Category: Contour Layers

  • 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

  • Black Tie Holiday | by Toni M Maddox

    Black Tie Holiday | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today sharing an elegant and rather unexpected holiday card.

    I used a variety of Neenah metallic shimmery papers to cut out the Splendid Poinsettia Contour Layers. So so pretty.

    I used the same shimmer paper for the bottom layer of the Herbarium Plate with the second layer in an iridescent foil and black for the top.

    I tucked a few Oval Leaf Branches in white for a pop of contrasting color. To finish the card I cut out Holiday Hugs in shimmer paper and layered that on top of a black layer for oomph.

    Talk about a statement card. Modern. Elegant. Fabulous!

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

    Supplies

  • Holiday Kisses | by Toni M Maddox

    Holiday Kisses | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today sharing another holiday card–my favorite!

    As I was working with the Oval Leaf Branches dies for another card, I realized they reminded me of mistletoe so I ran with it. 

    I prepared the card base by cutting out the Epiphany Plate Layer A and adhering two of the three sections to it.

    Then I cut out a few sprigs of the Oval Leaf Branches out of a pale green and sponged the darker parts with Distress Oxide Mowed Lawn.

    I cut out the Forest Leaf branch out of kraft cardstock but used the individual berries from Forest Canopy Layer A sponged in Distress Oxide Lumberjack Plaid. I topped off the mistletoe bundle with a peppermint twine bow.

    I finished off the card using a Glad Tidings sentiment on a simple banner.

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

    Supplies

  • Purple Poinsettias | by Crystal Komara

    Purple Poinsettias | by Crystal Komara

    Hello friends! This is design team member Crystal Komara here with you today and I’m very happy to be sharing this card I created using the Splendid Poinsettia Contour Layer Dies.

    I love creating a holiday card in what can only be described as more “non-traditional” colors. I think dark jewel toned colors make for very elegant and yet still festive cards. I hope you will agree after seeing my card:

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card uses an eggplant colored cardstock. I cut a 5 1/4 x 4″ piece of white cardstock and then used a distress tool to “rough up the edges a bit.” Then I splattered this white cardstock with an eggplant ink. Using the Splendid Poinsettia Contour Layer Dies, I die cut the layers from three different colored purple cardstock and then spent a while assembling the different layers on top of each other using a fine tip liquid adhesive.

    Once I had the poinsettia’s assembled, I splatted the beautiful flowers with white acrylic paint (to resemble snow). Using the Contempo Christmas Greetings stamp set, I stamped the sentiment in a magenta pink ink and used the coordinating dies to cut the sentiment out. I adhered the sentiment to the card also using 3M foam adhesive.

    I hope you have enjoyed today’s card as much as I do! Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day.

    Supplies

  • Holiday Poinsettia | By Natasha Vacca

    Holiday Poinsettia | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Crafty friends! I am excited to be back on the blog today sharing a card using the beautiful Splendid Poinsettia Contour Layers die set! I love this large floral die and the amazing details, so let’s get started!

    I started by die cutting the Splendid Poinsettia using paper from the Memory Box paper pad collection in Lush Green and Berry Red. I chose 2 shades of red and 2 shades of green. I then die cut some additional leaves using the Sylvan Berries and Leaves Contour Layers die set using the Earth Neutral paper pad from Memory Box. I cut the berries from this set using a red glitter paper from the Festive Glitter paper pad.

    Once all the layers were die cut I added several shades of Distress Oxide to each layer for added color and texture. I applied water droplets to each layer as well and picked up color using a paper towel. I love the added texture this provides.

    To add a bit more texture and dimension to all the layers I added a spray from Lindy’s Gang. I love the added shine this gives to all the floral and leaf layers. I allowed everything to completely dry, then adhered all the layers together using liquid glue. I used my fingers to shape the leaves on the Poinsettia for added dimension. I added a few white splatters to the leaves and flower and set it aside.

    Next I used a gelli print from my stash. I trimmed the panel using my deckle trimmer and then added Distress Oxide to the panel to give it more of an aged look. I applied distress ink to the edges of the gelli print, then adhered this to an A2 card panel.

    I adhered the poinsettia, leaves, and berries using liquid glue to the top of the card panel. I completed the card with a sentiment from my stash. I had a lot of fun creating today’s holiday card!

    Have a great day! I will be back soon!


    Supplies



    Supplies


  • Merry Christmas Wreath | by Colleen Balija

    Merry Christmas Wreath | by Colleen Balija

    Hi there friends! I’m back this month sharing another holiday card using the new Splendid Poinsettia Contour Layers! This is a lovely poinsettia that you’ll want in your stash for your holiday cards! You could say I’m getting a head start on my holiday cards! I’ll also be using Memory Box Glad Tidings Stamp and Fairy Crystals, and Memory Box RingaDings embossing folder! All of the links to supplies I’ve used will be shared at the end of my post!

    I started with a colorful background, choosing a pre-made colored card panel, and embossing over it using RingaDings embossing folder. This is a favorite embossing folder of mine! Then I applied dark blue ink over the raised areas on the card panel to add depth and interest, trimmed it down, and set it aside. Below you can see a good visual of that bold and busy background!

    TIMESAVER TIP: I like to take a craft day and just create background card panels with different ink medias such as acrylic paint, distress oxides or sprays, or dye inks. That way I can just grab a background panel when I need it and just add more details to coordinate with my focal point!

    Next, I focused on the lovely poinsettia and leaves! The Poinsettia has a few layers, so I die cut each layer onto heavy white cardstock (or you could use watercolor paper) and then sprayed the layers with shades of red. The bottom layers are darker than the top layers (I find that doing this adds more depth). I also splattered the same dark blue ink from the background over the poinsettia to bring the blue from the background to the foreground. I repeated this process for the leaves, only in shades of teal. Then I adhered the layers together. I placed the poinsettia in the upper 3rd of the card panel and tucked the leaves in behind it. Then I splattered the entire panel with gold ink. You can see a close up of all those glorious details in that beautiful poinsettia! Birch Press Designs does an amazing job with the details in their dies!

    When the splatters were dried, I adhered the card panel to a 5.5×4.25 white card base and then finished with a red Fairy Crystal on the poinsettia and the sentiment Merry Christmas from Glad Tidings stamp by Memory Box. This card was so easy to put together!

    I’m so glad you joined me today, and I hope that you’re getting some great ideas for your holiday cards!

    Supplies

  • A Card and a Tag | by Rosemary Dennis

    A Card and a Tag | by Rosemary Dennis

    Hello friends! Hope everyone here in the United States had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends! Christmas will soon be upon us and I am here for it. I love Christmas! As my blog title indicates, I am sharing a card and a tag. Let’s have a look.

    You can just see the tag tucked down in the right corner of this photo. When I originally started my card I wasn’t going to make a tag, but decided to create one with the center pieces that were left over when I die cut the Tranquility Layer dies for my wreath.

    I wanted a wreath to layer the Forest Leaf and Berries Contour Layers die cuts on, but thought it would be fun to use something other than one of the stem and berry die sets. I settled on the Tranquility set because the center piece is separate from the outer more wreath like piece. My color scheme came from the patterned paper that I pulled from the Memory Box Jolly Christmas 6×6 pad. I die cut the plaid piece with a rectangle die and adhered it to the card front. The wreath was die cut from burgundy, dark green and gold metallic cardstocks and adhered together with liquid glue. I used the dark green and the burgundy to die cut the leaves and berries for the little swag I added to the wreath. Some distress collage medium was added to parts of the leaves and berries and then I added distress rock candy glitter. Everything was set aside to dry.

    Initially I hadn’t intended to use the center pieces that resulted when I die cut the Tranquility layers, but decided I couldn’t let them go to waste. I created my little tag using a small arched rectangle die and cut the same plaid paper. I also die cut a piece of the burgundy cardstock with the same die and then adhered it to the back of the patterned paper one with liquid glue. A whole was die cut in the top to add the ribbon and gold twine. I used the Holiday Hugs Vintage die set to die cut the sentiment from the patterned paper and gold metallic cardstock. They were adhered together and attached to the tag along with the center medallion. I finished with a red fairy jewel to the center of the medallion and the dark green ribbon/twine combo.

    For the card I die cut the Merry Christmas Vintage die set from the patterned paper and gold metallic cardstock and layered them together with liquid glue. All the other pieces were dry so it was time to layer everything on the card front. Everything was adhered in place with liquid glue. Because of where I placed the sentiment I did have to use some small foam squares on the back of the sentiment so everything would be the same height. Before adding the sentiment I did create a bow from the gold twine and adhered that with a dot a glue.

    I hope you enjoyed today’s projects and that I gave you some inspiration to use your Birch Press Design Layering dies in a new or different way. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

    Supplies

  • Holiday Hugs | by Colleen Balija

    Holiday Hugs | by Colleen Balija

    Hi friends,

    With the holidays upon us, I wanted to share a festive card using the new Holiday Hugs die and Adornment Wreath die! This layered wreath can be used all year long just by changing up the colors and foliage!!! I will also be using Memory Box RingaDings embossing folder, Jolly Holly Contour Die, and Memory Box paper. All supply links for this card will be listed at the bottom of my post!

    First step was to prep my dies, so I die cut the 2 layers of the Adornment Wreath onto white cardstock along with the Jolly Holly Contour die (leaves and berries). Then I ink blended the wreath in 2 shades of brown, the leaves in 2 shades of teal, and the berries in 2 shades of red. I use 2 shades of color to bring the designs to life! Then I adhered the layers together and splattered gold ink over all of it. The gold ink adds a classy touch of glimmer! Below is a close up of the finished wreath and foliage!

    Once my focal point was completed, it was time to focus on the background. Starting with a pre-colored piece of cardstock in shades of teal and green, I embossed over it with RingaDings embossing folder and applied gold ink over the raised edges. The gold in the background helps the gold on the focal point to pop! I love the distressed look of teh background! The picture below is a good visual of it!

    TIP: Although I die cut everything in white and then added color, you could easily do the opposite by applying color to a card panel and then die cutting 2nd!

    Last step was to adhere the focal point centered over the background, placing a few of the leaves onto foam tape for added dimension. I added Memory Box red sequins over the berries for added shine! The Holiday Hugs sentiment was die cut using Memory Box’s gold and red mirrored cardstock and then placed onto foam tape in the middle of the wreath!

    I’m so glad you joined me today! Below is the full supply list!

    Supplies

  • Jingle Bell Poinsettia | by Rosemary Dennis

    Jingle Bell Poinsettia | by Rosemary Dennis

    Hello, friends! Rosemary here on the blog today sharing a Christmas card I created using the new Splendid Poinsettia Contour Layers die set. I love poinsettias both real and paper crafted varieties! One of my favorite varieties of poinsettia is the one my local nursery calls “Jingle Bell”. The bright red leaves of this variety are splashed with white. Sometimes you get lots of white on the leaves and sometimes a little less. In case you are wondering why I am referring to them as leaves it is because that is in fact what they are… leaves or the more correct term bracts. The actual flowers on the poinsettia are very tiny and yellow. For my yellow “flowers” I used yellow Fairy Jewels.

    I die cut all the pieces from smooth bristol cardstock and then ink blended the red leaves with Lumberjack Plaid and Aged Mahogany distress oxides and the green leaves with Pine Needles distress oxide. I went with a heavier hand when applying the Pine Needles to the bottom layer of the leaf and a lighter hand for the top to get the variation I wanted.

    I let the red pieces dry for a little bit and then I placed them in my splatter box and splattered them with white gouache that I watered down a little bit. I think I should have used white acrylic paint because my white splatters turned a little pink, but that is okay as it still provides the look I was going for.

    Once everything was dry I adhered all the pieces together using liquid adhesive. I did not glue the pieces together completely, but only at the base of each leaf so I could get a bit of extra dimension. Liquid adhesive was used to adhere all the layers together, as well. When the adhesive was set I used my fingers to give all the leaves a slight curve for even more dimension. Now it was time to create a background. I looked through my layering dies as I had thought I would use one for my background, but then I saw the Pinpoint Snowflake die set and thought that using the die portion that embosses the pinpoint snowflake would be perfect.

    I die cut a piece of white cardstock with a Memory Box rectangle die and then placed the pinpoint snowflake on the left handside and ran it through my die cutting machine. I was going to stop there, but decided to add the snowflake in other areas. Before doing that I did stop to stamp the sentiment from the Glad Tiding stamp set on the white panel with black ink. I then added the additional embossing. I adhered the poinsettia to the panel, added the three fairy jewels and adhered the panel to my white card base with double sided tape.

    I hope you enjoyed today’s card and learned a little something about poinsettias. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

    Supplies

  • Smooshed Ornament | by Toni M Maddox

    Smooshed Ornament | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today with a holiday card featuring the Revello Ornament Layering Dies. I’m a huge fan of Birch Press ornament dies and was thrilled to work with this one.

    This set is the 3 layering dies only. If you want a solid base for the ornament you can pair it with the Ornament Basics die set like I did or fussy cut one for yourself. Ornament hangers are also included or you can find a fancy scored one in the Radiant Ornament set.

    The ink-smooshed panel was made using Distress Oxide Picked Raspberry, Mustard Seed, Cracked Pistaschio, and Peacock Feathers. I used two of the three layers (A and C) so that more of my smooshed panel would show.

    I used a glitter cardstock from my stash for the bottom layer of the ornament as well as for the Merry Christmas letters. I then adhered the lot onto Epiphany Layer A mounted on the card base.

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

    Supplies