Birch Press Design

Category: Crystal Komara

  • Find Joy | by Crystal Komara

    Find Joy | by Crystal Komara

    Hello friends! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here on the blog today sharing a card that filled with love, joy and alcohol! Ink, that is! ; ) I was really pleased with how this card came out, since I had ended up pulling a random piece of alcohol ink background from my scrap bin. It is so cheerful and uplifting!

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. On a sheet of 5 1/4″ x 4″ Yupo paper, I created an alcohol ink background in peaches and pinks. Honestly, I keep about 50 alcohol ink background pieces on reserve in a bin to pull from and it makes creating cards kind of quick and easy! This background was one of those “pre-made” pieces.

    For the center focal piece I used the Kinsley Heart Layering Plates. Layer C (bottom layer) was cut from peachy/orange cardstock. Layer B (middle layer) was cut from gold glitter cardstock and Layer A (top layer) was cut from pink cardstock. I used the 6″ x 6″ paper packs in both Sunny Orange and Berry Reds for the cardstock. The glitter paper came from the 6″ x 6″ Festive Glitter paper pack. I adhered the three layers of the heart together with a fine-tip liquid glue.

    I used the Find Joy and Outline die to create the sentiment. The shadow or outline of the word “find joy “was die cut from white cardstock. The thinner inside was cut from pink cardstock from the same Berry Red 6″ x 6″ paper pack. I adhered the two layers together with a fine tip liquid glue. Lastly I adhered both the heart and sentiment to the card with 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    Alcohol inks are a great way to add interest and uniqueness to your cards! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    http://www.crystalkomara.com

    Supplies

    57452 Find Joy and Outline

    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack

    SP1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack

    GP1006 Festive Glitter Pad

    57399 Kinsley Heart Layer Set

  • Holly Wreath | by Crystal Komara

    Holly Wreath | by Crystal Komara

    Hello crafty readers! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing a holiday card with you featuring the beautiful new Holly Wreath Plate Layer set. But, there’s a lot more going on with this card than just a dimensional wreath, there is also a heat foiled background and heat embossed sentiment too, so read on for all the fun details!

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. This is my go-to white cardstock for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g! Using the Gilded Grace Hot Foil Plate, I foiled the first layer of the card. I use a Gemini Foilpress machine for my foiling. I used the Crafter’s Companion Foil Press paper in brass. I adhered this foiled layer directly to the card base.

    I did not foil the inner circle of the Gilded Grace Plate, so instead I stamped the sentiment “wishing you peace” in the center of the circle. Next, I created the wreath. I die cut Layer C (bottom layer) of the Holly Wreath from dark green cardstock. I die cut Layer B (middle layer) of the Holly Wreath Plate from green glitter cardstock. Finally, I cut Layer A (top layer) of the Holly Wreath Plate from light green cardstock. The green cardstock is from the 6″ x 6″ Lush Green paper pack and the 6″ x 6″ Glitzy Glitter paper pack. I adhered all three layers of the wreath together with a fine-tip liquid glue.

    I adhered the wreath to the center of the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension. I stamped the sentiment “joy” in Versamark ink on a piece of red cardstock. I heat embossed the sentiment with the Red Robin embossing powder from WOW! I used the coordinating circular die to die cut the sentiment out. The “joy” sentiment and die is from the Contempo Christmas Greetings stamp set and coordinating dies.

    Lastly, I adhered a small piece of gold ribbon underneath the “joy” circular sentiment. I also added a couple red rhinestones to the wreath to resemble berries.

    This card has it all – gold foil, sparkly glitter paper and heat embossing! It sparkles AND it shines!

    I hope you have enjoyed today’s card! You can visit me on my website, Instagram and YouTube! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    http://www.crystalkomara.com

    Supplies

    57450 Holly Wreath Plate Layer Set

    BPF512 Gilded Grace Hot Foil Plate and Die Set

    SP1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack

    GP1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad

    8162 Contempo Christmas Greetings clear stamp and die set

  • Jolly Herbarium Layer Plate | by Crystal Komara

    Jolly Herbarium Layer Plate | by Crystal Komara

    Hello crafty readers! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today. I am so excited to be sharing a card made using the beautiful new Herbarium Layering Plates. This 3-piece full cover layering plate set is my favorite from this latest holiday release from Birch Press Design!

    Swoon! Honestly, it’s just gorgeous if I do say so myself! With a mixture of mint green and teal cardstocks with a splash of gold glitter paper in the sentiment, it’s just pure holiday elegance!

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I die cut Layer A of the Herbarium Layering Plate from white cardstock. I die cut Layer B from mint cardstock and Layer C from a darker teal green cardstock. These beautiful colors are from the 6″ x 6″ Fresh Aqua paper pack. I layered all three layers together with a fine-tip liquid glue. I placed the layers underneath a heavy book to let them dry well and dry flat.

    I die cut the word “jolly” from the Jolly Honey Script word die. I die cut the bottom shadow layer from the same darker teal green cardstock and the top outline layer from gold glitter cardstock. I adhered the two layers of the sentiment together and then adhered them to the card using Scotch 3M foam adhesive for added dimension. Lastly, I added a couple red rhinestones as the berries on the card.

    I really, really, love how this card came out. In fact, I know that I’ll be trying to recreate it in a variety of color combinations.

    Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    57458 Herbarium Plate Layer Set

    57301 Jolly Honey Script

    SP1004 Fresh Aqua 6×6 pack

    GP1006 Festive Glitter Pad

  • Fall Classic Sentimental Wreath | by Crystal Komara

    Fall Classic Sentimental Wreath | by Crystal Komara

    Hello Birch Press Design fans! This is DT member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing some fall themed cards using the Classic Sentimental Wreath stamp set and coordinating dies.

    I created all three of these A2 sized cards the exact same way, I simply alternated some of the background papers and ink colors. All of the beautiful plaid background papers are from the Madras Plaid Coral 6″ x 6″ paper pack from Memory Box Co, a sister-organization of Birch Press Design.

    The base of each A2 sized card was made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I then cut a 5 1/4″ x 4″ piece of the plaid paper and adhered it directly to the card base. I die cut a rectangular piece of white cardstock and stamped my sentiment at the bottom in orange, brown or olive ink. All of the sentiments came from the same Classic Sentimental Wreath stamp set.

    I heat embossed the leaves of the wreath with gold embossing powder and then used the coordinating die to cut the wreath out. I adhered the wreath to the card using Scotch 3M adhesive for added dimension. I tied a little bit of gold baker’s twine to the corner of each wreath for added texture. Lastly, I added a couple clear rhinestones for sparkle.

    I hope you have enjoyed these cards and are inspired to create some of your own using this Classic Sentimental Wreath stamp set, or any of the other wonderful products from Birch Press Design!

    Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    8157 Classic Sentimental Wreath stamp and die set

  • Autumn Breeze Twist | by Crystal Komara

    Autumn Breeze Twist | by Crystal Komara

    Hello Birch Press Design readers! Happy September, and welcome to the beginning of fall, my favorite time of the year. This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing a unique way to use the Autumn Breeze Layer Plate.

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I cut a 5 1/4″ x 4″ piece of the same white cardstock and ran it through my Big Shot using the Memory Box Blooming 3D embossing folder. I adhered this to the card base. I cut a 5 1/2″ x 1″ strip of decorative Madras Plaid coral paper for the bottom of the card. I cut a 5 1/2″ x 1/2″ strip of gold glitter paper above the plaid paper for contrast.

    Using Layer Plate B of the Autumn Breeze Layering Plates, I ran the plate through my Big Shot multiple using white cardstock, burgundy cardstock, rust cardstock and the same Madras Coral plaid cardstock. Using the stitched leaf cutout pieces only, I adhered them in a line across the center of the card.

    I stamped the sentiment “you inspire kindness” in cherry ink on white cardstock. This stamp is from the Awesome Ticker Tape clear stamp set. I adhered the sentiment to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    Ooh, I just can’t wait to create more fall themed cards. I’m here for all the cozy sweater vibes and yes, even the PSL (pumpkin spiced lattes) too! ; )

    Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    PP1013 Madras Plaid Coral and Green 6×6 pack

    56130 Autumn Breeze Plate Layer Set

    8149 Awesome Ticker Tape Messages clear stamp and die set

    EF1014 Blooming 3D Embossing Folder

    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack

    SP1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack

  • More Monochrome | by Crystal Komara

    More Monochrome | by Crystal Komara

    Hello friends, this is Design Team member Crystal Komara back again for another monochomatic card! Apparently sticking to one color when creating seems to be “m.o.” : ) If you missed any of my monochromatic posts, please check out this trio of thank you cards, the Christmas mandala trees or these monochromatic torus rings (a personal favorite of mine)!

    What’s great about working with monochrome colors is that if blue isn’t your color, try recreating it in red, or purple or green. The options are endless!

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock. I cut a 5 1/4″ x 4″ piece of the same white cardstock and ran it through my Big Shot using the Blooming 3D embossing folder from Memory Box. This embossed cardstock is the first layer of the card. I then used alternating pieces of cardstock from the 6″ x 6″ Ocean Blue paper pack. These strips measure 5 1/2″ x 1/4″. I used the same color cardstock to create the three layer Floral Star. I also added in a piece of glitter cardstock from the Twinkling Jewel Paper pack. I die cut Layer B from this glitter cardstock. I adhered all three layers of the Floral Star layering dies together with liquid glue.

    I took a chance and cut the finished Floral Star in half hoping to make it the focal point of the card. I stamped “hello” in turquoise ink on a thin white strip of cardstock and placed it between the two halves of the Floral Star. I think it pulled the two halves together more cohesively.

    I really like how this card came out, in fact, I think I’ll try it in a few other colors too!

    Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    EF1014 Blooming 3D Embossing Folder

    56118 Floral Star Layer Set

    SP1005 Ocean Blue 6×6 pack

    GP1003 Twinkling Jewel Glitter Pad

  • Purple Wispy Blooms | by Crystal Komara

    Purple Wispy Blooms | by Crystal Komara

    Hello friends! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing my passion for the color purple! I used the Wispy Blooms Contour Layering Dies to create these two monochromatic cards, however, you could re-create them in any color imaginable and have a rainbow assortment to choose from.

    For this first card, I used a piece of 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock as the base of my card. I also cut a 5 1/4″ x 4″ piece of the same white cardstock for the first layer. I ran this sheet of cardstock though my Big Shot using the Blooming 3D embossing folder (from Memory Box). I die cut one large white oval circle and adhered it to the center of the card.

    Using the Wispy Blooms Contour Layering dies, I cut multiple flowers from three different purple colors of cardstock in the 6″ x 6″ Twilight paper pack. I die cut the stems from two shades of green cardstock found in the 6″ x 6″ Lush Green paper pack. I adhered all the flowers together with a fine-tip liquid glue. I adhered the flowers to the center of the scalloped circle to create one giant bouquet. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment “thinking of you” in purple ink on a thin strip of white cardstock. This sentiment is from the Classic Sentimental Wreath stamp set.

    Because I had so many flowers leftover, I decided to create a second card using them, rather than waste them:

    The base of this A2 sized card is also made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I embossed a 5 1/4″ x 3″ piece of the same white cardstock using the Blooming 3D embossing folder (from Memory Box) and used a 5 1/4″ x 2″ piece of purple plaid paper for the other side. This paper is from the Spring Plaid slim paper from Memory Box. I die cut a large scalloped oval from Twilight cardstock and a smaller white oval for the center. I stamped the sentiment “hoping today is as wonderful as you are” in purple ink on the white oval. This sentiment is from the Kind Hearts clear stamp set. I adhered some of the leftover flowers into this white oval frame. I found that more than three flowers was too much, so I limited it to just the three.

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

  • Rainbow Floral Star | by Crystal Komara

    Rainbow Floral Star | by Crystal Komara

    Hello readers and happy Monday! Welcome back from the weekend! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing a cheerful rainbow themed card made using just layer plate B of the Floral Star Layering dies.

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock. I cut a 5 1/4″ x 4″ piece of the same white cardstock and ran it through my Big Shot using the Memory Box Blooming 3D embossing folder. This is one of my favorite embossing folders as the detail is impeccable and the result is always gorgeous.

    I cut 5 1/2″ x 1/4″ strips of cardstock in a rainbow array of colors. I used cardstock from the following 6″ x 6″ paper packs:

    Berry Red

    Sunny Orange

    Lush Green

    Ocean Blue

    Twilight Purple

    I adhered the strips of cardstock down the center of the card. I die cut Layer B of the Floral Star Layering dies from white cardstock. I then fussy cut small pieces of the colored cardstock and adhered it behind sections of the floral star to continue the rainbow theme. I adhered the floral star to the center of the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    Lastly, using the Lingo Thanks stamp set, I stamped the “you mean the world to me” sentiment in Versamark ink on black cardstock. I heat embossed the words with white embossing powder. I adhered this thin sentiment strip across the center of the card.

    I love creating cards with rainbow themes. I just think they are so colorful and cheerful. Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    56118 Floral Star Layer Set

    EF1014 Blooming 3D Embossing Folder

    CL8143 Lingo Thanks

    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack

    SP1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack

    SP1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack

    SP1005 Ocean Blue 6×6 pack

    SP1008 Twilight Purple 6×6 pack

  • Watercolor Meets Hot Foil | by Crystal Komara

    Watercolor Meets Hot Foil | by Crystal Komara

    Hello crafty readers! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today. I’m excited to be sharing the first two cards I created using the new String Art Frame Hot Foil plate. Now, if I’m being completely honest, these are actually the first two cards I have ever made using hot foil!! Heat foiling is very on-trend right now in the craft industry, so I succumbed to the peer pressure and bought the Gemini Foil Press (because it works with my Gemini, Jr. die cutting machine). Heat foiling is a magical process where heat and pressure are applied to a special foil to imprint on paper. Unlike heat embossing where the image is raised when Versamark ink and embossing powder are heated with an embossing gun, in heat foiling, the image is imprinted or pressed into the paper when heat and pressure are applied.

    I created two cards that are nearly identical, I simply swapped out the color combination and sentiment to achieve two unique looks. Keep reading for all the details:

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card was made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I cut a 5 1/4″ x 4″ piece of purple cardstock from the 6″ x 6″ Twilight cardstock pack. On a 5″ x 3 3/4″ sheet of white cardstock, I heat foiled the String Art Frame hot foil plate on my Gemini Foilpress machine with purple Foilpress foil.

    On a separate sheet of watercolor cardstock, I stamped the large floral image from the Memory Box (a sister company to BPD) All the Happiness stamp set in Versamark ink and heat embossed it with gold embossing powder. I colored the image using Zig Real Color Watercolor Brush markers. Once the image dried, I used the coordinating All the Happiness dies to cut the image out. I adhered the flowers to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension. I stamped the sentiment in Versamark ink and heat embossed it with gold embossing powder. This sentiment is from the Kind Hearts clear stamp set. I adhered the sentiment to the card also using 3M foam adhesive tape. Lastly, I added a light coat of clear Wink of Stella to the flowers for added sparkle. *Be careful with Wink of Stella on watercolor though, because it will bleed as it is water-on-water based.

    For this second card, I used identical products as the first card, I simply swapped out the purple foil for a teal foil and I colored the flowers with teal or turquoise hued Zig Real Color Brush markers.

    Alright, so since I admitted this was my first go-round with hot foiling, I’ll also admit that I did my initial foiling wrong and ended up heat foiling the plate itself and not the paper. Note to self, read the instructions first! They do exist for a reason!! : ) But, all-in-all I was quite pleased with how my first heat foiled cards turned out and I look forward to experimenting more!

    Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    BPF510 String Art Frame Hot Foil Plate and Die Set

    SP1008 Twilight Purple 6×6 pack

    SP1005 Ocean Blue 6×6 pack

    CL5265-D All the Happiness clear stamp and die set

  • Hope You’re Feeling Better Eucalyptus | by Crystal Komara

    Hope You’re Feeling Better Eucalyptus | by Crystal Komara

    Hello Birch Press Design readers! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara sharing a CAS (Clean and Simple) card with you today featuring the new Eucalyptus Stem and Berries Contour Layering dies. Because I intended for this card to be very simple, I wanted to create a card without using the layering part of the dies, so here is what the dies look like quite simply on their own when cut from a rainbow array of cardstock. Add a gold heat embossed sentiment (any message will do!) and you have an elegant and easy card in no time flat!

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock. I cut a 5 1/4 x 4″ piece of this same cardstock as the first layer. On that layer I stamped the sentiment “hope you’re feeling better” in Versamark ink and heat embossed it with gold embossing powder. This sentiment is from the Classic Sentimental Wreath stamp set.

    Using the Eucalyptus stems, I cut multiple stems from colored cardstock. I used the following 6″ paper packs:

    -Lush Green

    -Sunny Orange

    -Berry Red

    -Ocean Blue

    I adhered the stems directly to the center of the card and then I added a small white ribbon at the base of the stems for added texture.

    I hope you have enjoyed today’s CAS card. Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    CL8157 Classic Sentimental Wreath stamp set

    57496 Eucalyptus Stem and Berries Contour Layers

    SP1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack

    SP1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack

    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack

    SP1005 Ocean Blue 6×6 pack