Just Wanted to Say

September 19, 2020September 18, 2020 ~ Karen Young ~ Leave a comment

Have you had those moments where you ‘Just Wanted to Say…’? If so, this project is just perfect!

Using items from Ornate Garden Suite from the Annual Catalogue, a pretty daisy-themed card comes together.

Bumblebee and Old Olive for the basecard and layer co-ordinate with the colours of the Ornate Garden Specialty DSP. As this piece of DSP is quite busy, I chose something simple to go with it.

The flower from the Ornate Style Stamp Set in the Suite, stamped in Early Espresso onto Bumblebee cardstock, keeps everything co-ordinated.

Using Watercolor Pencils, I very lightly coloured the petals in Whisper White and the stem and leaf in Old Olive. For the centre of the daisy, Wink of Stella adds a bit of sparkle.

‘Just wanted to say’ is from the Ornate Thanks Stamp Set. It’s one of the sentiments that you would traditionally stamp inside the card, but I like to use things in slightly different ways! I’ve trimmed each end to follow the angle of the words.

Using Dimensionals, the daisy and sentiment piece are raised up off the DSP to add some depth.

I’m really hoping the recipient likes this card.

Why not join me at one of my classes and make your own projects. To see the variety of classes I have available for the rest of 2020, head to my Class Timetable for full details.

Happy crafting

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

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Beautiful Autumn meets Rooted in Nature

September 18, 2020September 17, 2020 ~ Karen Young ~ Leave a comment

For this Birthday Card, a favourite Stamp Set combines with a new favourite Stamp Set. This project is Beautiful Autumn meets Rooted in Nature.

My colour combination is Sahara Sand, Pumpkin Pie, Mint Macaron and Very Vanilla. I think the Very Vanilla helps to keep this a warmer mix of colours. Also, using a Thick Very Vanilla basecard, the colours are not fighting with each other.

Using the Rooted in Nature Stamp Set, the tree section is stamped in Sahara Sand.

Next, I’ve used the Beautiful Autumn Stamp Set and Punch Bundle to create the tiny leaves and acorn. For each one, the stamping is tone-on-tone.

They are all scattered across the project to create a falling effect and each stuck using Multipurpose Glue.

A sentiment from the Itty Bitty Birthdays Stamp Set provide the Birthday message. One end is given a banner shape, using the new Banners Pick a Punch. On the other end, an acorn is added.

The sentiment piece is then attached using Mini Dimensionals, to raise it off the page.

Don’t forget to take a look at all the available products from Stampin’ Up!, including the Standard Cut & Emboss Machine. Check out the Special Offers too.

If you want to join one of my classes, take a look at my Class Timetable for full details.

Happy crafting

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

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Last Week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa – Essential Tag Punch: Take Two

September 14, 2020September 12, 2020 ~ Karen Young ~ Leave a comment

For last week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa project, it was take two for the Essential Tag Punch.

I previously made this project at one of my recent Papercrafting Classes. The Card & (Your) Cuppa attendees liked it and wanted to make one, hence the reason for Essential Tag Punch: Take Two.

For this version, I’ve chosen Just Jade as my main colour.

Once again, it uses the Forever Greenery DSP, cut out with the Essential Tag Punch from the Mini Catalogue. I chose three pieces of DSP and cut two from each, in different orientations. This is so they could be used for either the top or bottom row.

It’s easier to start with the middle two shapes and work out, as you can decide your distances between the shapes. The shapes overhung the edges on mine, so I trimmed them down.

A sentiment from the Lovely You Stamp Set is stamped in co-ordinating Just Jade onto a punched circle.

This is layered onto a length of Just Jade Ribbon and a die cut from the Forever Flourishing Dies.

By make some small changes, using different sheets of DSP, using Just Jade and adding a sentiment, you can see the differences.

The previous one is below (right). Which do you prefer?

Don’t forget to take a look the latest offers from Stampin’ Up!, plus the Cut & Emboss Machine (Standard) is now available to order.

To join me at one of my classes, head to my Class Timetable for full details.

Happy crafting

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

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A Bright Flowering Frame

September 12, 2020September 11, 2020 ~ Karen Young ~ Leave a comment

This bright flowering flame in Magenta Madness is today’s project.

I was flicking through the Annual Catalogue and stopped at Page 69. This is my version of the project on that page.

It’s no secret that I use the catalogues for my inspiration. I change the colours, change the stamp sets or change the design slightly.

My colour combination is Magenta Madness, Granny Apple Green and Whisper White. Magenta Madness is one of the five new In Colors for 2020 and this combination really zings.

For my version, I began by stamping the large rectangle image from the Swirly Frames Stamp Set in Whisper White ink.

Then, using Magenta Madness, I stamped flowers from the Blossoms in Bloom Stamp Set tone-on-tone onto a separate piece. I also added a few leaves to the background too. I used a Blender Pen to draw the colour onto the petals.

The larger flowers are cut using the Small Bloom Punch, with the smaller ones needing fussy cutting. For the leaves, the Sprig Punch gives us the two longer pieces, with the smaller leaves again stamped tone-on-tone, this time in Granny Apple Green.

Using Glue Dots for each item, I firstly built layers of leaves, adding the flowers on top.

‘For You’ comes from the Well Said Stamp Set and is added using Mini Dimensionals to raise it up off the background.

Finally, Epoxy Droplets make the centre of the large flowers, with Rhinestones for the rest of the sparkle.

Even though I’m not a lover of pink, this bright flowering frame design really pops and is a great project for any occasion. I now have an idea for another design!

If you would like to join me at one of my classes, head to my Class Timetable for full details.

Happy crafting

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Jar of Flowers Bundle

September 1, 2020August 31, 2020 ~ Karen Young

Here is another of the floral projects I’ve been making recently. This card uses the Jar of Flowers Bundle.

In the Bundle, there is a stamp set that is perfect for colouring, with reversible stamps too. This is teamed with the co-ordinating Jar Punch. As bundles are discounted, they are great items to purchase.

The flowers for this project are first stamped in Smoky Slate. Then, they are given some colour with Stampin’ Blends. My combos are So Saffron, Granny Apple Green, Highland Heather and Petal Pink. Once I had cut them out, I used Pool Party Blends to highlight around the edge.

My jar is in So Saffron to co-ordinate with the layer and some of the flowers.

A bow from the Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon is wrapped around the jar before it is stuck to the card.

The flowers are then attached to the project using Dimensionals.

Finally, some Metallic Pearls are placed around the design and Wink of Stella is added to the centre of the flowers for a touch of sparkle.

I like the white space on this project as it allows the flowers to shine. Be sure to add this Jar of Flowers Bundle to your shopping list!

If you’d like to make projects like this, I’m running a Fabulous Florals Online Class on 23rd September. Head to my Class Timetable for full details of this and the other classes I’m running.

Happy crafting

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

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Card & (Your) Cuppa for Children – A Wave of Balloons

August 29, 2020August 28, 2020 ~ Karen Young

For my final Card & (Your) Cuppa for Children class of the summer, I designed this wave of balloons project.

It uses mulitples of the same shape in shades of blue and purple to create a fabulous card. Using the same shape multiple times is really effective. It also saves a lot of time and effort!

For my purples we have my go-to trio of Purple Posy, Highland Heather and Gorgeous Grape. My blues are Pacific Point, Balmy Blue and Seaside Spray. As there are lots of colours, they are all mounted onto a Thick Whisper White basecard. This allows each colour to pop.

The Lovely Labels Pick a Punch creates the ends of the strips and the sentiment, with the balloons cut using the Balloon Bouquet Punch.

Once everything is cut, it’s time to start arranging the pieces how you’d like them. My project has the lighter colour strips and darker balloons in the centre for a contrast. I also made the centre strip and centre balloon in the opposite colour to the others.

A couple of pieces of the Whisper White Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon create a cross in the middle.

With the centre balloon attached with Dimensionals, the ‘Happy Birthday’ is from the Timeless Tulips Stamp Set is added. This sentiment works really well with the narrowest setting on the punch.

Finally, some Rhinestone Birthday bling was added.

My young students have been brilliant and have created some fabulous projects.

Card & (Your) Cuppa for Children will be returning in the October Half-Term. Dates will be announced soon, so keep an eye on my Class Timetable for full details.

If you’d like to join me for other classes, my Class Timetable has all the information you need.

Happy crafting

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

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Basket of Blooms

August 28, 2020August 27, 2020 ~ Karen Young

I’ve been using my floral stamp sets, and this is a project using the Basket of Blooms Stamp Set.

Basket of Blooms. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

This Stamp Set has flowers, recepticles for flowers (including a basket!), stems, and leaves. 14 stamps for just £16. Plus, some of the flowers co-ordinate with the Small Bloom Punch too.

For this project, I’ve used Bumblebee, Terracotta Tile and Old Olive, with Whisper White.

Stamping the small flower multiple times tone-on-tone creates a background. Strips of the Ornate Garden Ribbon Combo Pack in Old Olive and Terracotta Tile are then added. Basket of Blooms. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

One of the leaf images is stamped onto the Whisper White. It’s coloured with a Blender Pen and then cut out using the Tasteful Labels Dies.

The vase is stamped onto co-ordinating cardstock and cut out by hand, before being stuck onto the shape. A tiny flower is stamped onto Whisper White. It is again coloured with a Blender Pen and cut out by hand.

A sentiment from the Well Said Stamp Set is cut out by hand and placed across the vase.

Using Dimensionals, the shape is added to the card.

Basket of Blooms. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Finally, a small Gold Glitter Enamel Dot is added to the centre of the flower for a touch of sparkle.

I’ll be sharing more projects using this stamp set over the coming weeks.

If you’d like to make projects like this one, why not join me for a class. Find out more at my Class Timetable.

Happy crafting

Karen Young HIPPOFROG Designs

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Abstract Butterflies

August 20, 2020August 18, 2020 ~ Karen Young

My 6th and final project from my recent Abstract/Shapes Papercrafting Class is this abstract butterflies card.

All of the items in this project are from the Annual Catalogue.

I chose the fabulous colour combination of Rococo Rose, Rich Razzleberry and Very Vanilla.

Using strips of the cardstock, these layer across the card at various points, with the ends shaped as required. For speed, a punch to cut the ends is a much easier option.

It is really quick and easy to make and doesn’t use much cardstock either, so you can make lots from a few sheets. The hardest decision is your colour combination!

Strips of the co-ordinating In Color Ribbon, plus Lace Trim are also added to create more texture.

Butterflies, cut using the Butterfly Duet Punch are stuck together down the centre and the wings curled upwards. Then, a length of Linen Thread is looped round to make the antennae. These add even more texture and add a slightly rustic feel.

The butterflies are stuck onto layered circles, before this section is stuck to the project using Dimensionals. Try to place the Dimensionals onto card, rather than ribbon, as it gives them something firm to attach to.

Finally, some Pearls are dotted around to give a finishing touch.

This abstract butterflies design is definitely one you’ll be seeing a lot more of from me. I’ll be making variations of it in different colours and patterns.

Here are all 6 projects. Do you have a favourite?

If you want to join me for a future class, head to my Class Timetable for full details, dates and booking links.

Happy crafting

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

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Abstract/Shapes Class – Rectangular Postage Stamp Punch

August 14, 2020August 13, 2020 ~ Karen Young

Earlier in the week it was my Papercrafting Class. The theme for this session was Abstract/Shapes and the kit recipients had 6 projects to make.

This is the first I’m sharing with you. It’s quick and easy and you can pop one together in no time at all.

It uses the fabulous new Rectangular Postage Stamp Punch from the Annual Catalogue. Now you know I love punches, so I used Page 168 of the Catalogue for my inspiration.

As these projects were suitable for teenagers or more generic, I chose to use a range of blues. These are Balmy Blue, Pacific Point, Seaside Spray, Misty Moonlight and Night of Navy. Crumb Cake is the colour for the base card and layer, plus Very Vanilla for the sentiment.

The hardest part of this project is deciding where to place the shapes. Just stick them onto your layer and trim off the excess, then stick the layer down. I’ve offset my shapes from each other down the card to avoid everything looking too uniform.

For the sentiment, I’ve used the Many Mates Stamp Set with Misty Moonlight Ink and a Blender Pen. I then cut it out using the punch, but put it in again to make it slightly narrower.

The sentiment is stuck onto a couple of strips of co-ordinating Misty Moonlight In Color Ribbon to add a bit of extra interest.

I think this design would look great in other ranges of colours, greens, pinks etc to create a batch of cards. They would make a lovely gift.

Pop back soon as I’ll be showing you another project from the class.

If you’d like to make projects like this, then why not book a place at one of my classes. Head to my Class Timetable for full details.

Happy crafting

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

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August Birthday Gatefold

August 11, 2020August 10, 2020 ~ Karen Young

This August Birthday Gatefold Card is one of the projects from last month’s Fancy Folds Class.

I shared the crossover gatefold project with you recently, but wasn’t able to share this one until after my friend’s Birthday,

The Playing with Patterns 6×6 DSP pack gave me the perfect piece for the front panels, plus my colour inspiration. If you haven’t discovered the items from this fabulous Suite in the Annual Catalogue, then make sure you take a look.

My basecard is Purple Posy, with Calypso Coral for the other cardstock and ink.

A gatefold card is basically a card where the opening is in the middle, rather the side. My husband calls them barn door cards!

When making a gatefold card, it is always better to score the folds first, rather than just folding in half. This ensures you have a nice crisp and even fold.

Decide how wide you want your finished card to be and double it. This is the size of cardstock you need to cut. If your cardstock size when divided by 4 works out at something other than a whole or .5 of a cm, change your width to a number that can easily be divided. For example, my cards are normally 10.5cm wide, but for this design, I make them 10cm. Mainly because it is easier to divide 20 by 4, than 21.

You then need to score at your divided by 4 number (basically a 1/4 of the width) along one side. Then rotate your cardstock and make the same score on the other side. By rotating the cardstock, you are making the scorelines in the same place on both sides.

Fold along those score lines and your card should be ready to decorate.

I’ve used the Many Mates Stamp Set here and coloured it using a Blender Pen.

As well as popping sentiment onto layers of circles, I’ve taken a length of the Purple Posy Ribbon from the Playing With Patterns Ribbon Combo Pack. This is stuck onto a piece of Purple Posy cardstock, looping the ends behind the sentiment.

Why not head to my Class Timetable for details of the classes I’m running this year.

Happy crafting

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

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