Pretty Peony Garden DSP for Customer Thank You Cards

October 20, 2020October 18, 2020 ~ Karen Young ~ Leave a comment

It’s time for me to say thank you to the wonderful people who purchased products from me in September.

Not only do they receive a handmade card, with a little note from me. Those who use the Hostess Code have a little gift arrive with their card too.

This month, I used the pretty Peony Garden DSP. This DSP is one of the packs on Special Offer during October. Make sure you check out the others too.

Using some of the colours of the DSP, Petal Pink, Gray Granite and Whisper White, I had my colour combination.

Strips of the DSP are stuck to the Whisper White layer in alternate colours, with the overhang cut off.

Next a sentiment from the Ornate Thanks Stamp Set in Gray Granite is cut out using the Story Label Punch.

This is then popped over a looped length of the co-ordinating Gray Granite Ribbon.

You may have noticed that I like a bit of looped ribbon behind sentiments on my projects!

Finally, using the Petal Pink Stampin’ Blends to colour some Pearls, these are dotted around the project for an extra delicate touch.

You can order products online at my 24/7 store. Don’t forget to take advantage of using the Hostess Code too.

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

…and Cauldron Bubble

October 17, 2020October 16, 2020 ~ Karen Young ~ Leave a comment

I hope you’ve been enjoying the Halloween projects I’ve been sharing this week.

My final one is this cauldron, filled with lots of interesting items. ‘Double, Double, Toil and Trouble…’

I’ve used LOTS of products in this one to make the cauldron bubble! Make yourself comfortable as this is a long post…

Starting with the Granny Apple Green Basecard, Basic Black Layer and Smoky Slate foreground, these combine to create a spooky witches lair.

I’ve then stamped tone on tone using the Textured Essentials Stamp Set to add some texture to the background. With some Granny Apple Green bubbles from the Pattern Play Stamp Set.

The layers have all been rounded on two corners with the Detailed Trio Punch.

Next, the cauldron. This is a shape from the Tasteful Labels Dies and I think it makes a perfect cauldron.

The contents of the cauldron are Poppy Parade eyeballs, made using the Waterfront Stamp Set and the same image as the bubbles, this time in Tuxedo Black.

There’s also a bat wing from the Umbrella Builder Punch and spider’s legs. I’ll explain a bit more about the legs in a moment.

Then, there are two frogs cut from the Dockside Dies, hopping away from their potential fate.

I’m not a fan of spiders, but I think you will agree that this one is quite cute!

The body is from the head of the Snowman Builder Punch and the legs and strand are from Hippo & Friends Dies. Offcuts of the legs were then popped into the cauldron.

For the eyes, this is the circle from the centre of the Delightful Tag Topper Punch, and the eye from the Whale Builder Punch.

If you haven’t already guessed. I like using my punches and dies in lots of different ways!

A piece of Metallic Mesh Ribbon across the corner makes it look like a spider’s web.

Here are all of the projects I’ve shared this week. Do you have a favourite?

There’s still time to get your hands on products to make your own Halloween projects. Make sure you take a look at the current Special Offers too.

If you want to attend one of my remaining classes 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

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

Countdown to Christmas #3

October 16, 2020October 15, 2020 ~ Karen Young ~ Leave a comment

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.

Finally, some Wonderful Gems are added to the project as a sparkly touch.

The Tag Buffet Stamp Set, Braided Linen Trim and Wonderful Gems are part of my Crack Your Christmas Cards Class.

Booking closes on Wednesday, so head to my Class Timetable 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

Going Batty

October 14, 2020October 13, 2020 ~ Karen Young ~ Leave a comment

I must be going batty! Well, this Halloween project certainly is.

It’s my version of a project on Page 45 of the August-December Mini Catalogue.

The project uses Purple Posy, Highland Heather and Basic Black.

Firstly, the Tasteful Textile Embossing Folder creates a pretty background. Using a Sponge Dauber, I have darkened areas using Highland Heather Ink.

An image from the Textured Essentials Stamp Set is stamped onto a piece of Purple Posy in Highland Heather. This is then cut into strips, the ends shaped and then attached to the tag piece.

Lots of punches are in use here, the Fancy Tag Topper Punch, Lovely Labels Pick a Punch and the Detailed Trio Punch. The bat is made using the Umbrella Builder Punch, with the large umbrella for the wings and a section of the smaller closed shape for the body.

A few extra umbrella pieces are added to the background piece to give my bat some friends.

Metallic Mesh is threaded through the hole in the tag. This then has a bow to secure it using the Whisper White Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon. To change the colour to co-ordinate with the rest of the project, I used Stampin’ Blends..

Finally, the tag was stuck to the project using Dimensionals and two Pearl eyes.

I hope you like this project and think it was worth going batty for!

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

Make sure you take a look at the current Special Offers from Stampin’ Up! too.

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

Meowing at the Moon

October 13, 2020October 12, 2020 ~ Karen Young ~ Leave a comment

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

Taking A Peek At Halloween

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

As I took a week off last week, there isn’t a Card & (Your) Cuppa project to show you.

Instead, I’m taking a peek at Halloween projects for a few days.

This project makes use of lots of offcuts, so is a great one for using up some scraps.

I began with the eyes. The bloodshot background is the circle from the Waterfront Stamp Set. These are in Poppy Parade Ink in third generation stamping.

The pupils are from the Blossoms in Bloom Stamp Set in Tuxedo Black.

Both eyes are cut out by hand, leaving a thin white edge around them.

They are then stuck onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock.

Next, strips of Whisper White, with Smoky Slate Sponge Dauber inking added are stuck across the piece of Basic Black.

I placed strips around the eyes first, then added the other pieces. Overlapping randomly at various angles.

Using Multipurpose Glue allows a bit of wriggle room when placing the pieces.

When I was happy with the positioning of the strips, I cut off the excess from the edges.

Before sticking the piece onto the layer, I added some more inking around the edges.

Finally everything was stuck together to make this spooky peek-a-boo!

It’s a really easy project to make, especially with children during half-term. You can use googly eyes or punched shapes. The bandages can also be ripped along the edges or you can even use ribbon.

Don’t forget that I’m running my Card & (Your) Cuppa for Children session during the October half-term break, along with my other classes.

Head to my Class Timetable 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

Engagement Congratulations

October 10, 2020October 3, 2020 ~ Karen Young ~ Leave a comment

When I designed this project, little did I know I would need to send Engagement congratulations to friends.

I made this slightly different version for the newly engaged couple using Whisper White and Gray Granite.

The Ornate Borders Dies are again give a subtle background. As the orientation is different, I’ve actually cut out one of the flowers in the middle to make the piece slightly shorter. You can’t see this as it is covered by the sentiment.

Gray Granite flowers are then added to the piece using Glue Dots.

A sentiment from the Well Said Stamp Set is cut out using the Tasteful Labels Dies.

This is then stuck on top using Dimensionals.

Finally, three small Rhinestones are added to the centre of each flower to give a touch of sparkle.

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

Countdown to Christmas #2

October 9, 2020October 2, 2020 ~ Karen Young ~ Leave a comment

It’s Friday again, which means it’s time for my next Countdown to Christmas project.

So, here’s Countdown to Christmas #2.

If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that I like simple, non-fussy projects, with a particular like of monochrome projects.

Countdown to Christmas #2 uses Mossy Meadow and Whisper White. It’s just one stamp set, one ink pad and one punch.

There’s obviously a few extras such as the co-ordinating ribbon, a Blender Pen and Wink of Stella. But, you don’t have to use these.

For this project, I stamped one of the baubles from the Christmas Gleaming Stamp Set multiple times in Mossy Meadow. This Stamp Set is a returning favourite from last year, and I’m pleased to see it back!

A top tip is to stamp where you want your focal image one to go, and then stamp the others round it a various angles.

These were coloured using a Blender Pen.

Then, after stamping another onto a separate sheet, the bauble is coloured and given some sparkle using Wink of Stella. You can’t see it very well in the picture, so you’ll have to take my word for it that is is rather sparkly!

This is then cut out using the co-ordinating punch from the Gleaming Ornaments Punch Pack.

A length of the new Diagonal Stripe Ribbon from the August-December Mini Catalogue is looped and stuck to the back of the bauble.

The Merry Christmas sentiment from the Stamp Set is cut out by hand and stuck to the bauble.

Finally, the whole bauble piece is stuck over the original image using Dimensionals to make it the focus.

Using this technique, you can create a number of cards really quickly, and in lots of different colours.

Pop back next week for Countdown to Christmas #3.

Why not join me for one of my Christmas Classes. Head to my Class Timetable 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

Countdown to Christmas #1

October 2, 2020September 29, 2020 ~ Karen Young

I know Christmas seems ages away, but did you know that it’s actually 12 weeks today?

Every Friday, I’ll be running my ‘Countdown to Christmas’ series where I’ll be sharing a Christmas project with you to help you get ahead.

My first project for Countdown to Christmas #1 is a simple Christmas Card using DSP. It’s the Toile Tidings DSP, a returning favourite from last year’s Autumn/Winter Catalogue.

This DSP is currently in the in the 15% off DSP sale during October.

By cutting the pieces of DSP into 3/4″ strips – this gets you 16 strips per sheet. With 12 sheets in the pack, that’s a lot of strips, to make a lot of cards!

With this DSP being Real Red on one side and Garden Green on the other, you can choose how to layer them.

I’ve used 6 strips here and starting at the top, layered them on top of each other onto a piece of cardstock. The overhang from the edges is then cut off, ready to use on the next card.

When I’m making projects like this, I put a good amount of glue all along the edges of the cardstock (as close as I can get), plus a couple of strips down the middle. Then, rather than putting glue on the DSP, I just stick the strips directly onto the glue on the cardstock. It helps to keep the glue on the project, rather than all over everything else!

Using a Thick Whisper White basecard and co-ordinating Garden Green as a layer, it helps to bring the project together .

My sentiment is from the Perfectly Plaid Stamp Set stamped onto a shape cut using the Tasteful Labels Dies. By cutting round the edge of this piece, I have been able to use the shape again as a layer.

What is great about these DSP strip projects is you can arrange the strips in any pattern, and add any sentiment.

You can also embellish as much or a little as you like using ribbons, rhinestones, gems etc.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this Countdown to Christmas #1 project. Pop back next Friday for Countdown to Christmas #2.

Why not join me for one of my Christmas Card Classes? Head to my Class Timetable 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

Blossoms in Bloom Birthday Card

September 26, 2020September 24, 2020 ~ Karen Young

This Blossoms in Bloom Birthday Card is one I made for a regular class attendee.

It’s a version of this project, and this project, but uses a circle instead.

Soft Sea Foam and Calypso Coral are my main colours for the basecard and layer.

The circle from the Swirly Frames Stamp Set is stamped in delicate Soft Sea Foam onto a layer of Whisper White.

Then, using the Detailed Trio Punch, the corners are rounded to mirror the circle.

The flowers from the Blossoms in Bloom Stamp Set are stamped in Calypso Coral, with Bumblebee centres. I’ve used Pear Pizzazz for the leaves, as the stamping stands out against the Soft Sea Foam.

A touch of Wink of Stella for the centre of the flowers adds some sparkle.

Each leaf and flower is cut out by hand and stuck on with Glue Dots.