Crystal Komara
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Such a Blessing

11/14/2022

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November is a great month to celebrate all the things we are thankful for.  Today I am on the Joy Clair Designs blog sharing a slimline card she created featuring the new digital stamp set "Such A Blessing.  The "Such a Blessing" stamp set is from the latest digital stamp release, Gather Together.  Continue reading to learn how I made this card inspired by this month's mood board.
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​First, let's begin by taking a look at this month's mood board:
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Card details: 

To start with, this slimline card measures 8 1/2" x 3 1/2".  Slimline cards are designed to fit inside a regular #10 business sized envelope and require no additional postage.  The base of my slimline card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. This is my go-to cardstock for everything.  It can be used for card bases, die cutting, Copic Coloring, ink blending, heat embossing and so much more!
Next, I used a slimline die to create the stitched frame on white cardstock. Then, I layered this white stitched frame onto a piece of blackberry bliss cardstock and cut it to size to give the white frame a purple border.  I also selected the "you are such a blessing" sentiment and placed it just above the line of pumpkins.  After that, I set to work creating the digital image. 
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​To create the long row of pumpkins, I printed out the digital pumpkin image from the "Such a Blessing" stamp set and repeated the image multiple times and in different sizes.  Next, I colored the image using a variety of Copic markers in yellow, orange, peach, pink, raspberry and brown. Then I adhered both layers of the card together with 3M foam adhesive. 
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Thanks for visiting and letting me share my slimline card. Have a wonderfully creative day!  Additionally, for more inspiration, you can follow me on my Instagram, Facebook and on my YouTube channel.​

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Also, 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!
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Honey Butterfly

10/13/2022

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Hello crafty friends!  I know you don't know me from Adam, but today I am sharing a card that is quite outside of my comfort zone.  It's my first attempt at sort of a mixed media type look.  Even though looking back, I didn't fully embrace the "grunge" and I could have done some distress work, I'm happy with the end result and I think it's a good start to build from!
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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 Yupo paper, I ink blended some Ranger Adirondack alcohol ink in lemonade.  I set this piece aside to let it dry.  On a separate sheet of white cardstock I printed out the beautiful geometric butterfly image from the You Fill My Day digital stamp set.  I printed this image large at about 40%.  I colored the butterfly with yellow, orange and gold Copic markers.  I found a scrap piece of gold foil honeycomb vellum and I adhered that directly to the dried alcohol ink Yupo background.  I fussy cut the butterfly and then I adhered the butterfly to the card with Scotch 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  I sliced off about 1/3 of the left side of the butterfly.  I printed the sentiment out on a thin strip of white cardstock, notching the right end at an angle.  Lastly, I added a coat of clear Wink of Stella to the butterfly for added sparkle.  
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I hope you have enjoyed this card.  I love using alcohol inks to create unique and bold background on my cards.  Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!  For more inspiration, you can follow me on my website, 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!
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XO, Crystal 

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Supersized Sunflower

10/6/2022

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Hello friends and crafty readers!  One of my absolute favorite new images from the Summerlicious release at Joy Clair Designs is the beautiful sunflower from the You Fill My Day digital stamp set.   Flowers remain one of my favorite images to create cards with and I love this geometric sunflower.  Recently I created this rainbow themed card with the same exact digital stamp.  Rainbows always make me happy!  Today I am sharing another (similar) way to use this supersized sunflower with a fall color palette.
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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 white cardstock and ran in through my Big Shot using a stitched leaf pattern background die plate.  I adhered this as my first background layer.  I printed out the giant sunflower at about 50% size and then colored it using Copic markers in a variety of yellow, gold and orange hues.  I fussy cut the sunflower and adhered it to the right side of the card, actually chopping about 1/3 of the right side off the edge.  I used Scotch 3M foam adhesive to adhere the sunflower to give it added dimension.  I printed the sentiment "you fill my day with happiness" on a thin strip of white cardstock and adhered it over the sunflower.  I added a couple clear rhinestones for added texture.  Lastly, I added a coat of clear Wink of Stella to the sunflower for added sparkle.  *My general rule of thumb is ALWAYS add sparkle!
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I hope you have enjoyed this card.  Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!  For more inspiration, you can follow me on my website, Instagram, Facebook and on my YouTube channel.
XO, Crystal
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Follow UsBe 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!
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1 Comment

Time for Tea

9/20/2022

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

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Hey Pumpkin Mood Board

9/13/2022

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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:
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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!
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Here is the card I created that was inspired by both the colors of the mood board and the fall scenes:
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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.
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I hope you have enjoyed today's card.  Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!
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XO, Crystal 

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0 Comments

Hello There

9/6/2022

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

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Just (Rainbow) Butterflies

8/6/2022

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Hello friends!  This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing a slimline card featuring the beautiful Just Butterflies digital stamp set.  I love to create cards using flowers and butterflies, they are probably among my favorite.  I also enjoy creating slimline cards.  Have you jumped on the slimline card trend yet?  They're easy to make (though consume a little more paper) but if you size yours to 8 1/2" x 3 1/2" it will fit inside a regular #10 business envelope and require no additional postage!  Plus, it gives you more space to create on!  Today's card features the Just Butterflies digital stamp set from Joy Clair Designs.  
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Card details:

​The base of this slimline card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  Using a slimline die with three circular holes, I created the base frame.  Behind the three circles I adhered some multi-colored plaid designer paper.  I printed the Just Butterflies digital stamp set onto Neenah White cardstock and colored the images with Copic markers.  I kept the coloring very simple and only used two colors for each butterfly. I fussy cut each butterfly and adhered it to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  I printed the sentiment "wishing you a colorful day" from the Pencil Me digital stamp set.  Lastly, I added a coat of clear Wink of Stella to the butterflies for added sparkle and tiny dot of white gel pen for more dimension.
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Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!  For more inspiration, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook and on my YouTube channel.

XO, Crystal

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!
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My Succulents

7/20/2022

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Hello friends and happy summet!  I hope you are enjoying some extra sunshine, ice cream (or margaritas - no judgement here) and maybe a little vacation time!  Today I am on the Joy Clair Designs blog sharing a card that I created using the My Succulents digital stamp set.  To be honest, I did not inherit my mother's green thumb and I don't even attempt to keep cacti alive, so paper succulents are perfect for me! : )
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Card details: 

​The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock.  I cut a piece 4 1/4" x 3" piece of earth colored patterned paper and adhere it to the bottom of the card front.  I cut a 4 1/4" x 3" piece of white cardstock and ran it through my Big Shot with a scalloped oval die to give it that rounded edge.  I stamped the sentiment "Grateful for You" in Memento Tuxedo black ink on the lower portion of the white cardstock.  This sentiment is from the Fall Greetings stamp set.  I printed out a variety of the succulents from the My Succulents digital stamp set onto 80 lb. Neenah Solar White cardstock.  I colored the images with Copic markers and then fussy cut the images out.  I adhered the images to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  Lastly, I added a coat of clear Wink of Stella to the images for added sparkle.
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Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!  For more inspiration, you can follow me on my website, Instagram, Facebook and on my YouTube channel.



Follow UsBe 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!
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Just Butterflies

7/13/2022

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Hello friends and happy H-O-T summer!  Well, at least it is getting that way here in New England!  There is no better time to be in my air-conditioned basement craft room than come mid-July.   Today I am on the Joy Clair Designs blog sharing a simple butterfly card featuring the Just Butterflies digital stamp set.  Flower themed cards are one of my all-time favorites to make, but butterflies come in at a very close second.
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Card details: 

​The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  I cut a 4" x 3" piece of black and white gingham printed paper and cut it at an angle to adhere to the base of the card.  I also put a thin strip of peach cardstock behind the gingham for more contrast.  I printed out the "thank you" sentiment from the Just Butterflies digital stamp set and notched both ends before adhering it using 3M foam adhesive on a diagonal slant.  I printed out two of the butterflies from the Just Butterflies digital stamp set to 2 1/2" each.  I colored the butterflies using Copic markers.  I fussy cut the images out and then adhered them to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  Lastly, I added a coat of clear Wink of Stella to the butterflies for added sparkle.
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Happy summer everyone!  I hope you find equal time to craft and relax!
Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!  For more inspiration, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook and on my YouTube channel.

XO, Crystal 

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Rainbow Thank You

6/20/2022

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Hello friends!  Today I am on the Joy Clair Designs blog sharing this rainbow of floral happiness!  What is it about rainbow colors that always just seem so vibrant and cheerful!?  I mean, how can you not look at this card and smile?
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​I have used the beautiful Spring Bouquet Slimline digital stamp set to create this card.  I also pulled an alcohol ink background from my "stash."  There is a lot going on with bold colors in this card, so I mimicked the color of the flower to coordinate with the background color for a more cohesive effect.  
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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 Yupo paper, I "blew" Ranger Adirondack alcohol ink in the colors Raspberry, Valencia, Lemonade, Lime and Amethyst.  While this alcohol ink background was drying, I printed out the flowers from the Spring Bouquet Slimline digital stamp set onto the Neenah white cardstock.  I colored the flowers in rainbow colors using Copic markers.  I trimmed the edges of the slimline digital stamp so it would fit an A2 sized card.  I adhered the flowers directly to the center of the card (once the alcohol ink dried) and then added the sentiment strip.  I printed the "thank you" onto Neenah White cardstock and also colored the sentiment in rainbow colors.  I adhered the sentiment to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  Lastly, I added a coat of clear Wink of Stella to the flowers for even more sparkle!
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I just LOOOOOOve how this card came out!  I hope that it adds a little brightness and color to your day too!
Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!  For more inspiration, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook and on my YouTube channel.
​
XO, Crystal

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!
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    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. 
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