Crystal Komara
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Whimsy Stamps April Release

4/1/2020

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Hello readers and happy Wednesday!  Today is a new release day of fabulous products from Whimsy Stamps and I am dying laughing waiting to share with you the socially appropriate card I made using the new "Cow Friends" stamp set!  Though, I'm not entirely sure if I should laugh or cry. . . 
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Card details: 

*A full supply list is located at the end of this post. 

This slimline card measures 8 1/2" x 3 1/2" long and will fit into a regular #10 business sized mailing envelope.  The card base was made from Basic Black cardstock.  The first layered mat was made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock cut to 8 1/4" x 3 1/4".  Using the Whimsy Stamps Slimline Postage Stamp Die, I cut the frame from Basic Black cardstock.  I lined the back of each postage frame with paper from the Starry Hearts paper pack from Whimsy Stamps.  I stamped the cows in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock and colored them with Copic markers.  I used my Scan and Cut 2 to electronically cut the images after they were colored.  I adhered the cut images to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added height.  On small strips of Neenah Solar White Smooth I stamped the first sentiment "We bull-ong together" in Memento Tuxedo black ink, notched both ends and adhered it to the left side of the card.  I opened up a Microsoft Word document and created the sentiment "but 6 feet apartment for now" on the computer and printed it out on Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock.  Again, I notched both ends and adhered it to the card.  
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I hope you have enjoyed today's card and the creativity and humor behind it.
Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal 

List of supplies: 

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Hero Arts - Hero Hues - Premium Cardstock - 8.5 x 11 - Pitch Black - 10 Pack

Scrapbook.com - Cards - Neenah Solar White A2 - Vertical Scored - 25 Pack

Tsukineko - Memento - Fade Resistant Dye Ink Pad - Tuxedo Black

Tombow - Mono Adhesive Dots Roller - Permanent - Refillable

X-Press It - High Tack - Double Sided Foam Mounting Tape Roll - .25 Inch x 2.2 yards
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The (Creative) Struggle Bus

9/17/2019

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Over the weekend I had a front row seat on the creative struggle bus.  I threw three cards in the trash (only to later fish out yesterday's after much thought).  I jabbed my index finger with the paper piercer.  I flipped over an ink pad that ruined the scalloped corner of a finished card that I actually liked!  And, this wasn't my first ride on the struggle bus.  Oh no. . . I'm perfectly imperfect, just like you.  So, hop on and share the ride with me. 
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 I've narrowly avoided impaling my big toe with scissors.  You should have seen the wonky Irish jig I did to avoid that one.  I've had Smurf blue inky manicures free of cost.  I've got random ink stains on more than one white sock from every ink pad I've ever dropped.  I've spilled chai tea, Bigelow hot lemon tea and even Long Island iced tea on my craft desk.  Hey, don't judge.  I've had faded cardstock, warped cardstock and my cat even peed on the cardstock I left lying on the floor once.  We had a long talk after that one.  I've accidentally thrown away teeny-tiny thin steel dies and garbage dived for them.  On more than one occasion.  Sometimes I score, sometimes I wince at whatever squishy gelatinous goo I've manhandled.  I've bought the same stamp set twice only because I couldn't decide if I really liked it the first time, sold it, and then decided I wanted it again.  Hi, I'm looking at you stupid Daisy Delight.  

I've dropped $18 punches on a cement floor and broken their mechanical hearts, and with each one a little bit of mine too.  I've ripped a brand new photopolymer stamp in half when pulling it off the acetate sheet.  Not proud to admit that I decapitated that poor raccoon.  I've spent WAY too much money indulging in my hobby, but rationalize it by saying "well, at least it's better than crack!"  Still not sure which would have been more expensive. . .

I've purchased embarrassingly ridiculous expensive "rare" stamp sets on Ebay, that I tired of too quickly and tossed them into a donate bin.  My mother's cloying "that's money down the drain" voice still haunts me in my sleep.  I'm in the possession of over 37 stamps sets in my craft room that have NEVER been used.  P.S - if there were that many Oreo cookies lingering in the house, they'd be hoovered.  I've got dust bunnies on stamp shelves and, as annoying as it is, I have three stamp sets that are missing one itty-bitty stamp from each.  I'm not holding onto much hope that they will ever be reunited.

Oh yes, all the things you've done, I've done them too.  Gasp!  I've colored outside the lines.  I've burnt my finger(s) on the embossing heat gun.  I've dumped entire Tupperware containers of embossing powder into plush carpeting.  #Nightmare.  I wear Ultrafine Prisma Glitter E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E I go.  It's an artist's signature look.  I've lost the caps to every glue tube known to man.  And oh, the beautiful COMPLETED cards I've ruined by inky wet thumbprints and my hand-stamped signature UPSIDE DOWN on the back.  %$#@&*%$!

I have made cards that I've loved and I've made cards that I've hated.  I'm even still undecided about a few of them.  Some days I've even threatened to never make another card again. 
Is this even a threat if it's directed at no one?!  Who am I scaring, really?

Please friends, while today's post is my attempt at humor, know that the creative struggle is real and I ride the same bus as you some days.  I just don't share it openly.  But, in a good faith effort at transparency, I recognize that many of you see "perfection."  You see a vibrant and inspiring website and pretty social media pages, but behind the intentionally curated facade is a girl who has organized and re-organized her craft room at 6 AM more times than I can count.  I am human just like you.  I have struggled with layout, technique, color, inspiration and the root of all evil - comparison. 

So, just remember on the days when every card you make seems to be crap and you have a Hansel and Gretel trail of pop dot backs around your house that it's just a bad day.  Not a bad life. 
Take a deep breath and start creating again tomorrow. 

XO, Crystal

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    Hi, I'm Crystal!

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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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