Crystal Komara
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Inspired by Pinterest

7/3/2020

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Hello readers!  Before we get to today's cards, I'm going to share with you the Pinterest photo I found that became my source of inspiration!  Never in a million years would I have paired these colors together, yet when I saw this image, I was captivated by how stunning these colors were.  Now, granted, I would not choose these colors for any room in my house, but I was determined to bring these colors to life on paper, and I couldn't be more in love with the results!
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Here is a step-by-step video tutorial showing how both cards were created:
I think I will have to turn to Pinterest room decor ideas more often to find my next source of color inspiration!

XO, Crystal 

List of supplies:

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Father's Day Inspiration

6/10/2020

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Who else struggles with making masculine cards? I know that I sure do!  I know in today's society we're all about being gender inclusive and non-stereotypical, but cutesy pink dancing pigs and glittery pop-up mermaids just aren't going to cut it for my dad!  With Father's Day soon approaching I know that we are all looking for some inspiration to create cards for the special men in our lives.  I have found that simply by using certain colors, it is easier to achieve a more masculine look.  For today's two cards, I used the Lumina Layering Plates (A, B & C) from Birch Press Design and a darker color palette of black, gold and green.  I think this same card in navy blues and golds would also be an excellent combination to create a masculine card. 
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Here is the first card I created using the "leftover" cutout circle pieces from the Lumina Layering Plate.  You can see what I mean by the "leftover" cutout pieces in the video below.  I could have added this cut-out back in to the original card design, but I like the idea of creating two cards from one die.
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Here is the second card I created using the Lumina Layering Plates:
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I have created a step-by-step YouTube video tutorial sharing how I made both of these cards. I like to keep my videos short and sweet, so it under 7 minutes long!
I hope these cards will inspire you to try different color combinations in order to achieve a more masculine look. 
​Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal 

You might also enjoy:

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Simple Watercoloring w/ Perfectly Blessed Feathers

5/6/2020

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Hello crafty friends!  I am excited to be sharing a new video with you today that I created for the RG Avenue monthly newsletter.  This newsletter will be emailed to all RG Avenue subscribers, but I have also put the video on YouTube and will be sharing it here with you today at the end of this post if you would like to learn some simple watercoloring.  You can also view my full video tutorial gallery HERE.   
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Card details: 

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

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  I cut a piece of 5" x 3 3/4" piece of Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock.  Using the Layered Scallop stamp set, I stamped half of the scalloped image in Sour Mist ink on the lower half of the white cardstock.  I stamped the sentiment in the upper right corner also using Sour Mist ink.  I splattered the entire image with Sweet Lavender ink.  Using Scalloped Stitched Rectangle dies, I cut a piece of Sour Mist cardstock and matted the stamped image to that before adhering both to the card base.  I heat embossed the feathers with gold embossing powder and watercolored them with Sour Mist ink, Sweet Pink ink and Sweet Lavender ink.  Lastly, I tied a small bow around the card for added texture. 
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Card details: 

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Sour Mist cardstock.  On a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of mixed media paper, I created a watercolor wash background in Sour Mist ink, Sweet Pink ink and Sweet Lavender ink.  I splattered the entire background with Sweet Lavender ink.  On coordinating cardstock, I stamped the feathers from the Perfectly Blessed stamp set in Versamark ink and heat embossed them with white embossing powder.  I fussy cut each flower and adhered it to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  Lastly, I stamped each sentiment below the feather in Black Taffy ink.  
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Here is a YouTube video tutorial that I created showing how you can make these watercolored cards:
I have truly begin to enjoy creating video tutorials for you, and I hope YOU are enjoying them.
​Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal 

List of supplies: 

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2 Comments

Digital Stamping

4/8/2020

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​Last fall I wrote a detailed blog post about digital stamping and today I'd like to include even more information, as well as two great introductory videos about digital stamping that were recently created by Lisa Mensing, a fellow Creative Team Member at Whimsy Stamps.  While digital stamps are not new to the market, they seem to be increasing in popularity.  Ever since I began designing cards for RG Avenue (who uses a LOT of digital images!) I have become a lot more adept at using this type of stamp and I have come to really like them.  While I still have a lot to learn, today we can talk about some of the basics of digital stamping.

What are digital stamps?
Digital stamps, also known as “digi stamps" are simply high-resolution digital images.  The most significant difference between a digital stamp and a traditional stamp is that there is NO physical stamp.  A digital stamp is just the image or images.  Think of it kind of like computer clip art.  These digital images can be color or black and white.  They are downloaded onto a computer where they can be manipulated - resized or altered before being printed.

What do I need?
One of the benefits of using digital stamps is that you don't need anything special!  As long as you have access to a computer and a printer you have the two most important pieces.  Any inkjet printer will work fine; you don’t need expensive, fancy equipment.  But, if you do own a laserjet printer, this will work too. 

Downloading digital stamps:
Typically after you purchase a digital stamp you will receive an email with the digital file.  Most digital stamps will come in .PNG, .JPG, .CSV  or .PDF files.  Some digital stamps might be provided in .ZIP files, so you will need to know how to unzip a file.  Save the digital stamp file to your computer’s hard drive with an easily identifiable name (trust me, this helps to find it later)!   Open up the saved file using either a word processing program such as Microsoft Word, or a photo editing program such as Photoshop Elements, LightRoom or a free website such as PicMonkey or GIMP.  You can either print the image(s) out directly, or manipulate the image(s) before you print them out.  You can add digital image to cards, scrapbooks, home decor and so much more!

Advantages of digital stamps:
  • Cost effective - on average digital stamps are less expensive than traditional stamps
  • More space -  digital stamps are stored right on a computer and do not take up physical space
  • Immediate downloads - Unlike purchasing a physical stamp where it can take anywhere between 2 and 10 days to ship out in the mail, digital stamps are available for immediate download because the file is sent directly to your email upon purchasing
  • The ability to change the size/shape - with some slight editing, you can alter the size/color of your stamps to better fit your needs
  • E-Cutting machines - whether you have a Cricut or Scan & Cut, or any other electronic cutting machine, digital stamps don't need dies because most can be scanned through an e-cutting machine
  • No deterioration - unlike rubber which can dry up, or photopolymer which can stain, digital stamps do not lose their quality over time
  • Environmentally friendly -  for those concerned about waste, digital stamps use less resources

Disadvantages of digital stamps:
  • 3D images - You cannot "stamp" the images on wood/plastic/clay or other 3D type materials.  Any product that cannot be run through a printer presents a challenge.  It will be difficult to use digital stamps on fabric, very thick or very thin paper and cardstock, large pieces of paper, pre-formed boxes and many other items.  With a little creativity ingenuity (and lots of time and patience) you might be able to find a way to work around this issue
  • Masking - unless you alter the stamp digital before printing, you cannot mask a stamp after the fact
  • Heat embossing - Because the ink is already printed on paper, you can't stamp with a Versamark pad to heat emboss the image.  The workaround is to trace the image with a Versamark pen, but this result isn't nearly so precise and well defined
  • Computer knowledge - it does take a small amount of familiarity and learning to work with digital stamps
  • Licensing - Licensing arrangements can be confusing, so you need to read the terms and conditions for each image you purchase as sellers have different terms you must follow to avoid copyright issues (for instance - sharing with your friends is frowned upon!)

What types of paper to use for digital stamps?
Technically you can print on any type of paper that will go through your printer, but you will want to use specific paper designed for your coloring medium.  If you are going to color your image with watercolor, you will want to be sure to run a sheet of watercolor paper (like Strathmore) through your printer to print the image on.  If you would like to color your image with alcohol ink markers (Copic/Spectrum Noir, etc) or colored pencils (Prismacolor, etc) you will want to use a good cardstock like Neenah Solar White or Strathmore Bristol smooth.

Where can I get digital stamps?
Many stamp companies are now offering digital alternatives to traditional/regular stamps.  Along with RG Avenue, I highly recommend you check out Di's Digi Stamps or Power Poppy.  Their images are simply stunning!  The style of digital stamps can vary greatly. There are simple, almost cartoon-like images that are the easiest to design and color in. That doesn’t mean, however, that digital stamps can’t have more quality. Details such as lines on an animal to indicate fur are brilliant – as a crafter, you will color over it like normal, but the design will have more depth and a designer quality.

FREE digital stamps:
A simple Google search will yield many results for "FREE digital stamps!"

*Right now there have been a lot of well known stamp companies offering FREE digital stamps that are themed around the healthcare industry as we are amid the Covid-19 pandemic.  Essentially all you need to do is 1) download, 2) print, and, 3) color! 
A few of the current free digital downloads can be seen below:
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I strongly recommend watching these two introductory videos about digital stamping.  I think you will find it's a lot easier to do than you think, and it will allow you to have innumerable more stamps available to you!
I hope this post has helped to answer some of the questions you might have about digital stamping.   A BIG thanks to Lisa for creating this fantastic, easy-to-follow video. 
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Thanks for visiting and happy creating!

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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