Stylish Stars for a Teenage Birthday

November 24, 2021November 23, 2021 ~ Karen Young

This Birthday card was one I recently made for a teenager.

Stylish Stars for a Teenage Birthday. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

We all know that making cards for teenagers can be tricky, so I decided to create a project with some stylish stars.

I started with my colour scheme of Smoky Slate, Pacific Point and Poppy Parade, with Basic White.

For the background, I’ve used the splatter images from the Gorgeous Leaves Stamp Set in the three colours.

Stylish Stars for a Teenage Birthday. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

The stars are from the Starlit Punch and are scattered across the project.

A sentiment from the Artistically Inked Stamp Set is cut out using the Stitched Rectangles Dies and raised up on Dimensionals.

Finally, a couple of the smaller punched stars sit on the sentiment.

Stylish Stars for a Teenage Birthday. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

This design is great as the colours can be switched out to reflect favourite colours, or sports team etc.

Why not create your own version?

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 – Stitched Rectangle Dies

November 16, 2020November 15, 2020 ~ Karen Young

For this week’s project, we went a bit Mondrian-esque.

As the attendees liked the colours from the week before, I used the same ones.

For this project, the main pieces are from the Stitched Rectangle Dies.

To begin, lengths of the Daffodil Delight Ruched Ribbon and Flowers for Every Season Ribbon Combo are stuck across the project.

Next, each rectangle is arranged with pieces overlapping.

My sentiment is from the Beautiful Autumn Stamp Set and has a Small Bloom Punch Flower and Sprig Punch leaf attached.

The flower is coated with Wink of Stella for a touch of sparkle.

Finally, a Playing With Patterns Resin Dot is added to the centre of the flower.

With only a handful of Card & (Your) Cuppa Classes left for 2020, make sure you book your place. Head to my Class Timetable for full details.

Don’t forget to grab one of my Trio of Cute Christmas Cards Home Activity Pack. Limited numbers available.

Happy crafting

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

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Mostly Men – Autumn Leaves

November 7, 2020November 3, 2020 ~ Karen Young

This project from my recent Mostly Men Papercrafting Class is one that seemed like a good idea at the time!

I saw a project on Page 46 of the August – December Mini Catalogue and decided to create my own version. It’s great using the catalogues as inspiration for projects.

Using the Autumn Punch Pack, I punched lots of leaves using Pear Pizzazz, Garden Green and Cherry Cobbler.

Two rectangles from the Stitched Rectangle Dies in Crushed Curry and Very Vanilla provide the layers for the sentiment.

The first task was to arrange my 30 leaves into the pattern I wanted, putting a Cherry Cobbler leaf in each row.

Each leaf is stuck down one by one, using a small dot of Multipurpose Glue on the back. The easiest way to is to start with the centre column of leaves and then work out.

Any overhanging pieces are then cut away before sticking the whole piece down.

A time saving top tip to not attach the leaves that will be hidden by the sentiment.

I used the Blossoms in Bloom Stamp Set in Garden Green for my sentiment. This is stuck down using Dimensionals.

As we can’t craft in person, I sent out pre-punched shapes to everyone. That’s a lot of leaves, which is why it seemed like a good idea at the time.

I think the attendees are still talking to me after this project, especially as some managed to get very gluey!

The finished project is definitely worth the effort of all the punching and sticking.

I don’t have any evening classes for 2020 left for booking, but I’ll be looking at putting my schedule for 2021 together very soon.

Keep an eye on 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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Another Ornate Garden Suite Card

June 27, 2020June 26, 2020 ~ Karen Young

Today I’m sharing another Ornate Garden Suite Card. My inspiration is from Page 67 of the new Annual Catalogue.

Another Ornate Garden Suite Card. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

This Suite isn’t something I would normally be drawn to, especially as the images lend themselves to colouring. But, using Stampin’ Blends for colouring makes it so much easier as they are very forgiving!

A Granny Apple Green shape cut with the Ornate Layers Dies and the centre cut out with the Stitched Rectangle Dies creates a frame. The background uses the Ornate Floral Embossing Folder. This has been cut to fit behind the frame.

Another Ornate Garden Suite Card. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

With the background stuck directly onto the basecard, the frame is added on top using Dimensionals to make it stand out.

I cut around the coloured image and stuck it onto the embossed background, again with Dimensionals. Even though this is a Birthday card, I didn’t want to add a sentiment to it as I didn’t want to detract from the image.

Finally, a few Champagne Rhinestones are dotted around the project as a finishing touch.

Any bets on how long it wil be before I’m creating another Ornate Garden Suite card!

Another Ornate Garden Suite Card. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Don’t forget that you can get your hands on a Bundle for FREE this month by joining my team. There are just a few days left to take advantage of this offer.

If you want to get your hands on some products, why not join one of my online classes. Visit 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

This Month’s Hostess Code Join my team Current Products Special Offers Book a Class

BYO Stamps – So Saffron and Balmy Blue By the Dock

June 14, 2020June 14, 2020 ~ Karen Young

This So Saffron and Balmy Blue By the Dock scene is a project from a previous BYO Stamps session. It’s my interpretation of a picture from the old Annual Catalogue.

Using Early Espresso, the only inkpad used in this project, two images from the By the Dock Stamp Set are stamped on the So Saffron pieces. One is on the background piece, the other on the circle. These images are coloured with a mix of Blender Pens and Watercolor Pencils. I’ve used colour for the circle as this is the focus, rather than the background.

Strips of Linen Thread are then wrapped at the top and bottom of the background So Saffron piece and Balmy Blue layers. I like how this gives it a more nautical or rustic style.

A sentiment from the Itty Bitty Birthdays Stamp Set is stamped onto a shape cut from the Stitched Rectangles Dies. This is layered onto the So Saffron Circle and the Crumb Cake ring using Dimensionals.

The front circle is then added using Tear & Tape for a strong fix. You can see how the layers are built using Dimensionals in the picture below.

Why not join me at a future BYO Stamps session. I design three projects, you then recreate those using the stamps and inks you have at home, using as much tuition as you like from me during the live ZOOM class. Head to my Class Timetable for full details.

Don’t forget to take a look at the new Annual Catalogue and the offers available this month.

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

Punch Art Easter Eggs

April 11, 2020April 9, 2020 ~ Karen Young

Here is the second project from my Children’s Easter Card Making Kits. Today it is punch art Easter eggs, to go with the Easter lamb I shared the other day.

As we can’t hold face-to-face Children’s Card & Cuppa sessions during the school holidays at the moment, I put together this Children’s Card Making Kit with an Easter theme instead.

These cheerful (calorie-free) Easter eggs begin life as balloons from the Balloon Bouquet Punch and are then decorated. The eggs can be decorated in a number of different ways, using lots of different mediums. You can let your imagination run wild.

As you can see, I chose to use punched shapes. I’ve used the 1/2″ Circle Punch and Classic Label Punch for my spots and stripes, in a range of colours from the Brights Collection.

I’ve put together a craft-along video to accompany this project kit. Grab your kit, click on this video link and have some fun.

Take a look at the other Classes I have available, from live Zoom sessions, to Mystery Packs and also non-crafting options too.

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

Last Week’s Card & Cuppa – Dandelion Wishes

November 11, 2019November 10, 2019 ~ Karen Young

At last week’s Card & Cuppa sessions, I designed one of the most difficult cards to make, a sympathy card.

Dandelion Wishes Stamp Set. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I used the Dandelion Wishes Stamp Set and some masking to create this pretty project.

Using Sponge Brayers, Pool Party and Balmy Blue Ink, the ombre section was created. Second generation stamping then adds a subtle background to the lighter side of the section.

Then, after removing the masking, a dandelion in Pacific Point is stamped. Hearts from the Dog Builder Punch are added with Glue Dots.

‘Thinking of you’ from Colorful Seasons Stamp Set and a layer are cut using the Stitched Rectangle Dies. To create the border, we cut around the stitching of the sentiment. It’s a great way to create borders with the various stitched dies.

Although my card was a Sympathy Card, it’s a really versatile design. I took a range sentiments along with me to the sessions and the attendees used a variety from Birthday Wishes to You’ve been on my mind’.

Why not join us for a future Card & Cuppa session. Book your place online.

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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Last Week’s Card & Cuppa – Rooted In Nature with In Color Blues

July 22, 2019July 21, 2019 ~ Karen Young

At last week’s Card & Cuppa, I created a Birthday card using the fabulous In Color blues.

Rooted In Nature with In Color blues. Card & Cuppa project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I think I’m a little bit in love with this colour combination. The In Color blues are the new Seaside Spray and last year’s Blueberry Bushel. When they are combined with Sahara Sand and Whisper White, it creates a lovely fresh look.

Rooted in Nature Stamp Set and the co-ordinating Nature’s Roots Dies are used to create this project.

First, the tree is stamped off to create a softer image. Then, the leaves are stamped and cut out using the dies.

The sentiment is from the Itty Bitty Birthdays Stamp Set and cut out using the Stitched Rectangles Dies to create a lovely border.

There are three types of Ribbon on this project, each one co-ordinating with the colour combination. Linen Ribbon in Seaside Spray is across the centre of the project, with short lengths of Blueberry Bushel Ribbon and Braided Linen Trim as accents.

Finally, all of the die-cut pieces were stuck together to make one piece and attached with Dimensionals.

I really like the white space on this project, along with the softness of the colours. It’s perfect for anyone celebrating a Birthday.

Why not join us at a future class. Head to my Class Timetable for more information and to book your place.

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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Seaside Spray 1/2" (1.3 cm) Scalloped Linen Ribbon

Blueberry Bushel 1/8" (3.2 mm) Grosgrain Ribbon

A Little Bit of Pink

May 13, 2019May 12, 2019 ~ Karen Young

It’s that time of year when I make a Birthday card for a friend of mine who is a fan of everything pink and sparkly.

Here is the card I made using a little bit of pink…

Little Bit of Pink. Project designed by Karn at HIPPOFROG Designs

As you know, I’m not a fan of pink and I don’t really like glitter either. So, this is one of those times of year when I am forced way outside of my comfort zone!

This allows me to challenge myself and also spend time thinking about the person I am making for. It’s good to step outside of your crafting comfort zone every now. Things like using bright colours if you like pastels or creating a grunge style project if you like clean and simple etc are all good challenges.

The little bit of pink is from Petal Pink and Flirty Flamingo and the project uses the Well Said Stamp Set and Well Written Dies from the Spring/Summer Catalogue.

This Stamp Set and Dies are currently available in a bundle with 10% off until 3rd June. After that, they will not be in a bundle format and will be full price. As this is a large set, it’s definitely worthwhile getting your hands on it while it’s discounted.

I’ve also used the Artisan Textures Stamp Set to create a background.

There just had to be sparkle so I’ve used Wink of Stella on the Butterflies and ‘birthday’ die cut shape. There are also Rhinestones for the flower centres, the dot of the ‘i’ and just a few scattered around.

A length of Silver Metallic Thread wrapped around the centre then pulls these elements together.