Category: Uncategorized

  • 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
  • Add New Life to Your Stamps! | By Desiree Kuemmerle

    Add New Life to Your Stamps! | By Desiree Kuemmerle

    Hello Everyone and Welcome Back!

    Today I am going to show everyone how you can add new life and create a new look to your stamp sets!  Simply we can add new lines and details easily…

    I will be using the Crystal Lingo Stamp Set…  This is a great geometric design and is the perfect size for a slimline card!

    Let’s start by stamping our image onto some watercolor paper.  I chose water color paper as I will be using watercolor paints to fill in my sections.  You can use ANY coloring medium you have in your stash!

    I grabbed an archival black ink pen and added curved  and rounded lines to each intersection of the stamp…  Take your time with this and enjoy this process!  It can be very meditative and relaxing…

    After these areas are dry I added watercolor into each of the sections, no rhyme or reason, just have fun adding the color to your image!

    Once it was dry I matted my panel onto a black card stock mat and a sentiment in the bottom right hand corner!

    Hope you enjoyed today’s project!

    Make sure you stay tuned for more wonderful projects coming soon!


    Supplies


    CL8155 Crystal Lingo clear stamp set

  • 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
  • A Hidden Panel for your Sentiment! | By Desiree Kuemmerle

    A Hidden Panel for your Sentiment! | By Desiree Kuemmerle

    Hello Everyone and Welcome Back!

    It is simple to create a decorative panel to hide our sentiments inside of our cards for that little surprise!

    I got all my die cutting out of the way and layered my mini frame together to have ready.

    To create your panel on the front of your card you want to layout your rectangle dies to create your cut out. I went with nesting rectangle dies just a little larger than the size of the Dazzle Mini Frame Layering Die set to give me a border around using vellum. You could also use clear acetate if that is what you have in your stash!

    I then cut a piece of vellum slightly small that my border frame and layered it in between my card base and panel base for my card and placed my focal point in the center. I cut a piece of black card stock the same size and placed it on the inside of my card base to hide the underside of my focal point!

    I lined up my sentiment under the panel so when the card is open, the recipient can see the hidden message!

    Added a few pearl embellishments to give a little sparkle to the front of our card!

    Hope you enjoyed today’s project!

    Make sure you stay tuned for more wonderful projects coming soon!


    Supplies


    57406 Dazzle Mini Frame Layer Set
    30086 Rectangle Basics Set
    CL8163 Kind Hearts clear stamp set
    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack
    SP1009 Earth Neutral 6×6 pack
  • Heart to Heart Thanks | by April Antonio

    Heart to Heart Thanks | by April Antonio

    Happy Friday! April here sharing an elegant, easy to pull together thank you card.

    To start this card I grabbed on of my favorites, the Kinsley Heart Plate Layering set. I cut out all three layers with Layer A and C cut from white cardstock, and Layer I glued all three layers together using liquid glue.

    I created an A2 card base from a piece of red cardstock, and glued the Kinsley Heart layer onto the card front. This is why the inside of the heart is red — the base is shining through.

    Next, I took the Pimpernel Contour layering set to cut the flowers from red, foil cardstock and the leaves from green, glitter cardstock. I adhered them to the lower right of the card front, ensuring I glued the center of the flowers only, to leave the petals free to bend up a little bit.

    For the sentiment, I used the Kind Hearts Clear Stamp set to heat emboss ‘thank you’ with black pigment ink and clear embossing powder. I cut this out and glued it to the center of the card front.

    Lastly, I added a couple of clear dots from the Christmas Fairy Crystals set to the center of the flowers

    That is it! The layering sets make it super easy and fun to pull together cards. I hope this inspires you to go create and have fun

    Supplies

    57402 Kinsley Heart Plate Layer Set

    CL8163 Kind Hearts clear stamp set

    57488 Pimpernel Contour Layers

    SP1009 Earth Neutral 6×6 pack

    GP1003 Twinkling Jewel Glitter Pad

    CRY102 Christmas Fairy Crystals

    FP1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad 6×6 pack

  • Simple Dragonfly Hello | By Dilay Nacar

    Simple Dragonfly Hello | By Dilay Nacar

    Hello and welcome, crafty friends! Dee here today with another clean and simple card that I created using scraps and a few dies! To begin, I cut the Arista Layer die, A, B, and C and adhered them onto the center of a base made by cutting a piece of white cardstock with the Pinpoint Radial Plate die.

    Next, I hot foiled the Big Sugar Script Hello foil plate in matte gold and cut it with the coordinating die, then cut it twice more in white to stack and add dimension. I then adhered it to the center of the Arista layers. 

    To finish, I cut the Simple Dragonfly Contour Layers in gold, pink, orange, green, and teal, then assembled and adhered them to the card.

    I hope you enjoyed today’s card and are inspired to create something new! Thank you so much for stopping by, friends!

    57487 Simple Dragonfly Contour Layers
    BPF501 Hello Sugar Script Hot Foil Plate and Die Set and Die
    57384 Pinpoint Radial Plate
    57418 Arista Layer Set
    SP1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack
    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack
    SP1004 Fresh Aqua 6×6 pack
    SP1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack
    FP1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad 6×6 pack

  • Star Flowers Thank you | By Natasha Vacca

    Hi Crafty friends! I am excited to be back today sharing a colorful thank you card using the beautiful Star Flowers Contour Layers die set!!!!! So let’s get started!

    I started today’s card with the beautiful Star Flowers Contour Layers die set! I love these beautiful flowers! I started by die cutting my flowers using 2 shades of blue card stock from the Memory Box Fresh Aqua Collection paper pad. I chose a lighter blue and a darker blue. I love these paper pads as all the colors coordinate so beautifully together! I die cut enough to make 8 flowers. I then chose a yellow shade for the floral center using the Sunny Orange paper pad from Memory Box. Once everything was die cut I added a bit of shading to each floral layer using distress oxide inks. I then adhered the layers together using liquid glue. I then added embossing powder to each flower for added texture and dimension. I pressed the flower into my embossing ink, sprinkled with embossing powder, and then heat set. I then set my flowers aside.

    Next I started to work on my background. To create my background I used the Viola Plate layering dies. I used both layer B and C. I die cut each layer on white card stock. Next I wanted to add color to Layer B. I used a yellow shade of dye ink and ink blended on my panel using a blending tool. Next I added 2 colors of sprays for added shine and texture. I allowed this to dry and once dry, I added gold and silver metallic watercolor splatters for added texture. Once everything was dry, I adhered layer B and C of the Viola die cuts together using liquid glue.

    Next I used my distress tool to add texture to the edge of the die cut panel. I added texture to various sections. Then I used an archival ink in brown around the outer section of my Viola panel. I then adhered the Viola panel to an A2 card base with liquid glue.

    I then adhered my flowers to the front of my card panel. I used a combination of liquid glue and foam adhesive. To complete my card I added the Handwritten Thanks and Outline die. I die cut the shadow using white card stock and the script thanks using the Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad card stock. I then adhered the sentiment together with liquid glue and added foam tape to the back and added this to my card front.

    Thank you for stopping by today! I had a lot of fun today and I will be back soon!

    57505 Star Flowers Contour Layers
    57420 Handwritten Thanks and Outline
    56128 Viola Plate Layer Set
    FP1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad 6×6 pack
    SP1004 Fresh Aqua 6×6 pack
    SP1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack
  • Glitzy Golden Hugs

    Glitzy Golden Hugs

    Hello and welcome back to the Birch Press Design blog.  I’m so excited to be joining you this Friday with a project featuring some of items from the newest release.

    I’m loving today’s project because it is gold galore.  To start, I used the new String Art Frame hot foil plate to create the delicate webbed background and the new Hugs Sugar Script hot foil plate to create the golden ‘hugs’ sentiment.

    Next, Birch Press has a new Simple Dragonfly die set that is really fun. It let’s you create both large and small realistic 3D dragonflies.  I decided to cut this twice using the large die set and once using the small die set from heavyweight white cardstock.

    I then took the bottom layer and ink blended the Stardust color from Concord & 9th onto the bottom layer of the dragon fly.  Then, using liquid glue, I adhered the top white layer, making sure to put only a dot of glue in the center so that the wings could remain free to ‘fly’.

    Once all my pieces were assembled I put together the entire card. First, I cut a piece of the White Woodgrain cardstock to 4” x 5.25” and adhered it to an A2 card base.

    Next, I took the card panel I made with the String Art hot foil plate and cut it slightly smaller to 3.75” x 5” and adhered that on top of the woodgrain base with foam tape to create some dimension.

    Next, I adhered the hot foil ‘hug’ sentiment into the middle of the card in the circle. I placed my three dragonflies around the hug..two at the bottom and one at the top.

    Lastly, I couldn’t help but add even more bling, so I used gold bling from the Christmas Fairy Jewels set to add gold jewels to the center of each dragonfly, and a few sprinkled around the card.

    That is it! I love just how much bling hot foiling adds to a card. If you don’t have a hot foil machine just yet, using gold cardstock, heat embossing and adding jewels is a great way to add bling to a card. Birch Press has a lot of great glitter and foil paper pads that can help with this. If you do have a hot foil machine, I would encourage you to check out their new hot foil line.

    I hope today’s post has inspired you to go create and keep creating beautiful things!

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    Supplies

    BPF510 String Art Frame Hot Foil Plate and Die Set

    BPF513 Hugs Sugar Script Hot Foil Plate and Die Set and Die

    57487 Simple Dragonfly Contour Layers

    SH44001 Woodgrain Paper Pack White

    JWL005 Christmas Fairy Jewels

  • Flora Heart and Eloquent Butterfly Layering Die Sets! | By Desiree Kuemmerle

    Flora Heart and Eloquent Butterfly Layering Die Sets! | By Desiree Kuemmerle

    Hello Everyone and Welcome Back!

    We do not have to limit ourselves to just one die set for the front of our cards! Today I am going to show you how we can combine two popular layering die sets for the focal point on our card ready for any occasion!

    I always like to get all my die cutting out of the way and have them ready for when I start to create my card! Once the die cutting is done let’s get them layered using our liquid adhesive to ensure a strong bond!

    I then used the pinpoint radial plate die for my background and added a couple of colors to make the pinpoint design show even more to add texture!

    I positioned the heart in the center of the radial points and then layered the butterfly just below adding small double sided foam squares to keep it level.

    We don’t always have to add a sentiment to our cards, this way when any occasion pops up, we are ready to go!

    Hearts and Butterflies always need a little bling, so I added a few gems for that sparkle!

    Hope you enjoyed today’s project!

    Make sure you stay tuned for more wonderful projects coming soon!


    Supplies


    57426 Eloquent Butterfly Layer Set
    57403 Butterfly Basics
    56120 Flora Heart Layer Set
    57384 Pinpoint Radial Plate
    SP1007 Vibrant Violet 6×6 pack
    SP1004 Fresh Aqua 6×6 pack

  • Tropical Hibiscus | By Natasha Vacca

    Hello Crafty Friends! It is Natasha here and I am super excited to be back today! Birch Press Design has an amazing new release and I couldn’t wait to create!!! For today’s card I am using 2 dies from the new release – Tropical Hibiscus Contour Layers, as well as the new Hello Sugar Script foiling die! So let’s get started!

    I started today’s card with the Tropical Hibiscus Contour Layers die set and 3 paper pads from Memory Box. I love this card stock, as each paper pad has coordinating colors! They truly do all the work for you!! I used the following 3 paper pads: Berry Red, Sunny Orange, and Lush Green. I die cut each layer of the Hibiscus bloom. I chose 3 shades of pink, ranging from light to dark and a yellow for the center. I then chose 2 shades of green. Once everything was die cut, I added ink blending to each layer of the die cuts. I love the added dimension and texture this provides! Once everything was ink blended, I spritzed some water on the layers and once dried adhered them together with liquid glue.

    Next I set the flowers and leaves aside and created a fun and colorful background. I wanted to create a background that gave these blooms a summery feel. I created the background on water color card stock using pigment powders. I added several layers of color and once I was happy with the color, I allowed it to dry.

    To complete my card I chose the new Hello Sugar Script hot foil plate and die set! I LOVE the sugar script dies and the added foil plate is so much fun and truly beautiful! I foiled the hello using a matte gold foil, then die cut the word using the coordinating die set. I then die cut several more layers on plain white card stock for added dimension. Next I adhered the layers together using liquid glue.

    To complete my card I adhered my watercolor background onto an A2 card base. I then chose the arrangement for the flowers and leaves. I adhered these using a combination of liquid glue and foam tape. I adhered the Hello sentiment using foam tape. To complete the card I added a few clear Fairy Drops! I had a lot of fun today and I hope you enjoyed it too!

    I will be back soon! Crafty Hugs,

    57486 Tropical Hibiscus Contour Layers
    BPF501 Hello Sugar Script Hot Foil Plate and Die Set and Die
    SP1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack
    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack
    SP1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack
    DRP101 Fairy Drops