Category: Friendship

  • Early Blossom | By Natasha Vacca

    Early Blossom | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Crafty Friends! I hope you had a great weekend! I am excited to be up on the blog today sharing a new release from Birch Press Designs with you – the beautiful Early Blossom Contour Layers die set! I love florals and these dies make it so easy to create with! So let’s get started!

    I started by die cutting the florals using Hammermill white card stock. I then ink blended each of the layers using a combination of dye inks. Once all the inking was complete, I adhered each of the layers together using liquid glue.

    Next I started to work on the background tag for my floral die cuts. I started with a pre-made tag then added papers and collage paper to the tag. I used the Anemone Grove Paper pad, as well as collage paper from my stash. I ripped pieces of paper for a distress look, then adhered them with collage medium. I allowed this to dry, then inked up the background using Distress Oxide Inks. I used: Antique Linen, Pumice Stone, Peacocks Feathers, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, and Mustard Seed. I layered these on, as well as splattered with water droplets for added texture.

    Next I added Translucent Crackle Paint to sections of the tag, allowed this to dry, then applied Distress Crayons over the top of the crackle paint. I also added some paper glaze to sections for added texture. I then added splatters to the tag using black and gold. I then adhered all the layers together using liquid glue and foam tape. The wood grain paper paper in the center of the tag is from Memory Box and it is in the color cream. I applied ink and sponging to the paper for added texture.

    I chose a pre-made sentiment from my stash and adhered this to my tag as well. I darkened the edges of the tag using Distress Ink in Ground Espresso using a blending tool, as well as additional texture using a sea sponge. The tag was completed with twine for the top, as well as lace and a button.

    I had a lot of fun putting this together! I encourage you to use your pattern paper in new ways to add texture to your card bases and backgrounds too! Thanks so much for stopping by today! I will be back soon!


    Supplies


    57520 Early Blossom Contour Layers

    Supplies


    pp1026 Anemone Grove 6×6 pack
    SH44002 Cream Woodgrain Paper Pack
  • White on White | by Rosemary Dennis

    White on White | by Rosemary Dennis

    Hello everyone! Rosemary here on the blog today sharing a white on white (with a little bit of gray) design using one of the January release dies, Rose Leaves Contour Layers. I paired the new die set up with the older Morning Rose and Triple Buds Contour Layers dies and layer A from the Dazzle layering dies. White one white always creates a clean and classic look.

    As you can see that Rose Leaves Contour dies are fairly large and I felt they needed a larger floral design to compliment them. That is why I went with the Morning Rose and Triple Buds Contour Layers die set.

    The bottom layer of the larger leaves die was cut from the glitter cardstock and the top layer from white cardstock. For the smaller leaf cluster I die cut the bottom from white cardstock and the top layer from the glitter cardstock. Since the large rose has four layers I die cut two from white cardstock and two from glitter cardstock. Two layers of the buds were cut from the glitter cardstock and one layer from the white cardstock. I used liquid adhesive to secure all the layers together.

    I die cut the Dazzle layer A from a light gray cardstock and a piece of thicker white cardstock. The two layers were secured with liquid adhesive, added to a white cardstock base using more liquid adhesive and then allowed to dry for a bit before I added the rose, buds and leaves with more liquid adhesive. I trimmed some of the leaves off the larger leaf cluster to better fit the flow of the design.

    I finished off the card with a sentiment from the Open Studio Gracious Floral stamp set. I heat embossed the sentiment with white embossing powder on vellum. The sentiment was secured with rolled up glue dot hidden behind the letters and liquid adhesive.

    I hope you enjoyed today’s card. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

    Supplies

    57493 Morning Rose and Triple Buds Contour Layers

    57522 Rose Leaves Contour Layers

    57000-DA Dazzle Layer Set

    cl5280 Gracious Floral Clear Stamp Set

  • Eloquent Butterfly Layered tag | By Natasha Vacca

    Eloquent Butterfly Layered tag | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello crafty friends, It is Natasha and I am excited to be up on the blog with you today! Today’s project combines the beautiful Eloquent Butterfly layered set, paired with beautiful papers from Memory Box! So let’s get started!

    I started by die cutting each layer (A and C) from the Eloquent Butterfly onto white cardstock. Once it was die cut, I added Distress Oxide Ink (Brushed Corduroy and Walnut Stain) to layer A and C. For layer B I die cut the butterfly using the Memory Box Glitzy Glitter pad using a piece of blue glitter paper. Then on layer B I added a couple colors of embossing powder. I do one color at a time, adding layers and not fully covering the butterfly with one color of powder. I also added a bit of embossing powder to layer A to add more interest and texture. I then adhered the butterfly together using liquid glue and set it aside.

    Next I started to work on my tag background using a pre-made tag from my stash. I then chose a few pieces of beautiful pattern paper from the Memory Box Magnolia Grove paper pad. I love these papers, they are so beautiful! I adhered the layers onto my tag, then dry embossed one of the papers using the Memory Box Ringadings embossing folder. Once this was dry embossed I tore the pattern paper to give a distressed look. I then added the same distress oxide inks to the paper. I added a bit more texture by applying an iridescent embossing powder to sections of the dry embossed paper. I then adhred the layer onto my tag,

    Next I added splatters to the tag panel using a brown spray from my stash. I allowed the panel to dry, then distressed the edges using my distress ink pad. I chose a sentiment from my stash and adhered this with foam tape, then adhered the butterfly to the tag using liquid glue.

    I completed the project with a twine at the top of the tag and a few gems from the Christmas Fairy Drops collection!

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


    Supplies


    57426 Eloquent Butterfly Layer Set

    Supplies


    pp1022 Magnolia Grove 6×6 pack
    gp1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad
    DDP101 Christmas Fairy Dewdrops
  • Something Old, Something New | by Rosemary Dennis

    Something Old, Something New | by Rosemary Dennis

    Hello everyone! Rosemary here on the blog today. I hope that your January is off to a great start. Since it is the start of a new year I thought it would be fun to mix some old products with some newly released products for my card today.

    The new Birch Press Design release includes the sweet Gentle Flower and Leaves Contour Layers die set, as well as the Just A Note Noted Script hot foil plate and die set. I combined these two new items with the older Caprice Heart Layering die set and the Pinpoint Radial Plate.

    I created a custom pink color by applying an ink cube directly to white cardstock. Once the ink was dry I die cut the flower pieces. I found a dark shade of pink that coordinated with the lighter pink and applied that to the center of the largest flower layer using a small blender brush. To darken up the third layer of the flower I placed it directly on the dark pink ink cube and using my finger I carefully pushed it into the ink cube to apply the ink. I let everything dry before adhering all the layers with liquid adhesive.

    I did the same direct to cardstock inking for the leaves using two shades of green. Once the cardstock had fully absorbed the ink and was dry I die cut the layers and then adhered them together using liquid adhesive. Once the flower was adhered together I added some shine to the center of the flower with some Glossy Accents.

    I die cut the Caprice Heart Layers as follows: top and bottom layers from white cardstock and middle layer from white glitter cardstock. You can see the glitter layer in the close up photo above. I used liquid adhesive to adhere the layers together. The Pinpoint Radial die was die cut from white cardstock and then further cut down with a smaller sized rectangle die. I adhered the heart to the center along with the flower and leaves. Liquid glue was used to adhere the heart and varying thicknesses of foam squares for the flowers. I used liquid adhesive to secure the flowers. The final detail was the sentiment. I hot foiled that using matte gold foil and then die cut it with the matching die. I die cut two additional layers to add behind the foiled sentiment for more stability. The layers were secured with liquid glue. I then added the sentiment using both foam squares and liquid glue.

    I just love how all the Birch Press Design products mix and match so perfectly. I hope you enjoyed today’s card and that I inspired you to mix your old products with your new ones! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

    Supplies

    57384 Pinpoint Radial Plate

    56058 Caprice Heart Layer Set

    57491 Gentle Flower and Leaves Contour Layers

    GP1008 Majestic Hues Glitter Pad

    BPF514 Just A Note Noted Script Hot Foil Plate and Die Set

  • Sunset Sympathy | by Toni M Maddox

    Sunset Sympathy | by Toni M Maddox

    Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today sharing a sympathy card although it could be used for any occasion really.

    I sponged the card front with Distress Oxide Mustard Seed, Carved Pumpkin, Picked Raspberry, Seedless Preserves, and Prize Ribbon. I spattered the panel with water then set it aside to dry.

    I cut out the Budding Twigs, Hillside Branch and Bramble, Jovial Blooms and Leaves, and Sprouting Crocus dies from black cardstock.

    I adhered those onto the sponged panel which I had cut down and embossed with the Pinpoint Contour Plate.

    I embossed the Classic Sentimental Wreath sentiment in white on vellum, tucking that around the front panel to hide the adhesive.

    I’m so very pleased how this turned out. Sympathy cards are hard to make and I hope this one provides a little brightness.

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

    Supplies

    57529 Budding Twigs Contour Layers

    57524 Hillside Branch and Bramble Contour Layers

    57523 Sprouting Crocus Contour Layers

    57502 Jovial Blooms and Leaves Contour Layers

    57511 Pinpoint Contour Plate

    CL8157 Classic Sentimental Wreath stamp set

  • Butterfly Congratulations | By Natasha Vacca

    Butterfly Congratulations | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press friends! I am excited to be back up on the blog today sharing a card using the beautiful Eloquent Butterfly layering die set! So let’s get started!

    I started by die cutting Layer A and C using white cardstock from the Eloquent Butterfly layering die set. I die cut Layer B using the Memory Box Glitzy Gltter Pad using a silver cardstock from the pad. I also die cut the antennae from the Butterfly Basics die set using the same silver cardstock. I wanted to distress the glitter cardstock a bit and added a distressed gold paper glaze to areas of silver glitter cardstock. I then adhered the layers of the butterfly together using liquid glue.

    Next I started to work on the background for my card using the Marvelous Magnolia 3D embossing folder from Memory Box. I dry embossed a gelli print from my stash. Once the florals were embossed I used some oil pastels on the flowers, leaves, and stems to add color to the embossed background.

    I also added the same paper glaze from the butterfly onto areas of the leaves. I allowed the panel to completely dry, then trimmed the panel using my paper trimmer. I then adhered the floral background onto an A2 card panel.

    Next I adhered the butterfly using liquid glue. I chose a sentiment from my stash to complete my card. I added a few purple gemstones from the Autumn Fairy Jewels collection. I had fun creating today’s card and I will be back soon!


    Supplies


    57426 Eloquent Butterfly Layer Set
    57403 Butterfly Basics

    Supplies


    ef1035 Marvelous Magnolia 3D Embossing Folder and Cutting Dies
    gp1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad
    jwl004 Autumn Fairy Jewels
  • Hoping Today | by Rosemary Dennis

    Hoping Today | by Rosemary Dennis

    Hello everyone! Rosemary here on the blog today. Can’t believe it is the end of September! But the weather here in the Pacific Northwest is telling me that yes, fall has arrived! Today I have a fall inspired project to share that I made using the new Budding Twigs Contour Layers dies.

    I had created a different card for today’s post, but decided to save that for a later date because I have had this idea for the Budding Twigs dies in the back of my mind for a few weeks now. Had to get it out, lol! The design is super simple, but I think very impactful.

    The die is one piece and so I only had to die cut the die twice to get all the pieces I needed to complete my little twig frame. I die cut the pieces from smooth bristol cardstock and then used some Tonic Studios Aqua Flow pens to color them in red, orange and brown. Aqua Flow pens are similar to ZIG Clean Color Real Brush markers in that they have concentrated watercolor in them. You apply the color and then blend it out with with water. The die cuts are very delicate and it was a bit of a task to color them, but I think it was worth the challenge!

    Once I had the pieces colored I let them dry and then adhered them together with liquid adhesive. While the pieces were drying I used a Memory Box Rectangle Frames die to die cut a piece of white cardstock that I had stamped with the sentiment from the Kind Hearts stamp set using VersaFine CLAIR Acorn ink. I then inked up the edge of the rectangle with Old Paper distress ink. The twigs were then adhered to the rectangle using liquid adhesive. I die cut a panel of kraft cardstock with the Pinpoint Contour plate and adhered that to my card base with tape runner. I then attached the rectangle to the center of the panel with foam tape. I finished with a few Open Studio autumn Fairy Jewels.

    I love the sweet little frame the Budding Twigs created and think it would be fun to create one for spring. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

    Supplies

    57529 Budding Twigs Contour Layers

    57511 Pinpoint Contour Plate

    cl8163 Kind Hearts clear stamp set

    94672 A2 Rectangle Frames Die Set

    jwl004 Autumn Fairy Jewels

  • Adornment Wreath | By Natasha Vacca

    Adornment Wreath | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Crafty Friends! It is Natasha here today and I am excited to be back on the blog today! Today I am sharing the beautiful new Adornment Wreath die set! So let’s get started!

    I love this gorgeous wreath and wanted to create a card using the wreath as my focal image. I started by die cutting the Adornment Wreath. I die cut the base layer 2 times using white card stock and the top layer 2 times as well. Once these were die cut, I adhered them together using liquid glue. I set the wreath aside to work on my background.

    For my background I chose a gelli print from my stash. I chose a background with beautiful pops of color to compliment the white wreath. I then ran the background through my die cutting machine with the Ringadings embossing folder from Memory Box.

    Next I added some distressing to my dry embossed background, using both distress crayons, as well as paper glaze. I love the added shine and sparkle from the Gold paper glaze.

    I then added some black splatters to the background and set it aside to dry. Once it was dry I trimmed the panel and distressed the edges using my distressing tool. I then added some Black Soot distress ink to the edges of the panel. I adhered the panel to my A2 card base.

    I completed my card by adhering the wreath to my card front using liquid glue. I chose a sentiment strip from my stash and adhered this with foam tape.

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


    Supplies


    57485 Adornment Wreath

    Supplies


    ef1015 Ringadings 3D Embossing Folder
  • A Fall Thank You | By Natasha Vacca

    A Fall Thank You | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press friends, it is Natasha here and I am excited to be back with you today! Today I created a fall thank you card using the new Oak Leaf die set. I am a summer girl at heart, however I do love the colors of Fall! So let’s get started!

    I started by creating 2 panels using mixed media paper and my Distress Mica Stains. I chose 3 colors to use today to create the panels. The panels will be used to die cut my leaves. I spritzed the colors onto my paper one at a time, heat set them with my heat tool, added water droplets, and picked up the color with a paper towel. I continued this process until I had the colors and texture I was looking for. I set the panels aside to completely dry as I worked on my background.

    Next I chose a piece of kraft paper from my stash and dry embossed the panel using the Memory Box Geometric Crystals embossing folder. I then used a sanding tool to distress the dry embossed panel in various sections. To add a bit more texture and dimension to the panel I applied Distress Oxide inks to the panel in 3 of the corners.

    Next I trimmed the panel using my Deckle Trimmer and distressed the edges using Distress Ink. I added splatters to the panel using black and gold splatter. I set the panel aside to completely dry.

    Next I took my 2 panels I created using the Distress Mica Stains and die cut 2 leaves using the new Oak Leaf Die set. I also die cut the top layer using white card stock. I then ink blended the top layer of the leaves using oxides and once dry added Foundry Wax for added shine. I then adhered both layers of the leaves together using liquid adhesive.

    To complete my card, I adhered the dry embossed panel onto an A2 card base using liquid adhesive. I adhered the leaves with foam tape. I chose the sentiment from Handwritten Thanks and Outline die set. I die cut the script Thanks 3 times, using black card stock, as well as from the Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad. I adhered the layers together using liquid glue and added this to my card front. I chose a sub sentiment from my stash and completed the card with a few gems from Autumn Fairy Jewels. Thanks so much for stopping by today! I will be back soon!


    Supplies


    57484 Adornment Oak Leaf
    57420 Handwritten Thanks and Outline

    Supplies


    FP1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad
    EF1016 Geometric Crystals 3D Embossing Folder
    jwl004 Autumn Fairy Jewels
  • hugs | by Rosemary Dennis

    hugs | by Rosemary Dennis

    Hello everyone! Rosemary here today sharing a card made with the pretty new Adornment Wreath die from the latest release.

    As I thought about what I wanted to make with products from the new release I started to wonder if I could use cardstock from the Vintage Pastel Mirror with alcohol inks. The cardstock does have a slick finish just like glossy cardstock or Yupo paper. So I decided to give it a try and it worked! I used a bluish-green piece of cardstock from the pad along with several green and one blue alcohol ink. I used my Tim Holtz puffer tool (I don’t know if that it what it is called, lol, but it works for me) to move the ink around until I had it to my liking. Once dry I die cut the solid wreath from that panel.

    As you can see I still have some left over to die cut smaller pieces from or maybe add more alcohol ink. There are two sheets of each color in the pad so I decided to use the second one to die cut the top layer from and adhered that with liquid adhesive.

    For the sentiment I used one of the circle sentiments from the Contempo Greetings stamp and die set. I stamped the sentiment on a corner of the panel I die cut the adornment layer from using watermark ink and then heat embossed in white. I used the circle die from the set to die cut the sentiment. As I have said before the Memory Box woodgrain cardstock is great for adding just a little bit of interest and texture to your background. I think the wreath looks lovely layered on top!

    One of the alcohol inks I used is a pearlescent one. I tried to capture some of the shine it creates with the above photo. Not sure if it worked or not! I used thin foam squares to pop up the wreath and then thicker foam squares doubled up on the circular sentiment. I added the panel to a white cardstock base and then finished with tiny clear Memory Box fairy drops.

    I hope you enjoyed today’s card. If you have some Memory Box mirror cardstock try out your alcohol inks on it. You just might like how things turn out! Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day!

    Supplies

    CL8160 Contempo Greetings clear stamp set

    57485 Adornment Wreath

    FP1002 Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad

    SH44001 White Woodgrain Paper Pack

    CLD101 Clear Fairy Drops