Crystal Komara
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Classes
  • Gallery
  • Videos
    • Photography for Cardmakers Video
    • YouTube Channel
  • Contact
Picture

Magic Luck

1/31/2022

0 Comments

 
Hello readers and happy Monday! Welcome back from the snowy weekend.  We didn't end up with nearly as much snow here in Western Massachusetts as was predicted, but a fresh 4-5" made it look pretty all the same.  

Today I am sharing three cards that were made using the Magic Luck Digi-Next Card Club series from 88 and Clear.  Continue reading below to learn more about this monthly card club subscription.
Picture
Picture
Kit includes, Exclusive Digital Download, link to the class, Instructions, 4 kits to create 4 beautiful cards, along with RG.


Subscribe, Receive and Create! It's that simple!


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 pre-scheduled each month*


*Subscription is billed every 1st of the month*


Receive your Exclusive Download instantly after checkout and start creating! Exclusive Digital bundle included with files in 4 formats; Regular PDF, Digital Die Cut Machine Outlined PDF, SVG & JPEG. You will also receive a printed digital each month to create your projects.


Here's what you receive in each monthly Kit:
- Exclusive Digital Bundle and a printed copy with your kit
- Exclusive Digital Bundle 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
​

CLICK TO SUBSCRIRBE NOW!
​

I have so much inspiration to share with you from this kit!  Here is a closer look at the three cards I made using this month's card club subscription:
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
And here are a few more beautiful cards that 88 and Clear owner and CEO Richard Garay (RG) made using this same kit:
Picture
This is a fun digital stamp set with the most GORGEOUS digital papers!  To learn more about digital stamping, please click here.  Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!
​

XO, Crystal 

0 Comments

Mermaid Hair

12/3/2021

0 Comments

 
Hello readers and happy Fri-YAY!  I thought we'd take a break from the traditional holiday cards this time of year and enjoy this fun mermaid slimline card as we head into the weekend.  This sweet image is a new digital release called Mermaid Hair from 88 and Clear.  The package deal (seen at the end of this post) offers both the digital stamp and the coordinating digital paper.  
Picture

Card details: 

This slimline card measures 8 1/2" x 3 1/2."  Slimline cards are designed to fit inside a regular #10 business sized mailing envelope and require no additional postage.  The base of this card was made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  I cut a 8" x 3" piece of Mermaid Hair Print #2 and placed it beneath a circular slimline frame.  I printed out the mermaid images from the Mermaid Hair digital stamp set and colored the images with Copic markers.  I fussy cut the images and adhered them to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  I added a couple colored beads to the card for more dimension.  Lastly, I add a coat of clear Wink of Stella to the mermaids for added sparkle.  You can never have enough sparkle on a mermaid! 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Here is the Mermaid Hair digi-NEXT collection from 88 and Clear.  This digital package includes both the stamp set and coordinating papers.  
Picture
What a fun and magical card and it was equally fun to make!  Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!
​

XO, Crystal 

You might also enjoy:

Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

A Tropical Hello

8/23/2021

0 Comments

 
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!  
Picture
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.  
Picture

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

XO, Crystal 

You might also enjoy:

Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Pop It

8/20/2021

0 Comments

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

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

XO, Crystal 

0 Comments

Watercolored Boho Wings

8/18/2021

0 Comments

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

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.    
Picture
Picture
Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!
​

XO, Crystal 

You might also enjoy:

Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

July 5 for $5

7/19/2021

0 Comments

 
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." 
​
Picture

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!!
​

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture


​Other available  online classes:
​

Farmhouse Christmas
Picture
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.
0 Comments

Love Sent

5/28/2021

0 Comments

 
Hello friends and happy Friday!  Yay for long holiday weekends and to the official start (hopefully) of a MUCH better looking summer than 2020!  Today I am sharing a slimline card created using two brand new digital stamp sets from 88 and Clear.  Both the "Love Sent" and "Strong Enough" digital stamp sets will be released and available for purchase in early June.  So, I hope you enjoy this special sneak peek!
Picture

Card details: 

This slimline card measures 8 1/2" x 3 1/2."  The base is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  Using a piece of patterned yellow miscellaneous paper, I die cut the first mat to 8 1/4" x 3 1/4."  I printed out the images from both the "Love Sent" and "Strong Enough" digital stamp sets on Neenah White cardstock.  I used Copic markers to color the images and then fussy cut them by hand.  I die cut three scalloped circles from white cardstock and placed them vertically down the center of the card.  
Picture
I adhered the flowers to the left or right side of the scalloped circles using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  I added the butterflies over the flowers.   I printed the sentiment on a thin strip of white cardstock and angled the left edge before adhering it to the lower half of the card.  I added a couple randomly placed black rhinestones on the card.  Lastly, I added a coat of Dazzling Pat to the images for added sparkle.  
Picture
Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative extra-long weekend!
​

XO, Crystal 

List of supplies: 

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

You might also enjoy: 

Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Rich Love

5/19/2021

0 Comments

 
I have a really funny story to share with you about today's card.  I had this card sitting on my craft desk waiting to be photographed and my husband walks into the room and says, "Who's Rich?"  I look at him all confused.  "Who is Rich?" he asks again.  Blank stare.  Clearly, I am not following.  So, he proceeds to hold up this card to which I respond, "No, rich beyond measure."  It's a figure of speech.   Now he's the one who looks confused.  Then he questioned why "Rich" was in capitalized bold font and not feeling the need to explain my card, I had to kick him out of my craft room because he was beginning to stress me out! 
Picture

Card details: 

This A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  Using a piece of Black Taffy cardstock, I heat embossed the Leafy Wall background stamp from 88 and Clear with black embossing powder.  I adhered this embossed background directly to the card base.  Using the Rich Love digital stamp set from 88 and Clear, I printed the images onto the same 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock and colored the images with Copic markers.  I used my Brother Scan and Cut 2 e-cutting machine to cut the images, in lieu of fussy cutting.  
Picture
I adhered the cut images to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  The sentiments were already printed in black toner ink from the digital file, so I simply cut them to size to fit in the top upper righthand corner of the card.  Lastly, I added some clear Wink of Stella to the flowers for added sparkle.
Picture
You can really see in the below photo how that black heat embossed background shines in the light:
Picture
Here is the Rich Love stamp set by 88 and Clear that I used to create today's card:
Picture
The Rich Love stamp set is part of the the monthly Card Club Subscription with 88 and Clear. 

Card Club Subscription
$15.99 / month

Kit includes, Exclusive Digital Download, link to the class, Instructions, 4 kits to create 4 beautiful cards, along with RG.
Subscribe, Receive and Create! It’s that simple!
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 3nd 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 a printed digital each month to create your projects.


Here’s what you receive in each monthly Kit!
– Exclusive Digital Download and a printed copy with your kit
– 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!

Click HERE to subscribe now!

Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!
​

XO, Crystal 

You might also enjoy:

Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Big Happy

5/17/2021

0 Comments

 
Hello friends and happy Monday!  I hope you all had a nice weekend.  The weather was absolutely beautiful here for the first time really this spring, so in between crafty projects, I was able to spend some time outside.  Today I am sharing a floral card using the "Big Happy" digital stamp set from 88 and Clear.  I must be on a floral kick right now, because after looking at my recent posts and seeing what I have to photograph for upcoming posts, you are going to be seeing a LOT of flowery cards!  
Picture

Card details: 

The base of this A2 sized and is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  Using the Reverse Confetti Diagonal Stripes Cover Panel, I die cut this striped background die from white cardstock.  I colored the Big Happy digital stamp set from 88 and Clear using Copic markers and I fussy cut the large image out.  I adhered the bouquet to the center of the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  I stamped the sentiment in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white cardstock and adhered the sentiment to the lower left side of the card.  Lastly, I added a coat of clear Wink of Stella to the flowers for added sparkle.  
Picture
Picture
Picture
I hope you have enjoyed this sherbet colored card!  Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal 

You might also enjoy:

Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Bloom Book With Love

4/19/2021

0 Comments

 
Hello and welcome back from the weekend!  I hope you all found a little time to do something crafty. 
Last week I shared some cards that were made using pre-created Distress Oxide ink backgrounds after I had taken an online class with Jenn Shurkus.  Today's card uses another of those backgrounds, which made this card come together really quick and easy!  
Picture

Card details: 

The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  On a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of the same white cardstock, I ink blended Distress Oxide inks in Wilted Violet, Picked Raspberry and Spun Sugar using the Tim Holtz Mini Round Ink Blender.   Over that background I laid the Music Stencil from Newton's Nook and sponged more Picked Raspberry ink through the stencil. I removed the stencil and spritzed the paper with a little bit of water.  I set this background aside to dry.  Using the digital Bloom Book stamp from 88 and Clear I printed the stamp out on Neenah white cardstock.  I colored the image with Copic markers and then I fussy cut the flowers out.  I adhered the flowers to the card with 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  I stamped the sentiment in Versamark ink on a thin strip of black cardstock and then heat embossed the sentiment with white embossing powder.  I notched the left side of the sentiment and adhered it to the top right of the card using 3M foam adhesive.  Lastly, I added a coat of Clear Wink of Stella to the flowers for added sparkle.  
Picture
Picture
Picture
Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal 

List of supplies: 

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

You might also enjoy:

Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Hi, I'm Crystal!

    Picture
    Click the photo to learn more about me!

    Archives:

    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019

    Categories:

    All
    25 Days Of Christmas Tags
    4th Of July
    5 For $5
    88 And Clear
    Alcohol Inks
    Alex Syberia Designs
    All Occasion
    Alte
    Altenew
    A Muse Studio
    Animals
    Art
    Australia
    Avery Elle
    Backgrounds
    Beach/Ocean
    Behind The Scenes
    Birch Press Design
    Birch Press Designs
    Birthdays
    Blog Hop
    Bookmarks
    Books
    Box Card
    Boxes/Bags
    Budget
    Butterfly Reflections
    Butterfly Reflections Ink
    Camping
    Card Donations
    Card Kits
    Cards For A Cause
    Challenges
    Christmas
    Classes
    Classy & Elegant
    Coffee Loving Cardmakers
    Coloring
    Comic/Cartoon
    Concord & 9th
    Congratulations
    Copic
    Covid 19
    Covid-19
    Craft Room
    Craft Tools
    Crafty Finds
    Create W/ Crystal
    Custom Stamp
    Design Team
    Die Cutting
    Digital Stamping
    Distress Oxide
    Distress Oxide Inks
    Easel Cards
    Easter
    E-Cutting Machines
    Ephemera
    Events
    Facebook Live
    Fall/Autumn
    Fantasy
    Father's Day
    Feature Friday
    Fiesta
    Flowers
    Food/Beverages
    Fruit
    Fundraising Efforts
    Fun Folds
    Fun Stamper's Journey
    Gerda Steiner
    Get Well Soon
    Get-well-soon
    Gina-k-designs
    Gina Marie Designs
    Glitter
    Graciellie Design
    Guest Designer
    Halloween
    Happy Birthday
    Happy Mail
    Heat Embossing
    Heat Foiling
    Heirloom Productions
    Hello Bluebird
    Hero Arts
    Holidays
    Home
    Home Decor
    Honey Bee Stamps
    Humor
    Ink
    Inky Paws Challenge Team
    Inside Shadow Box
    Instagram
    Interactive Cards
    Joy Clair Designs
    Kid Friendly
    Kids
    Lawn Fawn
    Love
    Magical/Fantasy
    Make Art Stay-tion
    Making Cards & Papercraft Magazine
    Mama Elephant
    Mandala
    #manuarycards
    Masculine
    Memory Box
    Mixed Media
    Monogram
    Monthly-kits
    Mood Board
    Mother's Day
    Music
    My Favorite Things
    Nature
    Neat & Tangled
    New Releases
    Newto
    Newton
    Newton's Nook
    New Year
    Online Classes
    Organization
    Papertrey Ink
    Patriotic
    People
    Pet Sympathy
    Picket Fence Studios
    Pigs
    Pinkfresh Studio
    Pink & Main
    Power Poppy
    Pretty-pink-posh
    Product Reviews
    Quilted Cards
    Rachel Vass Designs
    Rainbow
    Reverse Confetti
    RG Avenue
    Richard Garay Designs
    Rubberstamp Shows
    Sentimental
    Shadow Box Card
    Shaker Cards
    Sharks
    Shark Week
    Simon Says Stamp
    Slider Card
    Slim
    Slimline
    Slimline Cards
    Snow
    Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers
    Spectrum Noir Sparkle
    Spellbinders/FSJ
    Spring
    Stamparatus
    Stampendous
    Stampin' UP!
    Stamplistic
    STAMPtember
    Stencils
    St. Patrick's Day
    Sugarpea-designs
    Summer
    Sunny-studios
    Sympathy
    Taylored-expressions
    Thanksgiving
    Thank You
    The-stamp-maker
    The-ton-stamps
    Thinking-of-you
    Tim-holtz
    Travel
    Treat Holder
    Trinity-stamps
    Tropical
    Twinklelane Designs
    Ukraine
    Vagabond-2
    Valentines Day
    Video
    Videos
    Vintage
    Waffle Flower
    Watercolor
    Waterfall-cards
    Wedding
    Whims
    Whimsy Stamps
    Winter
    Wow-embossing-powders
    Your-next-stamp
    Youtube
    Zig Clean Color Brushes

    Disclaimer:

    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:

    • I participate in several affiliate programs.  This means I earn a small commission when products are purchased using my links (at no additional cost to you). 
    • I do not work for any companies. 
    • I buy all of my own supplies, unless where mentioned in a post that a product has been gifted, or if I am supplied products in exchange for being on a company's Design Team.
    • I do not do sponsored posts (where a company pays me to talk about a product).
    • I do not place ads on my blog.  Ever. I hate them and I know you do too!

    ​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. 
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Classes
  • Gallery
  • Videos
    • Photography for Cardmakers Video
    • YouTube Channel
  • Contact