CKC Kit Build, January ’26

I love kit building and that is why I am on the design team for the Counterfeit Kit Challenge project. We take an inspiration kit each month and proceed to replicate it, or as we say, counterfeit it. This is a free, friendly group that helps inspire you to use up supplies you already own. We are not about needing to buy the latest and greatest thing (though we won’t stop you if you enjoy new crafty goodies😉 ).

Welcome to 2026. Not only is it a new month, but is also a new year. Are you ready to get back to kit building? Honestly, I still feel like I have a December “hangover”. LOL. But here we go. Sometimes the best thing to do is just get right back into the flow.

Team member Vikki is our hostess this time. She chose the Curiosities in Willow Grove* collection from Vicki Boutin and 49 & Market to inspire us. Before we dive into the details of this kit, let’s give a warm welcome to our guest designer this month, Melinda Barkman. You can check out her own Facebook group, Busy as a Bee Designs, to learn more.

Now we are ready to take a lookg at our inspiration! Here are a few looks at what we have in store this time around.

This is pretty classic Vicki Boutin. What drew me to this kit are the same things that draw me to all her work: nature, good color, pops of black, mixed media and word phrases that matter to everyday storytelling. Let’s see how that played out in my kit selections

So these are the papers I came up with. I have just one VB paper in there, but found plenty of other manufacturers to vibe with. That bold floral is something I picked up at random on one shopping trip. I have no idea what I’ll do with it, but it is stunning. And VB does love some florals!

Now, with the embellishments I did dive heavily into my VB stash. I found similar icons in many of her previous collections. From typewriters to thistle, there is a bit of everything in my embellishments. I will never use all these pieces, but I find it easier to grab the entire package even when I only want one or two elements.

Can’t forget elements for mixing the media. So I have stamps and dies as well. My alpha and rubons ended up here since I forgot it in the above photo!

Don’t forget that each month I also create my own elements to add into my kit. Of course these are inspired by the original kit, but often have a twist of their own. So don’t miss what I will make in just a couple of days. I have simple, but completely DIY friendly ideas.

There is a tradition over at CKC of titling our kits just like companies do. So I’m calling mine…

Nature’s Whispers

If you want more details on my kit building thought process, check out my kit build video.

I hope you can follow along with the other designers and see how they interpreted their own kits.

Here’s the full hop link list

Have fun kit building and don’t forget to show off your stuff over on the CKC Facebook group, or tag us on Instagram @counterfeitkitchallenge or use #counterfeitkitchallenge.

I’ll be back on the 4th, for our Product Forgeries where I create those DIY elements. Until then, have an artful day!

* I use affiliate links when available, at no extra cost to you. Using my shopping links helps support my work. Thank you!

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