Author: birch press

  • Watercolored Ornaments | Angel Rivera

    Watercolored Ornaments | Angel Rivera

    Hello everyone!  I created this colorful watercolored ornament card using the Bailey Ornament Trio dies from Birch Press Design.  To create, I simply took a piece of watercolor card stock and added the yellow, pink and blue inks one at a time, letting each color dry before adding the next.  For this card, I took my distress ink marker and scribbled on an acrylic block then spritzed it lightly with water.  I then placed the watercolor paper over the top of the block and moved it around a little to spread the ink.  I let it sit for a few minutes before removing the paper then looked to see if I needed to add more ink.  For areas that needed more ink, I would place the inked up block over that area and swish (technical term, ha!) it around again.  I keep repeating this process until I’m happy with the outcome.  You could change up the look by only using one ink color or even watercoloring the entire panel.  Once it was all completely dry, I die cut the ornaments then adhered the layer over my card base with foam adhesive to add dimension and really make the ornaments POP!

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    Thank you for stopping by!  We will see you back here next week for crafty eye-candy!

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    Thanks so much for joining us for Poppystamps and Birch Press Blog Hop!  We really enjoyed showing you how great the two lines work together!   Your comments made our day!  We’ve got two lucky winners to announce.  They’ll both receive a $25 gift certificate for Birch Press Design!

    From Marybeth’s blog..   Military Mom
    From the Birch Press Design Blog  Teresa Doyle

    We’ve reached out to both winners via email.  You can also contact us at poppychallenge@gmail.com.

  • Poppystamps & Birch Press Design Blog Hop

    Poppystamps & Birch Press Design Blog Hop

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    What a great day for a visit! The Poppystamps  and Birch Press Design Teams have gotten together to have a blog hop featuring products you love from Poppystamps AND Birch Press Design!  You can always expect new and innovative die designs from Dave Brethauer (the creator of Memory Box, Poppystamps, and Birch Press Design).

    The layered background dies at Birch Press Design provide the ultimate in versatility.  Each design is available in  3 die layers that can be used separately or stacked in different color combinations to create  unique and attractive designs.

    There’s been lots going on at Birch Press Design including the addition of a design team.  They post on the Birch Press Blog every Tuesday using products from the craft category in the store.

    There’s been lots of new products added to the Birch Press Design Store including holiday dies, and multi layer stamp sets with coordinating dies.   We’ve also added colorful folded cards and matching envelopes and metallic watercolor paints!

    Here’s a little peek at some of the designs you’ll see along the hop.  I sure hope they  temp you to hop along with us today!

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    Hop along with us for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Birch Press Design!   We’re giving away Two!!   Commenters will be selected randomly from one of the blogs on the hop to win this prize.  You have until 12 am US EST October 9 to leave comments.   The winners will be posted October 11.

    We’re having a sale too!  Purchase a clear stamp set and get the coordinating dies at 20% off!

    Ready to get hopping?  Here’s a list of all the designers with projects to share today!

    Poppystamps Blog
    Angel Rivera
    Ilona Zbieg
    Irena Kowalczyk
    Jeanne Jachna
    Jinny Newlin
    LaurieSchmidlin
    Lezlye Lauterbach
    Marybeth Lopez
    Michele Henderson
    Olga Direktorenko
    Patty Tanuz
    Sue McRae
    Tracey Mc Neely
    Birch Press Design Blog  (You are here)

    Good luck and happy hopping!

  • Brushed Birthday | By Tracey McNeely

    Brushed Birthday | By Tracey McNeely

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    Another look at a new stamp and die set from the Birch Press Design store. There are so many stamps and dies that are perfect for holiday crafting but also for everyday crafting. The Brushed Birthday Greetings stamp set is one set that can be used all year round and perfect that there is a set of co-ordinating dies also available. The large rose image is a 2-step image that gives the bloom depth and dimension.
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    To recreate this card the first thing you will need to do is orient yourself with the two layers and how to position the top detail layer correctly. Start by choosing two ink colors and stamp the base flower in the lighter of the two shades as seen in the image below.
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    The following image shows the five points you will want to line up to add the detail layer in the darker of the two inks. Once you line the stamp up you will get a perfect placement each time.
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    The layered leaves are easy to line up as the base images and the detail layer are basically the same shape. Line the detail layer up at the top of the stem where it meets the leaf. Next stamp and die cut the ‘Happy’ and ‘Birthday’ sentiments. All the dies are open window dies which makes die cutting easy as you just place the dies over the images. Secure the dies with some low tac tape and run it through your die cutting machine.

    The background panel was watercolored on watercolor paper with Distress Ink.  Adhere the sentiments to the panel and then stamp the ‘TO YOU’ directly onto the panel nestled into the sentiment. The flower is adhered with double sided adhesive foam tape. Add some adhesive to the backs of the leaves and tuck them in behind the flowers. The completed watercolor panel was adhered to the card base with more double sided adhesive foam tape for added dimension. Finish the scene off by adding a few carefully placed clear sequins.
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    It is easy to create a beautiful card with just this one stamp and die set.
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    Thanks for joining us again this week! We hope to see you again next Tuesday for more crafting inspiration!
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  • Warmest Wishes | By Laurie Schmidlin

    Warmest Wishes | By Laurie Schmidlin

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    One of my favorite tricks to cut down on the Holiday rush (and subsequent stress) is to prepare early!  I usually start my Christmas cards in September, making several different kinds each month making sure to finish by the end of November.  I love that there are so many different Holiday stamp sets and dies in the Birch Press store, making my goal of getting a head start on Holiday crafting so easy!

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    I wanted to create a card that is both lovely with a layered look as well as easy to mass produce.  I started by die cutting the Delfina c Craft Die.  You could use this die cut and layer it on your card for a very easy and elegant background.  I wanted just a bit more texture on my card, so I used that die cut as a stencil.  This is such a great way to get more use out of these wonderful background dies!

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    I placed the die cut over a piece of light blue cardstock and gently secured the edges with removable tape.  Using white texture paste, I filled in all of the negative space.  I then gently lifted the die cut up from my cardstock and then set it aside to dry.
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    For the focal images and sentiment, I used the Brushed Christmas Greetings clear stamp set and coordinating Brushed Christmas Greetings die set.  I embossed the sentiment on a strip of vellum.  I really love the way the bold, modern script looks in white!  To create the foliage, I stamped and die cut the largest sprig twice and the medium sized sprig once.  I tucked the stamped and die cut foliage into the top of of the vellum strip.  For the final touch, I added a stamped a die cut berry cluster.  I think the little pop of red sets off the pastel colors perfectly!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!  Please join us next Tuesday for some more paper crafting inspiration!

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  • Delicate Peony | by Jeanne Jachna

    Delicate Peony | by Jeanne Jachna

    Birthday Peony FourIf you’re a paper crafter you’re going to love all the latest additions to the craft section of the store.  There’s lots of new dies and stamp sets perfect for Holiday crafting!  There are a few for every day makes too including this Delicate Peony stamp set with coordinating dies.    This is a 3-step image that has lots of depth and dimension.
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    Making this card is fun and easy. The floral arrangements and colors are up to you, but first let’s look at the stamping.  You’ll need three shades of the same color ink.  Here’s a step by step reference to make it easy.
    Birthday Peony Step By StepThe first layer is of course the easiest.  Stamp it in your lightest shade of ink.
    Birthday Peony Step OneNext stamp the outline layer in the darkest color ink.    For me this was an easier way to define the different areas of the image making the last step (the shading) easier.   I used a Stamp-a-ma-jig to help line up the layers.
    Birthday Peony Step By StepFor the shading detail use your middle shade of ink.  Placement of this stamp should be easy using the outline as a reference for stamp placement.
    Birthday Peony Step ThreeA beautiful bloom right?  The dies for the set are all open window dies so they are easy to line up over the image.  Just tape the die in place and run it through your die cut machine.
    Birthday Peony SixI stamped the bitty flower (also a 3 step image) on a sheet of white card stock several times to create a background for my card.  Next I stamped and die cut the flower, leaves and “Happy Birthday” sentiment  and adhered them to the card.  To add dimension I adhered the flower and leaves with adhesive foam tape.
    Birthday Peony FiveThe sentiment is a fun script – very clean and contemporary!
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    Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you’ll join us every Tuesday for more craft inspiration from our design team!
    Jeanne-Signature


  • Introducing Birch Press Design Team

    Introducing Birch Press Design Team

    The craft section of the store is growing!  Have you seen all the latest additions?  There’s lots of amazing detailed dies and stamp sets to choose from perfect for Holiday card making and layouts!  We’ve added a new design team too and we’ll be featuring craft projects from them every Tuesday here on the blog!  We hope you’ll be inspired to create a little magic of your own.
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    We’re so excited to announce the new team!

    AngelAngel Rivera

    Hi, my name is Angel Rivera. I’ve been a card maker since 2006 but started scrap booking before that, back when it was all about the stickers and decorative-edged scissors! Lol!  I live in Oklahoma with my hubby of almost 22 years and our 3 boys (18, 15 and 13).  I also work full time, so crafting helps keep me sane with such a busy household!  I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the Birch Press Design team!

    Laurie - Winter2015copyLaurie Schmidlin

    Hi!  I’m Laurie, a wife to my Swiss husband, mother to our five children, and lover of all things crafty!  We live on a cattle ranch in rural Montana, an hour away from the nearest small town.  When I am not in my craft room, you will most likely find me spending time with my family, enjoying the gorgeous Montana “Big Sky”, hiking, riding horses, helping out on the ranch, or with my nose buried in a book.  I was introduced to the world of card making and stamping about 20 years ago and I have been smitten ever since!  I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of the Birch Press design team and can’t wait to share my creations with you!

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    Tracey McNeely

    Hi, I’m Tracey McNeely! I’m a Canadian girl that lives in the beautiful Muskoka’s of Ontario . I taught high school for 18 years before my MS made it too difficult for me to continue, so I left my job and became a stay at home mom . I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 25 years  and we have two fabulous kids Ben who is 21 and Brooklyn, 19. We are empty nesters now as both kids are away at University. I have always enjoyed crafts and I have been making handmade cards and scrapbooking since I was in my teens. My craft of choice now is playing with paper, stamps and dies! I am so excited to start my journey with the new Birch Press Design Team and I hope that I am able to inspire you to try something new along the way.

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    Jeanne Jachna

    Hi! I’m Jeanne!  I’m a married, stay at home mom of two young adults and one very active Akita puppy.  I live in Northwest Indiana near Chicago.  I like to read, garden, and cook, but I have been completely captivated with paper crafting.  I can’t resist a new set of stamps, dies for every occasion, bling and colorful inks and paper!  My time crafting is a sweet escape and a fun way to express myself.  I’m so excited to share my creations with you!

  • My Collection’s Growing…

    My Collection’s Growing…

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    Growing up my mom always had a thing for tea towels! She was always changing them out to match what the time of the year was, or what her recent obsession was. She went through phases. One time it was roosters, another time lemons, even the classic hummingbird craze! Among other things, I think the love for tea towels is one of the many wonderful things I picked up from her! I recently found a blog that has 16 different whiskey recipes, and I have a feeling I will be spending a lot of time in the kitchen- those towels will come in handy!

     

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    Birch Press Design has adorable patterns of tea towels that I am just dying over! I don’t think I will ever have quite the collection that she has, but I am slowly builiding it!

  • Meal Prep Revolution!

    Meal Prep Revolution!

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    Pots, pans, utensils, cookware in general can get pretty pricey. The kitchen can be an one very expensive room in your home. I believe there are certain pieces that you can get on a budget, but one of the most important pieces in your kitchen you should invest in is your knives. A sharp knife versus a dull one can make all the difference in your time in preparing your meal. Trust me! I’ve been dying to try this new cast iron skillet chicken recipe I found and I can’t wait to break in my new knife set with this dish!

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    From paring knives to bread knives, Birch Press Design has just the knife for you’re looking for! Also available are knive sets including a 6 piece set, 7 piece set, and a 9 piece set- perfect for all of your kitchen needs! Believe me when I say your cooking experience will be changed forever once you try these knives!

  • Summertime Recipes!

    Summertime Recipes!

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    If you’re anything like me, then when you try a new dish at a friends house and fall in love with it, you totally ask for the recipe! Unless it’s a secret family recipe that’s generations old, I jot it down right away! And summertime is one of the best times to get new recipes! With all of the BBQ and graduation parties I’ve attended these past couple months, I could have a whole recipe box full of potato salad dishes!

    I love displaying my favorite summertime recipes in my kitchen! Birch Press Design has the most adorable recipe box tins just for that. And recipe cards to match! My baby cousin graduated from high school last month and the graduation party was dessert galore! My sister loves searching for new recipes to try out and she brought peach bakewell tarts– HEAVENLY! And you know what I did! I searched high and low for her in the house full of guests and begged her to give me the recipe! And that recipe is going straight to its new home- my new recipe box tin!

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    I know I could use a couple more BBQ chicken recipes and you could too!

  • Beautiful Accents!

    Beautiful Accents!

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    This piece is for those out there who love to decorate their home with unique accents! And if you are one of those who doesn’t branch out of their comfort zone, I encourage you to give these gorgeous petrified wood serving trays a shot!

    These trays are perfect for displaying your precious objects or can be a beautiful piece of decor on its own! These fossilized trees will make for a stand out piece of decor in your home that will surely leave your guests in awe!