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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Christmas Packaging

December 19, 2020December 18, 2020 ~ Karen Young

If you’re in the middle of wrapping presents, then this box is perfect for Christmas packaging.

It’s a great size for chocolates, toiletries etc.

The box slides out from a belly band to reveal the contents.

My main box is made using Pear Pizzazz Cardstock. It’s a lidless box and can be made to your own dimensions. It is a stamp free project, but you can decorate the box and tag as you require.

Make sure you use a Paper Folder to make those score lines nice and crisp. Plus, use a strong adhesive such as Multipurpose Glue, Tear & Tape or SEAL+ to ensure the box doesn’t fall apart.

For the belly band, I used the box dimensions and added 1mm to each measurement when I scored. This allows the belly band to fit over the box and slide nicely, without being too tight or too loose.

For the tag, the Fancy Tag Topper Punch and the Detailed Trio Punch gave me the shape.

Then, I punched a circle from matching Real Red Cardstock and a Pine Tree Punch shape from the offcut of DSP.

These were stuck together then attached with Dimensionals. As I popped a Rhinstone at the top of the tree, I made sure a tiny piece of Dimensional was stuck behind that too.

Finally, a piece of Real Red Braided Linen Trim is threaded through the tag to attach it.

I love making boxes and hope to make many more of them in 2021. Watch this space!

Make sure you check out the offers on the Great Year-End Closeout Sale.

Happy crafting

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

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Countdown to Christmas #12

December 18, 2020December 17, 2020 ~ Karen Young

My final project of my Countdown to Christmas series is Countdown to Christmas #12.

If you need a quick and simple Christmas Card that is simple to replicate in lots of different colours, then this is it!

One ink pad, matching cardstock, plus Whisper White or Very Vanilla, a couple of stamps, some punched shapes and a swish of ribbon is all you need.

For this monochrome look, I’ve used Misty Moonlight and Just Jade.

Using the Nature’s Beauty Stamp Set in first and second generation stamping, this creates a snowy background. You can leave yours blank, or use a different image.

Next, I chose my focal image, a tree from the Perfectly Plaid Stamp Set, stamping it three times. The Just Jade is tone-on-tone, Misty Moonlight onto Whisper White.

The important thing is to stamp 3 of these. Then either cut or punch them out like I have here using the co-ordinating Pine Tree Punch.

These are then stuck onto layered circles. You can use any shape for your layers. These are to help them stand out from the background.

A loop of ribbon is then stuck behind where the circles will sit.

Finally, the centre piece is stuck on using Dimensionals.

Perfect for those moments when you receive a card from someone you’ve forgotten to send to!

Do you have a favourite?

This design is so simple to replicate using different stamp sets and shapes.

I also made some more using red for one design and pink for another. There aren’t any picture of those though!

Don’t forget to take a look at the Christmas items that are retiring and grab yourself a bargain.

Also, my classes for the first part of 2021 are open for booking. 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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Countdown to Christmas #4

October 23, 2020October 21, 2020 ~ Karen Young

For Countdown to Christmas #4 I’ve created a project with a vintage feel.

Using Crumb Cake, Early Espresso and Very Vanilla creates something a bit different to the normal greens and reds.

A tree from the Perfectly Plaid Stamp Set is stamped tone-on-tone onto the background.

If you’re making a batch of these, my top tip would be to stamp a whole sheet with trees and then cut it to the size you need.

Three trees are stamped onto a separate piece and then cut out using the matching Pine Tree Punch.

Lengths of Early Espresso Ribbon and Scalloped Lace Trim lay wrap around the stamped layer.

These co-ordinate with the circles that sit on top of them.

Finally, the three trees are stuck onto the circles and the whole piece is raised using Dimensionals.

This is a great project for creating in bulk. You could also add embellishments or sparkle too.

If you want to join me in creating some Special Christmas Cards, 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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Christmas Stamp-a-Stack: Perfectly Plaid

December 12, 2019December 12, 2019 ~ Karen Young

Here’s another project from my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack Class.

This project uses the fabulous Perfectly Plaid Bundle, a Stamp Set with matching Punch,

Perfectly Plaid Bundle. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

A colour combination of Old Olive and Crumb Cake for the trees, mixed with Seaside Spray and Real Red make for a rather traditional Christmas Card.

Using first and second generation stamping for the trees creates a varied effect. It also cuts down on the amount of times you need to re-ink!

I find it easier to punch out the trees before stamping the trunks, as it makes it easier to line them up.

The snow effect in the background is an image from the Waterfront Stamp Set.

A length of Polka Dot Ribbon adds to the snow effect and sets off the sentiment. This is cut out using the Timeless Label Punch.

Everything is assembled using SNAIL, with one tree and the sentiment fixed using Dimensionals.

Don’t forget to check out the Year-End Closeout Sale where you’ll discover which items from the Autumn/Winter Catalogue are retiring, with some available at a discounted rate. You can also check to see if this Stamp Set and Punch will be carried over to the next Autumn/Winter Catalogue too.

I’ve just published my Class Timetable for next year, so why not pop the dates in your diary and join us in 2020?

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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