Category: Crystal Komara

  • Black & White Valentine’s Day Cards | by Crystal Komara

    Black & White Valentine’s Day Cards | by Crystal Komara

    Hello readers and happy Monday! This is Crystal here with you today. I hope you all found a little time to do something crafty over the weekend. Today I am sharing two simple and classic black and white themed Valentine’s Day cards using Layer A of the beautiful Kinsley Heart Layering Plates.

    Both of these cards were created the same way, I just alternated the background colors, so they look slightly different. Here is the first card I created:

    And here is the second card I created using the same products, just alternating the background cardstock layers:

    Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how I created these cards:

    Step 1: Die cut the Kinsley Heart Layering Plate A once in black cardstock and once in white cardstock.

    Step 2: Layer the white die cut Kinsley Heart background over a piece of black A2 sized cardstock.

    Step 3: Layer the black die cut Kinsley Heart background over a piece of white A2 sized cardstock.

    Step 4: Cut out two large hearts from red glitter cardstock.

    Step 5: Cut out the sentiments using the Big Hugs Sugar Script dies and the Handwritten Love You Outline dies from black cardstock and white cardstock. Adhere the two layers of the word dies together with a thin liquid adhesive.

    Pop up the large red glitter hearts using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension and then add your sentiments and you have two classic and elegant Valentine’s Day cards!

    Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    57402 Kinsley Heart Plate Layer Set

    Big Hugs Sugar Script

    57335 Handwritten Love You and Outline

    GP1005 Holiday Glitter Pad

  • Ombre Kinsley Heart || by Crystal Komara

    Ombre Kinsley Heart || by Crystal Komara

    Hello crafty friends! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing a beautiful Valentine’s Day card featuring the latest new release products from Birch Press Design. The focal point of this pink ombre card is the ink blended background peeking through the Kinsley Heart Layering Plate.

    On a 5 1/4″ x 4 1/4″ piece of Bristol smooth cardstock I ink blended Distress Oxide inks in the colors Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick and Candied Apple. I began with the lightest color (Spun Sugar) at the top of the cardstock and the richest color (Candied Apple) at the bottom.

    Using 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Crest cardstock, I die cut the top layer (Layer A) from the Kinsley Heart Plate.

    I placed this intricate heart layer directly over the ombre background adhering it with LineCo ph neutral bookbinding glue (my go-to liquid adhesive).

    Using the Lingo Thanks stamp set, I stamped the word “love” in Versamark ink on ballet pink cardstock and heat embossed it with white embossing powder. I used the coordinating Lingo Thanks die set to cut it out. I also stamped the sentiment “you’re in my heart” in Versamark ink on fuschia pink cardstock and heat embossed it with white embossing powder as well. I die cut one large white heart to serve as the center focal point of the card. I adhered the sentiments to the lower right corner of the heart using 3M foam adhesive. Lastly, I added a few iridescent sequins with glue dots to the card for added dimension and sparkle.

    I hope you will enjoy these beautiful new products from Birch Press Design! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    58143 Lingo Thanks die set

    CL8143 Lingo Thanks

    57402 Kinsley Heart Plate Layer Set

  • Snowflake Poinsetta | by Crystal Komara

    Snowflake Poinsetta | by Crystal Komara

    Hello readers! This is Crystal here with you today sharing a unique way to turn the Pinpoint Snowflake die into a poinsettia or similar Christmas flower.

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from Cherry Red cardstock. I used a scalloped frame die to create the white scalloped background to allow the vibrant red Pinpoint Snowflake Poinsettia to POP!

    Here is a step-by-step instructional video showing how to use the Pinpoint Snowflake die to create this card:

    I hope you have enjoyed seeing a more non-traditional way to use this die while learning another way to get more use from your Birch Press Design products. Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful holiday season!

  • Nativity Star Trees | by Crystal Komara

    Nativity Star Trees | by Crystal Komara

    Hello readers and happy Friday! I hope you have fun things planned for the weekend ahead. This is Crystal here with you today sharing a whole new way to use the beautiful String Art Nativity Star die! I have used select pieces of this background die and fussy cut it to create some very stylish triangular Christmas trees! Please continue to the end of today’s post for a video showing I made these trees.

    This slimline card measures 8 1/2″ x 3 1/2″. Slimline cards are designed to fit inside a regular #10 business sized envelope and require no additional postage. The base of this slimline card was made from 80 lb. cherry red cardstock.

    Here is a step-by-step YouTube video showing how I created this card:

    I hope you have enjoyed seeing another creative way to use the beautiful Birch Press Design products. Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

  • Merry Christmas Ornaments | by Crystal Komara

    Merry Christmas Ornaments | by Crystal Komara

    Hello readers and happy Tuesday! This is Crystal here with you today sharing two very traditional Christmas cards using the Marisol Ornament Layering dies and the Twinkle Ornament Layering dies. I couldn’t be more excited with how elegant and sparkly these cards turned out using Evergreen and Cherry cardstock colors with lots of gold glitter paper. If you like a traditional holiday look, then these cards are sure to tickle your fancy!

    The base of each A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. Using the Pinpoint Radial Layering plate, I die cut the first layer from white cardstock. This paper pierced die provided a subtle background to allow the ornaments to “pop!”

    There was no rhyme or reason to my die cutting madness. I simply die cut each layer of the ornaments (Twinkle A, B and C and Marisol A, B and C) from Cherry, Evergreen and gold glitter cardstock and then I began adhering the layers together. When I was all done, I had four completed ornaments, or enough for two cards.

    Once all the pieces are die cut, I use LineCo ph Neutral bookbinding glue to adhere the three (or sometimes four layers) together. You will find that a regular Tombow adhesive runner does not work well at adhering glitter cardstock, so try a liquid glue instead.

    On a side note, these ornaments would look just as lovely if I had tied a gold ribbon to the top of each one and used them as paper Christmas tree ornaments!

    I hope you have enjoyed these beautiful Christmas cards and are well on your way to creating all of yours!

    Supplies

    57314 Ornament Basics

    56114 Marisol Ornament Layer Set

    56116 Twinkle Ornament Layer Set

  • Christmas Roundabout Wreaths | by Crystal Komara

    Christmas Roundabout Wreaths | by Crystal Komara

    Hello crafty readers! This is Crystal here with you today sharing two holiday cards made using the Roundabout Layer Set. When I first received this beautiful 3-piece layering die set, my first thought was “I see wreaths!” And then that was ALL I could see! So wreaths it is. . . I kept a more traditional color combination of green and red for the wreaths and berries and added elegance with a gold foil background on one and a top layer of gold glitter cardstock on the other wreath.

    For this first A2 sized card, I used a garden green cardstock for the base. I die cut a scalloped rectangle from 80 lb. Neenah Solar Smooth white cardstock for the first mat.

    Using the Roundabout Die set, I die cut Layer C (the bottom layer) from a cactus green cardstock. Layer B was cut from a garden green cardstock and Layer A (the top layer) was cut from gold glitter cardstock. I adhered all three layers together using LineCo ph bookbinding glue. This is my go-to liquid adhesive. Using an off brand circle punch, I punched out red berries from red glitter cardstock and grouped them in clusters of three. I also added red rhinestones to the top of the berry clusters for added sparkle. Lastly, I tied a small white bow from cotton ribbon and adhered it to the bottom of the wreath using glue dots.

    For this second card, I used 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock as the base. I cut a 5″ x 3/4″ piece of gold foil paper that I ran through my Big Shot machine using a distressed embossing folder to give it some texture.

    Using the same Roundabout Die set, I die cut Layer C (the bottom layer) from green glitter cardstock. Layer B from garden green cardstock and Layer A from cactus green cardstock. To mimic the look of the first card, I also punched out more red berries and added rhinestones and a white ribbon to this wreath as well.

    Personally I LOVE how these Roundabout wreaths turned out. I think they have made simple, classic and elegant Christmas cards. I hope you will enjoy them too!

    Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    56124 Roundabout Layer Set

    GP1005 Holiday Glitter Pad

    GP1003 Twinkling Jewel Glitter Pad

  • Fall Peacock | by Crystal Komara

    Fall Peacock | by Crystal Komara

    Happy Thursday readers! This is Crystal here with you today. I know that you have been seeing lots of beautiful Christmas inspiration here on the Birch Press Design blog recently, but admittedly I’m kind of a Grinch, so I don’t “do” Christmas until December 1! : ) I will stretch out fall (MY favorite season) for as long as I possibly can. Today’s card is a great example, because I’m not even sure that “fall peacock’s” are a thing, but I’m starting the movement. (I’m also side-Googling if any other peacock colors exist other than the blue-green hues we traditionally see). . . And if not, they do now!

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah White Solar Smooth cardstock. This is my go-to white cardstock that I use for everything from card bases, die cutting, stamping and Copic coloring. The first 5 1/4″ x 4″ mat is a piece of miscellaneous woodgrain foil paper. I die cut a large white oval from white cardstock and adhered it to the center of the card using a Tombow Permanent Dot Runner.

    Using the Regal Peacock Layering dies, I die cut the bottom layer (Layer D) from gold glitter cardstock. I die cut Layer C from cherry cardstock. I die cut Layer B from rust cardstock and finally Layer A was also cut from gold glitter cardstock. I also cut the body of the peacock from cherry cardstock.

    I adhered all four layers of the Regal Peacock together using LineCo ph bookbinding glue. This glue is my preferred liquid glue and holds glitter paper together much better than a dot runner. I adhered the completed peacock to the center of the oval using foam adhesive for added dimension. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment on white cardstock (using the Christmas Ornament Labels stamp set) in cherry ink and die cut it using the coordinating die. I adhered the sentiment to the lower right side of the card using foam adhesive.

    Hopefully I’ve convinced you that with a little imagination, peacocks can look beautiful in any color – even if it’s not “real.”

    Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    56099 Regal Peacock Layer Set

    CL8154 Christmas Ornament and Labels clear stamp set

    GP1003 Twinkling Jewel Glitter Pad

  • Colorful Thanks | by Crystal Komara

    Colorful Thanks | by Crystal Komara

    Hello readers! This is Crystal here with you today sharing some colorful thank you cards made just using one layer of a multi-layering die.

    Fall is my favorite time of year and I simply can’t get enough of the beautiful Autumn Breeze Layering plates. They are simply gorgeous, whether layered using all three plates, or by just using Layer Plate A as a standalone die. The real bells and whistles on today’s cards come from the bold, colorful glitter paper BEHIND the die cut image itself!

    I have created a step-by-step YouTube video showing how I created these cards. I hope you will find it helpful:

    I hope you were inspired by today’s cards. Thank you for visiting and happy cardmaking!

     

    Supplies

     

     

    GP1002 Graceful Garden Glitter Pad

     

     

     

    56130 Autumn Breeze Plate Layer Set

     

     

     

    57354 Jumbo Lingo Thanks

     

     

  • String Art Sunflowers | by Crystal Komara

    String Art Sunflowers | by Crystal Komara

    Hello and happy September, friends! This is Crystal here with you today. I can’t believe the summer is over and fall is upon us. Though, between you and me, fall is MY favorite season! The change of season even impacts my crafting as I find myself reaching for rich, earth tone colors, patterns and textures, as you’ll see I’ve used on today’s sunflower card made using the new String Art Circle die by Birch Press Design.

    Usually, I’m not one of those people who can take a shape and make it into something else. For instance, when I initially saw this String Art Circle, all I could see was an abstract design. But, then it came to me, I can see slightly abstract flowers!

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth 80 lb. cardstock. Using this same white cardstock, I also ran a sheet through my Big Shot using a Scallop Rectangle die and a polka dot embossing folder for the base frame.

    I ran the String Art Circle die through my Big Shot, once in a mustard yellow cardstock and once in a cajun rust cardstock. Then I placed a piece of gold glitter behind the String Art Circle die and fussy cut the glitter paper into the same shape, so that you could see the gold glitter paper through the String Art Circle. I then punched a 1 1/2″ circle from espresso cardstock and ran it through a polka dot embossing folder before adhering it to the center of the “sunflower.” I used an off-brand leaf die to cut out two green leaves to put behind the sunflowers to ground them on the card. I adhered the sunflowers on top of the leaves using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    Using the Honey Scrips Thanks die, I die cut the thick shadow layer from gold foil cardstock and the thinner top “thanks” sentiment layer from white cardstock. I adhered both layers together using a fine-tip glue before adhering the entire sentiment to the card using 3M foam adhesive.

    I hope you have enjoyed seeing a unique way to use the String Art Circle die. Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

  • Slimline Pumpkin Lacework | by Crystal Komara

    Slimline Pumpkin Lacework | by Crystal Komara

    Hello readers! This is Crystal here with you today sharing another design using the beautiful new Pumpkin Lacework stamp set and coordinating dies. If you missed my first post featuring this same stamp set, please click here. I just loooooove this new stamp set so much that I keep finding more ways to use it!

    This slimline card measures 8 1/2″ x 3 1/2″. Slimline cards are designed to fit inside a regular #10 business sized envelope and require no additional postage. The slimline trend is becoming increasingly popular and many companies are now making envelopes specifically for these cards, so we have more colors to choose from other than just plain ol’ boring business white!

    The base of my slimline card is made from 80 lb. kraft cardstock. I like a nice thick cardstock for the base of all my cards. Using a slimline scallop frame die, I cut the frame out of 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth Crest cardstock. This is the ONLY white cardstock I use and I buy it in bulk.

    I stamped each pumpkin in Versamark ink and heat embossed it with white embossing powder. I stamped one pumpkin on a rich eggplant cardstock, one on pumpkin orange cardstock and one on a cabana blue cardstock. I die cut the pumpkins using the coordinating Pumpkin Lacework die. I adhered the three pumpkins directly to the card base using 3M foam adhesive. I stamped three pumpkin stems in Versamark ink on espresso cardstock and heat embossed them with white embossing powder.

    I stamped multiple leaves in Versamark ink on eggplant, orange and cabana cardstock and heat embossed those too white embossing powder. Yes, everything on this card was embossed with white powder! I used the coordinating Pumpkin Lacework dies to die cut the leaves and stems and I adhered these to the large pumpkins in an array that was pleasing to the eye.

    For the sentiment, I used the Blessed Honey Script die. I cut the larger shadow portion from gold glitter cardstock and the thinner script portion from white cardstock. I adhered both layers together using a fine tip glue and then adhered the entire sentiment to the center of the card using 3M foam adhesive.

    I hope you have enjoyed this slimline card using the beautiful new Pumpkin Lacework stamp set combined with some rich and modern fall colors. Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    57309 Blessed Honey Script

    8153 Pumpkin Lacework clear stamp and die set