Birch Press Design

Category: Flowers

  • Colorful Spring Hugs | by Colleen Balija

    Colorful Spring Hugs | by Colleen Balija

    Hi friends! With spring in full swing, I want to share a colorful and simple floral card to celebrate the bounty of beautiful color that’s about to descend upon us! I can’t wait!

    I will be using Jovial Blooms & Leaves, Pinpoint Contour Plate, and the Hugs Sugar Script die. Oh yes, and LOTS of bold color! All the supply links will be provided to you below at the end of my post.

    First step for me is always to choose the colors for my card. Choosing the colors helps my creative process! I had a gelli plate card panel set aside that was in shades of coral, pink, and gold, so I decided to use that color palette and build my card from there. I took the colored card panel and die cut it with the Pinpoint Contour Plate to add texture and interest to the background. Then I trimmed it down using my deckled paper trimmer and placed it over kraft cardstock. Background finished! Now it was time to focus on the flowers and sentiment!

    I decided to go with a monochromatic look, meaning that the flowers would be the same color as my background. I die cut Jovial Blooms & Leaves onto white cardstock, and then ink blended each layer in shades of coral and the leaves in shades of green. I created an ombre effect by going from lighter to darker with my ink blending tool. I added brown ink to the tips of the flowers to help them stand out from the background color. Then I adhered the layers together and finished with gold and purple splatter using metallic paint, a paintbrush, and water. The splatter adds another level of detail and interest to the flowers. I added splatters to the background as well for a cohesive look. You can see the detailed ink blending and splatters in the photo below! These little extra details can take your flowers from average to outstanding!

    Once the flowers were dry, I placed them over the background card panel where I wanted them, and then adhered everything down. I finished with a Hugs Sugar Script die that was hot foiled with gold. The sentiment and flowers were popped up using foam tape. And the gold from the sentiment brought balance to the gold in the background and in the flowers! Can you see what I mean in the photo below?

    You could use any color palette to create a similar monochromatic look to your card. Just remember to add those little details to your flowers to help them stand out from the background! Thanks for stopping by!

    Supplies

     

     

    57502 Jovial Blooms and Leaves Contour Layers

     

     

    57511 Pinpoint Contour Plate

     

     

    BPF513 Hugs Sugar Script Hot Foil Plate and Die Set

     

  • Hello, Plaid | By Allison Frazier

    Hello, Plaid | By Allison Frazier

    Hello, Birch Press friends! Today, I am sharing a card featuring the new Sprouting Crocus Contour Layers set. But, I did something unconventional. I used patterned paper for all of my die cuts! It’s a really fun way to add texture and color variation.

    I started by cutting my flowers. I used the Madras Plaid Blue and Violet paper pad from Memory Box, which I believe is now retired. I chose a darker plaid pattern for the layers that go in front and a lighter pattern for the layers in back. I blended all the edges of each layer with a dark purple ink. I adhered all of the layers of my flowers together with glue.

    I then took a similar pad of paper, the Madras Plaid Coral and Green pad, and I cut the stems from two different green plaid patterns. I only adhered one stem to each of my flowers, but I kept some extra ones to fill in later.

    After completing my flowers, it was time to set the scene. First, I took a panel of white card stock and cut it with the Pinpoint Contour Plate. I blended some light blue ink onto the panel. I then used a rectangle die to cut an opening into a second panel of white card stock, slightly offsetting it into the upper left corner. I added foam tape to the back of this panel and attached it to the ink blended panel. Before attaching them together, I made sure that I had cut them both down to be slightly smaller than an A2 card base.

    I cut a few clouds from white card stock using dies from the Rainbow Days Lingo Notes set. I inked up the edges of the clouds with light blue ink, and then I added them to the sky background. I tucked two of them under the edges of the framed opening. I then took my five flowers and tucked those into the bottom edges of the frame. I had left enough room between the edge of the framed opening and my foam tape so that I could achieve this look for the clouds and flowers. I used the extra stems/leaves that I had cut and filled in some of the gaps. I adhered this card panel to a dark purple A2 card base.

    I used some more of the green plaid paper to cut the main layer of the Big Hello Sugar Script Die. I adhered this to two layers that I had cut from plain white card stock. I then adhered that stack to the shadow layer, which I also made from three layers of white card stock. I adhered that to the card, and then I finished everything off with a few green fairy jewels.

    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


    Supplies


    57523 Sprouting Crocus Contour Layers
    57201 Big Hello Sugar Script
    57511 Pinpoint Contour Plate
    8159 Rainbow Days Lingo Notes clear stamp and die set

    Supplies


    jwl005 Christmas Fairy Jewels
    pp1013 Madras Plaid Coral and Green 6×6 pack
  • Spring Green Wreath | by Rosemary Dennis

    Spring Green Wreath | by Rosemary Dennis

    Hello everyone! St. Patrick’s day is tomorrow and with that in mind I decided to create a wreath using the new Phlox Blooms and Leaves Contour Layers dies in multiple shades of green with some gold thrown in for good measure! As I began to create my card I decided that I also wanted to provide some interest in the background so I die cut my cardstock with the Pinpoint Contour plate die. I also knew that I wanted to have a shaker element in card so to create that I used the Classic Sentimental Wreath stamp and die set for that element.

    I die cut the panel with the Pinpoint Contour die and then positioned the wreath die from the Classic Sentimental Wreath stamp and die set in the top center of the panel and die cut the wreath. I then added low tack tape to the back of the panel to keep the wreath in place. As you can see, I then stamped the solid wreath image in a light green ink, die cut it and then layered it on top to form the base for my wreath. I then started building the shaker element.

    I had previously foiled the center medallion from the Gilded Petalpoint hot foil plate in gold so I decided to use that as my backer behind the opening. I added a piece of acetate to the back of the panel and then added foam strips to the back to create the well for the sequin mix. I added the mix and because I’m a little particular about how my sequins look I did actually flip the majority of the sequins over so they are facing in the “right” direction, lol! You can just see the foiled medallion peeking out through the sequins. Then I die cut the smaller phlox flower die from two shades of green cardstock and layered everything alternating the colors. I did originally die cut the leaves from the set in another shade of green and mirror gold cardstock, but the ended up opting to us a smaller leaf from the Dainty Rose and Leaves Contour Layers dies.

    Once all the flowers and leaves were layered and dry I set about creating the wreath. I alternated the flowers for interest and then tucked the leaves in where they best fit. I finished off the wreath with pretty green/gold crystals from the Christmas Fairy Crystals pack. Here in the close up you can see more of the foiled medallion in the background.

    I finished off the card with the sentiment from the Contempo Greetings stamp and die set. I really like this stamp and die set. There are so many great sentiments and dies to cut them out! I stamped the sentiment in watermark ink, applied gold embossing powder, heat set and then die cut. I thought about trying to place the sentiment on the wreath, but ultimately ended up tucking up underneath the wreath.

    Have a fun St. Patrick’s day!

    Supplies

    57511 Pinpoint Contour Plate

    BPF516 Gilded Petalpoint Hot Foil Plate and Die Set

    CL8157 Classic Sentimental Wreath stamp set

    CL8160 Contempo Greetings clear stamp set

    57499 Dainty Rose and Leaves Contour Layers

    57507 Phlox Blooms and Leaves Contour Layers

  • You Are Loved Easter Egg | by Crystal Komara

    You Are Loved Easter Egg | by Crystal Komara

    Hello readers and happy Tuesday! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing a beautiful Easter card for the upcoming holiday using the Petal Egg Layer Set and a few other products from Birch Press Design.

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. For the first 5 1/4″ x 4″ layer, I ran a piece of the same Neenah white cardstock through the Blooming 3D embossing folder by Memory Box Co (a sister company of Birch Press Design).

    Next, I created the layers of the Easter egg from the Petal Egg Layer set:

    Layer A – the top layer was die cut from white cardstock.
    Layer B – the middle layer was die cut from yellow glitter cardstock.
    Layer C – the bottom layer was die cut from a darker yellow cardstock.
    I fussy cut the base or bottom layer of the egg in yellow cardstock, so that it would help the egg standout against the white background.

    I adhered all four layers of the egg together using a fine-tip liquid glue. Once this was dried, I placed the egg in the center of the card. Then I used the Tiny Tuft Flowers and Leaves Contour dies. I cut the leaves from two different colored green cardstock and the flowers from both yellow cardstock and yellow glitter cardstock.

    I adhered the leaves and flowers to the lower right side of the egg using a fine-tip liquid glue.

    Using the You Are Loved Noted Script heat foil plate and die, I heat foiled the sentiment in gold foil on black cardstock. I used the coordinating die to die cut the sentiment out and adhered it over the egg using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

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

    Supplies

    57369 Petal Egg Layer Set

    BPF509 You Are Loved Noted Script Hot Foil Plate and Die Set

    57501 Tiny Tuft Flowers and Leaves Contour Layers

    SP1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack

    GP1008 Majestic Hues Glitter Pad

  • Blooming crocus buds | by April Antonio

    Blooming crocus buds | by April Antonio

    Happy Monday! I am happy to be back on the Birch Press blog today sharing a new project using the newly released Sprouting Crocus layering die set.

    I began this card wanting to show a beautiful row of of the crocuses, and so started by die cutting the flowers and stems multiple times from white cardstock.

    I used mini blender brushes and pigment ink in a couple of shades of purple and green to ink blend each piece. I started with the darker color towards the bottom, and then blended in the lighter color towards the top of the flower. I then assembled the flowers by gluing together the different sprouts, buds and stems.

    To be able to show the longest line of flowers I chose a slimline card design, using a white colored base. I used a cloud stencil to lightly add some clouds to the background.

    Assembly
    I assembled this card by adding one row of crocuses across the card. I then went back and added another row, filling in the blank spots to try and add some depth. I then went back a third time and filled in a few remaining spots to add even more depth.

    Pro Tip: When gluing flowers, to give them more dimension, only glue part of the flower from the bottom moving up, and leave some of the top off the page. Once dry, go back and carefully curl out the flower petals so they ‘jump off the page’ and look more lifelike.

    To create the look of ‘dirt’ I used some fake polymer clay ‘chocolate’ chunks I had on hand. They made perfect ‘dirt’ to cover the bottom of my flowers. I used liquid glue to add a layer, let it dry, then added some additional layers.

    Lastly, I stamped the happy Birthday using the Contempo Greetings clear stamp set and added a few purple jewels from the Bright Jewels pack.

    Supplies

    57523 Sprouting Crocus Contour Layers

    CL8160 Contempo Greetings clear stamp set

    Supplies

    jwl003 Bright Jewels

  • A Springtime Thank you | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press Friends, it is Natasha here and I am excited to be back on the blog today! Today’s card features 2 of the new die sets in the latest release from Birch Press Designs. I am using the beautiful Sprouting Crocus Contour Layers die set and the Thank you Noted Script hot foil plate and die set. So let’s get started!

    I started today’s card by creating 2 backgrounds using sprays. One panel was made using shades of purple and the other panel was created using green spray inks. Once the panels were complete and dry, I die cut the Sprouting Crocus Contour Layers die set using both panels. The flowers in purple and the stems in green.

    Next I added a bit more ink to each layer of the blooms and the leaves. On the flowers I used purple and pink ink. On the leaves I used green and brown. I applied the inks using a sponge dauber. Next I adhered the Crocus flower layers together using liquid glue. I then set these aside.

    Next I chose a background from my stash. I ran the background through my die cutting machine with the Memory Box Ringadings 3D embossing folder. After one pass I removed the panel and added Distress Oxide in the shade Aged Mahogany to the raised areas of the folder. I added the ink directly to the embossing folder by gently swiping it onto the folder. I then lightly spritzed the folder with water and placed the card stock into the folder and ran it through my die cutting machine a 2nd time. I really like the texture this provides to the background.

    I then trimmed the panel using my paper trimmer. I roughed up the edges and added ink using a sponge dauber and distress ink. I added splatters to the panel using gold and white metallic water color. To complete my card, I adhered the panel to an A2 card base with a piece of pattern paper to frame the embossed panel. I then adhered the crocus flowers using foam tape and liquid glue to my dry embossed panel. I completed the card with the beautiful Thank you Noted Script sentiment. I love this hot foil sentiment! I adhered the sentiment using foam tape.

    Thank you so much for stopping by today! I will be back soon!


    Supplies


    57523 Sprouting Crocus Contour Layers
    BPF511 Thank You Noted Script Hot Foil Plate and Die Set

    Supplies


    EF1015 Ringadings 3D Embossing Folder
    CLD101 Clear Fairy Drops
  • So Glad We’re Friends | By Allison Frazier

    So Glad We’re Friends | By Allison Frazier

    Hello, Birch Press friends! Today, I am sharing this beautiful muted card with a pop of sunshine yellow as the focal point. It’s like when the sun comes out after a dreary winter day! It features the new Morning Rose Contour Layers die and the Delicate Floral Buds Contour Layers die set. I also used the new Gilded Petalpoint Stencil Set.

    I started by stenciling the front of a light gray A2 card base. For the first stencil (with the largest openings), I used a light gray ink, just slightly darker than the card stock itself. For the second stencil, I used a medium shade of gray ink. And for the third stencil, I used clear Nuvo Glimmer Paste. I really love the tone on tone effect, but that Glimmer Paste really makes it special. This stencil actually matches up with the new Gilded Petalpoint Hot Foil Plate, but as you can see here, it looks great on its own, too!

    Next, I started making my die cuts. I used three shades of yellow card stock from the Memory Box “Sunny Orange” paper pack for the flowers. For the main flower, I cut two layers of each part of the flower so that I could stack them for dimension. I used two shades of gray for the leaves. By the way, the leaves come from the Tropical Hibiscus Contour Layers set. I love mixing florals and leaves from all of the different Contour Layers sets!

    And speaking of mixing up florals, I used the Delicate Floral Buds for my little flowers, again making two layers of each part of the flower. The Morning Rose actually comes with the “Triple Buds” dies, but I just wanted to mix things up today. I cut the stems/leaves for the Delicate Floral Buds from the darker shade of gray paper.

    Once I had all of my elements cut and the layers stacked, it was time to assemble the arrangement. This is probably the part that took the most time! Once I was happy with an arrangement, I started with the bottom by glueing the Delicate Buds first. Then I popped the main flower up on foam tape. This allowed me to then tuck the leaves in under that flower and still continue to make some last minute changes to the leaf arrangement. I finished the card by heat embossing a sentiment from the Lingo Thanks stamp set. I also added three fairy jewels to the center of the rose, just to tie in the shine from the stenciled background.

    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


    Supplies


    57493 Morning Rose and Triple Buds Contour Layers
    57492 Delicate Floral Buds Contour Layers
    57486 Tropical Hibiscus Contour Layers
    42037 Gilded Petalpoint Stencil Set
    cl8143 Lingo Thanks clear stamp set
    sp1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack

    Supplies


    jwl001 Clear Jewels
  • Cotoneaster Greetings | by Toni M Maddox

    Cotoneaster Greetings | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today sharing a floral card that reminds me of my cotoneaster bush.

    The blooms of my cotoneaster aren’t very exciting but the resulting berries are prolific and gorgeous.

    I cut the Sylvan Berries Contour Layers from Memory Box Glitzy Glitter 6×6 cardstock and leftover cardstock I had used Brushos on once upon a time. I cut the Sylvan Leaves from Memory Box Lush Green 6×6 cardstock.

    I used the negative of the leaves diecut as a stencil with Distress Oxide Rustic Wilderness. What an easy way to add additional depth!

    I spattered a bit of Copics Opaque White and Distress Oxide Spray Vintage Photo before adding the sentiment.

    For that I used one of the Spellbinders Glimmer Satin Pastel hot foils with the Hugs Sugar Script Hot Foil Plate & Die. I wanted a smaller outline so cut the sentiment with the Sugar Script Big Hugs die. Cool shadow, right?!

    I hope you enjoyed today’s card and have a great rest of your week!

    Supplies

    57503 Sylvan Berries and Leaves Contour Layers

    57138 Big Hugs Sugar Script

    bpf513 Hugs Sugar Script Hot Foil Plate and Die Set

    sp1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack

    gp1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad

  • Find Joy Prime Peonies | by Crystal Komara

    Find Joy Prime Peonies | by Crystal Komara

    Hello readers and happy Friday to you! I hope you have fun (and creative) things planned for the weekend ahead. This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing this card using the Prime Peony Duo Contour Layers.

    Now, before I get into the details of how I made this card, I want to take a minute to appreciate the intricate WORK and time commitment involved with contour layering dies! If you think you’re just going to throw a card like this together and also juggle cooking dinner, doing a load of towels, tending to a puking cat and watching Friends reruns, oh no, no, no, my friend, that ain’t gonna happen! Contour layering dies take an extreme amount of concentration, patience and precision. I lack all three. At best, I’m spastic in thought, I have the patience of a 5-year old and I’m of the philosophy that “done is better than perfect!!” So, for me, while contour layering dies (when completed) are absolutely gorgeous, the journey getting there is kinda sheer torture.

    But, look at this card, ain’t she a beaut?!

    But, I learned a few helpful tips while making this card I want to share with you to help make your contour layering dies journey less painful. First, we are going to make the peonies using a variety of pink cardstocks.

    1. Don’t be in a rush – contour layering dies take time and if you know this ahead of time, it’s half the battle

    2. Organization – when you die cut the Prime Peony flowers, keep them in organized rows

    2. Follow the Directions (or the provided image) – they really do make sense in how you put the peony layers together!

    *Use a fine tip glue to adhere these intricate tiny layers together.
    *Tip – use a fine tip liquid glue for adhering tiny layers together.
    Die cut the larger word shadow from pink cardstock and the thinner word outline from white cardstock.
    Die cut the Linear Triangle from white cardstock.

    Because I had fully committed myself to making this one card (and not being interrupted by anything else) I found the process went much more smoothly. I love the end result SO much that I now intend to work more with the contour layering dies!

    Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    57504 Prime Peony Duo Contour Layers

    57452 Find Joy and Outline

    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack

    SP1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack

    57393 Linear Triangle

  • Elegant Sprouting Crocus | Dilay Nacar

    Elegant Sprouting Crocus | Dilay Nacar

    Welcome, everyone! Dilay here sharing a clean and elegant floral card featuring the new Sprouting Crocus Contour Layer dies! 

    To begin, I die cut two Linear Triangles and adhered them to the top and bottom corners of an A2-sized card base. Next, I die cut the Kinsley Layers layer A in silver glitter cardstock and layers B land C in white, then adhered them together and onto the center of the card base, slightly overlapping the Linear Triangles. 

    Next, I die cut the Sprouting Crocus Contour Layers, ink blended the blooms in purple and pink and the stems in light and dark green, then adhered them together and onto the Kinsley Layers. 

    To finish, I foiled and die cut the Thank You Noted Script in purple foil and adhered it to the top of the card. I hope you enjoyed learning more about today’s card! Thank you so much for joining me!


    Supplies


    57523 Sprouting Crocus Contour Layers
    57393 Linear Triangle
    56123 Kinsley Layer Set
    bpf511 Thank You Noted Script Hot Foil Plate and Die Set
    gp1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad