Category: Craft Dies

  • Clean and Simple Birthday | by April Antonio

    Clean and Simple Birthday | by April Antonio

    Hello everyone and welcome back to the Birch Press Design blog! April here sharing a clean and simple birthday card that was easy to pull together. I am also sharing a diecut inlay technique that I tried for the first time, so keep on reading!

    So one of my favorite things about layering dies is how easy they make it to quickly pull together a card, and the Flora Plate Layering Die set does not disappoint. I think most of us would love to always be able to spend hours crafting, but that is not usually the case because distractions…er, I mean very important obligations happen — it’s called life right?!

    For this card, I cut layers B and C of the Flora Plate set from heavyweight white cardstock and glued them together. Then I grabbed both the Floral Ballon Layer C and the word ‘party’ from the Let’s Party Sugar Script letter die set. Importantly, this set has the word ‘party’ and it’s shadow — I grabbed both the word and the shadow.

    Now here is the cool diecut inlay technique I used

    1. I die cut the balloon twice from white cardstock. I will use one layer as a backer.
    2. I then took the shadow of the word ‘party’, laid it into the center of one of the balloon pieces and die cut straight into the balloon.
    3. I cut the shadow of ‘party’ twice more from a piece of white cardstock, then cut the actual word ‘party’ a few times from heavy weight cardstock.
    4. For assembly I put the balloon that had ‘party’ in the center on top of the backer balloon piece. Then I inlayed the shadow of ‘party’ right into the center of the balloon thus completing the diecut inlay part. Also, to give the entire piece more stability I added the shadow behind the backer balloon and lined it up with the shadow on top. This is not needed — I just wanted to give a little more stabilty to my diecut piece.
    5. Lastly, I put the word ‘party’ on top of the shadow after stacking it a few times and inking it up with navy ink.

    I love how this look turned out. I usually will diecut inlay into the background of a card, but have not did this into another diecut and I like it. I did ink the edges of the top ballon with a light pink ink.

    To finish the card off I tied some yellow twine around the balloon, curled it, and secured the curl with liquid glue. Lastly, I added some much needed bling from the Memory Box Autumn Fairy Crystals set to brighten the entire card.

    That is it for today’s post! I hope this post has inspired you to stretch your supplies by finding creative ways to use them together..and that you will find this diecut inlay on a diecut technique fun and helpful!

    Supplies

  • Thinking of Spring | by Crystal Komara

    Thinking of Spring | by Crystal Komara

    Hello crafty readers! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today. Today I’m sharing two cards made using my favorite spring themed die from Birch Press Design called the Petal Egg Layer Set. There are just so many color combinations that could be used to create the perfect Easter card using these beautiful layering dies.

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. Using Layer Plate C of the Butterfly Garden Layering Plate, I die cut the first layer from white cardstock. I saved some of the extra butterflies off to the side (to use as added 3D pieces at the end). Using the Petal Egg Layering Set, I die cut Layer B from purple glitter cardstock (from the Twinkling Jewel 6 x 6″ glitter pad) and Layer A from white cardstock. I created a background using blue and purple alcohol inks on Yupo paper. Once this dried, I fussy cut the shape of the egg to fit it behind the egg as the third or base layer.

    I stamped the sentiment “thinking of you” from the Contempo Greetings stamp set in Versamark ink on a piece of purple Vibrant Violet cardstock. I heat embossed the sentiment with white embossing powder and then used the coordinating Contempo Greetings die to die cut it out. I adhered the greeting to the front of the egg using 3M foam adhesive. Lastly, I added a couple white butterflies (from the background) to add more texture.

    I created a second card using the same instructions (as above), but I simply changed out the background mat to a purple cardstock from the Vibrant Violet paper pack.

    I hope you have enjoyed these Easter inspired cards. Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

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  • Colorful Blooms | by Natasha Vacca

    Colorful Blooms | by Natasha Vacca

    Welcome crafty friends! It is Natasha here today and I am so excited to share a card using the beautiful Pimpernel Contour Layers die set. These beautiful flowers are a part of the latest release from Birch Press Designs! So let’s get started!

    To begin, I started by creating colorful backgrounds on watercolor card stock. I used powders to create different colored backgrounds. You can create a similar effect using any types of watercolors or inks within your stash. I then allowed my backgrounds to dry. Once my backgrounds are dry, I started to die cut my flowers and my leaves using the Pimpernel Contour layers set, as well as the Eucalyptus Stem and Berries die sets. Once all my layers are die cut I then adhered them together using liquid glue. I then set them aside.

    Next I die cut the adorable butterfly from the colored background panels I created earlier. I die cut the smallest butterfly from the Simple Butterfly Contour Layers die set. I then adhered this together using liquid glue. Next I wanted to add some detail and texture to my background. I die cut Layer C from the Viola Plate Layer set. I love these layered sets, as these layers can work beautifully together, as well as on their own. I die cut Layer C and then adhered this to an A2 card panel.

    Once my background panel was adhered I started to work on placement of my flowers, butterfly, and leaves. I then adhered these down using both liquid glue and foam tape.

    To complete the card I die cut the Handwritten Thanks sentiment. I die cut the shadow using white card stock. Then I die cut the script (Thanks) 3 times. I die cut this 2 times using white card stock, then a 3rd time using the Memory Box Vintage Pastel Mirror paper pad. This collection of mirror card stock is so beautiful! I then adhered the 3 layers together using my fine tip glue and adhered this to the shadow die cut.

    Once everything was adhered, I added a little more shine using the Fairy Jewels in the color Pastel. Thank you so much for stopping by today! I had a lot of fun creating a colorful thank you card using the beautiful new Contour Layers die sets!

    I will be back soon!

  • Winter Berries | By Allison Frazier

    Winter Berries | By Allison Frazier

    Hello, Friends! It was a snowy weekend here in Colorado, so I decided to make a wintery card. I love how versatile the new floral contour die sets are – they work for every season and every occasion.

    I started by die cutting the berries from the Eucalyptus Stem and Berries die set from a dark red card stock. I glued those onto the little matching branches that I had cut from brown card stock. I then swiped a bit of white pigment ink over the berries to lighten them up. I cut a second set of berries from the same red card stock and then glued those on top. The lighter color underneath gives a nice highlight. For the leaves, I used the smaller set of leaves from the Dainty Rose and Leaves die set and cut those from mint green card stock. I ink blended the top layers of those leaves with Evergreen Bough Distress Ink to give them more dimension.

    My card base started as a chocolate brown A2 card base. I tried to ink blend some dark brown ink around the edges to create a bit of highlight in the middle, but I ended up having to go a bit darker and used some Black Soot Distress Oxide. The effect is pretty subtle and much more obvious in person. After glueing the berries and leaves directly to the card base, I then splattered the whole thing with some white acrylic paint. I finished the card with one of my favorite word dies – the Big Joy Sugar Script die.

    Thank you so much for joining us today. I really love how this card turned out, especially the paint splatter. I hope it brought a smile to your face.

    Wishing you a crafty day,
    Allison


    Supplies


  • Sending Hugs Across The Ocean | By April Antonio

    Sending Hugs Across The Ocean | By April Antonio

    Welcome back everyone, and happy Saturday! April here sharing a card in support of #cardsforUkraine.

    This card features the Field of Blooms layering plate set alongside the beautiful, new Memory Box Rainbow Reflections 6×6 mirror cardstock pad.

    I started with the Field of Blooms plate Layer A and cut it from heavyweight white cardstock. I then cut Layer B from a bright blue piece of mirror or foil cardstock I pulled from the Memory Box Rainbow Reflections 6×6 mirror cardstock pack.

    Next, I cut die cut Layer C from a piece of yellow cardstock pulled from the Memory Box Sunny Orange 6×6 cardstock pack.

    I wanted something bright to show through the bottom of all of the layers so the most bottom layer of the card is a piece of blue glitter cardstock I pulled from the Memory Box Twinkling Jewel 6×6 Glitter Pad. I cut the 6×6 piece of cardstock down to A2 size (4.25″ x 5.5″).

    I then adhered Layer C (the die cut yellow piece) to the blue glitter cardstock using doublesided tape since I find this works well on a glitter surface.

    I then used liquid glue to adhere the other two layers (A and B) on top of Layer C, and glued the entire sandwich onto an A2 cardfront created from heavyweight cardstock. In the end I ended up with a nice sandwich made up of four layers: White cardstock (top layer), Mirror cardstock, Yellow cardstock, Glitter cardstock (bottom layer).

    I used the Big Hugs Sugar Script dies for my sentiment, cutting the shadow from the same blue mirror cardstock, and the sentiment from heavyweight white cardstock that I layered a few times.

    Lastly, I used silver jewels from the Memory Box Christams Fairy Jewels set to add some sparkle to each little leaf/swirl impression on the front of the card.

    Thank you for joining me today for this short blog tutorial. I hope everyone has a great weekend and continues to be inspired to create!

    Supplies

  • Winsome Rose by Jeanne Jachna

    Winsome Rose
    by Jeanne Jachna

    Have you noticed it’s a flower garden around here lately? That’s because our latest release is LOADED with gorgeous layered floral die cuts!!!

    Today I’m sharing a monochromatic card in blue and sharing a quick way to cut LOTS of flowers with minimal effort.

    The Winsome Rose is three layers. I selected three layers of ombre blue cardstock. Choose a light, medium and dark of any color you like. If you can’t decide, cut a whole bunch like I did! Cut all three dies in each of the three colors and then start stacking. Now you have three different colored beautiful blooms that look great together!

    My background is a distress inked panel in Tumbled Glass topped with a Viola Plate die cut. I like to use a stencil brush to remove little bits of paper left behind on my die cuts. My favorite is from Royal & Langnickel 5/8″ 16 mm Crafter’s Choice (R9113).

    I love that the new florals are easy to mix and match. I used the Dainty Rose leaves with the Winsome Rose on this card.

    The sentiment is from the Happy Lingo stamp set. I wanted something simple that wouldn’t cover up all the beautiful die cuts. The finishing touch is a few Fairy Drops to look like dew.

    Thanks for stopping by! I hope these beautiful blooms make you smile!

    Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5″

    Supplies

     

  • Layered Rose Hello | by Toni M Maddox

    Layered Rose Hello | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, everyone! Toni here with you today. I was so excited to play with the products in the latest release. I am in love and have so many ideas in my head using them!

    I started today’s card by diecutting the Fuddled Leaf Branches Contour Layers as well as the Winsome Rose & Leaves Contour Layers. I used papers from the MB Vintage Pastel Mirror and Lush Green 6×6 Pads. That pastel mirror/pearlescent paper is to die for!

    I noticed the Fuddled Leaf Branches negative diecut would make an awesome stencil so I used it with Distress Oxide Mowed Lawn on the card base then started playing around with the layout of the blooms and stems.

    I wanted a really full look so I added diecuts of Tiny Tuft Flowers & Leaves Contour Layers, Eucalyptus Stem & Berries Contour Layers and the Dainty Rose & Leave Contour Layers. I used more of the Vintage Pastel Mirror and Lush Green papers, adding a bit of Festive Glitter to boot.

    For the sentiment I used the Big Hello Sugar Script layered dies. I tied it all together using a few black Fairy Jewels.

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

    Supplies

  • Butterfly Hugs | By Allison Frazier

    Butterfly Hugs | By Allison Frazier

    Hello, Everyone! Today, I am sharing more inspiration from the new Floral Contour Layers release. I made a mini slimline card featuring two of the new die sets – the Simple Butterfly Contour Layers and the Tiny Tuft Flowers and Leaves Contour Layers.

    I started by creating a white card base that measures 3.5″ x 6.25″. I used the leaves die from the Tiny Tuft Flowers and Leaves Contour Layers set to cut a bunch of leaves from the same white card stock. I then arranged these leaves on my card base and adhered them with liquid glue. I love the texture that these leaves give – it’s almost like creating your own background die.

    Next, I started die cutting my butterflies. I chose to stick to a warm palette, so I used different shades of yellow, pink and orange card stock. I adhered the smaller parts of the butterflies to the larger parts, making sure to only put glue in the center, so that the sides could lift up for dimension.

    The small, delicate bodies of each butterfly were the same color as the rest of the butterfly, but I wanted them all to be gold. So, rather than use the dies to cut more bodies out of gold card stock, I just used the bodies that I had. I took a piece of Post-it tape (washi tape would also work) and taped the very ends of it to a piece of paper so that the adhesive side of the tape was facing out. I then put all of the butterfly bodies onto the adhesive, inked them up with VersaMark ink and heat embossed them with gold embossing powder. Once embossed, I was able to just pull the bodies off of the Post-it tape and glue them onto the butterflies. This was the easiest way for me to emboss all of those delicate die cuts.

    I arranged all of my butterflies onto the card base and then glued them down when I was happy with the placement. Again, I only applied glue in the very centers so that the butterfly wings could lift up and look dimensional. For the sentiment, I used the Handwritten Hugs die and some gold foil card stock. To give it dimension, I stacked the gold Hugs onto two more layers that I had cut out of white card stock. After adhering that to my card, I finished by scattering some tiny Fairy Jewels around the butterflies in coordinating colors.

    I love the simplicity and dimension of these butterflies! I hope my card brought a smile to your face today. Thank you so much for joining us.

    Wishing you all a crafty day,
    Allison


    Supplies


  • Vibrant Watercolor Leaves | By Dilay Nacar

    Vibrant Watercolor Leaves | By Dilay Nacar

    Happy Monday, friends! Dee here today to share this vibrant watercolored card featuring the brand new Fuddled Leaf Branches dies! 

    To begin, I applied a few of my favorite colors using watercolor brush markers onto a piece of watercolor paper and once dry, I die cut the larger leaf in each color.

    Next, I used the Ringadings 3D embossing folder and an A2-sized panel to create a fun and textured backdrop for the leaves, adhering each one with foam adhesive. To finish, I cut the Handwritten Hugs sentiment in black and the shadow in white and adhered to the panel using foam tape!

    Thank you so much for joining me today! I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

  • Lavender Roses | By April Antonio

    Happy Sunday everyone! I am excited to be back on the blog today sharing a layered card using the new Dainty Rose & Leaves die set. Birch Press recently released a line of beautiful layering dies and they all coordinate so beautifully with each other.

    For the card I am sharing today I am using two of the layering dies along with a layering background die for some extra dimension and interest.

    To start, I used the Kinsley Heart Plate Layer A and die cut it three times — twice from heavyweight white cardstock and once from lavender cardstock taken from the Memory Box Vibrant Violet cardstock pack. I glued those layers together, putting the lavender layer on top, and then adhered it to a A2 card base.

    Next, I wanted cut florals that would match the background so I used the same Vibrant Violet cardstock pack and chose three shades of violet that were light, medium and dark to cut the flowers from so I could add some dimension to the die cuts. I cut the leaves from green cardstock pulled from the Memory Box Lush Green cardstock pad

    Fun tip: For layering flowers, starting with a light base and then working your way to the darker base on top is always a tried a true formula.

    For my florals I realized that I wanted a prominent flower so I used the Dainty Rose & Leaves layering die set to die cut the lavender roses. Later, after adhering the roses and leaves to the card I realized that I had a lot of open space so I decided to fill it in with smaller flowers and leaves from the Tiny Tuft Flowers & Leaves die set.

    Both of these sets are easy to use and I will usually die cut all of my pieces and then assemble them all at once to save time.

    After cutting out my flower layering pieces I took a piece of heavy weight vellum and die cut a small sized oval to use as the base for the sentiment on my card. For my sentiment I chose the Honey Script ‘Hello’ die set. Using the same violet paper pad as I did for the flowers, I die cut the sentiment from a medium toned purple and the shadow from a lighter, lavender color. I also cut the sentiment a few times from white cardstock and layered it all together using liquid glue for extra dimension.

    Now, here is one of my tricks for gluing down vellum to a card, since it’s very see-through. Remember that vellum oval I cut earlier? I took that oval, adhered the stacked ‘hello’ die to it, and arraned all of the flowers and leaves I had assembled around the edge of the oval. I did all of this with the oval on top of my card base so I wouldn’t accidentally go too far over the edge of the card.

    Once I had all of the florals arranged how I wanted to them I glued them down to the oval with either liquid glue or foam dots, then flipped the entire arrangement over to the back. I then only put adhesive on the parts of the vellum that were covered with the florals and leaves so the glue wouldn’t show through on the front. I turned the arrangement back over and adhered the entire thing to the front of the card.

    I added some Memory Box clear jewels as a finshing touch and the card was done!

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    For the second card I created, I used the same design but used a different color scheme and sentiment. The new layering dies are so versatile and work in a rainbow of colors.

    I used pink cardstock from the Memory Box Berry Red cardstock pad, as well as the shadow layer from the Honey Script ‘Hello’ die set. I die cut the ‘Hello’ a few times from white cardstock and once from pink cardstock, and layered it all together. One other change I made is to use an oval cut from white cardstock, instead of vellum, as the mat for my sentiment.

    I finished off the card with Memory Box clear fairy drops.

    That is all for today! Thank you so much for stopping by and I really hope you will give the new layering floral dies a try. They are fun to use and can help you create some amazing card designs.

    Supplies