Blog Archives - Crystal Komara

Wonderfully Collection by Joy Clair Designs

8/31/2021

Hello crafty friends, I'm so happy to share with you that my dear friend and small business owner Martha Lucia has a brand new release of digital stamps at Joy Clair Designs! The "Wonderfully Collection" is now available to purchase and it’s filled with amazing digital stamps. These are perfect for the upcoming holiday seasons and of course, year round with their unique floral images.

Please click on each release to learn more about the collection and to see more beautiful samples from the Design Team at Joy Clair Designs.

The entire Design Team and a fabulous group of Guest Designers are joining us and we have A LOT of samples to show you in our Instagram Hop! We also have a GIVEAWAY so make sure you read all the information in our Instagram account to see how you can WIN!

Congratulations, Martha Lucia on this beautiful new digital release!

XO, Crystal

Feature Friday: Ivana Camdzic

8/27/2021

Hello readers and happy Friday! Welcome to the 5th edition of "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 Ivana Camdzic. I first "discovered" Ivana's work on Instagram. I was immediately captivated by her stunning card photography, her use of white space and the cohesive array she features on her Instagram feed. Everything about Ivana screams professional and she has the kindest and most supportive creative heart too! If flowers are your thing, then you are going to love her absolutely gorgeous designs as seen in the images below.

All photos by Ivana Camdzic

Ivana 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 Ivana on her blog, Facebook and Instagram.

To read about other Feature Friday artists please click below:
Tatiana Trafimovich
Farhana Sarker
Samantha Mann
Tenia Nelson

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative weekend!

XO, Crystal

A Tropical Hello

8/23/2021

Hello and welcome back from the weekend! I hope you found a little time to do something crafty. Can you tell that I'm trying to squeeze out the last of my summer-y themed cards before I dive head first into all things fall and Halloween!? I'm already behind because I'm seeing lots of those cards already out there on Pinterest and Instagram. So, consider yourself prepared for that awkward time of the year when it's summer, Halloween, fall AND Christmas all in just a few cardmaking days!

Today's card is a little bit different from what I typically create because most of the images used on this card are not stamped at all! They are ephemera pieces from the Cool Summer release at 88 and Clear. In fact, the ONLY thing that is stamped on this card is the "hello" sentiment. The great thing about using ephemera for cards is that they come together really quickly.

Card details:

The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. Using the Funky Die cover plate from Gina Marie Designs, I die cut the frame from white cardstock. I placed a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of Tangy Berry sugar stock behind the lattice frame. I ran both sheets of the Cool Summer ephemera through my Brother Scan and Cut 2 e-cutting machine to cut all the images out for me, in lieu of fussy cutting them. I adhered all of the die cut ephemera pieces down the left side of the card in a pattern that was pleasing to my eye. For some of the pieces I used regular Tomboy Adhesive to adhere them, on others I used 3M foam adhesive for added dimension. On a piece of white cardstock, I stamped the "hello" sentiment in Tangy Berry sugar cube and used a 2" circle punch to punch out the sentiment. Lastly, I put a coat of Clear Wink of Stella on the printed ephemera to add a little bit of sparkle.

Thanks for visiting and I hope you have an amazing week!

XO, Crystal

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Pop It

8/20/2021

Hello friends and happy Thursday! Yesterday I shared a beautiful watercolored butterfly card with you that was inspired by the monthly mood board colors at 88 and Clear. Today I have created two more cards using different products from 88 and Clear, but I still continued using that same color palette.

Here is the August mood board that I used as my color inspiration:

Card details:

*Please note that both of these cards were made using the same materials, however one card was designed to be held vertically and the other horizontally.

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 Black Taffy sugar stock as my first mat and then cut a 5" x 3 3/4" piece of white cardstock to layer on top. On that top layer of white cardstock, I used an ink splatter grunge stamp to stamp ink in Sour Lime, Sour Mist and Tangy Berry (all from 88 and Clear). I printed out the balloon animals from the Pop It digital stamp set by 88 and Clear. I colored the balloon animals with Copic markers and used my Brother Scan and Cut 2 e-cutting machine to cut the images out, in lieu of fussy cutting. I adhered three of the balloons to each card using 3M foam adhesive. I placed three short pieces of knotted lime green twine underneath each balloon. I printed out the coordinating sentiments from the Pop It digital stamp set and adhered a sentiment to the lower right side of each card using 3M foam adhesive.

I hope you have enjoyed these fun birthday cards! Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal

Watercolored Boho Wings

8/18/2021

Today's card was inspired by the August mood board at 88 and Clear. I have been on the Design Team for this company for a couple years now and recently began creating a mood board to help spark creativity. Using these colors as my inspiration, I have already created four very different cards this month! Be sure to follow along on Instagram and my IG stories for all the latest behind-the-scenes fun!

Here is the August mood board with fresh and bright summer-y colors:

Card details:

The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. Using the Whimsy Stamps Lattice A2 die, I created the background from white cardstock. I stamped the two butterflies from the Boho Wings stamp set by 88 and Clear in Versamark ink and heat embossed each with gold embossing powder. I watercolored the butterflies with Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers. I fussy cut the butterflies and adhered them to the card using 3M foam adhesive. I stamped the sentiment "always smile" in Versamark ink and heat embossed it also with gold embossing powder. I used a 2" circle punch to punch the sentiment out and adhered it to the card also using 3M foam adhesive.

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal

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Upcoming Virtual Cardmaking Events

8/16/2021

Hello friends and happy Monday! Today I am very excited to be sharing information about a couple papercrafting events that will be happening virtually this fall. So, gather your friends and mark your calendars for some crafty fun!

“Pack your bags” and join card makers from around the globe as they come together virtually for a day full of camaraderie, cardmaking and fun with Spellbinders Paper Arts!

This one-day virtual event will be held Saturday, October 23, 2021, and features SIX amazing designers. Learn from the designers themselves as you create 6 exclusive projects using brand new product, most of which will not launch to the general public until 2022. Registration not only gets you exclusive access to the live show, but also a box full of new products, project kits and other fun goodies.

What's Included:

Registration Kit: (Will be shipped to you prior to the event.)
- 9 brand new designer-created products, including 6 die sets, 2 stamp sets and 1 stencil
- 6 project kits, kitted and complete with full color instructions
- Bonus crafting supplies specially curated to help you complete your projects and learn new techniques
Exclusive access to the live show on October 23rd
6 workshops taught by our talented team of designers from around the globe
Access to a private Facebook group to share project ideas and see sneak peeks
Other goodies, giveaways and more

$199/person

Click here to sign up today! Space is limited.

The next fun virtual event is the Holly Jolly Holiday Workshop from Concord & 9th:

The Holly Jolly Holiday Workshop will take place on November 12th & 13th. It's going to be two days full of crafting, fun, and Christmas magic that you won’t want to miss! This virtual event includes four amazing classes and two bonus sessions, led by industry experts, that will have you holiday ready before December even begins! Three to four weeks before this virtual event takes place, we will send you a box full of exclusive product and the supplies you'll need to create several greeting cards, tags & toppers for gifts, and some lovely holiday décor!

MORE DETAILS COMING SOON!
Be sure to follow Concord and 9th HERE for the latest!

Lastly, Creative Chick Jenn Shurkus announced her fall calendar of events! I have taken a couple classes with Jenn before and she is an excellent teacher. Her class handouts include step-by-step instructions with photos and she is very thorough. I promise you won't be disappointed!

Be sure to follow Jenn for all the latest events!

Feature Friday: Farhana Sarker

8/13/2021

Welcome to the fourth edition of Feature Friday! 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 Farhana Sarker. I first "met" Farhana on Instagram and she was one of my most supportive followers. I love her fun and whimsical cards that are filled with so much detail. Farhana is on the DT for Newton's Nook and Honey Bee Stamps and I love seeing what she creates with their products. But, what I enjoy even more is that we took many of our conversations outside the realm of cardmaking and I learned more about her Muslim faith, living in the Pacific North West, that she's a very talented baker and that she's also a mom of two little ones but still finds the time to craft and bake! I'd love to know how she does it because I don't have children and I can't seem to ever find the time!

Let's take a look at some of Farhana's work:

I like that Farhana creates cards celebrating her religion and uses her voice and platform to raise awareness about social events and injustice.

All photos courtesy of Farhana Sarker

Farhana 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 Farhana on her blog, Facebook, or Instagram.

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative weekend!

XO, Crystal

Life is Sweet

8/11/2021

Hello and happy Wednesday! Today I am on the Joy Clair Designs blog sharing this sweet and summery card filled with fresh fruit from the Life is Sweet stamp set. Last week I admitted that I haven't been good recently at timing the theme of my cards around the holidays, so I think this fruity card is another one that's perfect for summer since we still have the month of August before us.

Card details:

The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. Using the Altenew Watercolor Stripes Cover Die, I die cut the frame also from white cardstock. I stamped multiple images from the Joy Clair Designs Life is Sweet stamp set in Memento Tuxedo black ink on white cardstock. I colored the images with Copic markers (mostly using reds, greens and yellows) and then used a Brother Scan and 2 e-cutting machine to cut the images out, in lieu of fussy cutting. I adhered the images down the left side of the card in a pattern I found pleasing to my eye. I stamped the sentiment "life is sweet" in Memento Tuxedo black ink on white cardsotck and die cut it using a 2" circle die. I adhered the sentiment to the card using 3M foam adhesive. Lastly, I added a coat of Clear Wink of Stella to the images for added sparkle.

Did you know that Joy Clair Designs is another woman-owned small business? There are so many small, but fabulous companies being run by boss women, such as Martha (Joy Clair's owner and beautiful designer). Martha also works full-time outside of this business and that is a strong testament to her commitment, hard work and dedication. I'm happy and honored to represent and design for companies like Joy Clair Designs.

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal

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Sending Rainbow Wishes

8/9/2021

Hello crafty readers! Today I am on the Birch Press Design blog sharing a colorful card using the Dahlia Heart Layering Dies and some fun rainbow colored paper.

Card details:

The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. For the first 5 1/4" x 4" paper, I dry embossed a piece of white cardstock using a basket weave embossing folder. I adhered this embossed paper directly to the card base.

To create the two hearts, I die cut Layer A (the top layer) of the Dahlia Heart Layering Dies from white cardstock. I die cut two of these pieces as I have two hearts. I layered the Dahlia Heart outline over some scrap pieces of rainbow paper and fussy cut around the hearts:

I adhered the two hearts to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment "sending rainbow wishes" in Tuxedo Memento Black ink. This sentiment is from the Rainbow Days Lingo stamp set. I adhered the sentiment to the front of both heart using a Tombow adhesive runner.

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

XO, Crystal

You might also enjoy:

Feature Friday: Tenia Nelson

8/6/2021

Welcome to the third edition of Feature Friday! 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 Tenia Nelson. I have been on a variety of Design Teams with Tenia over the years and I'm always so amazed by the beautiful simplicity of her cards and the significant use of white space. She also features some artistic touches using products like staples, ribbon, washi tape and more! Let's take a look at some of her work:

I hope you have enjoyed Tenia's beautiful cards. She 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 Tenia on her blog, Facebook and Instagram.

To see other Feature Friday artists, please visit:
Samantha Mann
Tatiana Trafimovich

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative weekend!

XO, Crystal