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

Just (Rainbow) Butterflies

8/6/2022

0 Comments

 
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.  
Picture

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.
Picture
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!
0 Comments

A Simple Slimline

7/6/2022

0 Comments

 
Hello crafty readers!  Today I am on the Joy Clair Designs blog sharing a simple way to use your digital stamps.  Admittedly, I am not the best colorer (in my own opinion anyway) and also there are just some days when I simply don't feel like coloring.  So, I wanted to test my creativity and see if it was possible to use a digital stamp (with very minimal coloring), yet still create a beautiful card. . .  
Picture
​I'm quite pleased with how this slimline card turned out!  I used the Spring Bouquet slimline stamp set and I only colored the center of the flower and the leaves with a Y04 Copic marker.  One marker! No shading required!   Super simple!  Most of the color comes from the yellow gingham printed background paper. 
Picture

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 my cardstock was made with 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  I used a slimline three-framed die to cut the background.  I lined the back of the frame with a yellow gingham printed paper.  I printed the flowers from the Spring Bouquet slimline digital stamp set.  I fussy cut the slimline flower and adhered it to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  I printed the sentiment and adhered it to the card also using 3M foam adhesive.  That's it!  Easy peasy!
Picture
Picture
So, yes!  I do think is possible to create a simple card with little coloring required for a digital stamp!  Give it a try and see for yourself!

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
​
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

Rainbow Thank You

6/20/2022

0 Comments

 
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?
Picture
​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.  
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 "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!
Picture
Picture
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!
0 Comments

Butterfly Basics

5/18/2022

0 Comments

 
Hello readers! Today I am on the Birch Press Design blog sharing a slimline card made using the Butterfly Basics die set. I have owned this beautiful die set for a while and for as much as I love butterflies, I can't believe I hadn't used it yet! So, while there is a whole new gorgeous release of products (to include foils!) from Birch Press Design, today I'm going back to the (butterfly) basics. 
Picture

Card details: 

The base of this slimline card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock. This slimline card measures 8 1/2' x 3 1/2' and will fit inside a regular #10 business sized envelope and, as such, requires no additional postage. I used a slimline die to create the first matted background.  ​Using the Butterfly Basics die, I cut the large open base frame from solid cardstock. I used four primary colors (pink, blue, yellow and green). I used the following pads of cardstock: Lush Green, Berry Red, Sunny Orange, Fresh Aqua.  I die cut the middle portion of the butterfly from glitter cardstock. I used the Glitzy Glitter 6 x 6" pad. ​
Picture
​I adhered the butterfly basic together with LineCo ph neutral bookbinding glue. This is my favorite liquid adhesive and it works well when holding glitter cardstock to other paper. I die cut the butterfly bodies from black cardstock. After adhering all the individual butterflies together, I adhered them to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension. 
Picture
Picture
​I really like the bold and bright colors of these butterflies. Due to their slightly larger dimension size, I felt like putting them on a slimline card would showcase more colors. I hope you like today's fun card! Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!
​

XO, Crystal 

0 Comments

Rainbow Star Flowers

4/18/2022

0 Comments

 
​Hello crafty readers! Thanks for taking the time to be here as the Design Team shares inspiration ideas, tips and tricks for creating beautiful cards using Birch Press Design products. This is Crystal Komara here with you today sharing an amazingly detailed slimline rainbow card using the Star Flowers, part of the all-NEW Contour Layering dies. Last week I shared another rainbow themed card using the Wispy Blooms Contour Layering dies, so if you missed that post, please click here to be WOW'd!
Picture

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. I always use 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock for my bases. Then I used the Star Flower Contour dies and cut it in every color cardstock. I cut the flowers in two shades of red, orange, yellow, green blue and purple. I adhered the two layers of flowers together and added the round center piece to each flower. 
Picture
Picture
​I adhered the star flowers in a ROYGBIV pattern up the length of the card. I also die cut a couple green stems from the Fuddled Leaf Branches Contour Layering Dies and green cardstock. I stamped the sentiment "hello" using the Contempo Greetings stamp set. I stamped the sentiment in Versamark ink on black cardstock. I heat embossed the sentiment with white embossing powder and then I used the coordinating Contempo Greetings die to cut the sentiment out. I adhered the sentiment to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  
Picture
​Wow! Yes, that was a LOT of die cutting and piecing together flowers but the end result was totally worth it. This card came out beautiful, if I do say so myself! Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!
​

XO, Crystal 

0 Comments

Let's Party

2/7/2022

0 Comments

 
​Let's paarrrrtayyyyyyy, Birch Press Design friends! Today's I am on the Birch Press Design blog with this slimline card that is a rainbow of fun! This colorful card features the new Let's Party Sugar Script dies and the Floral Balloon Layer Set.
Picture

Card details: 

​This slimline card measures 8 1/2" x 3 1/2". Slimline cards are designed to fit inside a regular business envelope and require no additional postage. The base of this card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I also cut a 8 1/4" x 3 1/4" piece of the same white cardstock for the first matted layer.  

To create the balloons:
​
From white cardstock, I die cut 5 balloons using Layer Plate B of the Floral Balloons Layer Set. Then I die cut one each of Layer A in red, orange, yellow, green and blue cardstock. I layered the two together and adhered them vertically down the card in a ROYGBIV rainbow pattern.  
Picture
​To create all the "party" sentiments, I die cut the thicker shadow layer of "party" in red, orange, yellow, green and blue cardstock. I die cut the thinner top layer from rainbow patterned paper and adhered the two layers together with a fine-tip glue. I adhered the words vertically down the card (over the balloons) using 3M foam adhesive. Lastly, I added the word "let's" created from layering black and white cardstock together and adhered this sentiment to the bottom third of the card.
Picture
Picture
​I hope you are enjoying may of the many F-U-N new products from Birch Press Design! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!
​

XO, Crystal 

0 Comments

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

12/13/2021

0 Comments

 
Hello crafty readers!  I know that we have only 12 days left until Christmas, so I hope that your holiday cards are in the mail by now, or at least on the kitchen counter ready to go, stat!  But, I'm here to offer a little more Christmas card inspiration should you still need to create a few last minute cards. . .
Picture

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 card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  I used a slimline die cut from red cardstock in order to create the frame.  Behind the frame I placed a 7 1/2" x 3" piece of black and white music patterned paper.  I printed the two envelopes from the Extraordinary digital stamp set.  I colored the envelopes with Copic markers in reds and greens.  I fussy cut the envelopes and adhered them to each corner of the card using 3M foam adhesive.  I die cut the word "Merry" from red glitter paper and created my own shadow die from vellum cardstock.  I printed the "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" sentiment from the Love Santa digital stamp set in green ink on white cardstock.  I trimmed the sentiment down to a small size and adhered it above and below the word "Merry."  Lastly, I added a coat of clear Wink of Stella to the flowers in the envelopes for added sparkle.  
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
​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

Warm Christmas Wishes

10/13/2021

0 Comments

 
Hello readers and happy Wednesday!  Today I am on the Joy Clair Designs blog  sharing a couple of cards that I created using the Christmas Joy stamp set, which is part of the new Wonderfully release.  I know it's only October and everyone might not be ready for Christmas just yet, but for those of us who make a LOT of holiday cards it is never too early to start!
Picture

Card details: 

The base of this A2 sized card was made with 80 lb. Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock.  This is my go-to white cardstock for everything!  I use it for card bases, card layers, die cutting, Copic coloring and so much more.  I cut a 5 1/4" x 4 piece of plaid paper as my first base.  Using the Gina Marie Designs Scalloped Stitched Rectangle dies, I die cut a frame from red houndstooth paper.  I placed this frame in the center of the card.  I printed the wreath image from the digital Christmas Joy stamp set on Neenah white cardstock.  I colored the image with Copic markers and then fussy cut the wreath by hand.  I stamped the sentiment "Warm Christmas Wishes" in red ink and I adhered the wreath to the center of the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  Lastly, I added a coat of clear Wink of Stella to the wreath for added sparkle.  ​
Picture
Picture

​Here is the second card I created using the same wreath from the Christmas Joy digital stamp set:
Picture

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 card was made using 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  I cut a 7" x 3 1/4" piece of royal blue cardstock for my first base.  I used a fancy border die along the bottom edge of the royal blue cardstock.  On top of the royal blue cardstock is a  6 3/4" x 2 3/4' piece of watercolored blue and white cardstock.  I splattered some royal blue ink on top of that cardstock before edging the bottom border with the same fancy die.  I cut a 6" x 1" piece of gold foil paper and ran it through a diamond embossing folder before adhering it to the center of the card.  I printed the wreath from the Christmas Joy digital stamp set and colored it using Copic markers.  I stamped the sentiment "Warm Christmas Wishes" in royal blue ink and then I fussy cut the wreath by hand and adhered it to the center of the card using 3M foam adhesive.  Lastly, I added a coat of clear Wink of Stella to the wreath for added sparkle.
Picture
Picture
Have you started YOUR holiday cards yet?  
Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!
​

XO, Crystal 

0 Comments

MFT Color Challenge #166

6/5/2021

0 Comments

 
Hello friends and happy Saturday!  I hope you are all enjoying a nice weekend so far.  It is 93* and insanely hot and humid here in Massachusetts today, so I'm happy to be inside crafting with my friend Donna, who is here from L.A. visiting for a long weekend. 

Today I am linking up with the My Favorite Things Color Challenge #166, which is a fun blend of purples, teals and gray.  I haven't played along with any card challenges in quite a while, but Donna participates in them frequently and has inspired me to begin creating again using challenges as my guide.  
Picture

Card details: 

This slimline card measures 8 1/2" x 3 1/2" inches.  The base of the card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  Using a piece of teal houndstooth paper (source unknown) I cut an 8 1/4" x 3 1/4" piece for the first layered mat.  I used the Whimsy Stamps Slimline Postage die for the white frame background.  Using the Whimsy Stamps Slimline Bunting Border dies, I die cut the banners from teal and purple glitter cardstock.  I stamped the images from MFT Stamps Sending Sweet Celebration Wishes in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white cardstock.  I colored the images, using the required challenge colors, with Copic markers.  I die cut the images using the coordinating MFT Stamps Sending Sweet Celebration Wishes dies.  I adhered the images to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  I stamped the sentiment Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white cardstock and adhered it to the card using 3M foam adhesive.  Lastly, I added a coat of clear Wink of Stella to the images for added sparkle.  
Picture
Picture
Here is the color challenge from My Favorite Things that inspired today's card: 
Picture
Picture
Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative weekend!
​

XO, Crystal 

0 Comments
<<Previous

    Hi, I'm Crystal!

    Picture
    Click the photo to learn more about me!

    Archives:

    March 2023
    February 2023
    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