Category: Contour Layers

  • warm wishes | by Rosemary Dennis

    warm wishes | by Rosemary Dennis

    Hello everyone, Rosemary here today on the blog. Fall is almost here and that has my thoughts turning to pumpkins! I love pumpkins and when I saw the Adornment Pumpkin die set in the new release I was over the moon excited. I couldn’t wait to create something with this beautiful die set. I actually created a different pumpkin using the die set, mirror cardstock and alcohol inks, but decided that I wanted something a little more elegant. Like Cinderella’s pumpkin coach. So I pulled out some pretty gold glitter cardstock from the Memory Box Majestic Hues 6×6 pad, white cardstock and got to work.

    Once I had my pumpkin completed I moved on to creating a background and for this I used the Viola Plate C to emboss white cardstock that I then spritzed with two of the new Tim Holtz distress mica sprays, Fallen Acorn and Unravelled. The Unravelled mica spray has a lovely light gold look to it and the Fallen Acorn has a beautiful bronze look to it. Both were perfect with the gold glitter pumpkin.

    I used scraps leftover from completing the background to die cut the bare branches from the Hillside Branch and Bramble Contour Layers die set. I die cut the new Warm Wishes Vintage word die set from white cardstock and as you can see in the photo, the gold glitter cardstock. When I started editing my photos, I realized that there was just too much glitter too close together, so I die cut the words layer from white cardstock, adhered it on top of the glitter and retook my photos!

    I adhered the pumpkin to my background using strong double sided tape and then used liquid adhesive to glue all the branches into place. I struggled a bit with where to put the sentiment and finally decided to place it at the bottom of the pumpkin. I was going to spritz the white sentiment with more mica spray, but decided that because I used white cardstock that I did not spritz with mica spray to create my solid layer for the glitter pieces of the pumpkin the sentiment would be the same to provide additional contrast between the spritzed and non-spritzed elements.

    I hope you enjoyed today’s project. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

    Supplies

    57539 Warm Wishes Vintage Sentiment

    57481 Adornment Pumpkin

    57524 Hillside Branch and Bramble Contour Layers

    56128 Viola Plate Layer Set

    gp1008 Majestic Hues Glitter Pad

  • Blue Holly | by Allison Frazier

    Blue Holly | by Allison Frazier

    Hello, Birch Press friends! Today, I am sharing a holiday card using some non-traditional colors for the foliage. In my world, leaves are blue! This card features the Jolly Holly Contour Layers set, as well as the Forest Canopy Layer Set.

    I started by cutting the Forest Canopy Layer B from some light brown card stock. I snipped the two main branches away from the frame and then snipped all of the brown flowers off the branches.

    Using the Jolly Holly Contour set, I cut the bottom and top layers out of two shades of blue card stock. I adhered the layers together with liquid glue. I cut the berries and their shadows from the Forest Canopy Layer A and glued those together, as well.

    I cut a panel of Woodgrain card stock to fit an A2 card base and then I ink blended the edges with Stormy Sky and Faded Jeans Distress Ink. I glued the brown branches to the card panel, followed by the blue holly leaves. Some of the berry branches were still intact from when I cut the Forest Canopy Layer B, but I did cut a few more from the Layer A die with light brown card stock. I glued the berries to the panel and then I added in some of the brown leaves that I had initially snipped off at the beginning of the project. I splattered the panel with white paint.

    For my sentiment, I used the Find Joy and Outline die set. I cut the words from white card stock twice, glueing the two layers together. I then took Vintage Photo Distress Ink and inked up the edges of the letters. I cut the outline from vellum and popped the whole sentiment up on some thin foam tape.

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


    Supplies


    57512 Jolly Holly Contour Layers
    57534 Forest Canopy Layer Set
    57452 Find Joy and Outline
    sp1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack
    sp1005 Ocean Blue 6×6 pack
    sp1006 Stormy Blue 6×6 pack

    Supplies


    sh44002 Cream Woodgrain Paper
  • Autumnal Deer | by Toni M Maddox

    Autumnal Deer | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today sharing an autumnal card featuring a nature scene.

    I sponged the card front with Distress Oxide Salvaged Patina which I spattered with water, Copic Opaque White and a touch of Distress Oxide Salvaged Patina Spray. The base is a weird cement-type color which I let show through on the bottom of the card.

    Next I cut out Forest Canopy Layer C and Memory Box Deer Trio which I airbrushed with the above Copics. I used regular alcohol you might find in your medicine cabinet to create the mottled effect on the deer layer.

    I had originally planned to emboss the Kind Hearts sentiment on vellum but really wanted the scene to be seen, so to speak, so embossed directly on the card. Fortunately, it worked well, even the part on the leaves. Whew!

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

    Supplies

    57534 Forest Canopy Layer Set

    CL8163 Kind Hearts clear stamp set

    98166 Deer Trio

  • Adornment Oak Leaf | by Crystal Komara

    Adornment Oak Leaf | by Crystal Komara

    Hello friends! Welcome back from the long weekend, I hope you all enjoyed your holiday weekend celebrating the official end to summer. I’m so ready for fall, my favorite season of the year here in New England. This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here today sharing a card that I made using the new Adornment Oak Leaf. This card also marks my first foray into the mixed media world and honestly, I’m still not sure what I think! I mean I like (kinda sorta) how this card came out, but I wouldn’t say I love the process of how I got there. One very messy step at a time and a lot of self doubt. So, I’ll preserve judgement until I play around a little bit more to see if mixed media will “be my thing.”

    Card details:

    The base of this A6 (6 1/4″ x 4 1/2″) is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. The background paper was leftover in my scrap bin, but it had the perfect fall colors I wanted, so I cut it to 6″ x 4 1/4″ and then splattered black ink and gold metallic spray all over the paper before adhering it directly to the card base.

    Using the Adornment Oak Leaf die, I die cut three different colored leaves in a rust colored cardstock, a yellow cardstock and a cherry red cardstock. I then cut the overlapping detail element from gold glitter paper. I adhered the gold glitter paper over each leaf and then splattered the leaves with black ink and gold metallic spray. I adhered the leaves to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    Using the Big Sugar Script Thanks Die, I die cut the shadow layer from white cardstock and the thinner layer from rust colored glitter cardstock. I adhered both layers together with a fine-tip liquid glue and then I adhered the entire sentiment to the card with 3M foam adhesive.

    I love the colors of this card, but will I try mixed media again? Yes, in small doses, when I am fully prepared to be splattered by my own ink flicking!

    Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

     

    Supplies

     

     

    57484 Adornment Oak Leaf

     

     

    SP1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack

     

     

    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack

     

     

    GP1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad

     

     

    57148 Thanks Sugar Script

     

  • Sending a Caring Thoughts Card | by Colleen Balija

    Sending a Caring Thoughts Card | by Colleen Balija

    Hi friends!

    I don’t know about you, but I never seem to have enough sympathy or thinking of you cards for my friends who may be struggling in life, so I wanted to create one with you today! Colors play a huge role in the message you send in a card, and I’ll be sharing more about that in my post. I’ll be using Grace Contour Layering dies, Kind Hearts stamp, Forest Leaf & Berries Contour Layering die, Rose Bunch Contour Layering die, and Fairy Gemstones. All of these products will be linked at the end of my post.

    I knew right away that I wanted to use the bold and beautiful Sending Caring Thoughts sentiment from Kind Hearts stamp, so the next step would be to determine my color scheme to coordinate with that sentiment. As I mentioned earlier, color plays a huge role in the message you convey to the recipient of your card. You wouldn’t want to send a sympathy card in bright red or a congrats card in all black, right? What kind of message would that convey? So, color is important to coordinate with the sentiment of your choosing. Here, I’ve got yellow, teal, and black. The yellow conveys a happy and hopeful message, while teal and black are more subdued. I felt that the balance of yellow with the more subdued colors would convey a thoughtful message of caring and hope that coordinates with my sentiment. If this was a sympathy card, I would likely use flowers in shades of blue rather than yellow.

    Now that colors and sentiment have been chosen, it was time to create the background and stamp the sentiment. In the photo above, you can see all the detail in the black background with the white sentiment that seems to pop off the page! Using Grace Contour Layering dies, I die cut each layer in black and adhered them together over a black card base. I die cut just the circle outline from the set, stamped the sentiment using embossing ink, and then embossed it in bright white powder. The sentiment was added with foam tape.

    Next, I worked on the flowers and leaves. I wanted ones that would frame the sentiment, so I chose the Rose Bunch Contour Layering dies and the NEW Forest Leaf & Berries Contour Layering dies to tuck in behind the roses! These leafy dies will be PERFECT in your stash!!! I die cut everything and adhered the layers together. Then I used Hero Arts Metallic spray over the flowers and leaves to give a shimmery, bold effect! You can see how vibrant the colors are in the photo below, as well as the details in the BPD dies! Their dies are hands down the best!!!

    Once I completed the flowers and leaves, I staged them around the sentiment on the background panel and adhered everything once I was satisfied with placement. One of the flowers was put on foam tape to add a little dimension. I finished with Gemstones over each of the flowers!

    I love how much the flowers and leaves pop against that gorgeous black. And the details in the background stand out despite the fact that they are done in one color! I think this card will provide a hug to someone that needs it. Thanks so much for stopping by!

     

    Supplies

     

    56080 Grace Layer Set

     

    57514 Forest Leaf and Berries Contour Layers

     

    CL8163 Kind Hearts clear stamp set
     

    57495 Rose Bunch Contour Layers

     

    GEM101 Treasure Chest Fairy Gemstones

     

  • Pink Adornment Pumpkin | by Crystal Komara

    Pink Adornment Pumpkin | by Crystal Komara

    Hello friends and happy Friday! I hope you have fun things planned for the weekend ahead! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing a card made using the new Adornment Pumpkin dies.

    I looooooove how this card came out, if I do say so myself! While the pink alcohol ink pumpkin is a little more vibrant than I had initially intended, it works. That’s the thing with alcohol ink, you never quite know what you’re going to get and they can be a bit unpredictable in how they move and dry as you blow them around.

    Card details:

    *Please note, a full list of supplies is located at the end of this post.

    The base of this A2 sized card was made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth alcohol ink. Using Layer Plate A (the top layer) of the Herbarium Plate Layering Set, I die cut this from white cardstock and then mounted a sheet of magneta cardstock behind it before adhering it directly to the card base. I die cut the solid pumpkin from a scrap piece of an alcohol ink background I had in my craft bin and then die cut the frame using pink glitter cardstock from the 6″ x 6″ Glitzy Glitter paper pack. I adhered the two layers together with a fine tip liquid glue.

    I created a pumpkin stem from espresso brown cardstock and leaves from both green cardstock and green glitter cardstock. There was a lot of piece work here using these smaller contour dies. Next, using the new Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layers, I die cut leaves from pink glitter cardstock, espresso brown carsdstock and the same green and green glitter cardstock used on the leaves. Then I pieces all the layers of the leaves together (again, a little bit time consuming here to do all these small details, but SO worth it in the end). Then it was just a matter of adhering all the small branches and leaves into a pattern that was pleasing to the eye.

    I stamped the sentiment “forever grateful” in magenta ink on white cardstock and used oval punch to punch it over before adhering it to the pumpkin with 3M foam adhesive. This sentiment is from the Brush Sentiments clear stamp set.

    I love using non-traditional colors to create holiday or seasonal cards. Pink is perfect in lieu of traditional orange pumpkins.

    Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    57481 Adornment Pumpkin

    57525 Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layers

    CL8158 Brush Sentiments clear stamp set

    GP1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad

    SP1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack

    SP1007 Vibrant Violet 6×6 pack

    57458 Herbarium Plate Layer Set

  • Warm Wishes | by Allison Frazier

    Warm Wishes | by Allison Frazier

    Hello, Birch Press friends! Today, I am sharing a mini slimline card featuring the new Hillside Branch and Bramble Contour Layers set. I used some cool, frosty colors for the branches to turn this into a holiday card. And while the cool colors may be in sharp contrast to the sentiment itself, I love the color palette.

    I started by choosing three different colors of blue card stock. I used the medium blue for the base of my card panel, which measures 6″ x 3.25″. I then used the main branch die (the one that has both the leaves and berries) to cut the lightest color of blue. I cut berries out of two colors of red card stock and adhered those on top of the light blue layer. I cut the top layer for that branch out of white card stock and adhered that onto the light blue layer, as well.

    Next, I played around with the arrangement of my three branches on the card panel. Once I was happy with the basic arrangement, I cut two pieces of the darkest blue card stock to match the curves in the branches. I adhered these two pieces on top of the medium blue card panel, making sure to cut off any excess that was hanging off the edges. I then used the secondary branches die from the set to cut both the medium and dark blue card stock. This gave me three branches each for each color. I glued those along the curves that I had created, making sure to glue the dark blue branches on top of the dark blue parts and the medium blue pieces onto the medium blue parts of the panel. This gives some tone on tone texture. I glued the finished branches on top of these, following the curves that I had created.

    I used the new Warm Wishes Vintage Sentiment die set, which I love. I cut both the bottom and detail layers out of red card stock and adhered those together. I then adhered a white detail layer on top. I cut one more branch out of white card stock to fill in a bit of empty space on the top left. To finish the card, I added some clear fairy jewels.

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


    Supplies


    57524 Hillside Branch and Bramble Contour Layers
    57539 Warm Wishes Vintage Sentiment
    sp1006 Stormy Blue 6×6 pack
    sp1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack

    Supplies


    jwl001 Clear Jewels
  • A Fall Thank You | By Natasha Vacca

    A Fall Thank You | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press friends, it is Natasha here and I am excited to be back with you today! Today I created a fall thank you card using the new Oak Leaf die set. I am a summer girl at heart, however I do love the colors of Fall! So let’s get started!

    I started by creating 2 panels using mixed media paper and my Distress Mica Stains. I chose 3 colors to use today to create the panels. The panels will be used to die cut my leaves. I spritzed the colors onto my paper one at a time, heat set them with my heat tool, added water droplets, and picked up the color with a paper towel. I continued this process until I had the colors and texture I was looking for. I set the panels aside to completely dry as I worked on my background.

    Next I chose a piece of kraft paper from my stash and dry embossed the panel using the Memory Box Geometric Crystals embossing folder. I then used a sanding tool to distress the dry embossed panel in various sections. To add a bit more texture and dimension to the panel I applied Distress Oxide inks to the panel in 3 of the corners.

    Next I trimmed the panel using my Deckle Trimmer and distressed the edges using Distress Ink. I added splatters to the panel using black and gold splatter. I set the panel aside to completely dry.

    Next I took my 2 panels I created using the Distress Mica Stains and die cut 2 leaves using the new Oak Leaf Die set. I also die cut the top layer using white card stock. I then ink blended the top layer of the leaves using oxides and once dry added Foundry Wax for added shine. I then adhered both layers of the leaves together using liquid adhesive.

    To complete my card, I adhered the dry embossed panel onto an A2 card base using liquid adhesive. I adhered the leaves with foam tape. I chose the sentiment from Handwritten Thanks and Outline die set. I die cut the script Thanks 3 times, using black card stock, as well as from the Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad. I adhered the layers together using liquid glue and added this to my card front. I chose a sub sentiment from my stash and completed the card with a few gems from Autumn Fairy Jewels. Thanks so much for stopping by today! I will be back soon!


    Supplies


    57484 Adornment Oak Leaf
    57420 Handwritten Thanks and Outline

    Supplies


    FP1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad
    EF1016 Geometric Crystals 3D Embossing Folder
    jwl004 Autumn Fairy Jewels
  • Using Neutral Colors on Flowers and Leaves | by Colleen Balija

    Using Neutral Colors on Flowers and Leaves | by Colleen Balija

    Hi friends,

    I like to get really playful with color palettes on my cards, and I’m always on the search for new inspiration! Recently I found a card on Instagram that used neutral colors and the end result was just so cool! So, I decided to test those colors out on my next BPD card, and today I want to share with you how I brought my card to life using neutral colors! I’ll be using Large Cosmos Contour Layer die, NEW Curved Leaf Branch Contour Layers die, NEW Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layer die, Memory Box Woodgrain paper, Warm Wishes die, and NEW Fairy Gemstones! You will find a link to these products at the end of this post.

    Generally, my first step in creating a card is to choose the color palette. In this case, I went with a wheat color along with black and white! I searched for an ink color that was closest to the Wheat color I wanted. Next, I die cut the BPD flowers and leaves and adhered the layers together. I love how BPD embosses each layer, making it easy for you to build your layered dies!

    Most of my leaves and the Cosmos flower were done in white with exception to the center of the flower and the Curved Leaf Branches. Those were inked up in Mustard Brown and black ink. You can get a good visual of them in the photo below!

    Next, I created a background to compliment the foliage. I trimmed a piece of Woodgrain paper by Memory Box to 5.25×4.00 and then ran the Mustard Brown ink directly over the card panel quite generously. The woodgrain gives it a cool texture! I also trimmed a piece of black card to the same size. I tore the left edge on both panels, making the brown layer slightly smaller than the black, and adhered them together. I also stamped a sentiment randomly in black ink over the Woodgrain panel to add interest and give the card a mixed media vibe. You can see the stamping, the texture from the woodgrain, and the torn edges in the photo below.

    Next, I adhered both layers to a 5.5×4.25 white card panel. Then I created a sentiment using the new Warm Wishes layering die in black and white. Now it was time to finish my card! I like to play with placement of my flowers and leaves before I adhere them down so that they are exactly where I want them! I adhered the Curved Leaf Branch (the ones in black and brown) first, then the Cosmos flower (popped up on foam tape), and then placed several white leaves around the flower. I was careful to leave a bit of the stamping peek through on the Mustard Brown card panel! Then I finished with the Warm Wishes sentiment, propped up on foam tape. Below is a closer look at that lovely new sentiment die! It’s the perfect size!

    What makes this card pop is the amount of detail, from stamping onto the Mustard Brown ink to tearing the edges of the panels. The BPD dies are so detailed that die cutting them in white is beautiful! Also, there is a good balance of color between the white, black, and brown, going from lightest to darkest.

    Next time you create a card, pull out your neutrals and see what you come up with! This is the perfect time of year as we head into fall to create a card in these colors! Thanks for stopping by!

    Supplies Used: 

     

    SH44002 Cream Woodgrain Paper Pack

     

    GEM101 Treasure Chest Fairy Gemstones

     

    57528 Large Cosmos Contour Layers

     

    57513 Curved Leaf Branch Contour Layers

     

    57525 Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layers

     

    57539 Warm Wishes Vintage Sentiment

     

  • Pink Cosmos | by Toni M Maddox

    Pink Cosmos | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today sharing a bold floral card using the new Large Cosmos and Curved Leaf Branch Contour Layer dies.

    I used Copics to color up the Large Cosmos layers because I wanted a striated look. I used Distress Oxide Rustic Wilderness and Mowed Lawn to sponge the Curved Leaf Branch.

    I cut a couple of the Curved Leaf Branch and split it up behind the Large Cosmos. I used the negative of the die as a stencil on the background which I diecut with the Pinpoint Contour Plate.

    I added a smidgen of Distress Oxide Salvaged Patina to the top of that panel so the Sugar Script Sentiments 1 really pops.

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

    Supplies

    57528 Large Cosmos Contour Layers

    BPF503 Sugar Script Sentiments 1 Hot Foil Plate and Die Sets

    57511 Pinpoint Contour Plate

    57513 Curved Leaf Branch Contour Layers