Category: Contour Layers

  • 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!


    Supplies


    57458 Herbarium Plate Layer Set
    57467 Snowy Circle Layer Set
    BPF503 Sugar Script Sentiments 1 Hot Foil Plate and Die Sets
    57499 Dainty Rose and Leaves Contour Layers
    SP1006 Stormy Blue 6×6 pack
    GP1006 Festive Glitter Pad
  • 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!!!

    Supplies

    57493 Morning Rose and Triple Buds Contour Layers

    BPF510 String Art Frame Hot Foil Plate and Die Set

    BPF509 You Are Loved Noted Script Hot Foil Plate and Die Set

  • Rainbow Peace Dove | by Crystal Komara

    Rainbow Peace Dove | by Crystal Komara

    Hello crafty readers! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing a slightly non-traditional Christmas card made using some ombre colors in reds and greens accented with the beautiful Adornment Dove 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! Using the same Neenah white cardstock, I cut the first background from Layer C of the Flora Plate dies. Next, I cut thin strips of cardstock in reds, pinks and greens. These thin strips measured 4 1/4″ x 1/4″. I adhered the strips to the Flora Layer background using Tombow adhesive. I started with the darkest color red to the lightest pink and then from the lightest green to the darkest.

    Using the Adornment Dove dies, I cut both layers from white cardstock. I adhered both layers together with a fine tip glue and adhered the entire assembled dove to the card with 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    Lastly, I stamped the sentiment “Peace” in Versamark ink on black cardstock. This sentiment is from the Christmas Mandala stamp set. It also has a coordinating die that I used to die cut the sentiment out. After die cutting the sentiment I adhered it to the card also using 3M foam.

    I love how this card turned out, even though I had a completely different vision from when I started. Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    57479 Adornment Dove

    57437 Flora Plate Layer Set

    SP1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack

    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack

  • Sending Warm Wishes | by Toni M Maddox

    Sending Warm Wishes | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today sharing a kind of card that I like to send when I think my card might be late to reach the recipient for the holidays or just for winter wishes.

    I sponged a panel with Distress Oxide Evergreen Bough and Cracked Pistachio then spattered that with water.

    While that was drying, I cut out the Felicity Snowflakes and Aurora Snowflake Layering Dies out of white then sponged with Distress Oxide Mustard Seed and Picked Raspberry.

    I love the unexpected colors for a winter/holiday card. Just yum. Notice how I didn’t stack the Aurora Snowflake layers atop each other but instead offset them for kicks.

    My final step was to emboss the Christmas Mandala sentiment in white.

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

    Supplies

    57453 Felicity Snowflakes

    57477 Aurora Snowflake Layer Set

    8161 Christmas Mandala clear stamp and die set

  • Merry Christmas | By Dilay Nacar

    Merry Christmas | By Dilay Nacar

    Hello, crafty friends! Dee here today with this Merry Christmas card showcasing the Herbarium Plate Layers!

    First, I created the background by die cutting each of the Herbarium Plate Layers (A, B, and C) and adhering them together, then onto a top-folding card base. 

    Next, I cut the Felicity Snowflakes and the Eucalyptus Stem and Berries Contour Layers in various red, blue, and silver glitter cardstock and adhered them over the top of the Herbarium Plate Layers. To finish, I added the Handwritten Merry Christmas die cut to the center using foam tape.

    I hope you enjoyed this sparkly layered Christmas card! Thank you so much for stopping by, friends!


    Supplies


    SP1005 Ocean Blue 6×6 pack
    SP1006 Stormy Blue 6×6 pack
    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack
    FP1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad 6×6 pack
    57453 Felicity Snowflakes
    57458 Herbarium Plate Layer Set
    57478 Handwritten Merry Christmas and Outline

    CLD101 Clear Fairy Drops

  • Rustic Holly Wreath | By Natasha Vacca

    Hi Birch Press Friends, it is Natasha here and I am excited to be back on the blog today. Today I am sharing a rustic inspired holiday card featuring the beautiful Holly Wreath Layering die set.

    I started by die cutting all the layers from the Holly Wreath layering die set. I die cut layer C using a gold glitter card stock from the Festive Glitter Paper pad from Memory Box. I then die cut layer B and A using the Lush Green paper pad collection from Memory Box. I used 2 different shades of green from the paper pad. Next I added a bit of distressing to both layer B and A using my oxide inks. I then adhered all the layers together using liquid glue. I then splattered my wreath using metallic gold watercolor and white acrylic paint. I set the wreath aside.

    Next I worked on my background with a piece of wood grain paper from Wood Grain White paper pack. I added a bit of distressing to the panel using oxide inks. Once this was complete, I used my distress tool to add texture to the panel edges and then added distress ink to darken the edges.

    Next I die cut a few leaves using the Adornment Dove die set. I added distress oxide inks to the leaves and then embossing powder to the leaves for added texture. I cut a few berries using the Eucalyptus Stem and Berries Contour Layers die set. I used the festive Glitter Pad and die cut the berries in red. To create the look of snow on the berries, I added a bit of embossing ink and sprinkled a white glitter powder on each berry, then heat set the powder with my heat tool.

    To complete my card I chose the Find Joy and Outline die. I die cut the sentiment 3 times and adhered it together with liquid glue. I embossed the sentiment using the same white powder as I used on the berries. I added a twine bow around the distress wood panel, tied the bow and adhered this to my card base.

    I adhered the wreath using foam tape and adhered the sentiment, berries, and leaves using liquid glue. I added a button from my stash on the bottom right corner. I had a lot of fun creating today’s rustic holiday card! The Holly Wreath layering set is truly beautiful!

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


    Supplies


    gp1006 Festive Glitter Pad
    sp1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack
    57496 Eucalyptus Stem and Berries Contour Layers
    57450 Holly Wreath Plate Layer Set
    57452 Find Joy and Outline
    57479 Adornment Dove
    sh44001 White Woodgrain Paper
  • Mistletoe Ornament | by Toni M Maddox

    Mistletoe Ornament | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today sharing a rather more traditional holiday card than my usual. Sometimes you just need to go classic and elegant!

    I started the card by cutting the Meridian Ornament out of Memory Box Berry Red and Fresh Aqua 6×6 cardstock. I also cut out the Christmas Ornament Pop Up Easel elements from this.

    Next I sponged Distress Oxide Aged Mahogany on the red cardstock and Faded Jeans on the blue to give depth and add a vintage touch. I also covered the bow in Lawn Fawn Glitter Pen (Wink of Stella would have worked well too).

    For the Tiny Tuft Flowers & Leaves and Eucalyptus Stem & Berries Contour Layers, I used Memory Box Vintage Pastel Mirror, Lush Green, and Earth Neutral 6×6 cardstocks.

    I adhered those to the card front which used a cream shimmer paper from my stash then nestled the ornament within.

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

    Supplies

    57470 Meridian Ornament Layer Set

    57455 Christmas Ornament Pop Up Easel

    57501 Tiny Tuft Flowers and Leaves Contour Layers

    57496 Eucalyptus Stem and Berries Contour Layers

    FP1002 Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad 6×6 pack

    SP1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack

    SP1009 Earth Neutral 6×6 pack

    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack

    SP1004 Fresh Aqua 6×6 pack

  • Winsome Rose and Leaves | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press friends, it is Natasha here and I am super excited to be back on the blog today! For today’s card I had a lot of fun creating a mixed media inspired card using the beautiful Winsome Rose and Leaves Contour layers dies! So let’s get started!

    I started by creating 2 water color panels using Canson XL card stock. I added powders to the papers to create my own backgrounds. I created 2 panels, one in purple tones and another in green tones. Once my panels were dry, I die cut the Winsome Rose and Leaves using my watercolor panels. I also die cut a set of roses using the Twilight Purple paper pad from Memory Box. I wanted to create dimension for my roses and once die cut adhered these to my watercolored rose die cuts. I adhered each layer using liquid glue. Once the roses were adhered, I set these aside.

    Next I die cut the leaves using the dies included in this set. Once they were die cut I added more texture to each leaf using dye inks from my stash. I applied the ink with an ink dauber to the edges of the leaves. On the top layer I added embossing powder for added texture. I then adhered the leaves together using liquid glue. I also embossed the center of the roses using a gold embossing powder.

    Next I started to work on my background. I looked through my gelli print stash and chose a print to coordinate with my flowers. I wanted to add a bit of texture to my gelli print using the Flora Plate die set. I chose to use layer C. Following the instructions with my die cutting machine I used the plate to dry emboss the background die onto my gelli print. Next I added a bit of distressing to the panel. I used my distress tool to “rip” the edges, applied distress ink, as well as some embossing powder to various sections of the panel. I added a gelli print strip to the center of the panel following the same distressing pattern. I then adhered the card panel to an A2 card base.

    Next I adhered the leaves and roses to the card front using both liquid glue and foam adhesive. I then chose a sentiment to to complete my card. I chose the Handwritten Thanks and Outline die set. I die cut the shadow layer using a piece of the same gelli print background. I then die cut the script thanks 3 times. For the top layer I added tape to the paper prior to die cutting, as I wanted to use a glitter powder on the top layer of the word die cut. I then adhered all the layers together using liquid glue. I adhered the sentiment using foam tape.

    I had so much fun creating today’s card! I hope it inspires you to create today!


    Supplies


    57420 Handwritten Thanks and Outline
    57497 Winsome Rose and Leaves Contour Layers
    57437 Flora Plate Layer Set
    SP1008 Twilight Purple 6×6 pack
  • Santa Baby | by Toni M Maddox

    Santa Baby | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today sharing a simple holiday card using the BPD Adornment Santa. Isn’t he super cute?!

    I colored him up with Copic E00 and E11 and used a flocked red cardstock for his hat. Yes, I have flocked cardstock that’s been in my stash for years as I used it primarily at Christmas-time.

    I used the BPD Herbarium Plate A as an impression plate on the card base. You know I love adding texture this way–subtle but adds a lot of interest.

    I finished the card using the BPD Handwritten Merry Christmas & Outline. I was very pleased with how easy it was to line up the outline die with the stamped sentiment.

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

    Supplies

    57482 Adornment Santa

    57458 Herbarium Plate Layer Set

    57478 Handwritten Merry Christmas and Outline

  • Be Merry Wreath

    Be Merry Wreath

    Hello, Birch Press friends. Happy November! The holidays are getting closer and closer, and there is no better time to start making those holiday cards. Of course, I love making them all year round. The most recent release is full of holiday fun. But I wanted to show you how to use some non-holiday products and turn them into a festive card.

    I started my card by dry embossing Layer C of the Flora Plate die set onto the front of a Kraft A2 card base. This is one of my favorite ways to create unexpected texture for a background. I then looked through my collection of Contour Layers die sets for the perfect leaf to create a wreath with. There are many floral sets with great options, but I chose the leaf from the Tiny Tuft Flowers set.

    I chose four different colors of green card stock and die cut a bunch of leaves. I then began arranging them in a circle to get an idea of placement and size. I originally was going to use a word die for a sentiment, but I decided to use the round “be merry” stamp for the center of the wreath. I heat embossed it onto Kraft card stock with red embossing powder and cut it out with the matching circle die. I adhered it to the card panel, and this gave me the center point to build my wreath around.

    There are three sets of leaves that are attached to branches, and I started by glueing the full elements down to form the wreath shape. As my wreath got more full, I would snip individual leaves off to fill in as needed.

    For the berries, I used the Eucalyptus Stem and Berries die set, which is now retired. Again, these berries come attached to a branch (I believe there are seven berries on the branch), but I cut them into smaller bunches or even single berries as needed. When I was finished, I splattered the entire card with some white acrylic paint, making sure to cover the stamped sentiment with some washi tape first.

    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


    Supplies


    57501 Tiny Tuft Flowers and Leaves Contour Layers
    8162 Contempo Christmas Greetings clear stamp and die set
    57437 Flora Plate Layer Set
    sp1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack
    sp1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack