Author: birch press

  • Foiling Fun with Alcohol Inks | By Sandhya Iyer

    Foiling Fun with Alcohol Inks | By Sandhya Iyer

    Hello, friends! This is Design Team member, Sandhya Iyer. I welcome you to check out a set of cards featuring the latest sentiment hot foil plates and dies. After I created a bunch of gorgeous golden foiled sentiments, I was inspired to create a rich alcohol ink background with gold details.

    I used gold foil and my Glimmer machine to foil the Hello, thanks for your Kindness and Celebrate Today sentiments on white cardstock. I like to use Hammermill smooth cover stock for the best foiling results. Next, I used coordinating dies to cut out the sentiments and set them aside.

    Next, I used alcohol inks from my stash to create my colorful panels. While the alcohol ink brand doesn’t really matter, the gold lines work best only with Pinata Brass. I trimmed glossy photo paper to create my panels. Then I used a tiny fine-tipped bottle filled with 90% Isopropyl alcohol to drop alcohol diagonally across the panel. Next, I added 1-2 drops of alcohol ink and a drop of Brass on the little river of alcohol. Finally, I moved a hair dryer set to low heat gradually across the length of the alcohol pool. I went back and forth to create the ripple effect. For the final panel, I added few drops of alcohol inks on a piece of bubble wrap and spritzed it with isopropyl alcohol. I then gently stamped the pattern on the next panel.

    Finally, I attached the alcohol ink art panels to A2 card bases using foam tape. Then I finished off by popping on the foiled sentiments with more foam tape. This brings us to the end of today’s post. Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you have fun crafting today!

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  • Hello Butterfly | by Crystal Komara

    Hello Butterfly | by Crystal Komara

    Hello friends and happy April! I feel like the days are finally getting warmer and we’re seeing the sun more here in New England. Spring has officially arrived! This is DT member Crystal Komara and I’m sharing a card using multiple products from Birch Press Design to include the Eloquent Butterfly and Field of Blooms Layering 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. I use it in all aspects of card making from stamping, die cutting, ink blending and Copic coloring. To create the background of this card, I used the Field of Blooms Layering die set. I die cut Layer A (the top layer) from white cardstock, Layer B (the leaves layer) from mint green cardstock, Layer C (the tulip layer) from dark pink cardstock and then put a sheet of light pink cardstock behind the entire die to create a second layer of tulips. Then I cut the background down from a full sheet into one measuring 4 1/4″ x 3 1/2.

    I adhere the background to the lower 1/3 of the card leaving room for the “hello” at the top of the card. For the hello I used the Jumbo Lingo word die. I die cut the bottom shadow layer from dark pink cardstock and the top layer from white cardstock. I adhere both layers together with a fine tip liquid adhesive. I then adhered the sentiment to the top of the card.

    To create the butterfly I die cut Layer A (the top layer) from the Eloquent Butterfly layering dies. Then I took a pre-created piece of alcohol ink art and used Layer C to die cut the butterfly shape out. I adhered the alcohol ink background behind Layer A. I adhered the butterfly to the card using 3M foam for added dimension.

    I hope you have enjoyed today’s spring-y card! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

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  • Easter Cross | by April Antonio

    Easter Cross | by April Antonio

    Happy Good Friday! As we enter what is an important weekend for so many, I wanted to create a card that honored the purity of this season. I used the beautifully layered Floral Cross Layer die set. Read on to find out how I pulled together this elegant, clean and simple card.

    I cut layers A, B, and C from heavyweight white cardstock, and cut layer B a second time from green cardstock I pulled from the Memory Box Greenery 6×6 cardstock pack. I glued all the layers together using liquid glue.

    I took the leaves and florals from each layer and angled them around the cross and glued the touch points with liquid glue. I glued the entire cross with florals to an A2 card front, and added some white leaves around it.

    I glued silver jewels to the flower centers using the Memory Box Pastel jewel set.

    I used “Easter” for the sentiment from the Blooming Spring stamp set to finish the card off. That is it! This was a very simple, but elegant card. I hope you have a relaxing and peaceful weekend!

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  • Happy Easter | by Rosemary Dennis

    Happy Easter | by Rosemary Dennis

    Hello everyone! Rosemary here on the blog today. Can you believe that Easter is just days away?! Time is just flying by, lol. With Easter in mind I created a card using the beautiful new Floral Cross Layering die set.

    I used several new products on this card, including the new Lush Layer Contour Layers die set and a new set of products from Open Studio/Memory Box: Cheerful Floral 3d embossing folder and cutting die and Cheerful Floral stencil set. My original idea for this card was to have the beautiful Floral Cross layering dies layered on top of the embossed Cheerful Floral background. Unfortunately, I have a problem with my die cutting machine when it comes to 3d embossing folders. Sometimes with beautifully detailed ones like the Cheerful Floral my cardstock shifts in the folder and the bottom of the image is blurred. That happened this time. I tried multiple times and could not get a good image. In the end I decided to die cut the center flower from each attempt and use those instead. Nice save, I think!

    It was pretty easy to pop the die cuts into the stencil and color them up with a combination of pretty yellow inks. Below is a photo showing how it looks when you use the stencil with the die cut.

    For the stenciling I colored the first flower and then moved it to the next spot. I then placed the second flower in the stencil and colored it. Then I grabbed the next color, added it to the first flower, then moved everything to their next spot. I continued with that until the flowers were fully colored. I used a piece of cardstock from Greenery 6×6 cardstock pad. This particular piece was one shade of green on one side and a slightly different shade of green on the other side so I was able to use only one piece of cardstock for the leaf.

    The cross was die cut from white cardstock, pale yellow glitter cardstock and light yellow cardstock, then adhered together with liquid adhesive. I also used one of the flower dies from the Floral Cross set and die cut the layers from the pale yellow glitter cardstock. The pieces were layered. a light yellow rhinestone added to the center and then adhered to the center of the cross. I then began arranging all the elements on a panel of white cardstock. I used a combination of liquid adhesive and foam squares to adhere everything. The sentiment is a Memory Box die. I die cut it from white cardstock and adhered it with liquid adhesive.

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  • Spring Birthday Card | By Sandhya Iyer

    Spring Birthday Card | By Sandhya Iyer

    Hello, friends! This is Design Team member Sandhya Iyer and today I am sharing a spring-themed birthday card where I mix up a bunch of fun products. The star of the show is the foiled sentiment from the Sugar Script Sentiments 2 hot foiled plate and die set. I also used the Wiegela Leaf Contour Layers Die Set and the Gentle Flower and Leaves Contour Layers for the flowers and leaves.

    I started by using Distress Mica Stain and Distress Spray stains in different shades of green to create a few ink-smooshed panels. Then, I used the Wiegela Leaf die to cut out several leaves to build my wreath. Next, I used Saltwater Taffy Distress Oxide to ink blend an ombre background. I traced a circle on this panel and adhered the leaves to form a wreath.

    Next, I grabbed the Sunrise and Blush solid core cardstock packs and die cut a couple of flowers using the Gentle Flower die set. I colored in the center with a brown copic marker for additional contrast. I also kept the extra pieces of colorful centers to tuck under the leaves. I used gold foil and my Glimmer machine to create my birthday sentiment and added it to the center of the wreath using some foam tape.

    Finally, tucked in the flowers and little centres that look like buds/berries. I attached the completed panel to a white card base and finished with a few clear drop embellishments. This brings us to the end of today’s post. Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you have fun crafting today!

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  • Forest Canopy Layer: Mixed Media Tag | By, Natasha Vacca

    Forest Canopy Layer: Mixed Media Tag | By, Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press friends, I am excited to be back up on the blog today! I am sharing a fun mixed media tag using the Forest Canopy Layer die set to create a fun tag! So let’s get started!

    I started today’s project with a pre-made tag base. Next I chose gelli prints from my stash to create a layered background on the tag. I chose several prints, ripped them, then adhered them using liquid glue. Next I chose washi tape from my collection with a printed text. I added this to several sections of the tag background. I then added White Gesso to the background using a paintbrush to sections of the gelli print. I then used a brayer to spread the gesso a bit more.

    Next I die cut Layer B and C of the the Forest Layer Canopy die set. I used white cardstock to die cut each layer. (On today’s project I did only use Layer C). I then added color using Distress Oxide ink in Peeled Paint and Forest Moss. I added water droplets to the leaves and picked up the color with a paper towel. I then darkened the edges of the leaves using Espresso Ink. I applied the ink using a finger dauber. I also added gold metallic ink splatters, as well as an ink spray from my collection. I set these aside to dry.

    Next I die cut 2 dragonflies using the Magnolia Plaid paper pad with the Simple Dragonfly Contour Layers die set. I added embossing powder to the small section of the dragonflies. I then adhered all the layers together using liquid glue.

    To complete my tag I added Distress Ink to the edge of tag using Distress Ink. I then added more texture using a spray in my stash. I added this to the tag background. Once this was dry, I added a piece of small cardboard to the bottom right of the tag. I added a bit of gesso and purple spray to the cardboard for added color and texture. I then adhered all the layers onto the tag using liquid glue (leaves, dragonfly). I added a Greeting Tab and gems to complete my tag, as well as twine, and ribbon.

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


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  • Floral Gold Cross | by Crystal Komara

    Floral Gold Cross | by Crystal Komara

    Hello friends! This is DT member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing more Easter inspiration using the beautiful new Floral Cross Layer Set. I have been enjoying playing around with these new dies and I can’t wait to see what my other team members create using it as well.

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I cut Layer A from the Flora Plate Layering Set using the same white cardstock and this became the first layer of the card adding some texture and design to the background. I die cut Layer A of the Floral Cross from white cardstock and Layer C (the bottom layer) from gold glitter cardstock. I layered the two together with a fine-tip liquid adhesive and then I adhered the cross to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    For the large flower I used the Perky Bloom Contour Layer Set. I die cut this flower from peach, pink and yellow cardstock. I adhere all the layers together and then die cut the stamen from black cardstock. I adhered the flower to the base of the cross and added a couple green vines running up through the cross.

    I am so happy with how this card came out and I am so in love with this elegant multi-layered cross and all its accompanying flowers and vines. I hope you will enjoy it too! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully crafty day!

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  • Mixed Media with Dies and Pattern Paper | Natasha Vacca

    Mixed Media with Dies and Pattern Paper | Natasha Vacca

    Hello Crafty friends, it is Natasha here and I am excited to be back today! Today I am sharing a gorgeous new die in the Birch Press Collection – Wiegela Leaf Contour Layers! I paired this with a few other favorites for a fun mixed media style card! So let’s get started!

    I started with the Wiegela Leaf Contour Layers die set. I die cut 2 leaves using the new Greenery Solid Core Cardstock pack! I love these new pads! Once the leaf was die cut, I added Distress Oxide Inks to each layer of the leaf for added texture and color! I used: Pine Needles, Chipped Sapphire, Twisted Citron, & Ground Espresso. Once the inking was completed I added water droplets and picked up the color with a paper towel. Next I added Foundry Wax to sections of the leaf in the color Statue. I also darkened the edges of the leaves with a dye ink in brown. I then adhered these together with liquid glue and set them aside to dry.

    Next I die cut the butterflies using a leftover background I recently made using inks. I die cut 3 butterflies using Simple Butterfly Contour Layers. I added Foundry wax to the antennae as well for added texture. I also inked up the edges of the butterfly and adhered the layers together with liquid glue. I set these aside to work on my background.

    For the background I chose a few pieces of pattern paper from the Anemone Grove paper pad. I trimmed one panel to a bit smaller than an A2 card base. I then used my deckle trimmer on the edges for a worn look. I then tore a couple other pieces and adhered them to the left side of the panel. Next I applied White gesso to the panel in sections using a small paint brush and then a brayer. I apply the gesso in several directions for added texture. Next I added a few pieces of text washi tape on the panel. I then added ink blending to sections using Distress Oxide in Seedless Preserves.

    Next I added splatter to my pattern paper background. I used a combination of black, white, and gold splatters. Once the panel was dry I adhered the pattern paper background to my A2 top folding card base. I then adhered the leaves and butterflies to my card front. I chose a birthday sentiment from the new Greeting Tabs from Memory Box – I love these so much!!!!! I love the black with foil lettering, there are several to choose from!

    Thanks so much for stopping by today! I will be back soon with more crafty inspiration!


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  • Early Blossoms | By Seeka

    Early Blossoms | By Seeka

    Hello and welcome! Seeka here and today I’m sharing a card featuring the Early Blossom Contour Layers die set.

    I started off by cutting the three layers of blooms’ petals in peachy pink sorbet colors and the stems and leaves from a blue cardstock. I glued the layers of the flowers together and then set all the die cut pieces aside.

    Next, I used the Pinpoint Radial Plate die to cut a piece of white cardstock. I trimmed the panel down to about 3.75 x 5″ and then used foam tape to adhere the flowers. Then I glued the stems and leaves in place.

    To finish, I added a sentiment from my stash and used foam tape to adhere the card front to a light blue base.

    Thank you so much for visiting!


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  • You Are The Best | by Rosemary Dennis

    You Are The Best | by Rosemary Dennis

    Hello everyone! Rosemary here on the blog today with a bright and sunny card I made using the new Perky Bloom Contour Layers, Wiegela Leaf Contour Layers and Sugar Script Sentiments 2 products. I also used the Pinpoint Contour Plate and papers from the new Memory Box Sunrise and Greenery 6×6 cardstock pads.

    I don’t often use yellow cardstock as I don’t have alot of it and most of the shades I have don’t really coordinate. That is a thing of the past with the Sunrise cardstock pad! The yellows in the pad coordinate perfectly! I went through the pad and pulled out the ones I wanted to work with and die cut the various layers from each. The Perky Bloom die is one piece so after diecutting I did have a few extra pieces that I didn’t need for my flower. I just simply tucked those inside the packaging the die comes in for future use! I used a combination of liquid adhesive and thin foam squares when I put together my flower. The leaves were simply adhered together using liquid adhesive.

    I used a Memory Box arched die to cut the white panel. The arch is only on one side of the side so to create the second arch I simply flipped the arch to the other side and die cut that portion of the panel. I then laid the panel on the Pinpoint Contour plate and ran it through my die cutter. This panel was adhered to a panel of yellow cardstock that I die cut with a rectangle using foam tape for dimension. I like how the arched panel fits perfectly inside with just the ends showing the yellow peeking out!

    Now it was time to add the flower and leaves to the panel. I glued down the leaves and then added the flower I made sure to only add glue to the center of the flower so I could slip in the thin foam squares when I wanted to to provide dimension and lift to the flower petals. The last thing to do was foil the sentiment. I used matte gold foil and my hot foil machine. I foiled all the sentiments in the Sugar Script Sentiments 2 set as I wasn’t sure which one I wanted to use. I settled on “you are the best”. I used the die for the sentiment to cut additional layers from scrap cardstock and adhered them to the sentiment with liquid adhesive. The sentiment was then added to the card also using liquid adhesive. I had some yellow nuvo drops that I added to the tips of the stamen for a little more dimension.

    I hope you enjoyed today’s card. I had a lot of fun creating it! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

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