Category: Distress Ink

  • 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!

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  • Using Your Dies to Create a Scene

    Using Your Dies to Create a Scene

    Hi there, it’s Tracey back here today and I have a quick tutorial to show you how I got inventive with my dies to help me create a scene on a grassy field.

    I started off with a panel of Bristol Smooth cardstock, my favourite for use with Disress Oxides inks. All my colouring today was done with Distress Oxide inks. I ink blended my grass at the bottom of my panel using Pine Needles and Lucky Clover inks.

    I wanted to create clouds for my sky but I didn’t have a cloud stencil or die. So I used the Regal Peacock dies set, Layer A to make my own stencil.

    I cut the tail using lightweight cardstock, and turned the tail on it side and blended a cloudy sky using Tumbled Glass ink. Moving the stencil along from left to right, carefully turning it to fit the cloudy scene I was trying to make. Now that my background is done I set it aside to dry while I worked on the rest of the card.

    The pumpkin and stem from the Pumpkin Lacework stamp set were stamped and clear embossed on Bristol Cardstock once again. I blended Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade and Carved Pumpkin ink over the embossed pumpkin to add a bit of shading and dimension. I blended Peeled Paint and Frayed Burlap ink over the pumpkin stem. I cut the ink blended shapes out with the coordinating dies.

    The leaves that are around the base of the pumpkin are from Layer B of the Autumn Breeze dies set. After I cut the panel, with Bristol Smooth cardstock, I ink blended the individual leaves in autumn colours.

    I cut the wavy banner die from the Christmas Ornaments and Labels stamps set from white cardstock. Then I stamped a sentiment is from the You Are Awesome stamp set on to the banner. When I picked up the banner I got a bit of orange ink on to the one side of the banner. No need to start again, I just blended orange ink all around the banner. So now it is just between you and me!

    It was so fun to create a my scene using just what I had on hand. The peacock tail die came in handy to create those clouds in my scene. I  hope I have encouraged you to look at your supplies a bit differently. Just another way to maximize the use of what you have.

    Thanks so much for stopping in today and have a wonderful week!

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  • Distressed Autumn Breeze by Jeanne Jachna

    Distressed Autumn Breeze
    by Jeanne Jachna

    Hi friends! I hope you’re having a great day! Fall is in the air and I’m enjoying the crisp cool nights and seeing the leaves turn color!

    Birch Press Design is known for it’s innovative layered die sets, and honestly I think they keep getting better and better.

    The sets are really versatile and more detailed. I used only two of the three dies in the set and covered the panels with distress ink before stacking them. I love the contrast of blue and orange. The yellow panel you see is the card base.

    I really wanted you to get a close look at the detail on these panels. All three of the panels in the set have a beautiful pierced design. You can see the swirls on the blue cover panel that inspire the name of the set “Autumn Breeze”.

    I inked the Thanks Honey Script die with Blueprint Sketch Distress ink to match the ink on the cover panel. The stamped sentiment is from the Lingo Thanks stamp set.

    Autumn always gets me thinking of Thanksgiving – and I start counting my blessings. I just want you to know that I am ever so grateful for your friendship now and always. Hugs to you for always making me smile!

    Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5″

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  • Rainbow Joy Snowflake | by Tracey McNeely

    Rainbow Joy Snowflake | by Tracey McNeely

    Hi there crafty friends, its Tracey here today with a tutorial on how I created this pretty rainbow snowflake using the newly released Pinpoint Snowflake die.

    I divided up the snowflake into 6 equal parts. Using Post-it Tape for masking along the straight pierced lines I ink blended each section with a different colour of Distress Oxide ink.

    After I ink blended the first section using Pink Raspberry and then I removed the tape to reveal a crisp line.

    I moved the tape to cover the section I just blended and masked off the second section. I ink blended the next section with Spiced Marmelade using the same Post-it tape. Removed the tape and set up for the next section using the same Post-it tape once again.

    I continued around the snowflake for the remaining three sections–Twisted Citron, Peacock Feathers and Wilted Violet. I used new Post-it tape for the last three sections so there was minimal contamination of colours.

    Ooops took this next photo from the wrong angle!

    To make this snowflake into a card I die cut the Pinpoint Radial Plate from white cardstock. I trimmed it down to 5 1/4″ x 4″. Taking an 1/8″ of of each side so the centre of the radial is still in the centre. I finished by adhering the snowflake to the radial panel over the card base with foam tape.

    For the sentiment I used the Big Joy Sugar Script dies. The word was cut with silver sparkle cardstock and the shadow cut from white. They were glued together and then adhered to the centre of the snowflake with foam tape once again.

    To finish it off I tucked a few sparkling crystals around the sentiment.

    Thanks so much for stopping in today I hope you give this technique a try. You can mask off and ink blend any shape or cover die that you have. It’s addictive, I promise. See you next time!

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  • Just One Layer | by Tracey McNeely

    Just One Layer | by Tracey McNeely

    Hi there and Happy Fall! It’s Tracey here today and as I was blending my leaves for today’s post the leaves outside my window are almost blending just as fast. Just like a light switch summer turned off and autumn has arrived.

    For today’s card I used only one die, Layer B, from the Autumn Breeze Layer dies. A brilliantly designed set of three dies that all work together but can each work independently of one another giving you options to showcase two different scenes. Layer B can be used all on it’s own and cuts all these beautiful stitched leaves.

    I cut a panel from Bristol Smooth cardstock and I ink blended each individual leaf using Distress Oxide inks. I used Squeezed Lemonade, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Ripe Persimmon, Peeled Paint and Walnut Stain to create a variety of different coloured leaves.

    I cut another A2 sized panel of Bristol Smooth cardstock and then ink blended a background using more Distress Oxide inks. I started with Crushed Olive and then brought in some Peeled Paint from the edges and finished off with some Walnut Stain just on the edges.

    I covered the card front with a piece of gold paper from the Polished Foil pad and then I adhered the green ink blended panel over top. Each one of the blended leaves was inlaid into the die cut. The gold splatters were created from red gold metallic watercolours.

    Once dry I added a sentiment from the Pumpkin Lacework stamp set. I used the ‘Fall is in the air’ quote which I gold embossed on brown cardstock and die cut it with the co-ordinating Pumpkin Lacework die set. The sentiment was added with foam tape to complete the card.

    Thank you so much for stopping by today and I really hope I tweeked your interest to look at your layered die sets a bit differently. What you can do with only one layer?

    Happy Crafting!

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  • Using Color to Change the Mood | by Tracey McNeely

    Using Color to Change the Mood | by Tracey McNeely

    Hi there its Tracey here today and I would love to share a bit of Autumn inspiration with you. I love summer, but the nights are getting cooler, the days are getting shorter and the sunflowers are in full bloom, which for me means fall is on its way.

    Using fall colours along with the Viloa Plate Layers die set will change the mood to autumn. This die typically would be used the most in the spring or summer. I have created four cards to show you how you can create a whole different feel with your layered dies just by changing the colour. This is a great way to maximize the use of your dies. Remember that each one of the layers in a die set can create a beautiful card all on it own. I gave this die set a late summer, early autumn vibe.

    This first card uses all three layers of the Viloa Plate Layers die set. I wanted to make the flowers look like sunflowers so I chose my colours carefully. The layer C die has holes it will show your bottom layer which is typically your card base. What ever colour that is will show through. I added a soft blue cardstock panel to the card base. Layer C was cut from brown cardstock and Layer B from golden yellow. Then I ink blended a panel of Bristol Smooth cardstock with Squeezed Lemonade Distress Oxide ink leaving it a bit lighter in the centre of the panel. Once it was dry I cut it using Layer A. If you wait and make sure your panel is dry before die cutting the cut is always so much cleaner. All the layers were glued together and then glued to the cardbase.

    Card two uses only Layer A from the Viloa Plate Layers die set. It was cut golden yellow glitter paper from the Delicate Pastels Glitter Pad. The card front was covered with a panel of light yellow cardstock and the glitter piece was glued directly onto the card front giving it a nice tone-on-tone appearance but with the added bonus of sparkle!

    The next card uses only Layer B from the Viloa Plate Layers die set. It was cut from a golden yellow cardstock. I ink blended Wild Honey Distress Oxide ink around the edges giving to give the die cut a bit of depth. The card front was covered with a panel of soft blue cardstock. The die cut was glued directly to the panel.

    The last card uses Layer C of the Viola Layer die set. This might be a favourite of mine. It was cut it with the soft blue cardstock. The Layer C die creates beautiful stitching lines when it cuts which make it a perfect die to use all on i’s own. I ink blended Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide ink around the edges of the die cut. Once again I did this to add some depth to the design.

    All of the sentiments are from the You Are Awesome stamp set. They were all embossed with a gold pearl embossing powder on brown cardstock.

    When you have a set of Birch Press Design craft dies you can use just one die or all of the dies together o maximize your investment. Just by choosing a colour palette you can change the mood of your dies and your cards. All of your dies can be used year round!

    Thank you so much for stopping in to craft with me today and we’ll see you next time!

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  • String Art Hugs | by Tracey McNeely

    String Art Hugs | by Tracey McNeely

    Hi there, it’s Tracey here with you this morning. Today I might be using the wrong design principles to create a sparkly card that looks right in my eyes.

    I started by ink blending the Midnight Mandala Stencil with Shaded Lilac Distress Oxide Ink over a panel of Bristol Smooth cardstock. I cut the panel down to a 3 7/8″ x 3 7/8″ square making sure the flower in the centre of the stencil was right in the centre of my ink blended panel. I had to do a little math and use my T-square to move out 1 15/16″ from the centre point of the flower.

    I cut of piece of royal blue cardstock from the Twinkling Jewel Glitter Pad to a 4″ square. I adhered this panel to a a 4 1/4″ card base. Next I adhered the ink blended panel over the glitter panel. This leaves a tiny 1/16″ border around the ink blended panel.

    The String Art Circle was cut twice, once with a bright green cardstock and once with the same royal blue glitter cardstock. I adhered the green string art circle to the centre of the ink blended panel and then I inlay the green centre. Next I adhered the royal blue string art circle over top slightly offset.

    The sentiment is from the Big Lingo Type Hugs die set. I cut the shadow using white cardstock and the inner letters from the royal blue glitter cardstock. I glued the letters over the shadow. Before adding it to the card I added tiny pieces of foam tape to the back of the word hugs and then placed it over the centre of the string art circle.

    So much glitter and sparkle! The best is that the glitter on the Twinkling Jewel Glitter papers stays put, no getting all over your hands and workspace or recipient!

    You could use any of the Birch Press Design stencils to create magnificent backgrounds to use along with any of the stand alone die cuts. Add in some of the beautiful glitter paper and you have a gorgeous card whether you used sound design principles or not! Thank you so much for creating with me today and have a great weekend!

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  • Stenciled and Stitched Balloon Card | By Leigh Houston

    Stenciled and Stitched Balloon Card | By Leigh Houston

    Hello, friends! I am so happy you stopped by today. I’m here sharing how I made this stenciled and stitched balloon card using Birch Press Design’s Party Balloon dies.

    These Party Balloon dies are truly a must-have for creating birthday or celebratory cards. I love their stitched details! To start my card, I die cut my largest balloon and added stenciled details using Poppystamps’s Romantic Blooms stencil and Distress Oxide Inks. I then die cut two smaller balloons and added color with the same shades of Distress Oxide inks, being sure to keep a highlight area for some realism.

    To add some more interest to the balloons, I stitched through the stitch holes using gold metallic thread and a simple backstitch. I then adhered some of the same thread to the back of the balloons to create their strings.

    To finish the card, I splattered a sky-colored background panel with some white paint. I then cut my “celebrate” sentiment from gold mirror cardstock. I popped up my largest balloon with foam tape and adhered my balloons to the cards, wrapping their strings somewhat loosely around the back of the panel to add to the floating effect. A few sparkly sequins and this card was finished!

    I hope you like this simple but pretty celebration card! Links to the products I used are below. Thanks again for stopping by and I’ll see you again soon with another card project!


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  • Creating Multiple Cards with One Design | by Tracey McNeely

    Creating Multiple Cards with One Design | by Tracey McNeely

    Hi there it’s Tracey. Today I am going to show you how easy it is to use one basic card design and by changing just one element you can make multiple cards each with a different theme.

    Each one of my four cards uses the newly released Kinsley Layer Set. The background paper for each of the die cuts was custom made using Distress Oxide Spray Inks. I sprayed some ink on my glass media mat and then sprayed some water onto the ink. I picked up the water with a foam blending tool and ran it back and forth across a panel of white cardstock until the whole panel was covered. I left some time so the first coat dry and then gave each of the panels a spritz of the same colour Distress Oxide Spray Ink direct to paper to add some subtle interest. I let the panels dry completely and then I cut four of the Kinsley Layer Dies Layer C from each panel. I chose to use only Layer C because on its own it creates a beautiful stitched pattern.

    Next I used the new Jumbo Lingo word dies to create glittery sentiments from the Twinkling Jewel Glitter Pad to co-ordinate with each of the die cuts. I used Jumbo Lingo Hello, Jumbo Lingo Thanks, Jumbo Lingo Hugs and Jumbo Lingo Happy. I cut the shadow from vellum cardstock and the individual letters from the glitter cardstock.

    Each white A2 sized card has a 5 1/4″ x 4″ mat that I adhered the Kinsley Layer die directly to and the sentiments added to the top with liquid glue. The mat was then adhered to the card base directly making the card nice and flat for mailing.

    Thanks so much for stopping in today. Give it a try, choose a simple background and change up your sentiments to make a collection of cards to have at the ready. You never know…

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  • So Glad We’re Friends by Jeanne Jachna

    So Glad We’re Friends
    by Jeanne Jachna

    Thanks for stopping by! Have you seen the newest release in the store? You’ll love the new layered dies and stamp sets. You can see them all here.

    My card features the new Viola Plate Layer Set over a rainbow distress ink background. I used only the A Layer from the set because I wanted to show you the intricate and delicate design.

    I inked the rainbow colors with a cosmetic brush. You can find different sizes at Amazon. The smaller brushes make coloring thinner areas easier.

    Do you see the glittery sparkle in the distress inking? I mixed ultra fine glitter with Ranger Glossy Accents and spread it with a spatula over the inked background. While it was still wet I placed the Viola die cut over it. When it was dry I added a Pierced Rectangle Frame for a more finished look and a JUMBO Lingo Hugs die cut.

    I hope the happy colors make you smile!

    Finished Size 4.25 x  5.5″

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