Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today sharing a card that just makes me happy–I love the colors and the blossoms. So pretty!
I cut out randomly size strips of Memory Box Sunny Orange and Stormy Blue 6×6 cardstock which I adhered to the card base, leaving empty areas so the white base acted as another color strip.
I used the die that comes with the Gilded Petalpoint Hot Foil Plate to cut out a “sun” which I sponged with Distress Oxide Mustard Seed. I stamped one of the Brush Sentiments on top of that in Versafine Clair Nocturne.
I cut out the Phlox Blooms and Leaves Contour Layers using the same cardstock, then adhered them randomly over the card front, nestling them in and around the sun. Easy, peasy!
I hope you enjoyed today’s card and have a great rest of your week!
Hi friends! Today I want to share a Clean and Simple Spring Floral card!
A good Clean and Simple card utilizes white space creatively. And it’s hard to add detail and interest without over-doing it!!! I tend to create cards that are filled from top to bottom with details, but I fall in love with designers like Dee Nacar and her expert use of white space, so I’m giving it a try today, and I hope you like it!
Today I’ll be using Morning Rose & Triple Buds die, Eucalyptus Stem & Berries die, Phlox Blooms & Leaves die, Sylvan Berries & Leaves die, and Rainbow Days stamp. All of these items will be linked at the bottom of my post!
First step was to decide on the layout for my card panel. Once that was decided upon, I die cut my floral pieces and ink blended each piece with shades of coral and mint green. While it’s easier to ink blend a card panel first and then die cut second, I like to do the opposite because I can add more depth this way. I create an ombre effect with color that brings my flowers to life. And that’s one of the details you’ll need in a Clean and Simple card! Take a look at the photo above to see what I mean about adding depth.
Next, I added more detail to my white background card panel by using the same die cuts from earlier as an embossing tool. To do this, I placed the die cuts where I wanted them on the card panel, taped them into place so they wouldn’t move, and then ran them through my die cut machine with an embossing pad that comes with my machine (each machine is different, so look for an embossing pad that goes with your die cut machine). The embossing pad allows the image to be embedded into the card panel without cutting all the way through. This is another fun and creative way to use your die cuts! Look at the photo above and below to see the embossed images peeking out from behind the flowers and leaves!
Another option to add detail to a white card panel is embossing with embossing folders. You’re adding detail without losing the white space. It’s a great technique!
The final step was to place the flowers and leaves where I wanted them, along with the sentiment. I wanted to keep the sentiment simple, so I went with a stamped one rather than die cut one. The leaves are placed off-center from the embossed image so that a tiny bit of the embossed image peeks out from behind them. Then I added gold metallic splatters and sequins to add shine! You can see the splatters and sequins in the photo below. Some of the sequins are clear to look like rain drops on the leaves. The splatters and sequins are another subtle way to add detail without busying up the card panel! I was careful only to splatter around the flowers and leaves, leaving a good part of the white card panel alone.
I’m pleased with how this Clean and Simple card turned out! To summarize, here are a few pointers to keep in mind when creating Clean and Simple designs:
Emboss the white card panel with embossing folders or dies
Use splatters sparingly to add interest without overwhelming the card panel
Add detail to the focal point by ink blending to create depth and life to your florals
Keep the sentiment simple and small
Add sequins or a Nuvo Shimmer pen to add shine and shimmer to your focal point
Keep one half to one quarter of the card panel white and untouched
Happy Spring everyone! Today I’m sharing a sweet card showcasing the new Slyvan Berries and Leaves Contour Layers dies and the Thank You Noted Script hot foil plate and die set.
Over my years of crafting I have learned a couple of things that help me when it comes to ink blending on small die cuts. One of those things is that when I die cut the pieces I do not remove them, but flip my cardstock over and add some kind of low tack tape to the back to keep them in place.
As you can see from the above photo it isn’t very pretty looking, but it is so very helpful in allowing you to ink up those small pieces. The next photo shows some of the inking and masking that i did on the die cut cardstock.
Using this method also allows you to be able to add more ink in some areas and less in others. I wanted the very top leave on the sprig to not have alot of ink and I was able to do that by keeping the die cut in place. I used two shades of light green ink for the leaves and two shades of yellow for the berries. For a bit of contrast I used a brighter green for the stems of the berry sprigs. After I inked up all the pieces to my liking I removed them from the cardstock and got to working out the placement of all of the elements. As I was working this out I decided that I wanted to add some interest to the background. I pulled out the Viola Plate die set and die cut the top layer from white cardstock to use for the background, but didn’t like it. Then I looked at the bottom layer of the die set. Inspiration hit… emboss it! The bottom layer has piercing on it and once embossed created a lovely background. Don’t forget that when you are embossing with dies you need to use a flexible embossing mat and the embossing sandwich that works for your machine.
Once the background was set I worked on determining the placement of all the elements. As you can see from the photo above I didn’t have the berries and leaves completed and the sprig arrangement is slightly different from the finished card. Doing the initial arrangement is just a good way to make sure that you are happy with your idea and you can take a photo of it for reference when you complete your card. I assembled the berries and leaves using liquid adhesive.
I adhered all the stems and berries using liquid adhesive. I used the die that comes with the Thank you foil set to die cut two additional layers that I adhered to the foiled one. Liquid adhesive was also used to adhere the sentiment and the little bow tied with some spring green baker’s twine. I finished off the card with some tiny yellow-green Memory Box Fairy Jewels. I must say that I took my inspiration for this card from the cheerful yellow daffodils that are blooming everywhere here in western Washington. I hope I was able to inspire you today!
Hello and welcome! Seeka here again with you today, this time sharing a card featuring the Sylvan Berries And Leaves Contour Layers die set.
I started off by cutting the berries and leaves layers from green, yellow and orange cardstocks. I glued the layers together and then set them aside.
Next, I die cut the Arista Layer B plate three times from white cardstock, then I glued the layers together and then glued the resulting piece to a panel cut with the Pinpoint Contour Plate.
I arranged and glued the leaves and berries onto the background, trimming the stems where needed. Then I added a sentiment from my stash before gluing the card front to a top-folding card base.
Hello and welcome! Seeka here today sharing a card featuring the Sprouting Crocus Contour Layers die set.
I started off by creating seven crocuses in shades of purple and blue cardstock (some nice options are available in the Ocean Blue and Twilight Purple 6×6 paper packs). I used light purple and blue cardstock for the flowers’ centers, and then used a small blending brush to ink blend a bit of darker purple and darker blue inks towards the bases of those pieces. The result is a bit of shading and dimension at the base of the inner petals of each flower. Next, I cut the leaves from green cardstock and then used glue to adhere the pieces of each flower together.
For the background, I used the Pinpoint Radial Plate to cut a piece of white cardstock. Then I used a circle die from my stash to cut out a window from the panel. Next, I blended an aqua ink over a 4.25″ x 5.5″ panel of white cardstock, concentrating the color towards the bottom of the panel and letting it fade up towards the top. Using foam tape, I adhered the window panel to the aqua panel.
To finish the card, I tucked the blooms into the window and then used foam tape to hold them in place. I added a small sentiment from my stash and then glued the card front to a top-folding card base.
Hi friends! Today I want to share a card that reminds me of my Mom’s Blue Willow dishes! I loved those dishes, and I’ve been seeing this color frequently and just fell in love with it all over again! Let me show you how I achieved the look!
Since I already had my color palette chosen, I picked my design elements for the card. I’m using Sylvan Berries & Leaves, Mixed Berry Contour, Phlox Blooms & Leaves, Thank You hot foil plate, and Gilded Petal Point stencil (which also comes with the hot foil plate). All the links to the products here will be at the end of my post for you!
First step was to create my background to look like Blue Willow dishes (if you don’t know what these are, go look them up and you’ll love them!) Using the Gilded Petal Point 3-layer stencil and inks in light, medium, and dark blue, I ink blended my background onto white cardstock. Then I trimmed the card panel and placed it over a slightly larger black card panel. Both layers went onto a 5.5×4.25 white card base. Already I’m in love with these colors and designs!
Next up, the flowers!
I die cut the Phlox onto white cardstock and ink blended them using the same inks as I did on the background. You can see in the photo above how I played with the variation of light to dark with my ink blending. Don’t be shy about adding contrast of color to them! It adds so much detail and depth to your flowers!
I wanted just a pop of a different color to add some variety, so I die cut the berries using a colored card panel that I had on hand in shades of red. For the leaves, I ink blended in shades of green in a similar way that I did with the Phlox. Then I adhered all the layers together. Birch Press Design layered flowers are really easy to put together!
Now I was ready to place everything onto the card base! Before adhering everything down, I staged the foliage where I wanted them around the hot foil Thank You sentiment. Then I slowly glued everything into place using liquid glue. Liquid glue gives you a little more time to get the exact placement before it dries, so I always use it with my flowers. I finished with a few sequins from Memory Box over the flowers and the Thank You sentiment.
Blue is such a fun and bold color to use on cards, and the color can be used from Sympathy to Happy Birthday greetings! Thanks for stopping by!
Supplies
57503 Sylvan Berries and Leaves Contour Layers
57527 Mixed Berry Contour Layers
57507 Phlox Blooms and Leaves Contour Layers
42037 Gilded Petalpoint Stencil Set
BPF511 Thank You Noted Script Hot Foil Plate and Die Set
Hello Birch Press Design friends, I am excited to be back up on the blog today! For today’s card I am sharing ideas on how to use a foil background die with sprays in your collection! Today I am using 2 new dies from the latest Birch Press release, Gilded Petalpoint Hot Foil Plate and die set, as well as the Thank you Noted Script Hot Foil Plate and die set. Let’s get started!
I started my card today using 5 colors of sprays and mixed media card stock. I added each color to mixed media card stock. I allowed the layer of color to dry, then spritzed the panel with water droplets. I picked up the color with a paper towel, then repeated the process again using the 5 colors. Once the panel was dry it was time to hot foil!
I love the new Gilded Petalpoint hot foil plate and die set. I started with the large background foil plate and my glimmer machine. I chose a matte gold foil for the background. I foiled the background panel and then trimmed the panel using a die in my collection.
Next I used the same matte gold foil for the center of the Gilded Petalpoint hot foil plate set. I foiled the center and then die cut the center using the included die. I added foam tape to the center die cut and set it aside.
Next I hot foiled the Thank You Noted Script hot foil plate and die set. Once the thank you was foiled, I die cut the shadow layer of the thank you die 3 times, then adhered all the layers together. To complete my card I adhered the panel onto an A2 card base. I then adhered the center of the panel using foam tape, then adhered the thank you sentiment using liquid glue.
I had so much fun creating today’s card! I hope it gives you some ideas on how to use your foil dies using sprays! I love the sparkle and texture these 2 products give you!
Hello and welcome! Dee here with you today sharing a floral mini slimline card created with the Phlox Blooms and Leaves Contour Dies.
To begin, I die-cut three Splendor Mini Tiles and adhered them onto a mini slimline card base (measuring approximately 3.5” x 6”). Next, I splattered black paint on the panel, let it dry, then adhered each of the Splendor Mini Tiles to the left side of the panel.
Next, I die cut each of the Phlox Blooms in various colors (rainbow of course!) and adhered them with foam tape, cascading from the top. To finish, I die-cut Big Hello Sugar Script in black and adhered it to the top.
I hope you liked today’s card and are inspired to create, too!
Hi friends! With spring in full swing, I want to share a colorful and simple floral card to celebrate the bounty of beautiful color that’s about to descend upon us! I can’t wait!
I will be using Jovial Blooms & Leaves, Pinpoint Contour Plate, and the Hugs Sugar Script die. Oh yes, and LOTS of bold color! All the supply links will be provided to you below at the end of my post.
First step for me is always to choose the colors for my card. Choosing the colors helps my creative process! I had a gelli plate card panel set aside that was in shades of coral, pink, and gold, so I decided to use that color palette and build my card from there. I took the colored card panel and die cut it with the Pinpoint Contour Plate to add texture and interest to the background. Then I trimmed it down using my deckled paper trimmer and placed it over kraft cardstock. Background finished! Now it was time to focus on the flowers and sentiment!
I decided to go with a monochromatic look, meaning that the flowers would be the same color as my background. I die cut Jovial Blooms & Leaves onto white cardstock, and then ink blended each layer in shades of coral and the leaves in shades of green. I created an ombre effect by going from lighter to darker with my ink blending tool. I added brown ink to the tips of the flowers to help them stand out from the background color. Then I adhered the layers together and finished with gold and purple splatter using metallic paint, a paintbrush, and water. The splatter adds another level of detail and interest to the flowers. I added splatters to the background as well for a cohesive look. You can see the detailed ink blending and splatters in the photo below! These little extra details can take your flowers from average to outstanding!
Once the flowers were dry, I placed them over the background card panel where I wanted them, and then adhered everything down. I finished with a Hugs Sugar Script die that was hot foiled with gold. The sentiment and flowers were popped up using foam tape. And the gold from the sentiment brought balance to the gold in the background and in the flowers! Can you see what I mean in the photo below?
You could use any color palette to create a similar monochromatic look to your card. Just remember to add those little details to your flowers to help them stand out from the background! Thanks for stopping by!
Supplies
57502 Jovial Blooms and Leaves Contour Layers
57511 Pinpoint Contour Plate
BPF513 Hugs Sugar Script Hot Foil Plate and Die Set
Hello, Birch Press friends! Today, I am sharing a card featuring the new Sprouting Crocus Contour Layers set. But, I did something unconventional. I used patterned paper for all of my die cuts! It’s a really fun way to add texture and color variation.
I started by cutting my flowers. I used the Madras Plaid Blue and Violet paper pad from Memory Box, which I believe is now retired. I chose a darker plaid pattern for the layers that go in front and a lighter pattern for the layers in back. I blended all the edges of each layer with a dark purple ink. I adhered all of the layers of my flowers together with glue.
I then took a similar pad of paper, the Madras Plaid Coral and Green pad, and I cut the stems from two different green plaid patterns. I only adhered one stem to each of my flowers, but I kept some extra ones to fill in later.
After completing my flowers, it was time to set the scene. First, I took a panel of white card stock and cut it with the Pinpoint Contour Plate. I blended some light blue ink onto the panel. I then used a rectangle die to cut an opening into a second panel of white card stock, slightly offsetting it into the upper left corner. I added foam tape to the back of this panel and attached it to the ink blended panel. Before attaching them together, I made sure that I had cut them both down to be slightly smaller than an A2 card base.
I cut a few clouds from white card stock using dies from the Rainbow Days Lingo Notes set. I inked up the edges of the clouds with light blue ink, and then I added them to the sky background. I tucked two of them under the edges of the framed opening. I then took my five flowers and tucked those into the bottom edges of the frame. I had left enough room between the edge of the framed opening and my foam tape so that I could achieve this look for the clouds and flowers. I used the extra stems/leaves that I had cut and filled in some of the gaps. I adhered this card panel to a dark purple A2 card base.
I used some more of the green plaid paper to cut the main layer of the Big Hello Sugar Script Die. I adhered this to two layers that I had cut from plain white card stock. I then adhered that stack to the shadow layer, which I also made from three layers of white card stock. I adhered that to the card, and then I finished everything off with a few green fairy jewels.
Thank you so much for joining us today. I hope this card inspires you and brings a smile to your face!
