Team Member Congratulations

November 24, 2020November 23, 2020 ~ Karen Young

Last month a Team Member celebrated a year as a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator. Of course, this was a perfect opportunity to make and send a card.

As they are a fan of pink, I chose a Magenta Madness and Blushing Bride combo.

The stamping is from the Positive Thoughts Stamp Set, with the butterfly cut using the co-ordinating Nature’s Thoughts Dies.

I used a touch of Wink of Stella on the focal butterfly.

For the sentiment, this is from the Many Mates Stamp Set. It’s cut using a Circle Punch and layered onto a Timeless Label Punch shape.

These are both then raised on Dimensionals above a loop of the matching Magenta Madness Ribbon.

Finally, a few Rhinestones are dotted around for some extra bling.

Sending Team Member Congratulations is one of the many things I love about being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator.

If you want to know more about joining my team as a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, then click for more details, or contact me for a chat.

Happy crafting

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

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

Magenta Madness Birthday Butterflies

November 14, 2020November 13, 2020 ~ Karen Young

These Magenta Madness Birthday Butterflies were a project for a class attendee.

They are a fan of pink, so I think this definitely fits that brief!

A monochrome project in Magenta Madness and Whisper White.

Stamping is from the Butterfly Gala Stamp Set, with the shapes from the co-ordinating Butterfly Duet Punch.

The butterflies are masked to allow for them to be spaced differently to the stamp.

A Blender Pen colours the butterflies, pulling the ink from the edges to provide the colour.

‘It’s Your Day!’ is from the Itty Bitty Birthdays Stamp Set, again stamped in Magenta Madness. This is cut out using a Circle Punch and sits on a Timeless Label Punch shape.

These are both sat on a length of Metallic-Edge Ribbon, in a double loop.

Finally, small butterflies coated in Wink of Stella are placed across the project, along with a few Rhinestones for some extra sparkle.

Don’t forget to take a look at November’s new products..

Plus, with only 6 classes left to teach in 2020, book your place on one of my remaining classes. Head to my Class Timetable for full details.

Happy crafting

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

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

Pink and Sparkly Daisies

May 9, 2020May 8, 2020 ~ Karen Young

It’s that time of year when my friend who likes all things pink and sparkly celebrates her Birthday. This year, I made her some pink and sparkly daisies.

It’s no coincidence that the design is very much like this project I shared the other day. In fact, I made the cards at the same time.

I know I keep saying it, but there really is no need to keep trying to think up new design ideas every single time. If you find a design you like, create it again. By using a different stamp set or colours, it can change the whole look and feel of a design. It also saves you lots of time and effort, leaving you time to create even more projects.

I’ve used Blushing Bride, Melon Mambo and Pear Pizzazz as the main colours, with Smoky Slate for the sentiment. The Stamp Set is Daisy Lane, with the bundled Medium Daisy Punch, along with the Daisy Punch for the larger flowers.

Tone-on-tone stamping has created the daisy background, with the corners rounded by the Detailed Trio Punch. A layered focal daisy in Melon Mambo is stamped onto Whisper White. I used Wink of Stella, instead of a Blender Pen to pull the colour along the petals. This also added some sparkle at the same time. Even though you can’t see it in the pictures, there was quite a lot of sparkle on the project!

The Painted Poppies Stamp Set and Painted Labels Dies create the leaves. Itty Bitty Birthdays is the final Stamp Set I’ve used for the sentiment, with the Timeless Label Punch.

To complement the pink and sparkly daisies, I added a few rhinestones as a finishing touch.

Some of the items I’ve used are on the retiring list, so make sure you get your hands on them before they disappear. Visit my online store to see real-time stock availability.

If you would like to join one of my classes, then visit my Social Isolation Classes page for details of the classes I’m offering during this time.

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

Birthday Cards using To A Wild Rose

May 2, 2020May 1, 2020 ~ Karen Young

Two of my regular class attendees celebrated birthdays over the past few days. I reached for the To A Wild Rose Stamp Set and Die Bundle to create a card.

As they aren’t seeing each other, I made two identical cards using Page 141 of the Annual Catalogue for my inspiration.

To A Wild Rose. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

This was my first inking of this stamp set and I don’t think it will be my last. These are DISTINKTIVE stamps so the impressions are simply stunning. Plus, as it’s a two-step set, you can create lots of depth and detail.

I’ve used Soft Sea Foam for the base card and layer, with Smoky Slate, Pear Pizzazz and Calypso Coral stamping. A combination of first and second generation stamping creates the different shades for the rose and leaves.

To A Wild Rose. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

After using the Detailed Trio Punch to round the corners, I’ve stamped the flower and leaf outlines in Pear Pizzazz for a background.

The dies have a beautiful cut out piece that I’ve then put across the project.

Next, the flowers and leaves are stamped and die cut and added to card with Dimensionals. A sentiment from the Itty Bitty Birthdays Stamp Set, cut out using the Timeless Label Punch then sits across the top.

To A Wild Rose. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Finally, Wink of Stella is added to the centre of the rose and some rhinestones add a touch of sparkle.

Make sure you take a look at the retiring list as this To A Wild Rose discounted bundle is on it.

My classes are still continuing during this ‘lockdown’, they are just being delivered in a different way. Check out my Social Isolation Classes for more 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

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.

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

Whisper White 5/8" (1.6 cm) Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon

Last Week’s Card & Cuppa – Geared Up Garage

December 2, 2019December 1, 2019 ~ Karen Young

Every 6 weeks or so, I design a project for Card & Cuppa that is more suited to men. For this one, I reached for the Geared Up Garage Stamp Set.

Geared Up Garage. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Normally for male cards, there is a lot of blues, greens and Crumb Cake used. I opted for a slightly brighter palette. This combination of Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze and Early Espresso make a nice change.

Oil splats from the Geared Up Garage Stamp Set are randomly stamped across the page which. The nuts are then stamped in Early Espresso.

Cogs from the co-ordinating Garage Gears Dies are cut out from a piece of Sahara Sand Cardstock and are coloured using Sponge Daubers. A mix of Sahara Sand, Soft Suede and Cajun Craze make a nice rusty look.

There is a touch of Wink of Stella randomly applied across the cogs too.

Sponge Daubers have also been used to colour the edges of the project.

A dark Soft Suede Stampin’ Blend Marker is used to colour some Whisper White Baker’s Twine that wraps around the project.

Finally, a sentiment cut using the Timeless Label Punch is added.

There are only a few weeks of Card & Cuppa left for this year. Book your place by 18:00 the day before if you’d like to join us.

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.

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

Thinking of you for a friend

November 14, 2019November 13, 2019 ~ Karen Young

A friend is going through a tough time, so I wanted them to know that I was thinking of them.

Thinking of you for a friend. Card designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

They are a fan of pink and sparkly things, so I designed this card using the more muted Petal Pink, along with Soft Suede and Very Vanilla.

This soft combination still uses the things they like, just in a less dramatic way.

I used the Perennial Essence Stamp Set to stamp the flowers and coloured them using Petal Pink and Soft Suede Stampin’ Blends Combos. They have a very light touch of Wink of Stella in the centres to give a bit of sparkle.

These were then fussy cut and attached to a background stamped using an image from the Perennial Birthday Stamp Set.

Colorful Seasons provided the sentiment that is punched out using the Timeless Label Punch.

A few lengths of Scalloped Lace Trim behind the sentiment provide an extra layer of pretty texture.

Thinking of you cards are always difficult to make, but I think it is useful to have a few cards already made to hand. They can be pre-made with the sentiment, or blank cards you can quickly add a sentiment to as needed. These cards are much easier to create when you don’t need to sit down and concentrate on making one.

I’m hoping this card provided the hug in an envelope I’d sent.

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.

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

Perennial Birthday Cling-Mount Stamp Set

Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

Soft Suede Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

Very Vanilla 3/8" (1 cm) Scalloped Lace Trim

More Delightful Tag Topper Punch

September 12, 2019September 11, 2019 ~ Karen Young

At a recent Card & Cuppa Class, we made this project. Here’s a Birthday Card I made for a regular class attendee based on the design.

More Delightful Tag Topper Punch. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

The shades of blue I’ve used are Seaside Spray, Balmy Blue, Pacific Point and Blueberry Bushel. These are teamed with Very Vanilla.

Gallery Grunge is again used on the Delightful Tag Topper Punch shape, and the background.

Using various size Circle Punches to punch the various colours, these shapes are then added to the background.

A length of the fabulous In Color Ribbon with a bow from Linen Thread are put through the tag shape.

A sentiment using the Well Said Stamp Set and the co-ordinating Well Written Dies are then added.

I love being able to take a design I’ve already used and change the colours or sentiments.

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.

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

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

Last Week’s Card & Cuppa – Gallery Grunge in Shades of Purple

August 26, 2019August 23, 2019 ~ Karen Young

At last week’s Card & Cuppa session we had fun with Gallery Grunge.

Gallery Grunge Card & Cuppa project. Designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

This card is a version of another recent class project with a few changes. I’ll be showing you that project another day.

The colour combination is Blackberry Bliss, Highland Heather and Pool Party. I think you’ll agree that they look fabulous together.

Images from the Gallery Grunge Stamp Set are stamped onto the background, along with circles from the Swirly Frames Stamp Set.

A Birthday sentiment from the Itty Bitty Birthdays Stamp Set is also stamped and punched out with the Timeless Label Punch. Another shape is then cut out and cut in half to extend it and make a layer for the sentiment.

Stampin’ Blends in Dark Highland Heather and Dark Pool Party were then used to colour lengths of Whisper White Metallic Edge Ribbon and Baker’s Twine. It’s so easy to make white ribbon and twine any colour you like with Stampin’ Blends.

Once everything was assembled, three discs from the 1/2″ Circle Punch were then attached to finish the project.

Join us for a future class. Head to my Class Timetable for more details.

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.

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

Highland Heather Dark Stampin' Blends Marker

Last Week’s Card & Cuppa – Meeting Rococo Rose

August 12, 2019August 11, 2019 ~ Karen Young

If you’ve seen my recent Card & Cuppa projects, you’ll see that I’ve been working my way through each new In Color. This time the attendees were meeting Rococo Rose.

Meeting Rococo Rose. Card & Cuppa project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

My colour combination is Rococo Rose, Petal Pink, Pear Pizzazz and Very Vanilla.

First, the background is stamped with an image from Artisan Textures Stamp Set in Petal Pink.

The corners of the layers are then rounded with the Detailed Trio Punch.

To create the leaves, we used a Sponge Brayer and Pear Pizzazz ink to make an ombre pattern on a separate piece of cardstock. The leaves, along with the bird and flowers were then cut out using the Well Written Dies.

A sentiment from the Botanical Bliss Stamp Set is cut out with the Timeless Label Punch. Then, the bird, coloured with Wink of Stella and the flowers are added with Glue Dots.

A 2″ Circle and a length of co-ordinating Scalloped Linen Ribbon complete the items ready for final assembly.