Author: birch press

  • Holiday Hugs | by Colleen Balija

    Holiday Hugs | by Colleen Balija

    Hi friends,

    With the holidays upon us, I wanted to share a festive card using the new Holiday Hugs die and Adornment Wreath die! This layered wreath can be used all year long just by changing up the colors and foliage!!! I will also be using Memory Box RingaDings embossing folder, Jolly Holly Contour Die, and Memory Box paper. All supply links for this card will be listed at the bottom of my post!

    First step was to prep my dies, so I die cut the 2 layers of the Adornment Wreath onto white cardstock along with the Jolly Holly Contour die (leaves and berries). Then I ink blended the wreath in 2 shades of brown, the leaves in 2 shades of teal, and the berries in 2 shades of red. I use 2 shades of color to bring the designs to life! Then I adhered the layers together and splattered gold ink over all of it. The gold ink adds a classy touch of glimmer! Below is a close up of the finished wreath and foliage!

    Once my focal point was completed, it was time to focus on the background. Starting with a pre-colored piece of cardstock in shades of teal and green, I embossed over it with RingaDings embossing folder and applied gold ink over the raised edges. The gold in the background helps the gold on the focal point to pop! I love the distressed look of teh background! The picture below is a good visual of it!

    TIP: Although I die cut everything in white and then added color, you could easily do the opposite by applying color to a card panel and then die cutting 2nd!

    Last step was to adhere the focal point centered over the background, placing a few of the leaves onto foam tape for added dimension. I added Memory Box red sequins over the berries for added shine! The Holiday Hugs sentiment was die cut using Memory Box’s gold and red mirrored cardstock and then placed onto foam tape in the middle of the wreath!

    I’m so glad you joined me today! Below is the full supply list!

    Supplies

    57540 Holiday Hugs Vintage Sentiment

    57512 Jolly Holly Contour Layers

    57485 Adornment Wreath

    FP1002 Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad

    FP1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad

    EF1015 Ringadings 3D Embossing Folder

  • Jingle Bell Poinsettia | by Rosemary Dennis

    Jingle Bell Poinsettia | by Rosemary Dennis

    Hello, friends! Rosemary here on the blog today sharing a Christmas card I created using the new Splendid Poinsettia Contour Layers die set. I love poinsettias both real and paper crafted varieties! One of my favorite varieties of poinsettia is the one my local nursery calls “Jingle Bell”. The bright red leaves of this variety are splashed with white. Sometimes you get lots of white on the leaves and sometimes a little less. In case you are wondering why I am referring to them as leaves it is because that is in fact what they are… leaves or the more correct term bracts. The actual flowers on the poinsettia are very tiny and yellow. For my yellow “flowers” I used yellow Fairy Jewels.

    I die cut all the pieces from smooth bristol cardstock and then ink blended the red leaves with Lumberjack Plaid and Aged Mahogany distress oxides and the green leaves with Pine Needles distress oxide. I went with a heavier hand when applying the Pine Needles to the bottom layer of the leaf and a lighter hand for the top to get the variation I wanted.

    I let the red pieces dry for a little bit and then I placed them in my splatter box and splattered them with white gouache that I watered down a little bit. I think I should have used white acrylic paint because my white splatters turned a little pink, but that is okay as it still provides the look I was going for.

    Once everything was dry I adhered all the pieces together using liquid adhesive. I did not glue the pieces together completely, but only at the base of each leaf so I could get a bit of extra dimension. Liquid adhesive was used to adhere all the layers together, as well. When the adhesive was set I used my fingers to give all the leaves a slight curve for even more dimension. Now it was time to create a background. I looked through my layering dies as I had thought I would use one for my background, but then I saw the Pinpoint Snowflake die set and thought that using the die portion that embosses the pinpoint snowflake would be perfect.

    I die cut a piece of white cardstock with a Memory Box rectangle die and then placed the pinpoint snowflake on the left handside and ran it through my die cutting machine. I was going to stop there, but decided to add the snowflake in other areas. Before doing that I did stop to stamp the sentiment from the Glad Tiding stamp set on the white panel with black ink. I then added the additional embossing. I adhered the poinsettia to the panel, added the three fairy jewels and adhered the panel to my white card base with double sided tape.

    I hope you enjoyed today’s card and learned a little something about poinsettias. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

    Supplies

    57385 Pinpoint Snowflake

    57517 Splendid Poinsettia Contour Layers

    cl8164 Glad Tidings clear stamp set

  • Pumpkin Thanks | By Sandhya Iyer

    Pumpkin Thanks | By Sandhya Iyer

    Hello, friends! This is Sandhya and I am here to inspire you with a layered and dimensional “Thanks” card. I used the Adornment Pumpkin die set as the focal point and added the Big Thanks Sugar Script die for my sentiment. The Honeycomb Bevel Plate Layering die set is my secret to building layers and dimension on this card.

    While I usually create ink-smooth panels and die cut into them, I did the opposite for the pumpkin. I started by die-cutting the pumpkin solid layer and the leaves out of watercolor paper. Next, I used an assortment of Distress Inks to create interesting smooshed inky layers on the pumpkin, stem and the leaves. I cut the delicate pumpkin outline layer out of glitter cardstock and adhered it over the solid layer.

    Then I die-cut some thick white cardstock with the HOneycomb Bevel Player Laters A and B. I adhered the layers together to form an anchoring layer under the pumpkin. I also die cut the sentiment out of thick watercolor cardstock.

    Next, I used Bundled Sage Distress Oxide to ink blend an ombre background on an A2 card base as well as the die-cut sentiment. Then came the fun part of assembling the card. I used generous amounts of foam tape to build the layers and embellished the card with a few enamel dots. It will cost a tad bit more to mail this card but it will look amazing sitting on the fireplace of a dear friend.

    This brings us to the end of today’s post. Thank you so much for stopping by and I will be back soon with more new card ideas.

    Supplies:

    57481 Adornment Pumpkin
    56104 Honeycomb Bevel Plate Layer Set
    57142 Big Thanks Sugar Script
  • Smooshed Ornament | by Toni M Maddox

    Smooshed Ornament | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today with a holiday card featuring the Revello Ornament Layering Dies. I’m a huge fan of Birch Press ornament dies and was thrilled to work with this one.

    This set is the 3 layering dies only. If you want a solid base for the ornament you can pair it with the Ornament Basics die set like I did or fussy cut one for yourself. Ornament hangers are also included or you can find a fancy scored one in the Radiant Ornament set.

    The ink-smooshed panel was made using Distress Oxide Picked Raspberry, Mustard Seed, Cracked Pistaschio, and Peacock Feathers. I used two of the three layers (A and C) so that more of my smooshed panel would show.

    I used a glitter cardstock from my stash for the bottom layer of the ornament as well as for the Merry Christmas letters. I then adhered the lot onto Epiphany Layer A mounted on the card base.

    I hope you enjoyed today’s card and have a great rest of your week!

    Supplies

    57464 Revello Ornament Layer Set

    57314 Ornament Basics

    56081 Radiant Ornament Layer Set

    57538 Merry Christmas Vintage Sentiment

    56098 Epiphany Plate Layer Set

  • Elegant Pumpkin | by Crystal Komara

    Elegant Pumpkin | by Crystal Komara

    Hello Birch Press Design readers! This is DT member Crystal Komara here with you today and I can’t believe it’s November already! I have been loving the new Adornment Pumpkin dies and since I love creating with alcohol ink backgrounds so much, I decided to put the two together for this elegant card:

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card was made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. To create the background, I die cut all three layers of the Viola Layering Plates from the same Neenah white cardstock and adhered them together with a fine-tip liquid glue.

    Using the Adornment Pumpkin 2-piece die set, I die cut the pumpkin shadow from white cardstock and I die cut the intricate layer pieces from an orange pre-made alcohol ink background. I simply used Valencia orange alcohol ink on Yupo paper to create the alcohol ink piece. Just one color! I adhered the pumpkin together and die cut the stem from brown cardstock and the leaves from olive green cardstock. I adhered the assembled pumpkin to the center of the card using 3M foam adhesive for dimension.

    On a thin white strip of cardstock, I stamped the sentiment “forever grateful” from the Brush Sentiments stamp set. I notched the left end of the sentiment strip before adhering it to the card.

    Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    57481 Adornment Pumpkin

    SP1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack

    SP1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack

    56128 Viola Plate Layer Set

    CL8158 Brush Sentiments clear stamp set

  • Birthday Wishes | by Allison Frazier

    Birthday Wishes | by Allison Frazier

    Hello, Birch Press friends! Today, I am sharing a sweet birthday card featuring the new Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layers set. Maybe it’s because we got an early snow this past weekend, but I was in the mood for some spring colors!

    I started my card with the sentiment, since it was going to be my focal point. I used the Say It Big stamp set, stamped the sentiment with peach ink, and cut it out with the matching die. I put foam tape on the back of the sentiment and popped it up on a white panel. I had already glued this white panel onto an A2 sized yellow card base.

    I cut the leaves out of turquoise, yellow and peach card stock. I cut the bottom layers of the leaves from a darker shade of each color. I glued the lighter detail pieces onto these darker ones. I also cut some small leaves (the ones that don’t have a top layer) out of white, yellow and peach card stock.

    Although these leaves are connected to each other, I snipped them all apart so that I could arrange them and tuck them in under the sentiment. Because the sentiment is popped up on foam tape, there is room all the way around to tuck the leaves. Once I had glued all the leaves in place, I added a little butterfly on top of the sentiment. This butterfly comes from the Simple Butterfly Contour Layers set.

    I finished up the card by scattering some fairy jewels around the leaves. I hope this card puts a smile on your face and inspires you! Thank you so much for joining us today.


    Supplies


    57525 Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layers
    57490 Simple Butterfly Contour Layers
    sp1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack

    Supplies


    cb510 Say It Big clear stamp and die set

    Supplies


    jwl002 Pastel Jewels
    drp101 Fairy Drops
  • Adornment Wreath | By Seeka

    Adornment Wreath | By Seeka

    Hello and welcome! Seeka here and today I’m sharing a card featuring the Adornment Wreath die set. This set comes with two wreath layers. The detail layer can be layered directly over the base layer, or they can be offset as I did for this card.

    I started by using the two layers to cut a piece of cardstock that I’d sprayed with different shades of green Dylusions Ink Sprays. I glued the two layers together, offsetting the detail layer to create a fuller wreath. Then, I glued small red berries around the wreath; the berries are die cut from two shades of red cardstock using a die from the Hillside Branch and Bramble Contour Layers die set.

    I also cut a circle of white cardstock that was the same size as the inner circle of the wreath. I glued the wreath to this circle so that the center of the wreath is solid white. In the finished card, I think this helps the wreath stand out as the focal point against the background.

    Next, I used the Herbarium Plate Layer A die to cut a piece of white cardstock. I glued the piece over a white card base and then used foam tape to adhere the wreath. I finished by adding a small sentiment from my stash.

    Thank you so much for visiting!


    Supplies


    57485 Adornment Wreath
    57458 Herbarium Plate Layer Set
    57524 Hillside Branch and Bramble Contour Layers
  • Autumn Foliage Delight | by Colleen Balija

    Autumn Foliage Delight | by Colleen Balija

    Hi friends!

    I’m back this month with another fall card, because well….I just can’t get enough of fall! Next month will be holiday cards, but this month I just want to embrace the beauty that is fall! I live in the Midwest of the United States, and we get some breathtaking colors and scents of fall! So, here is my fall card using Forest Canopy Layering dies and Thanks Sugar Script and Memory Box Cream Woodgrain paper! I will list the links to products used on my card at the end of this post!

    This card may look detailed, but it was quite easy! I started by inking up 3 watercolor card panels in my favorite fall colors using reactive inks, and then die cut the 3 layers from Forest Canopy Layering die over each of the colors. I LOVE this die set because it is just so detailed with embossed images over each of the leaves! I adhered the layered leaves together and placed them over Memory Box’s Cream Woodgrain cardstock. Then I sprayed a bit of water over the leaves to get the ink to react. I love the result! You get this really cool, distressed look that adds another level of detail to your card! You can find reactive inks just about anywhere. My favorites are Catherine Pooler and Hero Arts! I added gold splatter over the entire panel. Look closely in the photo below to see all the detail in the leaves and how the ink reacts to water!

    I originally planned to add a pumpkin over the leaves, but after seeing how beautiful the leaves turned out, I decided not to cover it up! So, now I just needed a bold sentiment that would stand out from all that glorious detail, and Thanks Sugar die was up for the challenge! Below is a good photo of that sentiment! It’s large and bold and the PERFECT touch if all you want to add over your design is a sentiment!

    For the Thanks sentiment, I die cut the bottom layer in Cream Woodgrain paper and the top layer in Festive Glitter in gold, adhered them together, and placed it over the background with foam tape. The entire panel rests on a white 5.5×4.25 card base. I love how the gold from the sentiment makes the gold splatter pop a bit more!

    Birch Press dies are so detailed that you really don’t need to add much to have a beautifully detailed card! Just a little ink, splatter, and a large bold sentiment and you’re done! Keep in mind that the Forest Canopy Layering dies can also be used for your holiday colors – just change up the color scheme! Thanks for stopping by!

    Supplies

     

     

    57148 Thanks Sugar Script

     

     

    57534 Forest Canopy Layer Set

     

     

    SH44002 Cream Woodgrain Paper Pack

     

     

    FP1002 Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad

     

  • Warmest Wishes | By Natasha Vacca

    Warmest Wishes | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Crafty Friends, I am excited to be back up on the blog today to share a vintage feel holiday card with you! For today’s card I am using 2 of the latest dies: Jolly Holly Contour Layers and Revello Ornament. Let’s get started!

    I started by die cutting the Revello Ornament using white card stock. I die cut each layer (A, B, and C), then adhered them together with liquid glue. Next I die cut the Jolly Holly Contour Layers using the Memory Box paper pads: Lush Green and Berry Red.

    Once the leaves and the berries were die cut, I added distress oxide inks to each layer. I used several colors for each, then added water droplets to the leaves and picked up some color using a paper towel. Once all the layers were dry, I adhered them together with liquid glue and set them aside to dry. I also die cut the bow and ornament topper from the Christmas Ornament Pop Up Easel die set. I heat embossed the bow using a weathered gold embossing powder.

    Next I started to work on my background using a piece of Wood Grain Paper in the color Cream. I used distress oxides to create a vintage inspired background. Once I was done inking the background I used my deckle trimmer to cut down the panel. I then distressed the edges using my distress tool and distress ink.

    I completed the card by adhering the wood grain panel onto an A2 card base. I then adhered the leaves, berries, ornament, bow and topper using a combination of liquid glue and foam tape. I also added a piece of gold twine for the ornament. I completed the card using a sentiment from the Glad Tidings stamp set.

    I had a lot of fun creating today’s card and I hope you enjoyed it! I’ll be back soon!


    Supplies


    57512 Jolly Holly Contour Layers
    57464 Revello Ornament Layer Set
    57455 Christmas Ornament Pop Up Easel
    CL8164 Glad Tidings clear stamp set

    Supplies


    sp1003 Lush Green
    sp1001 Berry Red
    SH44002 Cream Woodgrain Paper Pack
  • Fall Leaves | by Rosemary Dennis

    Fall Leaves | by Rosemary Dennis

    Hello! Rosemary here on the blog today. Hard to believe that there are just a fews days left in October. Where has this year gone?! Today I’m sharing a fall inspired sympathy card although that was not my original idea. Originally I had started working on something that would be a small mixed media decor piece. Unfortunately, I went a little overboard and did not like what I had created. Thankfully, I was able to used all of these pretty leaves I had created with mica sprays on today’s card.

    As indicated above I used lots of distress mica sprays to achieve the colors you see in the various leaves. I used the Forest Leaf and Berries Contour Layers and Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layers dies to cut the leaves. I used one of the dies from the Memory Box Curved Cap Pinpoint Layers die set to die cut the arch from kraft cardstock and then stamp it with the sentiment from the Kind Hearts stamp set using VersaFine CLAIR Acorn ink. I inked around the edges of the die cut panel with Aged Mahogany distress ink. I die cut another panel of kraft cardstock with a rectangle die from the Memory Box A2 Rectangle Frames die set and adhered it to an off white cardstock base with double sided adhesive.

    I layered the arched panel on to the card front using foam tape and then built up my swag with the various different leaves. When I originally laid out the pieces for the swag it included the two smaller leaves in the lower corner. However when I started to put everything together they didn’t quite fit and so I added them to the corner instead. I used liquid adhesive to secure all the pieces in place.

    I finished off the card with some autumn fairy jewels on each cluster of leaves. I think they added the perfect little something the card needed.

    I hope you enjoyed today’s card and it inspires you to create something for fall. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

    Supplies

    cl8163 Kind Hearts clear stamp set

    57514 Forest Leaf and Berries Contour Layers

    57525 Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layers