Hello, Birch Press fans! Toni here with you today sharing a card that just makes me happy–I love the colors and the blossoms. So pretty!
I cut out randomly size strips of Memory Box Sunny Orange and Stormy Blue 6×6 cardstock which I adhered to the card base, leaving empty areas so the white base acted as another color strip.
I used the die that comes with the Gilded Petalpoint Hot Foil Plate to cut out a “sun” which I sponged with Distress Oxide Mustard Seed. I stamped one of the Brush Sentiments on top of that in Versafine Clair Nocturne.
I cut out the Phlox Blooms and Leaves Contour Layers using the same cardstock, then adhered them randomly over the card front, nestling them in and around the sun. Easy, peasy!
I hope you enjoyed today’s card and have a great rest of your week!
Hello everyone! St. Patrick’s day is tomorrow and with that in mind I decided to create a wreath using the new Phlox Blooms and Leaves Contour Layers dies in multiple shades of green with some gold thrown in for good measure! As I began to create my card I decided that I also wanted to provide some interest in the background so I die cut my cardstock with the Pinpoint Contour plate die. I also knew that I wanted to have a shaker element in card so to create that I used the Classic Sentimental Wreath stamp and die set for that element.
I die cut the panel with the Pinpoint Contour die and then positioned the wreath die from the Classic Sentimental Wreath stamp and die set in the top center of the panel and die cut the wreath. I then added low tack tape to the back of the panel to keep the wreath in place. As you can see, I then stamped the solid wreath image in a light green ink, die cut it and then layered it on top to form the base for my wreath. I then started building the shaker element.
I had previously foiled the center medallion from the Gilded Petalpoint hot foil plate in gold so I decided to use that as my backer behind the opening. I added a piece of acetate to the back of the panel and then added foam strips to the back to create the well for the sequin mix. I added the mix and because I’m a little particular about how my sequins look I did actually flip the majority of the sequins over so they are facing in the “right” direction, lol! You can just see the foiled medallion peeking out through the sequins. Then I die cut the smaller phlox flower die from two shades of green cardstock and layered everything alternating the colors. I did originally die cut the leaves from the set in another shade of green and mirror gold cardstock, but the ended up opting to us a smaller leaf from the Dainty Rose and Leaves Contour Layers dies.
Once all the flowers and leaves were layered and dry I set about creating the wreath. I alternated the flowers for interest and then tucked the leaves in where they best fit. I finished off the wreath with pretty green/gold crystals from the Christmas Fairy Crystals pack. Here in the close up you can see more of the foiled medallion in the background.
I finished off the card with the sentiment from the Contempo Greetings stamp and die set. I really like this stamp and die set. There are so many great sentiments and dies to cut them out! I stamped the sentiment in watermark ink, applied gold embossing powder, heat set and then die cut. I thought about trying to place the sentiment on the wreath, but ultimately ended up tucking up underneath the wreath.
Hello everyone! Have you seen all the beautiful projects the design team has created with the February release? Absolutely amazing! With so many great products to pick from I had a hard time deciding what to create with, but knew for sure I was going to use the new Gilded Petalpoint hot foil plate. It is so beautiful and I can’t wait to try it with the matching stencils!
I started off my card by foiling white cardstock with matte gold foil and then die cutting the panel down to fit my card front. The Gilded Petalpoint hot foil plate comes with the main plate and then a center circle plate. I foiled the panel with just the main plate so that the center would be open.
Once I had the foiling done I had to decide which die set I was going to use and I settled on the Delicate Floral Buds Contour Layers die set. I die cut all the flowers from two shades of aqua blue cardstock and the stems and leaves from a bright lime green. To provide some interest I alternated the colors on the buds and love how they turned out. I centered the sentiment from the Classic Sentimental Wreath stamp set inside the circle and stamped it in black ink.
Before adhering all my floral buds I decided to add some additional interest to the background by adding splatters of distress mica sprays in Fresh Balsam and Shiny Bauble. To make sure that I didn’t cover the background with too much of the mica sprays I simply added a small amount of each spray to an acrylic block, picked up the liquid with a small paint brush and then tapped it on. It worked perfectly and I love the subtle shine that the mica sprays provide.
I arranged all the floral buds in a crescent shape around the sentiment and adhered them with liquid adhesive. To give the arrangement movement and lift I added the liquid adhesive only a portion of each stem. To finish off the arrangement I pulled out the Christmas Ornament Pop Up Easel die set and die cut the bow from matte gold cardstock from the Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad. I adhered that with liquid adhesive and then added an aqua colored fairy crystal from the Christmas Fairy Crystals pack to the center of the bow. Foam adhesive was used to adhere the panel to an off white cardstock base.
I hope you enjoyed my project today. Have a lovely day!
Hello friends and happy Valentine’s (or Galentine’s) day to you all! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here today. I wish you a day filled with love, happiness and a lot of something sweet! I have one last love or heart themed card to share with you for this season.
Card details:
The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. Using Layer A of the Flora Layering Plates, I cut the background layer from white cardstock. Using the new Banner Heart Layer set, I cut Layer A (the top layer) from magenta pink cardstock. I used the I cut Layer B (the middle layer) from black cardstock. I cut Layer C (the bottom layer) from a magenta pink glitter cardstock. I adhered all three layers together using a fine tip liquid glue. Then once the layers were dried, I adhered the hearts to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.
*Note, I cut two of each layer of the Banner Hearts die so that my card would have two hearts on it. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment “to my friend” in magenta ink on a piece of white cardstock. This stamp is from the Kind Hearts stamp set. I then used a small punch to punch out the heart and adhered it on the top of the card.
Happy Valentine’s Day, my crafty friends! Thanks for visiting and be sure to spread the love today and always.
Hello and happy Friday everyone! Rosemary here with a trio of love themed cards that I created using the fall out pieces from a card that I previously created using the Banner Heart layered die set.
When I created the original card, I wasn’t thinking that I would make another three cards, but I quickly realized that I couldn’t just throw away the fall out pieces that were left after I die cut the Banner Heart layers from the glitter cardstock I used. That got me thinking about how I could use the dies and the fall out pieces in a different way.
I decided to use each layer of the die to emboss the cardstock and then layer on the corresponding fall out pieces. I die cut three panels of white cardstock and got to work embossing each panel.
There can be some trial and error when using your dies to emboss, but I was super happy when all three embossed perfectly the first time. The impress I got is very deep because I had to use my thick embossing mat as I wasn’t able to find the thinner one. To emboss a die on cardstock you need to make sure that you use an embossing mat. The mat is flexible, usually tan in color and comes with your die cutting machine.
To emboss with your dies, use low tack tape to keep the die in place on your cardstock. For me my embossing sandwich was die cutting platform, cutting plate, embossing mat, cardstock and die (cutting edge facing down) and additional cardstock shims. For everyone else who has the correct embossing mat the sandwich would be cutting platform, cutting plate, embossing mat, cardstock and die (cutting edge facing down). Then run it through your die cutter. Some people like to lightly spray their cardstock with water in order to make it a little more pliable so the cardstock doesn’t crack. I didn’t do that with my cardstock, but the cracking was minimal.
Here is a close up of one of the cards. I found that the embossing left me with really nice impressions on each panel. Layering in the fallout pieces was super easy. I finished off each card with the same sentiment from the Contempo Greetings stamp set and Fairy Jewels that coordinated with the colors of glitter cardstock that I used from the Memory Box Glitzy Glitter 6×6 pad and the Delicate Pastel Glitter 6×6 pad.
I hope you will enjoyed my cards and that you will give embossing with your dies a try sometime. Have a wonderful day!
Hello crafty friends and happy Wednesday! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing some Valentine’s Day themed inspiration, but in non-traditional colors. I’m all for the lovey-dovey, over-the-top, red and pink hearts everything, but what if you want to tone it down just a bit and tell your friends you’re thinking of them? Well, keep reading because here’s my version of sending some love and hugs that isn’t so mushy-gushy romantic.
First, I LOVE this color combination of mint green, teal green, gold and white. It’s classic and it’s elegant. You can also see what it looks like here with a Christmas themed card. Or here, where I added just a touch of baby pink color too! Clearly, it’s a combination I love as I have used it frequently.
Card details:
The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. This is my go-to white cardstock for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g! It’s great for card bases, layering, die cutting, distress oxide blending and Copic coloring For the very first base layer I cut a piece of teal green cardstock to measure 5 1/4″ x 4″ from the Lush Green 6″ x 6″ paper pack. Using the Kinsley Heart Layering Plates, I cut Layer C (the bottom layer) from gold glitter cardstock. Next I cut Layer B (the middle layer) from mint green cardstock, also found in the Lush Green 6″ x 6″ paper pack.
I cut Layer A (the top layer) from white cardstock. I adhered all three layers together with a fine-tip liquid adhesive before adhering them all to the card base. I then cut a 5 1/2″ x x 1 1/2″ strip of white cardstock and adhere it to the bottom third of the card. This allowed me to place the words “hugs” onto a white background in order for it to stand out against the detailed die. I used the Big Lingo Type Hugs die here. I cut the bottom thicker layer from teal green cardstock and the top thinner layer from gold glitter cardstock. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment “thinking of you” from the Lingo Thanks Clear stamp set in teal ink on white cardstock. I adhered the sentiment strip to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.
Gosh, I just looooooove this color combination so much. I hope you have enjoyed today’s card as well. Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!
Hello friends! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing some inspiration for Valentine’s Day which will be coming up soon in February.
Details:
The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. Using the Flora Player Layer A, I die cut the first layer from white cardstock . As you can see from the image below, I had to do a fair amount of “poking” to get all the little pieces out! I adhered this piece directly onto my card base.
Next I die cut Layer A of the Kinsley Heart Layering Plate from white cardstock. I adhered this over a sheet of red cardstock. Then I fussy cut the little hearts out.
I adhered the small hearts down the center of the card, only using four of the five I had cut out. Then, using the Big Lingo Type Hugs, I die cut the shadow background from black cardstock and the thin outline layer from white cardstock.
I adhered the two layers together with a fine tip liquid adhesive. Then I stamped the sentiment “love and” in red ink on white cardstock. This sentiment is from the Lingo Thanks Sentiment stamp set. I adhered the sentiment to the card with 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.
I wish you all love and hugs! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!
Hello, Birch Press friends! January is always a great time to take stock of what cards you have in your stash. I always seem to have a shortage of birthday cards, so now is a great time to start building up that stash. My card today features the “Make a Wish Sugar Script” die set.
The inspiration for this card started with a panel of watercolor paper that I had inked up with some shimmer powders. I wasn’t happy with how it was turning out, and I almost threw it away. But, as I was picking it up, I saw that some of the color had gotten onto the back of the panel. And that is what became the background for this card. That is what I call a happy accident! I used the new Pinpoint Contour Plate to give it a little bit more texture and adhered it to an A2 card base.
For the main focal point of the card, I cut the detail words out of a champagne pearl card stock. I cut the shadow pieces out of the same watercolor paper that I had used for the background. I stacked the shadow pieces three times and the detail pieces two times in order to create dimension. I stamped the sub-sentiment on the same watercolor paper and heat embossed it with a platinum color embossing powder. The sentiment comes from the Happy Lingo stamp set.
To add more visual interest and movement, I die cut some small dragonflies and a butterfly using the same combination of papers that were already on the card – plain watercolor paper for the base layer of the wings, shimmer powder background remnants for the top layer of the wings, and champagne pearl card stock for the bodies. I glued these together only at the centers, so that the wings could pop up and create dimension.
To finish the card, I added some Fairy Jewels and Fairy Crystals in complementary colors.
Thank you so much for joining us today. I hope this card inspires you and brings a smile to your face!
Hello friends! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today. If there is one thing I love when it comes to cardmaking, it’s the alcohol. Ink, that is! ; ) Initially I never thought I would have enjoyed working with alcohol inks as much as I have because, well. . . they’re messy. They stain. They are a tad unpredictable in outcome and all that just terrifies me. Yet, somehow I learned to love them and now can’t feature them enough on my cards.
Card details:
The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I cut a 5 1/4″ x 4″ piece of Yupo (polysynthetic paper) and “ink blew” Ranger Adirondack alcohol ink in the color Stream over the Yupo paper. That’s it, just one ink color was all I used! As it moves around and dries, you get puddles of ink that look like other darker and lighter colors, but I assure you, I used just one color. Nice and easy!
Using the Felicity Snowflakes dies, I cut the outer layer from vellum cardstock and the top thinner layer from white cardstock. I adhered the two layers together with liquid adhesive and then I adhered the snowflakes to the card with a small pop dot (which you can actually see through the vellum, it’s too hard to hide).
Using the Contempo Christmas Greetings stamp set and coordinating die, I stamped the sentiment in Versamark ink on white cardstock and heat embossed it with turquoise embossing powder. I used the coordinating circle die to cut out the sentiment. I adhered the sentiment to the card with Scotch 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.
Now that I think about it, you could make this same card in ANY color! Red or green alcohol ink would be very traditional, but I’m also thinking pinks and purples for a pop of pizazz too!
Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!
Hello, Birch Press friends. Happy November! The holidays are getting closer and closer, and there is no better time to start making those holiday cards. Of course, I love making them all year round. The most recent release is full of holiday fun. But I wanted to show you how to use some non-holiday products and turn them into a festive card.
I started my card by dry embossing Layer C of the Flora Plate die set onto the front of a Kraft A2 card base. This is one of my favorite ways to create unexpected texture for a background. I then looked through my collection of Contour Layers die sets for the perfect leaf to create a wreath with. There are many floral sets with great options, but I chose the leaf from the Tiny Tuft Flowers set.
I chose four different colors of green card stock and die cut a bunch of leaves. I then began arranging them in a circle to get an idea of placement and size. I originally was going to use a word die for a sentiment, but I decided to use the round “be merry” stamp for the center of the wreath. I heat embossed it onto Kraft card stock with red embossing powder and cut it out with the matching circle die. I adhered it to the card panel, and this gave me the center point to build my wreath around.
There are three sets of leaves that are attached to branches, and I started by glueing the full elements down to form the wreath shape. As my wreath got more full, I would snip individual leaves off to fill in as needed.
For the berries, I used the Eucalyptus Stem and Berries die set, which is now retired. Again, these berries come attached to a branch (I believe there are seven berries on the branch), but I cut them into smaller bunches or even single berries as needed. When I was finished, I splattered the entire card with some white acrylic paint, making sure to cover the stamped sentiment with some washi tape first.
Thank you so much for joining us today. I hope this card inspires you and brings a smile to your face!
