Birch Press Design

Category: Contour Layers

  • 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

  • Just for You Mixed Media Tag | By Natasha Vacca

    Just for You Mixed Media Tag | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press Friends, I am excited to be back on the blog today sharing a mixed media tag using 2 new dies from the latest collection: Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layers and Budding Twigs Contour Layers. So let’s get started!

    I started by die cutting the branches and twigs from the Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layers and Budding Twigs Contour Layers die sets. I die cut them from 2 shades of cardstock from the Stormy Blue and Fresh Aqua collection from the Memory Box paper pads. Once all the layers were die cut I added a bit of color to each layer using distress oxides. I then spritzed them with water and used a paper towel to pick up some of the color.

    Next I added embossing powder to all the die cuts. I applied embossing ink, then powder, and heat set them with my heat tool. I did wipe off some of the powder before heat setting them for a distressed look. I set the die cuts aside to work on my background.

    For the background I chose a gelli print from my stash and trimmed it into a tag. Next I ran the tag through my die cutting machine with the Ringadings 3D embossing folder. I then applied dye ink to one side of the folder and ran it through the machine again. Next I added embossing ink to the folder and ran it through one more time. I then added a gold embossing powder to some sections of the background and heat set it with my heat tool.

    Next I inked up the edges of the tag as well as some areas on the top of the tag with distress ink. I then determined the placement for the branches and the twigs. I adhered them with liquid glue and foam tape.

    Next I stamped the sentiment from the Gracious Floral stamp and die set. I completed the tag with a bit of cheesecloth and twine at the top of the tag. I adhered the sentiment with foam tape to complete the tag.

    Thank you so much for stopping by today! I will be back soon!


    Supplies


    57525 Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layers
    57529 Budding Twigs Contour Layers

    Supplies


    cl5280d Gracious Floral Clear Stamp and Die Set
    ef1015 Ringadings 3D Embossing Folder
    sp1004 Fresh Aqua
    sp1006 Stormy Blue
  • Seasons Change | by Allison Frazier

    Seasons Change | by Allison Frazier

    Hello, Birch Press friends. Today, I am sharing a slimline card featuring the new Forest Leaf and Berries Contour Layers set. As soon as I looked at the picture on the package of this die set, my mind immediately went to this idea. And that is, to turn the berries into trees!

    I wanted my card to represent the passing of time and the changing of seasons, so I tried to pick colors for each tree that represented the seasons. Fall and winter were the easiest colors to choose! Although, I did play with the idea of leaving the winter tree bare. Maybe I should have, but I just love blue so much that I had to have the blue berries! For each tree, I chose four colors/shades of card stock. I cut all 16 pieces of card stock using the Berries die. This die cuts all of the pieces necessary to assemble the berries/trees. I also cut four of the tree trunks (berry stems) out of dark brown card stock.

    In some cases, I used Distress Inks to blend a slightly darker color on the shadow layer if it was too close in color to the berry layer. I assembled all of my trees using liquid glue. Once the trees were done, I prepared my card panel and base from Kraft card stock. The overall card measures 3.5″x8.5″. I cut a hill shape out of another piece of Kraft card stock. I swiped embossing ink at the top of this hill shape and then heat embossed it with white embossing powder. I popped this hill up on my card base with thin foam tape.

    I heat embossed the sentiment at the top of my card with white embossing powder. This sentiment comes from the Kind Hearts stamp set, and I’m really happy with how it ties in with the idea of time passing. The only thing left to do was to glue down the trees. I tucked the very bottom of the trees behind the popped up hill. I scattered some fairy jewels around the trees, and then I finished up by blending some brown ink around the edges of the card.

    I hope this card puts a smile on your face and inspires you to look at your dies in a new way. Thank you so much for joining us today.

    Wishing you a crafty day,
    Allison


    Supplies


    57514 Forest Leaf and Berries Contour Layers
    cl8163 Kind Hearts clear stamp set
    sp1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack
    sp1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack
    sp1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack
    sp1005 Ocean Blue 6×6 pack
    sp1007 Vibrant Violet 6×6 pack

    Supplies


    jwl002 Pastel Jewels
    jwl003 Bright Jewels
    jwl004 Autumn Fairy Jewels
  • Vibrant Cosmos | By Seeka

    Vibrant Cosmos | By Seeka

    Hello and welcome! Seeka here and today I’m sharing a card featuring the gorgeous Large Cosmos Contour Layers die set.

    I started by cutting the four petal layers from three different colors of bright pink coral and pink cardstock. I cut the center of the flower from an orange-y yellow cardstock and then I glued the layers together.

    For the background, I used the Forest Canopy Layer C die to cut two pieces of white cardstock. I glued the die cut frames together to give the piece dimension. Next, I blended aqua ink over one end of a 4.25″ x 5.5″ panel of white cardstock and then I glued the frame over the panel.

    To assemble the card, I used foam tape to adhere the cosmos to the background and then I added a small sentiment from my stash. Finally, I glued the card front to a card base.

    Thank you so much for visiting!


    Supplies


  • Summer Sky | by Toni M Maddox

    Summer Sky | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today. I love, love, love the new release. The Forest Canopy Layers dies I used here are especially amazing! I’m crossing my fingers we’ll see a layered birds release someday.

    I used Layers A & B which I sponged with Distress Oxide Vintage Photo, Mowed Lawn and Rustic Wilderness and then added limb shadows with Distress Ink Ground Espresso.

    I chose not to use Layer C so that more of the card based sponged with Distress Oxide Salvaged Patina would show through.

    I added the berries super easily with the included dies which I cut from Memory Box Sunny Orange 6×6 Paper. You know how I love that orange and aqua color combo!

    I finished the card by adding the Sugar Script Big Hugs cut from gold foil cardstock with a white underlayment.

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

    Supplies

    57534 Forest Canopy Layer Set

    57138 Big Hugs Sugar Script

    sp1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack

  • Phlox Blooms ATC’s | By Natasha Vacca

    Phlox Blooms ATC’s | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Crafty friends! I am excited to be back on the blog today sharing a couple of mixed media ATC’s using the Phlox Blooms and Leaves Contour Layers die set. So let’s get started!

    I started by die cut the floral images from the Phlox Blooms and Leaves Contour Layers die set. I cut enough for 3 florals per ATC. I die cut the flowers using the Vibrant Violet paper pad from Memory Box. I chose 2 shades of pink for the flowers and the center of the flower. Once everything was die cut, I used several shades of Distress Oxide ink to add more depth and texture to the flower images.

    Once the flowers were all inked up I adhered the flowers together using liquid blue. Next I heat embossed the center of the flower using a gold embossing powder and then adhered the center to the flowers. I also added a few splatters to each flower. I then set the flowers aside to work on my backgrounds.

    For the background I chose a blue panel from my stash of pre-made backgrounds. I trimmed the panel into 2 ATC’s (Artist Trading Cards). Next I chose a piece of pattern paper from the Magnolia Grove paper pad from Memory Box. I tore the paper and then adhered this to each ATC using liquid glue.

    I then added a clear crackle paste to each ATC in a couple of places. I allowed the paste to dry and when it was completely dry I added a bit of distressing using distress crayons, as well as paper glaze for added shine and texture. Next I inked up the edges of each ATC using black distress ink.

    I then added white and purple splatters to each of the backgrounds. Once the splatters were dry, I adhered the flowers using liquid glue and foam tape. I completed my ATC’s with a couple of sentiment strips and a few gems from the Fairy Jewels – Brights collection!

    Thank you for stopping by today! I will be back soon!


    Supplies


    57507 Phlox Blooms and Leaves Contour Layers

    Supplies


    PP1022 Magnolia Grove 6×6 pack
    sp1007 Vibrant Violet
    jwl003 Bright Jewels
  • Clean and Simple With a Twist | by Allison Frazier

    Clean and Simple With a Twist | by Allison Frazier

    Hello, Birch Press friends. Today, I am sharing a clean and simple card featuring the new Curved Leaf Branch Contour Layers set. The twist is not only in the color combination, but also in the sentiment!

    I often struggle with clean and simple, but one thing I always do if I’m going to attempt it is to pick a bold color combination. I love pink and orange together, so these colors were easy choices. I cut the main branch from hot pink card stock and the detail layers from orange. I love how Birch Press includes little “cheat sheets” with their die sets that show which detail pieces go where! After assembling the pieces together with liquid glue, I added it to a layer that I cut from white card stock – this just gives it a little bit of dimension.

    When I pulled the Jumbo Lingo Hello die set out of my stash and remembered that the detail layer cuts the letters out individually, I knew that I wanted to play with the height of the branch. I cut the letters from a dark pink glitter card stock and glued them on top of ones that I had cut from white card stock. I started to stagger the letters because the “L’s” are not as wide as the other letters, but I soon realized that staggering them also followed the curve in the branch.

    I glued all of my elements directly onto a white card base. Again, since I struggle with clean and simple, I almost embossed the background. But, I held myself back! I did add just a few orange fairy jewels around the branch, as well as a sentiment strip from my stash. I think the black and white sentiment keeps the look of the card clean, but also plays well with the boldness of the colors.

    I hope this card puts a smile on your face and inspires you to try something out of your comfort zone, as well. Thank you so much for joining us today.

    Wishing you a crafty day,
    Allison


    Supplies


    57513 Curved Leaf Branch Contour Layers
    57353 Jumbo Lingo Hello
    sp1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack
    sp1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack
    gp1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad

    Supplies


    jwl004 Autumn Fairy Jewels