Card & Cuppa Plus – Leaves from Rooted in Nature

April 20, 2020April 19, 2020 ~ Karen Young

Today I’m sharing the final project I haven’t yet shown you from my face-to-face classes. Everything after this point will be from virtual sessions.

This is from my Card and Cuppa Plus class and used the leaves from Rooted in Nature.

I decided that this project should have a more masculine feel to it, so opted for to use the leaves from Rooted in Nature and the co-ordinating Nature’s Root Dies.

My colour combination is Mint Macaron, Pacific Point and Crumb Cake, with Very Vanilla. I wasn’t sure about the combination to begin with as I thought the Pacific Point would overwhelm the project. However, by only using the colour for the largest leaf, it works really well.

A masked area was inked using a Sponge Brayer and Crumb Cake to create the ombre effect. For some extra detail, this was then stamped onto with the leaves and a variety of different generations of stamping.

One the mask was removed, a couple of pieces of Linen Thread were wrapped around the top and bottom to highlight the section.

The leaves in the centre are embossed and cut using the Nature’s Root Dies. The embossing was then enhanced by using a Sponge Dauber and Crumb Cake ink.

These were then attached to the project using Dimensionals to make them stand out.

Finally, a sentiment from the fabulous Label Me Bold Stamp Set was added.

I think this project would look great in other colour combinations, from subtle through to brights.

To see the classes I’m offering during the pandemic, take a look at my current virtual classes and be sure to book your place.

Happy crafting

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

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Card & Cuppa Plus – Daisy Lane yet again!

April 18, 2020April 17, 2020 ~ Karen Young

Before we commenced the recent social distancing requirements, I held my first Card & Cuppa Plus class. This is a Card & Cuppa class, but there are three projects, instead of just one.

This is one of the projects and it uses Daisy Lane yet again!

Daisy Lane yet again! Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

If this design looks familiar to you, it’s because it is. You might recognise this project.

I would actively encourage you to reuse designs. Why use a load of time trying to create something new if you know a design already works.

Here I’ve used the Daisy Lane Bundle, with the larger Daisy Punch too. My colour combination is the fabulous Purple Posy, Highland Heather and stamped off Old Olive.

Daisy Lane yet again! Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Rounding the corners with the Detailed Trio Punch just softens the look. A Blender Pen has been used to pull some of the colour around the daisy petals too.

These daisy shapes have been layered on top of a piece of co-ordinating In Color Ribbon, before a Clear Faceted Gem is added to the centre.

To finish, a sentiment from the Label Me Bold Stamp Set is placed in the corner. Then, some Rhinestones coloured with a Dark Highland Heather Stampin’ Blend just add another touch of bling.

Daisy Lane yet again! Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Don’t forget that any current Bundles in the Catalogues will no longer be available when the new Catalogue launches in June. Make sure you get your hands on the discounted Bundles before then.

As I’m unable to run face-to-face classes at the moment, I’m teaching virtual ones instead. These adhere to the social distancing rules perfectly as everything takes place from the safety of your own home.

Why not join me from yours? 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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Bugs, Beasts & Butterflies – Wiggle Worm Bundle Birthday Card

March 28, 2020March 28, 2020 ~ Karen Young

I’m sharing another project from my Bugs, Beasts & Butterflies class and it’s this Wiggle Worm Bundle Birthday Card.

Wiggle Worm Bundle Birthday Card. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

This is actually the card I sent to my Dad for his Birthday as he’s a huge fan of bugs and creepy crawlies. He loved it!

The worm is my favourite character from the set, so he had to be included. With the way he faces, the mantis was the obvious choice to pair with him, as it looks like they are having a conversation.

Using Soft Suede to stamp on Crumb Cake and Garden Green onto Pear Pizzazz, the bug and worm were created. A Blender Pen was then used to just pull some of the colour across the pieces before they were cut out using the matching dies, along with the grass too.

Just a few of the little flying bugs across the top of the project add an extra bit of fun. These were also given a bit of colour using a Blender Pen.

Finally, a sentiment using the Label Me Bold Stamp Set. The set we used the most at this class was added.

I’ve since discovered similar designs on the web (deliberate pun to fit with the bug theme!) and it looks like I may have used them for my inspiration. However, the images and shapes I used just fitted nicely into this composition. Great minds and all that!

Don’t forget that there are only a few days left of Sale-A-Bration as it ends on 31st March.

During this pandemic, my face-to-face classes have obviously stopped. But, I’m offering postal classes with a video craft-along. Check out all of the different options I have available, from crafting yourself to me sending a handmade card on your behalf, plus children’s classes too.

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.

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Bugs, Beasts & Butterflies – Balmy Blue Butterflies

March 26, 2020March 22, 2020 ~ Karen Young

The third project from my Bugs, Beasts & Butterflies class is this fabulous Balmy Blue butterflies card.

Balmy Blue Butterflies. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

It is a monochrome-type card as it only uses Balmy Blue and Very Vanilla.

Firstly, a strip was masked across the card and an ombre of Balmy Blue ink was added using a Sponge Brayer.

Next, an image from the Artisan Textures Stamp Set creates the speckled look across the masked piece.

Once the masking had been removed, it was time to piece everything together.

Strips of Lace Trim Ribbon are placed behind the circle, before the large butterfly is added on the top. The butterflies are from the Butterfly Gala Stamp Set and Butterfly Duet Punch.

You can’t see it in the picture, but the large butterfly has been coated in Wink of Stella to make it sparkly when it catches the light.

Finally, a sentiment from the Label Me Bold Stamp Set and the two smaller butterflies are added to create this trio of Balmy Blue Butterflies. I think this would look great in purple or orange too.

Sadly, this class was my final face-to-face evening class for a while due the current pandemic.

However, I’ve put together some Social Isolation Classes for people to continuing crafting together at a distance. Book your place here.

Don’t forget that during this pandemic, small businesses need your support in order to still be there when it is all over. If you are able to help, a small order, or a class booking makes all the difference and is very much appreciated.

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.

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Very Vanilla 3/8" (1 cm) Scalloped Lace Trim

Bugs, Beasts & Butterflies – Party Lion

March 19, 2020March 18, 2020 ~ Karen Young

Here is the first beast from my recent Bugs, Beasts & Butterflies Class, this fun party lion.

Party Lion. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Isn’t he cute in his party hat?

This bright combination of colours, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Mango Melody and Popppy Parade, with Early Espresso and Whisper White make this project really cheerful. A perfect card for children.

The lion is from the Bonanza Buddies Bundle from the Mini Catalogue. It is a fabulous Stamp Set with co-ordinating dies. There are lots of other animals in the set too. I used the Koala at my Card & Cuppa for Children Class in February.

There are some really useful dies in this set, from the tag to the fun bunting, and not forgetting the animals.

A piece of Daffodil Delight Ribbon, also from the Mini Catalogue completes the tag.

‘Happy Birthday’ is from the Label Me Bold Stamp Set and is stamped in Poppy Parade to match his hat!

In light of the curent pandemic and Government advice, I’ve stopped my face-to-face classes for the foreseeable future. My main concern is that everyone stays safe during this time.

Crafting doesn’t have to stop completely thought as you can join me at my new Social Isolation Classes, where packs will be posted out to you and we’ll have a virtual crafting session over video link.

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.

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Daffodil Delight 1/4" (6.4 mm) Ruched Ribbon

Last Week’s Card & Cuppa – More Painted Poppies

February 17, 2020February 12, 2020 ~ Karen Young

At last week’s Card & Cuppa class we used the Painted Poppies Bundle once more.

More Painted Poppies. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

This Bundle from the Mini Catalogue is so versatile and I have so many ideas for using it.

As I had to cancel the Painted Poppies Papercrafting Class, I decided to use one of the project ideas I was planning on teaching.

I love the background as it looks like a marble effect piece of printed paper and not stamped at all.

We’ve used the Detailed Trio Punch to round the corners on the opening edge.

The poppies are stamped onto Blushing Bride with the centres inked with Rococo Rose and a Sponge Dauber. They have also been given extra texture with the ‘splats’ used on the background.

With the leaves, they have been stamped onto Soft Sea Foam with Mint Macaron ‘splats’ and Sponge Dauber inking.

Everything has then been cut out using the co-ordinating dies from the bundle, plus the fabulous swirl too. The shapes were then attached to the swirl with SNAIL, which was then added to the project with Dimensionals to add depth.

Once the flower had been attached, the middles had a touch of sparkle added with some Wink of Stella.

A sentiment from the Label Me Bold Stamp Set, either cut out using the Classic Label Punch or by hand just finishes the project.

This is a project that looks really complicated, but once you have all the pieces stamped and cut out it’s very quick to pull together.

Don’t forget to book yourself onto one of my classes. Full details 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.

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New Catalogue Happy Mail

January 25, 2020January 24, 2020 ~ Karen Young

Each time I send out a catalogue, I include a card. This is my new catalogue happy mail.

These cards can be kept, or the recipient of the catalogue can use them to send to someone else.

New Catalogue Happy Mail using Lovely Lily Pad. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I made two versions of this card, portrait and landscape as I couldn’t decide which one I preferred!

My Catalogue Happy Mail cards always contains products from the new publications so the recipients can see the products up close.

This is fabulous FREE Sale-A-Bration (SAB) Lovely Lily Pad Stamp Set and I’ve used various shades of pink and green. My combo is Rococo Rose with Petal Pink and Old Olive with Pear Pizzazz.

I can’t help but love this Stamp Set really as my team is the Lily Pad Stampers, so I like to think that Stampin’ Up! designed it with me in mind!

Being a Reversible Stamp Set, you have twice as many images. A detailed outline on one side and a block of colour on the other.

To make the process of creating these even quicker, I randomly stamped whole sheets of Whisper White cards and then cut them up to create the pretty backgrounds.

Label Me Bold, a new Stamp Set from the Mini Catalogue is used for the sentiment.

Two more new products from the Mini Catalogue, the fabulous Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon and the Label Me Fancy Punch sit behind the sentiment.

Do you prefer the landscape or portrait version?

Why not join my team of Lily Pad Stampers? If you join during SAB, there are lots of extra special offers over and above the already great value Starter Kit.

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.

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Whisper White 1/4" (6.4 mm) Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon

Last Week’s Card & Cuppa – Lovely Lily Pad

January 13, 2020January 12, 2020 ~ Karen Young

For the first Card & Cuppa sessions of 2020, I reached for the fabulous new Lovely Lily Pad Stamp Set.

Lovely Lily Pad. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Lovely Lily Pad is a FREE Sale-a-Bration Stamp Set and is one of the Reversibles range from Stampin’ Up!

As you can see, the detailed outline stamp is one side of the stamp, with the reverse being the shadow-like image.

The lily pads are stamped in Old Olive and the flowers in Rococo Rose. These are then coloured using Stampin’ Blends in Petal Pink and Granny Apple Green.

Balmy Blue is used for the water images and is stamped off for the flower reverses.

There is a set of matching dies to cut out the shapes, but I don’t have those, so the attendees had to fussy cut instead!

A sentiment from the new Label Me Bold Stamp Set is stamped in Granny Apple Green to co-ordinate with the colouring.

Finally, everything is put together with SNAIL, with the large lily pad and flower raised up using Dimensionals.

Not only is SAB a great time to earn FREE products, it’s also a great time to join Stampin’ Up!

My team is called the Lily Pad Stampers, so it seems quite appropriate that this Stamp Set is in the SAB Brochure. Why not get in touch to find out more.

If you’d like to attend my classes, head to my 2020 Timetable for full details and booking information.

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.

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Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

Happy New Year, Happy New Mini Catalogue and Happy SAB!

January 6, 2020January 5, 2020 ~ Karen Young

Happy New Year! I hope you’ve had a wonderful break.

It’s my first day back at work today after the break, and I’m looking forward to sharing new products with you.

As it’s the new year, it’s also Happy New Mini Catalogue and Sale-A-Bration (SAB) time.

SAB is the BEST time of the Stampin’ Up! year as you can earn products for FREE. For every £45 you spend, you can choose an item from the SAB Brochure. There are also Level 2 items where you can earn items when you spend £90. These totals are before P&P.

Here is the first project I made using items from the fabulous new Mini Catalogue, and SAB brochure.

Happy New Mini Catalogue. Project Designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

This project was for my Niece. As she has a Birthday just before Christmas, I wanted to make sure it wasn’t festive and had a more spring-like feel.

I opted for shades of purple, Gorgeous Grape, Highland Heather and Purple Posy along with Whisper White.

The background image and sentiment are from the new Label Me Bold Stamp Set. I really like this set and think it will spend quite a lot of time on my crafting desk.

Sale-A-Bration brings us the Thoughtful Blooms Stamp Set for the background dots, plus the fabulous co-ordinating Small Bloom Punch. I have to admit to being very excited when I saw this punch.

I’ve used the gorgeous new Whisper White Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon and coloured it using a Dark Highland Heather Stampin’ Blend Marker.

Again, this ribbon is going to be used on a lot of my projects over the next few months. It’s really versatile, colours beautifully and is easy to tie too.

A few Rhinestones were the finishing touch to the centre of the flowers.

Make sure you take a look at the new Mini Catalogue and SAB items and take advantage of earning FREE products.

There are also fabulous offers for joining Stampin’ Up! as a Demonstrator during SAB too. I joined myself during SAB, so why take the plunge and join my team.

I’ll be using various products from these new publications at my classes over the coming months, so book yourself a place if you’d like to see the items up close.

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