Author: birch press

  • Mixed Media Large Cosmos | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press friends, it is Natasha here and I am back today sharing ideas on how to create a mixed media card using your dies! For today’s card I am using 2 new dies: Large Cosmos Contour Layers and Curved Leaf Branch Contour Layers. Let’s get started!

    I started by die cutting the Large Cosmos Contour Layers die using the Vibrant Violet paper pad from Memory Box. I chose 2 shades of card stock from the paper pad. Once the floral was die cut, I added dye inks to the floral for added dimension. I then spritzed the floral layers with water droplets and picked up the color with a paper towel. I then adhered the floral together using liquid glue. For the center of the floral I chose a gold card stock from the Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad. I adhered this to the center of the floral and set this aside.

    Next I started to die cut the Curved Leaf Branch Contour Layers die. I chose 2 shades of blue card stock from the Fresh Aqua paper pad from Memory Box. Once the leaf was die cut, I added 2 shades of dye ink to the leaf image. I added water droplets as well and picked up the color with paper towel. Once dry, I adhered the leaf layers together. I then added brown distress ink to the leaf edges for added texture.

    Once the flower and leaf image was complete, I started to work on my background. I chose a gelli print from my stash with similar colors. I then dry embossed the background using the Ringadings 3D embossing folder. I added a bit more texture to the folder using dye ink in a dark grey on some areas of of the raised circles, as well as a blue glaze, and foundry wax. I allowed everything to dry, once the background was dry I added a few splatters to the background.

    Next I added 2 pieces of pattern paper from the Magnolia Grove paper pack. I chose 2 colors to coordinate with my card design and tore the strips for a distressed look. I then adhered the card panel, strips of paper, leaf and floral to my A2 card base.

    To complete my card I chose the Big Hugs Sugar Script die. I die cut the hugs sentimnent 3 times out of black card stock. I then adhered each layer together using liquid glue. I added a bit of foam tape behind the hugs sentiment for added dimension.

    I hope today’s card inspires you to use your dies to create a mixed media style card!

    I will be back soon with more crafty inspiration!


    Supplies


    57513 Curved Leaf Branch Contour Layers
    57528 Large Cosmos Contour Layers
    57138 Big Hugs Sugar Script

    Supplies


    pp1022 Magnolia Grove 6×6 pack
    ef1015 Ringadings 3D Embossing Folder
    fp1002 Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad
    sp1004 Fresh Aqua
    sp1007 Vibrant Violet

  • Gracious Floral | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press friends, it is Natasha here today and I am excited to be up on the blog today! Today I am sharing a colorful card using the new Gracious Floral 3D embossing folder! This card was so much fun to create, using inks, stencils, and sprays, so let’s get started!

    For today’s card I started with a piece of Canson Watercolor card stock. I started by adding Lindy’s sprays to the card panel background. When working with sprays, I add color to the paper, allow the panel to dry, spritz with water, then pick up the color with a paper towel. I continue this process for the background until I have the colors/textures I am looking for. Once the panel was completely dry, I ran the panel through my die cutting machine with the new Gracious Floral 3d Embossing folder by Memory Box. I love the detail in this folder. Next I added color to the floral and leaves using the coordinating stencil.

    The stencil for this set is so amazing and truly so easy to use. The set comes with a coordinating guide telling you the stencil to use for each layer. I continued to add layers of color to my flower using the layering stencil using dye inks from my stash. Once the layers were complete, I spritzed the panel with water and picked up some more color using a paper towel. I love this step, as it adds more dimension to my images.

    Next I added splatters to the card panel using my dye inks, as well as white splatters. I allowed the panel to completely dry, then I die cut the panel using my deckle edge trimmer. I then distressed the edges a bit more using my distress tool. Next I darkened the edges using distress ink and then adhered the panel to an A2 card base. I completed my card with a sentiment from the Gracious Floral stamp and die set.

    Thank you so much for stopping by today! I love this collection and I hope I inspired you to get inky today! I will be back in a few days with more crafty inspiration using new dies from the latest Birch Press Designs release!


    Supplies


    88620 Gracious Floral Stencil Set
    EF1026 Gracious Floral 3D Embossing Folder and Die
    CL5280D Gracious Floral Clear Stamp and Die Set
  • Using Mood Boards for Inspiration | by Colleen Balija

    Using Mood Boards for Inspiration | by Colleen Balija

    Hi friends! I love to use mood boards for my card inspiration. Mood boards can provide a new and unique way to use color, texture, and design on your cards! Mood boards can be found easily, too, by googling them or by searching Instagram, which is how I found the one that I’m using for my card today!

    What inspired me with the mood board above are the colors of green, teal, yellow, and white, the texture from the vases and pillows, the flowers, and the beautiful throw rug with daisies on them! So, from this mood board I have color, texture, and a design layout for my card! Now, let’s apply all of this to the card, shall we? This is where your own imagination comes into play! How will you use the elements from the mood board?

    For my card, I decided to use Flora Layering Plates to imitate the throw rug in the mood board, using shades of dark green, teal, and yellow. The throw rug didn’t have teal in it, but I loved the teal in the vases, so I decided to incorporate it into the Flora layers. I also love how the Flora Plates have texture in them, another feature I noticed in the mood board!

    Next, I wanted to add an element to my card that was similar to the white vase in the mood board, so I die cut a rectangle and then ran it through my die cut machine with one of the Flora Plates layers to add texture. I adhered it over the Flora background.

    Now it was time to add flowers, but the flowers in the mood board were mainly white and I wanted mine to have color to help them pop a bit from the busy background, so I used the colors from the pillows in the mood board for my flowers.

    Using Wispy Blooms Contour layers die, I die cut both flowers in white and then ink blended them in shades of yellow and coral. I used a dark green for the stem. Then I hot foiled the “Just a Note” Sugar Script Sentiment over white cardstock. I adhered the flowers in the corner over the white rectangle and applied the sentiment over the flowers to create a cluster in the lower corner.

    I finished with Fairy Jewels over the flowers just within the center of the white rectangle to bring the eyes to the center of the card.

    Here is one more look at the mood board so you can see how I used the elements on my card! Next, I want to create a background similar to that piece of furniture! I’ll share that with you at another time!

    I hope that you were inspired today to search for mood boards (you can search “mood boards” or “color mood boards”) and use them on your cards to bring them from average to WOW!!!

     

    Supplies

     

     

    JWL005 Christmas Fairy Jewels

     

     

    57506 Wispy Blooms Contour Layers

     

     

    57503 Sylvan Berries and Leaves Contour Layers

     

     

    BPF503 Sugar Script Sentiments 1 Hot Foil Plate and Die Sets

     

     

    57437 Flora Plate Layer Set

     

  • Birch Tree Forest Canopy | by Allison Frazier

    Birch Tree Forest Canopy | by Allison Frazier

    Hello, Birch Press friends. Today, I am excited to share this brand new layering set called Forest Canopy! This is a set of three A2 sized layering plates, along with some individual dies that create berries. When I first saw how Layer A layers on top of Layer B, I immediately thought of the birch trees at my childhood summer camp. So, I just had to attempt to create this birch tree forest.

    I started by cutting all three layering plates out of white card stock. I then got to work on Layer B. I first cut off all of the little branches that were meant for the berries. I then took a black marker and colored the branches black. I mainly focused on the parts of the branches that would partially be covered up when Layer A went on top. Any branches that would not be covered by Layer A were left white.

    Next, I took a small blending brush and colored the leaves on Layer B with Twisted Citron and Mowed Lawn Distress Ink. I wasn’t being very careful, so some of the green ink did end up on the white branches. In order to fix that, I took some white craft paint and a small paint brush, and I painted over the parts that I wanted to remain white. If I were to do it again, I would maybe not use Distress Ink. Since Distress Ink reacts with water/liquid, my white paint kept turning green. Because I had to keep dabbing white paint on, it started creating more texture on the branches. I liked the added texture, so I even added dabs of paint where I didn’t even need it.

    For Layer A, I also colored the leaves with Twisted Citron and Mowed Lawn. For Layer C, I colored the leaves darker – this time using Mowed Lawn and Rustic Wilderness. I then glued the layers together. Between Layer C and Layer B, I only glued the outside frames together. Between Layer B and Layer A, I glued the outside frames, as well as any of the Layer A branches that would cover the Layer B branches. Because I love dimension, I purposely did not glue any leaves down or any of the branches that would not be covered by other layers.

    Once all of my layers were glued together, I took a thin black marker and added all of the little details to the branches to try and make them look like birch trees. Once I was finished with that, I created my background. I used light blue card stock, and then I did some loose ink blending with Broken China and Prize Ribbon Distress Oxide Ink. I then glued everything down to an A2 card base.

    For the sentiment, I chose the small Hello Sugar Script die, which I believe is now retired. I used my favorite black glossy card stock. To finish the card, I added some clear fairy drops. I hope this card puts a smile on your face and inspires you to try customizing your die cuts, as well! Thank you so much for joining us today.

    Wishing you a crafty day,
    Allison


    Supplies


    57534 Forest Canopy Layer Set
    sp1006 Stormy Blue 6×6 pack
    sh44004 Black Glossy Paper

    Supplies


    drp101 Fairy Drops
  • Rainbow Hello | by Toni M Maddox

    Rainbow Hello | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today sharing a card that’s perfect for PRIDE month or any occasion really.

    I cut out a bunch of the Jovial Blooms & Leaves Contour Layers in Copic-friendly cardstock and colored them up with a bunch of bright colors. I thought about sponging but really wanted bright.

    I adhered those to the bottom of the card front which I had cut from the Pinpoint Radial Plate. The curves of that reminded me of a rainbow. I added a few clouds and sentiment from the Rainbow Days (with dies) set with the bold Sugar Script Big Hello on top.

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

    Supplies

    57502 Jovial Blooms and Leaves Contour Layers

    57384 Pinpoint Radial Plate

    57201 Big Hello Sugar Script

    8159 Rainbow Days Lingo Notes clear stamp and die set

  • Blue Balloons | by Crystal Komara

    Blue Balloons | by Crystal Komara

    Hello crafty readers! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here to inspire you today with a birthday card using a lot of texture from glitter paper to alcohol inks. It’s also in my favorite color – blue! And. . . it sparkles!

    The base of this A2 size card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. Using Plate A only from the Viola Layering Plates, I cut this background from white cardstock and adhered it directly to the card base. ( I actually cut two of these backgrounds, so that I could fussy cut some of the flowers to add to the balloons). Using Layer Plate C of the Floral Balloons I cut two balloons. The first was from silver glitter paper and the second was from a little scrap piece of an alcohol ink background that just happened to coordinate!

    I fussy cut two of the flowers from the Viola Layering Plate A and adhered them to each balloon. I adhered each balloon to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    I die cut the sentiment using the Make a Wish Sugar Script die. I die cut the bottom layer from blue glitter cardstock and the top layer from white cardstock. I adhered the two layers together with a fine-tip liquid adhesive. Lastly, I adhered the entire sentiment to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    I hope you like today’s card! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    56128 Viola Plate Layer Set

    57434 Make a Wish Sugar Script

    57433 Floral Balloon Layer Set

    GP1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad

  • Happy Birthday Butterfly | by Rosemary Dennis

    Happy Birthday Butterfly | by Rosemary Dennis

    Hello! Today I have a clean and simple mini slimline birthday card to share. I used the Star Flowers Contour Layers dies along with the Glimmer Butterfly layers dies and sentiments from two different stamp sets.

    For this card I decided to use the Memory Box white woodgrain cardstock. The only thing I didn’t use it for was the card base! I die cut the the A and C layers of the Glimmer Butterfly from the woodgrain cardstock. The middle (or B) layer was die cut from vellum. I then used to shades of coral ink to ink up the centers of the top and bottom layers. Darker coral on the bottom and light coral on the top. When I had the color to my liking I used liquid adhesive to adhere the butterfly only in the center.

    I then created the flowers. All the layers were die cut from the woodgrain cardstock and then I added the darker coral to the second layer. There is a flower center die, but I decided to not use it this time. I layered the flowers and then added a fairy gem to the center of each flower that had a peachy tint to it. To make sure that the gems stayed in place I added a drop of liquid adhesive to the center of each flower.

    A piece of the woodgrain cardstock was trimmed to fit the mini slimline cardbase and then adhered with double sided adhesive tape. The large flower was added to the center of the butterfly with a drop of liquid adhesive. Once everything was dry I adhered the elements to my card front using liquid adhesive. Now it was time to determine where to place the sentiment on the card front.

    The sentiment on the card front comes from the Contempo Greetings stamp set. I decided to keep it soft my stamping it in a light gray. I then die cut it with the label die from the matching die set. I played around a little with where to place the sentiment and finally settled on the top. I added thin foam squares to the back and then nestled it into the wings of the butterfly. I don’t generally create a sentiment for the inside of the card, but for this card I did.

    The reverse side of the woodgrain cardstock is smooth and perfect for stamping on. I trimmed down a piece to fit the inside of the card and then stamped the sentiment from the Kind Hearts stamp set using the light gray ink. This piece was then added with double sided adhesive.

    I hope you enjoyed today’s project. Have a wonderful day!

    Supplies

    D2

    57505 Star Flowers Contour Layers

    CL8160 Contempo Greetings clear stamp set

    CL8163 Kind Hearts clear stamp set

    57429 Glimmer Butterfly Layer Set

  • Father’s Day Card | by Allison Frazier

    Father’s Day Card | by Allison Frazier

    Hello, Birch Press friends! Today, I am sharing a Father’s Day card using the predictable plaid paper but adding in some unexpected floral elements. I admit that, when it comes to making masculine cards, I almost always reach for plaid paper. In my defense, I love plaid, too! Especially when it’s part of a plaid paper pad from Memory Box. I decided to add in some non-traditional elements to this card by adding florals and a heart. After all, men like flowers, too! My husband and his father are avid gardeners. Without him, my yard would be full of plastic plants because this girl does not have a green thumb!

    I started my card by picking out my plaid paper. This particular piece is from the Woodsy Plaid paper pad, which I don’t think is available anymore. But, Memory Box always has some great plaid pads every season, so there is plenty to choose from. I trimmed that plaid paper down to 4″ x 5.25″, and then I used one of the dies from the Banner Heart Layer Set to cut the heart out. Any of the layers would work, since you’re just cutting the outline of the heart out. I then popped this plaid panel up on foam tape and attached it to a white panel before adhering it to my dark gray card base.

    Next, I went through my stash of floral dies to find the perfect ones that would frame the heart opening. I chose the Sylvan Berries and Leaves Contour Layers set. I cut the berries out of two shades of purple card stock, and I cut the leaves/stems from two shades of green card stock. I assembled all of the pieces with liquid glue.

    For my sentiment, I cut the Love Honey Script from black glossy card stock. I cut two additional layers out of white card stock to layer behind the black one in order to give it more dimension and stability. I left enough room between the outline of the heart and the foam tape so that I could tuck the ends of the stems behind the opening. I added liquid glue in some strategic spots so that I could also have some of the leaves and berries loose and dimensional. I added small pieces of foam behind various spots of the “love” sentiment and glued the rest of it to the plaid panel. I stamped the “you, dad” subsentiment from my stash and added that to the panel, as well. The original stamp says “I love you, dad” – I just masked off the beginning of it when I stamped it.

    To finish the card, I added some clear fairy drops around the floral elements. I hope this card puts a smile on your face and inspires you to perhaps start adding florals to your masculine cards, too! Thank you so much for joining us today.

    Wishing you a crafty day,
    Allison


    Supplies


    57503 Sylvan Berries and Leaves Contour Layers
    57510 Banner Heart Layer Set
    57311 Love Honey Script
    sp1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack
    sp1008 Twilight Purple 6×6 pack
    sh44004 Black Glossy Paper

    Supplies


    cld101 Clear Fairy Drops
  • Tranquil Thank You | by Toni M Maddox

    Tranquil Thank You | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today sharing a rather tranquil thank you card. Such a calming, spa-like color palette, don’t you agree? I don’t use a lot of blues but, man, this combo is one I love.

    I started the card by cutting out the BPD Dazzle Mini Frame Layer A in a sturdy white cardstock and adhering it to a linen textured card front.

    I cut the Sylvan Berries & Leaves as well as the Jovial Blooms & Leaves Contour Layers out of Memory Box Stormy Blue 6×6 Paper and kraft cardstocks.

    For the sentiment, I used the Thank You Noted Script Hot Foil Plate & Die with Spellbinders White Glimmer Hot Foil. It’s very subtle, both in coloring and nestled amongst the leaves.

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

    Supplies

    57502 Jovial Blooms and Leaves Contour Layers

    57503 Sylvan Berries and Leaves Contour Layers

    57406 Dazzle Mini Frame Layer Set

    BPF511 Thank You Noted Script Hot Foil Plate and Die Set

    sp1006 Stormy Blue 6×6 pack

  • Forest Canopy Frames | by Crystal Komara

    Forest Canopy Frames | by Crystal Komara

    Hello crafty people! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today and I have made my first set of cards using the new Forest Canopy Layering dies. I am sooooo in love. These new dies are just beautiful and I think they will quickly become my new favorite.

    Now all three of today’s cards were made using Layer C of the Forest Canopy Layering dies. What makes them most stunning are the alcohol ink backgrounds. Those vibrant colors are really what makes the white leaves pop! Add a sentiment of your choice and voila, easy peasy, but oh-so-pretty cards!

    Card details:

    All three of these A2 size cards were made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. Using Layer C of the Forest Canopy dies I cut three white leafy frame backgrounds. I have my alcohol ink backgrounds already pre-made, so I just pulled three from my stash and layered the leafy frames over. With alcohol inks, your color options are endless, so no matter what kind of background you add, your card will always look unique and different. Add a simple sentiment of your choosing and that’s it, you’re done!

    I hope you will enjoy this new layering die set as much I do! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!