Blog Archives - Crystal Komara

Jolly Herbarium Layering Plate

9/27/2022

Hello crafty readers! Today I am on the Birch Press Design blog and I am so excited to be sharing a card made using the beautiful new Herbarium Layering Plates. This 3-piece full cover layering plate set is my favorite from this latest holiday release from Birch Press Design!

Swoon! Honestly, it's just gorgeous if I do say so myself! With a mixture of mint green and teal cardstocks with a splash of gold glitter paper in the sentiment, it's just pure holiday elegance!

Card details:

The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I die cut Layer A of the Herbarium Layering Plate from white cardstock. I die cut Layer B from mint cardstock and Layer C from a darker teal green cardstock. These beautiful colors are from the 6" x 6" Fresh Aqua paper pack. I layered all three layers together with a fine-tip liquid glue. I placed the layers underneath a heavy book to let them dry well and dry flat.

I die cut the word "jolly" from the Jolly Honey Script word die. I die cut the bottom shadow layer from the same darker teal green cardstock and the top outline layer from gold glitter cardstock. I adhered the two layers of the sentiment together and then adhered them to the card using Scotch 3M foam adhesive for added dimension. Lastly, I added a couple red rhinestones as the berries on the card.

I really, really, love how this card came out! In fact, I know that I'll be trying to recreate it in a variety of color combinations.
Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal

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Time for Tea

9/20/2022

Hello readers! Today I am on the Joy Clair Design blog sharing this creation. I know 'tis the season for pumpkin spice e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g, but how about just a nice ol' cup of tea on a fall day? Today's cards use the beautiful Cup of Joy digital stamp combined with some rich fall Copic colors.

Both of these cards were created nearly identical in layout and color, I simply changed out the main image and the sentiment.

Card details:

The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock. I used a 4" x 3" piece of red leaf patterned paper on the bottom half of the card. On a 4" x 3" piece of white cardstock, I used an angled envelope die cut to give the edge a scallop detail. I also did the same to a small piece of gold glitter cardstock (and tucked it in behind the white). I printed off two of the large teacup images from the Cup of Joy digital stamp set. I only increased their size by about 15%. I colored the images with Copic markers and then fussy cut the images. I adhered the images to the card using Scotch 3M foam adhesive. I printed two sentiments onto white cardstock and cut them into thin strips, notching the ends at an angle. I adhered the sentiment strip over the teacups. I added a couple clear rhinestones to each card for added texture. Lastly, I added a coat of clear Wink of Stella to the floral images for added sparkle.

I hope you have enjoyed these fall themed cards. This simple layout would be great for nearly any kind of image. You could substitute the teacup with nearly any other image, the options are endless. Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

For more inspiration, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook and on my YouTube channel.

Be sure to sign up for Joy Clair Designs newsletters. You will receive notifications of new releases, sales and exclusive offers to subscribers. You can also follow the team’s creations from Joy Clair Designs on Facebook Page, Joy Clair Stamp Projects Facebook Group, Instagram , Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube!

XO, Crystal

Fall Classic Wreath

9/19/2022

Hello crafty readers! Today I am on the Birch Press Design blog sharing some fall themed cards using the Classic Sentimental Wreath stamp set and coordinating dies.

I created all three of these A2 sized cards the exact same way, I simply alternated some of the background papers and ink colors. All of the beautiful plaid background papers are from the Madras Plaid Coral 6" x 6" paper pack from Memory Box Co, a sister-organization of Birch Press Design.

Card details:

The base of each A2 sized card was made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I then cut a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of the plaid paper and adhered it directly to the card base. I die cut a rectangular piece of white cardstock and stamped my sentiment at the bottom in orange, brown or olive ink. All of the sentiments came from the same Classic Sentimental Wreath stamp set.

I heat embossed the leaves of the wreath with gold embossing powder and then used the coordinating die to cut the wreath out. I adhered the wreath to the card using Scotch 3M adhesive for added dimension. I tied a little bit of gold baker's twine to the corner of each wreath for added texture. Lastly, I added a couple clear rhinestones for sparkle.

I hope you have enjoyed these cards and are inspired to create some of your own using this Classic Sentimental Wreath stamp set, or any of the other wonderful products from Birch Press Design!

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal

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Pawsitively Awesome

9/15/2022

It's here! The STAMPtember moment you have been waiting 15 days for! The fun new and exclusive limited edition stamp set that was a collaboration between Whimsy Stamps and Simon Says Stamp is here! Introducing the "Pawsitively Awesome" stamp set and coordinating dies.

What is STAMPtember?

Today marks the start of our 13th annual STAMPtember®! We look forward to teaching and inspiring you during this exciting month as we celebrate the fun of stamping and creating!

Simon Says Stamp was founded in 2002 selling rubber stamps. However, it didn’t take long until we became a one-stop shop offering resources and materials for a wide variety of crafty techniques and projects. While stamps remain the heart of our business, Simon Says Stamp is so much more than stamps! Today we are revealing NEW Simon-branded products we’ve designed to inspire and delight you. All are available exclusively at SimonSaysStamp.com. You’ll see intriguing new stamps (of course), glitter papers, dies, embossing folders, stencils, and hot foil plates, as well as some other fun surprises. We hope to enhance your crafting experience!

During STAMPtember®, we will also be releasing EXCLUSIVE products made in partnership with many of the industry’s finest brands and ONLY available at SimonSaysStamp.com!
Our blog is the home base for the festivities, so be sure to visit EVERY DAY! Trust me when I tell you that the excitement this year is OVER THE TOP, and we are planning fun surprises to keep you on your toes all month long! Speaking of surprises . . . check out this INCREDIBLE prize we are giving away with FIVE chances to win…

Check out the video to learn more about STAMPtember!

Here is the "Pawsitively Awesome" stamp set and coordinating dies from Whimsy Stamps and Simon Says Stamp:

Here are two fun collage boards featuring a variety of cards made by the Design Team members at Whimsy Stamps to help inspire you:

Here are two cards that I created using the "Pawsitively Awesome" stamp set:

STAMPtember stamp sets DO NOT last long, so if you're interested in purchasing this new set, do not hesitate to buy it now! I assure you, things sell out in about 24-48 hours and once they're gone, they're gone for good! While you're on the Simon Says Stamp website, be sure to check out all the other amazing products that SSS has to offer. If you make a purchase between now and September 30th, you might just win one of the lucky golden bone tickets too!

Hey Pumpkin Mood Board

9/13/2022

Hello crafty readers! Happy September and the start of fall, which is my favorite season of the year. Give me all the cool mornings, warm sweaters and yes, pumpkin spice e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g! Today I am on the Joy Clair Designs blog sharing a card that I designed that was inspired by the colors of this month's mood board. If you missed last week's initial post, here is this month's mood board:

Mood boards (also commonly called "inspiration" boards) are a combination of colors, images, textures and patterns that can offer guidance or direction. If you feel like you don't know where to begin a project, try looking at a mood board and let the creative juices flow. You just might be surprised by what you create!

Here is the card I created that was inspired by both the colors of the mood board and the fall scenes:

Card details:

The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. This is the ONLY white cardstock I use. It's perfect for everything from stamping, Copic coloring, distress ink blending, cardstock bases, die cutting. All the things! I cut a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of white cardstock and ran it through my Big Shot using a leaf embossing folder. This was the first layer of my card. I stamped the beautiful pumpkin image from the Hey Pumpkin stamp set in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white cardstock. I colored the image using Copic markers and then fussy cut the image out. I adhered the image to the card using Scotch 3M foam adhesive. I stamped the sentiment "Grateful for you" in Versamark ink on a strip white cardstock. I heat embossed the sentiment with gold embossing powder. I notched the ends of the sentiment strip at an angle and adhered the sentiment over the pumpkins. The sentiment is from the Fall Greetings stamp set.

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

XO, Crystal

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Autumn Breeze Twist

9/7/2022

Hello readers! Happy September, and welcome to the beginning of fall, my favorite time of the year. Today I am on the Birch Press Design blog sharing a unique way to use the Autumn Breeze Layer Plate.

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 white cardstock and ran it through my Big Shot using the Memory Box Blooming 3D embossing folder. I adhered this to the card base. I cut a 5 1/2" x 1" strip of decorative Madras Plaid coral paper for the bottom of the card. I cut a 5 1/2" x 1/2" strip of gold glitter paper above the plaid paper for contrast.

Using Layer Plate B of the Autumn Breeze Layering Plates, I ran the plate through my Big Shot multiple using white cardstock, burgundy cardstock, rust cardstock and the same Madras Coral plaid cardstock. Using the stitched leaf cutout pieces only, I adhered them in a line across the center of the card.

I stamped the sentiment "you inspire kindness" in cherry ink on white cardstock. This stamp is from the Awesome Ticker Tape clear stamp set. I adhered the sentiment to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

Ooh, I just can't wait to create more fall themed cards. I'm here for all the cozy sweater vibes and yes, even the PSL (pumpkin spiced lattes) too! ; )

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal

Hello There

9/6/2022

Well, hello there friends! Today I am on the Joy Clair Design blog sharing a bright and bold floral themed card using the Hello There digital stamp set. I am embarrassed to admit that I have no idea what kind of flower this is, but by using some bright yellow, pink and peach Copic colors, I hope that I have given it a fall feeling!

Card details:

The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock. I die cut a rectangular scalloped frame from white cardstock. I printed the flowers from the Hello There digital stamp set in two different sizes (one at 4" and one at 3") on Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I colored the images with Copic markers in a variety of peach, pink, yellow and orange hues. I fussy cut each flower by hand and then adhered the flowers to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension. I printed the sentiment "a million thanks" which is also part of the Hello There digital stamp set. I adhered the sentiment strip to the top of the card. Lastly, I added a coat of clear Wink of Stella to the flowers for added sparkle.

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

XO, Crystal

September 2022 Mood Board

9/1/2022

Hello friends and happy September! Welcome to the start of a beautiful fall! The Design Team at Joy Clair Designs is excited to share the mood board for this month. Mood boards (also commonly called "inspiration" boards) are a combination of colors, images, textures and patterns that can offer guidance or direction. If you feel like you don't know where to begin a project, try looking at a mood board and let the creative juices flow. You might just be surprised by the end result!

Let's take a look at the September 2022 Joy Clair Designs mood board:

This month mood board celebrates the beaty, colors and smells of fall. Be inspired by the rich regal colors, the warmth of sunny days and yet the chills of autumn mornings.

We would love to see YOU create using this mood board as inspiration too! Feel free to use similar colors in whatever brand of cardstock you have readily available. We'd love for you to use your Joy Clair Designs stamps if you have them! And if you don't have any yet CLICK HERE TO START SHOPPING TODAY!

Be sure to tag us on social media using the following hashtags so we can see your cards or other papercraft projects:

#joyclairdesignsmoodboard

#joyclairmoodboard

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

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Be sure to sign up for Joy Clair Designs newsletters. You will receive notifications of new releases, sales and exclusive offers to subscribers. You can also follow the team’s creations from Joy Clair Designs on Facebook Page, Joy Clair Stamp Projects Facebook Group, Instagram , Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube!