Very Versailles and Circle Punches

September 7, 2020September 5, 2020 ~ Karen Young

Due to the Bank Holiday, there wasn’t a Card & (Your) Cuppa session last week, so I’m sharing this project made with Very Versailles and Circle Punches instead.

It’s loosely based on the projects on Page 114 of the Annual Catalogue.

My colour combination is Blushing Bride, Pumpkin Pie and Poppy Parade, with Early Espresso as the accent colour.

The stunning branch image is stamped on the background, with Blushing Bride and Early Espresso used with Sponge Daubers to distress the edges.

A combination of various generations of stamping for the other images create the different depths of colour. Circle Punches cut out these pieces. This trio of circles is then layered in size order.

A sentiment from the Butterfly Gala Stamp Set has a piece of pretty Scalloped Lace Trim stuck to the back.

This is then stuck onto the project with Mini Dimensionals.

Finally, a few Champagne Rhinestones add some sparkle. These co-ordinate really well with the Pumpkin Pie and Early Espresso colours.

As I haven’t played with Very Versailles for a while, it was nice to stamp with it again.

To join me at a future class, head to my Class Timetable for full details.

Don’t forget to take a look at the new Cut and Emboss Machine, plus the current Special Offers.

Happy crafting

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Abstract Butterflies

August 20, 2020August 18, 2020 ~ Karen Young

My 6th and final project from my recent Abstract/Shapes Papercrafting Class is this abstract butterflies card.

All of the items in this project are from the Annual Catalogue.

I chose the fabulous colour combination of Rococo Rose, Rich Razzleberry and Very Vanilla.

Using strips of the cardstock, these layer across the card at various points, with the ends shaped as required. For speed, a punch to cut the ends is a much easier option.

It is really quick and easy to make and doesn’t use much cardstock either, so you can make lots from a few sheets. The hardest decision is your colour combination!

Strips of the co-ordinating In Color Ribbon, plus Lace Trim are also added to create more texture.

Butterflies, cut using the Butterfly Duet Punch are stuck together down the centre and the wings curled upwards. Then, a length of Linen Thread is looped round to make the antennae. These add even more texture and add a slightly rustic feel.

The butterflies are stuck onto layered circles, before this section is stuck to the project using Dimensionals. Try to place the Dimensionals onto card, rather than ribbon, as it gives them something firm to attach to.

Finally, some Pearls are dotted around to give a finishing touch.

This abstract butterflies design is definitely one you’ll be seeing a lot more of from me. I’ll be making variations of it in different colours and patterns.

Here are all 6 projects. Do you have a favourite?

If you want to join me for a future class, head to my Class Timetable for full details, dates and booking links.

Happy crafting

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Mystery Pack – Three Little Birds

May 7, 2020May 6, 2020 ~ Karen Young

Last week’s Mystery Pack contained three little birds, along with lots of other items with which to make a card.

As well as these items, the recipients could use Wink of Stella and a sentiment, plus scissors and adhesives.

I chose to use three colours from the In Color Collection 2019-2021 with Soft Suede and Very Vanilla.

Here is the project I made from some of the items. I’ve put together a video of how I made this project.

I’ve used the Itty Bitty Birds Stamp Set and Rococo Rose ink to co-ordinate with the other In Colors in the project. My thinking behind the sentiment was ‘they say it’s your Birthday’ is similar to ‘a little bird told me’!

The centre bird is covered with Wink of Stella, as well as raised up on Dimensionals to make it the focal point.

Some of these items are on the retiring list. Make sure you get your hands on your favourites before they disappear for good.

Why not order a Mystery Pack for yourself? Head to my Social Isolation Classes page for full details of the classes and packs I’m offering at this time.

Happy crafting

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

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Bugs, Beasts & Butterflies – Balmy Blue Butterflies

March 26, 2020March 22, 2020 ~ Karen Young

The third project from my Bugs, Beasts & Butterflies class is this fabulous Balmy Blue butterflies card.

Balmy Blue Butterflies. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

It is a monochrome-type card as it only uses Balmy Blue and Very Vanilla.

Firstly, a strip was masked across the card and an ombre of Balmy Blue ink was added using a Sponge Brayer.

Next, an image from the Artisan Textures Stamp Set creates the speckled look across the masked piece.

Once the masking had been removed, it was time to piece everything together.

Strips of Lace Trim Ribbon are placed behind the circle, before the large butterfly is added on the top. The butterflies are from the Butterfly Gala Stamp Set and Butterfly Duet Punch.

You can’t see it in the picture, but the large butterfly has been coated in Wink of Stella to make it sparkly when it catches the light.

Finally, a sentiment from the Label Me Bold Stamp Set and the two smaller butterflies are added to create this trio of Balmy Blue Butterflies. I think this would look great in purple or orange too.

Sadly, this class was my final face-to-face evening class for a while due the current pandemic.

However, I’ve put together some Social Isolation Classes for people to continuing crafting together at a distance. Book your place here.

Don’t forget that during this pandemic, small businesses need your support in order to still be there when it is all over. If you are able to help, a small order, or a class booking makes all the difference and is very much appreciated.

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

Last Week’s Card & Cuppa – Petal Washi Tape and Very Versailles

March 9, 2020March 8, 2020 ~ Karen Young

For last week’s Card & Cuppa project, I revisited the fabulous Petal Washi Tape from the Annual Catalogue.

Petal Washi Tape and Very Versailles. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I hadn’t used this for a while, and it was sitting folornly on my desk, so I decided to give it an outing.

It’s teamed here with the Very Versailles Stamp Set to create a vintage look.

My colour combination started with the Merry Merlot of the petals, plus Soft Suede, Blushing Bride and Very Vanilla.

A pretty stamped background was the starting point, with the script image in 3rd generation stamping for a softer feel.

Three lengths of rRibbon are then attached to the stamped piece, 2 of Lace Trim and one of Whisper White Seam Binding. The Seam Binding has been coloured uisng the Dark Stampin’ Blend in Soft Suede.

You may have noticed that this seam binding is my favourite product at the moment. You may have also noticed that I am enjoying colouring it with Stampin’ Blends too!

To build the flower, we used a 1/2″ circle and stuck the petals onto it. For the centre of the flower, another 1/2″ circle in Blushing Bride was scrunched and some Soft Suede ink on a Sponge Dauber added a bit of extra texture.

Finally, the centre of the flower was covered with Wink of Stella before being attached to the project.

These petals are simply gorgeous and I really must use them more often.

Why not join me at one of my classes. 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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Whisper White 1/4" (6.4 mm) Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon

Mum’s Birthday Card

January 30, 2020January 29, 2020 ~ Karen Young

My Mum had a birthday ending in ‘0’ recently, so I obviously made her a special card for the occasion.

Mum's Birthday Card. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

This card was the starting point for a 2019 Card & Cuppa project.

It uses a combination of Balmy Blue and Blueberry Bushel with Very Vanilla.

As Mum is also a keen crafter, it puts a lot of pressure on what I make, so a lot of products were strewn across my crafting desk!

The card has stamped images from the Artisan Textures Stamp Set, Well Said Stamp Set and Floral Essence Stamp Set.

I also used the Leaf Punch, Classic Label Punch and Perennial Flower Punch.

A Pearlized Doily was coloured on the white side using a Sponge Brayer and the flowers were softened using a Blender Pen to give a variegated effect.

Baker’s Twine was coloured with a Dark Balmy Blue Stampin’ Blend for the bow. There were also strips of Lace Trim and co-ordinating Blueberry Bushel Ribbon too.

Finally, I added Clear Faceted Gems to the centre of the flowers.

As this card was delivered by hand, I built up the layers and created extra depth using Dimensionals. Normally, anything that is posted is thin enough to use a regular stamp.

It’s not a great picture, but it gives an idea of the various layers I created.

I decided to create a larger square card, instead of my regular rectangle and made a co-ordinating envelope from DSP too.

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

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.

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Perennial Birthday Cling-Mount Stamp Set

Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

Soft Suede Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

Daisy Lane Once Again

September 30, 2019September 29, 2019 ~ Karen Young

As there was no Card & Cuppa last week, I’m sharing a card for one of my regular class attendees. I chose to use Daisy Lane Once again and make another version of this project.

Daisy Lane Once Again. Project designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

I had Soft Sea Foam and Rich Razzleberry on my desk from a different project, so decided to use them again with Very Vanilla.

This Bundle is really versatile and also co-ordinates with the Daisy Punch too.

The leaves are stamped as a background. I’ve used a Blender Pen on the stamped and punched daisies to pull the colour along the petals.

Corners are rounded with the Detailed Trio Punch. Then a Birthday sentiment from Varied Vases Stamp Set is stamped.

A length of the pretty Scalloped Lace Trim is added across the middle.

Finally, a Gold Faceted Gem is added to the centre of the daisy. Rhinestones coloured with a Dark Rich Razzleberry Stampin’ Blend are also added.

I enjoy taking designs from previous projects and tweaking them slightly. It takes a lot of the hard work out of designing.

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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Rich Razzleberry Dark Stampin' Blends Marker

Birthday Card For a Friend Using Very Versailles

September 14, 2019September 13, 2019 ~ Karen Young

It was a friend’s Birthday last weekend. So I decided to make a version of a recent project.

Birthday Card for a friend using Very Versailles. Designed by Karen at HIPPOFROG Designs

This version uses some of their favourite colours, Crumb Cake and Blackberry Bliss, combined with Very Vanilla.

I’ve used the Dark Blackberry Bliss Stampin’ Blend to colour the pretty Scalloped Lace Trim Ribbon.

Colouring ribbon and twine with Stampin’ Blends is one of my favourite things to do at the moment. I love how you can change something from White or Vanilla to a colour to easily.

The sentiment layers are cut from the Layering Ovals Dies and Stitched Shaped Dies.

A few Pearls in various sizes are added for a sophisticated finishing touch.

I love to take a previous design and change a few things around. It’s so easy as a lot of the thinking is already done! It’s also fun seeing how different each design looks.

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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Copper Birthday Blooms

August 19, 2017August 4, 2017 ~ Karen Young

A good friend celebrated her Birthday last week.

She’s a fan of heat embossing so I decided to combine this with a vintage look.

Stampin' Up! Birthday Blooms

The background uses Crumb Cake tone on tone stamping using the Touches of Texture Stamp Set.

I then stamped the flower from Birthday Blooms with Versamark and heat embossed with Copper Embossing Powder. Next I cut out the flower by hand, I’m not going to lie, it took ages!

A strip of the beautiful Lace Trim and loops of Copper Metallic Thread were then added. You can’t see the thread very well in this picture but it’s definitely there!

Finally, I attached the flower using Dimensionals. As I wanted the flower to be the star of the project I didn’t add a sentiment.

Happy crafting

Karen Young - HIPPOFROG Designs