Category: Flowers

  • 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!

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  • 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!

  • Floral Thanks by Jeanne Jachna

    Floral Thanks by Jeanne Jachna

    I’m smitten with flowers so I adore the last floral release from Birch Press Design. The flowers are generally all three layer and look great in any color combination. Each layer has embossed lines to help guide you in assembling them.

    To get started I always cut and arrange several flowers in different shades so that later when I decide to make I have lots of assembled flowers to choose from.

    I like to assemble the images on a piece of plastic the size of my card front. The clear plastic makes it easy to pick up the entire arrangement and layer it over different backgrounds to help me decide which one I like best.

    Because I cut the flowers ahead of time, before I make my cards, I find that I choose colors I might not have originally selected. Just as an example.. I wouldn’t normally think the plum colored berries would compliment the red roses, but they do, and I think they’re perfect!

    If you look close you’ll notice I changed one of the Fuddled Leaf branches in the background. The color was too similar to the lime Flora cover plate so I selected a different shade for more contrast.

    Enjoy creating your own floral bouquets with beautiful layered blooms from Birch Press Design!

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  • Peony Hello by Jeanne Jachna

    Peony Hello by Jeanne Jachna

    I hope you’re having a great weekend doing something that you love. If I get my way I’ll be in the garden seeing what’s new to discover. Maybe some new blooms or perhaps the beginnings of some summer veggies! I love when my hobbies overlap and these gorgeous blooms made from paper are just as beautiful as the real thing.

    The florals are easy to assemble. This is a three layer die so I chose three shades of pink cardstock. To save time I cut all of the layers from each of the three shades. I mixed up the shades when I assembled them to create each bloom. I don’t think you need to always have blooms dark to light or vice versa.

    To add some sparkle I cut the Honeycomb Bevel Layer set from white and gold glitter cardstock. To compliment the flowers I layered the assembled honeycomb panel over shades of pink cardstock.

    The Hello Sugar Script foil die adds even more gold elegance to this floral card. The sentiment die includes an outline die cut so there’s lots of possibilities.

    I hope you’ll enjoy creating with the layered florals in the shop – they’re total eye candy!

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  • Colorful Eucalyptus Stem & Berries | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press friends – it is Natasha here and I am excited to be up on the blog today! Today I am using the beautiful Eucalyptus Stem and Berries Contour Layers die set! I love this set and had so much fun creating colorful leaves and berries on today’s card! So let’s get started!

    I started by creating colorful backgrounds using dye based pigment powders. You can create a similar look by using powders, inks, watercolors, whatever you have in your stash! I always work in layers to create texture within my backgrounds! Once I had my backgrounds created, it was time to do the die cutting! I love the Eucalyptus Stem and Berries set and this set was perfect to create some colorful leaves/berries! I die cut 4 leaf stems and 3 berry stems! On the berries I also die cut the “add on” berry layer. I love the added texture this provided! I adhered these to my berry stems using liquid adhesive! I set my leaves and berries aside to work on the background panel of my card!

    Next I looked through my gel print stash! I found a light colored gel print, as well as a page from a book. I used both of these to create a background. I tore the section of the book panel gel print and adhered this to the other gel print. Next I die cut a piece of white card stock using the Viola Plate die set. I chose to use Layer A. I love these layered sets, as you can use all 3, as well as choose only 1 layer for a beautiful look as well! They are truly versatile!

    I glued Layer A of the Viola Plate (White card stock) on top of my gel print backgrounds! I love the subtle touch of texture this provides, as well as the softness of the beautiful die cut!

    Next I adhered the background panel onto an A2 card base. I then decided on the placement of the leaves and berries. Then I adhered them to the card front using both liquid glue and foam tape. I love the added dimension on the leaves and berries!

    To complete my card I chose the Hugs Sugar Script Hot Foil Plate and die set. I foiled the hugs sentiment using a pink foil from my stash and then die cut the sentiment using the included die in the set! I added a few Fairy Drops to complete my card!

    Thanks so much for stopping by today! I had a lot of fun! I hope today’s card inspires you to create! I will be back soon!


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  • 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!

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  • Summer Florals | by April Antonio

    Summer Florals | by April Antonio

    Hello and happy Saturday! Welcome back to the Birch Press Design blog. April here sharing a new card project. I am really excited about today’s post because I have been struggling with incorporating more color when I use the layering dies and finally made a card that I feel matches what I saw in my head.

    Today’s card started with some inspiration from a color palette I found online that I really liked. I like to save color palettes I like to a folder on my phone, and then look them up when I need some crafting inspiration.

    The photo above is the color palette that I found. I just love the teal and pinks. Now, it’s not an exact match, but close enough for me.

    I started by pulling the Flora Plate Layer die set, and choosing three of the above colors that I thought would layer well together.

    From what I know about color (which isn’t much!) I thought the lighter colors would be best on top, and the darker colors on the bottom.

    So I purposely cut the top layer from the light blue, the bottom layer from the darker teal, and added the fuschia color in the middle of the sandwich to break up the blue colors.

    Next, I grabbed that same teal color from the bottom layer and decided I wanted to highlight it on top by using it with the Big Thanks Sugar Script. I cut the ‘thanks’ in the teal and the shadow from white in order to anchor the thanks better to the page.

    Lastly, I grabbed my Christmas Fairy Jewels pack and placed some of the teal jewels across the top and bottom rows of the card.

    That is the finished card! I really love the pierced details on this top layer, and how dynamic the fuchsia color looks as it peeks from behind the layers.

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  • Summer Roseby Jeanne Jachna

    Summer Rose
    by Jeanne Jachna

    I hope your summer is off to a good start! I’m loving all the color I see everywhere as bold blooms capture all my attention!

    Living in the Midwest, Summer is usually decked out in shades of red, white and blue – American Flags line Main Street, and are the inspiration for the color scheme of this card. I started with the Winsome Rose in shades of red.

    I cut the leaves from shades of blue and tucked in some Eucalyptus berries. To fill out the background some Tiny Tuft Flowers in red. The foliage is adhered flat to the card base and all the florals are lifted with adhesive foam tape.

    I didn’t want the background to compete with the florals so I added Tumbled Glass Distress Ink to a Pinpoint Radial Plate. I splattered it with water, and some watered down Salty Ocean and Blueprint Sketch.

    A simple Handwritten Hello sentiment cut from gold keeps the focus on the florals.
    I hope this inspires you to experiment with your color schemes. I wasn’t sure how well the blue foliage would work, but I’m really delighted with the unexpected color.

    Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5″

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  • Tropical Hibiscus Friends

    Tropical Hibiscus Friends

    Hello, Birch Press Friends! Allison here, and today I’m sharing a card featuring the new Tropical Hibiscus Contour Layers die set.

    I started by cutting all of the pieces of the flowers from white card stock. I then blended Distress Ink onto the pieces, but in a very subtle way. The most intense color is on the edges of the bottom piece, the outside edges of the top detail layer, and the center. My initial inspiration for this came from images of white hibiscus that I found online.

    To add dimension, I created duplicate layers of the bottom piece and the top detail pieces, before adhering all of the layers together with liquid glue. In order to determine the layout of my design, I first selected my sentiment and, before stamping it, arranged the flowers around it. Once I was happy with the layout, I removed the flowers and stamped the sentiment with VersaMark Ink. I heat embossed it with a platinum embossing powder and then repeated the process, which really gives the sentiment more of a rounded, smooth finish.

    I adhered the flowers to the stamped card panel with liquid glue, adding foam tape to the back of the pink and blue flowers. I then mounted that onto a warm gray A2 card base. As a finishing touch, I added matching Fairy Jewels to the centers of each flower. Even though these flowers don’t have a lot of color, the texture of all the layers really packs a punch.

    Thank you so much for joining us today. I hope this card inspires you and brings a smile to your face!

    Wishing you a crafty day,
    Allison


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  • 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!

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