Birch Press Design

Author: birch press

  • Plaid Three Ways | by Toni M Maddox

    Plaid Three Ways | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today sharing a trio of holiday cards with the same basic layout but totally unique looks.

    The first card I made used a warm red-toned plaid from the Memory Box Christmas Plaid 6×6 pad. I cut that down to fit on a card base with a tiny margin around the edges then added the Glad Tidings sentiments on a rectangular diecut.

    I used Distress Oxide Mowed Rustic Wilderness, Lumberjack Plaid and Aged Mahogany to color up the Jolly Holly diecuts. Super easy, right?

    The next card was a surprise to me in that the Memory Box Christmas Plaid paper is double-sided and I had intended to use the other side when it occurred to me that the black and white checks would make a fabulous modern holiday card background.

    I cut out the Jolly Holly from black and silver and added the red berries, again sponged in Distress Oxide Lumberjack Plaid and Aged Mahogany. I drew a black line beneath the sentiment to add to the modern feel.

    My last card uses the reverse of the above black and white checks. Such a completely different look with the more traditional plaid and a swag using a few Oval Leaf Branches with the Jolly Holly diecuts.

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

    Supplies

    57512 Jolly Holly Contour Layers

    57525 Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layers

    CL8164 Glad Tidings clear stamp set

  • Adornment Pumpkin | By Natasha Vacca

    Adornment Pumpkin | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Crafty friends! I am excited to be back up on the blog today sharing the beautiful new Adornment Pumpkin die set! I love the large pumpkin and how this die set creates a beautiful focal image! So let’s get started!

    I started by die cutting the Adornment Pumpkin using paper pads from Memory Box. I die cut the pumpkin using the Sunny Orange pad, the leaves using Lush Green, and the stem from the Earth Neutral paper pad. I die cut each of the pieces using a colored cardstock and then a white piece of card stock as well.

    Once all the layers were die cut, I adhered the colored layer on top of the white card stock using liquid glue. Next I added a bit of color to each of the layers using Distress Oxide inks. I applied the ink on top of the colored card stock and then added water droplets for added texture.

    Next I darkened the edges of each die cut using a dye ink. I set the pieces aside to work on the background. For the background I trimmed a piece of white woodgrain paper down to an A2 card size panel. I then used distress oxide inks to create a wood background. I added a bit of distress paint using a sponge for added texture and color.

    Once the panel was completely dry, I trimmed the panel using my deckle trimmer. I then distressed the edges using my distress tool and distress ink. I then adhered the background panel onto a top folding A2 card base. I adhered the pumpkin, leaves, and stem to the card front using liquid glue. I completed the card with a sentiment strip from my stash.

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


    Supplies


    57481 Adornment Pumpkin

    Supplies


    sp1002 Sunny Orange
    sp1009 Earth Neutral
    sp1003 Lush Green
    sh44001 White Woodgrain Paper Pack
  • Warm Autumn Wishes with Adornment Pumpkin Die | by Colleen Balija

    Warm Autumn Wishes with Adornment Pumpkin Die | by Colleen Balija

    Hi friends!

    With fall upon us in full swing, I wanted to make a festive autumn card using Adornment Pumpkin die set! I’ll also be using Warm Wishes layering die, Hillside Branch & Contour Layers, Adornment Oak Leaf die, Splendor Bevel Plate (Layer A only), Memory Box Cream Woodgrain paper, Memory Box Vintage Pastel Mirror paper, and Memory Box Ringadings embossing folder! All of the product links will be listed at the end of my post!

    I’ve been seeing pumpkin cards where the pumpkins have been stamped with a design, so I decided to do that with the Adornment Pumpkin! I die cut the layers on watercolor paper and sprayed them with Hero Arts Orange and Bright Yellow shimmer sprays. These sprays add a really cool shimmer that I wanted to get with my pumpkin! Next, I grabbed Splendor Bevel Plate Layer A and used it as a stencil, applying color through the die onto the top layer of the pumpkin using a darker orange ink. I applied green spray over the leaf and brown over the stem. Then I adhered the layers together and splattered gold and dark brown inks over the top. Then I set my festively decorated pumpkin aside for later! Below is a close up of the details on my pumpkin, I love it!!!!!

    Next step was to work on the foliage that I wanted to place around the pumpkin. I die cut Hillside Branch & Contour Layers and Adornment Leaf die on watercolor paper and then sprayed those the same way I sprayed my pumpkin. Then I adhered the layers together.

    Now for the background! I grabbed a colored card panel that I had in my stash (I occasionally create several background panels to be used when needed – it’s really handy!). Then I embossed the panel with Ringadings embossing folder. This folder is AWESOME! Next, I used a sanding tool to remove a layer of ink from the raised areas of the embossed image. You can see how the circles are almost white! This is an easy technique that adds another element of detail and is amazing for mixed media! I adhered the panel to a white 5.5×4.25 card base. Also, I die cut the layers of Warm Wishes using Memory Box Cream Woodgrain paper and a bronze shade from the Vintage Pastel Mirror paper. I adhered the pumpkin and tucked the foliage in behind it, and then finished with the sentiment.

    TIP: To place the letters of your sentiment in the exact position, I place the outer portion (negative) of the die over the base layer (which was the Woodgrain Cream color) but don’t adhere it! Then I add glue to the letters and tuck them inside the positive part of the die. I gently pull the negative portion off using a pick to ensure the letters stay in place and don’t lift with the outer die! Easy peasy!

    I love how the background is quite dark compared to the colorful pumpkin and foliage. That really helps the focal point to pop! Thanks for stopping by today!

    Supplies

     

    EF1015 Ringadings 3D Embossing Folder

     

    SH44002 Cream Woodgrain Paper Pack

     

    FP1002 Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad
     

     

    57539 Warm Wishes Vintage Sentiment

     

    57481 Adornment Pumpkin

     

    57524 Hillside Branch and Bramble Contour Layers

     

    57484 Adornment Oak Leaf

     

    56111 Splendor Bevel Plate Layer Set

     

  • Christmas Ornament | by Rosemary

    Christmas Ornament | by Rosemary

    Hello everyone! Rosemary here on the blog today sharing a card that I had a lot of fun creating using some new and old Birch Press Design products. Take a look at what I created.

    I started off my card by creating my ornament. I used the new Revello Ornament Layer dies to cut my layers from Memory Box Glitzy Glitter cardstock in red and white cardstock. I used the layering ornament from the Christmas Ornament Pop Up Easel die set to die cut the backer from additional red glitter cardstock. I adhered all the pieces with liquid adhesive and then placed an acrylic block on top while it dried. I die cut the bow from green cardstock and the ornament top from white and adhered those with liquid adhesive, as well.

    The I set about creating my holly and berry cluster using the new Jolly Holly Contour Layers die set. As I die cut the two green cardstocks I used I wasn’t sure I would like how they looked layered together, but I really like the contrast that was created. I die cut the berries from red cardstock and the top layer from the same red glitter cardstock. I layered everything with liquid glue and set aside to dry.

    For the background panel I decided to die cut some white woodgrain cardstock with a Memory Box Rectangle Frames die. I wanted a little more texture in the panel so I used the Layer A from the Herbarium Plate layering set to emboss the panel. The look is very subtle, but I like how it turned out. I then inked up the edges of the panel with Old Paper distress ink. I tried to capture the additional texture that was added in the photo below. If you look at the top corner you can see the embossing.

    I needed a branch for my ornament to hang from so I used the leafy branch from the Hillside Branch and Bramble Contour Layers die set. I die cut the branch from kraft woodgrain cardstock and the leaves from the same light green cardstock I used for the holly and the berries from the red glitter cardstock. I layered up everything and then got to building up my card. I finished with a sentiment from the new Glad Tidings stamp set. I stamped the sentiment with black in on a piece of the white woodgrain cardstock that I flipped to the smooth side, die cut the piece and then inked the edges with Old Paper distress ink. I adhered the branch with liquid adhesive and then popped up the ornament and sentiment with foam tape.

    I hope my card inspires you to pull out your Birch Press Design Christmas/holiday products and create some cards! Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day.

    Supplies

    CL8164 Glad Tidings clear stamp set

    57458 Herbarium Plate Layer Set

    57524 Hillside Branch and Bramble Contour Layers

    57512 Jolly Holly Contour Layers

    57455 Christmas Ornament Pop Up Easel

    57464 Revello Ornament Layer Set

    94672 A2 Rectangle Frames Die Set

    GP1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad

  • Thanks Oval Leaves | by Crystal Komara

    Thanks Oval Leaves | by Crystal Komara

    Hello friends! This is DT member Crystal Komara here with you today with what just might be my new favorite card ever that I’ve designed for Birch Press Design. Now, I’ll admit, I was initially hesitant to use the contour dies, becuase oh-so-much die cutting, but I promise, the end result is always SOOooo worth the work!!

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I cu ta 5 1/4″ x 4″ piece of black cardstock and dry embossed it using the Blooming 3D Embossing Folder from Memory Box Co, a sister company of Birch Press Design. This is my go-to floral embossing folder, it’s so elegant.

    Then I just began die cutting lots and lots of the Oval Leaves contour dies in yellow, orange and gold cardstock. I mismatched up the layers, so that I layered yellow with orange and rust with gold. There was no method to this matching up madness.

    Lastly, I flicked some gold acrylic paint onto the entire image and I love how this effect came out! It added a bit of grunge, but also a bit of sparkle!

    I love this card so much that I want to try re-creating it in other color palettes too, so be sure to check back in regularly to see what myself and the rest of the Design Team are creating to inspire you!

    Supplies

    57525 Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layers

    57148 Thanks Sugar Script

    SP1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack

    GP1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad

  • Cozy Florals | by April Antonio

    Cozy Florals | by April Antonio

    Welcome back to the blog! Today I’m bringing you a cozy Autumn themed card using some beautiful floral images, and emboss resist inking.

    To start todays card I used the large floral image stamp from the Gracious Floral stamp and die set and heat embossed it with white powder onto a piece of white cardstock.

    I then used my mini blending brushes and a few different ink colors to blend all the flowers and leaves, making sure to use darker colors towards the bottom of center of flowers and lighter colors towards the top.

    TIP: color blending like this can be very forgiving. I was not worried about the colors overlapping each other, because once it’s all blended out it looks cohesive.

    Once I was satisfied with the color blending, I took a clean paper towel and wiped it across my image to remove any residual ink from the white embossed part. Then I used the coordinating die to cut the image out.

    To add some extra interest and shine to my flower I sprinkled a few drops of water so the ink would lift in those places, and also rubbed some shine powder across the image so it would sparkle a bit.

    Separately, I took the Pinpoint Contour Plate die and cut it from a piece of white cardstock, and glued it to an A2 card base. I then arranged the floral image into the center of the card and adhered it using foam dots.

    Next I took the ‘Just Because’ that is in the same Gracious Floral set and stamped it in black ink and heat embossed it with clear powder. I used the matching die to cut it out, and cut it out two more times from white cardstock. I glued all the layers together to add some dimension to the sentiment, and then added it to my card front.

    Lastly, I had to add some bling of course! I used jewels from the Autumn Fairy Jewels set to bling out the flowers. Some I filled in the center with jewels, and others I just did a few or filled in petals.

    That is it! I hope you enjoyed reading through my process to create this colorful, fall themed card and see you next time!

    Supplies

    CL5280d Gracious Floral Clear Stamp and Die Set

    JWL004 Autumn Fairy Jewels

    Supplies

    57511 Pinpoint Contour Plate

  • Think Outside the Wreath | by Allison Frazier

    Think Outside the Wreath | by Allison Frazier

    Hello, Birch Press friends! Today, I am stretching my supplies. I love the new Adornment Wreath die set, but I felt like doing something different with it. So, I used both dies to create the rays of the sun! Fun, right?

    I started my card by making the background. I really wanted a blue background to mimic the sky but also didn’t want to be too literal. I took a medium shade of blue card stock and foiled the Gilded Grace hot foil plate with Cobalt foil. I love using tone on tone when it comes to foil backgrounds. I then took two shades of blue ink that are darker than the card stock and ink blended the corners and edges in order to create that glow in the center.

    I used the solid die from the Adornment Wreath set and cut it from a piece of orange card stock. I then used the outline die from the set and cut it from a piece of yellow card stock. I used a circle die from my stash and cut it from a yellow piece of card stock. I heat embossed the sentiment from the Colorful Life stamp set with orange Distress Oxide and clear embossing powder. I then ink blended the edges of that circle with orange Distress Ink.

    I stacked my center circle with two more circles in order to create a little dimension, and then I glued that to the yellow outline of the Adornment Wreath first. Next, I glued that onto the orange solid part of the Adornment Wreath, slightly offsetting it so that the two layers weren’t perfectly matched up. Finally, I glued my “sun” into the center of the circle of the Gilded Grace pattern.

    I hope this card puts a smile on your face and inspires you to think “outside the box/wreath” with your dies, as well! Thank you so much for joining us today.


    Supplies


    57485 Adornment Wreath
    bpf512 Gilded Grace Hot Foil Plate and Die Set
    sp1005 Ocean Blue 6×6 pack
    sp1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack

    Supplies


    cl509 Colorful Life clear stamp set
  • Poinsettia Blues | by Toni M Maddox

    Poinsettia Blues | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today with a glorious holiday card. Isn’t the Splendid Poinsettia die set absolutely stunning?!

    It was so easy to create this detailed bloom using Distress Oxide Salvaged Patina, Peacock Feathers and Uncharted Mariner with just a touch of Mustard Seed on the stamen. Gor-ge-ous!

    For the card base I added a layer of double-sided tape then carefully positioned the Herbarium Plate Layer A on top. I then burnished Doodlebug Design Lily White Glitter into the openings with my finger. It’s messy to apply but the tape secures the glitter really well.

    I glued down the poinsettia next (love it so much!), tucking in a few Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layer sprigs among the leaves.

    I added the rather retro Holiday Hugs sentiment, opting to use only the outline so some of the glitter would show throught. You can’t have too much glitter!

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

    Supplies

    57517 Splendid Poinsettia Contour Layers

    57525 Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layers

    57540 Holiday Hugs Vintage Sentiment

    57458 Herbarium Plate Layer Set

  • Fall Adornment Oak Leaves | by Colleen Balija

    Fall Adornment Oak Leaves | by Colleen Balija

    Hey friends,

    It’s getting to that time of year when the leaves turn on the trees and we begin to crave hot cocoa and Pumpkin Spice Lattes! Yummm! Fall time of year can be messy and yet it can also take your breath away with the sights and smells! So today’s card is a tribute to all that is fall! I will be using the NEW Adornment Oak Leaf die, Membory Box Ringading embossing folder, and Memory Box Gracious Gloral stamp set.

    I started with the Adornment Oak Leaves by die cutting two of the base layers onto a card panel that I had sprayed in various autumn colors. Next, I die cut the 2nd layer using silver cardstock. I splattered white ink over the leaves to finish and set them aside to dry.

    Next, I worked on the black backdrop that would sit behind the leaves and the background. I trimmed a piece of black cardstock and then heat embossed 2 sentiments from Memory Box Gracious Floral stamp in white embossing powder. Then I added some white splatters and set it aside to dry. This technique of randomly stamping a sentiment is a great mixed media tool that is easy to do and very effective! It takes a piece of plain black cardstock and adds subtle detail and interest!

    The background panel was created using Memory Box Ringadings embossing folder, which I embossed over a card panel that was sprayed in shades of grey and tan Mica. The Mica adds texture and shine, another great mixed media tool! If you don’t have sprays, not to worry! Just use your inks and you’ll achieve a similar look.

    After I embossed the image, I went over the raised parts of it with a sander and removed some of the color. You can see in the photo below the distressed look this technique provides! And it’s so simple to do!!! By the way, you can find sanders at just about any craft store! It’s a great tool to keep in your stash!

    The last step was to put everything together. I adhered the embossed panel over a 5.5×4.25 white card base, and then adhered the black panel over it, slightly off center to the left. Then I added the 2 Adornment Leaves and a sentiment from Memory Box Gracious Floral!

    This card may look complicated, but it was so easy to create, and you can do it with your own stash! Thanks so much for stopping by today!

    Supplies

     

    EF1015 Ringadings 3D Embossing Folder

     

    cl5280 Gracious Floral Clear Stamp Set

     

    57484 Adornment Oak Leaf

     

  • Hoping Today | by Rosemary Dennis

    Hoping Today | by Rosemary Dennis

    Hello everyone! Rosemary here on the blog today. Can’t believe it is the end of September! But the weather here in the Pacific Northwest is telling me that yes, fall has arrived! Today I have a fall inspired project to share that I made using the new Budding Twigs Contour Layers dies.

    I had created a different card for today’s post, but decided to save that for a later date because I have had this idea for the Budding Twigs dies in the back of my mind for a few weeks now. Had to get it out, lol! The design is super simple, but I think very impactful.

    The die is one piece and so I only had to die cut the die twice to get all the pieces I needed to complete my little twig frame. I die cut the pieces from smooth bristol cardstock and then used some Tonic Studios Aqua Flow pens to color them in red, orange and brown. Aqua Flow pens are similar to ZIG Clean Color Real Brush markers in that they have concentrated watercolor in them. You apply the color and then blend it out with with water. The die cuts are very delicate and it was a bit of a task to color them, but I think it was worth the challenge!

    Once I had the pieces colored I let them dry and then adhered them together with liquid adhesive. While the pieces were drying I used a Memory Box Rectangle Frames die to die cut a piece of white cardstock that I had stamped with the sentiment from the Kind Hearts stamp set using VersaFine CLAIR Acorn ink. I then inked up the edge of the rectangle with Old Paper distress ink. The twigs were then adhered to the rectangle using liquid adhesive. I die cut a panel of kraft cardstock with the Pinpoint Contour plate and adhered that to my card base with tape runner. I then attached the rectangle to the center of the panel with foam tape. I finished with a few Open Studio autumn Fairy Jewels.

    I love the sweet little frame the Budding Twigs created and think it would be fun to create one for spring. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

    Supplies

    57529 Budding Twigs Contour Layers

    57511 Pinpoint Contour Plate

    cl8163 Kind Hearts clear stamp set

    94672 A2 Rectangle Frames Die Set

    jwl004 Autumn Fairy Jewels