Countdown to Christmas 2021 #9

November 27, 2021November 26, 2021 ~ Karen Young

The 9th project in my Countdown to Christmas 2021 series is a card with no stamping. It’s also a great project for using your DSP.

Countdown to Christmas 2021 #9. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I’ve used the Heartwarming Hugs DSP from the Mini Catalogue as my starting point. My cardstock colours of Pear Pizzazz and Basic White then mirror this.

Cutting the piece of DSP in half shows both sides. The join is covered with a piece of Gold Shimmer Ribbon,

Three trees are then cut out from another piece of DSP with the Pine Tree Punch.

Countdown to Christmas 2021 #9. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

They are assembled together to create a 3D effect. What is great about this effect is that it flattens down in the envelope for posting.

The trees sit on layered shapes cut from the Hippo & Friends Dies.

Finally, a sparkly Wonderful Gem tops the tree.

Countdown to Christmas 2021 #9. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

This design can be used to create other Christmas cards too.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this project. 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.

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Last Week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa – Starburst and Halloween Punch

November 1, 2021October 27, 2021 ~ Karen Young

For last week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa, I designed a halloween project where the layout could be used for a non-halloween card too.

Halloween Punch. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I chose Halloween colours of Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie and Mango Melody, along with Basic White.

The background is made using the starburst technique. I’ll be doing a quick video on how to make one of these cards, so keep an eye on my Top Tips, Tricks & Techniques videos over the coming weeks.

Halloween Punch. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs Using a shape from the Hippo & Friends Dies, this is added to the edge, with the overhang cut away. A few lengths of the Black Glittered Organdy Ribbon sit behind this.

Two pumpkins and a ghost are cut using the Halloween Punch and added to the shape.

Halloween Punch. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Finally, some Black Matte Dot eyes are added to the shapes.

As you can see, you could easily swap the Halloween shapes for a sentiment, or other shape. Plus, any colours or DSP can be used for the starburst background.

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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Customer Thank You in Pale Papaya

September 29, 2021September 24, 2021 ~ Karen Young

These Pale Papaya projects were the thank you cards for those who shopped with me in August.

Customer Thank You in Pale Papaya. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Old Olive and Very Vanilla complete the colour combination.

Using the Art Gallery Stamp Set the flowers and leaves are stamped. These are then cut out using the Hippo & Friends Dies.

They are given a gentle touch of sparkle with some Wink of Stella.

The sentiment is then stamped in the top corner and a piece of In Color DSP sits at the bottom section of the project.

A strip of coordinating ribbon then hides the join of the DSP.

Customer Thank You in Pale Papaya. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Finally, the die cut piece is raised up using Dimensionals, before In Color Jewels are dotted around for a finishing touch.

Customer Thank You in Pale Papaya. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

If you shop with me in September, you’ll also receive a handmade card from me. Also, if you shop at my Online Store and use the Online Shopping Club Code, you’ll receive a small thank you gift too.

Don’t forget that SAB ends tomorrow, so if you want to add FREE items to your shopping list, then make sure you place an order before time runs out.

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

Silvery Simply Elegant Thanks

September 24, 2021September 23, 2021 ~ Karen Young

The pretty DSP does all the hard work for me on this project.

Silvery Simply Elegant Thanks. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

This is a piece of the Simply Elegant Specialty DSP. It has gold, silver and copper foil running through it.

As Smoky Slate is quite close to silver, I chose to use that for my accent pieces, along with Basic White.

Silvery Simply Elegant Thanks. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Using the Hippo & Friends Dies, I used the Spotlight Technique to cut out a piece from the DSP, plus a layer piece from Smoky Slate.

A length of the coordinating Simply Elegant Trim in Silver sits across the project. This then has a triple loop bow attached with a Glue Dot.

Check out yesterday’s Top Tips, Tricks & Techniques video for a demonstration on tying multiple loop bows.

The Ornate Thanks Stamp Set provides the stamp set. This has ends shaped to mirror the die-cut pieces.

Finally, the sentiment is raised up using Mini Dimensionals.

Silvery Simply Elegant Thanks. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

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

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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A Box of Birthday Balloons

November 21, 2020November 20, 2020 ~ Karen Young

For my Niece’s recent lockdown 18th, I made this box of birthday balloons.

I haven’t made a pop-up box for a while, so I thought it was the perfect occasion.

These lay flat for postage with the box flaps up, then, when the recipient opens it, the flaps fall down and the box takes shape.

My colour combination is from the dotty Playing With Patterns DSP I have used. It’s Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry, Purple Posy and Whisper White.

Coastal Cabana is the main colour for the box. Using the Detailed Trio Punch, I rounded the corners of the box and the DSP.

The balloons, cut using the Balloon Bouquet Punch are embossed. Tasteful Textile and Wrapped in Texture Embossing Folders create the fun patterns.

Attaching the balloons to the strings I made from the Hippo & Friends Dies was made easier by sandwiching them between the embossed ballon and a plain balloon shape.

This also means that when it lays flat, the balloons don’t stick to each other.

I popped three strips across the inside of the box. This not only gave me something to attach the ballons too, but provided some extra rigidity.

As I attached the balloons to the strips, I was carefully checking they wouldn’t foul each other, or overhang the edge too far when folded.

Once I was happy with the positions, I sandwiched the bottom of the strings in with another piece of Coastal Cabana Cardstock.

There had to be an ’18’, so using Silver Foil Sheets, this and the sentiment were cut out. Playful Alphabet Dies for the ’18’ and Well Written Dies for the sentiment.

Finally, a length of matching Playing With Patterns Combo Ribbon is stuck around the box, along with some Playing With Patterns Resin Dots.

I also made an envelope too, but didn’t take a picture of that!

Happy crafting

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

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Hippo Happiness to celebrate a 6th Birthday

November 17, 2020November 16, 2020 ~ Karen Young

My friend’s son celebrated his 6th Birthday last week, so it seemed the perfect opportunity to play with the Hippo Happiness Stamp Set and Dies Bundle.

This is another version of this project. For this new one, I’ve used the two In Color blues of Misty Moonlight and Seaside Spray.

I also stamped some of the hippos upside down for some extra fun!

Using one of the matching dies, the hippo was cut out. Then ‘hippo birthday’ from the Stamp Set is stamped.

Layers of Misty Moonlight Ribbon, Seaside Spray Cardstock and the sentiment are added to the project. Each with the end cut at an angle.

Finally, the hippo is layered onto two punched circle shapes and attached using Dimensionals.

This is a quick and easy project, but it’s also fun and great for all ages.

November is ‘one of those months’ when it comes to Birthdays. I’ve definitely been keeping busy making Birthday cards!

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 – Hippo & Friends Dies

November 9, 2020November 5, 2020 ~ Karen Young

At Card & (Your) Cuppa, I regularly ask the attendees to suggest projects they would like to make.

One of the recent responses has been a unicorn. So for last week’s card, we entered into a fantasy world.

All of the pieces are cut using the Hippo & Friends Dies, apart from the sentiment.

Quite a number of colours, Purple Posy, Highland Heather, Blushing Bride, Flirty Flamingo, Daffodil Delight and Soft Sea Foam make an appearance in this project. I wanted it to be colourful, yet not too brash.

As the unicorn horn is a rather fiddly piece, wet glue was my preferred choice for sticking it to the body. It’s easier, and less messy, to pop some glue on the body, then add the horn.

This is then repeated for the balloon string.

With the layers stuck together with the unicorn on top, it was time to finish the project.

I chose to use the sentiment from the co-ordinating Hippo Happiness Stamp Set in Highland Heather Ink. The end is shaped using the Banners Pick a Punch.

The large piece, with the unicorn on top, is attached using Dimensionals to raise it off the page. Another Mini Dimensional attaches the balloon.

Three flowers, coloured with Wink of Stella are then scattered around using Glue Dots.

Finally, a tiny Gold Glitter Enamel Dot creates the eye and adds a touch more sparkle.

There aren’t many more Card & (Your) Cuppa sessions left for 2020, so make sure you book your place to join me. 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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…and Cauldron Bubble

October 17, 2020October 16, 2020 ~ Karen Young

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

Happiness is… Hippo Happiness

September 11, 2020September 11, 2020 ~ Karen Young

It had to happen sooner or later! I finally got to play with my Hippo Happiness Stamp Set and Dies Bundle.

This cute project just uses the hippo parts of the Stamp Set and the co-ordinating Die to cut it out.

I used Smoky Slate to stamp the hippos all across the background. Then using Smoky Slate again, stamped the three pieces to make the die-cut hippo. First the darker body piece, then the features, then finally, the full piece I used for the background, this time stamped off first.

As my new Cut & Emboss machine has arrived, I used it to cut out the hippo. I’m adore this machine already. You definitely need one in your life.

It comes with the plates you need to get started – 1 Base Plate, 1 Die Plate, 2 Cutting Plates, and 1 Specialty Plate. No receiving the machine and not being able to use it straight away. Just assemble the handle following the easy instructions and off you go. The plates are all numbered too and have information on which ones to use for cutting and embossing.

As I knew I wanted to use a green colour to go with the grey (well, I am HIPPOFROG Designs after all!), I couldn’t decide which one to use. Then, my eyes fell on the gingham ribbon in the Flowers for Every Season Ribbon Combo Pack. This ribbon gives the project a fun look, so using co-ordinating cardstock and ink in the same colour, made Just Jade the perfect choice.

Using the Banners Pick a Punch to shape the end of the sentiment strips, these were stuck together, along with the piece of ribbon.

Finally, the hippo was stuck on a punched circle layer which was attached using Dimensionals.