Butterfly Brilliance Bundle Birthday

April 3, 2021April 1, 2021 ~ Karen Young

This pretty butterfly from the Butterfly Brilliance Bundle flew to one of my Nieces for her Birthday.

Butterfly Brilliance Bundle Birthday. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I chose a soft colour combination of Petal Pink, Pear Pizzazz and Gray Granite, with Very Vanilla

With the corners rounded using the Detailed Trio Punch, it was time for the stamping.

The leaves and splatter images from Forever Fern Stamp Set create the backdrop for the butterfly.

Butterfly Brilliance Bundle Birthday. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs Using the items from the Butterfly Brilliance Bundle, the butterfly is stamped and cut out. To add a touch of colour, I used Stampin’ Blends, using the darker blend on the darker patches of stamping and the lighter blend for the rest.

The Vine Design Stamp Set from the January-June Mini Catalogue provides the sentiment, cut out with the Double Oval Punch. Butterfly Brilliance Bundle Birthday. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Finally, some Elegant Faceted Gems in co-ordinating Petal Pink add a subtle touch of bling.

This fabulous bundle is available as an early release product, before it joins us from May in the new Catalogue.

As there is a new Catalogue on the way, make sure you check out the Retiring List and get your hands on them while you can.

Why not 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

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Quite Curvy Bundle Birthday Card in Bermuda Bay

December 26, 2020December 17, 2020 ~ Karen Young

This pretty monochrome Bermuda Bay Birthday card uses the early release Quite Curvy Bundle from the new January-June Mini Catalogue.

It also uses a new item that will be available in the upcoming SAB too. The fabulous Oh So Ombre 6×6 DSP Pack is an item you’ll be able to earn for FREE during January and February 2021.

The wavy line is cut using the Curvy Dies. This piece is then stuck to the DSP.

A sentiment follows the curve, with a few leaves stamped in the corner.

The corners are given a round shape with the Detailed Trio Punch to match the curvy details.

Leaves are then cut from the dies using the different parts of the DSP to create varying shades of Bermuda Bay.

These stuck behind a Whisper White flower cut using the Small Bloom Punch.

Finally, Metallic Pearls coloured with a Bermuda Bay Stampin’ Blend are added to the project.

Make sure you keep an eye out for when the Mini Catalogue goes live on 5th January.

In the meantime, take a look at the special offers.

Don’t forget to check out my online class timetable for 2021 too.

Happy crafting

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

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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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A Box of Birthday Balloons

November 21, 2020November 20, 2020 ~ Karen Young

For my Niece’s recent lockdown 18th, I made this box of birthday balloons.

I haven’t made a pop-up box for a while, so I thought it was the perfect occasion.

These lay flat for postage with the box flaps up, then, when the recipient opens it, the flaps fall down and the box takes shape.

My colour combination is from the dotty Playing With Patterns DSP I have used. It’s Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry, Purple Posy and Whisper White.

Coastal Cabana is the main colour for the box. Using the Detailed Trio Punch, I rounded the corners of the box and the DSP.

The balloons, cut using the Balloon Bouquet Punch are embossed. Tasteful Textile and Wrapped in Texture Embossing Folders create the fun patterns.

Attaching the balloons to the strings I made from the Hippo & Friends Dies was made easier by sandwiching them between the embossed ballon and a plain balloon shape.

This also means that when it lays flat, the balloons don’t stick to each other.

I popped three strips across the inside of the box. This not only gave me something to attach the ballons too, but provided some extra rigidity.

As I attached the balloons to the strips, I was carefully checking they wouldn’t foul each other, or overhang the edge too far when folded.

Once I was happy with the positions, I sandwiched the bottom of the strings in with another piece of Coastal Cabana Cardstock.

There had to be an ’18’, so using Silver Foil Sheets, this and the sentiment were cut out. Playful Alphabet Dies for the ’18’ and Well Written Dies for the sentiment.

Finally, a length of matching Playing With Patterns Combo Ribbon is stuck around the box, along with some Playing With Patterns Resin Dots.

I also made an envelope too, but didn’t take a picture of that!

Happy crafting

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

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A Floral Thank You

October 28, 2020October 22, 2020 ~ Karen Young

I recently redesigned my Craft Room, and mentioned in passing during one of my online classes that I thought it needed some plants.

This floral thank you is for one of my class attendees who kindly provided me with two plants that are now sitting in my room.

The plants were an Anthurium and an Aloe Vera.

As the Anthurium has red flowers, this is why my colour combination is Poppy Parade and Pear Pizzazz, with a Terracotta Tile pot.

The corners are rounded using the Detailed Trio Punch, before adding the sentiment and stamped flowers.

‘a little note’ is from the Butterfly Gala Stamp Set and sits in the bottom corner.

Although the images from the Field of Flowers Stamp Set aren’t exactly like the Anthurium flowers, using the two colours allowed me to give a general impression of them.

The pot is from the Basket of Blooms Set stamped tone-on-tone and cut out by hand.

This then has a Linen Thread bow wrapped around it. Then, using Dimensionals, the pot is made to stand out from the flowers.

Finally, a touch of Wink of Stella was added to the flower heads for a touch of sparkle.

Why not join me at one of my remaining online classes for 2020. Head to my Class Timetable for full details and to book your place.

Happy crafting

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

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…and Cauldron Bubble

October 17, 2020October 16, 2020 ~ Karen Young

I hope you’ve been enjoying the Halloween projects I’ve been sharing this week.

My final one is this cauldron, filled with lots of interesting items. ‘Double, Double, Toil and Trouble…’

I’ve used LOTS of products in this one to make the cauldron bubble! Make yourself comfortable as this is a long post…

Starting with the Granny Apple Green Basecard, Basic Black Layer and Smoky Slate foreground, these combine to create a spooky witches lair.

I’ve then stamped tone on tone using the Textured Essentials Stamp Set to add some texture to the background. With some Granny Apple Green bubbles from the Pattern Play Stamp Set.

The layers have all been rounded on two corners with the Detailed Trio Punch.

Next, the cauldron. This is a shape from the Tasteful Labels Dies and I think it makes a perfect cauldron.

The contents of the cauldron are Poppy Parade eyeballs, made using the Waterfront Stamp Set and the same image as the bubbles, this time in Tuxedo Black.

There’s also a bat wing from the Umbrella Builder Punch and spider’s legs. I’ll explain a bit more about the legs in a moment.

Then, there are two frogs cut from the Dockside Dies, hopping away from their potential fate.

I’m not a fan of spiders, but I think you will agree that this one is quite cute!

The body is from the head of the Snowman Builder Punch and the legs and strand are from Hippo & Friends Dies. Offcuts of the legs were then popped into the cauldron.

For the eyes, this is the circle from the centre of the Delightful Tag Topper Punch, and the eye from the Whale Builder Punch.

If you haven’t already guessed. I like using my punches and dies in lots of different ways!

A piece of Metallic Mesh Ribbon across the corner makes it look like a spider’s web.

Here are all of the projects I’ve shared this week. Do you have a favourite?

There’s still time to get your hands on products to make your own Halloween projects. Make sure you take a look at the current Special Offers too.

If you want to attend one of my remaining classes for 2020, 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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Going Batty

October 14, 2020October 13, 2020 ~ Karen Young

I must be going batty! Well, this Halloween project certainly is.

It’s my version of a project on Page 45 of the August-December Mini Catalogue.

The project uses Purple Posy, Highland Heather and Basic Black.

Firstly, the Tasteful Textile Embossing Folder creates a pretty background. Using a Sponge Dauber, I have darkened areas using Highland Heather Ink.

An image from the Textured Essentials Stamp Set is stamped onto a piece of Purple Posy in Highland Heather. This is then cut into strips, the ends shaped and then attached to the tag piece.

Lots of punches are in use here, the Fancy Tag Topper Punch, Lovely Labels Pick a Punch and the Detailed Trio Punch. The bat is made using the Umbrella Builder Punch, with the large umbrella for the wings and a section of the smaller closed shape for the body.

A few extra umbrella pieces are added to the background piece to give my bat some friends.

Metallic Mesh is threaded through the hole in the tag. This then has a bow to secure it using the Whisper White Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon. To change the colour to co-ordinate with the rest of the project, I used Stampin’ Blends..

Finally, the tag was stuck to the project using Dimensionals and two Pearl eyes.

I hope you like this project and think it was worth going batty for!

Why not join me at one of my classes. Head to my Class Timetable for full details.

Make sure you take a look at the current Special Offers from Stampin’ Up! 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

Blossoms in Bloom Birthday Card

September 26, 2020September 24, 2020 ~ Karen Young

This Blossoms in Bloom Birthday Card is one I made for a regular class attendee.

It’s a version of this project, and this project, but uses a circle instead.

Soft Sea Foam and Calypso Coral are my main colours for the basecard and layer.

The circle from the Swirly Frames Stamp Set is stamped in delicate Soft Sea Foam onto a layer of Whisper White.

Then, using the Detailed Trio Punch, the corners are rounded to mirror the circle.

The flowers from the Blossoms in Bloom Stamp Set are stamped in Calypso Coral, with Bumblebee centres. I’ve used Pear Pizzazz for the leaves, as the stamping stands out against the Soft Sea Foam.

A touch of Wink of Stella for the centre of the flowers adds some sparkle.

Each leaf and flower is cut out by hand and stuck on with Glue Dots.

For the sentiment, I have cut three layers using the Lovely Labels Pick a Punch, each a little longer than the previous one.

Finally, co-ordinating Artistry Blooms Sequins are added for some extra bling.

Why not join me at a future class. 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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Highlighting the Ornate Style Stamp Set

July 3, 2020July 2, 2020 ~ Karen Young

Whoops! Another project using the Ornate Garden Suite. I told you I couldn’t put it down! It’s a great suite from the new Annual Catalogue.

Here I’m highlighting part of the Ornate Style Stamp Set with Stampin’ Blends.

The base of this project is Purple Posy and Highland Heather. Corners are rounded with the Detailed Trio Punch. This mirrors the cut outs of the centre shape.

Two shapes are cut from the Painted Labels Dies with the Whisper White one trimmed along the stitch line to create layering. By placing this Whisper White shape onto the Whisper White layer, the image is stamped on top using Smoky Slate.

Then, the cut out is taken away and coloured using Stampin’ Blends. I’ve used the same colours for the Blends, along with So Saffron, Granny Apple Green and Rococo Rose. Make sure you have your Colour Lifter to hand incase of any mishaps!

By layering this onto the larger Highland Heather piece, the whole piece is then carefully lined up and stuck on top of the the non-coloured stamped section.

Finally, three pretty Frosted Epoxy Droplets just add a finishing touch. They capture the light beautifully.

Make sure you check out July’s Bonus Days offer.

Head to my Class Timetable to join me for one of my online classes.

Happy crafting

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

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A Bunch of Bright Daisies

June 9, 2020June 9, 2020 ~ Karen Young

It’s great when I’m asked to create special cards. Especially when the recipient is a regular class attendee.

This was a particularly interesting request as I was asked for THREE cards for a special Birthday for the same person!

Bright Daisies. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I know that the lucky lady loves yellows, oranges and bright colours, so I immediately headed for the brights collection. Along with the Daisy Lane Stamp Set and co-ordinating Medium Daisy and Daisy Punches, this bunch of bright daisies came together. I’m so pleased this stamp set has carried over to the new Annual Catalogue.

This is an A5 card, so it was lovely to be able to use lots of daisies. I used the Detailed Trio Punch to round the corners, just to soften the edges.

Bright Daisies. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

After cutting and arranging strips in Granny Apple Green for the stems, the daisies were added using Dimensionals. As this project was being hand delivered, I used a few layers to add extra depth.

A large bow in Daffodil Delight Ruched Ribbon adds another flourish.

Bright Daisies. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

Wink of Stella in the centre of the daisies and Pearls coloured with Stampin’ Blends add the finishing touches. I also made a matching envelope using Designer Series Paper, but didn’t take a picture of that!

Why not take a look at the new Annual Catalogue to see the returning items, and all the new products.

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