Category: Natasha Vacca

  • Holiday Tags | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello crafty friends! I am excited to be back up on the Birch Press blog with you today! In today’s post I am going to share how I used several of the new holiday products to create Holiday gift tags! So let’s get started!

    For today’s tags I am using 2 of the snowflake dies: Adornment Snowflake and Felicity Snowflakes. I started by die cutting each of these sets using white card stock and a blue from the Stormy Blue Collection ( Memory Box Paper Pad). I started with a lighter blue from the Stormy Blue collection for the base layer of each of the snowflakes. I then die cut the inner snowflake die using white card stock, as well as a darker shade of blue. Once everything was die cut, I adhered the inner layers of each snowflake together. For some I left white on the top, others were blue on top.

    Next I embossed each of the inner snowflakes. I used a blue and a gold embossing powder. Once these were heat set, I adhered the embossed snowflakes to the shadow layer of each set (Adornment Snowflake and Felicity Snowflakes).

    Next I created a watercolor background using mixed media paper, Lindy’s Magicals, as well as sprays. Once my backgrounds were dry, I die cut them into tags. Next I splattered the tags with both white and gold paint. I allowed these to dry. Once they were dry, I distressed the edges with a distress ink and then added embossing glaze to a few areas of the tags.

    Once my tags and snowflakes were complete I chose 2 sentiments, both are from the latest Birch Press Designs release. For the larger tag, I die cut the Handwritten Merry Christmas and Outline sentiment. For the shadow layer, I die cut this using vellum. For the script I die cut it two times using white card stock, then a 3rd time using the Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad collection. I adhered the layers together using liquid glue. For the smaller tag, I used the beautiful Find Joy and Outline die set. I followed the same process as the previous sentiment. To complete the tags, I adhered the snowflakes and sentiments to the tag base and added twine from my stash. I added a few Fairy Drops as well to complete by tags.

    Thank you for stopping by today and I hope you enjoyed these! I will see you soon!


    Supplies


    57453 Felicity Snowflakes
    57483 Adornment Snowflake
    57478 Handwritten Merry Christmas and Outline
    57452 Find Joy and Outline
    FP1002 Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad 6×6 pack
    SP1006 Stormy Blue 6×6 pack

  • A Sparkly Merry Christmas | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello friends! I am excited to be back on the blog today to share a sparkly Merry Christmas design with you! Today’s card uses several new products from Birch Press Designs latest release! I had a lot of fun, so let’s get started!

    I started with a pre-made background for today’s card. I liked the subtle layer of pink and was excited to pair this with blues, white, and lots of sparkle! I started by die cutting the Meridian Ornament Layers set using white card stock, as well as the Festive Glitter paper pad set. I cut layer A and C using white card stock, then layer B was die cut using the Festive Glitter pad. Once these were die cut, I adhered these together using liquid glue. For the ornament topper, I used the Christmas Ornament Pop Up Easel die set. I die cut the topper with white card stock, then added sparkle using embossing powder. I adhered this to the top, then set the ornament aside.

    Next I knew I wanted to create a bit of dimension behind my ornament for added texture and interest. I used 2 die sets, Eucalyptus Stems and Berries Contour Layers and Fuddled Leaf Branches Contour Layers. I die cut several of each of these using the Stormy Blue paper pad from Memory Box. Once they were die cut, I added a bit of oxide ink to the fuddled leaves, as well as some embossing powder for added texture. On the berries I die cut an extra set of the berries and added embossing powder as well. I then adhered the top layer of the berries onto the stems.

    Next I die cut a few snowflakes using the Felicity Snowflakes die set using the Festive Glitter pad. I used the same color of glitter card stock as I used in my ornament. I then die cut my sentiment using the Handwritten Merry Christmas die set. I die cut the shadow layer using vellum and then the Handwritten sentiment using 2 paper pads: Vintage pastel Mirror Pad and the Festive Glitter Pad. I adhered these together using liquid glue.

    Next I trimmed down my pink background panel and added a bit of embossing powder to the edges. I then added a bit of ink to darken the edges a bit to add a vintage look. I then prepared all my die cuts by adding foam tape for added dimension. I then adhered these down to my card panel using a combination of adhesive (liquid glue and foam tape). I added my sentiment to the ornament to complete my card!

    I had so much fun creating today’s sparkly Christmas card! Be sure to check out the amazing new holiday items! I know you will love them! I will be back soon with more inspiration!


    Supplies


    GP1006 Festive Glitter Pad
    FP1002 Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad 6×6 pack
    SP1006 Stormy Blue 6×6 pack
    57478 Handwritten Merry Christmas and Outline
    57453 Felicity Snowflakes
    57496 Eucalyptus Stem and Berries Contour Layers
    57500 Fuddled Leaf Branches Contour Layers
    57470 Meridian Ornament Layer Set
    57455 Christmas Ornament Pop Up Easel

  • Merry Christmas | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press Friends! I am super excited to be back today to share a holiday card with you using several AMAZING and beautiful new products from Birch Press Designs latest release! So let’s get started!

    I had so much fun creating today’s card and couldn’t wait to create a sparkly holiday card using several new products! I started with the beautiful new Gilded Grace Hot Foil Plate and Die set! I used my hot foil system and followed the instructions per my machine. I foiled the Gilded Grace plate using a deep brown/gold foil. This foil/die set also has a middle circle you can foil/cut separately as well (I did not use this on today’s project). I wanted to mention this as this provides you with so many options with this set. Next I used the new coordinating/layering stencil. I used the Gilded Grace Outside Stencil set and chose 3 shades of blue ink. I started with the largest layer in the stencil set and the lightest shade of blue. I then continued with the next 2 stencils, using a medium shade and then my darkest shade last.

    Once I had the background panel foiled and ink blended, I set this aside. For the middle of my panel I used the new Snowy Circle die set! This is a gorgeous 3 piece die set. I die cut the bottom layer using white card stock, the middle and top layer were die cut using the Memory Box Ocean Blue Collection paper pad. To add more texture on the middle layer I added some oxide inks to darken the middle layer a bit. Next I added embossing powder to both the middle and top layers. Once these layers were complete, I adhered them together using liquid glue. I then added foam tape to the back of the Snowy Circle layered set.

    I then added a bit of ink blending to my center of the Gilded Grace background panel using Oxide Ink. Next I adhered the Snowy Circle onto the Gilded Grace panel with foam tape. To complete my card I chose the Handwritten Merry Christmas and Outline die set. I die cut the shadow layer using vellum and then die cut the inner script using white cardstock, as well as blue from the Ocean Blue paper pad collection (same blue as layer 2 in the Snowy Circle). I then adhered these layers together using liquid glue and added a bit of Foundry wax for added texture and interest. This completes my card today using several new products from the beautiful new release! Be sure to check out all of the beautiful new dies! I know you will love them!

    Thanks so much for stopping by – I will be back next week!


    Supplies


    57478 Handwritten Merry Christmas and Outline
    57467 Snowy Circle Layer Set
    BPF512 Gilded Grace Hot Foil Plate and Die Set
    42035 Gilded Grace Outside Stencil Set
    SP1005 Ocean Blue 6×6 pack

  • Colorful Eucalyptus Stem & Berries | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Birch Press friends – it is Natasha here and I am excited to be up on the blog today! Today I am using the beautiful Eucalyptus Stem and Berries Contour Layers die set! I love this set and had so much fun creating colorful leaves and berries on today’s card! So let’s get started!

    I started by creating colorful backgrounds using dye based pigment powders. You can create a similar look by using powders, inks, watercolors, whatever you have in your stash! I always work in layers to create texture within my backgrounds! Once I had my backgrounds created, it was time to do the die cutting! I love the Eucalyptus Stem and Berries set and this set was perfect to create some colorful leaves/berries! I die cut 4 leaf stems and 3 berry stems! On the berries I also die cut the “add on” berry layer. I love the added texture this provided! I adhered these to my berry stems using liquid adhesive! I set my leaves and berries aside to work on the background panel of my card!

    Next I looked through my gel print stash! I found a light colored gel print, as well as a page from a book. I used both of these to create a background. I tore the section of the book panel gel print and adhered this to the other gel print. Next I die cut a piece of white card stock using the Viola Plate die set. I chose to use Layer A. I love these layered sets, as you can use all 3, as well as choose only 1 layer for a beautiful look as well! They are truly versatile!

    I glued Layer A of the Viola Plate (White card stock) on top of my gel print backgrounds! I love the subtle touch of texture this provides, as well as the softness of the beautiful die cut!

    Next I adhered the background panel onto an A2 card base. I then decided on the placement of the leaves and berries. Then I adhered them to the card front using both liquid glue and foam tape. I love the added dimension on the leaves and berries!

    To complete my card I chose the Hugs Sugar Script Hot Foil Plate and die set. I foiled the hugs sentiment using a pink foil from my stash and then die cut the sentiment using the included die in the set! I added a few Fairy Drops to complete my card!

    Thanks so much for stopping by today! I had a lot of fun! I hope today’s card inspires you to create! I will be back soon!


    Supplies


    56128 Viola Plate Layer Set
    BPF513 Hugs Sugar Script Hot Foil Plate and Die Set
    57496 Eucalyptus Stem and Berries Contour Layers

  • Mixed Media Fun with Die Cutting | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Crafty friends – it is Natasha here and I am excited to be back up on the Birch Press Blog today! Today I am sharing a fun and easy way to use your layering dies, as well as the Simple Dragonfly Contour dies to create a colorful mixed media card! So let’s get started!

    For today’s card I started with the Grace Layering die set and a gelli print background from my stash. I chose layer A and followed the directions on my die cutting machine for creating an impression on paper using your dies. This was super easy to do and created a beautiful impression on my gel print background!

    Next I used several oxide inks from my stash and ink blended around the edges of the print. The Grace layering set created a beautiful impression on my print and I used the inks to add a bit more texture to the raised sections of the background panel.

    Once my ink blending was complete I added some distressed edges to my panel. I then added a bit more texture using embossing glaze and a crayon. Once my panel was complete, I set it aside.

    I love using die cuts and embossing powder together and the Simple Dragonfly Contour Layering dies are perfect for a colorful mixed media vibe! I die cut 3 dragonflies on white cardstock. I then adhered the dragonfly wings together using liquid glue. Then I chose 3 colors of embossing powder and heat set each of the wings and antennae. I then adhered these together with liquid glue and added foam tape behind the wings. I then adhered the background panel to an A2 card base and adhered my dragonflies to the card panel. To complete my card I added a Handwritten Thanks and Outline sentiment die. I die cut the shadow layer in white and the inner script thanks using the Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad. I adhered these together and added foam tape to the back for added dimension. I added a sub sentiment from my stash to complete my card.

    Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope this card inspires you to use your layering dies to dry emboss a panel and to create a mixed media card using your dies! I will be back soon!

    57487 Simple Dragonfly Contour Layers
    57420 Handwritten Thanks and Outline
    Grace Layer A
    Grace Layer B
    Grace Layer C
    FP1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad 6×6 pack