Category: Natasha Vacca

  • Mixed Media Large Cosmos | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press friends, it is Natasha here and I am back today sharing ideas on how to create a mixed media card using your dies! For today’s card I am using 2 new dies: Large Cosmos Contour Layers and Curved Leaf Branch Contour Layers. Let’s get started!

    I started by die cutting the Large Cosmos Contour Layers die using the Vibrant Violet paper pad from Memory Box. I chose 2 shades of card stock from the paper pad. Once the floral was die cut, I added dye inks to the floral for added dimension. I then spritzed the floral layers with water droplets and picked up the color with a paper towel. I then adhered the floral together using liquid glue. For the center of the floral I chose a gold card stock from the Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad. I adhered this to the center of the floral and set this aside.

    Next I started to die cut the Curved Leaf Branch Contour Layers die. I chose 2 shades of blue card stock from the Fresh Aqua paper pad from Memory Box. Once the leaf was die cut, I added 2 shades of dye ink to the leaf image. I added water droplets as well and picked up the color with paper towel. Once dry, I adhered the leaf layers together. I then added brown distress ink to the leaf edges for added texture.

    Once the flower and leaf image was complete, I started to work on my background. I chose a gelli print from my stash with similar colors. I then dry embossed the background using the Ringadings 3D embossing folder. I added a bit more texture to the folder using dye ink in a dark grey on some areas of of the raised circles, as well as a blue glaze, and foundry wax. I allowed everything to dry, once the background was dry I added a few splatters to the background.

    Next I added 2 pieces of pattern paper from the Magnolia Grove paper pack. I chose 2 colors to coordinate with my card design and tore the strips for a distressed look. I then adhered the card panel, strips of paper, leaf and floral to my A2 card base.

    To complete my card I chose the Big Hugs Sugar Script die. I die cut the hugs sentimnent 3 times out of black card stock. I then adhered each layer together using liquid glue. I added a bit of foam tape behind the hugs sentiment for added dimension.

    I hope today’s card inspires you to use your dies to create a mixed media style card!

    I will be back soon with more crafty inspiration!


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  • Gracious Floral | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press friends, it is Natasha here today and I am excited to be up on the blog today! Today I am sharing a colorful card using the new Gracious Floral 3D embossing folder! This card was so much fun to create, using inks, stencils, and sprays, so let’s get started!

    For today’s card I started with a piece of Canson Watercolor card stock. I started by adding Lindy’s sprays to the card panel background. When working with sprays, I add color to the paper, allow the panel to dry, spritz with water, then pick up the color with a paper towel. I continue this process for the background until I have the colors/textures I am looking for. Once the panel was completely dry, I ran the panel through my die cutting machine with the new Gracious Floral 3d Embossing folder by Memory Box. I love the detail in this folder. Next I added color to the floral and leaves using the coordinating stencil.

    The stencil for this set is so amazing and truly so easy to use. The set comes with a coordinating guide telling you the stencil to use for each layer. I continued to add layers of color to my flower using the layering stencil using dye inks from my stash. Once the layers were complete, I spritzed the panel with water and picked up some more color using a paper towel. I love this step, as it adds more dimension to my images.

    Next I added splatters to the card panel using my dye inks, as well as white splatters. I allowed the panel to completely dry, then I die cut the panel using my deckle edge trimmer. I then distressed the edges a bit more using my distress tool. Next I darkened the edges using distress ink and then adhered the panel to an A2 card base. I completed my card with a sentiment from the Gracious Floral stamp and die set.

    Thank you so much for stopping by today! I love this collection and I hope I inspired you to get inky today! I will be back in a few days with more crafty inspiration using new dies from the latest Birch Press Designs release!


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  • A Colorful Celebration | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press friends, it is Natasha here today and I am sharing a colorful celebration card using the beautiful Eloquent Butterfly layer dies! I had a lot of fun creating today’s card, so let’s get started!

    I started by cutting out each layer of the Eloquent Butterfly die set. I started with layer C using a piece of card stock from my scrap bin. Once the layer was die cut, I added a pink spray to the butterflies for added texture. Then I die cut layer B using the Memory Box Fresh Aqua paper pad. I chose an aqua shade of card stock from the pack. I added a blue and pink dye ink to each butterfly, spritzed with water, then added gold metallic watercolor splatters. I then die cut layer A using white card stock. I then added distress oxide ink, embossing powder, glaze, and foil to the top layer for added texture and interest.

    I then adhered each layer together using liquid glue. I then die cut the antennae for the butterfly using the Butterfly Basics die set. I die cut 2 antennae using the Memory Box Vintage Pastel Mirror pad. I then adhered these using liquid glue. I set my butterflies aside to create my background.

    For the background I chose a colorful gelli print from my background stash. I then ran this through my die cutting machine with the Memory Box Ringadings embossing folder. I added some gray dye ink to the folder as well to add texture to the dry embossed background. Next I trimmed the panel with my deckle edge trimmer, distressed the edges of the panel, and then added distress ink around the edges for more interest. I then adhered this panel to an A2 card base.

    To complete my card I adhered the butterflies to the card front, then chose a sentiment strip from my stash to complete my card. I had a lot of fun creating this colorful celebration! I hope you enjoyed it too! I will be back soon with more crafty inspiration!


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  • Sparkly Butterfly Greetings | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press friends, it is Natasha here today to share a card with you using lots of color and sparkle! For today’s card I am using the Butterfly Basics die set! Let’s get started!

    I started by creating 2 colorful background panels using Distress Mica Stain. I used 3 different colors to create my backgrounds. I spritzed each panel, allowed them to dry, then picked up some color with water. I repeated this process until I was happy with each panel.

    Once each panel was dry, I die cut 2 butterflies using the Butterfly Basics die set. I love these large butterflies! I then die cut the antennae for each butterfly using the Memory Box Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad. I then adhered the antennae to the butterfly using liquid glue. I set these aside to work on my background.

    Next I ran a piece of white card stock through my die cutting machine with the Memory Box Geometric Crystals embossing folder. I then tore a section of the panel off for a distressed look. I trimmed the panel down and then chose a piece of coordinating pattern paper. I then adhered these to an A2 card base.

    To complete my card I added foam tape to the back of each butterfly then adhered them to my card front. I chose a sentiment from my stash and added a piece of pattern paper to compliment my design.

    I had so much fun creating today’s card! I will be back soon with more crafty inspiration!


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  • Colorful Blooms, Thank you Tag | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press Designs crafty friends! I am excited to be back on the blog today! Today’s project features a colorful tag with beautiful blooms, lots of color, and texture too! I am using a few beautiful die sets, a pre-made tag base from my collection, an embossing folder, and a gelli print! So let’s get started!

    I was on the blog last week and shared how I created these flowers, leaves, and stems! When I was working on last week’s post, I made extra flowers and leaves! I love doing this as it saves time and allows you to have more die cuts for another project. I started with 4 die collections and 2 pads of colored card stock from Memory Box. I am using the Phlox Blooms and Leaves Contour Layers, Mixed Berry Contour Layers, Delicate Floral Buds Contour Layers, and the Sylvan Berries and Leaves Contour Layers. I used 2 pads from Memory Box: Berry Red and Lush Green. I love these pads of paper! The colors are amazing and they die cut beautifully and they are super easy to add ink blending on top as well! From each of the die sets listed above I die cut the leaves and stems using 2 shades of green paper from the Lush Green pad. Then for the floral dies (shared above) I used 2 shades of pink from the Berry Red paper pad.

    After my leaves and florals were all die cut I laid them out on my ink blending mat. For the green die cuts I used a combination of a light and green dye ink. On the pink layers I used a combination of dark pink and a purple dye ink. Once all the inking was completed I added water droplets to add a bit more texture to each piece. I added the water droplets, then picked up the color with a paper towel. I set each piece aside and allowed them to dry. Once dry I adhered the leaves and floral layers together with liquid glue.

    Next I used a pre-made tag for my base of my project. I then adhered a piece of a gelli print to my tag base. I adhered this with liquid glue. I did rough up the edges using my distress tool. Next I used the 3D Embossing Folder – Geometric Crystals from Memory Box. I ran this through my die cutting machine. I then ripped a piece of the dry embossed background and adhered this to the right side of my tag. I then added a couple more pieces of gelli print to the base layer. I did rip each of these layers as I wanted a worn look to the background. I added 2 strips of washi tape to the bottom of the tag to complete the base of the tag. Once everything was adhered I added distress ink to the edge of the tag and a few metallic gold splatters.

    Next I worked on the placement of my flowers and leaves on my tag base. Once I was happy with the placement, I adhered everything down with liquid glue and foam tape. I completed the tag with a sentiment from my stash and a piece of twine on the top! I also added a few fairy drops for added interest and texture.

    I hope today’s project inspires you to use your die cuts in another way! They are so much fun and the possibilities and endless!

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


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  • Just a Note | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press Friends, I am super excited to be back up on the Birch Press Designs blog today! Today’s card features a few floral dies from the latest collection. I had a lot of fun creating today’s card, so let’s get started!

    For today’s card I started with 4 die collections and 2 pads of colored card stock from Memory Box. I am using the Phlox Blooms and Leaves Contour Layers, Mixed Berry Contour Layers, Delicate Floral Buds Contour Layers, and the Sylvan Berries and Leaves Contour Layers. I used 2 pads from Memory Box: Berry Red and Lush Green. I love these pads of paper! The colors are amazing and they die cut beautifully and they are super easy to add ink blending on top as well! From each of the die sets listed above I die cut the leaves and stems using 2 shades of green paper from the Lush Green pad. Then for the floral dies (shared above) I used 2 shades of pink from the Berry Red paper pad.

    After my leaves and florals were all die cut I laid them out on my ink blending mat. For the green die cuts I used a combination of a light and green dye ink. On the pink layers I used a combination of dark pink and a purple dye ink. Once all the inking was completed I added water droplets to add a bit more texture to each piece. I added the water droplets, then picked up the color with a paper towel.

    I set each piece aside and allowed them to dry. Once dry I adhered the leaves and floral layers together with liquid glue. I then added metallic gold splatters to the flowers. I allowed these to dry.

    Next I chose a background from my gelli print stash. I trimmed the gelli print panel down, then adhered this to a piece of cream colored cardstock and adhered this to an A2 card base. I then worked on the arrangement for the flowers, stems, and leaves. Once I was happy with the layout I adhered all the layers down using liquid glue and foam tape onto the gelli print background.

    To complete my card I chose to use the foiled sentiment Just a Note from the Sugar Scripts Sentiments 1 die set. I foiled the sentiment then adhered this to my card front using foam adhesive. Finally I added a few Fairy Drops to finish my card.

    I had a lot of fun creating today’s card! I hope you like it! I will be back soon to share more crafty inspiration!


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  • Hot Foil Background Using Sprays | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press Design friends, I am excited to be back up on the blog today! For today’s card I am sharing ideas on how to use a foil background die with sprays in your collection! Today I am using 2 new dies from the latest Birch Press release, Gilded Petalpoint Hot Foil Plate and die set, as well as the Thank you Noted Script Hot Foil Plate and die set. Let’s get started!

    I started my card today using 5 colors of sprays and mixed media card stock. I added each color to mixed media card stock. I allowed the layer of color to dry, then spritzed the panel with water droplets. I picked up the color with a paper towel, then repeated the process again using the 5 colors. Once the panel was dry it was time to hot foil!

    I love the new Gilded Petalpoint hot foil plate and die set. I started with the large background foil plate and my glimmer machine. I chose a matte gold foil for the background. I foiled the background panel and then trimmed the panel using a die in my collection.

    Next I used the same matte gold foil for the center of the Gilded Petalpoint hot foil plate set. I foiled the center and then die cut the center using the included die. I added foam tape to the center die cut and set it aside.

    Next I hot foiled the Thank You Noted Script hot foil plate and die set. Once the thank you was foiled, I die cut the shadow layer of the thank you die 3 times, then adhered all the layers together. To complete my card I adhered the panel onto an A2 card base. I then adhered the center of the panel using foam tape, then adhered the thank you sentiment using liquid glue.

    I had so much fun creating today’s card! I hope it gives you some ideas on how to use your foil dies using sprays! I love the sparkle and texture these 2 products give you!

    I will be back soon with more crafty inspiration!


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  • 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!


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  • Bright Florals with Sprays | By Natasha Vacca

    Bright Florals with Sprays | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press friends! I am excited to be back up on the blog today sharing a colorful floral card using 2 new dies sets from Birch Press Designs latest release! For today’s card I am using the new Phlox Blooms and Contour Layers and the Sylvan Berries and Leaves Contour Layers. I had a lot of fun, so let’s get started!

    I love these beautiful new florals and leaves and couldn’t wait to create a card with lots of color! I am dreaming of warmer days! I started by selecting 3 colors of sprays from my collection (pink, yellow, and green). I sprayed each color onto a piece of Canson Mixed Media card stock. I allowed each panel of color to dry, spritzed with water, then used a paper towel to add texture. I repeated the process several times. I allowed each panel to fully dry, then die cut the florals and leaves.

    Once all the florals and leaves were die cut, I added dye ink to each of the die cut leaves, stems, and flowers. I applied the dye ink using a sponge dauber. On the leaves and stems I used a dark green and brown shade. On the yellow I used a dark orange and on the pink florals I used a deep shade of purple. Next I adhered the floral and leaf layers together using liquid glue. I set these aside to work on my card panel background.

    Next I chose a piece of kraft card stock from my stash. I ran the card stock through my die cut machine using the Memory Box 3D folder – Ringadings. I then lightly sanded the rings using a sanding tool. Next I added a bit of Distress Ink in Walnut Stain to a few of the rings. I then trimmed the panel using my Deckle Edge trimmer. I then used a distress tool to add a bit more distressing to the card panel. Next I added more Walnut Stain to all 4 sides of the panel. I then adhered the Ringadings card panel to an A2 card base.

    To complete the card I adhered the leaves and florals to the card panel using a combination of liquid and foam adhesive. I chose a Happy Birthday sentiment from my stash. I added a few Fairy Drops to a few of the leaves. I adhered these with liquid glue.

    I had a lot of fun creating today’s card! I hope you enjoyed it! I will be back soon!


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  • Morning Rose Happy Birthday | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press friends, I am so excited to be back on the blog today sharing a few favorite floral die sets. On today’s card I used the Morning Rose and Triple Buds Contour Layers, Tropical Hibiscus, and the Fuddled Leaf Branches die sets. I had fun creating today’s card, so let’s get started!

    I started today’s card by choosing my color palette using 2 paper pads from Memory Box: Sunny Orange and Fresh Aqua. I chose 2 shades of aqua and 3 shades of orange. I then started die cutting the leaves from the Tropical Hibiscus Contour Layers and the Fuddled Leaf Branches Contour Layers die sets. Next I die cut the florals using the Morning Rose and Triple Buds Contour Layers die set using the orange shades of card stock.

    Once all the layers of flowers and leaves were die cut I added texture using Distress Oxide inks. I love adding ink blending to add more texture to the die cuts. Once I was happy with the ink blending, I added more texture using shimmer sprays. I then set these aside to dry. Once all the layers were dry, I adhered them together using liquid glue.

    Next I used 2 different shimmer sprays to create a background. Once all the layers were dry, I ran the inked background through my die cutting machine with the Memory Box 3D Geometric Crystals embossing folder. To add a bit more texture I added ink and distress crayons to the raised areas of the dry embossed background.

    Next trimmed the panel using my paper trimmer then distressed the edges using my scissors. I then adhered the panel to an A2 card base. I then adhered the leaves, floral buds, and rose to the card front using foam tape and liquid glue. I completed the card using a sentiment strip from my stash.

    I had so much fun creating today’s card! I love these florals from Birch Press! They are so fun and easy to use! I hope you enjoyed today’s card. I will be back soon with more crafty inspiration!


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