Challenge Yourself to Create!

©Sharon M. Reinhart 2011

Today I challenged myself to create just because - without a specific job or individual in mind. The other challenge I gave myself was to create and use some of the many papers I now have in a pile with the sign "for personal use only, may not be current". These are still beautiful papers but they are not the latest and greatest and editors really want us to use whats available to the readers and rightly so. It's too bad that product lines have to change because some of the papers I have fallen in love with over the years are no longer available.  Alas, we must be open to change.  So here we go.  I created this journal using a lined journal from the bins at Michaels, the flourish was cut using a Sizzix Tim Holtz die using cardboard from an oatmeal box and then colored with ink.  The sentiment is a preprinted one on vellum however you could print your own using the computer.  Or perhaps use one of the lovely sentiment stamps from Quietfire Design - Suzanne is a very talented calligrapher, I encourage you to take a look at her product line.  I used the lacey oval and sunflower set from Spellbinder's to create the sentiment frame and sunflower.  The handmade flower in the center of the brown sunflower was created using the jumbo scallop small circle dies.  Add a little bling and Voila!  I think this would make a great token of appreciation for someone special, or perhaps I have just created my first Christmas or hostess gift!  It's always nice to be ahead of the game.  Now if you don't wish to make a journal, use this design as inspiration or a sketch so to speak for a square card.  Hope you like it!  I challenge you to challenge yourself today!
Creatively yours,
Sharon

Paper Napkins for Cards

©Sharon M. Reinhart 2011

Hi All!  I am posting part of this card again here as I neglected to tell you how it was made. The images look like they were stamped and then colored beautifully with markers. Well I cannot take credit for the coloring, the images are from a beautiful printed paper napkin. Begin by removing the extra ply from the napkin, sometimes there are two extra layers so be sure to remove them. To get it started you might want to try using a straight pin - be patient, it will work. From there I apply my chosen section to a sticker or label sheet. Then I adhered the panel to a piece of coaster board and trim into tile shapes. Voila!  It's that simple. The branch style embossing was creating using an embossing folder on Coredinations cardstock and then sanded. If you haven't tried this technique I encourage you to.
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Thanks So Much!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there!  Enjoy your day! 

©Sharon M. Reinhart 2011

I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the staff at Scrapbooker's Paradise, we had a wonderful event yesterday!  It is also days like yesterday that remind me of how truly blessd I am.  I was so pleased to see so many of you who have participated in many of my classes over the years come out yesterday to participate in our make and take and book signing.  Heartfelt thanks!  Your support and enthusiasm is truly appreciated!  Also, to the ladies who I had the opportunity of meeting for the first time yesterday - it was a pleasure!  For those of you who purchased my book I hope you get many hours of enjoyment from creating the projects and for those of you who were unable to purchase a copy because we sold out please check back with Scrapbooker's on the status of their order. Until next time ...
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Multiply your Card Designs!



©Sharon M. Reinhart 2011

Sometimes we find ourselves in need of a design for a card and the ideas just don't seem to be flowing. Keep in mind that you do not have to re-invent the wheel each time.Often, all it takes is to choose a previous design and change it slightly by switching the papers, using a different color combination or altering the greeting. This can be seen in the design which I will be teaching at a complimentary make and take session at the Calgary Scrapbooker's Paradise south store on June 18th from 11 am to 3 pm in promotion of my newest book Tea Bag Folding Through the Seasons. 

©Sharon M. Reinhart 2011

The red and green card is the one that will be offered on Saturday, however, the green and yellow design is the same design just different papers and a different greeting. So the next time you are in need of a creative nudge, look to some of your past creations and allow them to inspire you. Hope to see you at my book signing and make and take on Saturday.
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Dad's Day!

Project Design ©Sharon M. Reinhart & Globecraft Memories

Father's Day is just around the corner - Sunday June 19th actually. With that in mind I thought I would share a project that I have been working on. I have been working with products from Globecraft Memories, their products consist of layered globe frames perfect for displaying treasures, artwork and photos. The quality of the product is superb and I have been having fun working on a variety of themes. This one shown here is in honor of all the Dad's out there, past, present & future! We love you and thank-you for all that you are and do! 
Two of the chipboard frames have been covered with beautiful papers from My Minds Eye and the middle frame has been painted with antique gold acrylic paint. I added a photo from years gone by along with a pocket watch treasure and metallic stickers to accent the corners. This is a perfect system to use when creating items to honor our loved ones or the different milestones in our lives. However, I am also going to use it to showcase some tea bag folding designs - no more dusting layers of papers and tiny fingers won't be able to change my design - perfect. I will be sure to post a photo when it is done.  Until next time ...
Creatively yours,
Sharon

Book Signing and Make & Take!

I am so excited! Please join me at Scrapbooker's Paradise south store, 9025 MacLeod Trail South, Calgary, Alberta for a book signing and make and take creating a tea bag folded card. Actual samples from the books Tea Bag Folding Through the Seasons and Iris Folding for Christmas will be on display. Hope to see you June 18th between 11 - 3 pm at Scrapbooker's Paradise (south store).

Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Be Inspired at CHA!

Be Inspired is a Canadian Designer Look & Learn event for Retailers being held July 18, 2011 from 3 - 5 pm (event #E506) during the CHA Conference in Chicago in July. There will be a presentation from the designers with regards to how they designed their projects. (Unfortunately, I have had to cancel my plans to attend but Tsukineko will present on my behalf - thankyou Tsukineko!) I was challenged along with 7 other designers to come up with a unique Mixed Media project using select products from Canvas Corp, DecoArt, Harmonie and Tsukineko. What a great group of products and companies to work with, there were so many choices! Here is my finished result, this home decor piece is created on a 10" stretched chunky canvas. For you card makers out there, this design could easily be recreated on a square card. Hope you like it!  



Project Design ©Sharon M. Reinhart, Canvas Corp, DecoArt,
Harmonie, Tsukineko & CHA

This event is perfect for those of you who have stores, not only will you learn how to create 8 different mixed media projects but you will also receive an inspiration kit with products valued at over $150 in order to recreate some of the projects in your store and a CD of all the project instructions to use when you teach classes with your customers. Let us inspire you ... to inspire sales! You must register to attend the CHA Summer Conference and Trade Show before you can register to attend this event. To register for the show and for further details go to http://www.chashow.org/. Don't miss out on this opportunity!
Creatively yours,
Sharon


Dimensional ideas for cards!



Card design ©Sharon M. Reinhart June 2011

Sorry for my absence, life was just going in many directions all at one time. All is good though. I would much rather be busy than the alternative. In celebration of my newest book release Tea Bag Folding Through the Seasons I am sharing a design which utilizes some beautiful papers from Yuemei® Eastern Arts Connection, Inc. I had the pleasure of visiting their booth at the winter CHA show in L.A., they have some very beautiful papers. The gold accents in this design are peel off stickers with a gold brad in the center of the medallion. Tea Bag Folding may look difficult but it really isn't, once you have the first fold completed you just repeat that 7 more times (in the case of this design) and then assemble. Keep posted as I am in the process of setting up a book signing and make and take at a local store. 

Did you get the latest release of the CardMaker Magazine newsletter? My newest edition went live on May 30th and it has inspiration on creating wedding and shower cards. This is a free newsletter that once you register it comes directly to your inbox. Kimber McGray and myself are the editors, I would encourage you take a look!  Until next time wishing you many creative adventures!
Creatively yours,
Sharon