Category: April Antonio

  • A “Thank You” Card in Soft Purplesby April Antonio

    A “Thank You” Card in Soft Purples
    by April Antonio

    There’s something about a hummingbird mid-flight that makes a card feel alive — and when you set one against a soft, dusky purple background, the whole thing turns into a little moment of calm. This is a “Thank You” card I made using the Block Print Soaring Hummingbird, and I’m so happy with how serene and pretty it came out. Let me walk you through how it came together.

    Starting with the base

    I kept the foundation clean and simple — a crisp white card base — so all the color and detail could really sit front and center. With a design this layered, I find it helps to start neutral and let the dies do the talking.

    A soft, leafy background

    Before adding anything else, I built out the background panel in a gentle dusky purple using a patterned paper sheet from the Lavender Bloom Paper pack from Memory Box. I love the way the tone-on-tone leaf-and-berry pattern fades into the cardstock — it gives the panel depth and movement without ever competing with the main scene. That subtle botanical layer is what makes the bright greens and the hummingbird pop the way they do.

    Die cutting the foliage

    Next came the greenery, and this is where the card really started to feel like a little garden. I cut the leaves and branches from a mix of greens using the Foliage Bunch die set. Working with two greens instead of one gives the foliage so much more dimension; some leaves come forward, others recede, and suddenly you’ve got a believable little thicket for your bird to fly through.

    Building the hummingbird

    Now for the star of the show. The Block Print Soaring Hummingbird is such a beautiful, layered die — those long, fanned wing feathers are what give it that gorgeous sense of motion. For this version I went cool and dreamy: a soft lilac body paired with layers of sky blue and periwinkle across the wing and tail. I used cardstock colors from Memory Box in Blueberry Mist and Lavender Bloom.

    I foam mounted the finished hummingbird up off the foliage so it sits of the panel.

    A scatter of berries

    To tie the scene together a bit more I took the berry die from the Block Print Mod Branches die set and cut some pastel blue ‘berries’ out. I added clusters of soft blue berries nestled in among the leaves.

    Adding the sentiment

    For the greeting I kept it short and warm — a simple “thank you” in the lower right corner using one of the beautiful gold foil greetings from Memory Box (p.s. they also come in a beautiful gold foil on black!). I love using these sentiments, especially when I’m short on time, because they are beautiful and easy to adhere to any card.

    The clean little gold sentiment is just enough; with so much happening in the florals and the bird, the card didn’t need a long phrase.

    Finishing touches

    To finish, I scattered a handful of iridescent gems across the panel since I can’t resist adding some sparklies!

    The finished card

    The end result is a card that feels soft, a little bit magical, and genuinely peaceful — exactly the energy I want a thank-you to carry. The dusky purple background lets all those cool blues and fresh greens breathe, and the hummingbird brings just enough movement to keep your eye dancing around the whole scene.

    Have you made a card with the Block Print Soaring Hummingbird]? I’d love to see your version — tag Birch Press and share what you’ve created!

    Happy crafting,

    April

  • A Spring Garden Card by April Antonio

    A Spring Garden Card
    by April Antonio

    Sometimes two dies come together and create something that just feels like pure Spring joy — and that is exactly what happened with this card. The Block Print Radiant Butterfly and Block Print Daisy Flower dies were practically made for each other, and I had so much fun bringing this little garden scene to life.

    Building the garden scene

    The card base is Memory Box Powder Blue cardstock — and from the moment I cut it I knew this was going to be a happy card. That soft blue sky color sets the whole mood — fresh, airy, and full of possibility. Memory Box is a sister brand to Birch Press Design, and their cardstock is my go-to for all my Birch Press projects. The colors are rich, the weight is perfect for die cutting, and they coordinate beautifully with the Block Print die collection.

    The daisies

    The Block Print Daisy Flower die creates the most beautifully detailed daisies. The die set comes with two flower sizes — one taller and one slightly shorter — to give the composition a natural, garden-grown feel. Both I cut from heavy weight white cardstock with the flower centers in Memory Box Golden Wheat. The stems and leaves are cut from Memory Box Key Lime and Leaf Sprout, which together create that lovely variation of greens you see in a real garden. Using two different greens side by side adds so much depth to what could easily be a flat background element.

    The star of the show

    The Block Print Radiant Butterfly is everything. The wing layers in this die set are stunning — so detailed, so satisfying to piece together — and the combination of Memory Box Summer Squash and Orange Peel for the upper and lower wing layers gives this butterfly such warmth and vibrancy against that cool blue background. The antennae are cut from the Memory Box Glossy Paper Pack in Black, which adds that crisp finishing detail that really brings the whole butterfly to life.

    The butterfly is foam mounted over the daisy stems so it feels like it’s truly landing in the garden — that little bit of dimension makes such a difference in the finished card.

    The finishing touch

    I finished the card with a happy birthday sentiment from the Open Studio Greeting Tabs. Simple, clean, and lets the garden scene do all the talking.

    The result is a card that feels genuinely alive — like you caught a summer garden at just the right moment, butterfly wings still mid-flutter. I hope it inspires you to pull out your own Radiant Butterfly die and see what garden scenes you can create!

    A little sneak peek for the curious

    If you’ve ever looked at a layering die and wondered where to even begin with all those pieces — you’re not alone. I’ve been working on cut maps for my Birch Press dies to help map out the layering order before I start, and I made one for this butterfly. I’m not ready to share the full tutorial just yet, but if you look closely at the photo below, you might get a little preview of what’s coming. 😉

    Stay tuned — there’s more to come on this one!

    I’d love to see what you’ve made — tag Birch Press Design and share your version!

    Happy crafting,

    April


  • Thanks for Everything with Soaring Hummingbirds  by April Antonio

    Thanks for Everything with Soaring Hummingbirds
    by April Antonio

    If you’ve been wanting to try the Block Print Soaring Hummingbird from Birch Press Design — consider this your sign. This die set is one of those that looks incredibly intricate but is so satisfying to put together once you understand how all the pieces work. Pair it with the Block Print Mod Branches and you’ve got a card that feels lush, layered, and alive. Let me walk you through how this “Thanks for Everything” card came together!

    Starting with the base

    My card base is Neenah Solar White 110lb cardstock — my go-to for any card where I want the colors to really pop. White was the right call here because the color palette on this card is doing a lot of beautiful work and I didn’t want anything competing with it.

    Building the branches

    Before the hummingbirds even come into play, the Block Print Mod Branches die sets the whole scene. I die cut the branches from Birch Press Leaf Sprout cardstock — that bright, fresh lime green is such a perfect backdrop for everything that gets layered on top. The branches arc across the card and give the whole design that botanical, nature-forward feeling I was going for.

    I added the leaves in Birch Press Pool Party and Deep Turquoise, and the little berry clusters in Cranberry. Before assembling everything I did some light ink blending on many of the individual pieces to add depth and dimension — it’s a small step that makes a big difference in how finished and rich the final card looks.

    Die cutting the hummingbirds

    Now for the stars of the show. The Block Print Soaring Hummingbird die produces the most beautifully detailed little birds — the layered wing feathers, the delicate tail, the sweet little beak. I made two hummingbirds for this card, which felt right for the branching composition — one perched toward the top and one hovering near the bottom, both facing inward toward the center of the card.

    For the coloring I used a mix of Birch Press cardstock — Cranberry and Cherry Red for the wing feathers and tail detail, Pool Party and Deep Turquoise for the body and larger wing layers. The contrast between the deep cranberry reds and those cool aqua blues is what gives this card its energy. Both hummingbirds are foam mounted onto the branch for a lovely dimensional lift — that little bit of elevation really makes them feel like they’re in motion.

    Adding the sentiment

    For the sentiment I used the Vintage Everyday Greetings stamp set. The phrase “thanks for everything” stamped directly onto the card base in black dye ink — clean and simple, which felt right given how much is happening visually with the birds and branches. Because of the space available in the lower right corner, I stamped “thanks” on one line and “for everything” just below it, which actually turned into a really nice little layout moment.

    A little sneak peek for the curious

    I’ll be honest — this die set has a lot of pieces, and figuring out the layering order is half the fun. I’ve been working on cut maps for my Birch Press dies to help me keep track of exactly how everything goes together, and I made one for the Block Print Soaring Hummingbird. I’m not going to say too much about it just yet — but if you look closely at the photo below, you might get a little preview of what’s coming. 😉

    Stay tuned — there’s more to come on this one.

    The finished card

    The end result is a card that feels like a little piece of botanical art. The white card base lets all those rich, saturated colors breathe, the two hummingbirds bring movement and life to the design, and the Mod Branches tie everything together into one cohesive scene. It’s one of my favorite cards I’ve made with these dies so far — and I have a feeling it won’t be the last version of this one.

    Have you made a card with the Block Print Soaring Hummingbird? I’d love to see what you’ve created — tag Birch Press and share your version!

    Happy crafting, April

    Supplies

  • Pretty in Teal  by April Antonio

    Pretty in Teal
    by April Antonio

    Creating a Showstopping Birthday Card with the Block Print Pretty Peacock

    If you’ve been looking for a card project that feels like a true wow moment — this is it. The Block Print Pretty Peacock from Birch Press is one of those dies that stops people in their tracks, and when you pair it with gold details and a rich teal cardstock, the result is honestly stunning. Let’s walk through how this “Birthday Cheer” card came together and check out the below video for other fun ways to use this beautiful die set!

    Starting with the base
    The foundation of this card is the Memory Box Lagoon Cardstock Pack —  and honestly, it was the perfect choice for this card base. That deep teal is such a gorgeous backdrop for all the gold and shimmer that comes later. I cut my card base from the lagoon cardstock and immediately knew it was going to be a good day at the craft table.

    Die cutting the peacock
    Now for the star of the show –  the Block Print Pretty Peacock die. This die is an absolute dream to work with. The tail feathers are made up of beautifully detailed teardrop shapes arranged in a gorgeous fan pattern, and the whole design just has this elegant, almost art deco feel to it. I diecut the peacock tail directly into the teal card base, which creates that beautiful inlay look where the die cut openings become part of the design itself.

    For the paper piecing, I used the Memory Box Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad behind the tail openings to get those gorgeous gold foil teardrop feathers, and those lighter, shimmery teal tones woven through the inner feathers. The combination of gold mirror and soft teal creates such a rich, layered look —  it really mimics the iridescence of a real peacock tail.

    Building the peacock body
    The peacock body is die cut separately and foam mounted on top of the card for that lovely dimensional lift. Once the body was mounted, the whole card really started to come alive.

    Adding the sentiment
    For the sentiment, I used the Birthday Cheer Vintage Sentiment die — and it is such a perfect match for this card. The chunky, retro-style lettering in gold (die cut from the Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad) with teal cardstock as the shadow which gives it this gorgeous two-tone effect. I also have the Thinking of You Vintage Sentiment die on hand, which means this same peacock design could easily be adapted for so many other occasions — something to keep in mind if you fall in love with this color combo like I did!


    Finishing touches
    To finish things off, I scattered some Open Studio Fairy Jewels across the card — a mix of warm gold and rich jewel-toned gems that tie everything together beautifully. A few gems clustered near the sentiment and dotted around the feathers adds just the right amount of sparkle without competing with all those gorgeous gold mirror feathers.

    The end result is a card that looks incredibly intricate but is really all about letting these amazing dies do the heavy lifting. The Block Print Pretty Peacock is such a versatile, show-stopping die — I can’t wait to make more versions of this one!

    Have you made a card with the Block Print Pretty Peacock?

    We’d love to see your creations! Tag us and share your version — this is one of those designs that’s beautiful in every colorway.

    Happy crafting!

  • It’s Fall, Ya’ll | by April Antonio

    It’s Fall, Ya’ll | by April Antonio

    Hello friends! Design Team member April here today sharing a card in honor of the first day of Fall. Time to light some cozy candles, grab a warm blanket, and sink into a fun afternoon of crafting.

    Here’s how I pulled this card together:

    I used layer A and B from the Forest Canopy Layer set and ink blended on the leaves and branches with green and brown inks. I glued both layers together, and then used a tape runner to attach them to an A2 card front.

    I then used a sheet of orange cardstock from the Sunny Orange cardstock pack to cut the background of the Adornment Pumpkin die set. I cut this out twice and used foam tape to glue the two pieces together.

    I cut the outline part from a piece of orange cardstock from the Glitzy Glitter pad. I finished off the pumpkin by ink blending the stem and leaves and adding them to the top.

    For my sentiment I used the Big Hugs Sugar Script die, cutting it out three times and ink blending brown onto the layers, and gluing them together.

    Lastly, I cut out all the dies from the Evening Moths die set from white cardstock.

    Supplies

    Supplies

  • 105 days until Christmas | by April Antonio

    105 days until Christmas | by April Antonio

    Hello friends! Design Team member April here today sharing an early Christmas card using some of the products from the new holiday release. With Autumn almost upon us, everything is about to speed up, so why not start on creating some holiday cheer?! Also, these new dies are just too cute to put down!

    Here’s how I pulled this card together:

    I grabbed a pre-cut slimline card base in white, and glued a dark blue cardstock mat to the background to represent the night sky. I used the new Wavy Hillside die set and cut the largest die from white cardstock twice. I glued the die cuts twice to the front of the slimline card using foam tape, and made sure to leave a little room at the top so that I could later tuck in some of the houses and trees.

    I cut the Littletown Village, Littletown Church, and Littletown Home die sets all from white card stock, and assembled them accordingly. I then did some light ink blending in blue and purple on the bottom of each building, and did some darker ink blending in green on the trees. I then arranged the trees and houses across the hillside tucking some behind the ‘snow’ and placing some on top. I also added some to the bottom of the card front in either corner.

    For my sentiment I used the Merry Christmas Confection Script die with the shadow in the same dark blue as my background and the letters cut out from white cardstock.

    Finishing touches: I used a white gel pen to add some ‘falling snow’ to the dark blue background. I also added some silver jewels from the Memory Box Christmas Fairy Jewels set, and used a glitter pen to add some sparkle to the roofs of the buildings.

    Supplies

  • Summer Ocean Blues | by April Antonio

    Summer Ocean Blues | by April Antonio

    Hello friends! Design Team member April here today sharing a beautiful, bright, blue ocean inspired card using the Budding Twigs Contour Layers die set. I visited the beach last month and was inspired to create something ocean-y.

    Here’s how I pulled this card together:

    I cut a piece of heavy-weight white cardstock down to A2 card size. is made from 80 lb. I used on of my favorites, the Pinpoint Contour Plate to cut a background from the Memory Box Lagoon 6×6 cardstock pack and layered that onto the card base.

    Next I cut the three layers of the Budding Twigs Contour Layers die set from three different colors from the same Lagoon cardstock pack. I glued the layers together following the included guide, making sure to alternate colors, and adhered each finished twig onto the card front. The blue background with the budding twigs reminded me of seeing coral underwater!

    I used the Big Hugs Vintage Sentiment die and shadow die to cut the ‘HUGS’ and adhered it to the front of the card. I used two different shades of brown I found in the Memory Box Earth Neutral 6×6 cardstock pack.

    I finished off the card with some fun gemstones from the Winter Fantasy Fairy gemstone set. I really enjoy paper-piecing and this card was fun to pull together! I hope you are able to have fun and do something creative this weekend.

    Supplies

    Supplies

  • Finding Joy | by April Antonio

    Finding Joy | by April Antonio

    Happy Saturday! I’m so excited to be back on the blog today sharing a card on this Christmas weekend. I used the really fun Piped Icing Star die set to create a sparkling holiday card. Read on to find out how I paper pieced this card together.

    I cut an A2 sized panel from white cardstock and then used the ‘icing’ part of the Piped Icing Star die set to cut from the panel three times — at the bottom, the middle, and the top, creating a visual triangle along with the placement. I then took the panel and die cut it withe the Pinpoint Contour Plate to give the background the fun wavy dot texture.

    I glued the panel to an A2 card base and then did one of my favorite things – die cut inlay. I cut the intricate star from white cardstock multiple times, and then stacked them three times into the openings I cut into the cardstock panel.

    I also cut the star from three colors from the Glitzy Glitter Pad (dark blue, medium blue, and purple) and added the inner star pieces into my die cut inlays.

    I used the same dark blue to cut the words ‘find joy’ using the Find Joy die set. The shadow I cut from vellum, and I cut the word once from black cardstock and layered it underneath the glitter from some added dimension.

    Lastly, I had to add some sparkle of course! I used the Bright Jewels rhinestone set to add matching jewels to each star.

    That is it! I love die cut inlay, and with the beautiful piped icing set it’s easy to cut everything from white and add a little shine with glitter. I hope you have an amazing holiday season and happy new year!

    Supplies

    Supplies

  • Ho Ho Holidays | by April Antonio

    Ho Ho Holidays | by April Antonio

    Happy Saturday! With Christmas less than 10 days away, I think many of us are in full swing with holiday themed cards. I had a lot of fun creating a Santa card using the Adornment Santa die set. Read on to find out how I pulled this card together!

    I started with the Santa Adornment die set and die cut each piece from white cardstock. I also cut the hat from a beautiful red glitter cardstock piece from the Memory Box Glitzy Glitter Pad.

    I used ink and blending brushes to color my Santa brown, and used red on the circle shape for his nose.

    Next I assembled Santa together, starting with his face and, beard, and hat pieces. Then I added his mustache and nose, and also made sure to layer the thin outline cut out pieces (I did leave the outline pieces off of his hat by choice). I used a shiny black gel pen to add eyes to his face 🙂

    For the card base I cut the outline from the Adornment Snowflake out of silver cardstock I grabbed from the Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad (which is one of my favorites!). I cut the snowflake background from white cardstock and layered the white and silver pieces together. I then glued the assembled snowflakes to my A2 card background, and trimmed off the pieces that were hanging over.

    I then glued my Santa on top of this background, and added red Christmas Fairy Crystals around him for some extra shine.

    That is it! The Adornment Santa is super cute and perfect for the holidays!

    Supplies

    Supplies

  • Holly Jolly Holidays | by April Antonio

    Holly Jolly Holidays | by April Antonio

    Happy Tuesday! So happy to be back on the blog sharing a fun card using the Holly Jolly Contour Layers set to get in the mood for the holidays. I had a lot of fun creating this card and it was really simple to pull together. Read on to find out how I pulled this together.

    I used both of the leaf dies from the Jolly Holly Contour Layers die set and dry embossed them across my A2 card base. Dry embossing is the process of creating an impression of a die onto cardstock without cutting all the way through. To achieve this effect I used a rubber embossing mat with my die cut machine.

    Once I had completed the dry embossing I grabbed red and green cardstocks from the Lush Green, Berry Red, and Glitzy Glitter cardstock pads. I cut the holly leaves and berries multiple times from the different colors and glued them together, alternating the use of glitter and plain cardstock.

    I adhered the berries and leaves in the lower right hand corner, creating a sort of visual triangle. Lastly, I used the Warm Wishes Vintage Sentiment die to die cut ‘warm wishes’ from glitter cardstock and the shadow/background from white cardstock. I adhered this to the middle of the holly leaves and berries.

    That is it! This card was very straightforward and yet turned out so wonderfully colorful and crip. I hope you found some inspiration from this project and have a wonderful rest of your week.

    Supplies

    Supplies