Category: Contour Layers

  • Glam Winter Birthday | by Toni M  Maddox

    Glam Winter Birthday | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today sharing a fun and ever so glittery winter birthday card.

    I have a lot of winter birthdays in my life so am always looking to build my stash.

    I cut out the card front from the Memory Box Majestic Hues 6×6 Glitter Pad. I wish the pictures did a better job of showing you just how amazing this paper is. AND, no glitter rubs off. That alone is a winner in my book!

    Next I cut out a few of the Adornment Snowflakes and adhered them to the glitter using Scor-tape. I cut the Sugar Script Birthday Wishes letters from white and the backer from the Memory Box Rainbow Reflections 6×6 Mirror Pad.

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

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  • Valentine Hugs | By April Antonio

    Valentine Hugs | By April Antonio

    Happy Saturday! With January almost over, and Valentine’s Day cards lining the grocery store aisles, I thought I would be a great time to create a Valentine themed card.

    I started with the new Banner Heart Layer set. It has three layers – A,B,C to it, with each layer slightly more open than the last. I used the following cardstocks for each layer:

    Layer A – Red foil from the Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad

    Layer B – Silver foil from the Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad

    Layer C – Glitter Red from the Festive Glitter Pad

    Once I had each layer cut, I glued them together using liquid glue, and added foam dots to the very back.

    Next, I cut my background piece using the Pinpoint Contour plate die. I also cut a few eucalyptus pieces using the stem from the Eucalyptus Stem & Berries. I cut it from white cardstock and the red foil I used for the heart.

    I then grabbed the Hugs Honey Script die and cut the word from white cardstock three times, and glued those layers together. I then cut the shadow from black cardstock.

    Assembly

    I glued my background Pinpoint Contour sheet to an A2 card base. I then arranged the eucalyptus leaves in the lower right corner of the card and glued the bottom halves down with liquid glue.

    I then placed the layered heart on top of the leaves — recall I had this popped up with foam dots. To that I added the layered hugs die cut which I also popped up with foam tape.

    The embellishments are from the Fairy Drops and Christmas Fairy Crystals set.

    That is it! A clean and very simple card to pull together. The ‘hugs’ sentiment could easily be replaced with ‘love’, ‘thanks’, or some other sentiment to fit the card need.

    I hope you have a great rest of your day!

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  • Hugs | By Rosemary Dennis

    Hugs | By Rosemary Dennis

    Hello everyone! Rosemary here with my first post as a member of the Birch Press Design team. I’m so excited to be a part of this talented team. My style tends to lean towards clean and simple, but I like to mix it up and create in other styles as well. Today’s project is a clean and simple Valentine.

    For my card I used the sweet Banner Heart layering die set. I die cut layers A and C from pink glitter paper from the Delicate Pastel Glitter pad and layer B from the Glitzy Glitter pad from Memory Box. I saved all the fall out pieces and will be sharing the cards that I made with them in another post. I adhered all the layers with liquid adhesive and set the heart aside to dry. I took a piece of off white paper from the Vintage Pastel Mirror pad by Memory Box and die cut it with the Pinpoint Contour Plate.

    I adhered the Pinpoint Contour panel to a cardstock base using a strong tape adhesive. The Pinpoint Contour panel covers the entire card front and a little tip I have to making sure it goes on straight is to use something like a MISTI tool (I use a scoring board) to help with alignment. Simply place your card base in to one corner of your MISTI or scoring board so that it is securely up against two sides of the tool. Then take your Pinpoint Contour panel and carefully place it on top using the corner to help you keep things aligned. Once your panel is secured add the banner heart using liquid adhesive. Now it was time to decide on a sentiment. I decided to go with the Hugs Sugar Script hot foil plate and die set. I just love foiling. I used a scrap of the off white mirror cardstock and dark pink foil for the sentiment. I just love how well the foiling worked with the mirror cardstock. Definitely will be doing that in the future.

    I die cut the foiled sentiment and then adhered it to the card front. I used a combination of liquid adhesive and foam adhesive. The liquid adhesive was placed behind the part of the sentiment that rests on the heart and the foam adhesive on the other half. I decided to add a few dark pink Fairy Jewels as a little finishing touch.

    I hope you enjoyed my project today and that you are inspired to make a clean and simple Valentine for someone you love!

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  • Make a Wish | By Allison Frazier

    Make a Wish | By Allison Frazier

    Hello, Birch Press friends! January is always a great time to take stock of what cards you have in your stash. I always seem to have a shortage of birthday cards, so now is a great time to start building up that stash. My card today features the “Make a Wish Sugar Script” die set.

    The inspiration for this card started with a panel of watercolor paper that I had inked up with some shimmer powders. I wasn’t happy with how it was turning out, and I almost threw it away. But, as I was picking it up, I saw that some of the color had gotten onto the back of the panel. And that is what became the background for this card. That is what I call a happy accident! I used the new Pinpoint Contour Plate to give it a little bit more texture and adhered it to an A2 card base.

    For the main focal point of the card, I cut the detail words out of a champagne pearl card stock. I cut the shadow pieces out of the same watercolor paper that I had used for the background. I stacked the shadow pieces three times and the detail pieces two times in order to create dimension. I stamped the sub-sentiment on the same watercolor paper and heat embossed it with a platinum color embossing powder. The sentiment comes from the Happy Lingo stamp set.

    To add more visual interest and movement, I die cut some small dragonflies and a butterfly using the same combination of papers that were already on the card – plain watercolor paper for the base layer of the wings, shimmer powder background remnants for the top layer of the wings, and champagne pearl card stock for the bodies. I glued these together only at the centers, so that the wings could pop up and create dimension.

    To finish the card, I added some Fairy Jewels and Fairy Crystals in complementary colors.

    Thank you so much for joining us today. I hope this card inspires you and brings a smile to your face! 

    Wishing you a crafty day,
    Allison


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  • Foil and More Foil | by Toni M Maddox

    Foil and More Foil | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today sharing a (hot) foil project that could be used for about any occasion: G/Valentines, friendship, encouragement, or just to say hello.

    This is my favorite type of card to make for my stash because I can just grab it and go, so to speak. I’m not sure I’ll be able to send this one away though!

    I started the card by hot foiling the Birch Press Design String Art Frame Hot Foil Plate with one of the new Spellbinders satin pastels hot foils. These are translucent so very subtle, especially on the foiled cardstock front.

    In this case I used the salmon color which coordinated perfectly with the Memory Box Vintage Pastel Mirror cardstock used for the Birch Press Design Morning Rose and Triple Buds.

    I cut out the Birch Press Design Fuddled Leaf from Memory Box Rainbow Reflections Rainbow Mirror cardstock. The Birch Press Design Sugar Script Big Hugs is cut from the pastel pad in a pearly color.

    I love the soft combination of colors, don’t you?

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

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  • Morning Rose and Triple Buds Happy Birthday | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press friends I am excited to be back up on the blog today to share two of the gorgeous new die sets with you. I also paired these with a previous release as well! For today’s card I am using the gorgeous Morning Rose and Triple Buds Contour Layers die set. I had a lot of fun on today’s card, so let’s get started!

    I started by die cutting each layer of the rose. I chose 3 colors of pink card stock from the Berry Red paper pad collection from Memory Box. I die cut each layer using a different shade. I had a light, medium, and darker pink shade. I die cut 2 roses and 2 of the triple buds. Next I die cut 3 leaves from the Winsome Rose and Leaves Contour layers. For the leaves and the stems on the triple buds I used card stock from the Lush Green paper pad from Memory Box.

    Once all my flowers, stems, buds, and leaves were die cut I added ink blending to each layer. On the layers I used a combination of Distress Oxide inks and Dye Inks. I used a blending tool, as well a finger blending tool to add ink to the corners. I love the added texture and depth this provides to the flowers, leaves, stems, and buds.

    Next I adhered all the layers together using liquid glue. Once these images are die cut they are so easy to adhere together, the die provides outlines for you on where to glue the layers down. They are so easy to use. Once everything was adhered together I added a bit more ink to the edges of the flowers, leaves, and stems using the inks I shared above.

    Next I chose a background from my stash. I love creating gelli prints and found a background that had shades of pinks and greens, I thought this coordinated well with my images. I wanted to add a bit more texture to the background using the Pinpoint Contour Plate. I ran the gelli print and die through my die cutting machine. Next I trimmed the panel using my paper trimmer. I then added a few metallic gold splatters to the background for added texture. I dried these with my heat tool, then adhered the panel to an A2 card base.

    Next I placed the flowers, buds, stems and leaves onto the card front. I then adhered the images down using foam tape and liquid glue. To complete my card I chose a sentiment from my stash. I had a lot of fun with these 2 new products. Thanks so much for stopping by today! I will be back soon with more crafty inspiration!


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  • How to Use Color Mood Boards for Inspiration Part 2 | by Colleen Balija

    How to Use Color Mood Boards for Inspiration Part 2 | by Colleen Balija

    Hi friends,

    I’m back with another post on how to use Color Mood Boards for inspiration!!! In my post earlier this month, I shared a mood board and card that was inspired by it. Today I’m going to share a completely different card using that same mood board! My hope is that you will see how inspiring it can be to create TONS of unique cards with just one color mood board! Here is my card below.

    And, here is that Color Mood Board in which I was inspired to create this card ealier this month! Again, I found this through DT Crystal Komara!

    The first step was to plan the layout of my card. I found a card on Instagram where I just fell in love with the layout and design elements, so I used that card as my starting point. Since I didn’t want to CASE the card, I used just the background design ideas from it.

    Next, I chose the Birch Press Designs dies I wanted to use for my card.

    Birch Press Designs just released a beautiful, layered floral called Morning Rose & Tripe Buds Contour Layers. In addition to this die, I used Wispy Blooms Contour Layers die to compliment the Morning Rose.

    Following the Color Mood Board, I used ink colors in similar shades and applied them directly to white cardstock. Then I splattered gold metallic ink and water over it to add interest. Once my card panel was fully dry, I die cut the layers of my flowers and buds and adhered it all together. All the flowers are coordinated with the same colors from the Color Mood Board for cohesiveness. I added more gold splatters to the flowers after they were die cut. You can see in the photo below how pretty the colors work together!

    The next step was to work on the background! I die cut the brand-new Pinpoint Contour die plate onto a 5.5×4.25 white card panel and adhered it to a white card base. This is a beautiful die that creates a design without die cutting it. It’s perfect for a background!

    Next, I trimmed 2 more card panels – one in white and a larger one in black. I inked up the white card panel using teal shades of ink, similar to the Color Mood Board. I went from lightest in the center to darkest on the outer part. To add interest, I used Layer A of Herbarium Layer Plates as a stencil and inked through it to create an abstract design over the teal ink! It was subtle enough to add interest without competing with the focal point! I also added gold splatters.

    I adhered the inked-up card panel to the larger black card panel, and then adhered both to the card base so that enough of the Pinpoint Contour die was peeking out from behind. You can see all that lovely detail in the photo above!

    Finally it was time to add my flowers over that beautiful card base! I “staged” everything exactly where I wanted it and then adhered it all down with liquid glue once I was satisfied with placement. The Morning Rose flower was popped up on foam tape. I finished with a gold foiled sentiment from You Are Loved.

    As a refresher, here is the card that I made from my last blog post, so that you can see how different that card is from today’s card!

    The colors are similar of course, but the layout and design elements are different! Color Mood Boards are coordinated for you so that the colors will work together nicely. That’s really important, as too much color can take away from the beauty and cohesiveness of a card! So, you can feel free to use all the colors on the mood board with whatever design elements you choose!

    You can find Color Mood Boards by googling them, by searching for them on Instagram, or by creating your own! I also frequently refer to color mood boards designed by Sarah Renae Clark, whom you can find on Instagram. She creates a multitude of mood boards for every season and every reason!

    Thanks for stopping by today!

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  • You Have My Hearts | by Toni M Maddox

    You Have My Hearts | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today sharing a trio of sparkly Valentines using the new Banner Heart Layering Dies and You Are Loved Hot Foil Plate & Die.

    Let’s start with the last card I made which is my personal favorite. I love those pastels with the gold so so much!

    But, I actually started with the black and red card below. As you can see from the layers, you end up with perfectly useable diecut negatives which I absolutely could not let go to waste so the next thing you know I’m using those bits for more cards.

    The combinations of the glitter, mirror and regular cardstock are truly endless. Pair that up with using the hot foil negative and it just goes on and on.

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

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  • Glittery Snowflake Hugs | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press friends! I am excited to be up on the blog today! For today’s card I had a lot of fun creating a glittery snowflake card to share a hug this winter! So let’s get started!

    I started with Herbarium Plate die set. I dry embossed layer A onto a piece of white card stock. I then used several shades of Distress Oxide Ink to add color to the embossed background. Once I had the colors I was looking for, I trimmed the panel a little smaller than an A2 card base. I then set this aside.

    Next I die cut the Snowy Circle die set. I started with Layer C with white card stock, then Layer B using a blue from the Stormy Blue paper pad, and for Layer A I used the Festive Glitter Pad. Once all the layers were die cut, I adhered them together with liquid glue.

    I wanted to add a bit more dimension and interest to my snowflakes, so I chose to the use the leaves from the Dainty Rose and Leaves Contour Layers die set. I love using my dies in different ways and I encourage you to look through your stash too! I die cut the leaves using a blue from the Stormy Blue paper pad. I then added a bit more texture to each leaf using inks. I applied a bit of darker blue in the nooks and crannies of each leaf using a finger dauber. Once dry, I added a silver/white embossing powder for added texture.

    Once the leaves were complete, I used my finger to shape the leaves a bit to add more dimension. Next I glued down my Herbarium Plate embossed panel to an A2 card base using liquid glue. I then added foam tape to my Snowy Circle. Before adhering down the snowflake, I determined the placement of my leaves. I then adhered the Snowy Circle and leaves to my card front using a combination of liquid glue and foam adhesive.

    To complete my card I chose a sentiment from the Sugar Script Sentiments 1 Hot Foil Plate and die set. I foiled the Sending Hugs onto a piece of white card stock. I then used the coordinating die to die cut my sentiment. I die cut 2 more outlines and adhered them together with liquid glue for added dimension. I adhered my sentiment with foam tape and liquid glue.

    Thanks so much for stopping by today! I had a lot of fun and I will be back soon!


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  • 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!!!

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