Author: birch press

  • Using Foil Paper with Embossing Folders | by Ardyth

    Using Foil Paper with Embossing Folders | by Ardyth

    I love the look of embossed backgrounds – the subtle texture adds so much interest to a solid background! I used the Serene Mandala embossing folder to add dimension to my white background on this card:

    But you can use embossing folders with specialty cardstock, too! The Polished Foil paper pack is a perfect place to start – this paper is thinner than cardstock, so it embosses beautifully!

    And you can ‘reverse’ the pattern by putting the pretty side of the foil paper on the opposite side of the embossing folder when you run it through your die cutting machine! If you look closely, you can see that the recessed portions are the opposite in my red card than the blue card.

    I finished all 3 of my cards with the B layer of the Frosty Flake set – this die-cut has the perfect proportions to stand on its own, but also looks gorgeous when stacked with the A and C layers!

    My sentiments are banners from the Christmas Ornament and Labels stamp and die set.

    The reflections from the different patterns make these 2 cards sparkle in the light with a retro feel! I hope you’ll be inspired to give this a try!


    Supplies


    57388 Frosty Flake Layer Set
    EF1004 Serene Mandala
    CL8154 Christmas Ornament and Labels clear stamp set
    FP1001 Polished Foil Pad pack
    GP1001 Delicate Pastel Glitter Pad
  • Elegant Fall Themed Thanks | By Dilay Nacar

    Elegant Fall Themed Thanks | By Dilay Nacar

    Welcome, everyone! Dilay here, and I’m back today to share another fall-themed card with a clean and simple design that is perfect for the season!  Let’s get started! 

    I began by cutting a solid piece of white cardstock down to an A2 (4.25” x 5.5”) size for the base of my card. Next, I die cut layers A, B and C from the ‘Autumn Breeze’ plate set, again in white cardstock, and adhered layer A and C onto the base.

    Then, I brush-colored the leaf cutouts from panel B using Distress Oxide inks diluted with a little water – this technique produces a distressed look and feel once dry, mimicking real leaves (I chose to use non-traditional fall colors, but any colors would look great for this step!) I then used a brush to splatter silver paint onto the leaves for an added touch. I set those aside to dry while I worked on the next step. 

    For the sentiment, I chose something that would blend in nicely with the background and allow the leaves to ‘pop’.  I die cut ‘Honey Script Thanks’ word die three times in white cardstock and the shadow once in white cardstock and once in vellum, and stacked them together using liquid glue. I then adhered the completed sentiment onto the center of the base.

    Once the leaves were dry, I tucked a few under both ends of the sentiment (you’ll have some leaves leftover for a another card). To finish, I added white iridescent rhinestones throughout the design to give it some sparkle! 

    I hope you enjoyed today’s design and found some inspiration! Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday week!

    56130 Autumn Breeze Plate Layer Set
    57302 Thanks Honey Script
  • Baby Christening & Wedding Cards | by Jennifer Svare

    Baby Christening & Wedding Cards | by Jennifer Svare

    Hello! Although the String Art Nativity Star craft die makes a beautiful Christmas card, I wanted to show some other ideas that can be used any time of year. Baby Christening or Dedication? Baptism? Wedding? This is beautiful for any of those events, simply change up the colors!

    The photos don’t catch this, but I’ve created a shimmery effect on the background paper for some added dimension and the results are stunning. I’ll share how I did this in the video below (super simple).

    This is a fast, simple card to make. I’ve die cut this out of the colored foil paper from the 6 x 6 Polished Foil Pad from Memory Box. So many color options and I go through the colors in the video below. The foil die cuts beautifully and it’s fun to create tone-on-tone effects with a plate die such as this.

    Thank you for stopping by the blog, and I hope you have a wonderful day!


    Supplies


    57380 String Art Nativity Star
    FP1001 Polished Foil Pad pack
  • Pumpkin Lacework | By Dilay Nacar

    Pumpkin Lacework | By Dilay Nacar

    Hi, crafty friends! Dilay Nacar here from JustCallMeDee.com and I am so excited to be sharing my first card as a member of the Birch Press Design Team! It’s truly an honor to be sharing my creations and today, I’ll be going over a fall themed ‘Give Thanks’ card that I created using some of my favorite dies and stamps!

    To begin, I made the leaves using Layer B from ‘Autumn Breeze Plate Layer Set’ die and Bristol Smooth cardstock, then colored them various fall colors using the ‘smooshing’ technique with Distress Oxide inks. I set these aside to dry while I worked on the background.

    For this layer, I wanted a clean white background with layered detail, so I used the ‘Petal Triangle Layer Set’. I die cut each layer (A, B, and C) in white heavyweight cardstock then adhered them together using liquid adhesive. I prepared 3 sets of these triangles – one for each of the sides and one for the top of the card – then used liquid adhesive to adhere them onto an A2 sized, white 100 lb cardstock base.

    Next, I used the ‘Pumpkin Lacework’ stamp and die to make the main image. I heat embossed the pumpkin stamp and stem stamp using a copper embossing powder. I cut out the image using the coordinating die and adhered it onto the background.

    Once leaves were dry, I placed them along the bottom of the pumpkin image (and one on the stem) then made a bow using a piece of twine and adhered it onto the stem.

    For the sentiment, I used the same ‘Pumpkin Lacework’ stamp and die set and heat embossed it using a fine gold embossing powder. I used foam tape to adhere it along the bottom of the pumpkin.

    Finally, to complete my card, I used off-brand gold flat back bobbles and placed them throughout the pumpkin pattern.

    I hope you enjoyed my card today and found some inspiration for your next creation!

    8153 Pumpkin Lacework clear stamp and die set
    56130 Autumn Breeze Plate Layer Set
    56107 Petal Triangle Layer Set

  • Frosty Shine | By Seeka

    Frosty Shine | By Seeka

    Hello there, I hope you’re having a nice day! It’s Seeka here and today I have a frosty and sparkly card to share with you. It features the Frosty Flake Layer set and the Big Shine Sugar Script sentiment.

    I began by creating three layered snowflakes. For the top layer, I used white cardstock and the Frosty Flake Layer A die. For the bottom layer, I used light blue shimmering cardstock from the Memory Box Delicate Pastel Glitter Pad and the Frosty Flake Layer C die.

    To adhere the two layers together, I used a small adhesive dot at the center of the snowflake, and liquid adhesive behind the inner ring of the snowflake pattern. Because the glitter cardstock is textured, I weighed down each snowflake with an acrylic blog and let the adhesive fully set.

    Next, I used the Big Shine Sugar Script dies to cut the sentiment from a teal cardstock, and the shadow layer from vellum. I adhered the layers together and backed the sentiment with foam tape.

    To assemble the card, I created a background panel by adhering a 3.75″ x 5″ piece of white cardstock onto a 4.25″ x 5.5″ piece of light blue cardstock. Next, I adhered the snowflakes, trimming them where they hung off the panel. I added the sentiment and then I adhered the card front to a card base. As a finishing touch, I added a small light blue jewel to the center of each snowflake.

    Thank you so much for visiting!


    Supplies


  • String Art Holiday Card Featuring Birch Press Designs Frosty Flake Layering Dies

    String Art Holiday Card Featuring Birch Press Designs Frosty Flake Layering Dies

    Hello, friends! Thanks for stopping by today to check out this fun string art card featuring Birch Press Designs’s Frosty Flake Layering Dies. This card was super simple and fun to make, and it makes for such an impactful holiday card!

    I started my card by with an A2-sized white 110# cardstock panel. I then used a ruler to draw lines 1/4″ inside the edges. Along those lines, I poked holes 1/4″ apart. I also poked a hole into the center of the panel (tip: make this hole BIG, since you will be passing a needle and thread through it many times!) I then erased my pencil lines and trimmed a tiny amount off all four edges so I could mount the card onto a pink base later.

    Then came the stitching! I used three strands of embroidery floss in white and 3 shades of pink. To achieve this look, simple attach your thread to the back of the panel with some tape, and stitch from the outer hole through the inner hole, over and over. This process is really easy and fast.

    Then I die cut my center snowflake using the Frosty Flake Layering dies. I cut Layer C from iridescent white cardstock, Layer B from vellum, and Lake A from white cardstock. After adhering these together using liquid adhesive, I adhered it to the center of my panel. I then stamped my sentiment from the Christmas Ornament and Labels stamp set onto vellum, heat embossing it in silver and die cutting it with the coordinating die. I ran this vellum piece through a Xyron sticker maker and adhered it over my snowflake. A few iridescent sequins and this card was finished!

    I hope you enjoyed this project! Links to the products I used are below. Thanks again for stopping by and I’ll see you again soon!

  • Layers with a Bit of Shimmer! | By Desiree Kuemmerle

    Layers with a Bit of Shimmer! | By Desiree Kuemmerle

    Hello Everyone and Welcome Back!

    I am here today featuring the Viola Layering Die Set! One of the techniques I love to create with these layering die set is to simply use white cardstock! It just one color gives the illusion on elegance…

    Now take it up one more notch, lets add that shimmer to just one layer or even some embellishments!

    Grab the color card stock you want to use and gather all your die cut together are start having fun mixing and matching the layers together! 

    Just remember, one you have them laid out change one layer out for a mirror or shimmer cards stock!  I can be any layer you choose…

    You will have a different look every time!

    As always, I hope you enjoyed today’s project…  and if you want to see more details just click on the video below and see how these projects come together step by step!

    Make sure you stay tuned for more wonderful projects coming soon! Have a great day and always remember… Be Creative!


    Supplies


    56128 Viola Plate Layer Set
    CL8131 Joy and Peace clear stamp set
  • It’s all in the details |by Ardyth

    It’s all in the details |by Ardyth

    Sometimes, simple is best. This graphic Christmas card came together really quickly, but there are a couple of small details that make it really stand out!

    First, the background. I used the new Pinpoint Radial Coverplate to add subtle interest, and give the look of movement to a simple panel of black cardstock.

    Next, I used holographic cardstock for my die cuts. I used only the shadow layer of Simple Joy, Simple Love and Simple Peace, and also the smallest star cut from the String Art Nativity Star coverplate.

    The holographic shimmer (which is so hard to capture in a photograph!) adds colours that change in the light and takes this simple design to the next level!


    Supplies


    57217 Simple Peace
    57218 Simple Joy
    57219 Simple Love
    57384 Pinpoint Radial Plate
  • Fall Themed Thanks | By Amanda Wilcox

    Fall Themed Thanks | By Amanda Wilcox

    Hello everyone! It’s Amanda from Twiddler’s Nook and I appreciate you stopping by today. I’ve got a really pretty fall themed thanks card to share with you today. Let’s get crafting!

    I blending distress oxide inks on an A2 panel using Aged Mahogany, Rusty Hinge and Carved Pumpkin.

    I spritzed it with water and flicked a bunch of gold watercolor on the panel. Then, because I’m impatient, I hit it with my heat tool to speed up the drying process.

    Next, I die cut the inked panel with Autumn Breeze Plate A and a gold mirrored panel with Plate C. I also cut a brown piece of cardstock down to A2 size.

    When I layered them all together the brown looked really flat showing through so I decided to try inking up the colored cardstock. I used Ground Espresso and Gathered Twigs distress oxides. I spritzed it with water and didn’t like the look so I inked up over the top of it. I love the versatility of this!

    I used liquid glue to adhere my layers together and put clear blocks on top to help them dry flat. While they were drying I die cut the Thanks Honey Script from the same gold mirror and brown as the rest of the card. The words are cut 4 times and glued together with liquid glue.

    For a little dimension and interest I popped the sentiment up with foam squares and adhered the whole panel to a white card base.

    Here’s a different look at all that gold in the light. I just love the shimmer and shine from the mirrored cardstock and the metallic watercolor. They are beautiful together!

    I appreciate you sharing your time with me. Have a fabulous day!

    Supplies

    56130 Autumn Breeze Plate Layer Set

    57302 Thanks Honey Script

  • Christmas Roundabout Wreaths | by Crystal Komara

    Christmas Roundabout Wreaths | by Crystal Komara

    Hello crafty readers! This is Crystal here with you today sharing two holiday cards made using the Roundabout Layer Set. When I first received this beautiful 3-piece layering die set, my first thought was “I see wreaths!” And then that was ALL I could see! So wreaths it is. . . I kept a more traditional color combination of green and red for the wreaths and berries and added elegance with a gold foil background on one and a top layer of gold glitter cardstock on the other wreath.

    For this first A2 sized card, I used a garden green cardstock for the base. I die cut a scalloped rectangle from 80 lb. Neenah Solar Smooth white cardstock for the first mat.

    Using the Roundabout Die set, I die cut Layer C (the bottom layer) from a cactus green cardstock. Layer B was cut from a garden green cardstock and Layer A (the top layer) was cut from gold glitter cardstock. I adhered all three layers together using LineCo ph bookbinding glue. This is my go-to liquid adhesive. Using an off brand circle punch, I punched out red berries from red glitter cardstock and grouped them in clusters of three. I also added red rhinestones to the top of the berry clusters for added sparkle. Lastly, I tied a small white bow from cotton ribbon and adhered it to the bottom of the wreath using glue dots.

    For this second card, I used 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock as the base. I cut a 5″ x 3/4″ piece of gold foil paper that I ran through my Big Shot machine using a distressed embossing folder to give it some texture.

    Using the same Roundabout Die set, I die cut Layer C (the bottom layer) from green glitter cardstock. Layer B from garden green cardstock and Layer A from cactus green cardstock. To mimic the look of the first card, I also punched out more red berries and added rhinestones and a white ribbon to this wreath as well.

    Personally I LOVE how these Roundabout wreaths turned out. I think they have made simple, classic and elegant Christmas cards. I hope you will enjoy them too!

    Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    56124 Roundabout Layer Set

    GP1005 Holiday Glitter Pad

    GP1003 Twinkling Jewel Glitter Pad