Uniquely Artistic

October 3, 2022September 29, 2022 ~ Karen Young

Due to my annual two week holiday, there wasn’t a class on Monday, so I’m sharing this Uniquely Artistic project instead.

This DistINKtive Stamp Set in the Annual Catalogue is one I’ve had for a while, but hadn’t inked up.

It is one of those less is more type projects, where just two colours, along with Basic White is all that is needed.

The two colours for the first inking were the In Colors of Evening Evergreen and Polished Pink.

A blender pen is used to draw some colour from the leaves and flowers.

The three flowers are fussy cut and sat on top of a coordinating In Color Ribbon swoosh using Dimensionals.

My sentiment is from another artistic-sounding product, the Artistically Inked Stamp Set.

This sits across the centre of the flowers.

A few In Color Opal Round are then dotted across the project.

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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Blessings of Home Birthday Card

September 10, 2022September 8, 2022 ~ Karen Young

A friend, who is also a Stampin’ Up! fan celebrated their Birthday earlier this week.

For their card, I chose to use the Blessings of Home Bundle (Blessing of Home Stamp Set and Flowers of Home Dies).

They are a fan of Rich Razzleberry and Crumb Cake, so they were my starting colours.

Using one flower image from the Blessing of Home Stamp Set, I stamped it multiple times down the side of the project using Basic Gray ink. It was then stamped again onto a separate piece. This additional image was then cut out using the coordinating Flowers of Home Dies.

Each image was then coloured using Watercolor Pencils, with the lines smoothed out using a Blender Pen.

A touch of Wink of Stella was added to the centre of each flower.

Using the Painted Labels Dies, I cut the shape that sits behind the flower in Rich Razzleberry.

The sentiment is stamped tone-on-tone and cut out using the Sending Dies.

Both the flower and sentiment sit in the centre of the project on Dimensionals.

Finally, as my friend like a bit of sparkle, Opal Rounds provide a sprarkly 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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Lovely & Lasting Bundle

August 20, 2022August 19, 2022 ~ Karen Young

There was a lot of fussy cutting to create this ‘thank you’ card.

The main stars of the show were the items in the Lovely & Lasting Bundle, the Lovely & Lasting Stamp Set and Lasting Label Punch.

Using a favourite colour combination of Rich Razzleberry and Soft Succulent, along with Basic White shows off these pretty flowers.

I didn’t want to add too much to the background as the flowers are the stars, so the Painted Texture Embossing Folder provides a subtle backdrop.

Each flower is stamped second generation and then fussy cut by hand.

Leaves cut using the Bough Punch sit among the flowers.

For the sentiment, this is also from the Lovely & Lasting Stamp Set, cut out with the coordinating Lasting Label Punch.

A length of Satin Shimmer Ribbon sits behind the sentiment.

In Color Opal Rounds, in Soft Succulent, add a finishing touch.

Don’t forget that Catalogue Bundles are discounted, so you get a great saving.

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 – Shades of Orange Flowers

August 8, 2022August 3, 2022 ~ Karen Young

Last week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa project used various shades of orange to create this floral any occasion card.

Pale Papaya, Mango Melody and Pumpkin Pie provide the oranges, with Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla. I do like an orange, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla colour combination.

The background is created from the Timeworn Type Embossing Folder and a Sponge Dauber. This gives it a more antique feel.

Each of the flowers is made by sticking two flowers cut out using the Flowers & Leaves Punch together, in an offset way. Before being stuck together, the edges are curled using a Paper Folder and also given a touch of Wink of Stella around the centre.

A length of coordinating In Color Ribbon sits across the project.

With the flowers arranged in colour order, they are then stuck to the project using Glue Dots.

The ever versatile Art Gallery Stamp Set once again provides the sentiment that is stuck to the ribbon.

Finally, Opal Rounds provide the centre for each flower, with some Brushed Brass Butterflies flying to the edge of the project.

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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An In Color Thank You Using Items Already on my Desk

August 3, 2022August 3, 2022 ~ Karen Young

Do you have a pile of pre-cut items already on your craft desk? Me too!

For this project, I challenged myself to use them.

Using the In Colors of Soft Succulent and Polished Pink, with Very Vanilla, the project came together with items I had already cut or stamped.

The Stitched Greenery Die provides the background, again in Soft Succulent.

A flower from the Hand-Penned Petals Stamp Set, with the outline stamped in Smoky Slate, provides the main image. This image is then coloured using second generation stamping in the project colours. It is then cut out with the coordinating Penned Flowers Dies.

The flower sits on a shape cut from the Decorative Circle Punch.

Using the Beauty of Friendship Stamp Set the sentiment is stamped onto shapes cut from the Tailor Made Tags Dies. These are offset and poke out from behind the shape.

The flower and Decorative Circle piece are raised up on Dimensionals to create some extra depth.

Finally, some coordinating In Color Opal Rounds complete the project.

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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Top Tips, Tricks & Techniques: Tone on Tone Stamping

August 12, 2021August 11, 2021 ~ Karen Young

For this week’s Top Tips, Tricks & Techniques video, I’m showing you the tone on tone stamping technique.

Top Tips, Tricks & Techniques: Tone on Tone Stamping. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs Click below to watch my video.

My project uses a colour combination of Blushing Bride, Merry Merlot, Pear Pizzazz and Very Vanilla.

A panel is stamped tone on tone in each colour using the SAB Textures & Frames Stamp Set.

Top Tips, Tricks & Techniques: Tone on Tone Stamping. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

These are then set at an angle (see one of my previous videos about angles).

A length of Frayed Grosgrain Ribbon in Blushing Bride, from the new July-December Mini Catalogue is then added.

The sentiment is from the Art Gallery Stamp Set and is raised up over the edge of the ribbon using Dimensionals.

Top Tips, Tricks & Techniques: Tone on Tone Stamping. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Finally, some Opal Rounds add a touch of sparkle.

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.

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Less Is More With Art In Bloom Bundle

July 7, 2021July 7, 2021 ~ Karen Young

There are times when less is more, this card is definitely one of those times.

Less Is More With Art In Bloom Bundle. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I had a completely different idea for this project, then changed my mind as I started making it. Please tell me I’m not the only one!

My colour combination is Balmy Blue and So Saffron, combined with Basic White.

Using the Bloom Hybrid Embossing Folder, with the Bloom Dies from the Bundle, I was able to both cut and emboss the flower shapes in one go. This Embossing Folder is amazing!

Keep an eye out for a future Top Tips, Tricks & Techniques Video for a hands-on demonstration.

Then, using my Blending Brushes, I used So Saffron to add colour to the background and Balmy Blue to colour the flowers. As the flowers are embossed, it allows for some pretty colouring.

Less Is More With Art In Bloom Bundle. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

For my flowers, I had to use a Sponge Dauber for the centre, plus a touch of Wink of Stella for some sparkle.

As with this previous project, I also inked up part of a sentiment from the Art In Bloom Stamp Set, also in the Bundle. Again, I cut this with the Dies and cut off the excess.

Using a combination of Tear & Tape and Dimensionals, the flowers are attached.

Less Is More With Art In Bloom Bundle. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Finally, some Opal Rounds add some extra 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

Last Week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa – Inspired by Wimbledon 2021

July 5, 2021July 2, 2021 ~ Karen Young

Every year, around this time, I design a project inspired by Wimbledon for my Card & (Your) Cuppa Class.

Inspired by Wimbledon 2021. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

These projects are normally in Wimbledon colours. However, as we now have a Strawberry Bundle (Sweet Strawberry Stamp Set and Strawberry Builder Punch), it seemed appropriate to make a strawberries and cream project for this year.

Using the Stitched With Whimsy Dies and cutting around the outside edge, the Gorgeous Grape picnic blanket takes shape. I then added a grid pattern using my Simply Scored.

Inspired by Wimbledon 2021. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

After this was attached, it was time to create the bowl of strawberries.

Layering circles in Very Vanilla and Daffodil Delight are stuck together and have their edges curled using a Paper Folder.

The strawberries, in Poppy Parade and Real Red have a touch of extra colour and shading added with a Sponge Dauber. Next, the stalks complete them.

These are added to the bowl, with the three front ones raised up on dimensionals.

A sentiment, from the Sweet Strawberry Stamp Set, part of a Bundle, is tucked behind the bowl.

Inspired by Wimbledon 2021. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Finally, some Opal Rounds add some sparkle.

If you want to see some of my previous Wimbledon projects, here are links to the 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 designs.

Join me for 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

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Meadow Dies Revisited

June 23, 2021June 21, 2021 ~ Karen Young

At a recent Card & (Your Cuppa), the project used the Meadow Dies.

For this Meadow Dies revisited project, I’ve taken the same items and made the project again, with a few changes.

Meadow Dies Revisited. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Once again, there is a Pale Papaya and Basic White Colour scheme

Rather than for an anniversary, I chose to make this version for a Birthday, so there is the addition of Pear Pizzazz.

Meadow Dies Revisited. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

This time I’ve coloured the Basic White die cut pieces with Sponge Daubers.

For the sentiment, it uses the Timeless Tulips Stamp Set.

Again, the same elements of Wink of Stella on the Butterfly, plus the Fine Art Ribbon and Opal Rounds all add a touch of sparkle.

Meadow Dies Revisited. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Don’t forget to revisit your own projects. Take a look at my Top Tips, Tricks & Techniques video on this very topic.

Why not join me for one of my online classes. All abilities are welcome. Head to my Class Timetable for full details and to book your place.

Happy crafting

Karen Young HIPPOFROG Designs

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

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

Last Week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa – Meadow Dies

June 14, 2021June 9, 2021 ~ Karen Young

At a previous Card & (Your) Cuppa session, I was asked if we create an Anniversary Card.

Not wishing to disappoint, here is last week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa project.

Meadow Dies. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

It uses the Meadow Dies, plus the Expressions In Ink Specialty DSP, both new items from the Annual Catalogue.

I chose Pale Papaya and Basic White for my colour combination, with Gold Fine Art Ribbon.

Meadow Dies. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Each of the die cut pieces are layered to create a bouquet feel, with the front ones raised up at the top using Dimensionals.

For the sentiment, I have stamped the ‘Happy Anniversary’ from the Many Messages Stamp Set in Pale Papaya onto the label shape from the Meadow Dies. This lays across the Fine Art Ribbon.

The butterfly has a coat of Wink of Stella for some sparkle.

Meadow Dies. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs