Tag: Christmas

  • 105 days until Christmas | by April Antonio

    105 days until Christmas | by April Antonio

    Hello friends! Design Team member April here today sharing an early Christmas card using some of the products from the new holiday release. With Autumn almost upon us, everything is about to speed up, so why not start on creating some holiday cheer?! Also, these new dies are just too cute to put down!

    Here’s how I pulled this card together:

    I grabbed a pre-cut slimline card base in white, and glued a dark blue cardstock mat to the background to represent the night sky. I used the new Wavy Hillside die set and cut the largest die from white cardstock twice. I glued the die cuts twice to the front of the slimline card using foam tape, and made sure to leave a little room at the top so that I could later tuck in some of the houses and trees.

    I cut the Littletown Village, Littletown Church, and Littletown Home die sets all from white card stock, and assembled them accordingly. I then did some light ink blending in blue and purple on the bottom of each building, and did some darker ink blending in green on the trees. I then arranged the trees and houses across the hillside tucking some behind the ‘snow’ and placing some on top. I also added some to the bottom of the card front in either corner.

    For my sentiment I used the Merry Christmas Confection Script die with the shadow in the same dark blue as my background and the letters cut out from white cardstock.

    Finishing touches: I used a white gel pen to add some ‘falling snow’ to the dark blue background. I also added some silver jewels from the Memory Box Christmas Fairy Jewels set, and used a glitter pen to add some sparkle to the roofs of the buildings.

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  • 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!

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  • Warm Wishes | by Sandhya Iyer

    Warm Wishes | by Sandhya Iyer

    Hello, friends! This is Design Team member, Sandhya Iyer, and today I am sharing a holiday card featuring the latest collection of holiday dies from Birch Press Design. I used the Classic Poinsettia Contour Layers, Holly Sprig Contour Layers and Warm Wishes Confection Script dies to make my holiday-themed card.

    I started by die-cutting the layers for the poinsettia and holly sprig out of watercolor cardstock. Next, I pulled out dye inks in shades of peachy corals and red and inked up the layers. I used mossy green shades for the leafy foliage.

    Next, I assembled the poinsettia flower and holly sprig and set them aside. Then, I trimmed a watercolor panel to be a bit smaller than an A2 card base and worked on my background. I used Tim Holtz mica sprays to create a shimmery blue effect. Then I arranged the die-cut foliage to the bottom left of the card panel. I also used glossy accents on a few berries and the poinsettia center for more drama.

    Finally, I used the ‘warm wishes’ confection sentiment die to create an elegant sentiment die-cut. I adhered the panel to a red A2 card base and finished with a generous white splatter.

    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!

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  • Merry Patina(mas) } by Crystal Komara

    Merry Patina(mas) } by Crystal Komara

    Hello Birch Press Design fans and followers! This is design team member Crystal Komara here today with some non-traditional and rustic holiday inspiration using the Twinkle Ornament Layer Set.

    Now before we get to the card details, I know you’re going to first inquire about that background! So, in full disclosure, I recently attended a gelli plate class and this was one of the backgrounds I created from that class. I’m no expert and I couldn’t tell you all the professional gelli plate terms, but I’ll describe what we did as best I can.

    On the gelli plate we dropped acrylic inks in gold and amber and swirled it around the plate with a brayer. When it was almost dry, we took a patina blue paint and dotted it onto bubble wrap. Then we dipped the bubble wrap into the ink. Lastly, I took a 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ sheet of mixed media cardstock and smooshed it into the gelli plate. Easy peasy, right? Just kidding. And you know with gelli plates even if I tried to recreate this background, it would never look exactly the same!

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. kraft cardstock. I added the dried gelli plate background directly to the card base.

    Using the Twinkle Ornament Layer Set, I die cut Layer C (the bottom layer) from a teal cardstock. Layer B from a gold glitter cardstock and Layer A (the top layer) from the same teal cardstock. I layered the three together using a fine tip liquid glue. Then I adhered the ornament to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    I die cut the ornament topper from gold glitter cardstock. I die cut the “merry” sentiment from the Handwritten Merry Christmas and Outline die. I die cut the top thinner layer from the same teal cardstock and the bottom outline layer from gold glitter cardstock. I decided to cut off the “Christmas” portion of the die, so it just reads “merry.” I adhered the sentiment to the card using foam adhesive.

    This card is SOooo far outside of my comfort zone, but I guess that’s why I like it. Sometimes taking a creative risk is worth it! Try it for yourself and you just might be surprised! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day.


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  • Merry Christmas Poinsettia | By Sandhya Iyer

    Merry Christmas Poinsettia | By Sandhya Iyer

    Hello, BP friends! Sandhya here and today I am sharing my Christmas Poinsettia card. I used the Splendid Poinsettia Contour Layers die set for my focal point. I used a sentiment from the Glad Tidings stamp set for my sentiment. So let’s get started!

    I started by spraying a few pieces of watercolor paper with Distress Spray Stain and Distress Mica Sprays in shades of red and green. To keep the layers distinct, I tried to keep one sheet a few shades darker than the other. Then, I die-cut the base layer out of the darker piece and the detailed layer out of the lighter piece.

    Next, I assembled the layers and built my layered poinsettia. I used all the layers interchangeably to get a more dense layered look. For the center, I added iridescent flatback drops in a tiny cluster. Next, I added gold details using gold foundry wax.

    Finally, I trimmed some textured watercolor cardstock with a deckled trimmer to create my panel. I stamped my sentiment in black and adhered the layered poinsettia to it. Then, I inked around a kraft card base and adhered the panel down to it in a slanting manner.

    This brings us to the end of today’s post. Thank you so much for stopping by and I will be back soon with one more card before we end the year!

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  • Merry Christmas | By Sandhya Iyer

    Merry Christmas | By Sandhya Iyer

    Hello, my dear friends! Welcome back to another card post from me, Sandhya. For today’s card, I used the Aurora Snowflake Layering die set and the Merry Christmas Sugar Script die. I used some shimmery sprays to add to the magical appeal of my holiday card.

    I started by die-cutting all three layers of the Aurora Snowflake dies out of watercolor paper. Next, I picked out Bachelor Button Blue and Galactic Teal Starburst sprays from. Lindy’s Gang. I placed the Snowflake Layer B and a larger piece of watercolor cardstock on my craft mat and sprayed away. The trick to getting interesting layers is to alternate colors and dry the layers between spraying.

    I then trimmed the watercolor piece into a card panel measuring 3.75″x5″. Next, I die-cut the Merry Christmas work out of the remaining inked panel. For the outline, I used watercolor cardstock.

    Next, I adhered the 3 snowflake layers together and adhered it to the inked panel. I added the sentiment below that with some foam tape. I also added a few gems to the snowflake for more bling.

    Finally, I attached the completed panel to an A2 card base. I made the card base also with watercolor cardstock so it matches the white and texture on the sentiment outline. While it is hard to see the shimmer in the pictures, this card is a lot more shiny and attractive in real life.

    This brings us to the end of today’s post. Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope to be back soon with more new card ideas.

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  • Rainbow Peace Dove | by Crystal Komara

    Rainbow Peace Dove | by Crystal Komara

    Hello crafty readers! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing a slightly non-traditional Christmas card made using some ombre colors in reds and greens accented with the beautiful Adornment Dove dies.

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock. This is my go-to cardstock for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g! Using the same Neenah white cardstock, I cut the first background from Layer C of the Flora Plate dies. Next, I cut thin strips of cardstock in reds, pinks and greens. These thin strips measured 4 1/4″ x 1/4″. I adhered the strips to the Flora Layer background using Tombow adhesive. I started with the darkest color red to the lightest pink and then from the lightest green to the darkest.

    Using the Adornment Dove dies, I cut both layers from white cardstock. I adhered both layers together with a fine tip glue and adhered the entire assembled dove to the card with 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    Lastly, I stamped the sentiment “Peace” in Versamark ink on black cardstock. This sentiment is from the Christmas Mandala stamp set. It also has a coordinating die that I used to die cut the sentiment out. After die cutting the sentiment I adhered it to the card also using 3M foam.

    I love how this card turned out, even though I had a completely different vision from when I started. Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

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  • Piped Icing Star | by Crystal Komara

    Piped Icing Star | by Crystal Komara

    Hello friends! Welcome back from a (hopefully) long holiday weekend. I hope you and your family and friends all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It is one of my favorite holidays of the year. And, if you are a shopper, I hope by reading this post, it means you survived the chaos and madness of Black Friday! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today. I am excited to be sharing this gorgeous card featuring the Piped Icing Star dies and a few other fabulous holiday themed products all from Birch Press Design.

    There are so many different products all used on this one card. I was really inspired by all the beautiful samples on the Birch Press Design homepage. I never would have thought of combining berries and snowflakes AND Christmas sentiments AND roses all in one card, and it works! Not only does it work, it works BEAUTIFULLY!

    I have created a step-by-step video showing I created this card, so click the YouTube link below for all the details!

    I was really pleased with how this card came out and I hope you enjoy it too! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

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  • Be Merry | by Crystal Komara

    Be Merry | by Crystal Komara

    Hello friends! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing more holiday themed inspiration using products from the latest Birch Press Design Release. Birch Press Design never ceases to amaze me with its elegant layering dies, contour dies and foil plates. Some of my most loved cards have been as a result of these gorgeous and elevated products.

    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 navy cardstock from the 6″ x 6″ Ocean Blue paper pack. Using my Gemini Foilpress machine and the String Art Hot Foil Frame, I heat foiled a cerulean blue foil onto the navy cardstock. I know that it kind of looks like silver foil in these photos, but it is ever-so-slightly more blue tinted in person.

    Using the Snowy Circle Layer Set, I created the center focal piece. I die cut Layer C (bottom layer) from navy cardstock. I die cut Layer B (middle layer) from a sky blue cardstock. I die cut Layer A (top layer) from white cardstock. Again, I used cardstock from the 6″ x 6″ Ocean Blues paper pack. I used a fine-tip liquid adhesive to adhere all three layers together and then I lined the back of the three layers with a solid sheet of white cardstock. I adhered the entire Snowy Circle image to the center of the card using 3M foam adhesive.

    Lastly, I stamped the sentiment “be merry’ in navy ink on white cardstock. This sentiment is from the Contempo Christmas Greetings stamp set. I used the coordinating circle die to die cut the sentiment out. I adhered the sentiment to the lower right side of the snowflakes with 3M foam adhesive.

    I hope you have enjoyed today’s card. Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

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  • Holly Wreath | by Crystal Komara

    Holly Wreath | by Crystal Komara

    Hello crafty readers! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing a holiday card with you featuring the beautiful new Holly Wreath Plate Layer set. But, there’s a lot more going on with this card than just a dimensional wreath, there is also a heat foiled background and heat embossed sentiment too, so read on for all the fun details!

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. This is my go-to white cardstock for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g! Using the Gilded Grace Hot Foil Plate, I foiled the first layer of the card. I use a Gemini Foilpress machine for my foiling. I used the Crafter’s Companion Foil Press paper in brass. I adhered this foiled layer directly to the card base.

    I did not foil the inner circle of the Gilded Grace Plate, so instead I stamped the sentiment “wishing you peace” in the center of the circle. Next, I created the wreath. I die cut Layer C (bottom layer) of the Holly Wreath from dark green cardstock. I die cut Layer B (middle layer) of the Holly Wreath Plate from green glitter cardstock. Finally, I cut Layer A (top layer) of the Holly Wreath Plate from light green cardstock. The green cardstock is from the 6″ x 6″ Lush Green paper pack and the 6″ x 6″ Glitzy Glitter paper pack. I adhered all three layers of the wreath together with a fine-tip liquid glue.

    I adhered the wreath to the center of the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension. I stamped the sentiment “joy” in Versamark ink on a piece of red cardstock. I heat embossed the sentiment with the Red Robin embossing powder from WOW! I used the coordinating circular die to die cut the sentiment out. The “joy” sentiment and die is from the Contempo Christmas Greetings stamp set and coordinating dies.

    Lastly, I adhered a small piece of gold ribbon underneath the “joy” circular sentiment. I also added a couple red rhinestones to the wreath to resemble berries.

    This card has it all – gold foil, sparkly glitter paper and heat embossing! It sparkles AND it shines!

    I hope you have enjoyed today’s card! You can visit me on my website, Instagram and YouTube! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

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