HIPPOFROG Designs - Karen Young - Independent UK Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Last Week’s Card & Cuppa – Inspired by Page 46

by Karen Young | Posted on June 17, 2019 | Leave a comment

At last week’s Card & Cuppa we made a project that was inspired by Page 46 of the brand new Annual Catalogue.

Inspired by Page 46. Card & Cuppa project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I find the Annual Catalogue is a great place for ideas, and I use it when my crafting mojo needs a bit of a lift.

Instead of the purples on the original design, I chose a colour combination of Blushing Bride, Flirty Flamingo and Smoky Slate. I also changed the ribbon.

The background dots are from the Gallery Grunge Stamp Set and the butterflies are from the Butterfly Gala Stamp Set, cut out using the Butterfly Duet Punch.

We also used a die cutting machine at Card & Cuppa classes for the first time as an experiment. ‘Birthday’ was cut from the Well Written Dies, with the ‘Wishes’ from the co-ordinating Well Said Stamp Set.

Using the 2 1/4″ Circle Punch and the Classic Label Punch, the various pieces were then ready for assembly.

A strip of the fabulous Flax Ribbon and a few Rhinestones complete the project.

This is a project that would be great in a number of colours or with different sentiments.

I’m sure there will be other class projects inspired by the Annual Catalogue during the year too.

Join us at one of my classes. Head to my Class Timetable for more details and to book your place.

Happy crafting

Karen Young HIPPOFROG Designs

To order any of the supplies used, click on the product images below to go to my online store.

This Month’s Hostess Code Join my team Current Products Special Offers Book a Class

Last Week’s Card & Cuppa – Bee Thankful meets new Watercolor Pencils

by Karen Young | Posted on June 10, 2019 | Leave a comment

At least week’s Card & Cuppa I decided to use a mix of carryover items and products from the BRAND NEW Annual Catalogue.

Stampin' Up!'s Bee Thankful Meets... Card & Cuppa project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

This project saw the carryover cute Bee Thankful meet the brand new Watercolor Pencils Assortment 2.

These are a pack of 10 more pencils in Stampin’ Up! colours to add to the original 13.

We used the Stamparatus to ensure the image was aligned and stamped it with Gray Granite.

It was then coloured in a range of different pencils from the 25 available. A Blender Pen was then used to smooth out the lines and to blend the colours together.

Using the Detailed Trio Punch, we rounded the corners on the layers before adding a length of Baker’s Twine.

Another bee was stamped and the body and wings were cut out by hand. This was then attached over the original bee using Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals to make a more 3D effect.

The final little touch was some Wink of Stella on the wings for some bling.

Using Thick Whisper White Cardstock for the base with a Gray Granite layer is perfect for projects like this this as they work with any colour.

Don’t forget to take a look at the new Catalogue and book your place on one of my classes, where you can use the products.

Happy crafting

Karen Young HIPPOFROG Designs

To order any of the supplies used, click on the product images below to go to my online store.

This Month’s Hostess Code Join my team Current Products Special Offers Book a Class

It’s here! 2019 Annual Catalogue

by Karen Young | Posted on June 4, 2019 | Leave a comment

Today the BRAND NEW 2019 Annual Catalogue goes LIVE!

Click on the picture below to take you to my Online Store, where you can see all the products and also download an electronic version.

Stampin' Up! 2019-2020 Annual Catalogue Cover

If you are on my mailing list and signed up to receive a paper copy, make sure you keep an eye on your doormat.

Check out my forthcoming Papercrafting Classes that will be using items from this BRAND NEW Catalogue.

Happy shopping!

Karen Young HIPPOFROG Designs

This Month’s Hostess Code Join my team Current Products Special Offers

Last Week’s Card & Cuppa – Varied Vases in Purple

by Karen Young | Posted on June 3, 2019 | Comments Off

For last week’s Card & Cuppa I designed this pretty card using Varied Vases in purple tones.

Varied Vases in Purple. Card & Cuppa project designed by Karen a HIPPOFROG Designs

This Birthday card uses the Varied Vases Stamp Set and the Vases Builder Punch. Highland Heather and Gorgeous Grape are the purples used.

The Artisan Textures Stamp Set provides the lovely background effect.

A strip of Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon underneath the vase just adds a little extra touch, along with the Rhinestones in the centre of the flowers

It’s a very quick, easy and simple card to make, but looks really effective. The perfect type of card for making in batches. It would work in other colours too.

Don’t forget that today is your final chance to purchase any items from the Retiring List as the BRAND NEW CATALOGUE goes live tomorrow.

As the Bank Holidays and my holidays are over for a while, the Card & Cuppa schedule is now back to normal. Book your place by 18:00 the day before.

Happy crafting

Karen Young HIPPOFROG Designs

To order any of the supplies used, click on the product images below to go to my online store.

This Month’s Hostess Code Join my team Current Products Special Offers Book a Class

Whisper White 5/8" (1.6 cm) Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon

A Fond Farewell to Firm Favourites

by Karen Young | Posted on May 27, 2019 | Comments Off

As I don’t have a Card & Cuppa project to show you this week, I’m saying a fond farewell to firm favourites instead.

The current Annual Catalogue is only valid until 3rd June, so you only have until next Monday to order any items on the Retiring List (while stocks last).

Here are just a few of of the Stamp Sets we’re saying farewell to. You can find out more details by clicking on each picture.

First it’s Vertical Greetings, Jar of Love and Balloon Celebration.

Jar of Love & Bunny Builder Punch. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Next, we have Petal Palette, Dragonfly Dreams and Falling Flowers.

Card & Cuppa project using Petal Palette. Designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Dragonfly Dreams Stamp Set and Touches of Texture Stamp Set from Stampin' Up! Project by Karen Young at HIPPOFROG Designs hippofrogdesigns.co.uk

Finally, it’s Icing on the Cake, Bubble Over and Touches of Texture.

Card & Cuppa project using Icing on the Cake. Designed by Karen Young at HIPPOFROG Designs

Stampin' Up! Bubble Over with HIPPOFROG Designs

Check out the Retiring List to see if your favourites are on it, and grab them while you can. They are only available while stocks last, so don’t miss out.

Happy crafting

Karen Young HIPPOFROG Designs

To order any of the supplies used, click on the product images below to go to my online store.

This Month’s Hostess Code Join my team Current Products Special Offers Book a Class

Waterfront Birthday in Blues

by Karen Young | Posted on May 23, 2019 | Comments Off

One of my regular class attendees had a Birthday recently. This is the card I made them.

Waterfront Birthday in Blues. Designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

This card uses the Waterfront Stamp Set and some blues for a monochrome look.

Just one stamp is used to create the stripes at the bottom with the ‘splats’ from the Waterfront Stamp Set added afterwards. The sentiment is from the Varied Vases Stamp Set. All are stamped in Balmy Blue.

The finishing touch is three lengths of ribbon and a bow in Blueberry Bushel.

Why not join me at one of my classes. Head to my Class Timetable for more details.

Happy crafting

Karen Young HIPPOFROG Designs

To order any of the supplies used, click on the product images below to go to my online store.

This Month’s Hostess Code Join my team Current Products Special Offers Book a Class

Blueberry Bushel 1/8" (3.2 mm) Grosgrain Ribbon

Last Week’s Card & Cuppa – Time to Celebrate with Rooted in Nature

by Karen Young | Posted on May 20, 2019 | Comments Off

Card & Cuppa returned last week and we made this project using the fabulous Rooted in Nature Stamp Set.

Time to Celebrate with Rooted in Nature. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I think this Stamp Set will take the place of the recently retired Lovely as a Tree for me.

The background uses the trunk section stamped in Crumb Cake before adding the leaves. All of the leaves were stamped off to use second generation stamping and give a more muted look.

For the first time, we used the Stamparatus at class and it was a hit! I’d pre-cut the trees using the matching dies and the Stamparatus helped to stamp the tree perfectly in Old Olive onto the shapes.

Old Olive and the Itty Bitty Birthdays Stamp Set, along with the Classic Label Punch gave us our sentiment. By positioning it on the tree trunk, I think it made it look like a way marker sign that you find on walks in the countryside.

A strip of Burlap Ribbon to co-ordinate with the Crumb Cake, followed by the tree and sentiment, finish the look.

Don’t forget to make the most of the bundles on the retiring list, like this one, before 3rd June.

Book your place for a Card & Cuppa class by 18:00 the day before.

Happy crafting

Karen Young HIPPOFROG Designs

To order any of the supplies used, click on the product images below to go to my online store.

This Month’s Hostess Code Join my team Current Products Special Offers Book a Class

A Little Bit of Pink

by Karen Young | Posted on May 13, 2019 | Comments Off

It’s that time of year when I make a Birthday card for a friend of mine who is a fan of everything pink and sparkly.

Here is the card I made using a little bit of pink…

Little Bit of Pink. Project designed by Karn at HIPPOFROG Designs

As you know, I’m not a fan of pink and I don’t really like glitter either. So, this is one of those times of year when I am forced way outside of my comfort zone!

This allows me to challenge myself and also spend time thinking about the person I am making for. It’s good to step outside of your crafting comfort zone every now. Things like using bright colours if you like pastels or creating a grunge style project if you like clean and simple etc are all good challenges.

The little bit of pink is from Petal Pink and Flirty Flamingo and the project uses the Well Said Stamp Set and Well Written Dies from the Spring/Summer Catalogue.

This Stamp Set and Dies are currently available in a bundle with 10% off until 3rd June. After that, they will not be in a bundle format and will be full price. As this is a large set, it’s definitely worthwhile getting your hands on it while it’s discounted.

I’ve also used the Artisan Textures Stamp Set to create a background.

There just had to be sparkle so I’ve used Wink of Stella on the Butterflies and ‘birthday’ die cut shape. There are also Rhinestones for the flower centres, the dot of the ‘i’ and just a few scattered around.

A length of Silver Metallic Thread wrapped around the centre then pulls these elements together.

Don’t forget that items on the retiring list are only available until 3rd June (while stocks last).

Happy crafting

To order any of the supplies used, click on the product images below to go to my online store.

This Month’s Hostess Code Join my team Current Products Special Offers Book a Class

Bright Birthday Card

by Karen Young | Posted on May 2, 2019 | Comments Off

It was a friend, and fellow Stampin’ Up! fan’s Birthday, so I made this Bright Birthday Card for them.

A Bright Birthday Card. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

It uses the Bright Collection for the colours with Poppy Parade, Mango Melody, Daffodil Delight and Granny Apple Green mixed with Whisper White.

A Decorative Mask and Sponge Daubers create the background with a strip of Poppy Parade Cardstock across the middle.

The sentiment is from the Itty bitty Birthdays Stamp Set and cut out using the Tailored Tag Punch. This is then layered onto another Tailored Tag shape.

The flowers and leaves use the Pop of Petals Stamp Set and matching Four-Petal Flower Punch. Each flower has a Sponge Daubered centre with Wink of Stella added afterwards.

The Pop of Petals Bundle (Stamp Set & Punch) is only available as a discounted Bundle until 3rd June. After then, they will be available at full price in the new Annual Catalogue.

Make sure you get yours at the discounted rate before the price increases.

Happy crafting

Karen Young HIPPOFROG Designs

To order any of the supplies used, click on the product images below to go to my online store.

This Month’s Hostess Code Join my team Current Products Special Offers Book a Class

A Variety of Vases

by Karen Young | Posted on April 29, 2019 | Comments Off

I’m sharing a previous Card & Cuppa project with you today that I have remade in different colours.

This reversioned card is for my Godmother for a special Birthday.

Variety of Vases. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I thought I’d re-version the previous design to make a Birthday Card, so it’s a variety of vases, in a variety of colours.

This one is in Highland Heather and Rich Razzleberry, with the fabulous Velvet Rich Razzleberry Ribbon. The ribbon is sadly on the retiring list, but everything else I’ve used is carrying over to the new Annual Catalogue.

A top tip if you are making lots of projects using a Builder Punch. Line up all the stamps in the correct positions onto a clear block. Then you can stamp and punch them as a set.

While I was making the project, I decided to add to the variety of vases by making some in other colours too. It’s always good to have a few cards on standby, so these Grapefruit Grove and Lovely Lipstick versions will come in handy.