Category: Birch Press Designs - Crystal Komara

Fall Peacock

10/22/2020

Hello friends and happy Thursday! Today I am on the Birch Press Design blog sharing some fall inspiration. I'm not even sure that "fall peacock's" are a thing, but I'm starting the movement. (I'm also side-Googling if any other peacock colors exist other than the blue-green hues we traditionally see). . . And if not, well, they do now! Hey, it's 2020, stranger things have happened. . .

Card details:

The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah White Solar Smooth cardstock. This is my go-to white cardstock that I use for everything from card bases, die cutting, stamping and Copic coloring. The first 5 1/4" x 4" mat is a piece of miscellaneous woodgrain foil paper. I die cut a large white oval from white cardstock and adhered it to the center of the card using a Tombow Permanent Dot Runner. Using the Regal Peacock Layering dies, I die cut the bottom layer (Layer D) from gold glitter cardstock. I die cut Layer C from cherry cardstock. I die cut Layer B from rust cardstock and finally Layer A was also cut from gold glitter cardstock. I also cut the body of the peacock from cherry cardstock.

I adhered all four layers of the Regal Peacock together using LineCo pH bookbinding glue. This glue is my preferred liquid glue and holds glitter paper together much better than a dot runner. I adhered the completed peacock to the center of the oval using foam adhesive for added dimension. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment on white cardstock (using the Christmas Ornament Labels stamp set) in cherry ink and die cut it using the coordinating die. I adhered the sentiment to the lower right side of the card using foam adhesive.

Hopefully I've convinced you that with a little imagination, peacocks can look beautiful in any color - even if it's not "real."
Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal

Christmas Ornament and Labels

9/24/2020

Hello friends, I can't believe I'm about to say the word Christmas. In September. . . . I know, I know, I hear ya, it's still kind of early (and by kind of, I mean A LOT)! But, if you hand stamp or design all of your Christmas cards, then chances are you should probably be thinking about starting now! I send approximately 100 cards every Christmas, so after today's three cards, I've only got 97 more to go!! : )

Today I am sharing this trio of cards on the Birch Press Design blog. These cards use the new Christmas Ornaments and Labels stamp set and coordinating dies.

Today's trio of cards uses the brand new Christmas Ornament and Labels stamp set and coordinating dies. For these cards, I chose a traditional Christmas color palette in red, green, kraft and gold. The base of each of these A2 sized cards is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Crest cardstock. On a 5 1/4" x 4" sheet of green, red or kraft cardstock, I stamped the large background stamp in Versamark ink and then heat embossed the background with white embossing powder. I then stamped the image again on an alternating colors of cardstock. I stamped the ornament in Versamark ink and heat embossed it with gold embossing powder. I used the coordinating ornament die to cut the ornament. I adhered the ornament to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

I die cut the top of each ornament from gold glitter cardstock. I die cut some of the leaves using green, gold or red cardstock. I tucked the leaves under the ornament topper. I stamped the various sentiments in red, kraft and green ink on Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock and used the coordinating label die to cut each sentiment out. I adhered the sentiment banner to the center of each ornament.

I'm looking forward to replicating these cards using non-traditional colors too. Blues, mint green and silver is another holiday favorite combination of mine. Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal

Slimline Pumpkin Lacework

9/3/2020

Hello readers! Today I am on the Birch Press Design blog sharing another design using the beautiful new Pumpkin Lacework stamp set and coordinating dies. If you missed my first post featuring this same stamp set, please click here. I just love this new stamp set so much that I keep finding more ways to use it!

This slimline card measures 8 1/2" x 3 1/2". Slimline cards are designed to fit inside a regular #10 business sized envelope and require no additional postage. The slimline trend is becoming increasingly popular and many companies are now making envelopes specifically for these cards, so we have more colors to choose from other than just plain ol' boring business white!

he base of my slimline card is made from 80 lb. kraft cardstock. I like a nice thick cardstock for the base of all my cards. Using a slimline scallop frame die, I cut the frame out of 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth Crest cardstock. This is the ONLY white cardstock I use and I buy it in bulk.

I stamped each pumpkin in Versamark ink and heat embossed it with white embossing powder. I stamped one pumpkin on a rich eggplant cardstock, one on pumpkin orange cardstock and one on a cabana blue cardstock. I die cut the pumpkins using the coordinating Pumpkin Lacework die. I adhered the three pumpkins directly to the card base using 3M foam adhesive. I stamped three pumpkin stems in Versamark ink on espresso cardstock and heat embossed them with white embossing powder.

I stamped multiple leaves in Versamark ink on eggplant, orange and cabana cardstock and heat embossed them all white white embossing powder. Yes, everything on this card was embossed with white powder! I used the coordinating dies to die cut the leaves and stems and I adhered these to the large pumpkins in an array that was pleasing to the eye.

For the sentiment, I used the Blessed Honey Script die. I cut the larger shadow portion from gold glitter cardstock and the thinner script portion from white cardstock. I adhered both layers together using a fine tip glue and then adhered the full sentiment to the card using 3M foam adhesive.

I hope you have enjoyed this slimline card using the beautiful new Pumpkin Lacework stamp set combined with some rich and modern fall colors. Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal

List of supplies:

Pumpkin Lacework

8/19/2020

Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year and I'm already beginning to get excited at the prospect of cooler weather, sweater season, and yes, all things pumpkin! Today I am on the Birch Press Design blog sharing two cards made with their gorgeous new Autumn Breeze layering plates and Pumpkin Lacework stamp set. These new dies just might be be my favorite release yet!

Just look at that beautiful stitched detail in Layer Plate A:

Here is the second card I created using the same Pumpkin Lacework stamp set and coordinating dies:

Here is a step-by-step instructional video showing how both of these cards were made. I hope you will enjoy it!

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal

Easel Card with Viola Layering Plates

7/23/2020

Hello and happy Thursday readers! Today I am sharing this card on the Birch Press Design blog. I hope you have been enjoying some of the beautiful new release products that the Design Team has been sharing. I am always amazed by what each artist brings to the team and how we all create such unique and diverse cards using the same products. In full disclosure, I also look at something another team member has created and I say, "Well, duh, why didn't I think of that!?" : )

This A2 sized easel card was made using all three layers of the Viola Layering Plates and lots of purple jewel toned glitter cardstock. All supplies for today's card will be listed at the end of this post.

Here is a close-up of the card to show you the beautiful intricate layering dimensions and the various shades of glitter cardstock.

I often find it helpful to see how a card was made, versus reading about the process, so I have created a step-by-step video tutorial to share with you:

These intricate layering plates from Birch Press Design are simply stunning, and while they do tend to involve a lot more die cutting, I find the end result is totally worth the hard work.
Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal

List of supplies:

Inspired by Pinterest

7/3/2020

Hello readers! Before we get to today's cards, I'm going to share with you the Pinterest photo I found that became my source of inspiration! Never in a million years would I have paired these colors together, yet when I saw this image, I was captivated by how stunning these colors were. Now, granted, I would not choose these colors for any room in my house, but I was determined to bring these colors to life on paper, and I couldn't be more in love with the results!

Here is a step-by-step video tutorial showing how both cards were created:

I think I will have to turn to Pinterest room decor ideas more often to find my next source of color inspiration!

XO, Crystal

List of supplies:

Patriotic Bevel Layering Plate

6/19/2020

Hello readers! Today I am sharing this patriotic inspired card over on the Birch Press Design blog. I don't know if anyone actually sends 4th of July cards or not, but this idea would also work well for members of the military or law enforcement. The first time I saw the Mini Dazzle Bevel Layering Plates, I knew immediately that I wanted to create a flag in strips of red, white and blue.

Because the bevel strips were larger than I had anticipated, I had to alter the dimensions of this card. Instead of my more traditional A2 card size, this card measures 5 1/2" square.

Here is a step-by-step video tutorial showing how I created this card:

Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal

List of supplies:

Father's Day Inspiration

6/10/2020

Who else struggles with making masculine cards? I know that I sure do! I know in today's society we're all about being gender inclusive and non-stereotypical, but cutesy pink dancing pigs and glittery pop-up mermaids just aren't going to cut it for my dad! With Father's Day soon approaching I know that we are all looking for some inspiration to create cards for the special men in our lives. I have found that simply by using certain colors, it is easier to achieve a more masculine look. For today's two cards, I used the Lumina Layering Plates (A, B & C) from Birch Press Design and a darker color palette of black, gold and green. I think this same card in navy blues and golds would also be an excellent combination to create a masculine card.

Here is the first card I created using the "leftover" cutout circle pieces from the Lumina Layering Plate. You can see what I mean by the "leftover" cutout pieces in the video below. I could have added this cut-out back in to the original card design, but I like the idea of creating two cards from one die.

Here is the second card I created using the Lumina Layering Plates:

I have created a step-by-step YouTube video tutorial sharing how I made both of these cards. I like to keep my videos short and sweet, so it under 7 minutes long!

I hope these cards will inspire you to try different color combinations in order to achieve a more masculine look.
Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal

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A Rainbow of Mandalas

5/27/2020

Hello and welcome! Today's post is all about coloring the beautiful Thankful Mandala stamp set by Birch Press Design. If you love to color, then these cards will be perfect for you to try. And, well, if you don't love to color so much (Hi, Karla!) then you can simply admire the beauty of someone else's coloring!

I will be the first to admit that I have a love/hate relationship with coloring. There are times when I find it peaceful and soothing, yet there are also days when I find it can be simply dreadful! So, listen to how YOU feel. If you feel like coloring today, then go for it! If you'd rather sit back and eat a hot fudge sundae, you won't find me judging you! : )

For this yellow mandala I used Copic marker numbers V17, R27, Y02 and YR68.

For the green mandala I used Copic markers numbers YG06, G21, G05 and BG13.

For the purple mandala I used Copic markers number RV19, RV55, RV66, V9 and BV02.

For the blue mandala I used Copic marker numbers B02, B24, B52 and B12

Each of these cards begins the same way. I stamp the large Thankful Mandala on a 5 1/2" x 3 1/4" piece of Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock in Memento Tuxedo black ink. Then I selected 3-4 colors of Copic markers in complimentary hues and color away. There is no rhyme or reason to my madness! In all honesty, each mandala took me about half an hour to color and then I adhered various colored rhinestones for added sparkle.

Here is the Thankful Mandala stamp set from Birch Press Design that I used to create these cards:

I hope you have enjoyed these cards and will maybe try coloring some too! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day.

XO, Crystal

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Lovely (Vellum) Butterflies

5/19/2020

Hello readers! Today I am on the Birch Press Design blog sharing these rainbow cards featuring the Lovely Butterflies stamp set. I've been creating a lot of rainbow themed cards lately, because I find them very cheerful and uplifting and I think we could all use more sunshine (and rainbows) in our lives right now!

Card details:

To create the first card, I die cut the Butterfly Garden Layer Plate C from white cardstock. I adhered this over a piece of rainbow patterned paper. I stamped one butterfly on each of five different colored cardstocks (red, orange, yellow, green and blue) and heat embossed the butterflies with white embossing powder. I used the coordinating Lovely Butterflies dies to die cut the butterflies out. I die cut a circle of vellum cardstock and stamped the sentiment in the middle of the circle in Versamark ink. I heat embossed the sentiment with white embossing powder and adhered it to the center of the card. I adhered the die cut butterflies down the left side of the card in a rainbow ROYGBIV pattern. I adhered the butterflies using small pieces of 3M foam adhesive.

Card details:

*A full list of supplies is located at the end of this post.

The base of this second card was made using 80 lb. Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock. Using the Delfina Layering Plate A, I die cut the lattice from white cardstock. I adhered a piece of rainbow paper behind the lattice using a Tombow dot runner before adhering both to the card base. I stamped the sentiment "make a wish" in Memento Tuxedo black ink on a piece of scrap paper and notched the bottom end. I adhered thin pieces of orange, red and blue ribbon behind the sentiment and stapled it together. Yes, stapled! Why not?! It's art!

I stamped a variety of butterflies from the Lovely Butterflies stamp set on vellum cardstock in Versamark ink and heat embossed them with white embossing powder. I die cut the butterflies using the coordinating Lovely Butterflies dies and adhered them to the card small pieces of 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

I have created a YouTube video tutorial for you to watch and learn how both cards were created!

I hope these rainbow cards will bring some sunshine to your day!

XO, Crystal

List of supplies: