Category: Sandhya Iyer

  • Go With the Flow – Ocean-Inspired Zines Covers | by Sandhya Iyer

    Go With the Flow – Ocean-Inspired Zines Covers | by Sandhya Iyer

    Hello Birch Press Design friends! Sandhya here, and today I’m sharing something a little different and super fun—mixed media zines! Inspired by the new ocean and underwater-themed dies from Birch Press Design, I created the front covers for two handmade zines that I’ll be filling with all sorts of sea-themed paper art.

    I absolutely love how the Block Print Floating Jellyfish and Sea Kelp and Mini Fish dies bring an instant sense of movement and whimsy. These die sets are the perfect focal point for ocean-themed mixed media projects, cards, journals, and more!

    First Zine: Go With the Flow

    I started with a sheet of mixed media paper that  I smooshed and splattered with Distress Oxides in different shades of soft oceanic blues to create a splashed look. I then folded it into a zine.

    I added texture to the top page using clear paste through a stencil to create waves. I then created a cluster using torn paper, cheesecloth, and some vintage-inspired ephemera to nest my focal point.

    I then die cut and assembled my Jelly fish out of bright pink and iridescent cardstock. I also die-cut some kelp out of watercolor paper that I had smooshed and sprayed with Distress inks in green.

    The bright pink jellyfish floats over the Kelp, making it the star of the piece. The sentiment “Go With the Flow” is the perfect mantra for both ocean life and art-making!

    Second Zine: Grow In Your Own Light

    For this cover, I kept the background more graphic and inky with bright aqua pattern paper, and layered stamping, stenciling and splatters.

    Another pink jellyfish takes center stage, accompanied by the empowering sentiment “Grow in your own light.” I love how this one feels like a dreamscape under the sea!

    These zines will be a fun way for me to explore and play with all the gorgeous dies from the latest ocean-themed release. I hope these covers inspire you to dive into your stash and try something new—whether it’s a tag, journal, card, or zine.

    Thanks for joining me today! I’ll be back soon with more inspiration from the sea

    Crafting with joy,
    Sandhya

    Supplies:

  • Bright Summer Hugs | Sandhya Iyer

    Bright Summer Hugs | Sandhya Iyer

    Hello crafty friends! I’m back on the Birch Press Design blog with another vibrant summer-inspired project! Today’s card is full of warm colors, bold texture, and cheerful florals—with a couple of bees buzzing in to say hi! 🐝

    This time, I used a rich orange-red background paired with layers of delicate florals and a bold sentiment to create a card that radiates sunshine and warmth.

    Here’s a quick rundown of the featured products:

    Honeycomb Plate – for that stunning dimensional background

    Abundant Branch Die – the layered branch, leaves, and florals that add softness and movement

    Block Print Buzzing Bumblebee Die Set – adorable bees with layered wings for a fun, summery vibe

    Big Hugs Sugar Script Die Set – the perfect bold-yet-sweet sentiment to bring it all together

    To create the background, I die-cut the Honeycomb Plate in deep orange-red and layered the cut out pieces over cream cardstock. The bold contrast really makes everything pop! I then cut and assembled the Abundant Branch in fresh greens and soft pinks, placing it diagonally to guide the eye across the card.I added gems to the flower centers and some glossy accents over the berries for extra interest.

    Next came those buzz-worthy bees—die-cut from yellow and vellum—and a quick touch with a black marker to create the stripes. I topped the design with the Big Hugs sentiment in buttery yellow, which feels like sunshine in word form.

    This card is perfect for sending love, encouragement, or just a little hello across the miles.

    Thanks for visiting the blog today—I hope this card brings a smile to your face and a spark of inspiration to your craft table.

    Until next time,
    Sandhya

    Supplies:


    57593 Honeycomb Plate
    57575 Abundant Branch
    57598 Block Print Buzzing Bumblebee
    57138 Big Hugs Sugar Script

  • Enjoy the Moment – A Spring-Summer Tag | Sandhya Iyer

    Enjoy the Moment – A Spring-Summer Tag | Sandhya Iyer

    Hello Birch Press Design friends! Sandhya here, and I’m buzzing by with a bright and cheerful spring-summer tag that’s sure to bring a smile to your face! With warmer days ahead, I was inspired to create a tag full of color, texture, and a bit of whimsy using some of my favorite new dies from Birch Press Design.

    Here’s a quick rundown of the featured products:

    Honeycomb Cut Out Die – the star of the background, adds depth and pattern

    Rosebud Arch Contour Layers Die Set – for the soft, dimensional blooms and leafy vines

    Block Print Buzzing Bumblebee Die Set – these adorable bees add the perfect whimsical touch

    To begin, I cut two tag bases from cream-colored cardstock and rusty red-colored cardstock. Any generic large size tag dies or readymade tags should work for this. I cut the honeycomb panel out of the cream tag and softly ink-blended the edges for a warm glow. Then I added some scripty stamping details to add a vintage effect. I backed the honeycomb layer with a red layer to give my tag a vibrant focal point.

    Next, I die cut and assembled the florals and vines as well as the bees. The bee-wings were die-cut from vellum cardstock to give them realistic wings and a soft texture. I cut the bee bodies from yellow cardstock and added the black portion with an alcohol marker.

    I then tucked in leafy stems and rosebuds to build a garden around the honeycomb. I carefully added the bees and a chipboard sentiment from my stash to complete the top layer.

    Finally, I used some crinkled ribbon to tie a blow and connect the 2 tag layers. I hope this project inspires you to check out the fun new bee themed release and create some fun summer projects. Happy crafting!

    Supplies:


    57594 Honeycomb Cut Out
    57598 Block Print Buzzing Bumblebee
    57561 Rosebud Arch Contour Layers

  • Just a Note | Sandhya Iyer

    Just a Note | Sandhya Iyer

    Hello friends, Sandhya here! I’m excited to share a vibrant and cheerful card featuring the Block Print Radiant Butterfly, Block Print Scalloped Butterfly, and Just A Note Scripted dies from Birch Press Design. This project combines layered die cuts, subtle textures, and a bright color palette to create a card perfect for sending a thoughtful note.

    For the background, I used a piece of watercolor paper ink smooshed with Distress Inks to achieve a soft, organic texture. The soft pink hues and subtle splotches created a unique, artistic effect that makes the background truly special. I added a hint of scripty stamping to enhance the background.

    Next, I focused on creating the butterflies. For the Block Print Radiant Butterfly, I selected shades of pink and yellow cardstock, and assembled the pieces to form a dimensional butterfly. Similarly, I crafted the Block Print Scalloped Butterfly using pink and yellow hues from Memory Box paper packs, following the same process of die-cutting and layering using foam tape for dimension.

    For the sentiment, I used the Just A Note Scripted die to cut the phrase from white and matching pink cardstock. I adhered the pink layer ovr the white so that just a slight sliver of the white shows through like a shadow.

    With all the elements prepared, I assembled the card by arranging the butterflies and sentiment on the inked background, adhering them with a combination of liquid glue and foam tape for varying heights. I finished off with a few iridescent sequins.

    I hope this project inspires you to experiment with layering dies and vibrant color palettes in your card-making endeavors. Happy crafting!

    Supplies:


    57544 Just A Note Scripted
    57600 Block Print Radiant Butterfly
    57602 Block Print Scalloped Butterfly
  • Butterfly Birthday Card | Sandhya Iyer

    Butterfly Birthday Card | Sandhya Iyer

    Hi, crafty friends! Sandhya here, and I’m thrilled to be back on the Birch Press Design blog today with a card that is all about texture, dimension, and a touch of elegance. This butterfly-themed birthday card was such a joy to create, and I hope it inspires you to play with layers and die-cutting in your own projects!

    For the background, I used a Gelli print on deli paper to achieve a soft, organic texture. I adhered the deli paper to a piece of white cardstock to give it stability and enhance the colors. The soft pink hues and subtle variations from the Gelli print created a unique, artistic effect that makes the background truly special.

    For the focal element, I used the Birch Press Design Block Print Scalloped Butterfly Die, layering different shades of pink and yellow to give it a bright and cheerful look. I love how the delicate cutouts in the butterfly wings add an airy, elegant feel to the design.

    To add a bit of greenery and movement, I tucked in some die-cut leaves from the Birch Press Design Rosebud Arch Contour Layers Dies behind the butterfly. Then, I added a few loops of gold thread to bring in a hint of shine and sophistication.

    I wanted to keep the sentiment simple yet elegant, so I used a foiled ‘Happy Birthday’ sentiment strip from the Memory Box Greeting Tabs. Finally, I embellished the card with a few iridescent flatback pearls for a soft, glistening effect.

    This card is perfect for birthdays, but you could easily swap out the sentiment for a ‘Thinking of You’ or ‘Congratulations’ greeting. The combination of gelli printing texture, layered die-cuts, and a soft color palette makes it a versatile design for many occasions!

    I’d love to hear what you think! Do you enjoy working with Gelli prints, embossing folders, and layering dies? Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to tag me @sanjuscreations if you give this technique a try!

    Happy crafting!

    Supplies:

    57602 Block Print Scalloped Butterfly
    57561 Rosebud Arch Contour Layers
    st007 Happy Birthday Foil Greetings Black Tabs

  • Hello, Bluebird | by Sandhya Iyer

    Hello, Bluebird | by Sandhya Iyer

    Hi, crafty friends! Sandhya here, and I’m excited to share a card I created using some gorgeous Birch Press Design dies and Memory Box cardstock. This card was a joy to make, combining intricate layering, soft ink blending, and a little ink splatter to bring this charming bluebird to life.

    I started with a white card base and lightly ink-blended blue Distress Ink around the edges to create a soft, dreamy effect. I also added subtle script details using a stencil from my collection. Next, I embossed a piece of gel-printed cardstock from my stash with a woodgrain pattern to add texture and warmth.

    I used the Block Print Perched Bird die to cut out my adorable bluebird, layering different shades of blue and gray from the Lagoon cardstock pack. The result? A dimensional, eye-catching bird with intricate details!

    The Rosebud Arch Contour Layers die set was perfect for adding a graceful frame around the bird. I die-cut the leaves in varying shades of green from the Greenery cardstock pack and the flowers in soft pinks, lightly inking the edges for added depth.

    The Hello Scripted die provided a delicate yet bold sentiment. I cut it from deep blue cardstock and adhered it near the top for balance. I then arranged all the elements—bird, floral frame, and sentiment—onto the woodgrain panel, ensuring a harmonious composition. To bring everything together, I splattered some white ink across the background for a subtle artistic effect. This step adds a hint of whimsy and enhances the overall dreamy vibe of the card.

    I love how this project turned out—full of dimension, texture, and soft, natural beauty. I hope this inspires you to experiment with layering, color palettes, and die-cutting to create your own nature-inspired cards. Happy crafting!

    Supplies:

    57581 Block Print Perched Bird
    57561 Rosebud Arch Contour Layers
    57546 Hello Scripted
    SP1010 Lagoon 6×6 pack

    February 11, 2025
  • Rustic Thank You Tags | By Sandhya Iyer

    Rustic Thank You Tags | By Sandhya Iyer

    Hello, friends! This is Design Team member Sandhya Iyer and I am sharing a pair of rustic thank you tags. These tags feature the Evening Moths die set and Thank You Foil Greetings Black tabs.

    I used Index flash cards to create my tags. First, I added a generous layer of crackle paste on 2 flashcards and set them to air-dry. What I had in my stash was ‘Golden’ brand, the cracks were very fine and barely noticeable. So after the tags dried, I crumpled them and added more interest. I ink blended around the edges with Rustic Hinge and Vintage Photo Distress inks and added black and white splatters to create an interesting background.

    Next, I die-cut the Moth Layers out of watercolor cardstock. I pulled out Distress Oxide inks and used detail blending brushes to ink the wings and body layers of the moth. I have a picture showing the colors I used to create my rustic and vibrant color combos. Then I assembled the little moths and added some detail to the wings using gel pens.

    Next, I inked the edges of another pair of index cards and adhered them to the back of the prepared backgrounds to make them more sturdy. I also added gold eyelets to the tags to harmonize with the sentiment tabs’ gold.

    I arranged the moths to my liking and adhered them with some foam tape. Finally, I added the sentiment tabs and colorful/jute twine to my tags. I finished off with a few little sprigs of dried baby’s breath tucked under the sentiment tabs.

    This brings us to the end of today’s post. Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you have fun crafting today!

    Supplies:

    57568 Evening Moths
    ST005 Thank You Foil Greetings Black Tabs
  • Floral Wishes | by Sandhya Iyer

    Floral Wishes | by Sandhya Iyer

    Hello, friends! Design Team member, Sandhya Iyer here with a contrast-filled floral card to send best wishes to loved ones. I used the Floral Arch Contour Layers, Fuddled Leaf Branch Contour Layers, Pinpoint Radial Plate and Best Wishes Vintage sentiment dies for my project today.

    I started by die-cutting the layers for the floral arch, leaf branch and the sentiment out of watercolor cardstock. Next, I pulled out dye inks in shades of pinks and inked up the floral layers and the letters in the sentiment. I chose a minty cool green for the stems and leaves.

    Next, I die-cut black cardstock using the Pinpoint Radial Plate to create a background panel for my card. I bunched the die-cut foliage and tied a bow with jute twine.

    Next, I adhered the die-cut floral and leaf bundle and the sentiment to my black panel. Finally, I finished off with a sprinkling of iridescent pink sequins.

    This brings us to the end of today’s post. Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you have fun crafting today!

    Supplies:


    Supplies


    57560 Floral Arch Contour Layers
    57500 Fuddled Leaf Branches Contour Layers
    57384 Pinpoint Radial Plate
    57552 Best Wishes Vintage Sentiment

  • Best Wishes Tag | by Sandhya Iyer

    Best Wishes Tag | by Sandhya Iyer

    Hello, friends! This is Design Team member, Sandhya Iyer, and today I am sharing a mixed media tag using dies from Birch Press Design. I used the Floral Arch Contour Layers and Best Wishes Vintage sentiment dies for my project today.

    I started by die-cutting the layers for the floral arch and the sentiment out of watercolor cardstock. For the stem layer, I used green cardstock. Next, I pulled out dye inks in shades of pinks and inked up the floral layers and the letters in the sentiment.

    Next, I trimmed a piece of snow tulle fabric to create a background for my die-cut layers. I used a manila tag as the base and sewed the fabric to the tag. I did a mix of zig-zag and straight stitches to amp up the mixed-media effect.

    Next, I adhered the die-cut floral arches and the sentiment to the tag. Finally, I finished off with a piece of linen ribbon to tie the top of the tag.

    This brings us to the end of today’s post. Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you have fun crafting today!

    Supplies:


    Supplies


    57560 Floral Arch Contour Layers
    57552 Best Wishes Vintage Sentiment

  • Peace and Joy Greetings | by Sandhya Iyer

    Peace and Joy Greetings | by Sandhya Iyer

    Hello, friends! This is Sandhya, sharing a pair of holiday cards featuring the latest holiday collection dies from Birch Press Design. I made my cards by pairing the gorgeous Yuletide Cheer and Yuletide Plaid pattern papers with the Pine Needle Twigs Contour Layers. For my sentiment, I used the Peace Love Joy Confection Script dies.

    I started with the gorgeous foiled pattern papers from the Yuletide Cheer and Yuletide plaid 6X6 paper packs. I trimmed it down to make 4.25″ X 5.5″ panels for my 2 cards. I also used the same pattern papers to die cut the sentiments and with gold shadows.

    Next, I die-cut the pine needles out of 2 shades of green cardstock and assembled 4 layered needles. I picked up 2 pieces of watercolor cardstock and ink smooshed with Distress inks to create a couple of interesting backgrounds for the die-cut needles.

    For the blue panel, I used a black marker to draw stitched details and adhered some music paper and pattern paper to create a mixed media effect. For the pink and green panel I actually stitched around the panel and adhered the pine needles. Next, I used white gouache to splatter on both panels and some snow like effect on the pine needles. I also added some gold splatters.

    Then I added the sentiment die-cuts and tied it all together with jute twine. I found some jingle bells in my stash and added them to the bow to add a tinkle to my cards. Finally, I attached the panels to the card bases to complete my holiday cards. This brings us to the end of today’s post. I hope this inspires you to get crafty today!

    Supplies:

    PP1031 Yuletide Plaid 6×6 pack
    PP1032 Yuletide Cheer 6×6 pack
    57543 Peace Love Joy Confection Script
    57519 Pine Needle Twigs Contour Layers