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Around the Block, August CKC

Friday 5 February 2016

Focus on Joy

Hello dear reader. How is your February going so far?

Last month, Robin went in for some serious surgery, so we are spending a lot of time at home, recuperating.

For Christmas, one of my gifts was "The life changing magic of tidying up" by Marie Kondon. I have read it twice, already.

At the moment, Totally Tiffany Spring Organizational Challenge is in week three. With all the time we are at home, and my strong objection to going out(side) if I don't have to. I am getting through the challenges at a good pace.

Last week I sorted through all my patterned paper. In KonMarie fashion, I removed all my paper from the shelves. Dusted the back corners. Then one by one, I held each sheet and asked of myself. Is this a paper I want to scrap with? If it was part of a challenge (CKC kit) would I want to work with it? Does it bring me joy? If I got to the third question, the answer was always no. And now I have over 7" of paper to donate to a school/library/hospital.

Back to January. When we were in the city, Robin was stuck in intermediate care, hooked up to wires and tubes and sleeping a lot. I took myself to Treasured Memories a lovely paper craft store that I rarely get to. It was just the day after my birthday, and at the door, on display, was the store's own monthly kit. I swooned and grabbed it, telling myself it was a birthday present.

I liked the idea that there were part pieces of overlays, and packages of emblies are broken down between several kits. I am beginning to understand why people buy monthly kits. Many a time I have looked at a product with 24 paper clips or wood veneers items and not bought it because that is just too many for me to use. After about the 4 or 5th one getting on a layout, I am bored and tired and want something new. So with a kit, there is only a few of this and a couple of that and a whole lot of current trend items at an approachable price.

Then the February Counterfeit Kit Challenge debuted.

http://www.mindthescrap.co.uk/catalogue/4590074922/february-pre-order/10429274

Sooo.....with a nod to Lisa and her kit compiling list. I pulled some of the papers from my new kit. Then added some old papers. A couple of old half used sets of Thickers to use up.A new loopy stamp set. Acrylic paints, to try my hand at forging some of the kits elements.
http://www.scrobby.nl/american-crafts-amy-tangerine-better-together-specialty-paper-transparency-black-white.html
http://www.scrapbook.com/store/ac-374000.html
And all the lovely bits that came with the kit. Tags, tickets, glittered stars and hearts, words. I added some arrow washi, teal and black punched shapes made from scraps, and this is what it looks like:
Overlays on left, Patterned paper in middle, cardstock on right

Thickers, stickers and stamps

Pocket card sheet, gold hearts on vellum and start stickers from store kit.
 Acrylics Washie and Stencil from old stock.

From the store kit. What crow could resisit?

Focus on Joy



So have you ever bought a ready made kit? What did you like about it? or was there any disappointment in it? Let me know about your experience. [edit: And post a link, in comments to your favorite kit company.]

Thanks for stopping by. Double thanks for comments.



9 comments:

  1. I really like the kit you put together - beautiful colors and that alpha stamp set is really lovely too! I am a subscriber to Felicity Jane kits and I like it because it's small (so I don't get tired of the contents after I make a couple of layouts), most of it is exclusive so I won't see a bunch of similar layouts all over the place, and I like getting a little (somewhat of a surprise) package in the mail each month. I agree with your comment about just getting a sampling of certain items - it's nice to try new things but not end up with lots of product at the end of the month.

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    1. Thanks for you comment Susan. Can you post a link to Felicity Jane Kits, please?

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    2. Here's the link: http://felicityjane.com/collections/kits

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  2. Loved seeing your name in the Linky, sweet friend. I also get the FJane kit. I think I will use a lot of the papers in my granddaughter's first year album. Susan does FAB-U-LOUS pages with hers so you need to check her blog for inspo as the kit is pretty but Susan really changes it up. littlethingsbigdays.blogspot.com
    AND pssst! She's having a giveaway!
    I just love getting the box every month, and there are freebie printables & cut files. I never look at the preview as I want to be surprised.
    Your kit is killer, btw! I have a swoopy alpha stamp set this month, too! xo

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  3. Lovely kit, and I am applauding you for considering each paper for use in a counterfeit kit. Smart crafty lady!! My only comment on other kits is that I tire of them pretty quickly so I choose ones with a short term or I can cancel at any time. It is a joy to get a box of new supplies each month though. Some of my fave kits recently have been by Gossamer Blue and Paper Camellia. Felicity Jane is getting major buzz right now too.

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    1. Hi Susanne, thanks for your comment. I looked up Gossamer Blue, and I hope they get chosen again for the monthly kit, soon. Paper Camellia; sadly, December was their last kit. Interesting to note that the store kit I bought in January had a remarkable resemblance to PC's last offering. By the looks of the comments here, I have to agree that Felicity Jane is admired by many.

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  4. Such a cute kit. That's a sweet stamp set and the arrow washi I a so cute.
    Cindy F

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  5. Very impressive kit. I know I always get so much satisfaction from mixing old and new items!

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  6. I loved reading about your KonMarie approach to your papers and that it resulted in a whopping 7" of giveaway paper. You have me inspired now to go home and do this to. I have a relatively small stash these days there is still more decluttering to do. And you know how I love my paper! I love your take on the inspiration kit and thanks for the nod to my approach. Am I right in thinking that your kit is a little smaller than usual? I love the idea of getting a monthly kit and you are so right about the part packs that can be a great idea. The whole concept behind a kit (for me) is to give products a try that I might not normally pick out for myself and use up packs. Obviously, you know that I get the Scrapabilly kit each month and I love the fact that as part of the DT, I HAVE to use it all up and get to use all those fun bits and pieces. It definitely makes me more creative. I'd love to subscribe to another kit but it's not on the cards for me and with the Scrapabilly kit and the CKC each month, I probably have more than enough to keep me going.

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