Author: birch press

  • Galaxy Sky with Stencils | by Ardyth Percy-Robb

    Galaxy Sky with Stencils | by Ardyth Percy-Robb

    Good morning! Ardyth here with 4 cards using the same, fun technique: creating a galaxy sky through a stencil!

    I started by adhering the most open layer of the Mandala Stencil set on a white card panel with temporary spray adhesive.

    I blended random areas of bright colours – lemon yellow, lime green and bright fuschia through the stencil, leaving most of the panel white.

    I blended a mid-blue ink over the whole panel, darker around the edges and lightening up toward the centre.

    Then I blended navy blue ink over the whole panel, again, dark around the edges and lightening up toward the centre.

    A little note about creating galaxy skies – they all look very ugly through the whole process, until the very, very end. Don’t worry if you’re not happy with it at this stage, just keep going!

    I blended black ink through the stencil, this time just at the very edge of the panel. Then, leaving the stencil on, I spritzed water and lifted up some of the colour with a paper towel.

    Then, I mixed some white acrylic paint with water and tapped it over the panel to create stars (this is the point where it starts to look good!)

    As you can see, I couldn’t stop. And I didn’t just use stencils either!

    As well as the Mandala Stencil set, I used Bold Stripes Stencil, a home-made stencil created from a String Art Frame die cut, and the negative from the PoppyStamps Peaceful Dove die.

    All my sentiments came from the You Are Awesome stamp set.

    I hope you like these cards – there is a 1 minute video on our Instagram feed today showing the process in detail.

    Supplies

    Mandala Stencil Set

    42029 Bold Stripes Stencil

    57327 String Art Frame

    CL8151 You Are Awesome clear stamp set

    1878 Peaceful Dove

  • Sunny Dazzler | By Seeka

    Sunny Dazzler | By Seeka

    Hi there, Seeka here and today I’m sharing a sunny card using the Dazzler Layer die set.

    First, I die cut Dazzer Layer C from white cardstock. Then I used three markers (Copic RV14, Y17, and Y15) to color the outer ring. I started with RV14, a pink, along the inside of the die cut and then added Y17, an orange-y yellow, next to it. This was very quick coloring with not a lot of attention to blending.

    Then I added Y15, a yellow, around the outside edge.

    Next, I used used the Dazzler Layer A die to cut another piece of white cardstock. I added a bit of glue around the inside of this die cut and adhered it over my Copic-colored piece, leaving the tips of each point un-glued, and curling them up a bit so that they stand up from the bottom die cut for a bit of dimension.

    Then, I created a quick watercolor background using a Cool Aqua Karin Brushmarker Pro pen. I scribbled the pen over a piece of watercolor paper and then used a paintbrush and clean clear water to spread out the color, not blending out too smoothly and leaving a bit of color variation. I also added some white paint splatter using watered down white guache.

    I trimmed my watercolor panel down to 4″ x 5.25″ and then adhered the my die cut piece to it. I also adhered the center die cut from Layer C (I love that each die layer results in two separate pieces!).

    For the sentiment, I used the Best Friend stamp set and die cut the word “Hugs.” I die cut three more layers and then stacked and adhered all four layers together and then adhered the sentiment to the center of the star.

    To finish, I used foam tape to adhere the card front to an A2-sized card base.

    Thanks so much for coming by!


    Supplies


  • Lovely (Vellum) Butterflies | by Crystal Komara

    Lovely (Vellum) Butterflies | by Crystal Komara

    Hello readers! This is Crystal here with you today sharing some rainbow cards featuring the Lovely Butterflies stamp set. I’ve been creating a lot of rainbow themed cards lately, because I find them very cheerful and uplifting and I think we could all use more sunshine (and rainbows) in our lives right now!

    The base of this first card was made using 80 lb. Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock. Using the Delfina Layering Plate A, I die cut the lattice background from white cardstock. I adhered a piece of rainbow paper behind the lattice using a Tombow dot runner before adhering both layers to the card base. I stamped the sentiment “Make a wish” in Memento Tuxedo black ink on a piece of scrap paper and notched the bottom end. I adhered thin pieces of orange, red and blue ribbon behind the sentiment and stapled it together. Yes, stapled! Why not?! It’s art!

    I stamped a variety of butterflies from the Lovely Butterflies stamp set on vellum cardstock in Versamark ink and heat embossed them with white embossing powder. I die cut the butterflies using the coordinating Lovely Butterflies dies and adhered them to the card small pieces of 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    To create the second card, I die cut the Butterfly Garden Layer Plate C from white cardstock. I adhered this over a piece of rainbow patterned paper. I stamped one butterfly on each of five different colored cardstocks (red, orange, yellow, green and blue) and heat embossed the butterflies with white embossing powder. I used the coordinating Lovely Butterflies dies to die cut the butterflies out.

    I die cut a circle of vellum cardstock and stamped the sentiment in the middle of the circle in Versamark ink. I heat embossed the sentiment with white embossing powder and adhered it to the center of the card. I adhered the die cut butterflies down the left side of the card in a rainbow pattern. I adhered the butterflies to the card using small pieces of 3M foam adhesive.

    I have created a YouTube video tutorial for you to watch and learn how both cards were created!

    Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    57019 Delfina A

    Butterfly Garden Plate Layer C

    8150 Lovely Butterflies clear stamp and die set

    CL8152 Blooming Spring clear stamp set

  • Beveled Honeycombs & Wax Seal | by Jennifer Svare

    Beveled Honeycombs & Wax Seal | by Jennifer Svare

    Hello! The card I’m sharing today is all about the simple elegance of Mini Honeycomb Bevel layers.

    The bevel set is three layers, and I chose soft pinks and corals that sit on an ivory card base. I placed one on the top and one on the bottom of the card front.

    I love how the layers stagger on the inner portion of the card for a unique, finished look.

    For the center space, I used some nested hexagons from my stash to create a base for the wax seal. Ivory twine was run through a gold grommet, and secured to the backside with tape before attaching to the card base.

    I brushed the bee with a gold leafing pen to match the grommets. That extra touch of gold pulled it all together.

    I love the elegance of the honeycombs layered in soft colors, mixed with the wax seal. This card is great for any occasion!

    Check out the video below for a detailed tutorial on how this card was made. Thank you for stopping by today, I hope you have a wonderful day!

    Here is a link to the video if your browser does not show it below: https://youtu.be/sb4URKvInxE


    Supplies


    56103 Mini Honeycomb Bevel Plate Layer Set
  • Creating Frames with Negative Die Cuts | By Leigh Houston

    Creating Frames with Negative Die Cuts | By Leigh Houston

    Hello, crafty friends! I am so happy to be here today sharing these two cards I made with Birch Press Designs’s Avalon Frame Layering Dies. I love using the pretty negative die cuts from my Birch Press layering dies in my cards, and these cards show how I used these pieces to make frames on my cards. I had so much fun making my first card that I had to make a second!

    I started my card by die cutting all three layers from the Avalon Frame layering dies from white 110# cardstock. I saved all of the little negative dies off to the side and die cut a circle out of all three layers. I then started coloring my floral elements with alcohol markers, layering them to create different shapes and dimension (all of the elements used in each card’s frame were constructed from the pieces from the three layers; no extra pieces were used!) Once I had enough floral elements colored I arranged them around the perimeter of the circle.

    To finish the card, I die cut a watercolored background to put inside the circle. I adhered the Love sentiment from Birch Press’s Love Honey Script die, and stamped the additional sentiment from Birch Press’s You Are Awesome stamp set onto navy cardstock. Some gold sequins finished up the card!

    Onto the second card! This card was made the same way, just switching up the colors.

    I used a summery color scheme to color my floral elements, and layered an aqua card base behind my 3 layering panels. I die cut the Love sentiment from Birch Press’s Love Sugar Script die and finished the card with some clear sequins.

    I had so much fun creating these cards, and I hope you enjoyed them! I’ll be back soon with another card project… until then, happy creating!


    Supplies


    56066 Avalon Frame Layer Set
    57095 Avalon Frame Layer A
    57096 Avalon Frame Layer B
    57097 Avalon Frame Layer C
    Love Sugar Script
    57311 Love Honey Script
    CL8151 You Are Awesome clear stamp set
  • You Are So Awesome | by Tracey McNeely

    You Are So Awesome | by Tracey McNeely

    Hi there, it’s Tracey here today and I have a card and video to share with you. I remember as a kid that is was very common to receive funny store bought slimline cards for birthdays and other occasions. Slimline cards seem be popping up all over the web lately so today I created a 3 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ card that can be mailed in a standard No. 10 envelope and a video to show you what I did.

    One of the challenges with creating these cards is what to fill all that space in with. The Regal Peacock layer set is a great design to work with this tall, slim card size.

    To begin I cut a 7″ X 8 1/2″ piece of white cardstock for my card base and I scored it at 3 1/2″. Then I cut a 3 1/4″ x 8 1/4″ panel from Bristol Smooth cardstock that I blended Distress Oxide inks onto. I used Tumbled Glass and Salty Ocean Distress Oxide inks to create a blue background. Once I had the panel blended out I mixed some Perfect Pearls with water and splattered it on to the panel then set it aside to dry while I prepared the Peacock die cuts.

    The main die for this set is Regal Peacock Layer A which cuts the peacock body and the solid tail. I created a rainbow tail because we could all use a little colour right about now. I die cut all the layers with cardstock–Layer A with a bright blue, Layer D with green, Layer C from bright pink and Layer B from orange. All the layers were glued together with liquid glue and I set it aside. I folded the card base along the score line and then attached the inner blended panel with tape runner.

    The two line sentiment is from the ‘You Are Awesome‘ clear stamp set. I stamped and white embossed the large word ‘awesome’ near the bottom of my panel and then the line ‘you are so’ was white embossed on a strip of black cardstock and added just above.

    The peacock was added to the top of the panel with foam tape. A tiny piece of foam tape was added behind the peacock’s head to give it a bit more support. You want your card to survive the mail and allow your recipient to enjoy it once it comes of out the envelope too!

    Thank you so much for joining me today and I hope you are finding time to be crafty while you are staying/sheltering at home. Enjoy the rest of your week! Stay safe.

    Supplies

    57253 Regal Peacock Layer A

    57254 Regal Peacock Layer B

    57255 Regal Peacock Layer C

    57256 Regal Peacock Layer D

    CL8151 You Are Awesome clear stamp set

  • Quick Dimensional Cards | by Kimberly Wiener

    Quick Dimensional Cards | by Kimberly Wiener

    Hello Birch Press Fans! Do you ever want to make a stack of cards and not spend a ton of time? I know I do. These cards really are perfect for making a lovely statement and still be quick and enable you make several at a time.

    I love the over sized sentiments from the Birch Press “You are Awesome” clear stamp set. They are clean lined and so fresh in black against a crisp white background.

    As a backdrop for these great sentiments, I used the Memorybox Serene Mandala Embossing Folder as the card front panels.

    I used 110 lb weight paper for a thick crisp emboss. Brushing on color in a circular motion from the center outward, the design and dimension of the mandala really shines through.

    I cut the panels to fit onto blank card bases cut to 4 x 5.25. The sentiment strip was popped up with foam mount tape. I hope that you experiment in color blending and brushing color onto embossing folders for quick and lovely cards!


    Supplies


    CL8151 You Are Awesome clear stamp set
    EF1004 Serene Mandala
  • Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday! | By Amanda Wilcox

    Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday! | By Amanda Wilcox

    Hello everyone. Amanda Wilcox from Twiddler’s Nook here and I’m so excited to be joining Birch Press Design Creative Team. Today I have my first card share for you. It looks a little involved but it really is simple. Let’s get started.

    I die cut each of the layers for the Frilly Triangle twice and glued them together.

    Next, I moved on to ink smooshing my background. This is a fun technique that gives a great effect. You just color Tombow, or other water based markers, on a clear block, spritz with water and smoosh your paper on it.

    After the first round, I used a heat tool on it and smooshed it on the liquid that was still on my block for a layered effect.

    And a quick tip: If you have a laminator, run the panel through that once it’s dry to flatten it back out. It really helps.

    Next, I moved on to my sentiments. I die cut the Big Lingo Happy 3 times – the shadow from white and the letters from black. I used my Quickie Glue Pen to adhere them together. This pen is great for skinny little spaces and keeping your fingers out of the glue.

    For assembly, I adhered the smooshed panel to a card base and the frilly triangles to opposite corners. Then, I die cut the happy shadow 9 more times from white cardstock. See how the letters will overlap the triangles? We need to raise parts of the word up to meet those. So I cut the “H” off of 3, left the middle 3 alone and cut the “Y” off the last 3. Then I adhered everything together and then to my card.

    Last, I stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment from Awesome Ticker Tape Messages and cut it out. This is popped up with foam tape on the middle Happy.

    For finishing touches, I added Wink of Stella glitter brush pen to the banner sentiment and the die cut letters and some gems to both of the frilly triangles.

    I hope you enjoyed today’s card and found some inspiration to create something beautiful.

    Supplies

    56109 Frilly Triangle Layer Set

    57226 Big Lingo Type Happy

    8149 Awesome Ticker Tape Messages clear stamp and die set

  • Sparkler Butterfly with a Floral Background! | By Desiree Kuemmerle

    Sparkler Butterfly with a Floral Background! | By Desiree Kuemmerle

    Hello Everyone and Welcome Back!

    For today’s project, I used the Sparkler and Paradiso Butterfly Layering Die Set and for the background of these dies, some Washi Tape!

    Let’s start by covering our card stock panels with our washi tape. The two that I am using come in a wide and 1 inch size.

    I then die cut all my pieces from both the card stock covered in washi tape and plain white card stock. While I was at it, I made sure I glued my white butterfly die cuts together and set them aside to dry.

    For my die cutting I only used the base and the top layer for each butterfly! I wanted to make sure we could see the beautiful pattern of the washi tape…

    The panel completely covered with the washi tape it provided a perfect back drop for my layered die cut!

    A sentiment was stamped and embossed for each card and set in place!

    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


    Sparkler Butterfly Layer Set
    56060 Paradiso Butterfly Layer Set
    WT502 Sunset Blush Wide Washi Tape
    WT503 Sunset Blush 1 inch Washi Tape
    WT499 Rose Bouquet Wide Washi Tape
  • Glitter Flutter Butterflies by Jeanne Jachna

    Glitter Flutter Butterflies
    by Jeanne Jachna

    Happy Saturday! I hope you’re having a great day and that the sun is shining so you can spend some time outdoors today! I am so happy the weather is warmer and I can feel the sun on my face!

    Today I’ve got a glittery card so share made with the Flutter Plate Layer B. Here’s how I made it sparkle!

    I applied packing tape to the back of a card stock panel before I die cut the panel. The tape prevents the panel from cutting all the way through providing an outline for me to color with markers.

    I colored the panel with Copic markers but any marker will work. Don’t worry about staying in the lines.. no one will see!

    I mixed Glossy Accents with micro find crystal glitter and then spread it over the colored panel with a spatula and then attached a panel cut from white card stock. When it was dry I attached another white die cut panel to add some depth and give a stained glass look.

    This card is so sparkly and glossy it’s like candy for the eyes.

    The simple sentiment is from the Best Friend stamp set.

    I hope you’ll give this technique a try!

    Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5″

    Supplies

     

     

    57062 Flutter Plate Layer B

     

     

    CL8132 Best Friend clear stamp set