Category: 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
  • Lots of Large Cosmos | by Crystal Komara

    Lots of Large Cosmos | by Crystal Komara

    Hello Birch Press readers, this is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today showing your a whole variety of ways to use the beautiful new Large Cosmos Contour Layering dies! Initially, I had only one slimline card in mind, but I ended up die cutting soooooo many cosmo flowers that I made four cards to show you a variety of ways to use them. So, sit back and enjoy the inspiration!

    The easiest way to begin making all of these cards, is to first create the large cosmos. For the flowers, I used a combination of purple colored cardstock. Then I just began assembling the flowers following the guided image. I ended up with almost 20 flowers by the time I was done. This truly was the hardest part of the entire process. Then I just took the flowers and designed multiple layouts.

    The first card is an 8 1/2 x 3 1/2″ slimline card. It is designed to fit inside a regular #10 business sized envelope. The white base is made from 80 lb. Neenah Smooth white cardstock. I adhered four of the large cosmo flowers down the center of the card. Behind a couple of the flowers, I tucked a few leaves, die cut from the Curved Leaf die from lush green cardstock.

    I heat foiled the sentiment in purple foil on white cardstock. The sentiment is from the Sugar Script Sentiments Hot Foil plates. I added the sentiment to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    My next card is an A2 sized card made from the same 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I matted the base with a piece of plaid foiled cardstock from sister company Memory Box. This plaid foiled paper is 5 1/4″ x 4″. Next, I die cut a large scalloped oval from white cardstock. I adhered this to the center of the card. I adhered one of the large cosmos to the lower right side of the oval. I also added a few leaves behind the flower. I heat foiled the sentiment in purple foil on white cardstock. Again, this sentiment is from the Sugar Script Sentiments hot foil plates.

    My third card for today is also an A2 sized card made from a base of 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I heat foiled a piece of white cardstock with the String Art Frame Hot Foil Plate. Once this hot foiled background cooled, I adhered it directly to the card base as my first layer. I adhered one large cosmo to the lower right side of the card and tucked one leaf under the flower. Using the Find Joy and Outline die, I die cut the sentiment from purple and white cardstock, adhering the two layers together before adhering both to the card with 3M foam adhesive.

    I hope you have enjoyed seeing a variety of cards all made in monochromatic purple and white with the new Large Cosmos die!

    Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    57513 Curved Leaf Branch Contour Layers

    57528 Large Cosmos Contour Layers

    57534 Forest Canopy Layer Set

    BPF503 Sugar Script Sentiments 1 Hot Foil Plate and Die Sets

    BPF510 String Art Frame Hot Foil Plate and Die Set

    57452 Find Joy and Outline

  • just a note | by Rosemary Dennis

    just a note | by Rosemary Dennis

    Hello! Rosemary here on the blog today sharing a mixed media type card that I created using the gorgeous new Large Cosmos Contour Layer die set, along with Fuddled Leaf Branches Contour Layer die set and a sentiment from the Sugar Script Sentiments 1 set. Let’s have a look.

    My teammate, Natasha, creates the most amazing mixed media projects using her Birch Press products. I was inspired by her to create my card combining by clean and simple with mixed media. I used Tim Holtz distress mica sprays and distress sprays and watercolor cardstock to create my panels.

    I die cut all the pieces and them assembled them using liquid adhesive. After the pieces were dry I added Gilded Distress Foundry Wax to the edges of the petals and the leaves. I used only smallest leaf cluster from the Fuddled Leaf Branches for my card. You have to work quickly when applying the foundry wax since it dries fast. I used my ring finger to apply the wax and then heat set it with my heat tool. Heat setting serves two purposes, it gives the wax the gilded look and it permanently sets it on your project. If you don’t heat set the was, it will simply chip off.

    Once I had the gilding done, I created my background panel. I die cut cream Memory Box woodgrain cardstock and then splattered it with distress mica spray in Tart Cranberry. I had previously foiled the sentiment, so I simply had to die cut a few more blanks and then adhere them to the sentiment. I arranged the flower, leaves and sentiment to the panel with liquid adhesive. I then added my panel to an off-white cardstock base.

    Here is a close up of the flower and leaves showing all that pretty gilding and some of the mica that provides alot of shine in real life.

    I hope my card inspires you to try mixed media in a more clean and simple way. Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day!

    Supplies

    57500 Fuddled Leaf Branches Contour Layers

    BPF503 Sugar Script Sentiments 1 Hot Foil Plate and Die Sets

    57528 Large Cosmos Contour Layers

  • Tropical Thanks | by Toni M Maddox

    Tropical Thanks | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today sharing a tropical thank you card. I guess I’m feeling the summer weather big time!

    I started the card by cutting out some Phlox Blooms Contour Layers from Memory Box Berry Red and Sunny Orange 6×6 Paper. I added some Copic airbrushing (G09, G14, YR09, and R39) shading to the blooms.

    I cut the Curved Leaf Branches from white and also airbrushed them.

    For the sentiment I used gold with the Thanks Sugar Script Hot Foil Plate & Die, adding a black shadow diecut beneath. Notice how the bloom centers are gold too? Shiny and glam are being served today!

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

    Supplies

    57513 Curved Leaf Branch Contour Layers

    57507 Phlox Blooms and Leaves Contour Layers

    BPF515 Thanks Sugar Script Hot Foil Plate and Die Set

    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack

    SP1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack

  • Mixed Media ATC’s with Curved Leaf Branch | By, Natasha Vacca

    Mixed Media ATC’s with Curved Leaf Branch | By, Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press friends, I am excited to be back on the blog today. I love creating with dies and today I am going to share some mixed media ATC’s (Artist Trading Cards) with you! For the focal image I will be using the Curved Leaf Branch Contour Layers die set. So let’s get started!

    I started by die cutting 3 of the Curved Leaf Branch layers using white card stock, as well as a set using the Vibrant Violet paper pad. Once the leaves were die cut, I set the white leaf branches aside. I wanted to keep these one layer. On the violet leaf branch, I added oxide ink to the leaves, as well as to the top layer on the leaves. I used several shades of ink to add contrast to the leaves. I adhered on the 2nd layer of the leaves using liquid glue and then set these aside.

    Once my leaves were die cut, I trimmed 3 different gelli prints into ATC size (2.5 x 3.5). On each of the ATC’s I added a variety of texture using texture paste and crackle paste. I added the paste using a spatula to the edges, as well as used the Gilded Grace Inside Stencil Set. I chose one of the stencils from the set and added the stencil to my backgrounds and applied texture paste through the stencil. I allowed the paste to dry completely before moving onto the next step.

    Once the paste was dry, I added a bit more texture by applying distress crayons and gold glitz to the paste areas. I continued to work on the areas until I was happy with the texture of my backgrounds. Once everything was dry, I added a strip of washi tape to each ATC, with a bit of white gesso for added distressing. I also added white splatters to a couple of the ATC’s as well.

    Next it was time to adhere the leaves onto the ATC panels. Under each leaf I used gold thread and adhered this to the panel with a glue dot. I then adhered the leaves onto each ATC on top of the gold thread. I added sentiments from my stash, as well as a stamped sentiment from the Gracious Floral Stamp and die set. I trimmed the sentiments and adhered them to my ATC’s.

    I added a butterfly die cut to two of the ATC panels. I die cut the Simple Butterfly Contour Layers die set using the Vibrant Violet paper pad. I added Distress Oxide ink to each layer of the butterfly and then adhered it together. I thought this was a sweet and simple addition!

    I hope you enjoyed stopping by today and learning how to create ATC’s, as well as how to use your layering stencils to add texture!

    Have a great day and I will be back soon!


    Supplies


    cl5280D Gracious Floral Clear Stamp and Die Set

    Supplies


    57513 Curved Leaf Branch Contour Layers
    57490 Simple Butterfly Contour Layers
    42036 Gilded Grace Inside Stencil Set

    Supplies


    sp1007 Vibrant Violet