Challenge Yourself!

Project design ©Sharon M. Reinhart
printed papers from Susan K. Weckesser

Hi All!  Thought I would share this creation with you. My challenge was to work with colors that are not my norm. I was inspired by Susan Weckesser's printed papers. I have always enjoyed creating backgrounds and recently have been using more acrylic paints in my card backgrounds. However, as time goes or the lack of time, sometimes I want to create the look of a mixed media background but either don't have one ready or that block of time to create it is not available. That's how these papers inspired me, they resembled some of the paint or ink layering techniques that I enjoy doing.  I encourage you to visit Susan's website using this link. Besides wonderful papers, she also has rubber stamps and stencils. While you are there check out her blog!
Back to this card, it is quite simple and involves creating a teabag folded medallion using the circle fold and pearl text weight paper. The other papers are all from  Susan K. Weckesser and four of her lines; Live in Color Tags, Color Burst, Live in Color and Live, Love, Create, even the sentiment, which is printed on the edge of the paper and the name of one of the lines. It worked perfectly, trim the words out, edge with some Distress frayed burlap ink, cut or punch a notch and add a rhinestone accent. I used one of her stamps to create the look of a flower stem coming from the teabag folded medallion. The leaves are punched using a Martha Stewart punch. A little pencil smudging around the birdie and some Tombow and Spica markers on the butterfly and voila! I was pleased with the results.  Hope you are too!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Great resource for cards!

As seen in the CardMaker online Feb. 18 newsletter
by Sharon M. Reinhart

Just wanted to invite you to visit CardMaker magazine online newsletter. The Feb.18, 2012 issue is all about using peel-off stickers for card making. To have this newsletter delivered directly to your inbox, just sign up while you are there - it's free!  Kimber McGray and myself are the Cardmaker newsletter editors and this issue is my most recent one. Every 3 weeks its a different topic. Hope you enjoy it!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Happy Valentine's Day!

Project Design ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2013

Time for one more quick Valentine post! This card makes use of a circle teabag folding technique layered onto a card stock flower created with the Spellbinder's Anemone die (one of my favorites). A real paper doily becomes the back drop along with printed paper and card stock. Red rhinestones are used as accents and to finish this card I needed just two simple words. Could not find these two words on their own within my stamp inventory but I did have a Quietfire Design image that included an outline heart with these two wonderful words along the lower right side of the heart. Voila, a tag punch and some ink along the edges and it was exactly what I was looking for. So long story short, don't be afraid to use only portions of an image, it definitely multiplies what we can accomplish with one beautiful stamp! If you are looking for more inspiration on teabag folding be sure to visit my online class Fabulous Folds or check out my book Tea Bag Folding Through the Seasons! Hope your day is filled with love and kindness!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Valentine Gift Set

Project Design ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2013

With Valentine's Day just around the corner I thought this gift set might inspire some of you who may be looking for a gift for the special people in your life. This little clip board (6 x 9) with three note cards is easy to put together. The paper is from Echo Park which (sorry) is possibly not current however a stamped flourish has also been added to this paper. To re-create try stamping with a script image onto white card stock and then use a beautiful flourish stamp and accent with words that pertain to Valentine's stamped in red. Yes, it is a little more work to create your own papers but very possible. Or check your own inventory I am sure you will find just the right paper. The note cards are 4" square note cards, each with a simple design. Looking for envelopes for that size of card?  Try using business size envelopes cut in half - bonus two envelopes from one! This is possibly my favorite flower die - it's the Anemone die from Spellbinder's. Enjoy!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Elegant Stamped Heart!

Project Design ©Sharon M. Reinhart

Just had to share this Valentine card that I made for DH. The inspiration for this card is from a delicate heart image created by the talented Suzanne Cannon of Quietfire Design, it is from set #6248 which is perfect for Valentines, Wedding, Anniversary or simply to let someone special know that they are loved. Just love the beautiful intricate heart that Suzanne has created with her own talented hands! There are wonderful flourishes and in the right hand side a very pretty flower. I chose to leave the image as is without alterations.The flower however would look very beautiful colored with Tombows, Distress Markers, Copics or your medium of choice.
Usually when I purchase unmounted stamps, the first thing I do is apply the cling cushion material - with these stamps you don't have to. I read someplace on Suzanne's site or blog that she often just puts some double sided tape on her mount and then attaches the rubber image. I thought I would put this to the test and voila it is so true! This image of the heart was stamped with only the rubber image on an acrylic mount. Now you are free to adhere the images to cling cushion and its probably recommended but I was very surprised and impressed at how well it stamped using only the mount. I am thrilled to hear that Annie's catalog is now stocking some of Quietfire Design images that I used in my newest book Iris Folding for Life's Special Moments, (not sure if it has officially released but it is up on the Annie's site) and yes it is about iris folding and we have included a variety of materials such as fabric, shimmer sheetz, cardstock, ribbon and papers. I will be sure to keep you posted on this.
The red velvet in this Valentine card is Christmas velvet ribbon that I purchased at the end of the holiday season at a majorly reduced price and its perfect for many other occasions as well. The small hearts are actually punched from the velvet ribbon and in the past I have also used die templates to cut out shapes - love this stuff! My other bargain find was the black glittered band - it is from the wedding section of Michael's and it was 90% off - .53 cents was the cost, can't lose at that. The other addition to this card was a script embossing folder. I hope you enjoy this creation!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon