Using Dies All Year Long

Congratulations to this week's Featured Stamper, Mary (MaryEB).

I chose this card as my inspiration:



I focused on:
-Christmas theme
-offset layered die cut

I changed:
-star to snowflake
-colours
-background technique

This snowflake is actually made from two triangle Christmas tree dies from Spellbinders. I cut two from white cardstock, and used Distress Spray in Pewter to splatter some shine on them.

I created a blue watercolour wash background and then spritzed it with Tonic Sparkle Spray.

I offset the two tree dies to create this loopy snowflake, and then added some Pearl White jewels from Pretty Pink Posh.

This card is one of 6 I made for my latest video, which is a collaboration with Jenny Colacicco, showing how to use any of your dies at any time of year!

Going Over the Edge

I love my 4.25" square card format, but was a bit stumped about how to use this new Thanks die which is longer than the card. Then I remembered it doesn't have to fit on the card, as long as it fits in the envelope!

More cards on the Birch Press Design blog.

Ink-blended Sympathy Card

Congratulations to this week's Featured Stamper, Angela (Arizona Maine).

I chose this card as my inspiration:

I focused on Angela's:
-colours - orange/brown blue green
- stripes on one half
-square card with circular focal point
- branch
- leaves

I changed:
- no fancy fold
- no patterned paper
- die cut branches
- stamped sentiment instead of image

I found myself in need of a sympathy card this week, and this fall-coloured inspiration was the perfect starting point!

I started by blending ink onto a square panel of white cardstock. Then I masked vertically down the centre and used a striped stencil to inkblend more ink and achieve a tone-on-tone look on one half.

I cut the panel with a circle die and then embossed a sentiment with gold embossing powder.

The branch die cut was created from a panel of cardstock I had blended green ink onto. I used a sponge dauber to darken the edges and then splattered metallic gold watercolour over for some interest.

My cardbase is kraft with gold pigment ink swinked* over the edges for an elegant but subtle finishing touch.

*swinking is our new word for ink-swiping! Check out my video on my YouTube channel to see how swinking is the Easiest Cardmaking Technique ever!

Learn to Swink!

Want to learn how to swink? Head over to my YouTube channel and watch my video (and then Laurel's) for an in-depth tutorial on the fastest, easiest-ever cardmaking technique!

Use what you have to make Slimline Cards!

Love the look of slimline cards but don't have any specialized stamps or dies? I'm on the Ellen Hutson blog today with tips for using what you have to get this trendy look!

Golden Snowflake

Congratulations to this week's Featured Stamper, Elizabeth (palparis)

I chose this card as my inspiration:


I focused on Elizabeth's:
-rich dark background
-snowflakes
-intricate focal image

I changed:
-no background embossing
-no 'ribbon'
-colour

I started by blending Rockin' Red ink onto a white panel. Then I darkened the edges with Sangria. Don't you just love how rich the result is?

I cut two the snowflake portion of Birch Press Design's Issa Snowflakes (retired - sorry, I linked to some similar snowflakes below!), from gold glitter cardstock and white cardstock and stacked them up, offsetting them.

I cut a circle about the same size as the snowflakes from the centre of the panel, and blended Sangria ink around the edge. I put the gold snowflake on the circle and added some red droplets from Ellen Hutson.

I blended Rockin' Red and Sangria ink onto my cardbase and then adhered the panel, and popped up the snowflake circle.

All you need for Christmas crafting?

Are you looking for inspiration for Christmas cards? How about a bank of 20 amazing ideas for a festive 2020? Today 5 of us are sharing 4 ideas each for your 2020 Christmas cards and projects. 

Head to my YouTube channel to watch my video  - you'll be amazed at how many ways you can use the newest Birch Press Design Ornament dies for your Christmas crafting projects!

Then, watch the 4 other videos for tons of ideas using different techniques, supplies and styles - there's truly something for everyone!

Silver Mandala Card

Congratulations to this week's Featured Stamper, Kelly (sunstamper).

I chose this card as my inspiration:



I focused on Kelly's:
-mandala design
-monochrome colour scheme
-no sentiment

I changed:
-everything on one layer
-heat embossed rather than dry embossed/stamped
-colour
-shape of card

I started by using my MISTI to stamp Catherine Pooler's background stamp Rondi's Window with gray ink onto white cardstock. I did not remove the stamp from the MISTI.

I coloured the panel with BG Copic markers, adding deeper tones to add contrast. I also used some cool grays, to try and create shadows to mimic the layers in Kelly's card.

When the colouring was finished, I put the panel back into my MISTI and stamped with WOW! Embossing ink and then embossed with silver embossing powder.

I trimmed the panel to a square, and then blended some C9 Aqua Sky ink onto the corners.

For some sparkle, I coated my 'central' mandala with some Stickle by squeezing some out and then spreading it out with my finger.

If you like the look of this stamp, you may be interested to see a video I made a while ago, when it was first released:

Hello String Art!

You know what I love about 4 1/4 inch square cards? They have a modern look (especially this one) and you can fit them in an A2 envelope so no extra postage. But, you can also hang stuff over the edge and STILL fit them in the envelope - so many unexpected possibilities!

This card is the result of having two new Birch Press Design dies out on my desk. I'm pretty sure they were not intended to go together, but look how well they're getting along!

Two-Minute Tip - Faux Watercolor

I'm on the Ellen Hutson blog today with a short video showing a quick and easy faux watercolor technique!

Are you Ready (for Christmas cards?)

Congratulations to this week's Featured Stamper, Lisa Foster.

I chose this card as my inspiration:

I focused on Lisa's:
-inlaid die cut technique
-Christmas theme
-one word sentiment

I changed:
-square card
-no green
-floral vs geometric


I used the Ornate Floral coverplate from PinkFresh Studio and cut it from white cardstock. I coloured the petals red by putting them directly onto my Samba ink pad. I spritzed them with Avery Elle Shimmer spray and when they were dry, I inlaid them back into the frame. I trimmed it to a 4 inch square and glued it to a white cardbase. My sentiment is the Big Sugar Script Joy die from Birch Press designs. There are 4 layers of white cardstock, and one of silver glitter cardstock to give it dimension.

And then, of course, I had to make more:

This one also uses the inlaid die cut technique but this time, I used a graphite frame, and I blended ink onto every. single. piece. I put yellow in the centres to create a glow so that I could get the look of stained glass.

When I finished the first two cards, I had one white frame left over, so I did a 2 for 1 technique and used it as a stencil - I blended ink through it onto a panel of white cardstock. 

And then I used the stencil itself over black cardstock for some drama!

Here's my video: