Category: Friendship

  • 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



    Supplies


  • Glittering Hugs | by Crystal Komara

    Glittering Hugs | by Crystal Komara

    Hello crafty friends and happy Wednesday! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing some Valentine’s Day themed inspiration, but in non-traditional colors. I’m all for the lovey-dovey, over-the-top, red and pink hearts everything, but what if you want to tone it down just a bit and tell your friends you’re thinking of them? Well, keep reading because here’s my version of sending some love and hugs that isn’t so mushy-gushy romantic.

    First, I LOVE this color combination of mint green, teal green, gold and white. It’s classic and it’s elegant. You can also see what it looks like here with a Christmas themed card. Or here, where I added just a touch of baby pink color too! Clearly, it’s a combination I love as I have used it frequently.

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. This is my go-to white cardstock for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g! It’s great for card bases, layering, die cutting, distress oxide blending and Copic coloring For the very first base layer I cut a piece of teal green cardstock to measure 5 1/4″ x 4″ from the Lush Green 6″ x 6″ paper pack. Using the Kinsley Heart Layering Plates, I cut Layer C (the bottom layer) from gold glitter cardstock. Next I cut Layer B (the middle layer) from mint green cardstock, also found in the Lush Green 6″ x 6″ paper pack.

    I cut Layer A (the top layer) from white cardstock. I adhered all three layers together with a fine-tip liquid adhesive before adhering them all to the card base. I then cut a 5 1/2″ x x 1 1/2″ strip of white cardstock and adhere it to the bottom third of the card. This allowed me to place the words “hugs” onto a white background in order for it to stand out against the detailed die. I used the Big Lingo Type Hugs die here. I cut the bottom thicker layer from teal green cardstock and the top thinner layer from gold glitter cardstock. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment “thinking of you” from the Lingo Thanks Clear stamp set in teal ink on white cardstock. I adhered the sentiment strip to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    Gosh, I just looooooove this color combination so much. I hope you have enjoyed today’s card as well. Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

  • Hello Sweet Friend | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press Friends! I am excited to be up on the blog today sharing the gorgeous Eloquent Butterfly layering die set! I absolutely love this set and decided to use this set today with a mixed media vibe! I hope you enjoy it, let’s get started!

    I started with the beautiful Eloquent Butterfly layering die set. I die cut all 3 layers. First I die cut layer C using white card stock, layer B using white and an inked background from my stash, and then layer A using an inked background from my stash. The inked backgrounds were made using sprays. Once all the layers were die cut, I added dye ink to layer B and layer A. I feel this adds a bit more texture and definition to the layer. On layer A I also added a bit of embossing glaze for added texture. I then adhered all layers together and added foam tape. I then die cut the antennae for the butterfly from the Butterfly Basics die set using a piece of card stock from the Vintage Pastel Mirror pad and adhered this with liquid glue to the butterfly.

    Next I chose a gelli print from my stash and embossed the panel using the Flora Plate die set. I used Layer C from the set and followed the instructions in my die cutting machine to emboss the panel onto my gelli print. Next I distressed the edges of the panel using a paper trimmer, distress tool, and then inked up the edges with distress ink.

    I then added a bit more texture to the panel using metallic paint by adding splatters with my paintbrush. Next I added a bit more distress ink to the raised areas of my background panel using a blending tool.

    To complete my card I adhered the panel to an A2 card base. Next I added two strips of paper, one from an old book and another piece of gelli print. Both pieces were distressed using a combination of distress inks and embossing glaze. I added the Hugs Honey Script sentiment to my card. I die cut the shadow layer using white card stock and ink blended the shadow with distress oxide. I die cut the hugs sentiment 3 times using kraft card stock and adhered them together with liquid glue. I then ink blended the sentiment with distress inks. I added a sub sentiment from my stash. Both sentiments were adhered using liquid glue.

    Thanks so much for stopping by today! I had so much fun creating today’s card! I will be back soon!


    Supplies


  • 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


    Supplies


  • Layered Floral Star | By Allison Frazier

    Layered Floral Star | By Allison Frazier

    Hello again, Friends! Today I am sharing this gorgeous layered floral star card using one of my favorite color combinations. There is just something about orange and turquoise together, right? It has to be one of the more striking complementary color combos.

    I love creating texture in the background of my cards, even if it’s not with dies. For this card, I created texture by stamping and embossing the large stamp from the Christmas Ornament and Labels set. I used a textured turquoise embossing powder – the texture gives it a more muted and imperfect look. I cut the stamped panel down to 4″ x 5.25″ and mounted it to a dark teal A2 card base.

    I die cut each of the three layers from the Floral Star Layer Set, using orange paper for Layer C, dark teal for Layer B, and white for Layer A. I then traced one of the negative spaces from those die cuts onto a turquoise piece of paper and cut it with my scissors to form a solid back. I adhered the layers together with liquid glue and then adhered the entire element to the embossed panel, making sure to cover the ornament shape in the stamped image.

    Next, I die cut the “friend” shadow twice from white card stock, adhering the layers together. I die cut the friend word twice from white card stock and once from orange card stock, layered those together and adhered to the shadow. Then I placed the finished word into the middle of the floral star. The sub-sentiment is from my stash – I stamped it on the same dark teal card stock and white heat embossed it.

    This card is the perfect example of why I fell in love with Birch Press Design when I first started making cards several years ago. The layering dies and the font in their sugar script dies will always stay fresh. Fresh! Maybe that’s the word that comes to mind when I see this color combination.

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

    Wishing you a crafty day,
    Allison


    Supplies


  • Hugs | by Crystal Komara

    Hugs | by Crystal Komara

    Hello crafty friends and Happy Valentine’s Day! Whether you love or hate the holiday, it is still a great reason to make cards (and eat chocolate, of course)! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing an elegant and more traditional card using the beautiful new Adornment Peony dies.

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock. Using the Pinpoint Radial Layer Plate, I die cut that first embossed layer from white cardstock. To create the peonies, I die cut the solid base layer from red cardstock (6″ x 6″ Berry Paper pack) and the top thin outline layer from red foil cardstock (from the Polished Foil Paper Pack). I die cut the solid base layer of the leaves from light green cardstock and the top thin outline layer from darker green cardstock. I used the 6″ x 6″ Lush Green Paper pack. I adhered all the layers together with a fine tip liquid glue.

    I die cut the word “hugs” using the Hugs Honey Script dies. I cut the larger shadow bottom layer from black cardstock and top thinner outline from gold glitter cardstock. I adhered both layers together with a fine tip liquid glue and then adhered the entire sentiment over the peonies using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    Lastly, I added a couple iridescent round stones for added texture.

    I love, love, loooooove how this beautiful card came out and I think I’m going to try it in a few more colors (like yellow and pink) now too! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

  • Frosty Flake | By Dilay Nacar

    Frosty Flake | By Dilay Nacar

    Hi, friends and happy Friday! 

    Dee (@dilaynacar) here today sharing a fun snowflake card featuring one of my favorite layering dies and a background that I created using acrylic sprays and die cuts! Let’s get started!

    To begin, I took an extra background that I had previously created and cut it with the Pinpoint Radial background die (you can use any background that you like!) Next, I die cut three of the Frosty Flake snowflake die (only Layer A), adhered them to the background, and trimmed off the excess.

    Next, I cut the Big Friends Sugar Script die with the leftover acrylic-sprayed cardstock and the shadow  die in white, then adhered them to the card using foam tape. To finish, I added a sub-sentiment from my stash and some clear sequins for a little extra sparkle!

    Thank you so much for joining me today!

  • Pinpoint Radial Arista | By Dilay Nacar

    Pinpoint Radial Arista | By Dilay Nacar

    Welcome back, crafters! Dee here sharing a card that combines the Arista and the Pinpoint Radial plate dies for a clean and simple geometric design! Let’s get started!

    I began by cutting the Pinpoint Radial plate die with white cardstock, then die cutting Layer A of the Arista layering dies four times – once in white and three in different colored cardstock. I stacked all four together, offsetting each one, and adhered them together for a kaleidoscope effect, then adhered it to the center of the Pinpoint Radial background. 

    To finish, I cut the Big Hello Sugar Script die once in colored cardstock and once in gold, stacked and adhered them together (offset), and adhered it to the background. For a little extra shine, I added gold embellishments to the center of the Arista circle!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

  • Butterfly Hugs | By Dilay Nacar

    Butterfly Hugs | By Dilay Nacar

    Hi friends and welcome back! Dee here today sharing a card featuring the Viola and Eloquent layered dies that I combined with a simple ink blending combo for pops of color!

    To begin, I first cut the Viola Plate dies (layers a, b, and c) in white, then stacked and adhered them together. Next, I watered colored two A2-panels in yellow, To begin, I cut the Viola dies (layers a, b, and c) in white, then stacked and adhered them together.

    Next, I watered-colored two A2-panels in yellow, orange, and pink, adhering one panel behind the Viola layers and die cutting the other panel with layer a of the Eloquent butterfly set. I then die cut layers b and c of the Eloquent set in gold and white, then adhered the three layers together.

    I then die cut layer b and c of the Eloquent set in gold and white then adhered the three layers together. To finish the butterfly, I die cut the body of the butterfly from the Butterfly Basics set in gold and adhered it to the center. 

    Once the layers were complete, I adhered the butterfly to the front with foam adhesive. To finish, I die cut the sentiment from the Handwritten Hugs in gold, added gold embellishments, and mounted the panel onto an A2-sized card base. 

    Thanks so much for joining me today!

  • Thanks for Everything | By Dilay Nacar

    Thanks for Everything | By Dilay Nacar

    Hello, friends! Dee here and today, I’m sharing a clean and simple fall-themed card that features the Classic Sentimental Wreath stamp and die set combined with the Petal Triangle layer dies. Let’s get started!

    To begin, I cut down a piece of ivory cardstock to 4” x 5.24” then stamped and gold heat embossed a sentiment from the Classic Sentimental Wreath stamp set. 

    Next, I cut the Petal Triangle layer dies (A, B, and C) in the same ivory-colored cardstock, stacked and adhered them together, then mounted them onto the panel with foam adhesive. 

    For the leaves, I stamped each in three different colors then tucked and adhered them behind the Petal Triangle layers. 

    To finish, I mounted the completed panel to an A2-sized, top-folding card base! 

    I hope that you liked this clean and simple design! Thank you so much for stopping by, until next time!