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Hello friends and readers! Welcome back from the weekend. I hope you all had a great one. Mine was equal parts crafting, relaxing and baking. I have been starting to design cards and classes for 2020 and would you believe that I'm already thinking about Valentine's Day!? I know, I know! Christmas isn't even here yet, and yup, Lawn Fawn is already enticing us with their Stud Puffin release! But, I've still got a few more Christmas themed cards to share with you just yet. . .
Card details:
The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I die cut the mountains from Neenah White Solar Smooth cardstock using the Lawn Fawn Stitched Mountain Border dies. I created an alcohol ink backround for behind the mountains. (See highlight below on alcohol ink backgrounds). I die cut the mountain tops from Smoky Slate cardstock. Using the Stitched Slopey Joe Borders, I cut one snowbank from white cardstock. I put a thin layer of Lawn Fawn Chunky Glitter on the top of that snowbank. I created the trees from white cardstock using the Lawn Fawn Stitched Tree Borders. I cut the "leaves" of the trees out from Silver Glimmer paper. I stamped the sentiment in salmon ink in the lower right corner of the card. I stamped the yeti's and trees in Memento Tuxedo black ink on Neenah White Solar Smooth cardstock. I colored the images with Copic markers and adhered them to the card using foam adhesive for added dimension.
*Because I am not currently creating video technique content on my website, I highly recommend checking out this Easy Alcohol Ink Background Tutorial on YouTube by the amazing Jennifer McGuire. She has created a very simple introduction to working with alcohol inks to create background pieces. This was the first video I watched after purchasing my alcohol inks and then I just spent time playing with them!
Here is the Yeti or Not stamp set from Hello Bluebird that I used to create today's card:
Thanks for visiting and have a great week!
XO, Crystal
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Hello readers and happy Friday! I hope you have fun things planned for the weekend ahead. I will be holding my last stamp camp OF THE DECADE (that still sounds funny!) tomorrow morning. After that, I will begin my annual holiday baking. Each year I bake huge trays of cakes, cookies, bars, biscotti and more for my office, my husband's office, our friends and neighbors, the mailman, and yet there is still enough to freeze for our family on Christmas! I will be covered in flour dust and confectionery sugar by sundown on Sunday. I will also have probably eaten my weight in cookie dough and vow to NEVER bake another cookie again in my life! : )
Today I am sharing two cards that were created using the RG Avenue monthly card subscription kit. You can read more about these kits below. While this month's stamp set is called "Birthday Blooms," I saw that truck and immediately thought of Christmas. So, yes, along with birthdays, you can make this set work for other occasions too! 
Here is the Birthday Blooms digital stamp set I used to create these cards:
Card details:
The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah White Solar Smooth cardstock. I cut a 4 1/4" x 3" piece of holiday plaid paper and placed it on the left side of the card front. On the right side of the card I splattered Black Taffy ink. Using the Gina Marie Stitched Nesting Circles, I die cut a large circle from white cardstock. I printed the digital Birthday Blooms stamp set out on Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock and colored the images using Copic markers. I ran the colored images through my Scan & Cut to cut them for me. I adhered the truck to the center of the large circle using foam adhesive. I adhered the sentiment in the upper right corner also using foam adhesive. Lastly, I tied a red satin ribbon around the card for added texture.
Card Club Subscription:
Now two ways to subscribe to our monthly card club!!!
First option: our full kit which includes, 6×8 stamp set, link to the class, Instructions, 4 kits to create 4 beautiful cards, along with RG. $29.99 Second option: our small kit which includes, 6×8 stamp set, link to the class and instruction. With this kit you can follow along or go rouge and create your own masterpiece. $19.99 Subscribe, Receive and Create! It’s that simple! Be the first to play and craft with trends before they’re launched!! Live Virtual Class with step-by-step instruction. Classes will stay recorded so if you can’t make the Live class, not a problem you can access it anytime. Come and play when you want! *Live class is held every 2nd Wednesday of each month* *Subscription is billed every 1st of the month* Receive your Exclusive Download instantly after checkout and start creating! Exclusive Digital Download included with files in 4 formats; Regular PDF, Digital Die Cut Machine Outlined PDF, SVG & JPEG. You will also receive an exclusive new stamp set each month to create your projects (Stamp Set available for by mail kits only). Here’s what you receive in each monthly Kit! – Exclusive Stamp Set 6″ x 8″, High Quality 100% Clear Photopolymer, – Exclusive Digital Downloads in 4 formats! (Regular PDF, Digital Die Cut Machine Outlined PDF, SVG File and JPEG File) – One on one education! Live virtual education class. The recording will always be available so you can tune in at your convenience! – Learn Design Trends First! – Tips, Techniques and methods! – Design and composition! 
Card details:
The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah White Solar Smooth cardstock. I cut a 4 1/4" x 3" piece of pink floral patterned paper and placed it on the left side of the card front. On the right side of the card I splattered pink guava ink. Using the Gina Marie Stitched Nesting Circles, I die cut a large circle from white cardstock. I printed the digital Birthday Blooms stamp set out on Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock and colored the images using Copic markers. I ran the colored images through my Scan & Cut to cut them for me. I adhered the truck to the center of the large circle using foam adhesive. I adhered the sentiment in the upper left corner also using foam adhesive. Lastly, I tied a pink guava ribbon around the card for added texture.
I hope you have enjoyed today's cards using the Birthday Blooms monthly card subscription from RG Avenue. Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative weekend!
XO, Crystal
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Where are all of my kitty followers at? Today's Christmas card is perfect for those feline friends in your life. This card features the adorable Santa Paws stamp set from Newton's Nook Designs. I have long been a fan of NND due to the company's namesake, Newton, being a beloved orange tabby cat. My first cat, as an adult, was also an orange tabby. Unfortunately, this past fall Jennifer and Jeff (the owners of NND) suffered a loss when 18-year-old Newton passed away. His memory will live on through the company name and the kitty images that everyone uses on their cards. This Santa Paws stamp set is one of my favorite NND Christmas sets for all it's punny cat themed holiday sentiments.
Card details:
The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah White Solar Smooth cardstock. I cut a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of red snowflake patterned paper (source unknown) and adhered it directly to the card base. Using the Lawn Fawn Stiched Hillside Landscape Backdrop die, I cut the background also from Neenah White cardstock. I added Lawn Fawn Chunky Glitter to the two sloping snowbanks of the background die. I stamped the images in Memento Tuxedo black ink on Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock and colored the images with Copic markers. I added a few highlights to the images using a white Uniball gel pen. I used the coordinating Santa Paws die to cut out the images and adhered them to the card using foam adhesive.
Here is the Santa Paws Newton stamp set from Newton's Nook Designs that I used to create today's card:
Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!
XO, Crystal
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Hello crafty friends and readers! Today I am sharing these two cards featuring vivid alcohol ink backgrounds and adorable snowmen over on the Butterfly Reflections, Ink blog. Creating alcohol ink pieces of art to use on cards has such a WOW effect. While I love the look of Distress Oxide inks, I still don't feel entirely comfortable using them, so when I want to create eye-catching backgrounds, Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Inks are my go-to.
Card details:
The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I cut a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of White Yupo paper on which to create my background. I dropped a couple drops each of Aqua, Pool and Patina inks onto the Yupo paper and blew the ink around with a straw until I achieved a desired look. No, there is no rhyme or reason to my madness when creating with alcohol! Just keep at it until you have a look that YOU are happy with! I let this ink dry before splattering some white acrylic paint over the background to resemble snow. Then I cut two Lawn Fawn Birch Trees from white cardstock. I handcut a snowbank out of white cardstock for the bottom of the card and adhered a layer of Lawn Fawn Chunky Glitter over the top of the snowbank. I stamped the images in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock and die cut them using the coordinating Snow Buddies Honey Cuts dies. I colored in the images with Copic markers and adhered them to the card with foam adhesive to create a little scene. Lastly I die cut the "let it snow" sentiment from the Lawn Fawn Big Scripty Words Lawn Cuts in turquoise cardstock and glitter cardstock, layering the two together for a shadowed effect, before adhering these to the bottom of the card with foam adhesive.
Here is the Snow Buddies stamp set from Honey Bee Stamps that I used to create these cards:
Now for the second card:
The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I cut a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of White Yupo paper on which to create my background. I dropped dropped three colored alcohol inks (salmon, raspberry and villainous) on the right side of the paper and "swiped left!" ; ) Haha, did anyone catch that?! I let this ink dry before splattering some white acrylic paint over the background to resemble snow. Then I cut three Lawn Fawn Birch Trees from white cardstock. I handcut a snowbank out of white cardstock for the bottom of the card and adhered a layer of Lawn Fawn Chunky Glitter over the top of the snowbank. I stamped the images in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock and die cut them using the coordinating Snow Buddies Honey Cuts dies. I colored in the images with Copic markers and adhered them to the card to create a little scene. 
I hope you have enjoyed these whimsical snowmen surrounded by an alcohol inked winter wonderland. Thanks for visiting and happy creating!
XO, Crystal
Hello and happy Tuesday readers! Today I am sharing three cards that were inspired by fellow cardmaker, Ivana Camdzic. I first discovered Ivana through Instagram and was drawn to her beautiful use of pastel colors and her stunning layout photography. I have later come to learn she is a foodie, a traveler and also married to a wonderful man named Mark. So, we have discovered much more in common through our social media friendship than just our shared passion for papercrafting! What I have also realized after creating these cards is that I really like pastel colors and that even though they are considered more non-traditional for holiday cards, they are equally as stunning! I do hope to incorporate many more of these soft colors in the future.
Here are the beautiful cards created by Ivana that inspired my cards:
Card details:
The base of this A2 sized card is made from Smoky Slate cardstock. Using the Gina Marie Designs Scalloped Stitched Nesting Rectangles, I cut a piece of silver star patterned paper (source unknown). I adhered this scalloped patterned paper directly to the card base using a dot tape runner. I die cut the wreath in both Mint Macaron and Pistachio cardstock. I punched little white flowers to adorn the wreath and placed clear rhinestones in the center of the flowers. Lastly, I die cut the sentiment "joy" from silver glimmer cardstock and adhered it to the bottom of the card.
Card details:
The base of this A2 sized card is made from Crumb Cake cardstock. I die cut a piece of music patterned paper (source unknown) and adhered it to the center of the card. Using the Hello Winter Nice and Neat Dies from Neat And Tangled, I die cut the word in Cherry Cobbler and white cardstock. I adhered the sentiment to the middle of the card using foam adhesive. I stamped the leaves, greenery and berries using the Spruce and Sprigs stamp set and coordinating dies from Papertrey Ink. I adhered the berries, leaves and greenery to the top left and lower right side of the frame to make the sentiment pop.
Card details:
The base of this A2 sized card is made from Crumb Cake cardstock. Using the Gina Marie Designs Scalloped Stitched Nesting Rectangles, I cut a piece of Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I adhered this scalloped patterned paper directly to the card base using a dot tape runner. I die cut the wreath in both Blushing Bride and Flirty Flamingo cardstock. I placed pink rhinestones in the center of the wreath. I cut a 4" x 1 1/2" sheet of birch gold foil paper, notched both ends and placed it behind the wreath. I die cut the "believe" sentiment from gold glimmer cardstock and white cardstock. I layered the two on top of each other and adhered the sentiment to the center of the card using foam adhesive.
I hope you have enjoyed seeing a variety of ways to incorporate pastel colors into your holiday cards. Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!
XO, Crystal
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Hello friends and welcome back from the weekend! Today I have three cards to share with you that were all created from the Cozy Christmas digital stamp set by RG Avenue. This was an exclusive free digital stamp offered as a Black Friday special if you purchased $50 worth of products. I wanted to show you the various ways you can use that set with today's cards. I chose a modern color palette in pink, red, aqua and kraft to keep these cards fresh, fun and cohesive.   Card details:The base of this A2 sized card is made from Sweet Cane sugar stock. I heat embossed white ink splatter onto the base of the card using Versamark ink and white embossing poweder. Using the Gina Marie Designs Stitched Rectangles, I die cut a rectangle from Neenah White Solar Smooth cardstock. I also cut a rectangle using the same dies from the "Ho, Ho, Ho" patterned paper. I cut each rectangle in half using only the white cardstock on the top and the "Ho, Ho, Ho" paper on the bottom half of the card. I die cut a pink circle using the Gina Marie Designs Stitched Circle Dies. I tied a ribbon around the middle of the card before adhering the circle die cut. I colored the deer from the Cozy Christmas digital stamp set using Copic markers and then cut it out using my Scan & Cut machine. Lastly, I added a coat of Dazzling Pat to the deer for added sparkle.    Card details:The base of this A2 sized card is made from Sugar Cane cardstock. Using the Gina Marie Designs Stitched Rectangle dies, I die cut a piece of Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock and a piece of chevron patterned DSP. I only used the top half of the white paper and the bottom half of the chevron. I die cut a wreath from Pool Party cardstock and adhered it to the center of the card. I colored the deer and the two ornaments hanging from the antlers from the Cozy Christmas digital stamp set using Copic markers and then cut it out using my Scan & Cut machine. Lastly, I added a coat of Dazzling Pat to the deer for added sparkle.     Card details:To create this A2 sized shaker card, I began with a base of Blushing Bride cardstock. I cut a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of aqua polka dotted paper for behind the shaker card. I cut an additional 5 1/4" x 4" piece of Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock for the shaker frame. I used a semi circle die to cut the hole in the white cardstock and lined the back with acetate film. I put about one tablespoon of iridescent sequins behind the shaker frame. I colored the sweets, gingerbread house, coffee and candy canes from the Cozy Christmas digital stamp set using Copic markers and then cut it out using my Scan & Cut machine. I adhered these images to the bottmo of the semi-circle using foam adhesive. Lastly, I added a coat of Dazzling Pat to the images for added sparkle.   I hope you have enjoyed seeing the variety of ways to use one stamp set. Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day! XO, CrystalYou might also enjoy:
Hi crafty friends and happy Friday! I'm excited to share with you my first time using the gorgeous stamps from Power Poppy. My friend, Nikki, has purchased a lot of their products and every time I'm with her, I "ooh and aah" over their beautiful designs. These stamps are really unlike any other as you can see the heart and love poured into the artful designs by illustrator Marcella Hawley. She is so creatively talented! Power Poppy offers a wide variety of stamps (both physical and digital) as well as coordinating and stand alone dies, many centering around the themes of garden and home. If you missed my recent post talking about digital stamping, please read here. I would like to point out that many of the images are designed to be colored, so be sure you enjoy coloring (whether watercolor, colored pencils or markers) before you consider if these images will work well for you.  First, here is a little bit of information about Marcella Hawley, the illustrator behind Power Poppy. . . "I got my start illustrating plants as a teenager in my parents’ garden. My mother and muse, Susan, herself a painter and illustrator for Hallmark, was a constant encourager, teaching me about color, design, antiques, horticulture, and Motown. Smitten with skateboarding and music, I learned to skate, got caught up drawing cartoons, photographing the action, designing a skate ’zine with my best friend, soaking up California style by way of magazines, and working in a record store.I got a BFA degree in Graphic Design from University of Illinois, and went on to design and illustrate the catalogs for Klehm Nursery, a premier supplier of rare plants and specialty perennials. After my catalog landed on the desk of the Art Director of Martha Stewart Living magazine, I was offered a job as her assistant in NYC (I may or may not have fainted, as I had been a huge fan). I worked alongside Martha’s visionary team of creatives, designers, writers, gardeners, and stylists. A Midwestern gal at heart, I later returned to my happy place in the middle of the country, and after launching a freelance design and botanical illustration business, was plucked out again to be the art director for Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion start-up in St. Louis. Ten years of passionate magazine designing/decorating/crafting/cooking/styling and working with my illustration idol, Mary Engelbreit, followed. After the birth of my two kids, Lulu and Finn, I started my own design/branding company, Marcella Hawley Creative LLC, working on projects from local to global with equal enthusiasm. I am now married to the love of my life, Doug, step-mom to two rad step-daughters, have my own two wonderful teenagers, a Corgi named Tibbs, and Crema di Espresso the Tortie cat. There are gardens to tend, gourmet meals to cook, exercising to do, kids to drive around, trails to explore, and a home to decorate. It is from this jam-packed, already-not-enough-hours-in-the-day lifestyle that Power Poppy was born." Here is the Snuggle Down stamp set by Power Poppy that I used to create today's card:     Here are a few of the other Power Poppy stamp sets I just recently purchased for myself and can't wait to use:  Action Santa  Flowering Santa  Fully Stocked I hope you will now enjoy discovering the beautiful products of Power Poppy too. Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend! XO, Crystal
Hi friends! I know that technically today's card says "You are llamazing," but it is actually MY birthday today! So, while you are all pretty llamazing, so am I! Cheers, it's a fiesta! Today I am celebrating my 21st birthday!
For the second time. . . ; ) 
Card details:
The base of this slimline card ( measuring 8 1/2" x 3 1/2") is made from Black Taffy cardstock. I cut a 8 1/4" x 3 1/4" piece of Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock and adhered it directly to the black card base. In the upper left corner I stamped the sentiment "You are llamazing" in Black Taffy sugar cube. Using a grassy border die, I die cut the grass from Rich Cactus cardstock. I stamped all of the images from the RG Avenue "Stick Together" stamp set in Black Taffy sugar cube and colored the images with Copic markers. I ran the colored images through my Scan & Cut to cut them out. Then I began adhering the images to the card using foam adhesive for added dimension. I arranged the cacti in a rainbow pattern from red to violet. I added a couple randomly placed rhinestones at the top of the card filling up the white space. Lastly, I added a coat of Dazzling Pat to all the images for added sparkle.
Stick Together stamp set by RG Avenue
Thanks for sharing in my birthday celebration here with me. Cheers to many more!
XO, Crystal
Hello friends and happy December! Today I am sharing this card on the Butterfly Reflections, Ink blog, but before I get to my card, I wanted to share with you all that I got to visit the Butterfly Reflections, Ink store last weekend when I was nearby traveling for Thanksgiving. Not only did I get to check out the awesome store, but I got to meet Vanessa in person, and on her birthday! I was amazed by the amount of inventory in the store and the space is so well organized and clean. I didn't even get to see nearly everything I wanted and I was there for almost two hours! I can't wait to go back again (without my husband)! If you are ever in the Kingston, New Hampshire (or greater Portsmouth/Manchester area) you must stop by, it's really worth the visit.  Now for today's card. . . I used a stamp set that I purchased when I was at the store last week, although it has been on my list since it was released. This set is called "Cocoa Stand" by Avery Elle. I did also combine it with the "Snow Buddies" stamp set from Honey Bee Stamps to create an even larger scene. Turquoise, red and brown are one of my favorite Christmas color combinations. It's very fresh and modern feeling.  Card details: For the base of this slimline card, I cut a piece of turquoise cardstock measuring 8 1/2" x 3 1/2" long. I cut a 8 1/4" x 3 1/4" piece of Bristol Smooth cardstock to ink blend the background. I used Tim Holtz Distress Oxide ink in Peacock Feathers and covered the cardstock with the ink before adhering this distressed background to the card base. I cut a 8 1/4" x 1 1/4" piece of white cardstock and created a snowbank along the bottom edge of the cards to ground all of my images. Along this border, I added Lawn Fawn Chunky Glitter for added sparkle. I stamped all of the images from the Cocoa Stand stamp set in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock and colored them with Copic markers. I then used the coordinating Cocoa Stand Elle-ment dies to cut all the images. also stamped all of the images from the Honey Bee Stamps Snow Buddies stamp set in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock and colored these images with Copic markers. I also die cut these using the Snow Buddies Honey Cuts dies. Then I began to form a scene just by placing the different images onto the card to where I was happy with the layout. I adhered most of the images to the card with foam adhesive. Lastly, I used a white gel pen and added little dots all over the card to resemble snow.     I hope you have enjoyed today's card. Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day! XO, Crystal You might also enjoy:
 Hello readers! Today I am hoping to help spread the word about a card drive headed up by fellow cardmaker and animal lover Ricky Burton-Romero. I am sharing a summary of the drive here, but for all the details and the backstory please head to Ricky’s blog HERE. Ricky is collecting cards for an organization called Live Like Roo. Live Like Roo's founder, Sarah, started this non-profit to send care packages all across the United States to dogs and their human families that have been diagnosed with cancer. Not all cases lead to death. Sarah and her organization also assist in medical bills, as well. With the help of card makers all around the world, we want to do a card drive for Sarah. She sends a card with every box, and our idea is to get as many handmade cards to her so that she does not have to spend quality money on cards.  Here is what the card drive is looking for:
After the card drive is over, anyone that donated cards to the cause will be entered to win PRIZES! The prize list is currently growing with sponsors like Jennifer McGuire, Studio Katia and many more! I know that many cardmakers are also animals lovers, so even if it's only one card that you are able to send, both Sarah and Ricky will be grateful as it's one less card the organization needs to spend money purchasing. If you are interested in donating cards to other worthwhile causes, you can read my post here for more information. Thank you for sharing in handmade kindess!
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Hi, I'm Crystal!
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I, Crystal Komara, am solely responsible for this blog and all of its content, including, but not limited to designs, concepts, text, images and photographs. This website is for your personal enjoyment, inspiration and to help stimulate your own creativity.
If you use one of my posts, images, classes or designs please be sure to give credit where it is due. Thank you! 2019 © Disclosure:Whether gifted, or from my own supply, all of my recommendations are based on items that I use and truly love, and I think you will too. |
