Blog Archives - Crystal Komara

Feature Friday: Samantha Mann

7/30/2021

Welcome to the second edition of Feature Friday! If you missed last week's initial Feature Friday with the talented Tatiana Trafimovich, please click here. This new weekly series will feature fellow cardmakers and paper artists whose work I admire. When I'm not physically in my craft room creating, you can often find me on Pinterest or Instagram just oohing and aahing over the works and talents of other artists in this industry. I can sit for hours "pinning" and "liking" images and daydreaming about all the cards they have inspired ME to create. I have formed friendships with many of these wonderful people and it's their constant support, encouragement and sharing that reminds me of how much I love this hobby. I hope by starting this new series that you will appreciate the wide variety of talent in this field and that I can introduce you to some of the designers that I continuously fangirl over.

Today's Feature Friday artist is Samantha Mann. What initially attracted me about Samantha's cards were her vibrant backgrounds using oxide/distress oxide inks and stencils. But, the second thing I noticed about her cards was that she regularly combines those colorful backgrounds with a lot of white space. This white space helps to ground the card and provide for a lot of visual interest from stark clean white to colorful artsy works!

Here are some examples of Sam's work with stencils and distress/oxide inks that I admire:

And here are some great examples of how Sam uses color combined with a lot of white space on her cards:

All photos from Samantha Mann

If you love a lot of white space, you will enjoy next week's Feature Friday artist!

Samantha is just one of the many artists whom I admire and with this new weekly series, I look forward to sharing more of the people who inspire ME and why. Please click on the images above for more details or visit Samantha on her blog, Facebook and Instagram.

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative weekend!

XO, Crystal

Orange Blossoms by Reverse Confetti

7/28/2021

Hello readers! Last week I shared with you that I began teaching classes at the Butterfly Reflections Ink store in Kingston, New Hampshire. Today I am sharing one of the cards we made at the "Watercolor Wonder" class. For this class I taught a couple different ways that you can watercolor because I have found that with any new technique you learn, you have to find what works for you. Maybe you don't like the freedom of watercolor palettes, but you like more precise watercolor pens instead. Or maybe, you find that you don't even like to watercolor at all, which is perfectly okay too! At least by investing a little money in a class then you will save yourself money in the long run by not investing in products that won't be used! That's the great thing about taking a class in person, you can try a variety of different techniques and see what you like and even what you don't! In this class we experimented with Distress Oxide Inks, Zig Clean Real Color Brush Markers, Kuretaki Ganzai Tambei watercolor palettes and Spectrum Noir Sparkle Brushes.

Card details:

The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. Using the Altenew Watercolor Stripes Card Panel die, I created the striped frame also from white cardstock. Underneath the frame I placed a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of Orange Woodgrain paper from Lawn Fawn. I die cut a diamond from gold glitter paper. I stamped the orange blossoms from the Reverse Confetti Orange Blossoms stamp set in Versamark ink and heat embossed the orange blossoms outline with gold embossing powder. I colored the oranges and leaves with watercolor using the Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers. I die cut the orange blossoms using the coordinating die and adhered the image to the card. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment "hi friend" in Memento Tuxedo black ink on a thin strip of white cardstock and added it to the card.

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal

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Tranquility Layering Set

7/26/2021

Hello friends and happy Monday! I hope you had a pleasant weekend. We finally had some decent weather here in New England after weeks of relentless rain and humidity, so it was nice to see the sun! Today I am on the Birch Press Design blog sharing a card using the beautiful new Tranquility Layering Set.

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 Bermuda Bay cardstock as the first mat. I used the Pinpoint Radial Plate to die cut a piece of white cardstock that I adhered directly to that Bermuda Bay cardstock. I die cut the three layers of the beautiful Tranquility Layering Set using the Fresh Aqua 6 x 6" paper pack. The top layer, Layer A was die cut from a light blue-green color. Layer B, the middle layer, was cut from a turquoise piece of cardstock from the Twinkling Jewel Glitter Pad. Layer C, the bottom layer, was also cut from the Fresh Aqua paper pack.

I adhered the three layers of the die together using Lineco Neutral ph bookbinding glue ,my go-to liquid adhesive. I adhered the three layers to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension. I die cut the word "hugs" using the Hugs Honey Script dies. I die cut the bottom shadow layer from black cardstock and the top layer from white cardstock. I adhered both layers together before adhering them to the card. Lastly I stamped the sentiment "you are awesome" in Bermuda Bay ink from the Ticker Tape stamp set. I cut out the sentiment and adhered it just below the word "hugs."

I hope you have enjoyed today's card. I simply love using the layering dies from Birch Press Design because they are so unique! Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day.

XO, Crystal

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Feature Friday: Tatiana Trafimovich

7/23/2021

Hello readers and happy Friday! Today I am beginning a new series on my blog called "Feature Friday." This weekly series will feature fellow cardmakers and paper artists whose work I admire. Let's talk card eye candy! When I'm not physically in my craft room creating, you can often find me on Pinterest or Instagram just oohing and aahing over the works and talents of other artists in this industry. I can sit for hours "pinning" and "liking" images and daydreaming about all the cards they have inspired ME to create. I have formed friendships with many of these wonderful people and it's their constant support, encouragement and sharing that reminds me of how much I love this hobby. I hope by starting this new series that you will appreciate the wide variety of talent in this field and that I can introduce you to some of the designers that I continuously fangirl over.

Today's Feature Friday artist is Tatiana Trafimovich. I have long followed Tatiana on her blog, Facebook and Instagram and am always completely blown away by her creations. What I like particularly about Tatiana's style is her use of pastel colors, her innovative layouts and her creativity with stencils. These are all techniques that often intimidate me, yet I aspire to incorporate on some of my cards.

When I first "discovered" Tatiana, I was amazed by how she colored all the adorable kitties from Newton's Nook. And even though I have tried to mimic a similar look as hers, it's seemingly impossible to achieve (unless you are Tatiana). I tried to create Siamese cats a la Tatiana, but mine resulted in looking like my cats had entered a mud wresting competition! Just trust me, it was nowhere near this kind of sweet adorable kitty face perfection:

These dreamy cards show Tatiana's skill at using soft pastel colors in her color palette. It is cards like these that inspire me to use softer hues more often in my own work.

Tatiana also creates elegant floral cards, such as these which are among some of my favorites:

Tatiana is a master of stencils and textured products that result in fun and vibrant backgrounds that really add dimension to her cards:

All photos from Tatiana Trafimovich

If you really like the latter few photos using stenciled backgrounds and oxide inks, you are going to LOVE next week's Featured Friday artist!

Tatiana is just one of the many artists whom I admire and with this new weekly series, I look forward to sharing more of the people who inspire ME and why. Please click on the images above for more details or visit Tatiana on her blog, Facebook and Instagram.

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative weekend!

XO, Crystal

Butterfly Reflections Ink Classes

7/21/2021

In April of this year, I began teaching in-person classes at the Butterfly Reflections Ink store in Kingston, New Hampshire. Kingston is just under a 2 1/2 hour drive from my house, so while it's a longer drive, it is doable over a weekend, or maybe a fun overnight road trip. But, let me just tell you, it is worth every single minute of the drive because when you see the amazing inventory, samples and stock that owner Vanessa Middleton has in store, you will be amazed! You can spend an entire day in the store and still not see everything! The shop itself is light and bright, clean and fresh and practically begs for you to spend all your money.
Yes, there really is a heaven on Earth and you will find it here at Butterfly Reflections Ink!

Butterfly Reflections Ink store exterior

Butterfly Reflections Ink store interior

Owner Vanessa Middleton inside the store, 2021

It was on my first visit to the store in 2019 when I spoke with Vanessa about the opportunity to teach classes. I have been teaching in my own home studio for the past 8 years and she had mentioned wanting to offer her customers the ability to take in-store classes, but she didn't have the time to both run a store AND teach. It was a match made in stamp heaven!

Meeting Vanessa in 2019

So, in April of 2021, I held my first two classes at the store - "Fabulous Florals" and "Springtime with Newton's Nook." In June, I held two additional classes - "Interactive Lawn Fawn" and "Watercolor Wonder."

Here are some photos taken from the two classes we held at the store in June:

I couldn't be more grateful and thankful to Vanessa for allowing me the opportunity to teach classes in her store! She has allowed me the freedom to design my classes using a variety of products that she carries. While we've struggled a bit with attendance for the first two classes, we are hoping for the word to spread, and as COVID vaccinations increase, that people will begin venturing out for fun events such as these in the future.

You can visit the Butterfly Reflections Ink store at:
53 Church Street, Kingston, New Hampshire

Follow Vanessa for the latest information on upcoming classes and you can always support her small business by shopping online anytime HERE.

XO, Crystal

July 5 for $5

7/19/2021

Did you know that each month 88 and Clear offers a "5 for $5" workshop? For just $5.00 you can watch a Facebook Live cardmaking workshop with 88 and Clear owner and designer extraordinaire Richard Garay, aka "RG." You receive step-by-step instructions and a link to create five projects along with RG and the team. This months' "5 for $5" workshop features the digital stamp set "Best Day."

Details:

With this workshop you will create 5 projects - 3 cards and 2 tags. (See images above and below).
You will receive an email with instructions and a direct link to view the class.
The class will go live on Facebook on July 19. However, you can watch the class on replay at any time convenient to you!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE JULY "5 for $5" CLASS TODAY!!

Other available online classes:

Farmhouse Christmas

88 and Clear is also offering the "Farmhouse Christmas" workshop live on Facebook on July 24th!

In this class you will receive:

One pack of 12 x 12 printed paper and ephemera
Kits to create 4 mini slim cards and a mini book using the build-an-album kit by PhotoPlay
You will also receive an email to download a digital pack of 6×6 prints and sentiments

This workshop will be held live on Facebook on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 10am PST. However, don't worry, if you can't attend the "live event," you can always catch a replay on the 88 and Clear Facebook page!

So sign up for this fabulous offer today! Click HERE to register.

Purple Rose

7/16/2021

Hello readers and happy Friday! Today I am on the Joy Clair Designs blog sharing another card using the beautiful Spring Rose digital stamp set. I really wanted to title this post “Purple Rain” because since I’ve been coloring all evening with purple Copics, I can’t get Prince out of my head! I just love, love, love this stamp set and simply can’t get enough of it! I love that I’m able to adjust the dimensions and size of the flowers because it is a digital stamp. Digital stamps afford even more creative options.

Card details:

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

For the base of this A2 sized card, I used 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. It is my go-to white cardstock for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g! I used the Whimsy Stamps Lattice A2 die for the first layer and die cut the lattice from white cardstock. I increased the image size of the flowers by 30% for nice large flowers and then I colored the images with Copic markers.

I adhered the flowers to the card using 3M foam adhesive. I stamped the sentiment in purple ink on a thin strip of white cardstock and notched the left edge before adhering it to the card as well. Lastly I added a coat of Clear Wink of Stella to the flowers for added sparkle.

Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend! For more inspiration, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook and on my YouTube channel.

XO, Crystal

List of supplies:

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You're A Gem

7/6/2021

Hello crafty readers! Welcome back to the start of a new week after a hopefully fun and exciting 4th of July holiday weekend! Today I am on the Joy Clair Designs blog sharing two cards using the You're a Gem clear stamp set. When I received this stamp set from Martha (thank you so much for the extra bonus in my DT package!) I knew immediately that I envisioned cards made with alcohol inks to really play on that multifaceted dimension and variation in colors you would typically find on a gemstone. I ended up trying a few different things before achieving this final result that I was happy with.

Card details:

Both of these A2 sized cards were made using the same products, just in different color combinations. Both cards use 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth as the card base and Yupo paper to create the alcohol ink backgrounds on. Please continue reading for step-by-step instructions on each card.

For this first card, I created the alcohol ink background by "ink blowing" Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Inks in Sailboat Blue, Denim and Silver Mixative. Once this background dried, I matted it with a piece of silver foil cardstock and adhered both to the card base. I die cut a diamond from royal blue cardstock and heat embossed the sentiment "You're a real gem" in white embossing powder. I stamped several of the gems and geodes in Versamark ink on vellum cardstock. I heat embossed the images with white embossing powder and fussy cut each image out. I adhered the cut images to the card using vellum adhesive.

For this second card, I created the alcohol ink background by "ink blowing" Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Inks in Butterscotch, Meadow and Gold Mixative. Once this background dried, I matted it with a piece of gold foil cardstock and adhered both to the card base. I die cut a diamond from coffee brown cardstock and heat embossed the sentiment "you are a rare find" in white embossing powder. I stamped several of the gems and geodes in Versamark ink on vellum cardstock. I heat embossed the images with white embossing powder and fussy cut each image out. I adhered the cut images to the card using vellum adhesive.

I hope you have enjoyed these unique cards - and a break from sharing lots of floral ones!

XO, Crystal

Farmhouse Christmas Workshop

7/1/2021

Hello friends and happy Friday! I hope you have fun things planned for the long holiday 4th of July weekend ahead. I can't believe it, but I didn't create ANY patriotic themed cards this year to share with you. In fact, I didn't even do anything for Father's Day this year either, so I'm really behind the ball on my creativity this month!

However, today I do have a fabulous opportunity to create with RG and the team at 88 and Clear. Read below for all the fun details:

In this workshop you will receive:

one pack of 12 x 12 printed paper and ephemera
Kits to create 4 mini slim cards and a mini book using a Build an album kit by PhotoPlay
You will also receive an email to download a digital pack of 6×6 prints and sentiments

This workshop will be held live on Facebook on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 10am PST. However, don't worry, if you can't attend the "live event," you can always catch a replay on the 88 and Clear Facebook page!

So sign up for this fabulous offer today! Click HERE to register.