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

Such a Blessing

11/14/2022

0 Comments

 
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.
​
​First, let's begin by taking a look at this month's mood board:
Picture
Picture

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. 
Picture
​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. 
Picture
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.​

Follow Us
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!
0 Comments

Hey Pumpkin

10/20/2022

1 Comment

 
Hello friends and happy (almost) Halloween! EEEEEKKKKKkkkk!   It is my absolute favorite season of the year to make cards for!  I love all the ghosts, zombies, pumpkins, bats, cats and witches!  Today I am sharing a not-so-scary card using the Hey Pumpkin stamp set from Joy Clair Designs and some non-traditional pumpkin colors.  Black and purple pumpkins?  Why not? It's one way to up the spook factor.    
Picture

Card details:

​The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  Using a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of white cardstock, I ran it through my big shot with a diagonal lined/striped background frame die.  I then flipped the frame die over and filled in the gaps with strips of orange, black and purple cardstock.  I printed out the large pumpkin image from the Hey Pumpkin stamp set. I colored the image in with orange, purple and green Copic markers.  I fussy cut the image and then adhered it to the card using Scotch 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  I cut the words "hey pumpkin" out in thin strips and adhered them to the card also using 3M foam adhesive.  Lastly, I added a coat of clear Wink of Stella to the image for added sparkle.  
Picture
Picture
Picture
There are still 11 days left until Halloween!  You have time to brew up some scary creations!  Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!
​

XO, Crystal 

1 Comment

Honey Butterfly

10/13/2022

0 Comments

 
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!
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 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.  
Picture
Picture
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.


Follow Us
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 

0 Comments

Supersized Sunflower

10/6/2022

1 Comment

 
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.
Picture

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!
Picture
Picture
Picture
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
​

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!
​

You might also enjoy:

Picture
Picture
Picture
1 Comment

Time for Tea

9/20/2022

1 Comment

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

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. 
Picture
Picture
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 

1 Comment

Fall Classic Wreath

9/19/2022

0 Comments

 
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.  ​
Picture
​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. 
Picture
Picture

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.

Picture
Picture
Picture
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 

You might also enjoy:

Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Hey Pumpkin Mood Board

9/13/2022

0 Comments

 
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:
Picture
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:
Picture

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

XO, Crystal 

You might also enjoy:

Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Autumn Breeze Twist

9/7/2022

1 Comment

 
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.  
Picture
​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.   
Picture
​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. 
Picture
​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.  
Picture
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 

1 Comment

Pumpkins in Every Color

10/15/2021

0 Comments

 
Hello crafty readers! Today I am on the Birch Press Design blog sharing a couple cards made using the beautiful Pumpkin Lacework stamp set and coordinating dies. This is probably my favorite stamp set from Birch Press Design, so just like the old expression "if the shoe fits, buy it in every color", I decided to stamp it in every color! Now the question is, do YOU prefer the more traditional orange/brown pumpkin, or do you like the blues and purples?
Picture
So, let's take a look at the most conventional card first. It's beautiful and elegant heat embossed with gold embossing powder and then colored using Copic markers in brown, oranges and yellows. It is very traditional, warm and earthy. ​
Picture
Picture
​But, now let's step outside-of-the-box and try the same exact card simply using a different color pattern. Does it still emit fall vibes? I think so!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Each of these A2 cards were made using all the same dimensions and products, I simply alternated some colors. The base of each card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I matted a 5" x 3 3/" piece of white woodgrain cardstock with a coordinating piece of blue, purple or brown cardstock from the Ocean Blue, Vibrant Violet and Earth Neutral 6 x 6" paper packs. I cut 5" x 1/4" strips of ombre colors from these same paper packs and diagonally lined them up along the card alternating with 1/4" strips of gold glitter cardstock from the Twinkling Jewel Glitter 6 x 6" pad. ​
Picture
I stamped the pumpkins and stems using the Pumpkin Lacework stamp set. I stamped the image in Versamark ink on white cardstock and heat embossed it with gold embossing powder. I used the coordinating dies to cut the pumpkin and stem out. I colored the pumpkins with Copic markers and then adhered the colored pumpkins to the card with 3M foam adhesive. I stamped the tag in coordinating colored cardstock in Versamark ink and heat embossed it with white embossing powder. I adhered the tag to each pumpkin and added linen thread for extra dimension. Lastly, I cut the sentiment "thanks" and "hello" from white cardstock using the Thanks Sugar Script and Hello Sugar Script. ​
Picture
I hope you have enjoyed seeing these cards in a variety of colors and that you'll feel encouraged to try adding more color to your fall cards. Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!
​

XO, Crystal 

0 Comments

October 2021 Mood Board

10/4/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Hello crafty readers and happy 1st of October!  The Design Team at Joy Clair Designs is excited to share the October 2021 mood board designed to help inspire YOU to create.  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!
This month’s mood board is inspired by the colors and images of Halloween. But you are welcome to create for any season, holiday or occasion, as long as your project incorporates these colors.  We’d love to see you use Joy Clair Designs stamp set too, if you have them.  If you don’t have any, you can start shopping NOW!


Here is a card that I created using this month's mood board colors combined with the boots stamp from the Extraordinary digital stamp set:
Picture

Card details: 

The base of this A2 sized card was made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  First, I cut the first matted layer from the same white cardstock using a scalloped rectangle frame.  Then, I cut a 4 1/4″ x 3 1/4″ piece of black cardstock. Additionally, I adhered a 4 1/8″ x 3 1/8″ piece of white cardstock directly on the top of the black cardstock. ​
Picture
I printed out the boots from the Extraordinary digital stamp set on white cardstock.  I increased the size to 75%.  Then, I colored the boots using Copic markers in G03, Y13, Y17, YR09, YR68, YR02, C4, C7 and YG41.  Additionally, I fussy cut around the boots and adhered the boots to the card using 3M foam adhesive.  
​

I wanted this card to look more fall themed, so I stamped some of the leaves from the Love Endures stamp set in Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored them using the same Copic markers.  Also, I fussy cut the leaves and adhered them to the card.  Then, I printed the sentiment from the Extraordinary digital stamp set on white cardstock and adhered it to the card.  Lastly, I added a coat of Clear Wink of Stella to the entire image for added sparkle.  
Picture
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 my website, Instagram, Facebook and on my YouTube channel.
​

XO, Crystal 

0 Comments
<<Previous

    Hi, I'm Crystal!

    Picture
    Click the photo to learn more about me!

    Archives:

    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 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
    Monogram
    Monthly-kits
    Mood Board
    Mother's Day
    Music
    My Favorite Things
    Nature
    Neat & Tangled
    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