Category: Friendship

  • Spread Kindness this Easter | by Tracey McNeely

    Spread Kindness this Easter | by Tracey McNeely

    Hi there crafty friends, I’m back today with a landscape slimline card showcasing the fabulous Crystal Lingo stamp set and the beautiful Petal Egg Layer die set.

    The faceted rectangle from the Crystal Lingo stamp set was white heat embossed on to a 8 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ panel of Bristol Smooth cardstock. I ink blended over the panel in a rainbow using Distress Oxide inks. The colours are Kitsch Flamingo, Carved Pumpkin, and Twisted Citron Distress Oxide inks and Mustard Seed, Tumbled Glass and Shaded Lilac Distress ink.

    The panel was trimmed down to 8 1/4″ x 3 1/4″ and it was attached to an 8 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ white card base with foam tape to add a bit of dimension.

    I wanted to use the pretty background along with the Petal Layers die set in a way that one wouldn’t overpower the other. I cut all three layers from heavyweight white cardstock. I adhered the layers together with liquid adhesive and once dry.

    I decided to use pinks and oranges as my egg colour from the background. You can place your egg anywhere on the card depending on the colours that appeal to you or your recipient. I chose to place the dimensional egg on a angle. I placed small pieces of foam tape behind the egg to pop it off the background.

    The sentiment from the Blooming Spring clear stamp set was heat embossed and trimmed down and added to he panel with foam tape.

    I love the idea of sending someone a landscape, slimline card. So easy to be displayed without tipping over.

    Thank you so much for creating with me today. Wishing you a happy and safe Easter.

    Supplies

    CL8155 Crystal Lingo clear stamp set

    57369 Petal Egg Layer Set

    CL8152 Blooming Spring clear stamp set

    SP1006 Stormy Blue 6×6 pack

  • Do the Slimline with Crystal Lingo | by Tracey McNeely

    Do the Slimline with Crystal Lingo | by Tracey McNeely

    Happy Spring crafty friends! Today I’m creating two slimline cards using the Crystal Lingo Stamps and dies.

    The faceted rectangle stamp in the Crystal Lingo clear stamp set is the perfect size for 8 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ slimline cards.

    For both of the my cards today I started off by white heat embossing the faceted rectangle from Crystal Lingo on to two panels of watercolour cardstock cut to 8 1/2″ x 3 1/2″.

    TIP: When embossing on watercolour cardstock I always make sure I prep the paper well with my embossing buddy and I always double stamp my embossing ink.

    I laid down a combination of Distress Ink and Distress Oxide inks on to my craft mat in a staggered rainbow. I used Kitsch Flamingo, Carved Pumpkin, and Twisted Citron Distress Oxide inks and Mustard Seed, Tumbled Glass and Shaded Lilac Distress ink.

    I spritzed some water onto the mat and then put my panel facedown into the ink and picked it up right away. I did not smoosh the ink, just straight on and off. I dried the panel thoroughly and then went back to the mat and tapped the panel around putting on a second layer. I spritzed a bit of water on my panel where the Distress Inks were to disperse them a bit more.

    Once again I dried the panel thoroughly and went back to the mat one more time but before tapping down I spritzed the craft mat a bit more to reactivate the ink and did one final layer by tapping the panel on the craft mat. I stamped and die cut the Big Lingo Type Thanks die in white and black and attached it to the card with foam adhesive!

    The second panel was actually the first panel but a little bit of Frayed Burlap was all it took to muddy up my rainbow.

    Rather than toss it away I kind of liked the masculine vibe that the brown gave to the card. So I did the same as I did for the other card.

    I dried it and added more ink until I had three layers! I die cut the Big Lingo Type Thanks using only the detailed die three times for the sentiment. I adhered the three layers together to give the die cut some stability. Trust me this takes some patience–lol! I adhered the die cut directly to the card front.

    It’s so much fun to take an image like this, emboss it and then have some fun with your inks. This technique can be done with most inks and of course a little bit of water.

    Thanks so much for joining me today and we’ll see you next time!

    Supplies

    CL8155 Crystal Lingo clear stamp set

    57228 Big Lingo Type Thanks

  • Any Time Layered Hearts

    Any Time Layered Hearts

    Hi there, it’s Tracey here today with a couple square cards using the Layered Hearts dies. These began as cards for Valentines, but time got away from me. So they were finished after the 14th as cards that you can send any time of the year. Both of today’s cards are 4 1/4″ x 4 1/4″ square and although the cards are different, they both use the same process.

    The Kinsley Heart and the Petal Heart layer sets are beautiful whether you use all three layers together or just the top for a delicate look! I love this die set because even with all three layers you can still see the amazing stitched lines on the bottom layer!

    To make the pink heart using all three layers of the Kinsley Heart layers dies. I began by blending a panel with Distress Oxide Inks–Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry and Seedless Preserves. This will be the background for the layered heart and the bottom layer of the letter dies. It was cut with the largest heart in the Perfect Hearts die set. The layers of the Kinsley heart were cut from white cardstock and glued together. The ‘xoxo’ was cut using the Mod Alphabet die set. The bottom layer from the ink blended panel and the top from white cardstock.

    Before attaching the layered heart and ‘xoxo’ to the card base it was spritzed with Distress Oxide Spray in Picked Raspberry. I sponged a bit a pink ink on the centre of the heart for interest.

    The green card used the Petal Layers die set, but only Layer A for a more delicate design.

    Just like with the pink card I blended a panel with Distress Oxide Inks, this time I used Tumble Glass, Cracked Pistachio and Peacock Feathers. I used the panel once again for the layered heart and the bottom layer of the letter dies. Layer A of the Petal Heart layer set was cut from white cardstock. The ‘xoxo’ was cut using the Mod Alphabet die set. The bottom layer from the ink blended panel and the top from white cardstock.

    This time before attaching the heart and ‘xoxo’ to the card base it was spritzed with Cracked Pistachio and Peacock Feathers Distress Oxide Spray.

    So quick and so fun to use similar supplies and the same basic techniques to make two cards to you can use to Share Handmade Kindness!

    Thank you so much for stopping in to craft with me, see you next time.

    Supplies

    57399 Kinsley Heart Layer Set

    57396 Petal Heart Layer Set

    57053 Perfect Hearts

    8139 Mod Alphabet clear stamp and die set

  • Linear Triangle Paper Weaving | By Dilay Nacar

    Linear Triangle Paper Weaving | By Dilay Nacar

    Hello, friends!

    Dilay here and today, I’m sharing an unconventional (but super fun) way to use the brand new Linear Triangle die! The moment I saw this die, I envisioned a card that incorporated it with paper weaving, and this is what I created!

    To begin, I picked out a few of my favorite cardstock colors and die cut them using the Linear Triangle die. I did the same with white cardstock, then using a simple paper weaving technique, I weaved the colored cardstock strips through the white triangle.

    While weaving, I made sure to keep the strips evenly spaced and straight and once completely woven, I used glue to secure the ends of the strip to the white triangle.

    After allowing it to dry, I trimmed off the overhang then adhered the triangles onto an A2-sized panel using thin foam adhesive.

    For the sentiment, I die cut the Big Friend Sugar Script Die, twice in white cardstock and once in gold then die cut the shadow die in heavyweight vellum. I stacked all of the layers together then adhered them to the center of the panel with liquid glue. 

    For the sub-sentiment, I used the ‘I miss your face’ stamp from the new Crystal Lingo clear stamp set, heat embossing it in gold then adhering it under the main sentiment with a foam square. 

    I hope that you enjoyed my card today! I love using dies in different ways, and this die was just perfect to use with paper weaving. I hope you’re inspired to try it out too! Wishing everyone a wonderful day!

    57393 Linear Triangle
    57177 Big Friend Sugar Script
    CL8155 Crystal Lingo clear stamp set

  • One Layer Friend | By Dilay Nacar

    One Layer Friend | By Dilay Nacar

    Hello, friends! Dilay here and I am back to share a clean and simple card that I created using one of my favorite dies: the ‘Kinsley Layer Set’. However this time, I used it a bit differently – I only used one layer! By using just the first layer, I was able to create an intricate background easily and quickly!

    To get started, I cut multiple shades of teal cardstock (you can use any color for this step) into thin strips. I then used tape runner to adhere the strips onto a piece of white cardstock to create a background design to later die cut. I then set this aside to dry and started on the next step.

    Strips of teal cardstock adhered to cardstock

    For the background of the card, I cut a piece of heavyweight white cardstock to an A2 size base (5.5” x 4.25”) as the panel. Next, I die cut only the ‘Kinsley Layer A’ die 3 times in white cardstock and adhered the 3 onto the panel in a design that I liked, trimming off any extra.

    Die cut ‘Kinsley Layer A’ only 3 times
    Adhered all 3 to A2 base to create background

    I then die cut the same die 3 more times from silver glitter cardstock and used the negative pieces to fill in the center portions of the ‘flower’, adhering them with liquid adhesive. I set that aside to dry.

    Die cut ‘Kinsley Layer A’ in silver glitter cardstock 3 times
    Filled in centers using negative pieces of glitter cardstock

    Next, I die cut the ‘Big Friend Sugar Script Die’  using the teal strip design sheet, and once again in white to adhere behind it for added stability and extra dimension. Finally, once the layers dried, I adhered the the sentiment onto the base and added silver flat bobbles to the center of the flowers. 

    Die cut strips in ‘Big Friend Sugar Script Die’

    This technique is great if you’re looking to stretch your dies or create something a little more subtle. You can recreate this card with just about any layer die and color!

    I hope you you enjoyed my post today and found some inspiration!

    56123 Kinsley Layer Set
    57177 Big Friend Sugar Script
    GP1005 Holiday Glitter Pad
  • 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″

    Supplies

     

     

    56130 Autumn Breeze Plate Layer Set

     

     

    57302 Thanks Honey Script

     

     

    CL8143 Lingo Thanks

     

  • 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!

    Supplies

    56128 Viola Plate Layer Set

    CL8151 You Are Awesome clear stamp set

    GP1001 Delicate Pastel Glitter Pad