Category: Craft Dies

Textured Background Layer Ideas | by Jennifer Svare

Hello! Today I wanted to share some ideas for creating simple background textures for the brand new heart layering sets. Here are some ideas!

Adding a watercolored a background for the layers is a fun, versatile way to create interest, and also tie all the colors of the card together.

Embossing folders with simple designs can create stunning backgrounds that don’t draw too much attention from the focal image. Layering sheets of cardstock, then ripping the papers to create the layers offers endless possibilities of colors. Combined with the watercoloring the heart background, the card is tailor-made to any color combinations imaginable! I made sure to leave the perfect amount of room for the Handwritten Hello sentiment. The script was cut from a shade lighter than the teal, so it would add extra brightness to the letters. Two layers of the script were glued together for extra dimension.

For the red and pink card, I did the exact same process, but left the top layer empty of the watercolor background. I thought the Just a Note was perfect to match the scripty background, but this would also work perfect with the Handwritten Love You for a Valentine’s Day card.

The Flora Heart (above) is so beautiful! I cut all layers from the watercolor paper to match the background and ripped all four sides, framed it with a layer of pink, added the same pink to be the background for the heart, and all went onto a white card base. This would make a great gift set with a rainbow of colors!

I wanted to share a little sneak peek of a project I’ll be sharing soon, because it also shows the watercolored background, but in very vibrant colors. (If you love this heart, you will have so much fun with the surprise this card holds, so check back soon!)

Do you have ideas for simple textures you’d like to share in the comments below? We’d love to hear!

Products used: Flora Heart Layering Set, Folk Art Heart Layering Set, Handwritten Hello and Outline, Handwritten Just a Note and Outline

January 19, 2020
Hello Crafty Friend | by Tracey McNeely

Hi there it’s Tracey here today with a card and video using the Dazzle Bevel Layer Set and the Mini Dazzle Bevel Layer Set!

To begin with I ink blended a rainbow background using Distress Oxide inks in Pink Raspberry, Spiced Marmalade, Wild Honey, Mowed Lawn and Peacock Feather. I cut all the layers from the Dazzle Bevel Layer Set from white and glued the layers together to create two panels–one for the top and one for the bottom.

I created a two line sentiment with the Hello Topper die and the Just Because stamp set. I lightly marked with a pencil where I wanted to emboss my sentiment and then embossed it in white. I ink blending a small panel with Spiced Marmalade and Wild Honey and then cut the word hello to place over the white word topper.

Thank so much for joining me today and I hope I’ve inspired you to make a colourful background to make your layered dies really pop!

Supplies

56106 Dazzle Bevel Plate Layer Set

56105 Mini Dazzle Bevel Plate Layer Set

57313 Helllo Topper

CL8124 Just Because clear stamp set

January 15, 2020
Stargazer Holiday Quilt
by Jennifer Svare

Hello! Today I’ll share a really fun idea to create simple greeting cards using patterned holiday papers along with the Stargazer Layer A die.

I started out by cutting the Stargazer die a few times out of holiday papers from the Memory Box Dashing Holiday 6 x 6 paper pad. I loved using paper pads for projects like this, because the colors and patterns share the same feel and coordinate beautifully together. Makes it so easy!

Several unique cards can be made with just a few simple die cuts, because it’s all about piecing the cuts together… quilting with paper! These are holiday themed, but any theme would work with this inlaying technique.

The pieces cut from the die are simply glued into frame or outline the die creates, which is called inlaying or paper piecing. So many dies would work well with this, but I absolutely love the Stargazer’s versatility with the different looks the colors and patterns can create. I especially love the frames cut out of patterned paper, as shown below in a striped pattern.

Simply glue the frame onto a card base, and start inlaying the negative pieces and shapes from other cuts! It’s truly simple, relaxing, and fun. I matted kraft card stock against another piece of patterned paper to make a colorful frame and was done!

These would make a great set of cards to give as a gift, too… Thanks so much for stopping by today ~ I hope you have a wonderful day!

Supplies

57208 Stargazer Layer A
PP1001 Dashing Holiday 6×6 pack

December 4, 2019
Nobilia Ornament, 25 Days of Christmas Tags & Giveaway

Hello, it’s Tracey here this morning! I am excited to share a card and a tag using the brand new Nobila Layering craft dies.

The Nobila Layering die set has three layers and cuts 5 different sections that layered together create a gorgeous ornament, card front.

I cut Layer A from white sparkle cardstock, Layer B from green cardstock and Layer C from red cardstock. The die panel is 4″ x 5 1/4″ and to easily centre my card front I used a little trick. I took the outer panel that I cut the bottom layer, Layer C from and temporarily adhered it to my card base. I did this so I could inlay the bottom pieces using the panel as a grid.

Once the pieces were glued into place I removed the outter panel leaving the design perfectly centred.

Once that was set I glued on the remaining layers. The dimension is just stunning. To finish the card off I die cut the Merry Honey Script die in red and the shadow in white. Then I stamped the word Christmas from the Joy and Peace stamp set. Both sentiments were added with foam tape.

I cut another set of the three colours from the Nobila Layering set but just for the ornament in the centre that I used today to make a tag. I also cut the largest ornament from the Classic Ornament craft die set for the background out of the white sparkle cardstock. The layers were glued together and adorned with ribbon and jingle bells!

GIVEAWAY ALERT!!
We are all celebrating the new release at Birch Press Design, and they are giving away a layer from the Nobilia Ornament Layering Die Set that I am using today.

Here is how you can get your chance to win! Just comment on this blog post and on December 1st the winner will be announced!

Now of course there is a second chance for you and even your friend to win!

Just follow Birch Press Design on Instagram @birchpressdesign make sure you like this Instagram post and make sure you tag a friend!. Only one comment will be selected and you and your friend will both receive on these dies.

You must comment by 12 midnight US standard eastern time November 30! Good Luck!

I am also excited to let you know that Birch Press Design is a sponsor today for the 25 Days of Christmas tags over on my blog In My Creative Opinion. Head over there for you chance to win another prize being offered by Birch Press Design.

Edited! And the Winner is

Karen Letchworth

November 25, 2019

I’ve been playing along in (and thoroughly enjoying) the 25 Days of Christmas Tags event, and I am SMITTEN today with Birch Press Design as the sponsor. Your beautiful layered dies were showcased so magnificently today by everyone (your Design Team and Tracey’s) and I am over the moon in love with your amazing, unique (dies) products. I just became your newest Follower on Instagram and I tagged a talented crafty friend. Blessings to you all at Birch Press Design for your generous support of the crafting community and for sponsoring this FUN event.
Karen Letchworth
www.karen-mycuprunnethover.blogspotl.com

Supplies

56112 Nobilia Ornament Plate Layer Set

57307 Merry Honey Script

CL8131 Joy and Peace clear stamp set

57033 Classic Ornament Set

November 25, 2019
White on White Layering with Sparkle
by Jennifer Svare

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! White-on-white with glitter paper adds a gorgeous sparkle and elegance to any layering set for holiday greetings. Today, I’ve used the Wave Plate Layer Set as snow flurries, along with the beautiful Shimmer Snowflake Frames.

I love the look of snowflakes and barn wood together. It is such a simple-yet-elegant look, and reminds me of cottage/farm house style. Such a fun, easy card to make, and would be a great design for mass producing holiday cards.

I simply cut Layer A out of pixie dust shimmer card stock, and Layer B out of white. This also creates a white frame, so I cut Layer A out of the same barn wood background, and cut the snowflakes off so it would just be the frame to glue over top. I saved one of the snowflakes for the inside.

For the next card, I used the same technique using the top two layers of the Waves set, but this time I die cut both layers out of pixie dust shimmer card stock. The layer below is almost a holographic red vinyl which creates a different look against the two layers. The glimmer card stocks don’t release glitter on the recipient, which I also like.

I love dressing up the insides to match the outside and black, shimmery “Ho, Ho, Ho” using the Lingo Alphabet letters was fun and fitting for the whimsical snow flurries of the card front. I’ll be including a gift card inside this card. Another fun sentiment would have been, “Let it Snow!”

I hope this post has inspired you to keep things simple and let the gorgeous dies from Birch Press Design do all the work for you this holiday season! Let the holidays begin!

Supplies

57231 Lingo Alphabet
56064 Shimmer Snowflake Frame Layer Set
Wave Plate Layer Set

October 28, 2019
One Rainbow Two Cards | by Tracey McNeely

Welcome back for another day of inspiration at Birch Press Design. I don’t know about you but I sometimes find making an inlaid card design to be very relaxing. Today’s projects are two very pretty rainbow cards made with only one die.

For both cards I used the Lumina Layer A die. For the first card I cut one Lumina Layer A from 110# white cardstock. The die cuts in two pieces, the outer layer and the inner circle. The two pieces where adhered to my white card base with liquid adhesive.

I ink blended another 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ panel with a rainbow of Distress Oxide ink to make a rainbow of pink, orange, yellow, green and blue.

Once this panel was dry I die cut in once again with the Lumina Layer A die. I used the little pieces for my inlay and set the inverse die aside for my second card. When I inlay into a die cut I try to leave my pieces on the tray of my die cut plate to make it easier to see what goes where. Sometimes a few of the pieces fall out but that is still easier than trying to match up every piece from a pile of cuts! My die cut machine is a Gemini Jr, so the cut is facing up. A piece of 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ cardstock is placed over the back of the die and I flipped it over so I could see the coloured pieces.

I finished it off with the Big Hello Sugar Script die. One piece at a time I inlaid it into the white Lumina cut on my card base.

For the second card I used the inverse pieces of the rainbow die cut and simply glued them to a white card base and added my sentiment ‘Way to Go Friend’ using the Best Friends Stamp set and the Big Friends Sugar Script die.

It’s always fun to get more out of your crafty supplies and especially fun when you can create two cards with one die.

Thanks for stopping in today and I hope I’ve inspired you to make something beautiful today.

Supplies

57247 Lumina Layer A

57201 Big Hello Sugar Script

57177 Big Friend Sugar Script

CL8132 Best Friend clear stamp set

October 23, 2019
Layered Dies 3 Ways | by Justine Hovey

In today’s video we are going to explore using a die set 3 different ways. I think it’s so important to use our supplies in the most ways possible to ensure that the price we paid is worth it! So in today’s video tutorial we will be exploring how these dies are put together, inlaid die cutting and how to create a collage or spirograph which is a new technique I tried out.

Above, you can see how the die was intended to be used. Layered on top of one another to create a beautiful Lotus. I just adore this die and it’s fine details. In order to glue this, I used a pen glue tip since it was quite thin.

For the next card, I cut out a bunch of Layer A lotuses in various shades. I used the frames on the card below and some of the inner pieces above. I love when I can use up those scraps. I simply fit the little pieces into a white frame.

Lastly, I cut out 9 of the Lotus A dies in three different colours that combine so nicely together. I thought of the clock here, as explained thoroughly in the video, and arranged them to look like a spirograph. It is such an interesting background!

Supplies

56100 Lotus Flower Layer Set
57258 Lotus Flower Layer A

October 18, 2019
Nobilia Ornament Window Card
by Jennifer Svare

Hello! Exciting news today! Brand new holiday dies have arrived, and I could not wait to make a window card with the Nobilia Ornament Plate Layer Set. So much fun!

For my first example, I used white for the very top layer, followed by silver, teal to match the base of the card, and finally a darker teal glitter card stock for the backing. I followed the same pattern of layers for the ornament. The ornament can be inlaid into the center for the front, but I chose to put it into the inside of the window for today’s card. This way, the ornament shows when the card is both opened and closed.

Along with the ornament, the sentiment says “Sending our love” from the Sending Love clear stamp set.

A small cap was added to the top of the ornament using a piece of silver card stock.

For the second example, I used a holographic card stock for my silver layer, and I love the look this created. Layering dies are so much fun, and this particular die set has so many options with the removable panels and ornament!

Check out the video below to see both of these cards, along with instructions on how to create the window effect using these dies. Thank you for stopping by today!

Supplies

CL8126 Sending Love clear stamp set

October 14, 2019
Turkey with Gratitude | by Tracey McNeely

Today I have a fun Thanksgiving card and video to share with you. It is Thanksgiving this coming weekend here in Canada and I have used the Regal Peacock Layers dies to make a turkey. A wild turkey in fact!

The four layers of the Regal Peacock Layers die set can create the most beautiful tail feathers and when I created the tail using browns and blacks the result was definitely the colour of wild turkeys!

I used black for layer A which will sit as the bottom layer. Then Layer D was cut with a dark brown cardstock, Layer C a lighter brown cardstock the top layer A with gold sparkle cardstock. The combination is so rich and vibrant! The following is a video of my process turning the peacock into a turkey!

I created three tails to make one big turkey tail.

My turkey is bending down to much on the acorns and seeds on the grass, sorry that you only see the back of his head–lol! The grass was ink blended using two shades of Distress Oxide greens!

The results from these dies create so much gorgeous texture and with a bit of thought the colour combinations can be endless! One more look…

Thank you so much for stopping by today and wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving from Canada. Be sure to stop back in on Wednesday for more Birch Press Inspiration!

Supplies

57253 Regal Peacock Layer A

57254 Regal Peacock Layer B

57255 Regal Peacock Layer C

57256 Regal Peacock Layer D

Mandala Circle Base

CL8147 Grateful Leaf Frames clear stamp set

October 9, 2019
Inlay Lotus | by Tracey McNeely

Hi there it’s Tracey here today and I am going to share with you a wonderful die for inlaying die cuts, the Lotus Flower Layering set which also happens to be on sale in the Birch Press Design store!

I used just Layer A to achieve all this dimension. I started with a card base for a 4 1/4″ square card. I cut an inside panel to 4″ square and then I die cut the Lotus Flower Layer A die from it and I set all the pieces aside for now. I attached the 4″ panel to the card base. I cut the Lotus Flower Layer A once more using white sparkle cardstock and set those pieces aside. I inlaid the white outlined flower into the circle on the card panel. Once I had that set in I inlaid the top and bottom piece of the die that was cut with the white sparkle cardstock. Once those pieces were snugly in place I knew the rest of my inlaid pieces would fit in.

I use some Spun Sugar and Worn Lipstick Distress Oxide inks to blend the petals of the flower. I sponged the whole petal with the lighter shade and used the darker pink down closer to the centre of the flower. I used liquid glue and I inlaid the remaining pieces of the flower. I chose a sentiment from the Grateful Leaf Frames clear stamp set and stamped it on the the front panel with VersaFine Onyx Black ink.

I added a few clear sequins to add just a bit more sparkle to the card. For a final touch, I put some white dots on the tips of the flower petals with a white gel pen.

Inlaying die cuts is such a fun technique and once you get going on it’s so fun and the results are always gorgeous. Honestly the pictures do not do it justice!

I hope that I inspired you to give inlaid die cutting a try if you haven’t already. The results are always amazing and your card much more ‘mail friendly’ without the extra bulk of layers!

Supplies

57258 Lotus Flower Layer A

57259 Lotus Flower Layer B

57260 Lotus Flower Layer C

CL8147 Grateful Leaf Frames clear stamp set

September 23, 2019