Category: Contour Layers

  • 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

     

  • 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

  • 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



    Supplies


  • 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



    Supplies


  • 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: 

     

  • 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

  • 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



    Supplies


  • 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



    Supplies


  • 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