Author: birch press

  • Using Color Mood Boards for Inspiration | by Colleen Balija

    Using Color Mood Boards for Inspiration | by Colleen Balija

    Hi friends! I hope your week is going well for you! Today I’m going to share how to find inspiration for your cards using a Color Mood Board!!! I have been using color mood boards for a few years now, and it never lets me down! It will take the most basic card and bring it to next level genius! Colors emit a powerful message, so I encourage you to use them whenever possible!

    Below is the color mood board that I used for my card in this blog post. This was inspired by my fellow design team member Crystal Komara, who shared it on her social media. I instantly fell in love with the colors and decided to use it for today’s card! The color combinations are glorious for this time of year!

    I started with String Art Frame Hot Foil plate in gold, channeling the gold in the color mood board. Then I added teal shading over the hot foil, again inspired by the color mood board. Already we’ve got 2 colors used!

    Now it was time to work on the focal point! Using the NEW Morning Rose & Triple Buds Contour Layers die, I chose the burgundy, coral, and teal colors from the Color Mood Board to apply to my flowers and buds. This is a layered die set, so 3 colors were perfect!

    In the photo below, you can see the details in my flower and buds! Let me explain how I achieved this look.

    I swiped burgundy and coral inks directly onto white cardstock. Then I sprayed the ink to lift up some of the ink with water. Next, I added gold paint splatters over both colors and allowed it to all to dry. Once it was dry, I die cut my floral layers and buds. The darkest burgundy color would be the 1st layer (the one furthest away from the eye), coral the 2nd layer, and teal the top layer. Then I adhered my layers together. I added a bit more of the gold splatter once everything was adhered together.

    TIP: Birch Press Designs does an amazing job of helping you layer these contour dies! They emboss the image that needs to be layered next over the other image. All you have to do is line it up and adhere it! I love how easy it is to do!

    Next, it was time to put everything together on my card panel that I had created earlier.

    You can see in the photo above that I left the inner circle of the background panel white. This will help draw the eye to the focal point and it leaves just a hint of white space. There is something about white space that grounds everything!

    TIP: I “stage” everything before adhering it down, just to be sure that my design items are exactly where I want them! Once I have it where I want, then I begin to adhere everything using liquid glue. Liquid glue provides wiggle room to place the design item in the exact right spot!

    I adhered the flower and one of the buds to the lower left corner of the white circle, and then added the NEW You Are Loved Noted Script hot foil plate to the upper right of the circle, tucking the 2nd bud behind the sentiment. For the You Are Loved Noted Script sentiment, it comes with a coordinating die cut, so I die cut it 3 times and adhered it together to give the sentiment some pop!

    Here is one more look at the finished card. Notice how all the colors from the mood board were used? Color Mood Boards are made to work cohesively, so you won’t go wrong using one! You can find color mood boards just about anywhere – from social media (like Crystal’s) to googling it! One other source that shares a variety of mood boards is Sarah Renae Clark. You can find her on Instagram!

    I’m so glad you joined me today! I hope that you found inspiration and use a color mood board to bring your cards to life!!!

    Supplies

    57493 Morning Rose and Triple Buds Contour Layers

    BPF510 String Art Frame Hot Foil Plate and Die Set

    BPF509 You Are Loved Noted Script Hot Foil Plate and Die Set

  • You Are Loved | By Allison Frazier

    You Are Loved | By Allison Frazier

    Hello, Birch Press friends! Have you seen the new products that were recently added to the online shop? I am featuring two of them today – the “Banner Heart” Layer Set and the “You Are Loved Noted Script” Hot Foil Plate/Die.

    This new layering heart set is just gorgeous. And, of course, it will look different every time you change up the colors. My color choices were based on the background that I created. Have you ever tried alcohol ink marbling? It’s really easy and a lot of fun. And the best part is that you never really know what you’re going to end up with. All you do is put some water in a shallow dish, add a few drops of alcohol ink, and then dip your paper in. Once you pull the paper back out, you’ll be amazed, and you’ll also be torn as to which side to use!

    For layers A and C of my Banner Heart, I chose some regular colored card stock. For layer B, I chose a beautiful aqua pearl card stock – it has a matte sheen. I also cut layer C from white card stock and kept the entire piece intact by taping the back side of it. By keeping the negative and positive pieces together, it creates a solid back which you can then adhere all of the other layers on top of.

    For the sentiment, I used Skybright hot foil, which is a pale aqua color. I love how there is a matching die for this hot foil plate. After adhering the heart and the sentiment to my card panel, I finished up by adding some jewels. The Winter Fantasy Fairy Gemstones were the perfect colors for my design.

    Thank you so much for joining us today. I hope this card inspires you and bring a smile to your face! Be sure to check out the other new products in the online store.

    Wishing you a crafty day,
    Allison


    Supplies


    57510 Banner Heart Layer Set
    BPF509 You Are Loved Noted Script Hot Foil Plate and Die Set
    sp1008 Twilight Purple 6×6 pack
    sp1006 Stormy Blue 6×6 pack
    fp1002 Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad 6×6 pack

    Supplies


    gem102 Winter Fantasy Fairy Gemstones
    jwl001 Clear Jewels
  • Rainbow Peace Dove | by Crystal Komara

    Rainbow Peace Dove | by Crystal Komara

    Hello crafty readers! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing a slightly non-traditional Christmas card made using some ombre colors in reds and greens accented with the beautiful Adornment Dove dies.

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock. This is my go-to cardstock for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g! Using the same Neenah white cardstock, I cut the first background from Layer C of the Flora Plate dies. Next, I cut thin strips of cardstock in reds, pinks and greens. These thin strips measured 4 1/4″ x 1/4″. I adhered the strips to the Flora Layer background using Tombow adhesive. I started with the darkest color red to the lightest pink and then from the lightest green to the darkest.

    Using the Adornment Dove dies, I cut both layers from white cardstock. I adhered both layers together with a fine tip glue and adhered the entire assembled dove to the card with 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    Lastly, I stamped the sentiment “Peace” in Versamark ink on black cardstock. This sentiment is from the Christmas Mandala stamp set. It also has a coordinating die that I used to die cut the sentiment out. After die cutting the sentiment I adhered it to the card also using 3M foam.

    I love how this card turned out, even though I had a completely different vision from when I started. Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    57479 Adornment Dove

    57437 Flora Plate Layer Set

    SP1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack

    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack

  • Sending Warm Wishes | by Toni M Maddox

    Sending Warm Wishes | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today sharing a kind of card that I like to send when I think my card might be late to reach the recipient for the holidays or just for winter wishes.

    I sponged a panel with Distress Oxide Evergreen Bough and Cracked Pistachio then spattered that with water.

    While that was drying, I cut out the Felicity Snowflakes and Aurora Snowflake Layering Dies out of white then sponged with Distress Oxide Mustard Seed and Picked Raspberry.

    I love the unexpected colors for a winter/holiday card. Just yum. Notice how I didn’t stack the Aurora Snowflake layers atop each other but instead offset them for kicks.

    My final step was to emboss the Christmas Mandala sentiment in white.

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

    Supplies

    57453 Felicity Snowflakes

    57477 Aurora Snowflake Layer Set

    8161 Christmas Mandala clear stamp and die set

  • Merry Christmas | By Dilay Nacar

    Merry Christmas | By Dilay Nacar

    Hello, crafty friends! Dee here today with this Merry Christmas card showcasing the Herbarium Plate Layers!

    First, I created the background by die cutting each of the Herbarium Plate Layers (A, B, and C) and adhering them together, then onto a top-folding card base. 

    Next, I cut the Felicity Snowflakes and the Eucalyptus Stem and Berries Contour Layers in various red, blue, and silver glitter cardstock and adhered them over the top of the Herbarium Plate Layers. To finish, I added the Handwritten Merry Christmas die cut to the center using foam tape.

    I hope you enjoyed this sparkly layered Christmas card! Thank you so much for stopping by, friends!


    Supplies


    SP1005 Ocean Blue 6×6 pack
    SP1006 Stormy Blue 6×6 pack
    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack
    FP1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad 6×6 pack
    57453 Felicity Snowflakes
    57458 Herbarium Plate Layer Set
    57478 Handwritten Merry Christmas and Outline

    CLD101 Clear Fairy Drops
  • A Warm Herbarium Hello | By Seeka

    A Warm Herbarium Hello | By Seeka

    Hello and welcome! Seeka here and today I’m sharing a card featuring the Herbarium Plate Layer A die in some bright and warm colors. The Herbarium Plate Layer die set is great for winter and the holidays amd a simple change of color can completely update the look and help you get more from your supplies.

    First, I cut Layer A from white cardstock and removed all of the small fallout pieces. Then I created an ink-blended panel using Picked Raspberry, Saltwater Taffy, and Wild Honey Distress Oxide inks. I used the same die to cut the ink-blended panel and then pieced the small colorful fallout pieces into the white Layer A piece which I backed with clear tape to hold all of the small pieces in place.

    Next, I die cut the Big Hello Sugar Script sentiment from a piece of cardstock that I inked up with Carved Pumpkin Oxide ink. I glued this to the shadow layer which I cut from white cardstock.

    To finish the card, I used foam tape to adhere the Hello sentiment and then added a smaller sentiment from my stash. Finally, I glued the card front to a card base.

    Thank you so much for visiting!


    Supplies


  • Piped Icing Star | by Crystal Komara

    Piped Icing Star | by Crystal Komara

    Hello friends! Welcome back from a (hopefully) long holiday weekend. I hope you and your family and friends all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It is one of my favorite holidays of the year. And, if you are a shopper, I hope by reading this post, it means you survived the chaos and madness of Black Friday! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today. I am excited to be sharing this gorgeous card featuring the Piped Icing Star dies and a few other fabulous holiday themed products all from Birch Press Design.

    There are so many different products all used on this one card. I was really inspired by all the beautiful samples on the Birch Press Design homepage. I never would have thought of combining berries and snowflakes AND Christmas sentiments AND roses all in one card, and it works! Not only does it work, it works BEAUTIFULLY!

    I have created a step-by-step video showing I created this card, so click the YouTube link below for all the details!

    I was really pleased with how this card came out and I hope you enjoy it too! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    57437 Flora Plate Layer Set

    57454 Piped Icing Star

    57500 Fuddled Leaf Branches Contour Layers

    8161 Christmas Mandala clear stamp and die set

    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack

    SP1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack

    GP1003 Twinkling Jewel Glitter Pad

  • Viola Plate Gel Press Background | By Seeka

    Viola Plate Gel Press Background | By Seeka

    Hello and welcome! Seeka here and today I’m sharing a Christmas card featuring a gel press background made with the Viola Plate Layer A die. Using cover plate die cuts as gel press masks is a great way to stretch your supplies!

    I started off by die cutting the layer A die from white copy paper. Next, I played the die cut over a gel press plate and then brayered a thin layer of red acrylic paint over the die cut. I removed the die cut and let the red paint dry. Next, I brayered on a thin layer of iridescent light gold acrylic paint over the entire gel press and then placed a panel of 80# white cardstock over it. I made sure the panel made good contact with the press by rubbing over it thoroughly and then I pulled away the cardstock, pulling the paint with it. I set the piece aside to dry before trimming it down to 4.25″ x 5.5″.

    Next, I created the sentiment using the Handwritten Merry Christmas And Outline die set. I cut the detail layer from red cardstock and then cut the shadow layer from gold cardstock (great cardstock options can be found in the Berry Red 6×6 Paper Pack and the Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad 6×6 Paper Pack). I glued the two layers together and then glued the sentiment to an oval cut from the same gold cardstock. I added some green leaves cut using a small die from the Adornment Dove die set and then finished by adding red Fairy Dewdrops.

    To assemble the card, I used foam tape to adhere the sentiment oval and then glued the card front to a top-folding card base.

    Thank you so much for visiting!


    Supplies


  • Alcohol Ink Flora Hello | By Dilay Nacar

    Alcohol Ink Flora Hello | By Dilay Nacar

    Hello and welcome back, friends! Dee here today sharing this bold and vibrant card featuring the Flora Layer Plate and Big Sugar Script Hello dies! 

    To begin, I cut the Flora Layer Plate dies (layers A and B only) in white, then layer A once more from a background I created with alcohol inks in purple, turquoise, and metallic. I then stacked and adhered them together and onto an A2-sized top folding card base.

    I die cut the sentiment from the Big Sugar Script Hello in gold glitter cardstock and and the coordinating shadow layer in white, adhered them together then onto the center of the card!

    I hope you enjoyed this card and are inspired to create! Thank you so much for joining me today!


    Supplies


    GP1006 Festive Glitter Pad

  • Rustic Holly Wreath | By Natasha Vacca

    Hi Birch Press Friends, it is Natasha here and I am excited to be back on the blog today. Today I am sharing a rustic inspired holiday card featuring the beautiful Holly Wreath Layering die set.

    I started by die cutting all the layers from the Holly Wreath layering die set. I die cut layer C using a gold glitter card stock from the Festive Glitter Paper pad from Memory Box. I then die cut layer B and A using the Lush Green paper pad collection from Memory Box. I used 2 different shades of green from the paper pad. Next I added a bit of distressing to both layer B and A using my oxide inks. I then adhered all the layers together using liquid glue. I then splattered my wreath using metallic gold watercolor and white acrylic paint. I set the wreath aside.

    Next I worked on my background with a piece of wood grain paper from Wood Grain White paper pack. I added a bit of distressing to the panel using oxide inks. Once this was complete, I used my distress tool to add texture to the panel edges and then added distress ink to darken the edges.

    Next I die cut a few leaves using the Adornment Dove die set. I added distress oxide inks to the leaves and then embossing powder to the leaves for added texture. I cut a few berries using the Eucalyptus Stem and Berries Contour Layers die set. I used the festive Glitter Pad and die cut the berries in red. To create the look of snow on the berries, I added a bit of embossing ink and sprinkled a white glitter powder on each berry, then heat set the powder with my heat tool.

    To complete my card I chose the Find Joy and Outline die. I die cut the sentiment 3 times and adhered it together with liquid glue. I embossed the sentiment using the same white powder as I used on the berries. I added a twine bow around the distress wood panel, tied the bow and adhered this to my card base.

    I adhered the wreath using foam tape and adhered the sentiment, berries, and leaves using liquid glue. I added a button from my stash on the bottom right corner. I had a lot of fun creating today’s rustic holiday card! The Holly Wreath layering set is truly beautiful!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, I will be back soon!


    Supplies


    gp1006 Festive Glitter Pad
    sp1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack
    57496 Eucalyptus Stem and Berries Contour Layers
    57450 Holly Wreath Plate Layer Set
    57452 Find Joy and Outline
    57479 Adornment Dove
    sh44001 White Woodgrain Paper