Personal News

January 18, 2021January 18, 2021 ~ Karen Young ~ 3 Comments

As you know, I don’t tend to share much personal information on here.

However, the following personal news will explain why I’ve been very quiet and haven’t been posting much.

Sadly, on 9th January, in Milton Keynes Hospital, we lost my Dad to COVID.

He felt ill over Christmas and was taken to hospital by ambulance on New Year’s Day with breathing difficulties. Later that day, the hospital advised he had tested positive.

Despite the fantastic efforts of the hospital staff, he didn’t respond to the treatments.

This picture is from my Wedding day in 1999 and is one of my favourites from the day. It was one of my Dad’s favourite pictures too.

We have also had symptoms and subsequent positive tests here, finishing our 10 day isolation period at the weekend. We’re still coughing and feeling very tired, plus have no sense of taste or smell, but are getting better each day.

Thankfully, my Brother and his family live close to my Mum so have been able to form a support bubble with her.

Obviously, all of the projects and classes I was planning for January have been put on hold.

Hopefully, I will be back to running classes and regularly posting again around the middle of February, but this may change.

Thank you for your understanding during this time.

Stay safe

Karen Young HIPPOFROG Designs

Happy New Year, Mini Catalogue & SAB 2021!

January 5, 2021January 5, 2021 ~ Karen Young

Happy New Year!

As it’s 5th Jan, it means it time for the NEW January-June Mini Catalogue & SAB 2021 to go LIVE.

SAB is only for 2 months this time, but there will be another one later in the year. So, more chances to get your hands on FREE products.

Mini Catalogue & SAB 2021. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

If you received some happy mail from me before Christmas, one of these pretty Birthday cards will have arrived with you.

This card uses some new products. Can you spot them all before I reveal them to you? Mini Catalogue & SAB 2021. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

My colour combination is Seaside Spray, Rococo Rose and Mossy Meadow, with Whisper White. Don’t forget to read up on the replacement for Whisper White that is coming soon.

The first new product is the Vine Design Stamp Set, this can also be purchased as part of a Bundle with a fabulous set of dies.

Next, I’m so happy to see the return of an Oval Punch. This is a two in one punch with a scallop layer and smooth inner that work perfectly together.

Braided Trim in Mossy Meadow is my third new product on this card. I love the thinner trims and am delighted to there’s some Baker’s Twine in the Mini Catalogue too!

Mini Catalogue & SAB 2021. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Finally, pretty new Pastel Pearls in co-ordinating Seaside Spray add a finishing touch. I think these Pearls are going to very quickly become a favourite.

Don’t forget to take a look at my 2021 Classes. Head to my Class Timetable for full details and to book your place.

Happy crafting

Karen Young HIPPOFROG Designs

To order any of the supplies shown below, head to my Online Store

Online Shopping Club Code Join my team Current Products Special Offers Book a Class

Oh So Ombre DSP Butterflies

December 30, 2020December 29, 2020 ~ Karen Young

With the first SAB of the year just around the corner, I couldn’t resist making a project with the Oh So Ombre DSP. One of the FREE items you can earn from 5th January.

This card, with a heartfelt and poignant message for these times we find ourselves in, uses the patterned side of the DSP from the pack.

I used another piece of the DSP on this project I shared the other day.

As you know, I love a project with a monochrome feel, so using Rococo Rose cardstock for my basecard and a Whisper White layer, with Tuxedo Black stamping was all I needed.

The butterflies, from the Butterfly Gala Stamp Set were stamped onto another sheet of the DSP, this time, the non-patterned piece. I made sure to chose various parts of the DSP to give me different shades of the colour.

These were punched out using the Butterfly Duet Punch and had parts coloured using Wink of Stella.

A sentiment from the Bunch of Blossoms Stamp Set, with the end shaped from another new product arriving soon in the January-June Mini Catalogue.

Glue Dots are used to attach the smaller butterflies, with the large one stuck using a Dimensionals.

SAB and the January-June Mini Catalogue go live on 5th January, so you won’t see links to any items from these publications listed below.

Don’t forget to take a look at the retiring items from the August-December Mini Catalogue as your chance to grab those products ends on 4th Jan.

Happy crafting

To order any of the supplies shown below, head to my Online Store

Online Shopping Club Code Join my team Current Products Special Offers Book a Class

Birthday Card Using In Color 2020-2022

December 29, 2020December 28, 2020 ~ Karen Young

If you need a quick and easy card, this Birthday Card using In Color 2020-2022 DSP is the perfect design.

It uses two of the In Colors – Cinnamon Cider and Bumblebee.

The design is another version of this project. If you find a design that works, why not make it in a variety of different ways.

By using two sides of the Bumblebee DSP, the project has multiple patterns.

Shaped edges of the larger piece are cut using the Triple Banner Punch.

The Itty Bitty Birthdays Stamp Set provides the sentiment, cut with the Banners Pick A Punch. This punch is leaving us for a short while, returning in a later publication.

With a length of co-ordinating In Color Ribbon stuck across the project, the sentiment was attached using Mini Dimensionals.

Don’t forget to grab your items from the August-December Mini Catalogue while stocks last.

Happy crafting

To order any of the supplies shown below, head to my Online Store

Online Shopping Club Code Join my team Current Products Special Offers Book a Class

Quite Curvy Bundle Birthday Card in Bermuda Bay

December 26, 2020December 17, 2020 ~ Karen Young

This pretty monochrome Bermuda Bay Birthday card uses the early release Quite Curvy Bundle from the new January-June Mini Catalogue.

It also uses a new item that will be available in the upcoming SAB too. The fabulous Oh So Ombre 6×6 DSP Pack is an item you’ll be able to earn for FREE during January and February 2021.

The wavy line is cut using the Curvy Dies. This piece is then stuck to the DSP.

A sentiment follows the curve, with a few leaves stamped in the corner.

The corners are given a round shape with the Detailed Trio Punch to match the curvy details.

Leaves are then cut from the dies using the different parts of the DSP to create varying shades of Bermuda Bay.

These stuck behind a Whisper White flower cut using the Small Bloom Punch.

Finally, Metallic Pearls coloured with a Bermuda Bay Stampin’ Blend are added to the project.

Make sure you keep an eye out for when the Mini Catalogue goes live on 5th January.

In the meantime, take a look at the special offers.

Don’t forget to check out my online class timetable for 2021 too.

Happy crafting

To order any of the supplies shown below, head to my Online Store

Online Shopping Club Code Join my team Current Products Special Offers Book a Class

Lovely You for my Lovely Customers

December 23, 2020December 17, 2020 ~ Karen Young

My November customers were all sent this handmade card to say thank you for supporting my business.

As it uses the Lovely You Stamp Set and co-ordinating Punch Bundle, it’s more of a lovely you for my lovely customers project.

As I thought people might be getting a bit fed up with Christmas colours, I chose to use the Subtles Collection for my colour combination.

There’s Pool Party, So Saffron, Blushing Bride and Soft Sea Foam, plus Whisper White.

Don’t forget to check this post with information on the replacement for Whisper White.

Stamping the images in a random patterns gives the impression of them falling across the page.

As Soft Sea Foam is quite a pale ink, itdoesn’t show up very well in my pictures.

A length of co-ordinating Pool Party Sheer Ribbon with knotted ends is then added.

The sentiment and sentiment layer has ends cut with the Lovely Labels Pick a Punch. This punch and the stamp set form part of a discounted Bundle.

Some small Pearls, coloured with a Pool Party Stampin’ Blend add a finishing touch.

If you’re placing an order for any of these items, or items on the retiring list, don’t forget to use the Online Shopping Club Code to receive a little extra gift from me.

You can also join me at online classes. Find out more at my Class Timetable.

Happy crafting

To order any of the supplies shown below, head to my Online Store

Online Shopping Club Code Join my team Current Products Special Offers Book a Class

Pantone Painted Poppies

December 22, 2020December 22, 2020 ~ Karen Young

Earlier this month, Pantone announced their Colour of the Year for 2021. There are two for 2021 – Ultimate Gray and Illuminating.

Today I’m sharing a project in the Stampin’ Up! equivalent colours of Basic Gray and Daffodil Delight.

Here’s my SU version of Pantone Painted Poppies…

Using the Painted Poppies Stamp Set and co-ordinating Painted Labels Dies, this is a great any occasion project.

The background uses first and second generation stamping in Basic Gray, with Daffodil Delight highlights added using a Sponge Dauber,

Both the flowers and leaves are stamped in Basic Gray onto the Basic Gray and Daffodil Delight Cardstock. These are then cut out with the dies.

The centre of each flower is given a touch of sparkle with some Wink of Stella.

These are then arranged on top of the background using Dimensionals.

I love how these colours work so well together. The brightness of the yellow seems to lighten the grey, whereas the grey appears to knock back the brightness of the yellow.

I have a feeling these colours might be making more appearances here in 2021!

Don’t forget to take a look at the current special offers, plus my classes for 2021.

Happy crafting

To order any of the supplies shown below, head to my Online Store

Online Shopping Club Code Join my team Current Products Special Offers Book a Class

Last Week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa – Your Way!

December 21, 2020December 18, 2020 ~ Karen Young

For the final Card & (Your) Cuppa of the year, I gave the attendees a challenge.

This was a free-for-all, do it your way project. Rather than me providing a pre-made project for them to create, I sent a pack of items for them to make whatever they wanted.

I did, however, provide ideas from flowers, presents and baubles to whet their imagination.

From the items, I made this project.

As the packs included strips of Artistry Blooms DSP, along with co-ordinating Melon Mambo, Gorgeous Grape and Mango Melody Cardstock, and more, I cut pieces of the DSP and made them into presents.

Shapes from the Whale Builder Punch from the packs made bows for the top of the presents. I love using shapes in different ways.

A sentiment from the Itty Bitty Birthdays Stamp Set cut out using the Classic Label Punch is sat on a length of Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon.

Finally, the presents are stuck down with the middle one stuck using Dimensionals.

This was my final class of 2021. Classes for 2021 begin w/c 11th Jan. Head to my Class Timetable for full details and to book your place.

Don’t forget to take a look at the current special offers and clearance items. Treat yourself to a bargain!

Happy crafting

To order any of the supplies shown below, head to my Online Store

Online Shopping Club Code Join my team Current Products Special Offers Book a Class

Christmas Packaging

December 19, 2020December 18, 2020 ~ Karen Young

If you’re in the middle of wrapping presents, then this box is perfect for Christmas packaging.

It’s a great size for chocolates, toiletries etc.

The box slides out from a belly band to reveal the contents.

My main box is made using Pear Pizzazz Cardstock. It’s a lidless box and can be made to your own dimensions. It is a stamp free project, but you can decorate the box and tag as you require.

Make sure you use a Paper Folder to make those score lines nice and crisp. Plus, use a strong adhesive such as Multipurpose Glue, Tear & Tape or SEAL+ to ensure the box doesn’t fall apart.

For the belly band, I used the box dimensions and added 1mm to each measurement when I scored. This allows the belly band to fit over the box and slide nicely, without being too tight or too loose.

For the tag, the Fancy Tag Topper Punch and the Detailed Trio Punch gave me the shape.

Then, I punched a circle from matching Real Red Cardstock and a Pine Tree Punch shape from the offcut of DSP.

These were stuck together then attached with Dimensionals. As I popped a Rhinstone at the top of the tree, I made sure a tiny piece of Dimensional was stuck behind that too.

Finally, a piece of Real Red Braided Linen Trim is threaded through the tag to attach it.

I love making boxes and hope to make many more of them in 2021. Watch this space!

Make sure you check out the offers on the Great Year-End Closeout Sale.

Happy crafting

To order any of the supplies shown below, head to my Online Store

Online Shopping Club Code Join my team Current Products Special Offers Book a Class

Countdown to Christmas #12

December 18, 2020December 17, 2020 ~ Karen Young

My final project of my Countdown to Christmas series is Countdown to Christmas #12.

If you need a quick and simple Christmas Card that is simple to replicate in lots of different colours, then this is it!

One ink pad, matching cardstock, plus Whisper White or Very Vanilla, a couple of stamps, some punched shapes and a swish of ribbon is all you need.

For this monochrome look, I’ve used Misty Moonlight and Just Jade.

Using the Nature’s Beauty Stamp Set in first and second generation stamping, this creates a snowy background. You can leave yours blank, or use a different image.

Next, I chose my focal image, a tree from the Perfectly Plaid Stamp Set, stamping it three times. The Just Jade is tone-on-tone, Misty Moonlight onto Whisper White.

The important thing is to stamp 3 of these. Then either cut or punch them out like I have here using the co-ordinating Pine Tree Punch.

These are then stuck onto layered circles. You can use any shape for your layers. These are to help them stand out from the background.