First Inking of Amazing Silhouettes

March 30, 2022March 29, 2022 ~ Karen Young

I can’t believe this card I made for Mothering Sunday was my first inking of the Amazing Silhouettes Stamp Set.

Amazing Silhouettes. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

It’s inspired by page 40 of the Mini Catalogue.

My colour combination is Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Very Vanilla, with metallic accents.

To achieve the mottled effect for the stamping, I have used a sponge dauber to ink up the stamp. This technique is great fun as you achieve something unique every time. I think I may need to do a Top Tips video on the process.

Amazing Silhouettes. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

A length of Simply Elegant Trim is added and tied in a knot.

Using the Floral Gallery Dies, the words sit across the stamping. These dies are currently part of a Special Offer during March, so make sure you grab the discounted Bundle from the promotion before the end of the month.

Finally, some Brass Butterflies are added. These provide another metallic element to coordinate with the trim.

Amazing Silhouettes. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Don’t forget the Annual Catalogue Last Chance list is here. You’ll need to be quick to grab items before they disappear for good.

I think I’ll definitely be inking this Stamp Set up again soon!

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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Art Gallery and Subtles for a Birthday

March 5, 2022March 4, 2022 ~ Karen Young

This Birthday card, inspired by the Annual Catalogue, is a great project to use the fabulous Art Gallery Stamp Set and matching Dies.

Art Gallery and Subtles. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

If you missed the Bundle in last year’s Mini Catalogue, make sure you check out the fabulous March promotion. Not only has it returned for the promotion, it is also available at a discounted price.

My project is inspired by Page 13 of the Annual Catalogue and I chose to use the Subtles colour family. Calypso Coral, So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz and Balmy Blue, along with Very Vanilla.

The background is from the Timeworn Type 3D Embossing Folder and I have added a touch of coulour using a Blending Brush.

Each floral image and leaves have been stamped twice and cut out using the Floral Gallery Dies.

Art Gallery and Subtles. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

These pieces have then been cut down further to allow for the layering.

Once again, the Stamp Set and Dies from the Bundle create the layered sentiment.

This sits on Dimensionals, with a bow made from the Baker’s Twine Essentials Pack just next to it.

Art Gallery and Subtles. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Finally, coordinating Artistry Blooms sequins complete the card.

Do make sure you grab this returning Bundle while you can, it’s a great opportunity to own this and others at a fabulous discounted price during March.

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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Hand-Penned Customer Thank You Cards

July 30, 2021July 29, 2021 ~ Karen Young

My favourite time of the month as a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator is sending Thank You cards to those who shopped with me the month before.

Hand-Penned Customer Thank You Cards. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

This is my card for my June Customers.

It uses items from the Hand-Penned Suite, with the Hand-Penned DSP as the focus.

The fabulous DSP is on Special Offer until 2nd August. Make sure you grab yourself a pack or two before the offer ends.

For my colour combination, I picked Pale Papaya and Basic White from the DSP, with a Black sentiment. As there are a few colours in the DSP, I wanted to keep the colours I used to a minimum.

Hand-Penned Customer Thank You Cards. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Using the Penned Flowers Dies from the Suite, I scalloped the edge of the DSP.

The sentiment is from the Hand-Penned Petals Stamp Set and I’ve stamped a few extra flowers around it.

This is cut out using the Label Me Fancy Punch.

Lengths of the coordinating In Color Ribbon are crossed behind it.

Hand-Penned Customer Thank You Cards. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Finally, some Genial Gems, also from the Suite are dotted across the project.

If you shop with me in July, a card will be on the way to you during August. Don’t forget that if you use the Online Shopping Club Code, you will receive a little extra gift 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

Bee-ing Iconic

July 9, 2021July 8, 2021 ~ Karen Young

Excuse today’s pun!

Bee-ing Iconic. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs
When you create a project with bees, it has to start with a Bumblebee and Basic Black colour combination.

One of the designs in the In Good Taste DSP has a mosaic pattern. Cutting a shape around the various hexagons creates the honeycomb shape. Sponge Daubers, Bumblebee and Soft Suede Ink then help to colour it.

Bee-ing Iconic. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

The bees are from the Iconic Dies and I have added a piece of Basic Black behind the outline of the body. A Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker colours the legs and antennae. Wink of Stella is added to the wings for a little bit of sparkle.

The Lovely You Stamp Set provides the sentiment. It had to be ‘just because’ with these bees as it makes me smile and think of my Dad.

Today, it is six months since we lost him to COVID. He loved all things nature and his sense of humour would have loved this play on words. I can imagine him chuckling at this project.

Bee-ing Iconic. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

A length of the Baker’s Twine Essentials Pack, tied in a knot around the edge of the sentiment adds an extra touch.

Finally, the bees are raised up on Mini Dimensionals.

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

Anyone for an Ice Cream (Cone)?

July 6, 2021July 5, 2021 ~ Karen Young

Do you also look at a punch and think of something different to do with it?

Anyone for an Ice Cream (Cone). Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

It’s something I do quite a lot. This design for the Ice Cream Cone Builder Punch has been in my head for a while. I’ve finally got around to making it.

Using the same In Good Taste DSP as this project from the weekend. I punched out two cone shapes using the Ice Cream Cone Builder Punch. These patterns are the other side of the papers I used previously, so are giving a very different look.

Anyone for an Ice Cream (Cone). Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Before I started to stick them down, I first stamped my sentiment from the Biggest Wish Stamp Set. I did this as if I made a mistake, it would be easier to correct or stamp again. It’s much harder to correct if you it at the end!

Each cone shape is then stuck down, leaving a gap between each one. Any overhang is then cut away.

Anyone for an Ice Cream (Cone). Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Finally, some lengths of coordinating Gray Granite Baker’s Twine from the Essentials Pack creates a border at the top and bottom.

It’s a quick and simple design and would be perfect for making a batch of cards for teachers, friends and more.

Grab a pack of DSP, you could choose one that is currently on special offer. Then add a stamp set of your choice, plus any extra embellishments. Make them using different colours, DSP packs and sentiments.

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

Postage Stamp and Textures In Good Taste

July 2, 2021July 1, 2021 ~ Karen Young

This masculine style project combines an Embossing Folder, some DSP and a Punch.

Postage Stamp and Textures In Good Taste. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Using Crumb Cake and Early Espresso, I chose to use Very Vanilla as I wanted a more grungey-type design. See my video on how I choose between Basic White and Very Vanilla.

The background is given texture using the Painted Textures 3D Embossing Folder. I’ve then added some extra colour using Crumb Cake and a Sponge Dauber.

Postage Stamp and Textures In Good Taste. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

In Good Taste DSP, currently on Special Offer, provides the shapes cut out using the Rectangular Postage Stamp Punch.

These are layered down the centre of the embossed piece with a length of Faux Suede Trim across the project.

A sentiment from the Many Messages Stamp Set is stamped and again cut out with the punch. I chose to ink up the stamp with an Early Espresso Stampin’ Write Marker.

Postage Stamp and Textures In Good Taste. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Finally, the sentiment is raised up on Dimensionals.

This project has only used a small piece of DSP, so you could make a LOT of cards from a pack of DSP using this design. Grab a pack of DSP while it is discounted, for even more value for money.

Why not 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

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

First Inking of Expressions In Ink Suite Collection

May 14, 2021May 13, 2021 ~ Karen Young

My Annual Catalogue order that arrived the other day contained the Expressions In Ink Suite Collection.

It’s a beautiful collection that includes the Artistically Inked Stamp Set, Artistic Dies, Expressions in Ink 12×12 Specialty DSP and Expressions in Ink Ephemera Pack. All for £70.

Expressions In Ink Suite Collection. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

This is my first time using the collection and it doesn’t disappoint.

My project starts with using a piece of the DSP for the background. Some of the sheets have gold foiling on them and they are simply stunning.

Then, using the stamp set and co-ordinating dies, the flowers and sentiment are stamped.

I’ve used Just Jade, one of the colours in the DSP and combined it with Mango Melody and Daffodil Delight.

The images in this stamp set are stunning, as you would expect from a DISTINKTIVE stamp set.

Expressions In Ink Suite Collection. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Using the pre-cut gold elements from the Ephemera Pack, extra leaves are popped behind the smaller Mango Melody flowers. These co-ordinate with the gold in the DSP.

The larger Daffodil Delight flower is then raised up on Dimensionals with the sentiment stamped and placed on top.

Finally, the adhesive-backed sequins, also from the Ephemera Pack are dotted in the middle of the large flower, with a few more on the DSP.

Expressions In Ink Suite Collection. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I can’t wait to make more projects with this Suite Collection as I haven’t even scratched the surface.

Make sure you check out the current offers, the JOIN+ Promotion and the Connect, Craft & Collect offers.

Why not 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

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

Last Week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa – Autumn Punch Pack

October 19, 2020October 16, 2020 ~ Karen Young

For last week’s Card & (Your) Cuppa project, the Autumn Punch Pack was the star.

I thought an autumnal project would be appropriate, especially as the nights are starting to draw in.

My colour combination starts with Crushed Curry for the strip, plus Cinnamon Cider, Pumpkin Pie and Cajun Craze. These all combine with the Very Vanilla layer and basecard.

The DSP strip is from the Playing with Patterns 6×6 DSP Pack, one of the packs currently on Special Offer during October.

Using the Autumn Punch Pack a variety of leaves are cut out and stuck onto the DSP strip.

This trio of small punches is a great way to add lots of shapes very quickly.

Before sticking the DSP strip down, any overhanging edges of leaves are trimmed away, leaving straight edges. It’s similar to this project.

Then, a length of co-ordinating Cinnamon Cider Ribbon is stuck in a cross shape. Using Dimensionals the sentiment from the Itty Bitty Birthdays Stamp Set is placed over the top.

Finally, an acorn is added to the sentiment.

To join me at one of my remaining classes for 2020, find out full details and booking information at my Class Timetable.

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

Fabulous Florals on World Cardmaking Day

October 3, 2020October 1, 2020 ~ Karen Young

Happy World Cardmaking Day.

Today I’m sharing another project from my Fabulous Florals Class. This is a quick and easy project to make on World Cardmaking Day.

As it’s a monochrome project, it is easy to replicate in your own colours. You can also use any punch shape you have to hand.

My colours are Coastal Cabana and Whisper White. I chose Coastal Cabana as it co-ordinates with the strip of Playing with Patterns DSP across the card.

This DSP pack is one of the packs in the current 15% off DSP Sale running throughout October.

Medium Daisy Punch shapes are stuck onto the DSP strip, with any overhanging pieces cut off and stuck into the gaps.

The DSP strip is then stuck onto the Whisper White layer.

A cross of co-ordinating ribbon from the Playing with Patterns Ribbon Combo Pack is topped with a sentiment from the Itty Bitty Birthdays Stamp Set in Coastal Cabana ink.

Finally, some Artistry Blooms Sequins, again in Coastal Cabana, are scattered across the project.

Look out for some more designs I’ll be making using this layout.

I’d love to see your World Cardmaking Day projects. What have you made?

Why not join me for one of my classes? 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

Countdown to Christmas #1

October 2, 2020September 29, 2020 ~ Karen Young

I know Christmas seems ages away, but did you know that it’s actually 12 weeks today?

Every Friday, I’ll be running my ‘Countdown to Christmas’ series where I’ll be sharing a Christmas project with you to help you get ahead.

My first project for Countdown to Christmas #1 is a simple Christmas Card using DSP. It’s the Toile Tidings DSP, a returning favourite from last year’s Autumn/Winter Catalogue.

This DSP is currently in the in the 15% off DSP sale during October.

By cutting the pieces of DSP into 3/4″ strips – this gets you 16 strips per sheet. With 12 sheets in the pack, that’s a lot of strips, to make a lot of cards!

With this DSP being Real Red on one side and Garden Green on the other, you can choose how to layer them.

I’ve used 6 strips here and starting at the top, layered them on top of each other onto a piece of cardstock. The overhang from the edges is then cut off, ready to use on the next card.

When I’m making projects like this, I put a good amount of glue all along the edges of the cardstock (as close as I can get), plus a couple of strips down the middle. Then, rather than putting glue on the DSP, I just stick the strips directly onto the glue on the cardstock. It helps to keep the glue on the project, rather than all over everything else!

Using a Thick Whisper White basecard and co-ordinating Garden Green as a layer, it helps to bring the project together .

My sentiment is from the Perfectly Plaid Stamp Set stamped onto a shape cut using the Tasteful Labels Dies. By cutting round the edge of this piece, I have been able to use the shape again as a layer.