Category: Stamps

  • You Mean The World To Me | by Crystal Komara

    You Mean The World To Me | by Crystal Komara

    Hello readers! Who else struggles with making masculine cards? I know that I sure do! Cutesy pink dancing pigs and glittery pop-up mermaids just aren’t going to cut it for my dad! With Father’s Day soon approaching I know that we are all looking for some inspiration to create cards for the special men in our lives. I have found that simply by using certain colors, it is easier to achieve a more masculine look. For today’s two cards, I used the Lumina Layering Plates (A, B & C) and a darker color palette of black, gold and green. I think this same card in navy blues and golds would also be an excellent masculine inspired combination.

    Here is the first card I created using the “leftover” cutout circle pieces from the Lumina Layering Plate. I could have added this cut-out back in to the original card design, but I like the idea of creating two cards from one die!

    Here is the second card I created using the Lumina Layering Plates:

    I have created a step-by-step YouTube video tutorial sharing how I made both of these cards. I like to keep my videos short and sweet, so it under 7 minutes long!

    Thank you for visiting and I hope you have a wonderfully creative day!

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  • Friend, You Are Awesome | By Amanda Wilcox

    Friend, You Are Awesome | By Amanda Wilcox

    Thanks for stopping by today. This is Amanda from Twiddler’s Nook visiting with this fun card and a new way to look at some of your full cover plate dies.

    I started with all 3 Grace cover plates and a stack of 2 1/4 inch square pieces of cardstock in teal, gold and black. I used them to die cut just the center circle from each layer. I cut each layer out of each color one time. This gives me 3 completed circles.

    I arranged the completed circles on my card front and used the sugar script big friends die to help my decide on placement.

    I die cut the shadow from vellum and the word friend from each of the 3 colors I used on the circles.

    I glued the black word to the vellum and then followed it by the gold shifted just a bit and finally the teal on top shifted just a bit more so you can see all of the colors. I love this look! I also stamped and heat embossed a sentiment from Awesome Ticker Tape Messages and cut it out. I ran this strip through my Xyron sticker maker. Coating the back of vellum with adhesive makes so the adhesive doesn’t show because it’s all the same.

    I adhered everything to a white panel that measured 4×5.25 and added some black flat-back baubles for a little extra interest. I trimmed anything hanging off the side and popped the panel up with foam tape on a white card base.

    This fabulous card is all finished. I hope you enjoyed it and found some inspiration to look at your dies a little differently and create something beautiful.

    I appreciate you sharing your time with me. Have a fabulous day.

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  • Masculine Encouragement Card

    Masculine Encouragement Card

    Hello everyone. Creative Team Member Amanda with you today sharing a fun card that’s got a bit of a masculine feel. Those cards can be very difficult to create so I am excited to share this with you.

    I started with an A2 size panel and my bold stripes stencil. I used peacock feathers distress oxide ink and a blending brush and spritzed it with water.

    After not falling in love with the stripes for this design, I turned my stencil and tried adding scattered straw distress ink of a plaid look. Not a good combo…so I added stormy sky over the top of the scattered straw and loved the look it gave. (Lesson here…if you don’t like something at first, keep trying and definitely walk away for a while before you trash it. This has saved me many a time!)

    Next, I put it in my splatter box and flicked some watered down black acrylic paint all over it.

    Next, I pulled out the hello topper set and die cut it from black and the words from a gray-ish blue that matches the inks I blended with. I did not like how dark the bottom of the card was so I tried switching it out for white.

    Ahhh, much better. Next, I die cut 3 more hellos and glued them all together. I pushed them into my embossing ink pad, covered the whole word with clear embossing powder and heated it up. I added 3 layers of that for a rounded glossy look and glued the words in place.

    Last, I stamped a small sentiment from the lovely butterflies stamp set below the hello die cuts.

    I think this card has great texture and awesome colors. It would be great for anyone and you could easily change the whole look with different colors of ink.

    I hope you found some inspiration to try create something wonderful. I appreciate you sharing your time with me. Have a fabulous day.

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  • Using Thick Embossing  Plates | by Tracey McNeely

    Using Thick Embossing Plates | by Tracey McNeely

    Hi there, it’s Tracey back this week with another post using fabulous Birch Press Design along with the fun 3D Embossing Folders from Memory Box Open Source.

    I started off by embossing a piece of Bristol Smooth cardstock using the Memory Box Open Source Crysanthemum Fields Embossing Folder. I have never used these thick embossing folders before and I was a big perplexed as to what sandwich to use in my Gemini Jr. die cutting machine. Through a bit of Internet research and a bit of trial and error I found a sandwich that worked in both my Gemini Jr. and my Big Shot! These amazing 3D Embossing Folders work with the same sandwich! Today I used the panel embossed with the Gemini Jr. die cutting machine using this sandwich:
    1. Bottom plate
    2. Magnetic sheet
    3. Embossing folder with paper inside (no top plate!)

    I ran it through the machine and got a gorgeous embossed/debossed impression.

    I chose to use the embossed side of the panel and used blending brushes to lightly add colour over the raised images. I set the panel aside while I worked on the other elements for my card. Using another piece of Bristol Smooth cardstock and I ink blended the Distress Oxide inks a little more heavily to create a solid panel to co-ordinate for the bottom of my card. I flicked some white gold pigment watercolor onto the bottom panel.

    I trimmed the embossed panel down to 5 1/4″ x 4″ and then adhered it to a white card base using tape runner. Once the other ink blended panel was dry I used the Hello Topper die to cut across the top. Then I cut the word die ‘hello’ from white cardstock and added in into place with liquid glue.

    The sentiment ‘crafty friend’ from the Just Because stamp set was white embossed direct to the panel underneath the word hello. The whole ink blended panel was trimmed down to 1 1/2″ high, not including the bump up for the word hello. I was added to the bottom of the card with with foam tape for dimension.

    Thank you so much for stopping in today to craft along with me. I hope you are staying well and that I have inspired you to make something beautiful today.

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  • A Rainbow of Mandalas | by Crystal Komara

    A Rainbow of Mandalas | by Crystal Komara

    Hello crafty readers! This is Crystal here with you and today’s post is all about coloring the beautiful Thankful Mandala stamp set. If you love to color, then these cards will be perfect for you to try. And, well, if you don’t love to color so much then you can simply admire the beauty of someone else’s coloring!

    I will be the first to admit that I have a love/hate relationship with coloring. There are times when I find it peaceful and soothing, yet there are also days when I find it can be simply dreadful! So, listen to how YOU feel. If you feel like coloring today, then go for it! If you’d rather sit back and eat a hot fudge sundae, you certainly won’t find me judging you! : )

    For this yellow mandala I used Copic marker numbers V17, R27, Y02 and YR68.

    For the green mandala I used Copic markers numbers YG06, G21, G05 and BG13.

    For the purple mandala I used Copic markers number RV19, RV55, RV66, V9 and BV02.

    Each of these cards begins the same way. I stamped the large Thankful Mandala on a 5 1/2″ x 3 1/4″ piece of Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock in Memento Tuxedo black ink. Then I selected 3-4 colors of Copic markers in complimentary hues and color away. There is no rhyme or reason to my madness! In all honesty, each mandala took me about half an hour to color and then I adhered various colored rhinestones for added sparkle.

    I found a complimentary colored cardstock base for each color and added two strips of die cut glitter paper down each side of the mandala.

    For the blue mandala I used Copic marker numbers B02, B24, B52 and B12.

    I hope you have enjoyed these cards and will maybe try coloring some too! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day.

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  • Galaxy Sky with Stencils | by Ardyth Percy-Robb

    Galaxy Sky with Stencils | by Ardyth Percy-Robb

    Good morning! Ardyth here with 4 cards using the same, fun technique: creating a galaxy sky through a stencil!

    I started by adhering the most open layer of the Mandala Stencil set on a white card panel with temporary spray adhesive.

    I blended random areas of bright colours – lemon yellow, lime green and bright fuschia through the stencil, leaving most of the panel white.

    I blended a mid-blue ink over the whole panel, darker around the edges and lightening up toward the centre.

    Then I blended navy blue ink over the whole panel, again, dark around the edges and lightening up toward the centre.

    A little note about creating galaxy skies – they all look very ugly through the whole process, until the very, very end. Don’t worry if you’re not happy with it at this stage, just keep going!

    I blended black ink through the stencil, this time just at the very edge of the panel. Then, leaving the stencil on, I spritzed water and lifted up some of the colour with a paper towel.

    Then, I mixed some white acrylic paint with water and tapped it over the panel to create stars (this is the point where it starts to look good!)

    As you can see, I couldn’t stop. And I didn’t just use stencils either!

    As well as the Mandala Stencil set, I used Bold Stripes Stencil, a home-made stencil created from a String Art Frame die cut, and the negative from the PoppyStamps Peaceful Dove die.

    All my sentiments came from the You Are Awesome stamp set.

    I hope you like these cards – there is a 1 minute video on our Instagram feed today showing the process in detail.

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  • Sunny Dazzler | By Seeka

    Sunny Dazzler | By Seeka

    Hi there, Seeka here and today I’m sharing a sunny card using the Dazzler Layer die set.

    First, I die cut Dazzer Layer C from white cardstock. Then I used three markers (Copic RV14, Y17, and Y15) to color the outer ring. I started with RV14, a pink, along the inside of the die cut and then added Y17, an orange-y yellow, next to it. This was very quick coloring with not a lot of attention to blending.

    Then I added Y15, a yellow, around the outside edge.

    Next, I used used the Dazzler Layer A die to cut another piece of white cardstock. I added a bit of glue around the inside of this die cut and adhered it over my Copic-colored piece, leaving the tips of each point un-glued, and curling them up a bit so that they stand up from the bottom die cut for a bit of dimension.

    Then, I created a quick watercolor background using a Cool Aqua Karin Brushmarker Pro pen. I scribbled the pen over a piece of watercolor paper and then used a paintbrush and clean clear water to spread out the color, not blending out too smoothly and leaving a bit of color variation. I also added some white paint splatter using watered down white guache.

    I trimmed my watercolor panel down to 4″ x 5.25″ and then adhered the my die cut piece to it. I also adhered the center die cut from Layer C (I love that each die layer results in two separate pieces!).

    For the sentiment, I used the Best Friend stamp set and die cut the word “Hugs.” I die cut three more layers and then stacked and adhered all four layers together and then adhered the sentiment to the center of the star.

    To finish, I used foam tape to adhere the card front to an A2-sized card base.

    Thanks so much for coming by!


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  • Lovely (Vellum) Butterflies | by Crystal Komara

    Lovely (Vellum) Butterflies | by Crystal Komara

    Hello readers! This is Crystal here with you today sharing some rainbow cards featuring the Lovely Butterflies stamp set. I’ve been creating a lot of rainbow themed cards lately, because I find them very cheerful and uplifting and I think we could all use more sunshine (and rainbows) in our lives right now!

    The base of this first card was made using 80 lb. Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock. Using the Delfina Layering Plate A, I die cut the lattice background from white cardstock. I adhered a piece of rainbow paper behind the lattice using a Tombow dot runner before adhering both layers to the card base. I stamped the sentiment “Make a wish” in Memento Tuxedo black ink on a piece of scrap paper and notched the bottom end. I adhered thin pieces of orange, red and blue ribbon behind the sentiment and stapled it together. Yes, stapled! Why not?! It’s art!

    I stamped a variety of butterflies from the Lovely Butterflies stamp set on vellum cardstock in Versamark ink and heat embossed them with white embossing powder. I die cut the butterflies using the coordinating Lovely Butterflies dies and adhered them to the card small pieces of 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    To create the second card, I die cut the Butterfly Garden Layer Plate C from white cardstock. I adhered this over a piece of rainbow patterned paper. I stamped one butterfly on each of five different colored cardstocks (red, orange, yellow, green and blue) and heat embossed the butterflies with white embossing powder. I used the coordinating Lovely Butterflies dies to die cut the butterflies out.

    I die cut a circle of vellum cardstock and stamped the sentiment in the middle of the circle in Versamark ink. I heat embossed the sentiment with white embossing powder and adhered it to the center of the card. I adhered the die cut butterflies down the left side of the card in a rainbow pattern. I adhered the butterflies to the card using small pieces of 3M foam adhesive.

    I have created a YouTube video tutorial for you to watch and learn how both cards were created!

    Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

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  • You Are So Awesome | by Tracey McNeely

    You Are So Awesome | by Tracey McNeely

    Hi there, it’s Tracey here today and I have a card and video to share with you. I remember as a kid that is was very common to receive funny store bought slimline cards for birthdays and other occasions. Slimline cards seem be popping up all over the web lately so today I created a 3 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ card that can be mailed in a standard No. 10 envelope and a video to show you what I did.

    One of the challenges with creating these cards is what to fill all that space in with. The Regal Peacock layer set is a great design to work with this tall, slim card size.

    To begin I cut a 7″ X 8 1/2″ piece of white cardstock for my card base and I scored it at 3 1/2″. Then I cut a 3 1/4″ x 8 1/4″ panel from Bristol Smooth cardstock that I blended Distress Oxide inks onto. I used Tumbled Glass and Salty Ocean Distress Oxide inks to create a blue background. Once I had the panel blended out I mixed some Perfect Pearls with water and splattered it on to the panel then set it aside to dry while I prepared the Peacock die cuts.

    The main die for this set is Regal Peacock Layer A which cuts the peacock body and the solid tail. I created a rainbow tail because we could all use a little colour right about now. I die cut all the layers with cardstock–Layer A with a bright blue, Layer D with green, Layer C from bright pink and Layer B from orange. All the layers were glued together with liquid glue and I set it aside. I folded the card base along the score line and then attached the inner blended panel with tape runner.

    The two line sentiment is from the ‘You Are Awesome‘ clear stamp set. I stamped and white embossed the large word ‘awesome’ near the bottom of my panel and then the line ‘you are so’ was white embossed on a strip of black cardstock and added just above.

    The peacock was added to the top of the panel with foam tape. A tiny piece of foam tape was added behind the peacock’s head to give it a bit more support. You want your card to survive the mail and allow your recipient to enjoy it once it comes of out the envelope too!

    Thank you so much for joining me today and I hope you are finding time to be crafty while you are staying/sheltering at home. Enjoy the rest of your week! Stay safe.

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  • Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday! | By Amanda Wilcox

    Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday! | By Amanda Wilcox

    Hello everyone. Amanda Wilcox from Twiddler’s Nook here and I’m so excited to be joining Birch Press Design Creative Team. Today I have my first card share for you. It looks a little involved but it really is simple. Let’s get started.

    I die cut each of the layers for the Frilly Triangle twice and glued them together.

    Next, I moved on to ink smooshing my background. This is a fun technique that gives a great effect. You just color Tombow, or other water based markers, on a clear block, spritz with water and smoosh your paper on it.

    After the first round, I used a heat tool on it and smooshed it on the liquid that was still on my block for a layered effect.

    And a quick tip: If you have a laminator, run the panel through that once it’s dry to flatten it back out. It really helps.

    Next, I moved on to my sentiments. I die cut the Big Lingo Happy 3 times – the shadow from white and the letters from black. I used my Quickie Glue Pen to adhere them together. This pen is great for skinny little spaces and keeping your fingers out of the glue.

    For assembly, I adhered the smooshed panel to a card base and the frilly triangles to opposite corners. Then, I die cut the happy shadow 9 more times from white cardstock. See how the letters will overlap the triangles? We need to raise parts of the word up to meet those. So I cut the “H” off of 3, left the middle 3 alone and cut the “Y” off the last 3. Then I adhered everything together and then to my card.

    Last, I stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment from Awesome Ticker Tape Messages and cut it out. This is popped up with foam tape on the middle Happy.

    For finishing touches, I added Wink of Stella glitter brush pen to the banner sentiment and the die cut letters and some gems to both of the frilly triangles.

    I hope you enjoyed today’s card and found some inspiration to create something beautiful.

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