used sticker sheets with labels, tags and coupons. There are sentiments for family, travel and life in general. Also included are the gold letter stickers.

Now let’s look at some of the die cuts. I admit I went a little overboard here, but I have SO many of these type embellishments in my stash. There were quite a few in the inspiration kit, too.

There are some 3×4 cards, fun sentiments, circles, gold accents and even a couple of little notebook paper journaling cards.

And, last but not least, we have a few more die cuts, paper flowers & enamel dots.

I hope that this inspires you to make a kit of your own and gives you ideas about different starting points. It can be color, type of supplies or even just the general feeling of the kit.

You can leave a comment or send me a message if you have any questions. Be sure to visit the rest of the designers to see out how they interpreted this month’s inspiration.

Counterfeit Kit Challenge – http://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/
Guest Designer – Machelle Willing (that’s me!) – https://www.smalltownscrap.com/blog/
Cindy – https://cindyscreations-cinmfoster.blogspot.com
Julene – http://julenebydesign.blogspot.com
Laura – https://www.instagram.com/mrsp_scrapsandtea/
Leslie – http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.com
Lisa – http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com
Tara – https://kryptonite72-rambles.blogspot.com
Tina – http://tinasscrapcorner.blogspot.com
Anna – https://youtube.com/c/piececraftlove

Come back soon for some more scrappy news!

Machelle