092713 Scrap Happy LOAD in Vogue pre-LOAD Blog Hop!

Time again for our exclusive Scrap Happy Only October LOAD!

Here's what LOAD can look like on October 31st:

It also looks like this:

Jump right HERE for my thoughts last Spring on how best to be ready for a LOAD month.

I don't think I can say it any better! 

 And just in case you missed anyone on the hop, here's the master list :~)

Lynnette http://sassyscrapper2010.blogspot.com/
Christy http://myscrapbookevolution.blogspot.com/
Heather http://noexcusescrapbooking.com/
Lisa http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com/
Cathy pikespeakscrapper.blogspot.com/
Dani http://scrapperonthestreet.com/
Nolwenn http://creationspapier.com/
Kelli http://scrapbookgirl71.com/
Theresa http://scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com/
Leslie http://lcsmithsaved-...e.blogspot.com/

092413 CKC September Blog Hop - Challenge #1 Finish It!

Here it is again! 

Another month at Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog & the challenge for our blog hop this month is a project completion challenge: pick a project that is either not finished or something that you always intended to start - and FINISH IT! 

Well the tough part about this is to narrow it down to just one, lol!

I had been holding on to this photo for a long time. 

I had matched it up with a paper that was similar to the wallpaper in the photo.

Unfortunately, it really wasn't happening for me anymore with that paper.

Time to regroup! Perfect for this challenge.

I knew my kit didn't have the right papers, so I found a very neutral one for a background.

Then I sifted through all of the goodies in my kit & chose what worked.

I layered & shifted things around until I was happy.

Glued things down.

Brought out the Color Shine...black...

Then gave a spritz of white - oops! Big blob - no prob.

I'll just wipe it away...along with a big smear of the black ink... ugh

 

This explains the random patterned paper added in desperation!

I call this a happy accident, as I love the effect.

I have been trying to make use of all the goodies in my kit, so I stencilled "Authentic" and stitched underneath to draw a little attention. I used my white pen to minimize some more of the black dots.

This is my mom. The flash in the photo is glaring off of the oil painting but I know every brushstroke.

I was really pleased to be able to use that giant @ wooden piece.

So! Time to hop on over to see what KATE BLUE aka Queen Kat has created!

Here's the full list just in case - you do not want to miss a thing!

CKCB          http://www.counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/

Jemma        http://just-jimjams.blogspot.co.uk

Lesley         http://ohblogitifyoucantbeatthem.blogspot.co.uk

Sherrie        http://sherriesmuddlepuddle.blogspot.ca

Lynette       http://sassyscrapper2010.blogspot.com

Julie            http://jsquaredscrapspot.wordpress.com

Margie        http://scrappinmargie.blogspot.com

Leslie S      http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.com

Kate Blue   http://kateblue.blogspot.com

Lisa H         http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com 

091613 CKC September Challenge #3 Use a Game Element

I adore collecting vintage games & game boards.

 It's something about the colors & graphics that appeal to me,
those bright reds, yellows, blues & greens.

So you can see how I found this Jenni Bowlin mini-cigar box irresistible.

 

But it's even cuter this way...

 

 

...holding a mini-book!
I used vintage parcheesi pieces for the "turned" legs.
I made the cover of the mini from a sturdy manila file folder,
and made a first try at an accordion binding to hold the pages.

I couldn't find the scoring tool for my cutter, so I just used this.
I scored every 1/2" in one direction, then flipped the cardstock
over & scored in between on the other side every 1/2".

I mounted the pleated page base in the spine.

Then I scavenged my September CKC Kit "You Go, Girl!" for page material.

Here's the finished product!

I used a plain button behind the wooden token to give the twine a place to wind itself around, like so:

And here are the pages!
I really enjoyed the challenge of using some transparencies, which included
strategic decisions for what would be visible when the page was turned.

I think I will add "The beginning, not the end" to the back cover!
I will add the dates as we accomplish our travel dreams.

There are some pockets in some of the pages to drop in ephemera,

and there is room in the box for a short stack of photos to be stored with the book.

Just waiting on those passports...

091413 CKC CHA Bonus Challenge for September

Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog - CHA BONUS CHALLENGE:  

Make a kit based on the CHA Summer 2013 New releases!

 My choice? Glitz Design Hello, December - such a fun, graphic line.

 

I am intending to use this for my December Daily project this year. 
I am rarely this prepared so I am hoping it will make that project a real joy. Let's start with the papers...

The red Stripe was easy peasy - a little red Target washi tape, careful measuring, and some distressing with Sweet Cherry Color Shine & some homemade watered-down white paint mist. The green Moroccan print?  Jillibean Soup White Lattice diecut paper & some Adirondack Snow Cap paint made quick work of this one!

 The boldest forgery was the Floral paper. I would NEVER have attempted this without our amazing September Guest Designer Isbaha's terrific tutorial! I used her tips for the floral paper she counterfeited and I couldn't be more pleased.

How fun is the Trees paper? I simply adhered some of my Studio Calico wood veneer trees to a stamping block & painted the colors I wanted with Adirondack Snow Cap, Sunshine Yellow, Red Pepper & Lettuce Paint Dabbers.  The woodgrain B side of Floral? I simply stamped my All Night Media woodgrain stamp with Ranger Barn Door Distress Ink onto white cardstock, then went to the scanner & copied at 200% 

Next the Giant Rhinestones caught my eye. 

I knew I could make quick work of these with my Tim Holtz Ideology Facets & a deer head graphic 
from the Graphics Fairy, some gold vellum w/a snowflake sticker, and a Mambi Chip peppermint. 
A little Glossy Accents to glue them together & voila!

Counterfeit What Nots, Bits & Pieces & Accent Stickers

 
 I have to say my favorite is the chalkboard deer card. 
I simply used another Graphics Fairy image & changed it to a negative image 
with the transparency increased to imitate a chalkboard background!

The original kit had a patterned washi tape, but I decided to add a little MORE "Glitz" 
& used some coarse gold glitter with 1/2" Scor-Tape to make my own version & add a little bling.

My happy scrappy place is now permanently decked in chunky gold glitter! 
Just makes it happier :~)


 And here is my complete kit -  

S E A S O N S    G R E E T I N G S 

I added 10 more papers, a 6x6 Studio Calico "Wonderland" pad and some washi.

I plan to keep tossing stuff in here until December first!

090713 Date Day Saturday & some scrappy Joy

Remember these little ladies?

 

Well, someone has come through & started the cycle - you go, gurlz!

 

This morning found us on the road to Lansing to Horrock's Farm Market

Fresh green beans, lettuce, zucchini, yellow squash, cabbage, tomatoes to freeze, plums (to dry into prunes), peaches to freeze, some Yoder's cream cheese & sour cream (to make smoked fish spread - yummo), more canned peaches & pickled baby beets, the absolute BEST fresh squeezed orange juice I have ever tasted (and I lived in Florida!) - always a terrific deal & a tasty haul!

Saw this beauty in a yard on our way to lunch - made a U-turn to get a closer look. 

Definitely will consider adding this to BampaLand in the back yard!

Lunchtime... as first timers at King of the Grill we got a nibble of EVERY meat they serve!

Oh. My.

Slow smoked chicken breast MELTS in your mouth - seriously - no chewing needed!

The brisket was so succulent I am spoiled for it forever from anywhere else.

DH fave was the flank steak - smoked to perfection with apple wood... divine.

Some of the reviews dissed their side dishes, but the chicken & dumplings was utterly delicious.

We got 2 pounds of meat to go - hello, Sunday dinner :~D

On to Uncle John's Cider Mill in St. John's.

Fresh cider anyone?

(Frankly, if it didn't smell SOOOO sweet in here, this would be disgusting!)

Fresh donuts, anyone? So moist, cakey & light...

DH was trying the pumpkin & apple at the same time!

Beautiful vista of the orchards.

Home to get those tomatoes in the freezer...

And how to end another perfect day? Get scrappy!

 Used my September CKC kit "You Go, Girl!" for the current Whimsical Musings challenge #101 to scrap something you learned. My lesson this week? "Joy is a child with a bubble machine."

 

This machine makes the most gorgeous bubbles!

Until next week - enjoy the everyday in your own little corner of the world.