Special Christmas Cards 2022 – Project 1

December 22, 2022December 21, 2022 ~ Karen Young

The first of the three projects from my Special Christmas Cards class is this pretty wreath.

These cards are those you make for the special people in your life. They have extra layers, take longer to create, and are those that you tend to give in person.

Along with the cards, which are a non-standard square, the attendees all made envelopes from DSP too.

This wreath uses the two punches, the Bough Punch and Decorative Circle.

Various shades of green in Shaded Spruce, Garden Green and Old Olive provide the greenery, along with Gold.

Using a Blending Brush and a Garden Green Stampin’ Pad, the leaves were given a little extra ink on the edges.

Each leaf shape was then stuck onto one of three layers, made from the Decorative Circle Punch shpaes. These were then stuck together using Dimensionals to create extra depth.

My sentiment from the Spruced Up Stamp Set is then stamped in Real Red onto another Decorative Circle shape and stuck to the front of the wreath.

A gold bow, made from the Gold Shimmer Ribbon is then stuck to the wreath using Glue Dots.

Finally, some Red Rhinestone Berry are added, along with some Iridescent Rhinestones accents.

Don’t forget that the July-December Mini Catalogue is only around for a short while longer. Make sure you grab any items from the Last Chance list while you can.

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.

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

Countdown to Christmas 2022 – Week 9

December 3, 2022December 2, 2022 ~ Karen Young

Week 9 of this year’s Countdown to Christmas series is also my final Christmas Card Club project of 2022.

It’s become a bit of a tradition for me to design a poinsettia Christmas Card, so I couldn’t resist adding one for my final Christmas Card Club project.

This card is a CASE of this previous project.

I chose a traditional colour combination of Real Red, Garden Green and Very Vanilla, with Gold Ribbon.

Lengths of the Gold Shimmer Ribbon are made to look like a present. This ribbon is on the Last Chance Products list as it is retiring from the July-December Mini Catalogue. Make sure you grab items on the list quickly as they may even be sold out by now.

The poinsettia is created using the Spruced Up Outline Dies, which are also on the retiring list.

These pieces are layered together on top of a shape cut from the Layering Circles Dies.

A sentiment, from the retiring Penguin Place Stamp Set sits behind the circle. It has the ends cut into a banner shape.

Finally, a Glossy Dot in Daffodil Delight creates the centre of the poinsettia.

I hope you’ve enjoyed all 6 of my Christmas Card Club projects.

Here they are all together. Do you have a favourite?

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.

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

Countdown to Christmas 2022 – Week 3

October 22, 2022October 21, 2022 ~ Karen Young

For this week’s Countdown to Christmas 2022 project, it’s a quick and simple card with no stamping.

It uses an Embossing Folder, Dies and a Punch, plus some Ribbon.

As it is a reindeer, I chose Crumb Cake, Soft Suede and Real Red to go with Basic White.

The background is from the Merry Melody 3D Embossing Folder. I’m not sure what tune it is, but we’ll pretend it’s a Christmas carol!

Circles are then cut using the Layering Circles Dies and stuck together.

For Rudolph, the pieces are cut using the Reindeer Builder Punch, assembled and stuck to the circles.

This sits on Dimensionals over the top of a length of Gold Shimmer Ribbon

Finally, a Red Rhinestone is added to create the shiny nose.

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.

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

Last Week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa – Sun Prints DSP

September 20, 2022September 16, 2022 ~ Karen Young

Last week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa project may look familiar, that is deliberate!

At a previous class, there was a lot of love for this project, and I was asked for something similar but with a masculine feel. I don’t like to disappoint!

Also, you know that I’m not one to turn down an opportunity to create one of my stripe projects!

This card uses the Sun Prints DSP as the stripes. Night of Navy and Gray Granite, along with Basic White, the colours from the paper, provide the the coordinating items.

The stripey background is made, then given a some extra inking around the edge using a Blending Brush.

A length of the Shimmer Ribbon sits across the project.

Leaves cut from the Bough Punch and the Flowers & Leaves Punch are given a touch of extra colour and sit behind.

Happy Birthday is from the Lovely & Lasting Stamp Set and cut out with the Lasting Label Punch from the Bundle.

Another stem of leaves sits to the side. Using Dimensionals, the sentiment piece is then stuck to the project.

Finally, some coordinating Solid Faceted Gems are dotted around the project.

Don’t miss my announcement about Card & Cuppa classes later today.

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.

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

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.

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

Sun Prints Suite & Stripes

August 10, 2022August 9, 2022 ~ Karen Young

I haven’t shared a stripes project with you for a while, so this Best Wishes card seemed like the perfect opportunity!

It uses items from the Sun Prints Suite Collection, the Nature’s Prints Stamp Set & Natural Prints Dies Bundle and Sun Prints DSP. These are in the Annual Catalogue.

I took my colour combination of Gray Granite, Night of Navy and Basic White from the sheets of DSP I was using.

The DSP strips create a stripe background, using one strip in the middle and two other patterns to mirror on either side.

Next, using a Blending Brush and coordinating Ink, I added some extra colour around the edges.

A length of Gray Granite Shimmer Ribbon sits across the stripes.

The flower is stamped and cut out using the Nature’s Prints Stamp Set and Natural Prints Dies. A Blender Pen then colours the flower.

Leaf shapes are also cut from the Dies.

For the senitment, I used a Stampin’ Write Marker to ink up the ‘Best Wishes’ part of one of the stamps. This is then also cut out using the Dies from the Sun Prints Suite Collection.

All of the pieces are then stuck to the project, with the sentiment raised up on Dimensionals above the Ribbon.

Finally, a few Iridescent Rhinestones are added for a touch of 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 – Sun Prints Suite Collection

May 16, 2022May 15, 2022 ~ Karen Young

After a three week break due to Bank Holidays and my own holiday, Card & (Your) Cuppa returned with this pretty project.

Sun Prints Suite Collection. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

It is inspired by the projects on Page 92 of the new Annual Catalogue.

This card uses items from the Sun Prints Suite Collection (Nature’s Prints Stamp Set, Natural Prints Dies, Sun Prints DSP, Fern 3D Embossing Folder).

The colours in the DSP are the reasons for my colour combination of Gray Granite, Night of Navy and Basic White.

Sun Prints Suite Collection. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Using the shape of the sentiment piece, cut from the Natural Prints Dies, it is drawn round to mirror the shape onto the piece of DSP.

The DSP is stuck to the embossed piece of Basic White cardstock.

A sentiment from the Nature’s Prints Stamp Set in Night of Navy has die cut leaves stuck both under and on top of it.

Gray Granite Shimmer Ribbon is stuck behind it, before it is attached using Dimensionals.

Sun Prints Suite Collection. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Finally, some Iridescent Rhinestones are dotted across 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.

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

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.

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

Last Week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa – Stars, Tags & Monochrome

November 8, 2021November 7, 2021 ~ Karen Young

Last week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa project was this monochrome card with tags and stars.

Last Week's Card & (Your) Cuppa - Stars, Tags & Monochrome. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

It would be a great card for a teenager or 21st.

Using Gray Granite and Basic White for the design works really well as the Gray Granite looks silver.

The star are cut using the Starlit Punch from the Mini Catalogue. A set in each colour. They are then coated in Wink of Stella.

These are stuck across the project with any overhanging pieces cut away.

Last Week's Card & (Your) Cuppa - Stars, Tags & Monochrome. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Next, a tag from the Tailor Made Tags dies is stamped with the sentiment from the Turtle Friends Stamp Set, with some of the stars added too.

A length of the coordinating Shimmer Ribbon is threaded through the tags and tied together with a Baker’s Twine bow.

The tags are offset slightly and attached with Dimensionals to raise them off the page.

Finally, some silver Metallic Pearls are dotted across the project.

Last Week's Card & (Your) Cuppa - Stars, Tags & Monochrome. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

This is a great project to recreate in different colours, it would also make a fabulous Christmas card too.

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

Countdown to Christmas 2021 #5

October 30, 2021October 29, 2021 ~ Karen Young

It’s time for project 5 in my Countdown to Christmas 2021 series and I’ve created this poinsettia Christmas Card.

Countdown to Christmas 2021 #5. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Many of you will know that I love a poinsettia project for Christmas.

In fact, it has become tradition that there is a poinsettia project at my annual Special Christmas Cards Class.

This card uses a traditional Real Red and Old Olive colour combination.

Countdown to Christmas 2021 #5. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

For the background, I’ve used a Blending Brush to create a red area behind the poinsettia.

A couple of lengths of the pretty Gold Shimmer ribbon create the present effect. This then has a tag cut from the Tailor Made Tags dies, stamped with a sentiment from the Penguin Place Stamp Set. It’s attached at the outer end using Dimensionals.

The Poinsettia Dies provide the focal piece. These pieces are layered together in an offset way. Using Tear & Tape, this is stuck to the project.

Finally, a touch of Wink of Stella and a sequin from the Expressions in Ink Ephemera Pack add some sparkle to the centre.

Countdown to Christmas 2021 #5. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I hope you’ve enjoyed this project. Don’t forget to 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.

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

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