Category: Craft Dies

  • Wishing You the Very Best | By Laurie Schmidlin

    Wishing You the Very Best | By Laurie Schmidlin

     

    Happy Friday friends!

    I know I’ve mentioned it here before, but I adore all things hearts and flowers!  The latest Birch Press Design release is brimming with beautiful hearts, sentiments, and even sequins!  All of these items are perfect for Valentine’s Day, the upcoming wedding season, and just everyday cards!

    I wanted to create a card that could be used for many different occasions.  I started by gathering my supplies.  The main focal image is the beautifully detailed heart.  I used both the Fiori Heart Layer A and Layer C.  I wanted the lovely stitching detail on the Layer C to show, so I used that as my top layer.  I die cut the Layer A out of black cardstock and adhered it underneath the white Layer C die cut.  I like that there are just a few black bits showing through.

    I adhered it to the card using dimensional foam.  You can see int he supplies photo that I added a large piece of foam where I planned on placing the flowers.  I added smaller pieces in other places so that they wouldn’t show through the open parts of the heart.

    For the sentiment, I stamped and die cut the “Wishing” sentiment (from the Wishing You the Best stamp set and coordinating Wishing You the Best die set) and then popped it up using dimensional foam.  For the rest of the sentiment, I stamped it on a small strip of cardstock and then trimmed the ends to look like a banner.

    For the flowers, I stamped the large and smaller bold flowers from the Time to Celebrate stamp set.  I die cut them out using the coordinating Time to Celebrate die set and arranged them on the left side of the heart.  I tucked in some stamped and die cut greenery sprigs for a little added color.

    For embellishment, I tied on some Baker’s Twine and adhered some sequins (from the Pretty in Pink sequin collection).

    Do you love the Fiori Cover Plate?  Great News.. we’re having a one day sale…

    FLASH SALE
    Use coupon code SWEETHEART for 25% off the Fiori Heart Layer Set!
    This one day special event ends at midnight February 2, 2018 Pacific Time.

    Thanks so much for joining me here today!

     

     

    Supplies

     

    57107 Fiori Heart Layer A
    57109 Fiori Heart Layer C
    CL8127 Wishing You the Best clear stamp set
    58127 Wishing You the Best die set
    CL8119 Time to Celebrate clear stamp set
    58119 Time to Celebrate die set
    Pretty In Pink Sequins
  • You Make My Heart Flutter | by Tracey McNeely

    You Make My Heart Flutter | by Tracey McNeely


    Welcome to another Tuesday inspiration post. Have you had a chance to have a look at the fabulous new release at Birch Press Design for Valentines? Today I have a video tutorial for you to share how I made my You Make My Heart Flutter card using some of the new products and demonstrating another way to stretch your dies to make something different.

    I used the new stackable Fiori Heart Layer C for my design. I am in love the the gorgeous stitching. In the following video I demonstrate how to reproduce my card starting off by creating a watercolour panel that I used to cut the heart out from. The heart was adhered to rainbow stripe pattern paper.

    The sentiment was stamped with the new Sending Love clear stamps and co-ordinating dies. Stamped  with VersaMark onto black cardstock and embossed in white makes is very dramatic on the soft pastel pink heart.

    A few different sized, pink sequins from Poppystamps were added to finish off the card.


    Another look at the card.

    I hope I’ve inspired you to try something different with your stackable dies, Playing with different colouring mediums gives the dies a new look every time. Be sure to check back in new Tuesday for another Birch Press Design tutorial.

    Supplies

     

    57109 Fiori Heart Layer C
    CL8126 Sending Love clear stamp set
    58126 Sending Love die set
  • Handmade Hugs | By Laurie Schmidlin

    Handmade Hugs | By Laurie Schmidlin

    Hi there!  One of my favorite holidays to create for is Valentine’s Day.  A day set aside specifically to show those we care about just how special they are is something to celebrate!  So it is no surprise how much I love hearts, uplifting sentiments, and cheerful colors!  You can find all of these (and more) in the New Arrivals section in the Birch Press Design store!  The great thing about these products is that they can be used all year long, because letting others know you care is always in season!

    To create my card, I started with a white card base, a piece of patterned paper, two die cut panels using the Cherish Plate B and Cherish Plate C, stamped and die cut sentiment, and some sequins.

    I adhered all the paper layers together so that the patterned paper was layered beneath the Cherish Plate layers.  I glued on a few sequins (from the Pretty In Pink sequins mix) onto several of the hearts.

    When using a lot of white in a design, adding a contrasting dark colored element can really draw your eye to the focal image, like I did with the sentiment.  Normally, the “Handmade Hugs” strip would get lost among all of the white and business of the background pattern.  To avoid this, I embossed the “Sending” sentiment (from the new Sending Love stamp set) in white onto black cardstock.  I die cut it out using the coordinating Sending Love Die Set and popped it up sing dimensional foam.

     

     

    Before I go, did you see that there is a Flash Sale going on today?

     

    FLASH SALE
    Use coupon code MYHEART for 25% off the Cherish Plate Layer Set!
    This one day special event ends at midnight January 26, 2018 Pacific Time.

     

    Thanks so much for joining me here today!

     

     

     

     

    Supplies

     

    Pretty In Pink Sequins
    57111 Cherish Plate Layer B
    57112 Cherish Plate Layer C
    CL8126 Sending Love clear stamp set
    58126 Sending Love die set
  • Glittering Hearts | by Jeanne Jachna

    Glittering Hearts | by Jeanne Jachna


    Hi and thanks for stopping by!  Valentine’s Day is just around the corner!  If you’re a card maker, like me, you’re thinking about what to make to send to loved ones.    I like traditional red and pinks, but for friends I prefer colorful, playful projects.  My card today reminds me of candy conversation hearts that we shared as children.
    The new CHERISH plate dies are gorgeous!  There is a new stackable set of three in the store.  I love the stitched design on the CHERISH PLATE LAYER B, and didn’t want to cover it up!  This glitter inlay is a fun and quick technique!

    First cut the CHERISH PLATE LAYER B from white card stock.  Next cut a sheet of double sided adhesive slightly smaller than your A2 (4.25 x 5.5″) card base.  Remove one side of the protective film and adhere the adhesive to the card base.   Next remove the second protective film from the adhesive and adhere the die cut cover plate to the card base.   The area inside each die cut heart will be sticky.

    Next sprinkle your favorite color glitter inside each sticky heart.   Rub your finger over the glitter to press it into the adhesive.  I used some sheets of clear plastic to cover the surrounding hearts to prevent the glitter from going where I didn’t want it.  If you’re a beginner you might want to start with just a few colors of glitter.   Clean up is easy if you use a microfiber cloth.

    Isn’t this beautiful?  Of course I wanted it to be the center of attention when I was done so I kept the sentiment clean and simple.

    I stamped a sentiment from the new SENDING LOVE clear stamp set on a white piece of paper and adhered it over a die cut gold glitter STITCHED HEART die cut.

    The gold heart is adhered with adhesive foam tape to add dimension.  Because the heart is larger, and in a different color than the background hearts it doesn’t get lost in the background.

    This card was fun and easy to make!  I hope you’ll give it a try!  The sparkly glitter is sure to wow!  It’s total eye candy!

     

    Supplies

     

    57111 Cherish Plate Layer B
    57106 Stitched Heart Set
    CL8126 Sending Love clear stamp set
  • Hanging Heart Valentine’s Day Card | by Jennifer Svare

    Hanging Heart Valentine’s Day Card | by Jennifer Svare

    Hello!  Today I’ve got a video to share how I made this hanging heart Valentine’s Day card.

    One of the sentiments from the Sending Love clear stamp set says, “You make my heart flutter,” and I thought that was perfect for a hanging heart card. Small pieces of negative spaces from the Caprice heart were glued to form hearts around the sentiment.

    The largest die from the brand new Stitched Heart Set made the perfect cut-out for the Caprice Heart to hang from, and I love how the stitching added such a delicate, finished look to the window.

    The layers were made using a gold, vintage gold, and a shimmer sheet for the mother-of-pearl look that changes color in the light as it hangs. Two Caprice hearts were made, glued onto a shimmery pink base, and then glued back-to-back so it looks dimensional from both sides.

    Technically, this is called a “Four Fold Card.”  The design has been around for years, and I love how it functions as a stable table decoration that folds nicely into an envelope for mailing. This measures 5″ x 5″, but could have easily been made into an A2 size.

    Have a great day and thank you for stopping by!  Check out the video below, and I can’t wait to see you again soon.  🙂

    Supplies

     

    57106 Stitched Heart Set
    57058 Caprice Heart Layer A
    57059 Caprice Heart Layer B
    57060 Caprice Heart Layer C
    CL8126 Sending Love clear stamp set
  • Stackable Die Cut Hearts | by Tracey McNeely

    Stackable Die Cut Hearts | by Tracey McNeely

    Happy New Year! Today we shift away from cards for Christmas and right into cards for sweethearts! Tracey here today to share a fun way to maximize your use of your Stackable Craft Dies. We usually use our Stackable Dies to cut full panels and adhere then to our card base. For this tutorial I am using the die cut pieces and not the full panel cuts to make three unique cards. I used Distress Oxide inks to add colour to three 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ white Bristol Smooth panels and with those pieces I was able to cut one with each of the three Amour Stackable dies. I prepared a video for you today showing you how I applied the ink first, flicked clean water on to each panel and absorbed the excess with paper towel. Then I cut the panels and used those pieces to create three cards.

    Each die produced different sizes hearts. I separated the hearts into piles–small, medium and large. I use the same design for each card but chose different coloured hearts for each. I even had enough hearts left over that I could still create a few more cards. I put them into a small resealable bag so they are handy when I am ready to use them.
    I used a sentiments from the Love and Miss You clear stamp set.

    I added a tiny piece of foam tape behind the tiniest heart on all three cards.

    I adhered the panels to a top folding card base using more foam tape. Here is a close up of the hearts.

    With hearts you can make cards for so many occasions all year long.

    I hope that I inspired you to make something from the heart today. Come back next Tuesday for more creative inspiration.

    Supplies

     

    57042 Amour Layer A
    57043 Amour Layer B
    57044 Amour Layer C
    58123 Love and Miss You die set
  • Winter Thanks | by Jeanne Jachna

    Winter Thanks | by Jeanne Jachna


    I hope you’re having a great day!  I’m sharing a winter thanks card because I’m thinking you’ve been very nice and will receive lots of nice things this holiday season!

    I trimmed a piece of Bubblegum Gingham card stock , and a piece of craft foam to fit the cover of my A2 size card.  Next I cut both panels with the Glitz Snowflake Layer C.  Next I stamped a Thank You Sentiment from the Just Because stamp set on the gingham panel and added a clear piece of acetate to the back of the gingham panel.

    I trimmed the outside edges of the foam panel to make it a bit smaller than my card base so it doesn’t peek out from under the gingham panel.  I added sequins from the My Valentine tin (you need to check all the wonderful varieties in the store!).    I adhered the Glitz Snowflake layers A, B and C inside the die cut window.  Remember the acetate backing keeps everything neatly inside.  Next adhere the gingham panel over the foam panel.

    It’s easy to change the look of this card by switching out the colors.  I chose pink for a soft feminine look but I think this would look great in just about any color  The fancy layered die cut steals the show and makes this look rich and expensive.

    Switching up the sentiment for a winter birthday or “just because” is easy too.  There are several sentiment stamp sets with this beautiful font script available in the store.

    Imagine the different color combinations you could make with this stunning die set!

    Wishing you all the best this holiday season and always!

    Supplies

     

    57087 Glitz Snowflake Layer A
    57088 Glitz Snowflake Layer B
    57089 Glitz Snowflake Layer C
    CL8124 Just Because clear stamp set
    Bublegum Gingham
    My Valentine sequins
  • House Warming Gift Tag | by Jennifer Svare

    House Warming Gift Tag | by Jennifer Svare

    Hello!

    The holidays are a great time to celebrate a new home by giving housewarming gifts to friends and even new neighbors that haven’t been welcomed yet!  These would even make a great gift for real estate agents, as they give a lot of housewarming gifts throughout the year.

    The Home Sweet Home die by Birchpress Design makes the perfect housewarming gift tag or card.  The versatility of this die is well thought-out, and it allows all the elements to be customized to any colors or patterns such as the gingham I used for the curtains.  I also love the embossing on the roof and door.

    The beautiful Sage Metallic Ribbon was used to tie the tag onto a pottery gift, but this would be great on a gift bag too. If making this into a card, the size perfectly fits a gift card.  The pool gingham and sage ribbon were not a perfect match by themselves, but when attached to the pottery gift with both colors it was a perfect match.

    Extra window inserts were cut to make flower boxes for the windows, filled with Nuvo Crystal Drop flowers and greenery.

    The Pool Gingham Paper was used for the window curtains, and added an extra homey feel to the tag!

    On the backside of the tag (or inside of the card), the Hooray for Everything stamp set shared the perfect sentiment for this housewarming gift.

    Check out the video for more information and details!


    Supplies

     

    57091 Home Sweet Home
    CL8125 Hooray for Everything clear stamp set
    Pool Gingham
    Sage Metallic Ribbon
  • Inlaid Holiday Cards | by Tracey McNeely

    Inlaid Holiday Cards | by Tracey McNeely


    It is always exciting when we find ways to stretch the use of our products. Birch Press Design craft dies make beautiful cards with just one die and if you add the other layers to it your results are even more fabulous! Now if you add the inlay technique to your design it kicks it up even another notch and your results are extraordinary.

    Today I am going to show you how you can use the fabulous Shimmer Snowflake Stackable frames to create two one layer cards by using the inverse die cuts to create the second card. All the pieces that are die cut are used up between the two cards.

    For my cards I chose to use the Shimmer Snowflake Stackable frame B. A good mid-range size of snowflake. I cut one from red cardstock and one from silver shimmer cardstock keeping both the positive and negative pieces together from the inlaid technique.

    I like to use spray adhesive when I am doing an inlaid die cut technique. I lightly spray the card base, then adhere the frame and then inlay the pieces from the alternate colour one card at time. It takes some time to inlay the pieces into the frame but the process is relaxing and the results are stunning! The amazing stitching detail from the die is accentuated even more with the shimmery paper and the inlaid pieces.

    The second card came together much quicker than the first. Both cards are the same but look so different.

    You could use this die is so many different colour combinations . You could even use the other layers if you wanted to add dimension.
    I hope I inspired you to give this technique a try. Hope to see you again next week here on the Birch Press Design blog.

  • Serene Holiday Cards By Laurie Schmidlin

    Serene Holiday Cards By Laurie Schmidlin

     

     

    Hi there!  It’s hard to believe that November is almost over!  I try my best to have all of my Holiday cards finished by the first week of December.  I like the idea of mass producing cards but usually end up with four or five designs to keep things interesting.  🙂

     

    Today, I’m sharing one of those card designs with you.  The great thing about this card is that it is easy to personalize them by just switching up the accent color!

     

     

    When I first saw the Simple Church die I thought of the couple of Christmas holidays that we spent in Europe with our extended family.  I wanted to create a card to send to send to them that embodied the peaceful holidays that we spent together.

     

     

    I started by die cutting three layers (two white and one metallic) using the Shimmer Snowflake Frame Layer die set.  I alternated between a metallic gold and metallic silver accent color.  This design would also work well with other colors, such as red or blue.

     

     

    I then die cut the church using mostly white cardstock with just a few metallic accents.  This die set comes wired together and can easily be separated if you wish.  I found it handy to keep them together, but that is just a personal preference.

     

     

    I purposefully did not add a sentiment to the outside of my card.  I just really liked the simplicity of the mostly white design and thought that the sentiment could easily be added to the inside.

     

     

    My favorite thing about this particular die set is the incredible details!  There are separate cut lines for the window outlines so that you can add an accent color if you wish.  I also really love the detail on the roof pieces!

     

     

    I’m so glad that you joined me here today!
    ~Laurie

     

     

    Supplies