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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!  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.  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.  You can really see in the below photo how that black heat embossed background shines in the light:  Here is the Rich Love stamp set by 88 and Clear that I used to create today's card:  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, CrystalYou might also enjoy:
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Hello crafty readers! Today I am on the Birch Press Design blog sharing two elegant cards created by mixing products from sister companies Birch Press Design and Memory Box. As Design Team members for Birch Press Design, we are fortunate to receive some products from both companies and today I'm showing you how beautifully they compliment each together. Do YOU mix products when you create? I love to mix stamp sets, papers and dies because it allows for an infinite amount of ideas and is a great way to use more of what you own.   Card details:The base of this A2 sized card was made using 80 lb. Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock. I die cut the first layer from white cardstock using Layer Plate A of the Viola Layering Plate dies. I adhered this intricate layer directly to the card base. Using the All the Happiness stamp set from Memory Box, I stamped the flowers in Versamark ink on black cardstock and heat embossed the image with gold embossing powder. I die cut the flowers using the coordinating All the Happiness dies and adhered it to the lower right side of the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension. I stamped the sentiment in Memento Tuxedo black ink on white cardstock and fussy cut the sentiment. I adhered the sentiment to the top left of the flowers.  Here is the second card that I made using the same products, but a slightly different color combination:  Card details:The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock. I cut a 5 1/2" x 4 1/2" piece of black cardstock and adhered it directly to the card base. Using Layer Plate A of the Viola Layering Plates, I die cut this layer from white cardstock. I adhered this intricate layer directly over the black cardstock. Using the All the Happiness stamp set, I stamped the flowers in Versamark ink on gold foil paper. I heat embossed the image with black embossing powder and used the coordinating All the Happiness dies to die cut the flowers out. I adhered the flowers to the lower right side of the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension. I stamped the sentiment in Memento Tuxedo black ink on white cardstock and fussy cut the sentiment. I adhered the sentiment to the top left of the flowers.   I hope you have enjoyed today's elegant black and white cards and that you can see the magic you can create when you combine products. Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day! XO, CrystalYou might also enjoy:
Hello readers and happy Monday! I hope you all had a nice weekend. I am excited to begin sharing some Valentine's Day cards with you over the next two weeks. Today's card uses the You Are Loved dies and the Beautiful Flowers stamp set both from Simon Says Stamp.  Card details:*Both of these cards were made using the same products, I simply used alternating colors. The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. Using either petal pink ink (on pink cardstock) or real red ink (on red cardstock), I stamped the background of each with the Roses All Over stamp set by My Favorite Things. On real red or petal pink cardstock, I stamped the large bouquet of roses from the Beautiful Flowers stamp set in Versamark ink. (I stamped this image twice because I needed two sets for each card.) I heat embossed the large roses in white embossing powder and used the coordinating die to cut the flowers out. I adhered one of the die cuts to the top left corner and one to the lower right corner of each card cutting the edges to fit the 5 1/4" x 4" panel.  I die cut the outer shadow portion of the "You are Loved" die on white cardstock and the thinner script portion was die cut from gold glitter cardstock. I adhered both layers together using a Lawn Fawn glue tube. I then adhered the entire sentiment to the center of the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.    I hope today's feature will inspire you to begin creating (and ultimately sending) your Valentine's Day cards. Thank you for visiting, stay warm, and happy crafting! XO, CrystalToday I am continuing on with the #manuarycards and sharing a simple, but elegant golf themed masculine card. For this card, I used the Golf stamp set by The Frantic Stamper. Last week I shared these birthday cards also featuring a black, gold and white color palette, which I have found works well for a wide variety of masculine cards.  Card details:The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smoothcardstock. I cut a 5" x 3 3/4" piece of black cardstock and a 5" x 3 3/4" piece of brushed gold patterned cardstock. I layered and staggered the black and gold cardstock to the font of the card. On thin strips of black cardstock, I stamped the sentiment in Versamark ink and heat embossed it with white embossing powder. I also stamped the golf clubs in Versamark ink on black cardstock and heat embossed it with white embossing powder. I adhered both the golf club and sentiment strips to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  I hope you have enjoyed today's card. Thank you for visiting! XO, CrystalHello! Hello! Happy New Year friends and welcome back! I'm excited to be returning to a regular blogging schedule after taking some much needed time off for the holiday season. Today I'm kicking things off with a slimline New Year's themed card using the Cheers stamp set (retired) from 88 and Clear.  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 envelope and require no additional postage. The base of this slimline card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Crest smoothcardstock. Using the Slimline Frames and Portholes die from Newton's Nook, I die cut the background from black cardstock. I stamped the champagne bottle, wine glasses, top hat and party hat in Versamark ink on white cardstock. I heat embossed all the images with gold embossing powder and then fussy cut each image (there is no coordinating die). I die cut the large numbers (retired Stampin' UP!) from gold glitter cardstock. I adhered all the images to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension. Lastly on a thin white strip of cardstock, I stamped the sentiment "make it amazing" in Memento Tuxedo black ink. I notched the left end before adhering the sentiment strip to the upper righthand corner of the card.    May this new year bring you blessings in abundance of love, joy, health, peace and prosperity! XO, CrystalHappy Black Friday, friends! Christmas season is officially here! Today I am sharing two very traditional wreath cards using the Season's Greetings stamp set and coordinating dies by Pinkfresh Studio. Lately, I have been drawn to more classic and elegant stamps and Pinkfresh Studio had many beautiful designs that caught my eye upon a recent purchase.   Card details:*A full supply list is located at the end of this post. *Please note both cards were made using the same cutting measurements and instructions, I simply alternated between red, green and blue color combinations. The base of each A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah White Solar Smooth cardstock. I cut a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of plaid paper and adhered it directly to the card base. I cut a white scalloped frame and adhered it to the center of the card. On a separate piece of white cardstock, I heat embossed the wreath with gold embossing powder. I colored the wreath using Copic markers and die cut the wreath.  I adhered the wreath to the center of the scalloped frame using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension. I stamped the sentiment in the center of the wreath in Versamark ink and heat embossed the sentiment with gold embossing powder. On a scrap piece of blue cardstock, I heat embossed the bow with gold embossing powder and used the coordinating die to die cut the bow. I adhered the bow to the bottom of the wreath using a Tombow dot runner.    Typically I would say that I like the blue wreath more (because blue is my favorite color). But, this time, I'm leaning more toward the red and green wreath! Do you favor one design/color combination more than the other? Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day! XO, CrystalList of supplies:
Hello friends, I can't believe I'm about to say the word Christmas. In September. . . . I know, I know, I hear ya, it's still kind of early (and by kind of, I mean A LOT)! But, if you hand stamp or design all of your Christmas cards, then chances are you should probably be thinking about starting now! I send approximately 100 cards every Christmas, so after today's three cards, I've only got 97 more to go!! : ) Today I am sharing this trio of cards on the Birch Press Design blog. These cards use the new Christmas Ornaments and Labels stamp set and coordinating dies.  Today's trio of cards uses the brand new Christmas Ornament and Labels stamp set and coordinating dies. For these cards, I chose a traditional Christmas color palette in red, green, kraft and gold. The base of each of these A2 sized cards is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Crest cardstock. On a 5 1/4" x 4" sheet of green, red or kraft cardstock, I stamped the large background stamp in Versamark ink and then heat embossed the background with white embossing powder. I then stamped the image again on an alternating colors of cardstock. I stamped the ornament in Versamark ink and heat embossed it with gold embossing powder. I used the coordinating ornament die to cut the ornament. I adhered the ornament to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  I die cut the top of each ornament from gold glitter cardstock. I die cut some of the leaves using green, gold or red cardstock. I tucked the leaves under the ornament topper. I stamped the various sentiments in red, kraft and green ink on Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock and used the coordinating label die to cut each sentiment out. I adhered the sentiment banner to the center of each ornament.     I'm looking forward to replicating these cards using non-traditional colors too. Blues, mint green and silver is another holiday favorite combination of mine. Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day! XO, CrystalPlease don't be all confused by the title of today's post. . .Yes, I am very aware that it is the middle of July, which qualifies it as summer, and thus, the title should be "summer mail." But, the name of this stamp set from Richard Garay Designs is called "Spring Mail." And, in my traditional habit of always being behind, today we get spring mail, in the form of a peony filled envelope, in the summer!  Card details:*A full list of supplies is located at the end of this post. The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I matted a random scrap piece of black and gold foil paper with Melon Mambo cardstock and adhered both to the center of the card. I stamped the Spring Mail image in Versamark ink onto a piece of watercolor paper and heat embossed it with gold embossing powder. I colored the image using Zig Watercolor Brush pens. Once the image dried, I fussy cut the image and adhered it to the center of the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension. I punched out a few extra leaves with a leaf punch and gold glitter paper. I stamped the sentiment "Hello Lovely" in Versamark ink and heat embossed it also in gold embossing powder. I fussy cut the sentiment and adhered it below the envelope and to the right of the card. Lastly, I added a few pink rhinestones for extra sparkle.    Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day! XO, CrystalList of supplies:
Hello readers! Today I am sharing a simple way to create elegant backgrounds for your cards. It's nothing new or earth shattering, but may be something you have never considered before. These cards were created using a tone-on-tone, or as in these examples, black-on-black heat embossing. Simply heat embossing an image with black embossing powder onto black cardstock. It is simple, subtle and stunning.
I used the brand new RG Avenue digital stamp set called "Strong Courage" to create these cards. There is also a full supply list with clickable links at the end of this post.
Here is the step-by-step tutorial video I created showing how both of these cards were made:
If you haven't already, I hope you will try the black-on-black heat embossing. I think you will find it adds a very elegant look to your cards.
Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day! XO, CrystalList of supplies:Hello friends! Today I am over on the Birch Press Design blog sharing these two cards using the Thankful Mandala stamp set. I chose to work with this stamp set because it was something very different for me, and I'm so happy that I decided to challenge myself because I love how these cards came out! The very first thing I did after receiving this stamp was to actually cut it down! Yes, this was equally as scary as it sounds! I knew this could go wonderfully right, or horribly wrong really quick and that I was taking a chance at potentially ruining a $25 stamp set! But, I didn't particularly like the large square shape of the mandala, so I trimmed off the outermost layer to give more of a peacock edge shape. I regret that I did not take a picture of this process so you could see exactly what I mean. Fortunately, it worked out just fine! Phew!   Card details:The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I stamped the large mandala in Versamark ink on black cardstock and then heat embossed it with gold embossing powder. I cut the mandala in half in order to separate it on the card. I adhered each half to the top and bottom of the card base. I die cut the larger outline word "thanks" from gold foil paper and the smaller word outline from black cardstock. I mounted the two together using a Tombow tape runner and adhered both to the center of the card using foam adhesive. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment "for all you do" in the middle of the card in Memento Tuxedo black ink.    Card details:For the second card, my card base is a sheet of turquoise cardstock. I stamped the mandala in Versamark ink on another sheet of turqoise cardstock and heat embossed it with white embossing powder. I trimmed the image down to 5" x 3 3/4" and mounted this stamped mandala onto a scalloped sheet of white cardstock. I adhered both sheets to the card base. I die cut the word "hugs" from both gold foil paper and white cardstock, layering the two together using a Tombow tape runner. I stamped the words "it's your birthday" in Versamark ink on a thin strip of turquoise cardstock and heat embossed it with white embossing powder. I notched both ends before adhering it to the card below the word "hugs" using 3M foam adhesive.   Thanks for visiting and I hope today's post will encourage YOU to try using a stamp set that might be a bit out of your comfort zone! You just might find that the end results were worth it. XO, CrystalList of supplies:
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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. |
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