Finishing Up Friday – A Wall of Daisies

October 14, 2022October 13, 2022 ~ Karen Young

This week’s Finishing Up Friday uses pre-made items from this previous Card & (Your) Cuppa project.

I chose a soft colour combination of Petal Pink, Crumb Cake and Basic White.

Using a Blending Brush, I began by running some Crumb Cake ink over my pre-embossed wall piece to add highlights to some of the bricks. This piece is from the Brick & Mortar 3D Embossing Folder.

Next, the daisies are stuck together in pairs. I had to punch a few more of these using the Medium Daisy Punch to add to those I already had in my stash.

Then, each daisy is given a touch of colour in the centre using a Sponge Dauber, and a touch of Wink of Stella for some sparkle.

Background leaves are cut using the Bough Punch.

My sentiment is from the Sending Smiles Stamp Set and cut out using the coordinating Sending Dies. These are available as a Bundle in the Annual Catalogue.

Finally coordinating embellishments from the Elegant Faceted Gems pack provides a touch more sparkle.

Which pre-made items are you going to use from your desk?

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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Ombre Birthday Butterflies

August 24, 2022August 18, 2022 ~ Karen Young

It’s that time of year again where the friend who likes butterflies, teal and purple has their Birthday!

For this year’s card, I chose a colour combination of Gorgeous Grape and the new In Color, Tahitian tide.

A background made using the Brick & Mortar 3D Embossing Folder is given a subtle colouring using Sahara Sand. Part of the colouring was from inking up the Embossing Folder, and the rest by using a Blending Brush after embossing.

To make the ombre effect, I used Blending Brushes to colour a piece of cardstock with the two colours.

I then cut out the various parts. The butterflies are from the Brilliant Wings Dies with the flowers and sentiment bars from the Sending Dies.

You will notice that I cut the sentiment bar and the flowers more times that I needed. This is because I wasn’t sure which pieces I wanted to use.

For the butterflies to show up against the wall background, they have a full butterfly shape behind them in Basic White. These are again from the Brilliant Wings Dies.

To give the butterflies a 3D effect, each one is stuck to their backing using a thin line of glue down the centre.

The Sending Smiles Stamp Set, part of the Sending Smiles bundle provides the sentiment that sits with the central butterfly.

This whole piece is stuck to the project using Dimensionals.

Each flower is then given a coating of Wink of Stella for a touch of sparkle, before being stuck down using Glue Dots.

Iridescent Pearl centres add a finishing touch.

Join me at one of my online 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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Last Week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa – Delicate Daisies and FREE SAB Cards & Envelopes

August 1, 2022July 27, 2022 ~ Karen Young

For last week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa project, I created this project that used the FREE SAB Cards & Envelopes for the basecard.

The project takes inspiration from the design on Page 56 of the Annual Catalogue.

Rather than creating a basecard as I normally do, I chose to use the FREE SAB Cards & Envelopes instead. These basecards are pre-printed with a delicate leaf pattern and also come with matching envelopes.

Using the Brick & Mortar Embossing Folder for my background, this was cut down to size. It was then given some colour using a Sponge Dauber and Crumb Cake ink.

Blushing Bride Daisies cut using the Medium Daisy Punch were then created by again using a Sponge Dauber to add colour to the centres, and then gluing two together.

Lengths of the gorgeous Natural Finish Ribbon were stuck the wall piece before the daisies and leaves, cut using the Bough Punch in Mint Macaron and Crumb Cake were added.

A sentiment from the Art Gallery Stamp Set has Linen Thread looped behind and is then stuck to the project.

Finally, some of the new Festive Pearls from the July-December Mini Catalogue are added. These 3mm Pearls come in a pack of 200 with 50 each of Cherry Cobbler, Soft Succulent, Silver and Gold. Gold are the ones I chose to use on this project.

Don’t forget that you only have until the end of August to earn FREE SAB products (while stocks last).

Join me at one of my online 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.

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

Countdown to Christmas 2021 #11

December 11, 2021November 30, 2021 ~ Karen Young

Another project from my Special Christmas Cards online Class is the 11th project in my Countdown to Christmas 2021 series.

Countdown to Christmas 2021 #11. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Every year, one of these cards is suitable for children. This fun easel card is the one for this year.

It starts of as a rooftop and when it is open, it shows the chimney and Santa’s feet sticking out.

Each side of the fold is tiled using Poppy Parade, Cherry Cobler and Cajun Craze. The snow on the ridge and chimney is from the Penned Flowers Dies.

For the chimney, Gray Granite is embossed with the Brick & Mortar 3D Embossing Folder.

Countdown to Christmas 2021 #11. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Santa’s legs are made from Poppy Parade, edged with Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon. Basic Black boots are cut using the ghost shape from the Halloween Punch. This punch is on the Last Chance Products list, so make sure you don’t miss out on getting your hands on one.

To secure the easel card when it is opened, ‘Ho Ho Ho’ is cut out using the Playful Alphabet Dies. Each of the letters is coated in Wink of Stella before being stuck to the Basic White piece.

Countdown to Christmas 2021 #11. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

This piece is attached using Dimensionals to ensure the card sits in place.

As with all the projects at this class, the attendees made a box for the card. Here is mine.

Countdown to Christmas 2021 #11. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I hope you’ve enjoyed this project. Don’t forget to pop back for the next in my Countdown to Christmas 2021 series.

Join me at one of my online 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.

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

For National Black Cat Day

October 27, 2021October 26, 2021 ~ Karen Young

As today is National Black Cat Day, I couldn’t not share these cute kitties! National Black Cat Day. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs Using a Basic Black, Mango Melody and Pumpkin Pie colour combination, I set about creating these fun felines.

First, the background is stamped tone-on-tone using the star image from the Penguin Place Stamp Set. These are then given some sparkle with some Wink of Stella.

Next, the top Basic Black layer has holes cut in it using the Picture This Dies. This is turned into a wall using the Brick & Mortar Embossing Folder. I have given it some extra depth using a White Ink Pad and a Sponge Dauber.

National Black Cat Day. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

The new Halloween Punch from the July-December Mini Catalogue provides the cat faces. For the tails, these are cut using the Cat Punch and stuck behind the holes.

Each cat is then stuck to the back of a hole to allow it to peep through.

Using Dimensionals, the whole black piece, with the attached cats is then added.

A bow made from Baker’s Twine Essentials Pack is popped into one of the smaller holes.

National Black Cat Day. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Finally, In Color Jewels make the cat eyes and some additional sparkle within the holes.

Join me at one of my online 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.

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

Meowing at the Moon

October 13, 2020October 12, 2020 ~ Karen Young

It’s the 13th (not a Friday), but it seems like an appropriate day to share this project.

This lucky black cat, meowing at the moon is a purrfect (sorry) project for Halloween.

This project is Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black and Whisper White.

First, the wall pattern is made by using the Brick & Mortar Embossing Folder in my Cut & Emboss Machine.

Using a Sponge Dauber and Whisper White Ink Pad, highlights are added to show some of the brickwork.

This is then stuck to the black layer, cutting off any excess from the edges.

Next, a Sponge Dauber and Pumpkin Pie Ink create the moon on a Whisper White shape cut using the 2 1/4″ Circle Punch.

I chose to create my moon using a Sponge Dauber and Ink to give an effect of darker and lighter areas.

Finally, the cat is created using the Cat Punch and sat on the wall using Dimensionals.

I really love this silhouette, and the white highlights on the wall which look like it’s glistening in the moonlight.

It’s not too late to get your hands on some of these items in time for Halloween crafting.

Why not join me at one of my classes. Head to my Class Timetable for full details. My Christmas Classes are closing soon.

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

Special Commission for a Birthday

June 13, 2020June 13, 2020 ~ Karen Young

During this lockdown, it’s been lovely to be asked to make cards for people. Here is a special commission for a Birthday.

It uses a combination of dies, punches and an embossing folder.

I know the recipient likes their garden, so I started with a garden wall using the Brick & Mortar Embossing Folder.

Next, I used the Ornate Borders Dies in Purple Posy, Highland Heather and Gorgeous Grape for the flourish across the wall. This is one of the many products in the Ornate Garden Suite from the new Annual Catalogue.

To create ‘mum’, I used letters from the Well Written Dies words and put them together. This is backed by a piece of Whisper White Crinkle Seam Binding coloured with Highland Heather Stampin’ Blends.

For the butterflies, these are stamped in Melon Mambo, punches out and coloured with more Stampin’ Blends in various shades of pink.

The finishing touches are Wink of Stella and some small Pearls in the centre of the flowers.

I’m pleased to report the recipient was happy with their card.

Head to my Class Timetable for full details of my classes, or take a look at my cards for sale.

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

Last Week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa – Butterflies in shades of green

May 11, 2020May 9, 2020 ~ Karen Young

At my previous Card & (Your) Cuppa sessions, I asked the attendees to tell me what sorts of projects they would like to make. Someone said that they liked greens, so here we have butterflies in shades of green.

My colour combination is Soft Sea Foam, Pretty Peacock and Mint Macaron.

The Soft Sea Foam layer is embossed using the Brick & Mortar Embossing Folder. I definitely don’t use my embossing folders enough.

A length of Linen Thread is then wrapped around this piece to add even more depth. As I’m unable to send stamped images to my class attendees during this time, I am finding lots of different ways to add depth and texture.

Then we have a shape from the Wild Rose Dies, this is cut down at one end. A tip for this shape is to cut it wider, so it hangs slightly over the Soft Sea Foam piece and blends into the Pretty Peacock layer. Sprig Punch Shapes are then glued to the back of the shape before it is added with Dimensionals to raise it up.

The three butterflies in shades of green are then scrunched (to add more texture) and added to the project.

Finally, three Pearls just add a little bit of extra sophistication.

There was enough Linen Thread left over in the kits for the attendees to add a bow if they wanted. Some did and I was thrilled it was some of my more bow-phobic attendees that took the plunge and added one 🙂

If you’d like to join us at a class, then take a look at my Social Isolation Classes page for more details. Also, don’t forget that some products from the Annual and Mini Catalogues are leaving us on 2nd June. Check out the retiring list for full details.

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

Graffiti Wall for a Rocky Horror Birthday

October 26, 2019October 25, 2019 ~ Karen Young

As many of you know, I’m a huge fan of Rocky Horror and have been attending various shows of the current UK tour.

I made this card for the lovely gentleman who has been playing Frank-n-Furter for his Birthday.

A Rocky Horror Birthday card. Designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs.

It’s based on this project from my Mostly Men Papercrafting Class.

I’ve used a Real Red and Basic Black to reflect the main colours of The Rocky Horror Show, along with Basic Gray.

Both the Perennial Birthday Stamp Set and Itty Bitty Birthdays Stamp Set provide the various Birthday greetings.

Once the greetings are added, images from the Artisan Textures Stamp Set create a spray can effect.

The whole piece is then given an embossed effect using the Brick & Mortar Embossing Folder.

A sponge dauber and Basic Gray Stampin’ Pad is then used to add some extra definition to some of the brick work before it is all assembled.

I really enjoy making these graffiti wall cards as you can let your imagination run wild.

Check back soon to see the end of tour cards I made for the Cast.

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

Mostly Men Class – Brick & Mortar Embossing Folder

September 28, 2019September 27, 2019 ~ Karen Young

The next project from my recent Mostly Men Papercrafting Class is this graffiti wall using the Brick & Mortar Embossing Folder.

Graffiti Wall using Brick & Mortar Embossing Folder. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I chose a palette of bright colours to make the card suitable for a teenager or younger person. We have Granny Apple Green, Mango Melody, Gorgeous Grape and Real Red, with Smoky Slate accents.

The various sentiments are from the Itty Bitty Birthdays Stamp Set and are randomly stamped onto the Whisper White cardstock.

Next, it’s various images from Artisan Textures to make paint splatter effects.

Once all the stamping is finished, it’s time to use the Brick & Mortar Embossing Folder, along with the fabulous Embossing Plate to create the wall.

Finally, Sponge Daubers and Smoky Slate are used to highlight parts of the wall, before putting everything together.

The wall is stuck to the layer using Tear & Tape to avoid crushing the embossed effect and give it a better adhesion.

At the class, the attendees were given other sentiments from the set they could use. It’s a great project to tailor accordingly to the recipient.

Why not join us at a future class. Full details and booking information can be found at my class timetable.

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

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