Author: birch press

  • Warm Wishes | by Allison Frazier

    Warm Wishes | by Allison Frazier

    Hello, Birch Press friends! Today, I am sharing a mini slimline card featuring the new Hillside Branch and Bramble Contour Layers set. I used some cool, frosty colors for the branches to turn this into a holiday card. And while the cool colors may be in sharp contrast to the sentiment itself, I love the color palette.

    I started by choosing three different colors of blue card stock. I used the medium blue for the base of my card panel, which measures 6″ x 3.25″. I then used the main branch die (the one that has both the leaves and berries) to cut the lightest color of blue. I cut berries out of two colors of red card stock and adhered those on top of the light blue layer. I cut the top layer for that branch out of white card stock and adhered that onto the light blue layer, as well.

    Next, I played around with the arrangement of my three branches on the card panel. Once I was happy with the basic arrangement, I cut two pieces of the darkest blue card stock to match the curves in the branches. I adhered these two pieces on top of the medium blue card panel, making sure to cut off any excess that was hanging off the edges. I then used the secondary branches die from the set to cut both the medium and dark blue card stock. This gave me three branches each for each color. I glued those along the curves that I had created, making sure to glue the dark blue branches on top of the dark blue parts and the medium blue pieces onto the medium blue parts of the panel. This gives some tone on tone texture. I glued the finished branches on top of these, following the curves that I had created.

    I used the new Warm Wishes Vintage Sentiment die set, which I love. I cut both the bottom and detail layers out of red card stock and adhered those together. I then adhered a white detail layer on top. I cut one more branch out of white card stock to fill in a bit of empty space on the top left. To finish the card, I added some clear fairy jewels.

    I hope this card puts a smile on your face and inspires you! Thank you so much for joining us today.


    Supplies


    57524 Hillside Branch and Bramble Contour Layers
    57539 Warm Wishes Vintage Sentiment
    sp1006 Stormy Blue 6×6 pack
    sp1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack

    Supplies


    jwl001 Clear Jewels
  • A Fall Thank You | By Natasha Vacca

    A Fall Thank You | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press friends, it is Natasha here and I am excited to be back with you today! Today I created a fall thank you card using the new Oak Leaf die set. I am a summer girl at heart, however I do love the colors of Fall! So let’s get started!

    I started by creating 2 panels using mixed media paper and my Distress Mica Stains. I chose 3 colors to use today to create the panels. The panels will be used to die cut my leaves. I spritzed the colors onto my paper one at a time, heat set them with my heat tool, added water droplets, and picked up the color with a paper towel. I continued this process until I had the colors and texture I was looking for. I set the panels aside to completely dry as I worked on my background.

    Next I chose a piece of kraft paper from my stash and dry embossed the panel using the Memory Box Geometric Crystals embossing folder. I then used a sanding tool to distress the dry embossed panel in various sections. To add a bit more texture and dimension to the panel I applied Distress Oxide inks to the panel in 3 of the corners.

    Next I trimmed the panel using my Deckle Trimmer and distressed the edges using Distress Ink. I added splatters to the panel using black and gold splatter. I set the panel aside to completely dry.

    Next I took my 2 panels I created using the Distress Mica Stains and die cut 2 leaves using the new Oak Leaf Die set. I also die cut the top layer using white card stock. I then ink blended the top layer of the leaves using oxides and once dry added Foundry Wax for added shine. I then adhered both layers of the leaves together using liquid adhesive.

    To complete my card, I adhered the dry embossed panel onto an A2 card base using liquid adhesive. I adhered the leaves with foam tape. I chose the sentiment from Handwritten Thanks and Outline die set. I die cut the script Thanks 3 times, using black card stock, as well as from the Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad. I adhered the layers together using liquid glue and added this to my card front. I chose a sub sentiment from my stash and completed the card with a few gems from Autumn Fairy Jewels. Thanks so much for stopping by today! I will be back soon!


    Supplies


    57484 Adornment Oak Leaf
    57420 Handwritten Thanks and Outline

    Supplies


    FP1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad
    EF1016 Geometric Crystals 3D Embossing Folder
    jwl004 Autumn Fairy Jewels
  • Peacock Hello | by Crystal Komara

    Peacock Hello | by Crystal Komara

    Hello readers! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here today sharing one of my “oldie but goodie” favorite dies. As much as I despise birds (shhhhh!), I do admire the peacock simply for the gorgeous plumage of its quills. I mean who wouldn’t want to shake their booty and BOOM! Instant wow factor! : )

    Just look at the details in those tail feathers!

    The base of this A2 sized card was made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. On a 5 1/4″ x 4″ piece of the same white cardstock, I heat foiled the Gilded Grace Hot Foil plate with gold foil. I only used the large background piece (and not the center cut outs) for this card. Then I created the layers of the peacock using a variety of teal and purple cardstock from the Ocean Blue 6 x 6″ paper pack and Vibrant Violet 6″ x 6″ paper pack. For the top layer (Layer A) and the main body of the peacock I used a teal glitter paper from the Glitzy Glitter 6″ x 6″ paper pack.

    I then adhered the peacock to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    For the sentiment I heat foiled the Hello Sugar Script with purple foil on white cardstock. I used the coordinating die to cut it out and adhered it to the card with foam adhesive.

    Ahhhh, she’s so pretty! I hope you have enjoyed today’s card! Be sure to come back tomorrow for more inspiration from my fellow design team members!

    Supplies

    56099 Regal Peacock Layer Set

    BPF512 Gilded Grace Hot Foil Plate and Die Set

    SP1005 Ocean Blue 6×6 pack

    SP1007 Vibrant Violet 6×6 pack

    57143 Hello Sugar Script

  • Using Neutral Colors on Flowers and Leaves | by Colleen Balija

    Using Neutral Colors on Flowers and Leaves | by Colleen Balija

    Hi friends,

    I like to get really playful with color palettes on my cards, and I’m always on the search for new inspiration! Recently I found a card on Instagram that used neutral colors and the end result was just so cool! So, I decided to test those colors out on my next BPD card, and today I want to share with you how I brought my card to life using neutral colors! I’ll be using Large Cosmos Contour Layer die, NEW Curved Leaf Branch Contour Layers die, NEW Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layer die, Memory Box Woodgrain paper, Warm Wishes die, and NEW Fairy Gemstones! You will find a link to these products at the end of this post.

    Generally, my first step in creating a card is to choose the color palette. In this case, I went with a wheat color along with black and white! I searched for an ink color that was closest to the Wheat color I wanted. Next, I die cut the BPD flowers and leaves and adhered the layers together. I love how BPD embosses each layer, making it easy for you to build your layered dies!

    Most of my leaves and the Cosmos flower were done in white with exception to the center of the flower and the Curved Leaf Branches. Those were inked up in Mustard Brown and black ink. You can get a good visual of them in the photo below!

    Next, I created a background to compliment the foliage. I trimmed a piece of Woodgrain paper by Memory Box to 5.25×4.00 and then ran the Mustard Brown ink directly over the card panel quite generously. The woodgrain gives it a cool texture! I also trimmed a piece of black card to the same size. I tore the left edge on both panels, making the brown layer slightly smaller than the black, and adhered them together. I also stamped a sentiment randomly in black ink over the Woodgrain panel to add interest and give the card a mixed media vibe. You can see the stamping, the texture from the woodgrain, and the torn edges in the photo below.

    Next, I adhered both layers to a 5.5×4.25 white card panel. Then I created a sentiment using the new Warm Wishes layering die in black and white. Now it was time to finish my card! I like to play with placement of my flowers and leaves before I adhere them down so that they are exactly where I want them! I adhered the Curved Leaf Branch (the ones in black and brown) first, then the Cosmos flower (popped up on foam tape), and then placed several white leaves around the flower. I was careful to leave a bit of the stamping peek through on the Mustard Brown card panel! Then I finished with the Warm Wishes sentiment, propped up on foam tape. Below is a closer look at that lovely new sentiment die! It’s the perfect size!

    What makes this card pop is the amount of detail, from stamping onto the Mustard Brown ink to tearing the edges of the panels. The BPD dies are so detailed that die cutting them in white is beautiful! Also, there is a good balance of color between the white, black, and brown, going from lightest to darkest.

    Next time you create a card, pull out your neutrals and see what you come up with! This is the perfect time of year as we head into fall to create a card in these colors! Thanks for stopping by!

    Supplies Used: 

     

    SH44002 Cream Woodgrain Paper Pack

     

    GEM101 Treasure Chest Fairy Gemstones

     

    57528 Large Cosmos Contour Layers

     

    57513 Curved Leaf Branch Contour Layers

     

    57525 Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layers

     

    57539 Warm Wishes Vintage Sentiment

     

  • hugs | by Rosemary Dennis

    hugs | by Rosemary Dennis

    Hello everyone! Rosemary here today sharing a card made with the pretty new Adornment Wreath die from the latest release.

    As I thought about what I wanted to make with products from the new release I started to wonder if I could use cardstock from the Vintage Pastel Mirror with alcohol inks. The cardstock does have a slick finish just like glossy cardstock or Yupo paper. So I decided to give it a try and it worked! I used a bluish-green piece of cardstock from the pad along with several green and one blue alcohol ink. I used my Tim Holtz puffer tool (I don’t know if that it what it is called, lol, but it works for me) to move the ink around until I had it to my liking. Once dry I die cut the solid wreath from that panel.

    As you can see I still have some left over to die cut smaller pieces from or maybe add more alcohol ink. There are two sheets of each color in the pad so I decided to use the second one to die cut the top layer from and adhered that with liquid adhesive.

    For the sentiment I used one of the circle sentiments from the Contempo Greetings stamp and die set. I stamped the sentiment on a corner of the panel I die cut the adornment layer from using watermark ink and then heat embossed in white. I used the circle die from the set to die cut the sentiment. As I have said before the Memory Box woodgrain cardstock is great for adding just a little bit of interest and texture to your background. I think the wreath looks lovely layered on top!

    One of the alcohol inks I used is a pearlescent one. I tried to capture some of the shine it creates with the above photo. Not sure if it worked or not! I used thin foam squares to pop up the wreath and then thicker foam squares doubled up on the circular sentiment. I added the panel to a white cardstock base and then finished with tiny clear Memory Box fairy drops.

    I hope you enjoyed today’s card. If you have some Memory Box mirror cardstock try out your alcohol inks on it. You just might like how things turn out! Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day!

    Supplies

    CL8160 Contempo Greetings clear stamp set

    57485 Adornment Wreath

    FP1002 Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad

    SH44001 White Woodgrain Paper Pack

    CLD101 Clear Fairy Drops

  • Pink Cosmos | by Toni M Maddox

    Pink Cosmos | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today sharing a bold floral card using the new Large Cosmos and Curved Leaf Branch Contour Layer dies.

    I used Copics to color up the Large Cosmos layers because I wanted a striated look. I used Distress Oxide Rustic Wilderness and Mowed Lawn to sponge the Curved Leaf Branch.

    I cut a couple of the Curved Leaf Branch and split it up behind the Large Cosmos. I used the negative of the die as a stencil on the background which I diecut with the Pinpoint Contour Plate.

    I added a smidgen of Distress Oxide Salvaged Patina to the top of that panel so the Sugar Script Sentiments 1 really pops.

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

    Supplies

    57528 Large Cosmos Contour Layers

    BPF503 Sugar Script Sentiments 1 Hot Foil Plate and Die Sets

    57511 Pinpoint Contour Plate

    57513 Curved Leaf Branch Contour Layers

  • Just for You Mixed Media Tag | By Natasha Vacca

    Just for You Mixed Media Tag | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press Friends, I am excited to be back on the blog today sharing a mixed media tag using 2 new dies from the latest collection: Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layers and Budding Twigs Contour Layers. So let’s get started!

    I started by die cutting the branches and twigs from the Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layers and Budding Twigs Contour Layers die sets. I die cut them from 2 shades of cardstock from the Stormy Blue and Fresh Aqua collection from the Memory Box paper pads. Once all the layers were die cut I added a bit of color to each layer using distress oxides. I then spritzed them with water and used a paper towel to pick up some of the color.

    Next I added embossing powder to all the die cuts. I applied embossing ink, then powder, and heat set them with my heat tool. I did wipe off some of the powder before heat setting them for a distressed look. I set the die cuts aside to work on my background.

    For the background I chose a gelli print from my stash and trimmed it into a tag. Next I ran the tag through my die cutting machine with the Ringadings 3D embossing folder. I then applied dye ink to one side of the folder and ran it through the machine again. Next I added embossing ink to the folder and ran it through one more time. I then added a gold embossing powder to some sections of the background and heat set it with my heat tool.

    Next I inked up the edges of the tag as well as some areas on the top of the tag with distress ink. I then determined the placement for the branches and the twigs. I adhered them with liquid glue and foam tape.

    Next I stamped the sentiment from the Gracious Floral stamp and die set. I completed the tag with a bit of cheesecloth and twine at the top of the tag. I adhered the sentiment with foam tape to complete the tag.

    Thank you so much for stopping by today! I will be back soon!


    Supplies


    57525 Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layers
    57529 Budding Twigs Contour Layers

    Supplies


    cl5280d Gracious Floral Clear Stamp and Die Set
    ef1015 Ringadings 3D Embossing Folder
    sp1004 Fresh Aqua
    sp1006 Stormy Blue
  • Just Because | Dilay Nacar

    Just Because | Dilay Nacar

    Hello and welcome, crafty friends! Dilay here today sharing this card featuring the brand new Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layer dies!

    To start, I created a base by cutting a piece of white cardstock down to 4.25” x 5.5” and then embossed it using the Memory Box Geometric Crystals 3D Embossing Folder. 

    Next, I stamped and die cut ‘just because’ from the Memory Box Gracious Floral Stamp Set and adhered it to the embossed card base.

    I then die cut each of the leaves from the Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layers in shades of pink, yellow, and blue and adhered them around the sentiment (creating a frame) using foam and liquid adhesive. 

    To finish, I added a few splatters of white ink and some clear embellishments and then mounted the card onto a top-folding card base! 

    I hope you enjoyed today’s simple card featuring new goodies from Birch Press Design!


    Supplies


  • Seasons Change | by Allison Frazier

    Seasons Change | by Allison Frazier

    Hello, Birch Press friends. Today, I am sharing a slimline card featuring the new Forest Leaf and Berries Contour Layers set. As soon as I looked at the picture on the package of this die set, my mind immediately went to this idea. And that is, to turn the berries into trees!

    I wanted my card to represent the passing of time and the changing of seasons, so I tried to pick colors for each tree that represented the seasons. Fall and winter were the easiest colors to choose! Although, I did play with the idea of leaving the winter tree bare. Maybe I should have, but I just love blue so much that I had to have the blue berries! For each tree, I chose four colors/shades of card stock. I cut all 16 pieces of card stock using the Berries die. This die cuts all of the pieces necessary to assemble the berries/trees. I also cut four of the tree trunks (berry stems) out of dark brown card stock.

    In some cases, I used Distress Inks to blend a slightly darker color on the shadow layer if it was too close in color to the berry layer. I assembled all of my trees using liquid glue. Once the trees were done, I prepared my card panel and base from Kraft card stock. The overall card measures 3.5″x8.5″. I cut a hill shape out of another piece of Kraft card stock. I swiped embossing ink at the top of this hill shape and then heat embossed it with white embossing powder. I popped this hill up on my card base with thin foam tape.

    I heat embossed the sentiment at the top of my card with white embossing powder. This sentiment comes from the Kind Hearts stamp set, and I’m really happy with how it ties in with the idea of time passing. The only thing left to do was to glue down the trees. I tucked the very bottom of the trees behind the popped up hill. I scattered some fairy jewels around the trees, and then I finished up by blending some brown ink around the edges of the card.

    I hope this card puts a smile on your face and inspires you to look at your dies in a new way. Thank you so much for joining us today.

    Wishing you a crafty day,
    Allison


    Supplies


    57514 Forest Leaf and Berries Contour Layers
    cl8163 Kind Hearts clear stamp set
    sp1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack
    sp1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack
    sp1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack
    sp1005 Ocean Blue 6×6 pack
    sp1007 Vibrant Violet 6×6 pack

    Supplies


    jwl002 Pastel Jewels
    jwl003 Bright Jewels
    jwl004 Autumn Fairy Jewels
  • Lace Cosmosby Jeanne Jachna

    Lace Cosmos
    by Jeanne Jachna

    I hope you’re enjoying your summer and that your surrounded by beautiful blooms. Maybe you’re experiencing a little rain like we are here in the Midwest? That’s ok.. that means it’s time to turn to your crafting and make some pretty florals of your own!

    I’m smitten with the new Birch Press Design Large Cosmos bloom! I think it looks amazing in just about every color I’ve seen it in. I cut mine from four shades of red cardstock to add some dimension.

    I added a few Curved Leaf Branches for a bit of foliage. I cut the branch three times from three shades of green cardstock and then alternated them so I wound up with three completed branches.

    Some Mixed Berries in turquoise add another layer of interest to the design, and a hot foil Thank You Noted Script Sentiment is the finishing touch!

    I used the “C” layer of the Flora set for a lacy looking background that is subtle and detailed at the same time. I love that it doesn’t distract from the beautiful floral! I hope you have a great day!

    Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5″

    Supplies

     

     

    57437 Flora Plate Layer Set

     

     

    BPF511 Thank You Noted Script Hot Foil Plate and Die Set

     

     

    57528 Large Cosmos Contour Layers

     

     

    57513 Curved Leaf Branch Contour Layers

     

     

    57527 Mixed Berry Contour Layers