Birch Press Design

Tag: contour layers

  • Thanks Oval Leaves | by Crystal Komara

    Thanks Oval Leaves | by Crystal Komara

    Hello friends! This is DT member Crystal Komara here with you today with what just might be my new favorite card ever that I’ve designed for Birch Press Design. Now, I’ll admit, I was initially hesitant to use the contour dies, becuase oh-so-much die cutting, but I promise, the end result is always SOOooo worth the work!!

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I cu ta 5 1/4″ x 4″ piece of black cardstock and dry embossed it using the Blooming 3D Embossing Folder from Memory Box Co, a sister company of Birch Press Design. This is my go-to floral embossing folder, it’s so elegant.

    Then I just began die cutting lots and lots of the Oval Leaves contour dies in yellow, orange and gold cardstock. I mismatched up the layers, so that I layered yellow with orange and rust with gold. There was no method to this matching up madness.

    Lastly, I flicked some gold acrylic paint onto the entire image and I love how this effect came out! It added a bit of grunge, but also a bit of sparkle!

    I love this card so much that I want to try re-creating it in other color palettes too, so be sure to check back in regularly to see what myself and the rest of the Design Team are creating to inspire you!

    Supplies

    57525 Oval Leaf Branches Contour Layers

    57148 Thanks Sugar Script

    SP1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack

    GP1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad

  • Warm Wishes | by Sandhya Iyer

    Warm Wishes | by Sandhya Iyer

    Hello Birch Press friends! This is Sandhya here with a fresh card to send warm wishes. It is kind of festive, more winter-like. I used the Forest Leaf and Berries Contour Layers and The Forest Canopy Layer C die sets for this card. For the sentiment, I grabbed the Warm Wishes Vintage Sentiment die.

    I started by die-cutting all the pieces from the Forest Leaf And Berries Die set out of watercolor paper. Next, I used Distress Spray Stains and Distress Mica stains to color the pieces. For the smaller pieces like the berries, it is easier to use tweezers and dip them into a buddle of color and then lay them out on a craft mat to dry.

    For the delicate branch, I used an ink blending tool and dabbed over it with Ground Expresso Distress Ink. Once all the colored pieces were dry, I assembled the berries and leaves per the instruction leaflet.

    Next I die-cut the Forect Canopy Laver C out of Watercolor cardstock 2 times. I adhered the 2 layers together to create more dimension and then adhered it down on a white A2 card base. Then, I die-cut my sentiment and placed it towards the entre of the background.

    Finally, I arranged the berry clusters and leaves around the sentiment and adhered them down with liquid adhesive. I also added a few flatback pearl embellishments to tie it all together. 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.

    Supplies:

    57514 Forest Leaf and Berries Contour Layers
    57534 Forest Canopy Layer Set
    57539 Warm Wishes Vintage Sentiment
  • Christmas in July with Forest Canopy and Large Cosmos | by Colleen Balija

    Christmas in July with Forest Canopy and Large Cosmos | by Colleen Balija

    Hi there! Today I’ve got a card for you that reminds me of Christmas -only in July! This wasn’t intended to be a Christmas card, but after seeing the finished product, I will definitely be creating similar cards for the holidays using these new products! I’ll be using the new Large Cosmos Contour Layers die and Forest Canopy Layering dies. As usual, I will share the product links at the end of my post!

    I chose to use shades of brown, green, and coral for this card (very similar to the card I shared in my post a couple weeks ago). Step one was to create the background. The Forest Canopy is a layering die set, which Birch Press Designs is known for creating in great detail! I die cut each of the layers using heavy white cardstock. Then I applied shades of green color, going from light to dark, by ink schmooshing to create a variegated, natural look to the leaves. This set comes with berries as well, and I inked those up in shades of coral.

    TIP: To ink schmoosh, apply the ink onto a glass media matt, spray with a bit of water, and then place the card panel directly onto the ink and “schmoosh” around over the ink to apply color to the card panel. Repeat this step until you’ve achieved the desired look that you want. If you notice in the photo below, this technique achieves more depth as opposed to basic ink blending.

    Once the inking was complete, I adhered the layers together and applied them over a card panel that was inked in shades of brown. I am in love with how earthy and beautiful the colors are coming along!

    Next I focused on the Large Cosmos Flower die. Did you know that Birch Press Designs embosses the layers on the flower so that you know exactly where to place each layer? I think that’s genius! They also emboss highlighted areas that add interest and depth to the flowers!

    I die cut each layer of the flower onto white cardstock and then ink blended the layers in shades of coral. Then I went around the edges of the flower and the stamin with gold embossing powder for added shine and interest. I adhered my layeres and placed the Cosmos Flower onto the lower left corner over the Forest Canopy leaves, and then added gold metallic splatters over the entire panel. I finished with a sentiment from the Memory Box Gracious Florals stamp and die set!

    Next time I may change up the color scheme and create a few holiday cards using these new dies! I’ll be sure to share them with you! Thanks for stopping by today!

     

    Supplies

     

    57528 Large Cosmos Contour Layers

     

    57534 Forest Canopy Layer Set

     

    CL5280D Gracious Floral Clear Stamp and Die Set

     

  • Prime Peony Hello | by Crystal Komara

    Prime Peony Hello | by Crystal Komara

    Hello readers! Now that spring is officially here (oh but wait, is it??) Oh well, I declare spring IS here! Let’s celebrate with all things floral. This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing this hello card made using the Prime Peony Duo Contour Layers.

    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 the same Neenah White cardstock and ran it through my Big Shot using the Blooming 3D embossing folder from Memory Box Co. (a sister company of Birch Press Design). I adhered this embossed background directly to the card base. Next, I die cut a large oval from white cardstock.

    To create all the peonies, I die cut the various layers of the Prime Peony from different colored pink cardstocks and then using the image provided, I was able to assemble them (with only limited curse words!) Trust me, I’m not proud of my less-than patience.

    After adhering all the peony pieces together I adhered them to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension. Lastly, for the sentiment, I used the Big Hello Sugar Script die. I die cut just the top layer (not the shadow layer) from white cardstock. I cut this layer three times and them on top of each other before adding them to the card.

    I hope you have enjoyed this card! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    57504 Prime Peony Duo Contour Layers

    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack

    57143 Hello Sugar Script

  • Shaker Star Flowers | by Crystal Komara

    Shaker Star Flowers | by Crystal Komara

    Hello readers and happy Wednesday! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here today sharing one of my favorite (and seemingly easiest) interactive cards to make – a shaker card! I made this card very monochromatic in purple and white, but if purple really isn’t your color, there are endless possibilities and color combinations you could use instead with these beautiful Star Flowers Contour dies.

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. For the background, I cut a 5 1/4″ x 4″ piece of the same Neenah White cardstock and ran it through my Big Shot using the Pinpoint Radial Plate.

    Using the Star Flowers Contour Dies, I cut the flowers from two different colored purple cardstock and one purple glitter cardstock (for the center of the flowers). I adhered the layers of the flowers together with a fine-tip liquid glue.

    To create the shaker component, I die cut Layer A of the Roundabout Layer Set from white cardstock. I then fussy cut a solid white background of this same shape to create a white frame. I adhered a piece of clear acetate to the back of this frame. I added about 1 tablespoon of sequins to the card and then layered the shaker frame on top.

    I stamped the sentiment “to my friend” in purple ink on white cardstock and used a circle punch to punch it out. This sentiment is from the Kind Hearts clear stamp set.

    I love a card that can be made so easy to change simply by alternating the colors or the sentiments. Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    57505 Star Flowers Contour Layers

    57384 Pinpoint Radial Plate

    56124 Roundabout Layer Set

    SP1008 Twilight Purple 6×6 pack

    GP1003 Twinkling Jewel Glitter Pad

  • Golden Sylvan Berries | By Seeka

    Golden Sylvan Berries | By Seeka

    Hello and welcome! Seeka here again with you today, this time sharing a card featuring the Sylvan Berries And Leaves Contour Layers die set.

    I started off by cutting the berries and leaves layers from green, yellow and orange cardstocks. I glued the layers together and then set them aside.

    Next, I die cut the Arista Layer B plate three times from white cardstock, then I glued the layers together and then glued the resulting piece to a panel cut with the Pinpoint Contour Plate.

    I arranged and glued the leaves and berries onto the background, trimming the stems where needed. Then I added a sentiment from my stash before gluing the card front to a top-folding card base.

    Thank you very much for visiting!


    Supplies


    57503 Sylvan Berries and Leaves Contour Layers
    57511 Pinpoint Contour Plate
    57418 Arista Layer Set
  • Framed Crocus | By Seeka

    Framed Crocus | By Seeka

    Hello and welcome! Seeka here today sharing a card featuring the Sprouting Crocus Contour Layers die set.

    I started off by creating seven crocuses in shades of purple and blue cardstock (some nice options are available in the Ocean Blue and Twilight Purple 6×6 paper packs). I used light purple and blue cardstock for the flowers’ centers, and then used a small blending brush to ink blend a bit of darker purple and darker blue inks towards the bases of those pieces. The result is a bit of shading and dimension at the base of the inner petals of each flower. Next, I cut the leaves from green cardstock and then used glue to adhere the pieces of each flower together.

    For the background, I used the Pinpoint Radial Plate to cut a piece of white cardstock. Then I used a circle die from my stash to cut out a window from the panel. Next, I blended an aqua ink over a 4.25″ x 5.5″ panel of white cardstock, concentrating the color towards the bottom of the panel and letting it fade up towards the top. Using foam tape, I adhered the window panel to the aqua panel.

    To finish the card, I tucked the blooms into the window and then used foam tape to hold them in place. I added a small sentiment from my stash and then glued the card front to a top-folding card base.

    Thank you so much for visiting!


    Supplies


    57384 Pinpoint Radial Plate
    57523 Sprouting Crocus Contour Layers
    SP1005 Ocean Blue 6×6 pack
    SP1008 Twilight Purple 6×6 pack
  • You Are Loved Easter Egg | by Crystal Komara

    You Are Loved Easter Egg | by Crystal Komara

    Hello readers and happy Tuesday! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing a beautiful Easter card for the upcoming holiday using the Petal Egg Layer Set and a few other products from Birch Press Design.

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. For the first 5 1/4″ x 4″ layer, I ran a piece of the same Neenah white cardstock through the Blooming 3D embossing folder by Memory Box Co (a sister company of Birch Press Design).

    Next, I created the layers of the Easter egg from the Petal Egg Layer set:

    Layer A – the top layer was die cut from white cardstock.
    Layer B – the middle layer was die cut from yellow glitter cardstock.
    Layer C – the bottom layer was die cut from a darker yellow cardstock.
    I fussy cut the base or bottom layer of the egg in yellow cardstock, so that it would help the egg standout against the white background.

    I adhered all four layers of the egg together using a fine-tip liquid glue. Once this was dried, I placed the egg in the center of the card. Then I used the Tiny Tuft Flowers and Leaves Contour dies. I cut the leaves from two different colored green cardstock and the flowers from both yellow cardstock and yellow glitter cardstock.

    I adhered the leaves and flowers to the lower right side of the egg using a fine-tip liquid glue.

    Using the You Are Loved Noted Script heat foil plate and die, I heat foiled the sentiment in gold foil on black cardstock. I used the coordinating die to die cut the sentiment out and adhered it over the egg using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

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

    Supplies

    57369 Petal Egg Layer Set

    BPF509 You Are Loved Noted Script Hot Foil Plate and Die Set

    57501 Tiny Tuft Flowers and Leaves Contour Layers

    SP1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack

    GP1008 Majestic Hues Glitter Pad

  • Find Joy Prime Peonies | by Crystal Komara

    Find Joy Prime Peonies | by Crystal Komara

    Hello readers and happy Friday to you! I hope you have fun (and creative) things planned for the weekend ahead. This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing this card using the Prime Peony Duo Contour Layers.

    Now, before I get into the details of how I made this card, I want to take a minute to appreciate the intricate WORK and time commitment involved with contour layering dies! If you think you’re just going to throw a card like this together and also juggle cooking dinner, doing a load of towels, tending to a puking cat and watching Friends reruns, oh no, no, no, my friend, that ain’t gonna happen! Contour layering dies take an extreme amount of concentration, patience and precision. I lack all three. At best, I’m spastic in thought, I have the patience of a 5-year old and I’m of the philosophy that “done is better than perfect!!” So, for me, while contour layering dies (when completed) are absolutely gorgeous, the journey getting there is kinda sheer torture.

    But, look at this card, ain’t she a beaut?!

    But, I learned a few helpful tips while making this card I want to share with you to help make your contour layering dies journey less painful. First, we are going to make the peonies using a variety of pink cardstocks.

    1. Don’t be in a rush – contour layering dies take time and if you know this ahead of time, it’s half the battle

    2. Organization – when you die cut the Prime Peony flowers, keep them in organized rows

    2. Follow the Directions (or the provided image) – they really do make sense in how you put the peony layers together!

    *Use a fine tip glue to adhere these intricate tiny layers together.
    *Tip – use a fine tip liquid glue for adhering tiny layers together.
    Die cut the larger word shadow from pink cardstock and the thinner word outline from white cardstock.
    Die cut the Linear Triangle from white cardstock.

    Because I had fully committed myself to making this one card (and not being interrupted by anything else) I found the process went much more smoothly. I love the end result SO much that I now intend to work more with the contour layering dies!

    Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    57504 Prime Peony Duo Contour Layers

    57452 Find Joy and Outline

    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack

    SP1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack

    57393 Linear Triangle

  • Sweet Jovial Blooms | By Seeka

    Sweet Jovial Blooms | By Seeka

    Hello and welcome! Seeka here today sharing a card featuring the Jovial Blooms and Leaves Contour Layers die set.

    I started off by die cutting the layers of the blooms out of four colors of pink cardstock. I glued the layers together and then set them aside. Next, I cut several leafy branches from green cardstock.

    For the background, I cut all three layers of the Tranquility layer die set from white cardstock and then glued them together. I glued the Tranquility piece to a white panel that I cut with the Pinpoint Radial Plate die.

    Next, I used a combination of glue, adhesive dots, and foam tape to adhere the blooms and leaves.

    I finished the card by adding a sentiment from my stash and then gluing the card front to a card base.

    Thank you so much for coming by!


    Supplies