Birch Press Design

Category: Craft Dies

  • Edgeless Shaker Card | by Ardyth Percy-Robb

    Edgeless Shaker Card | by Ardyth Percy-Robb

    Good morning! Ardyth here with a fun, edgeless shaker card using the stencil.

    I started by gathering my supplies: the stencil, 5 ink colours, and 5 circle masks cut from sticky notes (one for each colour).

    I used sponge daubers and the masks to blend ink into the circular shapes on the stencil. I tried to make sure that they were spaced out randomly over the panel of white cardstock.

    I worked through all 5 colours, and left some areas white for some breathing space.

    I added texture by spritzing the panel with water and lifting the colour with a paper towel.

    I trimmed the panel into 2 pieces and flipped it over on my work surface. I cut a piece of acetate so that it was wider than my panel so I can create flaps.

    I scored the acetate twice on each end, about 1/8 inch apart, and about an inch from the end.

    I glued the acetate to the panel pieces – here you can see the 1/8 inch ‘walls’ and the flaps.

    I added strips of doubled-up foam tape to create the rest of the walls, and to support the panel.

    I filled the shaker area with gems and removed the release paper from the foam tape. I left the flaps standing up for the next step.

    I placed a white panel of cardstock over the back, and then glued the acetate flaps down .


    I attached the shaker panel to a white cardbase, and added the Big Sugar Script Hello die, cut from black cardstock.

    Here’s how the edge of the shaker looks.

    And of course, I made a second card using the leftover ink from the stencil.

    An edgeless shaker has big wow factor, but it’s easier than it looks – I hope you’ll give it a try!


    Supplies


    CL8151 You Are Awesome clear stamp set
    42030 Ring Tike Stencil
    57201 Big Hello Sugar Script
  • Stenciled Viola Plate | By Seeka

    Stenciled Viola Plate | By Seeka

    Hello there, it’s Seeka here and I hope you’re having a good day! Lately I’ve been doing a lot of ink blending. I find it to be soothing, and a quick way to create some beautifully inked backgrounds. One of the things I love about Birch Press Designs’ layered dies is that you can often take the top layer, usually the most intricate, and turn it into a stencil.

    For my card today, I used the Viola Plate Layer A die to cut a piece of Avery Removable ID Labels. I use Avery 6465 but you can use any removeable adhesive sheet that is A2-size or larger.

    I removed the backing from one end of the die cut piece and positioned it over an A2-sized piece of Strathmore Bristol smooth cardstock. Then I gently peeled away the rest of the backing as I smoothed my makeshift stencil down over the cardstock.

    Using a foam blending tool, I blended Tattered Rose Distress Oxide ink over the entire panel. Then I blended Abandoned Coral over the centers of each bloom in the pattern. Next I used an ink dauber to blend Picked Raspberry over the very center of each bloom.

    Once I had the three colors down, I gently peeled away the stencil.

    For my sentiment, I used the Big Hugs Sugar Script die. I cut the word Hugs once out of some pearlescent ivory cardstock and twice out of heavy white cardstock. I adhered the three layers together with the ivory layer on top, and then adhered this piece to the shadow layer, which I’d cut out of vellum. I backed the sentiment with foam tape and adhered it to the card front which I in turn adhered to a card base.

    I made a second card following the same steps, but substituted the Jumbo Lingo Hugs die for the sentiment.

    Thank you so much for visiting!


    Supplies


  • Stitched Dimension with Birch Press Designs Kinsley Die | By Leigh Houston

    Stitched Dimension with Birch Press Designs Kinsley Die | By Leigh Houston

    Hello, friends! I’m so happy you stopped by today! I’m here sharing a new stitched card made with Birch Press Designs’s new Kinsley and Viola dies. These two dies work so beautifully together and combined to make the perfect summery thank you card.

    I started my card by die cutting my center medallion from Kinsley Layers A (in white) and C (in a medium pink). After adhering these two layers together, I decided to add some stitching along the stitch lines from layer C. I accomplished this by poking through the holes to enlarge them ever-so-slightly, then using a simple backstitch with two strands of white DMC floss. This was really fast and easy and added some pretty texture to the medallion. I then cut a backing piece from Birch Press’s Vivid Bloom Stitched Layer Set (this set cuts the perfect backing for the Kinsley Layering dies).

    To create my background panel, I die cut the Viola Layer Plate A from thin cardstock, and used this piece as a stencil to color a background panel using alcohol markers in lime green and pool shades. I then cut a new Viola Layer A and attached this clean piece over the colored panel using strong liquid adhesive.

    All that was left to do was assemble the card! I adhered my center medallion to the panel, then die cut my thank you sentiment from the Sugar Script “thanks” (I cut off the “s”) and you dies. Some little gems in the centers of the florals finished the card.

    I hope you enjoyed this project! I had such fun creating it. Thanks again for stopping by today, and I’ll see you again soon with another fun Birch Press Design card!


    Supplies


    56123 Kinsley Layer Set
    56128 Viola Plate Layer Set
    57332 Vivid Bloom Stitched Layer Set
    Thanks Sugar Script
    You Sugar Script
  • Ombre Viola Plate Layers | by Kimberly Wiener

    Ombre Viola Plate Layers | by Kimberly Wiener

    Hello Birch Press Design Fans! Today I bring you two cards that are designed by layering blended colors on the middle layer of a three part layering die set, creating a stunning ombre effect.

    This effect can be done with any of the many layering Birch Press Design die sets. I chose to showcase the gorgeous Viola Plate Layer Set.

    First I selected the darkest of the layering colors for the bottom layer. The middle layer was colored in four colors in varying shades from lightest to darkest and blended with a final layer of the lightest color over the entire panel for a more unified blended look.

    As you will see, you don’t have to worry about perfect color blending, the die layering will hide any imperfections, and the blending will appear seamless. In fact, any darker or lighter variations in the colors will create a more unique stunning effect!

    I used alcohol markers for coloring, however colored pencils or watercolor used with water color paper would also bring lovely results.

    The top final layer in a crisp white card stock showcases the vibrancy of the colors so brilliantly. For the sentiments, I chose from the Memorybox Open Studio Peony Corner Garden Clear Stamp Set. This set has several lovely sentiments, large floral sprays, and butterflies too!

    I am very pleased with the ease of use and the versatility of this layering set. Each layer can be used alone or in many different combinations. The pierced bottom layer is stunning on its own. This set is a new favorite. I already have some ideas for different looks and am excited to create again with this set!


    Supplies


    56128.jpg
    CL5255 Peony Garden Corner clear stamp and die set

    Supplies

    Supplies

    56128 Viola Plate Layer Set

  • Light-Up Christmas Cards with Layering Dies | by Ardyth Percy-Robb

    Light-Up Christmas Cards with Layering Dies | by Ardyth Percy-Robb

    Good morning! Ardyth here with some Christmas-in-July cards with a special light-up feature!

    All 3 cards follow the same steps:

    • create the layered die cut
    • ink blend a background panel (you can use solid cardstock if you wish)
    • cut the hole from the background panel and back it with vellum
    • glue the layered die cut in the hole
    • add the lights to the back of the panel
    • adhere to cardbase

    For my first card, I used 2 layers of the Glitz Snowflake dies, A & B. I stacked up 4 of the B layer and added one Layer A on top, that had been cut with one of the glitter cardstocks from the Delicate Pastels paper pack.

    The sentiment is from the Memory Box Tidings Wreath set, embossed with white powder.

    (The paper clip is just to hold the lights on by putting pressure on the switch).

    My second card uses the Bold Stripe stencil on the background, and 3 of the layers from the Nativity Star set, cut from glitter cardstock from both the Delicate Pastels and Twinkling Jewels paper packs.

    My third card uses the centre, floral portion of the Epiphany layering set, to create a poinsettia.

    Here’s a video showing how I made these 3 very special cards:

    Supplies:


    Supplies


    56065 Glitz Snowflake Layer Set
    57087 Glitz Snowflake Layer A
    57088 Glitz Snowflake Layer B
    57089 Glitz Snowflake Layer C
    56090 Nativity Star Layer Set
    57212 Nativity Star Layer A
    57213 Nativity Star Layer B
    57214 Nativity Star Layer C
    57215 Nativity Star Layer D
    57250 Epiphany Plate Layer A
    57251 Epiphany Plate Layer B
    57252 Epiphany Plate Layer C
    56098 Epiphany Plate Layer Set
    CL5245 Tidings Wreath clear stamp set
    GP1001 Delicate Pastel Glitter Pad
    GP1003 Twinkling Jewel Glitter Pad
  • Frilly Triangles | by Crystal Komara

    Frilly Triangles | by Crystal Komara

    Hello friends! This is Crystal here with you today and I have made a few cards to share using the Frilly Triangle Layering dies. I love to make my cards in multiple colors, because every card truly does look different, yet perhaps one color is more appealing to your eye than another.

    The first A2 sized card was made using a rich blueberry blue and a light baby blue cardstock. To keep things simple, I stayed with a monochromatic color palette for each of these cards. And, surprisingly for me, I did not use any glitter cardstock when creating any of these cards. That’s a first for me. I’m a glitter girl!

    The second card uses an earthy moss green cardstock paired with a lime green cardstock. I’ll be the first to admit, I don’t love this color combo, but I bet someone else will!

    For the last card today, my color palette is a rich raspberry cardstock and a sweet sugarplum (pinkish) cardstock. This one is my favorite!

    I hope you have enjoyed seeing a variety of ways to use the Layering Triangle dies. Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

  • Blended Fiori Plate | By Seeka

    Blended Fiori Plate | By Seeka

    Hello! It’s Seeka here and today I have a card featuring ink blending and the pretty Fiori Plate Layer dies.

    I confess that I forgot to take in-progress photos so I sincerely apologize! That said, this card was very simple to put together so I think it will be easy for you to follow along.

    I started by blending six colors of Distress Oxide inks onto an A2-sized panel of Strathmore Bristol Smooth cardstock. I didn’t set out to use six colors, but as I played around, I added more colors. From top to bottom they are: Scattered Straw, Carved Pumpkin, Twisted Citron, Cracked Pistachio, Peacock Feathers, and Faded Jeans.

    When the panel was dry, I used the Fiori Plate Layer A die to die cut it. Then I used the Fiori Plate Layer B to die cut three pieces of heavyweight white cardstock. I stacked and andhered these three Layer B die cuts together and then adhered the ink-blended Layer A on top.

    For the sentiment, I stamped a couple of sentiments from the You Are Awesome stamp set onto a strip of white cardstock. Then I used foam tape to adhere the sentiment strip to a slightly larger piece of vellum.

    To assemble the card, I adhered the sentiment to the die cut background and then adhered that, in turn, to an A2-sized card base.


    Supplies


  • Dimensional Butterfly Card | By Leigh Houston

    Dimensional Butterfly Card | By Leigh Houston

    Hello, friends! I’m so happy to be here today to share this dimensional butterfly card I made with Birch Press Designs’s Lovely Butterflies stamp set. This set is perfect if you’re a butterfly lover like me!

    I started this card with a panel of dark blue cardstock. I used white pigment ink to blend a halo in the center of the card where my butterfly would be. I then embossed my sentiment from the Lovely Butterflies set with white embossing powder and added white splatters to give the card a night sky look.

    I always keep my leftover negative die cuts from my Birch Press dies, so I chose some foliage and stars from the Avalon Layer A die. I colored the pieces with alcohol markers and accented them with layers of gouache on top.

    For my butterfly, I stamped the image on white 110# cardstock. I then used gouache paint to paint the butterfly’s wings. I decided I wanted to make the butterfly look like it is flying, so I stamped the image once again and colored it with markers matching the gouache paints I had selected (this was a time-saver over painting a second butterfly).

    To assemble my card, I adhered the marker-colored butterfly and my foliage onto my card base. I then folded my painted butterfly up the middle and adhered it to the bottom butterfly along the crease. This creates such a beautiful effect of the butterfly’s wings rising up from the card.

    I hope you enjoyed this project! Links to the products I used are below. Thank you for stopping by today, and I’ll see you again soon with another card project!


    Supplies


    8150 Lovely Butterflies clear stamp and die set
    CL8150 Lovely Butterflies clear stamp set
    57095 Avalon Frame Layer A
  • Stretching Dies! | by Jennifer Svare

    Stretching Dies! | by Jennifer Svare

    Hello! Today I am celebrating the birth of my beautiful niece, Ava Rose! In honor of her, I have made some festive cards using the Grandiose Bevel Plate Set and a banner using the Lumina Set. I love being able to come up with whatever word fits the occasion, and I used the dies from the Mod Alphabet Stamp and die set. Each letter in this set has two dies; one for the top layer, and one for the base. I used black for the base, with a color for the top.

    Notice in the above photo, there are two sizes of cards shown. The one on the left is a standard A2 size using the die set as it is. The cards on the right utilize the repeating pattern of the same die to make a larger card than the die! These cards are not quite as large as slimline cards, but very close and would fit in the slimline envelopes.

    To accomplish this, I needed to do some partial die cutting. I know that when I first heard of this technique, I was intimidated and it seemed complicated. Please try this! It’s easy, fast, and opens up so many possibilities to die cutting. Here are some photos of the process.

    Notice the top cutting plate does not cover the bottom of the die. To extend this die cut pattern, we don’t want the end to be cut out. Anything under the top cutting plate will cut, anything not under the top cutting plate will not cut. Here’s what we get below:

    Next, we need to just line up die. This is done by overlapping the pattern a little with the die, so the die can “click” into the cut piece, thus lining everything up perfectly for extending. If you don’t feel it “lock” into place, sometimes it is helpful to line it up from the back, as shown below.

    Next, place the top cutting plate over the die, but remember we don’t want the end of the die to cut our pattern so we partially cut once again, as shown below on the cutting plates.

    Here is the result:

    The finished piece measures 3.25 inches by 7.5 inches. To leave a small border around the design, I cut the card base slightly larger. Note: the dies, when stacked, have a bevel effect on one edge as shown in the “Yay!” card. I cut that bevel off with my trimmer (after gluing the layers together) so it did not have a bevel, as shown below:

    The banner was so much fun to make, and super easy! I used the Lumina Layer Set in various colors. Even though the die cuts a full 4.25 x 5.5 design, I simply used scraps over the part I wanted to cut, as shown below:

    Once the layers were cut and glued together, I glued that piece to a circle that closely matched the size of the design.

    The circle creates a base to be folded over twine or ribbon. This is a one-sided banner, but to make the pattern visible from both front and back, simply glue another design onto the back… or use a different full circle design from Birch Press Design and fold in half. I love dies that have so much versatility!

    I embellished each center with some Fairy Sugar glitter glue in matching colors, along with some heart-shaped sequins.

    Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope these projects inspire your next celebration!


    Supplies


    56102 Grandiose Bevel Plate Layer Set
    56097 Lumina Layer Set
    8139 Mod Alphabet clear stamp and die set
  • Sprayed Midnight Mandalas | by Tracey McNeely

    Sprayed Midnight Mandalas | by Tracey McNeely

    Hi there, it’s Tracey back again today. You’re getting a double dose of me this week. I am a big fan of adding colour to my projects with Distress Oxide Inks and today I have a special treat for you. I have five cards that were created with the Birch Press Design Midnight Mandala Stencil and Distress Oxide Spray Inks!

    I used only two colours and one stencil and no two cards are the same. The process can be a bit messy so I use a homemade spray box. It is a 12 x 12 x 5 1/2″ priority mail box that I use whenever I splatter, flick or spray ink or watercolours inside the house. NOTE: I NEVER spray anything toxic inside the house such as spray paints or adhesive

    The first two cards are very simple, I put a piece of white cardstock inside the box and laid the Midnight Mandala Stencil over top. The first card uses Picked Raspberry Distress Oxide Spray. The bottle was primed and just sprayed a few times over the stencil. Then I lifted the stencil to reveal to design on the white cardstock panel. The stencil got a quick wipe off with a baby wipe and then the process was repeated with Peacock Feather Distress Oxide Spray. I set the two panels aside to dry.

    For the next two cards I sprayed the entire background of the white cardstock panels with each colour of Distress Oxide Ink. One card was sprayed pink first and the other blue first. Once they were dry I laid the stencil over top of the coloured panel and then sprayed the other colour over top.

    The last card was a combination of both colours of Distress Oxide Spray Ink. The difference with this card is that I did not wait for the first colour to dry before spraying the second colour. I sprayed the pink at the top of the card front and the blue at the bottom. What ended up happening as they met in the middle was a beautiful shade of purple. TIP: Do a bit of trial and error with the colours you choose when wet colour mixing. You don’t want to end up with a muddied panel.

    All the panels were trimmed down to 5 1/4″ x 4″ and adhered to a white card base. The Honey Script Hello, Honey Script Thanks and Honey Script Hugs dies were used for the sentiments. All the shadows were cut from vellum and all the words were cut from white cardstock and glued together. They were attached to the card fronts with foam tape.

    This was a fun project to put together, really easy and I ended up with five unique cards.

    Thank you so much for stopping in today and I hope you are staying well. See you next time here at Birch Press Design.

    Supplies

    42031 Midnight Mandala Stencil

    57310 Hello Honey Script

    57302 Thanks Honey Script

    57300 Hugs Honey Script