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Hello friends! If there is one thing I love when it comes to cardmaking, it's the alcohol. Ink, that is! ; ) Initially I never thought I would have enjoyed working with alcohol inks as much as I have because, well. . . they're messy. They stain. They are a tad unpredictable in outcome and all that just terrifies me. Yet, somehow I learned to love them and now can't feature them enough on my cards.  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 Yupo (polysynthetic paper) and "ink blew" Ranger Adirondack alcohol ink in the color Stream over the Yupo paper. That's it, just one ink color was all I used! As it moves around and dries, you get puddles of ink that look like other darker and lighter colors, but I assure you, I used just one color. Nice and easy!  Using the Felicity Snowflakes dies, I cut the outer layer from vellum cardstock and the top thinner layer from white cardstock. I adhered the two layers together with liquid adhesive and then I adhered the snowflakes to the card with a small pop dot (which you can actually see through the vellum, it's too hard to hide).  Using the Contempo Christmas Greetings stamp set and coordinating die, I stamped the sentiment in Versamark ink on white cardstock and heat embossed it with turquoise embossing powder. I used the coordinating circle die to cut out the sentiment. I adhered the sentiment to the card with Scotch 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  Now that I think about it, you could make this same card in ANY color! Red or green alcohol ink would be very traditional, but I'm also thinking pinks and purples for a pop of pizazz too! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day! XO, Crystal
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Hello friends! Today I am sharing more holiday themed inspiration using products from the latest Birch Press Design release. Birch Press Design never ceases to amaze me with its elegant layering dies, contour dies and foil plates. Some of my most loved cards have been as a result of these gorgeous and elevated products.  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 navy cardstock from the 6" x 6" Ocean Blue paper pack. Using my Gemini Foilpress machine and the String Art Hot Foil Frame, I heat foiled a cerulean blue foil onto the navy cardstock. I know that it kind of looks like silver foil in these photos, but it is ever-so-slightly more blue tinted in person.  Using the Snowy Circle Layer Set, I created the center focal piece. I die cut Layer C (bottom layer) from navy cardstock. I die cut Layer B (middle layer) from a sky blue cardstock. I die cut Layer A (top layer) from white cardstock. Again, I used cardstock from the 6" x 6" Ocean Blues paper pack. I used a fine-tip liquid adhesive to adhere all three layers together and then I lined the back of the three layers with a solid sheet of white cardstock. I adhered the entire Snowy Circle image to the center of the card using 3M foam adhesive.   Lastly, I stamped the sentiment "be merry' in navy ink on white cardstock. This sentiment is from the Contempo Christmas Greetings stamp set. I used the coordinating circle die to die cut the sentiment out. I adhered the sentiment to the lower right side of the snowflakes with 3M foam adhesive.  Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day! XO, CrystalYou might also enjoy:
Hello friends! Today I'm sharing a card that is filled with love, joy and alcohol! Ink, that is! ; ) I was really pleased with how this card came out, since I had ended up pulling a random piece of alcohol ink background from my scrap bin. It is so cheerful and uplifting!  Card details:The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. On a sheet of 5 1/4" x 4" Yupo paper, I created an alcohol ink background in peaches and pinks. Honestly, I keep about 50 alcohol ink background pieces on reserve in a bin to pull from and it makes creating cards kind of quick and easy! This background was one of those "pre-made" pieces.  For the center focal piece I used the Kinsley Heart Layering Plates. Layer C (bottom layer) was cut from peachy/orange cardstock. Layer B (middle layer) was cut from gold glitter cardstock and Layer A (top layer) was cut from pink cardstock. I used the 6" x 6" paper packs in both Sunny Orange and Berry Reds for the cardstock. The glitter paper came from the 6" x 6" Festive Glitter paper pack. I adhered the three layers of the heart together with a fine-tip liquid glue.  I used the Find Joy and Outline die to create the sentiment. The shadow or outline of the word "find joy "was die cut from white cardstock. The thinner inside was cut from pink cardstock from the same Berry Red 6" x 6" paper pack. I adhered the two layers together with a fine tip liquid glue. Lastly, I adhered both the heart and sentiment to the card with 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  Alcohol inks are a great way to add interest and uniqueness to your cards! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day! XO, CrystalHello crafty readers! Today I am on the Birch Press Design blog sharing a holiday card with you featuring the beautiful new Holly Wreath Plate Layer set. But, there's a lot more going on with this card than just a dimensional wreath, there is also a heat foiled background and heat embossed sentiment too, so read on for all the fun details!  Card details:The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. This is my go-to white cardstock for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g! Using the Gilded Grace Hot Foil Plate, I foiled the first layer of the card. I use a Gemini Foilpress machine for my foiling. I used the Crafter's Companion Foil Press paper in brass. I adhered this foiled layer directly to the card base.  I did not foil the inner circle of the Gilded Grace Plate, so instead I stamped the sentiment "wishing you peace" in the center of the circle. Next, I created the wreath. I die cut Layer C (bottom layer) of the Holly Wreath from dark green cardstock. I die cut Layer B (middle layer) of the Holly Wreath Plate from green glitter cardstock. Finally, I cut Layer A (top layer) of the Holly Wreath Plate from light green cardstock. The green cardstock is from the 6" x 6" Lush Green paper pack and the 6" x 6" Glitzy Glitter paper pack. I adhered all three layers of the wreath together with a fine-tip liquid glue.  I adhered the wreath to the center of the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension. I stamped the sentiment "joy" in Versamark ink on a piece of red cardstock. I heat embossed the sentiment with the Red Robin embossing powder from WOW! I used the coordinating circular die to die cut the sentiment out. The "joy" sentiment and die is from the Contempo Christmas Greetings stamp set and coordinating dies.  Lastly, I adhered a small piece of gold ribbon underneath the "joy" circular sentiment. I also added a couple red rhinestones to the wreath to resemble berries. This card has it all - gold foil, sparkly glitter paper and heat embossing! It sparkles AND it shines! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day! XO, CrystalYou might also enjoy:
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, CrystalYou might also enjoy:
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, CrystalYou might also enjoy:
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, CrystalHello friends, today I am back again for another monochomatic card! Apparently sticking to one color when creating seems to be "m.o." : ) If you missed any of my monochromatic posts, please check out this trio of thank you cards, the Christmas mandala trees or these monochromatic torus rings (a personal favorite of mine)!  What's great about working with monochrome colors is that if blue isn't your color, try recreating it in red, or purple or green. The options are endless!  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 the same white cardstock and ran it through my Big Shot using the Blooming 3D embossing folder from Memory Box. This embossed cardstock is the first layer of the card. I then used alternating pieces of cardstock from the 6" x 6" Ocean Blue paper pack. These strips measure 5 1/2" x 1/4". I used the same color cardstock to create the three layer Floral Star. I also added in a piece of glitter cardstock from the Twinkling Jewel Paper pack. I die cut Layer B from this glitter cardstock. I adhered all three layers of the Floral Star layering dies together with liquid glue.  I took a chance and cut the finished Floral Star in half hoping to make it the focal point of the card. I stamped "hello" in turquoise ink on a thin white strip of cardstock and placed it between the two halves of the Floral Star. I think it pulled the two halves together more cohesively.  I really like how this card came out, in fact, I think I'll try it in a few other colors too! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day! XO, CrystalHello friends! Today I am on the Birch Press Design blog sharing my passion for the color purple! I used the Wispy Blooms Contour Layering Dies to create these two monochromatic cards, however, you could re-create them in any color imaginable and have a rainbow assortment to choose from.   For this first card, I used a piece of 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock as the base of my card. I also cut a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of the same white cardstock for the first layer. I ran this sheet of cardstock though my Big Shot using the Blooming 3D embossing folder (from Memory Box). I die cut one large white oval circle and adhered it to the center of the card.  Using the Wispy Blooms Contour Layering dies, I cut multiple flowers from three different purple colors of cardstock in the 6" x 6" Twilight paper pack. I die cut the stems from two shades of green cardstock found in the 6" x 6" Lush Green paper pack. I adhered all the flowers together with a fine-tip liquid glue. I adhered the flowers to the center of the scalloped circle to create one giant bouquet. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment "thinking of you" in purple ink on a thin strip of white cardstock. This sentiment is from the Classic Sentimental Wreath stamp set.  Because I had so many flowers leftover, I decided to create a second card using them, rather than waste them:  The base of this A2 sized card is also made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I embossed a 5 1/4" x 3" piece of the same white cardstock using the Blooming 3D embossing folder (from Memory Box) and used a 5 1/4" x 2" piece of purple plaid paper for the other side. This paper is from the Spring Plaid slim paper from Memory Box. I die cut a large scalloped oval from Twilight cardstock and a smaller white oval for the center. I stamped the sentiment "hoping today is as wonderful as you are" in purple ink on the white oval. This sentiment is from the Kind Hearts clear stamp set. I adhered some of the leftover flowers into this white oval frame. I found that more than three flowers was too much, so I limited it to just the three.   Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day! XO, CrystalYou might also enjoy:
Hello readers and happy Monday! Welcome back from the weekend! Today I am on the Birch Press Design blog today sharing a cheerful rainbow themed card made using just layer plate B of the Floral Star Layering dies.  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 the same white cardstock and ran it through my Big Shot using the Memory Box Blooming 3D embossing folder. This is one of my favorite embossing folders as the detail is impeccable and the result is always gorgeous.  I cut 5 1/2" x 1/4" strips of cardstock in a rainbow array of colors. I adhered the strips of cardstock down the center of the card. I die cut Layer B of the Floral Star Layering dies from white cardstock. I then fussy cut small pieces of the colored cardstock and adhered it behind sections of the flora star to continue the rainbow theme. I adhered the floral star to the center of the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  Lastly, using the Lingo Thanks stamp set, I stamped the "you mean the world to me" sentiment in Versamark ink on black cardstock. I heat embossed the words with white embossing powder. I adhered this thin sentiment strip across the center of the card. I love creating rainbow themed cards, I just find them so colorful and uplifting. Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day! XO, 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. |
