Finishing Up Friday – An Artisan Butterfly

September 16, 2022September 16, 2022 ~ Karen Young

This week’s Finishing Up Friday uses leftover items from two previous Card & (Your) Cuppa projects.

The previous projects are here and here.

I chose to create a monochrome project with Mint Macaron and Basic White using the leftover pieces.

First, I stamped my sentiment from the Art Gallery Stamp Set in the top right corner.

As one of the pre-cut items in my stash was the ornate piece from the Artisan Additions Dies, I stuck this over Mint Macaron cardstock to create the pretty bottom section for the card.

A length of the Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon then covers the join.

Another item from my stash was the detailed pre-cut butterfly from the Brilliant Wings Dies. This sits on a solid butterfly shape, only glued down the centre to show the wings.

Finally, the butterfly is raised up on Dimensionals for a more 3D effect.

I’m continuing to make a dent in my pre-cut butterflies!

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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Finishing Up Friday – Brilliant Wings & Sun Prints DSP

August 26, 2022August 25, 2022 ~ Karen Young

This week’s Finishing Up Friday uses some of the many pre-cut butterflies from the Brilliant Wings Dies that I have in my stash.

I know I only shared a butterfly project with you a few days ago, but I have a lot of pre-cut ones ready to use!

This project is a monochrome design and uses the Brilliant Wings Dies and Sun Prints DSP.

It is a version of this project I designed for my Fabulous Florals online class during lockdown back in September 2020.

For this version, the DSP is Night of Navy and this chose my colour accents to work alongside Basic White. I really love the depth of colour and the mottled effect of this sheet of DSP.

Using my pre-cut butterflies, these are layered randomly onto the strip and the overhang is then cut away. Some of the cut away pieces then filled some of the remaining gaps.

A sentiment from the Beauty of Friendship Stamp Set is stamped on a cut out from the Stylish Shapes Dies. This sits on a thin strip of the DSP to make a contrasting background.

The whole sentiment piece is then raised up on Mini Dimensionals.

Finally, some Basic Rhinestones are scattered around the butterflies.

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

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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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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Introduction to In Color Class – Orchid Oasis

June 11, 2022June 10, 2022 ~ Karen Young

Earlier this week, I held my annual Introduction to ‘In Color’ Class.

Attendees make six projects, one concentrating on each of the five new colours, and one that combines all five together.

Along with the cardstock and envelopes for each project, the class kit included In Color Ribbon, In Color Baker’s Twine and this year’s In Color embellishments.

The first project from the class is for Orchid Oasis, which I chose to combine with Bermuda Bay and Melon Mambo, along with Basic White.

Using the new Dots & Spots Die from the Annual Catalogue, a length of the coordinating Metallic Ribbon is threaded through three lines of the holes.

A butterfly cut using the Brilliant Wings Dies is given a coat of Wink of Stella.

This sits on layering circles from the Stylish Shapes Dies. The butterfly has been stuck down the centre to allow for the wings to be given some extra shaping. Plus, the circles sit on some Dimensionals to raise it over the ribbon.

Finally, some of the In Color Matte Decorative Dots are added.

I’ve left this project sentiment free, making it perfect for any occasion.

Pop back next week for the next project from the class.

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

Last Week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa – Artisan Additions Meets Brilliant Wings

June 6, 2022June 5, 2022 ~ Karen Young

For last week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa project I a new product from the Annual Catalogue, the Artisan Additions Dies.

Artisan Additions. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

These dies are stand-alone type dies and each has a different design element. One of the three dies is this very pretty intricate rectangle piece.

I chose to use three purples, Gorgeous Grape, Highland Heather and Fresh Freesia, along with Basic White.

The Brilliant Wings Dies provided both the solid butterfly shapes and the more intricate outline pieces. By just sticking the centre of purple butterflies to their coordinating outline, this allows the wings to be popped up.

Before they were stuck together, they were given a coating of Wink of Stella for a touch of sparkle.

Artisan Additions. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Each butterfly is stuck to the project using Dimensionals to provide extra depth.

A sentiment from the Art Gallery Stamp Set is stuck across the centre butterfly using Dimensionals.

Finally, some of the new Iridescent Pearls, also from the new Annual Catalogue are placed into the four circular places on the die-cut shape.

Artisan Additions. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I can’t wait to use these pretty Artisan Additions Dies again.

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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Saying Hello – In Color 2022-2024: Orchid Oasis

May 21, 2022May 20, 2022 ~ Karen Young

Stampin’ Up! add five new ‘In Colors’ to their range each year that stay for two years.

This year, I’m introducing them in alphabetical order, so first up is Orchid Oasis.

Orchid Oasis. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

As you know, I love monochrome projects, so I teamed the Orchid Oasis products with Basic White.

A piece of the In Color DSP Stack is cut on the diagonal, with the coordinating Metallic Woven Ribbon across the join.

Orchid Oasis. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

One of the butterflies from the Butterfly Brilliance Stamp Set is cut out using the Brilliant Wings Dies. It is then given a touch of sparkle with Wink of Stella.

The butterfly sits on a circle cut from the Beautiful Shapes Dies.

Finally, three different shades of the In color Matte Decorative Dots are added.

Orchid Oasis. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

This is a great any occasion card as it can either be left as it is, or have a sentiment added at a later date.

It is also really quick and easy to make and you could create a batch really easily.

Here is a quick reference of how this new colour compares to the other Stampin’ Up! colours.

Orchid Oasis. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Check back in a few days for the next In Color.

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

Last Week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa – Blushing Bride Butterflies

November 15, 2021November 11, 2021 ~ Karen Young

Last week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa project had Blushing Bride butterflies as the feature.

Blushing Bride Butterflies. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs Along with Blushing Bride, the colours were Pear Pizzazz and Fresh Freesia, plus Very Vanilla to create a softer look.

The sentiment, from the Art Gallery Stamp Set was stamped first. That way, if I made a mistake, I could use the other side!

Then, the strip of coordinating Frayed Grosgrain Ribbon was stuck down the side.

Pierced Blooms Dies provide the small leaves and the flower, with the large leaf stem from the Artistic Dies.

Wink of Stella was then added to the centre of the flower, and the butterflies. The butterflies are from the Brilliant Wings Dies.

Blushing Bride Butterflies. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

By sticking the smaller butterflies down first, I was able to see how much space I had available to create the rest of the project.

I then cut the bottom leaves off the large stem and started layering the leaves together, mixing the ones I’d cut off to the left and right.

The large butterfly was then stuck to the flower and this was then attached using Mini Dimensionals.

Blushing Bride Butterflies. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Pearls then provided the finishing touch.

I only have a few classes left for 2021, so make sure you book your place. 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

Top Tips, Tricks & Techniques: Using your leftovers/scraps/‘it didn’t quite work’ pieces

October 14, 2021October 13, 2021 ~ Karen Young

For this week’s Top Tips, Tricks & Techniques video, the topic is all about using your leftovers or those pieces that you started and didn’t quite finish.

Top Tips, Tricks & Techniques: Using your leftovers/scraps/‘it didn’t quite work’ pieces. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Click on the picture below to watch my very short video about this topic.

Today’s project uses the Brilliant Wings Dies to cut out an ombre piece of cardstock. This is a leftover piece from a previous project I made in another Top Tips, Tricks & Techniques video.

The Stitched Greenery Die makes a great background for the butterflies to sit on.

Top Tips, Tricks & Techniques: Using your leftovers/scraps/‘it didn’t quite work’ pieces. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Just a sentiment from the Art Gallery Stamp Set is all that is needed to finish the project.

Top Tips, Tricks & Techniques: Using your leftovers/scraps/‘it didn’t quite work’ pieces. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s Top Tips, Tricks & Techniques video. Pop back next week for the next one.

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

Sparkling Butterfly

October 1, 2021September 28, 2021 ~ Karen Young

As we fly into a new month, today I’m sharing this sparkling butterfly project .

It takes advantage of the pretty In Color Shimmer Vellum.

Using the Expressions in Ink DSP as a diagonal piece across the background, I chose my colours to match.

These are Polished Pink and Pale Papaya from the In Color Collection.

A splatter background is created using the Quiet Meadow Stamp Set.

The Shimmer Vellum is cut out using the Brilliant Wings Dies and the butterflies are carefully layered together using Fine-Tip Glue down the body.

To hide the seam of the DSP, a length of the Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon lays across the project.

The sentiment is from the Art Gallery Stamp Set.

Using Mini Dimensionals, the butterfly is raised up. These are carefully positioned behind the larger areas where there is a double layer of Vellum.

Finally, some Rhinestones add a touch more sparkle.

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

Magenta Madness Just Because

September 8, 2021September 7, 2021 ~ Karen Young

This bright butterflies ‘just because’ card is great for raising a smile.

Magenta Madness Just Because. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs With an almost monochrome feel, my colour combination is Magenta Madness and Basic White.

Using a piece of the Expressions In Ink DSP to create the background is really quick and easy. This piece has some gold running through it too.

The butterflies are cut using the Brilliant Wings Dies. Each one has been given a gentle coat of Wink of Stella.

Magenta Madness Just Because. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

For the sentiment, I’ve used the Lovely You Stamp Set and layered it onto Magenta Madness cardstock. Both ends are shaped using the Banners Pick a Punch.

Magenta Madness Just Because. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs