HIPPOFROG Designs - Page 2 of 51 - Karen Young - Independent UK Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Last Week’s Card & Cuppa – A Trio of Purples

by Karen Young | Posted on March 16, 2020 | Comments Off

At last week’s Card & Cuppa class, I based the project on this one, but used a trio of purples instead.

Trio of purples. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I used Highland Heather and Gorgeous Grape, plus Purple Posy in place of Whisper White/Vanilla.

For the background stamping, an image from the Gallery Grunge Stamp Set provided the detail. As with the other project, a Sponge Dauber was used to gently highlight the stamping.

On a separate sheet, pools of Highland Heather ink were created using a Sponge Dauber, with centres added using the SAB Thoughtful Blooms Stamp Set. Once punched out with the Small Bloom Punch, these create the pretty ombre effect flowers.

For this project, I’ve used two different ribbons, the fabulous co-ordinating In Color Scallop Ribbon, and the Whisper White Seam Binding. Once again I’ve coloured the white ribbon with a Stampin’ Blend – I can’t seem to stop myself!

The card is shaped in a ‘D’ using the Detailed Trio Punch to round two corners on each layer, including the base card.

A sentiment from the Botanical Bliss Stamp Set makes this a card suitable for any occasion. Rhinestones in the centre of the flowers add a finishing touch of bling.

Don’t forget that there are only a few weeks left to get your hands on the SAB items. SAB finishes on 31st March.

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

Thoughtful Blooms Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

Purple Posy 1/2" (1.3 cm) Scalloped Linen Ribbon

Whisper White 1/4" (6.4 mm) Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon

Highland Heather Dark Stampin' Blends Marker

Bugs, Beasts & Butterflies – Positive Thoughts in Rococo Rose and Rich Razzleberry

by Karen Young | Posted on March 14, 2020 | Comments Off

Earlier this week I held one of my monthly Papercrafting Classes. The theme was Bugs, Beasts and Butterflies and the attendees all made 6 cards.

Positive Thoughts in Rococo Rose and Rich Razzleberry. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

The first was a butterfly card using the Positive Thoughts Stamp Set and co-ordinating Nature’s Thoughts dies.

This combines Rococo Rose and Rich Razzleberry (a good tongue twister!) with Whisper White.

I really like this colour combination and think it would also work well switching the Whisper White for Very Vanilla.

The beautiful leaf image is stamped with a combination of first and second generation stamping with the butterfly cut out using the dies.

Then leaves from the Sprig Punch and Leaf Punch are cut out, along with two scallop circles for layering.

A strip of In Color Rococo Rose Scallop Ribbon is added before the leaves and scallops.

Next, the butterfly is added with a Dmensional to make it ‘fly’ off the card.

Finally, some Rhinestones are coloured using a Dark Rich Razzleberry Stampin’ Blend and added to the project for some sparkle.

I left this project sentiment free to be suitable for any occasion, but there is also space at the bottom right to add one if needed.

Don’t forget that the dies are available for this Stamp Set as part of the co-ordination release. If you want to get your hands on them, then make sure you act before the end of March. You can also earn FREE products during SAB too.

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

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

Rococo Rose 1/2" (1.3 cm) Scalloped Linen Ribbon

Rich Razzleberry Dark Stampin' Blends Marker

Card & Cuppa PLUS – Spring Birthday

by Karen Young | Posted on March 12, 2020 | Comments Off

Last weekend I held my first Card & Cuppa PLUS class. At these classes, the attendees make 3 projects.

The first project was this card that is perfect for a Spring Birthday.

Spring Birthday. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I chose Daffodil Delight and Mango Melody from the Brights Collection, then toned them down by teaming them with Very Vanilla.

Using the script from the Very Versailles Stamp Set, it is stamped as a background. Colour is then added as a highlight with a Sponge Dauber.

Happy Birthday from the Perennial Birthday Stamp Set is punched and layered as a sentiment. It is biased slightly towards the bottom of the circle to allow room for the flowers.

On a separate piece of cardstock, a Sponge Dauber is used to create three different depth pools of Daffodil Delight. Centres are added to each pool using the SAB Thoughtful Blooms Stamp Set, and then punched out using the Small Bloom Punch.

My current favourite ribbon from the Mini Catalogue is coloured using a Dark Mango Melody Stampin’ Blend to co-rdinate with the rest of the project.

Finally, each flower has a Pearl added and is then attached to the sentiment using Glue Dots.

This week’s Card & Cuppa attendees may recognise the design. I love using designs multiple times as just by changing colours or stamp sets, it makes such a difference.

Re-using designs is the purpose of my new BYO Stamps Class. Visit my Class Timetable for full details of this and other classes.

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

Perennial Birthday Cling-Mount Stamp Set

Last Week’s Card & Cuppa – Petal Washi Tape and Very Versailles

by Karen Young | Posted on March 9, 2020 | Comments Off

For last week’s Card & Cuppa project, I revisited the fabulous Petal Washi Tape from the Annual Catalogue.

Petal Washi Tape and Very Versailles. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I hadn’t used this for a while, and it was sitting folornly on my desk, so I decided to give it an outing.

It’s teamed here with the Very Versailles Stamp Set to create a vintage look.

My colour combination started with the Merry Merlot of the petals, plus Soft Suede, Blushing Bride and Very Vanilla.

A pretty stamped background was the starting point, with the script image in 3rd generation stamping for a softer feel.

Three lengths of rRibbon are then attached to the stamped piece, 2 of Lace Trim and one of Whisper White Seam Binding. The Seam Binding has been coloured uisng the Dark Stampin’ Blend in Soft Suede.

You may have noticed that this seam binding is my favourite product at the moment. You may have also noticed that I am enjoying colouring it with Stampin’ Blends too!

To build the flower, we used a 1/2″ circle and stuck the petals onto it. For the centre of the flower, another 1/2″ circle in Blushing Bride was scrunched and some Soft Suede ink on a Sponge Dauber added a bit of extra texture.

Finally, the centre of the flower was covered with Wink of Stella before being attached to the project.

These petals are simply gorgeous and I really must use them more often.

Why not join me at one of my classes. Head to my class timetable for more information 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

Very Vanilla 3/8" (1 cm) Scalloped Lace Trim

Sending Positive Thoughts

by Karen Young | Posted on March 7, 2020 | Comments Off

A couple of friends are going through some tough times at the moment. To let them know I was thinking of them, I sent them a ‘hug in an envelope’.

Here is one of the cards I made using the Positive Thoughts Stamp Set.

Sending Positive Thoughts. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

The Positive Thoughts Stamp Set is from the Mini Catalogue and has some lovely sentiments. ‘Sending positive thoughts and feel-good wishes’ summed up just what I wanted to say.

My colour combination was Mint Macaron, Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron and Balmy Blue from the Subtles Collection. Plus Sahara Sand for the sentiment and Very Vanilla.

What is really great about this Stamp Set is the co-ordinating Nature’s Thoughts dies that are currently available. There is such lovely embossed detail on the So Saffron feather.

The finishing touch was a gentle application of Wink of Stella on the butterfly and flower for touch of sparkle.

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

Breathtaking Bouquet with Stampin’ Blends

by Karen Young | Posted on March 5, 2020 | Comments Off

Have you skipped over the Breathtaking Bouquet Background Stamp in the new Mini Catalogue?

Breathtaking Bouquet. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I know I did to begin with, but each time I flipped through, something about it drew me in.

Well, it arrived last week and I’m pleased it ‘accidentally’ fell into my shopping basket.

As you know, I’m a big fan of the monochrome-esque look, so here I’ve stamped it in Smoky Slate onto Whisper White cardstock. I’ve then really roughly coloured using the Petal Pink Stampin’ Blends Combo. I used the darker pen first to highlight certain areas, then I went over everything with the lighter pen to blend it together.

What is great about this stamp is that it’s very forgiving. You don’t need to be brilliant at colouring or absolutely precise, but, if you are, you’ll be able to take your time and create your own masterpiece.

Because the image truly is breathtaking, I didn’t want to cover it too much with a sentiment or extra embelishments. So, I’ve used a sentiment from the Very Versailles Stamp Set with a Circle Punch and Scallop Punch layer. These sit on a length of the Whisper White Seam Binding Ribbon, also from the Mini Catalogue.

I chose to stick with my monochrome-esque theme with a Whisper White basecard and co-ordinating Petal Pink layer.

At just £15, this stamp set it so versatile, and I’ve enjoyed colouring it using different mediums. It might take a while to move off my desk, so watch this space for future posts!

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.

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Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

Last Week’s Card & Cuppa – In Color 2018-2020 meets Swirly Frames

by Karen Young | Posted on March 2, 2020 | Comments Off

For last week’s Card & Cuppa project I decided to use the In Color 2018-2020 colours.

In Color 2018-2020. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

The Swirly Frames Stamp Set from the Annual Catalogue is used to create an abstract pattern in the 5 different colours, with the Grapefruit Grove circle only used the once to highlight the sentiment.

Using the 2″ Circle Punch and the Classic Label punches, the sentiments were layered. A selection of sentiments from the Well Said Stamp Set and the Well Written Dies were available for the attendees to use.

They could also choose their contrasting colour, I’ve used Call Me Clover for the layer, circle, ribbon and sentiment stamping on mine.

An assortment of adhesives were needed, especially for the die-cut sentiment, as it requires Fine-Tip Glue.

I really like this project as it is perfect for a teenager, or can be easily changed for a ‘thank you’ or other ocassion.

Don’t forget that these In Color 2018-2020 colours will be retiring in June to make way for five new ones. I can’t believe that they have been with us for almost two years already.

Now is a great time to stock up on these colours, especially during SAB.

If you want to join us at a future class, then visit my Class Timetable for more information and booking 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

Classic Stampin' Pad Assortment In Color 2018-2020

Call Me Clover 1/8" (3.2 mm) Grosgrain Ribbon

Mixed Media with Painted Poppies for a Big Birthday

by Karen Young | Posted on February 27, 2020 | Comments Off

One of my Card & Cuppa attendees recently celebrated a big birthday, so naturally I had to make them a card.

A Big Birthday. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

They are a fan of mixed media and love poppies too, so I decided to combine these loves, it was a big birthday after all!

My main colour palette was Blushing Bride, Sahara Sand and Very Vanilla, with Pear Pizzazz for the leaves.

First, I stamped the background with an image from Gallery Grunge using Versamark ink and heat embossed it with Clear Embossing Powder. This created resist areas for when I used a Sponge Dauber over the top to add colour.

A combination of shapes and images and stamped and cut out using the Painted Poppies Stamp Set and the matching Painted Labels Dies. I can’t believe quite how much I’m using this fabulous Bundle from the Mini Catalogue.

For the sentiments, I used the Well Said Stamp Set and Well Written Dies. This is another one of those stamp and die combinations that I use quite regularly as they are really versatile.

The Classic Label Punch cut out the smaller part of the sentiment.

The length of ribbon is the Woven Threads Trim, again in Sahara Sand. I cut the bottom edge off to create the fringe.

Before I stuck everything together, I covered the ‘happy’ and the centre of the poppies with Wink of Stella. I love how Sahara Sand goes an almost gold colour under it.

If you’d like to join this and other attendees at Card & Cuppa classes, then 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

Sahara Sand 5/8" (1.6 cm) Woven Threads Trim

Last Week’s Card & Cuppa – Beautiful Butterfly Gala

by Karen Young | Posted on February 24, 2020 | Comments Off

For last week’s Card & Cuppa project, I returned to the Annual Catalogue and a stamp set we hadn’t used for a while. Here’s the project using the beautiful Butterfly Gala Stamp Set.

Beautiful Butterfly Gala. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I chose a colour combination of Rich Razzleberry and Melon Mambo, a very popular combination with the attendees.

An ombre background was created using Rich Razzleberry and a Sponge Brayer. The brayer was also used to ink up the Crackle Paint Background Stamp on the Stamparatus.

Butterfly outlines were stamped using Smoky Slate and were coloured using the infill stamps in Melon Mambo.

These were then cut out with the Butterfly Duet Punch. Corners were rounded with the Detailed Trio Punch.

I find adding the butterfly bodies once they have been punched much easier. The antennae were then stamped in position before attaching everything together.

More punching was a Scallop Circle that was then scrunched to create the background for the punched circle sentiment from the Rooted in Nature Stamp Set.

A length of both Whisper White Seam Binding and Baker’s Twine were attached across the project before the sentiment and butterflies were added.

Finally, three Rhinestones were added for a touch of sparkle.

I’m one of those people who manages to get covered in Melon Mambo ink just by looking at it! Are there any colours that you do that with?

Why not join me at a future class? My Class Timetable has all the information you need.

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

10 Years…

by Karen Young | Posted on February 23, 2020 | Comments Off

Today I celebrate 10 years as a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator. Wohoo!

It’s amazing to think that a visit to a big crafting show to talk to the people on the Stampin’ Up! stand was the start of something amazing for ne.

That was nearly 11 years ago, as I spent far too long (amost a year) dithering…

But on 23rd February 2010, during Sale-A-Bration, I finally signed on the dotted line and eagerly awaited the arrival of my Starter Kit.

Who from my early days remembers Flight of the Butterfly, and of course the more recently retired Lovely as a Tree?

Back in 2010, the Catalogue was around 100 pages and there were no dies or embossing folders. The stamp sets were all wood mount, and you had to cut round the images before you could stick them onto the blocks.

Here are the Annual Catalogue covers from my first one (2009-2010) to the current day. How many do you remember?

Stampin' Up! Covers since 2009. Picture compiled by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Compare that to what we have now, with over 200 pages and a wide range of products.

10 years ago my life was very different to what it is now. I’m now running regular weekly and monthly classes and sharing my love of crafting with others. I’m a small local business, proudly supporting other local businesses and loving my job.

If you’d like more information about becoming a Demonstrator yourself, then why not read my story, check out my FAQ section or contact me for a no-obligation chat.

Happy crafting

Karen Young HIPPOFROG Designs

For more information on all things Stampin’ Up!, click on one of the links below.

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