Last Week’s Card & Cuppa – Nature’s Prints Coordination

November 13, 2023November 12, 2023 ~ Karen Young

Last week’s Card & Cuppa project was this any occasion card. It used items that coordinate with the Nature’s Prints Stamp Set.

A colour combination of Calypso Coral, Petal Pink, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla gave the project a pastel feel.

The background was made using the Fern 3D Embossing Folder. This was then given some extra tone-on-tone definition using a Small Blending Brush and a Petal Pink Stampin’ Pad.

Next, the various images and the sentiment were stamped and cut out using the coordinating Natural Prints Dies.

Then, a ribbon swoosh using the new Calypso Coral Braided Linen Trim from the September-December Mini Catalogue was added.

The cut out shapes were then layered with the sentiment raised up on Dimensionals.

Finally, some Iridescent Pearls were added to the flatter sections of the embossed piece.

Join me at one of my classes. Head to my Class Timetable for full details.

Happy crafting

Karen Young HIPPOFROG Designs

To order any of the supplies shown below, head to my Online Store. Items available while stocks last.

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Heartfelt Thank You With Forever Fern

May 18, 2021May 17, 2021 ~ Karen Young

I recently made these Thank You cards for my Mum.

Heartfelt Thank You With Forever Fern. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Mum asked me to make a batch of cards she could send to those who have supported her since we lost Dad in January.

As Dad loved all things nature, I just had to use the Forever Fern Stamp Set.

Heartfelt Thank You With Forever Fern. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

It’s a simple, yet striking design in various shades of green with Very Vanilla providing a lovely warm contrast.

The leaves are stamped in Garden Green and Pear Pizzazz, with the background splats in Old Olive for extra texture.

To speed up the stamping process and ensure all the leaves were in the same place on each card, I used my Stamparatus.

Heartfelt Thank You With Forever Fern. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Finally, the Vine Design Stamp Set and Mossy Meadow ink create the sentiment.

With the sentiment fitting perfectly in a Double Oval Punch shape, it then sits on top of a length of co-ordinating Mossy Meadow Braided Linen Trim.

As the Annual Catalogue has just launched, we often forget about the other catalogues, such as the January-June Mini Catalogue. This is where the Vine Design Stamp Set and Braided Linen Trim I used here can be found.

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

Happy crafting

Karen Young HIPPOFROG Designs

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

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Hippo Birthday to my Husband

March 26, 2021March 23, 2021 ~ Karen Young

As you may have guessed, with a name like HIPPOFROG Designs, there is a leaning towards both creatures at Chez HIPPOFROG! I’m obviously the frog fan, and my Husband likes hippos.

Hippo Birthday. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs It was the hippo fan’s Birthday last week, so it only seemed right that I should use the Stamp Set and Dies in the Hippo Happiness Bundle to wish him a Hippo Birthday. Surprisingly, it’s favourite set in the Catalogue!

As HIPPOFROG is grey and green, I chose a colour combination of Gray Granite and Mossy Meadow, with White.

I stamped the sentiment from the Hippo Happiness Stamp Set multiple times in both colours, before darkening the centre slightly using a Sponge Dauber.

Layers for the central hippo to sit on are cut from the Hippo & Friends Dies. The sentiment shape is from the Tasteful Labels Dies.

Hippo Birthday. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Strings are stamped in readiness for the three die cut balloon shapes.

As I stuck the layers together, I used a length of Mossy Meadow Braided Linen Trim and a short length of Gray Granite between them.

Hippo Birthday. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Finally, a few small Pearls, coloured using Stampin’ Blends in Mossy Meadow add a touch more texture.

NB: I’ve used Whisper White in my project, which has now been replaced with Basic White. See this post for full details while I work through my supply.

Join me for a future class. Head to my Class Timetable for full details.

Happy crafting

Karen Young HIPPOFROG Designs

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

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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

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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

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Countdown to Christmas #10

December 4, 2020December 1, 2020 ~ Karen Young

For Countdown to Christmas #10, I’m sharing the final project from my Crack Your Christmas Cards Class.

As with the other projects from this class, the card used the Tag Buffet Stamp Set.

Again, Garden Green, Real Red and Whisper White is the colour combination.

This project uses the paper piecing technique and fussy cutting.

By stamping the stocking onto two different pieces of cardstock and cutting them out, the white stocking pieces were stuck onto the Real Red main piece.

The stocking has also been stamped multiple times in Real Red to the right of the Whisper White piece.

Using a Blender Pen, these have been coloured slightly to match the paper pieced stocking.

A length of the Braided Linen Trim is looped behind a punched circle shape. This shape is raised using Dimensionals before the stocking is added to it.

Finally, some red Wonderful Gems add a touch of festive sparkle.

Pop back tomorrow for another Christmas project. Plus, my Countdown to Christmas series continues next Friday.

Here are all four class projects together. Do you have a favourite?

Keep an eye on my Class Timetable as details of 2021 Classes will be released very soon.

Don’t forget to place any orders by 9th December for pre-Christmas delivery.

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 #8

November 20, 2020November 19, 2020 ~ Karen Young

This week’s Countdown to Christmas #8 (how is it number 8 already?) is another project from my Crack Your Christmas Cards Class.

As with all the projects from the Class, it uses the Tag Buffet Stamp Set.

The colour combination is Real Red, Garden Green and Very Vanilla, traditional Christmas colours.

Various leaf images are stamped first and second generation from the centre.

A bauble is stamped onto a separate piece and cut out by hand. Some subtle colouring using Wink of Stella adds a touch of sparkle.

A length of the Braided Linen Trim is added to create the hanging decoration effect.

The bauble is stuck on a punched circle shape and then raised on Dimensionals over the ribbon. This adds to the overall look.Finally, a few Wonderful Gems are dotted around the project for some extra glimmer.

My 2020 evening classes may be finished for the year, but keep an eye on my Class Timetable for my soon to be released 2021 schedule.

Happy crafting

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

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Countdown to Christmas #7

November 13, 2020November 12, 2020 ~ Karen Young

Countdown to Christmas #7 is another project from my recent ‘Crack Your Christmas Cards’ Class.

The class used the Tag Buffet Stamp Set and the attendees made 16 cards, 4 each of 4 designs.

If you’re a regular reader, you will know that I do like a project with diagonal stripes, so I just had to have one in this class.

Projects with stripes are make your cardstock or DSP go a really long way, plus they are quick and easy to make.

Real Red, Garden Green and Very Vanilla are my colour combination here. I have also used Basic Gray for the sentiment.

Using just 5 strips and alternating the colours, it looks very festive.

To ensure the card looked balanced, I measured the same distance from the left and right to line up my centre strip. Then worked out from the centre adding my stripes, before cutting off any overhanging pieces.

Don’t forget that these pieces can be used for other projects too.

As not everyone had a punch to shape the ends, they have been cut by hand.

A loop of the pretty Braided Linen Trim sits on top of the stripes. The sentiment then sits on that using Dimensionals.

Finally, some Wonderful Gems are scattered across each strip.

You can change the colours, sentiment, number of strips, width of the strips, angle and more on these projects.

Why not take a look at the final classes I have left for 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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Countdown to Christmas #6

November 6, 2020November 5, 2020 ~ Karen Young

Today it’s Countdown to Christmas #6 and I’m sharing one of the four projects from this week’s Crack Your Christmas Cards Class.

It’s one of my annual classes where attendees can get ahead with making some Christmas Cards. Each project is quick and easy to create as multiples are being made.

The attendees made 16 cards, 4 each of 4 designs, based around the Tag Buffet Stamp Set from the August to December Catalogue.

I chose traditional Christmas colours for my project of Garden Green and Real Red, with some Basic Gray too.

This project also uses the pretty Heartwarming Hugs DSP to create the look of a present.

Using two strips, the present wrapping begins to take shape.

A sprig of holly stamped in the corner and coloured with Wink of Stella co-ordinates with the holly stamped under the sentiment.

The sentiment is stamped towards the top of the punched circle to allow room for the holly.

This is sat on ribbon, looped to look like a bow.

Finally, a touch more sparkle is added as three Wonderful Gems create the berries in the corner.

Keep an eye out here for the other projects from the class, or on my HIPPOFROG Designs Facebook Page.

I’ll be putting my class schedule for 2021 together very soon too, so make sure you check regularly.

If you want to make a Trio of cute Christmas Cards, then check out my Brand New Home Activity Pack.

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 #3

October 16, 2020October 15, 2020 ~ Karen Young

It’s Friday again, so time for Countdown to Christmas #3.

This week I’m sharing the Tag Buffet Stamp Set.

The cute stocking is stamped in Tuxedo Black and coloured with the Real Red Stampin’ Blends Combo.

Using the Heartwarming Hugs DSP, currently on Special Offer during October as the layer. I have also used it again using shapes cut from the Tailored Tag Punch.

You’ll notice that I chose the DSP with a diamond pattern to co-ordinate with the punched shapes.

A top tip is to use a basecard that you can’t see through when you hold it up to the light, like my Real Red one here. That way, you can punch out the shapes from the DSP layer and get more out of your paper.

Before adding the fussy cut stocking, a length of the Braided Linen Trim in Real Red is looped across one of the diamonds.

The stocking is then added with some Dimensionals.