Category: Crystal Komara

  • Shaker Star Flowers | by Crystal Komara

    Shaker Star Flowers | by Crystal Komara

    Hello readers and happy Wednesday! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here today sharing one of my favorite (and seemingly easiest) interactive cards to make – a shaker card! I made this card very monochromatic in purple and white, but if purple really isn’t your color, there are endless possibilities and color combinations you could use instead with these beautiful Star Flowers Contour dies.

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. For the background, I cut a 5 1/4″ x 4″ piece of the same Neenah White cardstock and ran it through my Big Shot using the Pinpoint Radial Plate.

    Using the Star Flowers Contour Dies, I cut the flowers from two different colored purple cardstock and one purple glitter cardstock (for the center of the flowers). I adhered the layers of the flowers together with a fine-tip liquid glue.

    To create the shaker component, I die cut Layer A of the Roundabout Layer Set from white cardstock. I then fussy cut a solid white background of this same shape to create a white frame. I adhered a piece of clear acetate to the back of this frame. I added about 1 tablespoon of sequins to the card and then layered the shaker frame on top.

    I stamped the sentiment “to my friend” in purple ink on white cardstock and used a circle punch to punch it out. This sentiment is from the Kind Hearts clear stamp set.

    I love a card that can be made so easy to change simply by alternating the colors or the sentiments. Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    57505 Star Flowers Contour Layers

    57384 Pinpoint Radial Plate

    56124 Roundabout Layer Set

    SP1008 Twilight Purple 6×6 pack

    GP1003 Twinkling Jewel Glitter Pad

  • Rainbow Roundabout | by Crystal Komara

    Rainbow Roundabout | by Crystal Komara

    Hello readers! This is Birch Press Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing some rainbow inspiration using the Roundabout Layer Set. I love creating rainbow colored cards, I just find them so cheerful and uplifting!

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah White Solar Smooth cardstock. Using the same Neenah white cardstock, I cut a 5 1/4″ x 4″ piece and ran it through my Big Shot using the Blooming 3D embossing folder from Memory Box Co. (a sister company of Birch Press Design).

    Continue reading below to see how I created and assembled the rainbow roundabout itself, it was a little bit tricky!

    Step 1: Die cut Layer A of the Roundabout Layer Set from white cardstock.
    Step 2: Die cut Layer B of the Roundabout Layer Set from gold glitter cardstock.
    Step 3: Die Cut Layer A from the Roundabout Layer Set from all the colors of the rainbow – ROYGBIV. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.
    Step 4: Save the large solid circles for another card!
    Step 5: Adhere Layer A (white cardstock) over Layer B (gold glitter cardstock) using a fine-tip liquid glue.
    Step 6: Piece all the little shapes back into the die in a rainbow array.

    I then adhered 3M foam adhesive to the back of the roundabout and adhered it to the center of the card.

    Using the Hello Honey Script word die, I die cut the back shadow layer from black cardstock and the thinner top outline from white cardstock. I adhered both layers together with a fine-tip liquid glue and then adhered the entire sentiment to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    I also created a second card using the leftover solid circles that were die cut from the Roundabout Layer Set.

    This mini slimline card measures 6 1’2″ x 3″. Honestly, I made up my own dimensions on this card, so don’t take these measurements as being any sort of a “professional” size! I placed all the die cut circles leftover from the Roundabout Layer Set in a rainbow array horizontally across the card. I stamped the sentiment “sending you sunshine, laughter and hugs” in Memento Tuxedo Black ink. This sentiment is from the Kind Hearts clear stamp set.

    Using the same Hello Honey Script word die, I die cut the back shadow layer from black cardstock and the thinner top outline from white cardstock. I adhered both layers together with a fine-tip liquid glue and then adhered the entire sentiment to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    I hope you have enjoyed these two very colorful ways to use the Roundabout Layer Set. Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    56124 Roundabout Layer Set

    CL8163 Kind Hearts clear stamp set

    57310 Hello Honey Script

    SP1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack

    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack

    SP1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack

    SP1005 Ocean Blue 6×6 pack

  • You Are Loved Easter Egg | by Crystal Komara

    You Are Loved Easter Egg | by Crystal Komara

    Hello readers and happy Tuesday! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing a beautiful Easter card for the upcoming holiday using the Petal Egg Layer Set and a few other products from Birch Press Design.

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. For the first 5 1/4″ x 4″ layer, I ran a piece of the same Neenah white cardstock through the Blooming 3D embossing folder by Memory Box Co (a sister company of Birch Press Design).

    Next, I created the layers of the Easter egg from the Petal Egg Layer set:

    Layer A – the top layer was die cut from white cardstock.
    Layer B – the middle layer was die cut from yellow glitter cardstock.
    Layer C – the bottom layer was die cut from a darker yellow cardstock.
    I fussy cut the base or bottom layer of the egg in yellow cardstock, so that it would help the egg standout against the white background.

    I adhered all four layers of the egg together using a fine-tip liquid glue. Once this was dried, I placed the egg in the center of the card. Then I used the Tiny Tuft Flowers and Leaves Contour dies. I cut the leaves from two different colored green cardstock and the flowers from both yellow cardstock and yellow glitter cardstock.

    I adhered the leaves and flowers to the lower right side of the egg using a fine-tip liquid glue.

    Using the You Are Loved Noted Script heat foil plate and die, I heat foiled the sentiment in gold foil on black cardstock. I used the coordinating die to die cut the sentiment out and adhered it over the egg using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    I hope you have enjoyed today’s card! Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    57369 Petal Egg Layer Set

    BPF509 You Are Loved Noted Script Hot Foil Plate and Die Set

    57501 Tiny Tuft Flowers and Leaves Contour Layers

    SP1002 Sunny Orange 6×6 pack

    GP1008 Majestic Hues Glitter Pad

  • Find Joy Prime Peonies | by Crystal Komara

    Find Joy Prime Peonies | by Crystal Komara

    Hello readers and happy Friday to you! I hope you have fun (and creative) things planned for the weekend ahead. This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing this card using the Prime Peony Duo Contour Layers.

    Now, before I get into the details of how I made this card, I want to take a minute to appreciate the intricate WORK and time commitment involved with contour layering dies! If you think you’re just going to throw a card like this together and also juggle cooking dinner, doing a load of towels, tending to a puking cat and watching Friends reruns, oh no, no, no, my friend, that ain’t gonna happen! Contour layering dies take an extreme amount of concentration, patience and precision. I lack all three. At best, I’m spastic in thought, I have the patience of a 5-year old and I’m of the philosophy that “done is better than perfect!!” So, for me, while contour layering dies (when completed) are absolutely gorgeous, the journey getting there is kinda sheer torture.

    But, look at this card, ain’t she a beaut?!

    But, I learned a few helpful tips while making this card I want to share with you to help make your contour layering dies journey less painful. First, we are going to make the peonies using a variety of pink cardstocks.

    1. Don’t be in a rush – contour layering dies take time and if you know this ahead of time, it’s half the battle

    2. Organization – when you die cut the Prime Peony flowers, keep them in organized rows

    2. Follow the Directions (or the provided image) – they really do make sense in how you put the peony layers together!

    *Use a fine tip glue to adhere these intricate tiny layers together.
    *Tip – use a fine tip liquid glue for adhering tiny layers together.
    Die cut the larger word shadow from pink cardstock and the thinner word outline from white cardstock.
    Die cut the Linear Triangle from white cardstock.

    Because I had fully committed myself to making this one card (and not being interrupted by anything else) I found the process went much more smoothly. I love the end result SO much that I now intend to work more with the contour layering dies!

    Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    57504 Prime Peony Duo Contour Layers

    57452 Find Joy and Outline

    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack

    SP1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack

    57393 Linear Triangle

  • To My Friend | by Crystal Komara

    To My Friend | by Crystal Komara

    Hello friends and happy Valentine’s (or Galentine’s) day to you all! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here today. I wish you a day filled with love, happiness and a lot of something sweet! I have one last love or heart themed card to share with you for this season.

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. Using Layer A of the Flora Layering Plates, I cut the background layer from white cardstock. Using the new Banner Heart Layer set, I cut Layer A (the top layer) from magenta pink cardstock. I used the I cut Layer B (the middle layer) from black cardstock. I cut Layer C (the bottom layer) from a magenta pink glitter cardstock. I adhered all three layers together using a fine tip liquid glue. Then once the layers were dried, I adhered the hearts to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    *Note, I cut two of each layer of the Banner Hearts die so that my card would have two hearts on it. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment “to my friend” in magenta ink on a piece of white cardstock. This stamp is from the Kind Hearts stamp set. I then used a small punch to punch out the heart and adhered it on the top of the card.

    Happy Valentine’s Day, my crafty friends! Thanks for visiting and be sure to spread the love today and always.

    Supplies

    56120

    57510 Banner Heart Layer Set

    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack

    SH44004 Black Glossy Paper

    GP1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad

    CL8163 Kind Hearts clear stamp set

  • Glittering Hugs | by Crystal Komara

    Glittering Hugs | by Crystal Komara

    Hello crafty friends and happy Wednesday! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing some Valentine’s Day themed inspiration, but in non-traditional colors. I’m all for the lovey-dovey, over-the-top, red and pink hearts everything, but what if you want to tone it down just a bit and tell your friends you’re thinking of them? Well, keep reading because here’s my version of sending some love and hugs that isn’t so mushy-gushy romantic.

    First, I LOVE this color combination of mint green, teal green, gold and white. It’s classic and it’s elegant. You can also see what it looks like here with a Christmas themed card. Or here, where I added just a touch of baby pink color too! Clearly, it’s a combination I love as I have used it frequently.

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. This is my go-to white cardstock for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g! It’s great for card bases, layering, die cutting, distress oxide blending and Copic coloring For the very first base layer I cut a piece of teal green cardstock to measure 5 1/4″ x 4″ from the Lush Green 6″ x 6″ paper pack. Using the Kinsley Heart Layering Plates, I cut Layer C (the bottom layer) from gold glitter cardstock. Next I cut Layer B (the middle layer) from mint green cardstock, also found in the Lush Green 6″ x 6″ paper pack.

    I cut Layer A (the top layer) from white cardstock. I adhered all three layers together with a fine-tip liquid adhesive before adhering them all to the card base. I then cut a 5 1/2″ x x 1 1/2″ strip of white cardstock and adhere it to the bottom third of the card. This allowed me to place the words “hugs” onto a white background in order for it to stand out against the detailed die. I used the Big Lingo Type Hugs die here. I cut the bottom thicker layer from teal green cardstock and the top thinner layer from gold glitter cardstock. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment “thinking of you” from the Lingo Thanks Clear stamp set in teal ink on white cardstock. I adhered the sentiment strip to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    Gosh, I just looooooove this color combination so much. I hope you have enjoyed today’s card as well. Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    57402

    SP1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack

    57227 Big Lingo Type Hugs

    CL8143 Lingo Thanks clear stamp set

    GP1006 Festive Glitter Pad

  • Love and Hugs | by Crystal Komara

    Love and Hugs | by Crystal Komara

    Hello friends! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing some inspiration for Valentine’s Day which will be coming up soon in February.

    Details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. Using the Flora Player Layer A, I die cut the first layer from white cardstock . As you can see from the image below, I had to do a fair amount of “poking” to get all the little pieces out! I adhered this piece directly onto my card base.

    Next I die cut Layer A of the Kinsley Heart Layering Plate from white cardstock. I adhered this over a sheet of red cardstock. Then I fussy cut the little hearts out.

    I adhered the small hearts down the center of the card, only using four of the five I had cut out. Then, using the Big Lingo Type Hugs, I die cut the shadow background from black cardstock and the thin outline layer from white cardstock.

    I adhered the two layers together with a fine tip liquid adhesive. Then I stamped the sentiment “love and” in red ink on white cardstock. This sentiment is from the Lingo Thanks Sentiment stamp set. I adhered the sentiment to the card with 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    I wish you all love and hugs! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    57402 Kinsley Heart Plate Layer Set

    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack

    57227 Big Lingo Type Hugs

    57437 Flora Plate Layer Set

    8143 Lingo Thanks clear stamp set and die set

  • Rainbow Peace Dove | by Crystal Komara

    Rainbow Peace Dove | by Crystal Komara

    Hello crafty readers! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing a slightly non-traditional Christmas card made using some ombre colors in reds and greens accented with the beautiful Adornment Dove dies.

    Card details:

    The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock. This is my go-to cardstock for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g! Using the same Neenah white cardstock, I cut the first background from Layer C of the Flora Plate dies. Next, I cut thin strips of cardstock in reds, pinks and greens. These thin strips measured 4 1/4″ x 1/4″. I adhered the strips to the Flora Layer background using Tombow adhesive. I started with the darkest color red to the lightest pink and then from the lightest green to the darkest.

    Using the Adornment Dove dies, I cut both layers from white cardstock. I adhered both layers together with a fine tip glue and adhered the entire assembled dove to the card with 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    Lastly, I stamped the sentiment “Peace” in Versamark ink on black cardstock. This sentiment is from the Christmas Mandala stamp set. It also has a coordinating die that I used to die cut the sentiment out. After die cutting the sentiment I adhered it to the card also using 3M foam.

    I love how this card turned out, even though I had a completely different vision from when I started. Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

    Supplies

    57479 Adornment Dove

    57437 Flora Plate Layer Set

    SP1003 Lush Green 6×6 pack

    SP1001 Berry Red 6×6 pack

  • Felicity Snowflakes | by Crystal Komara

    Felicity Snowflakes | by Crystal Komara

    Hello friends! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today. If there is one thing I love when it comes to cardmaking, it’s the alcohol. Ink, that is! ; ) Initially I never thought I would have enjoyed working with alcohol inks as much as I have because, well. . . they’re messy. They stain. They are a tad unpredictable in outcome and all that just terrifies me. Yet, somehow I learned to love them and now can’t feature them enough on my cards.

    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 Yupo (polysynthetic paper) and “ink blew” Ranger Adirondack alcohol ink in the color Stream over the Yupo paper. That’s it, just one ink color was all I used! As it moves around and dries, you get puddles of ink that look like other darker and lighter colors, but I assure you, I used just one color. Nice and easy!

    Using the Felicity Snowflakes dies, I cut the outer layer from vellum cardstock and the top thinner layer from white cardstock. I adhered the two layers together with liquid adhesive and then I adhered the snowflakes to the card with a small pop dot (which you can actually see through the vellum, it’s too hard to hide).

    Using the Contempo Christmas Greetings stamp set and coordinating die, I stamped the sentiment in Versamark ink on white cardstock and heat embossed it with turquoise embossing powder. I used the coordinating circle die to cut out the sentiment. I adhered the sentiment to the card with Scotch 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

    Now that I think about it, you could make this same card in ANY color! Red or green alcohol ink would be very traditional, but I’m also thinking pinks and purples for a pop of pizazz too!

    Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

  • Be Merry | by Crystal Komara

    Be Merry | by Crystal Komara

    Hello friends! This is Design Team member Crystal Komara here with you today sharing more holiday themed inspiration using products from the latest Birch Press Design Release. Birch Press Design never ceases to amaze me with its elegant layering dies, contour dies and foil plates. Some of my most loved cards have been as a result of these gorgeous and elevated products.

    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 navy cardstock from the 6″ x 6″ Ocean Blue paper pack. Using my Gemini Foilpress machine and the String Art Hot Foil Frame, I heat foiled a cerulean blue foil onto the navy cardstock. I know that it kind of looks like silver foil in these photos, but it is ever-so-slightly more blue tinted in person.

    Using the Snowy Circle Layer Set, I created the center focal piece. I die cut Layer C (bottom layer) from navy cardstock. I die cut Layer B (middle layer) from a sky blue cardstock. I die cut Layer A (top layer) from white cardstock. Again, I used cardstock from the 6″ x 6″ Ocean Blues paper pack. I used a fine-tip liquid adhesive to adhere all three layers together and then I lined the back of the three layers with a solid sheet of white cardstock. I adhered the entire Snowy Circle image to the center of the card using 3M foam adhesive.

    Lastly, I stamped the sentiment “be merry’ in navy ink on white cardstock. This sentiment is from the Contempo Christmas Greetings stamp set. I used the coordinating circle die to die cut the sentiment out. I adhered the sentiment to the lower right side of the snowflakes with 3M foam adhesive.

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

    Supplies

    57467 Snowy Circle Layer Set

    8162 Contempo Christmas Greetings clear stamp and die set

    SP1005 Ocean Blue 6×6 pack

    BPF510 String Art Frame Hot Foil Plate and Die Set