'Twas the week before Christmas!

Projects designed by Sharon M. Reinhart
as shown in the Dec. 18, 2017 CardMaker Update

If you are looking for some inspiration for Christmas tags, bags and gift card holders look no further! My most recent CardMaker Update has just been released and I would love it if you would head on over to www.cardmakermagazine.com to take a peek at all the photos and content! I am quite pleased with these projects and hope you will be too!
I would like to take this opportunity to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas, may it be spent sharing wonderful moments with the special people in your life!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Boxful of Thanks

Being grateful isn't just reserved for one specific date of the year however we do tend to put a bit more focus on it around certain holidays. The Canadian Thanksgiving holiday has come and gone and I hope everyone enjoyed a warm celebration with family and friends. The American Thanksgiving holiday is just around the corner and possibly some of you are looking for some Thanksgiving inspiration. That being said, any of these projects can be changed from a Thanksgiving theme to a Christmas or birthday theme, in fact probably any theme that you are celebrating! We don't necessarily need a theme to show our appreciation!

I invite you to view my most recent CardMaker Update which is all about creating with boxes! For instructions and complete photos just head on over to www.cardmakermagazine.com and take a look at the November 6 Update! I hope you enjoy it!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Fun with Easel Cards!

Projects designed by Sharon M. Reinhart as seen
 in the July 3, 2017 CardMaker Update

Inviting you to take a look at my most recent CardMaker Update which went live today July 3, 2017. It's all about creating Easel cards! I hope you will stop by CardMaker Magazine www.cardmakermagazine.com  to see full photos, instructions and other creative tidbits! In case you haven't signed up for this free resource, which comes out every three weeks sign up while you are there and then after that its easy, it will come directly to your inbox! If you have missed a few issues there are a few archived and can be accessed by clicking the Updates tab.
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Baby Shower Inspiration!

Projects designed by Sharon M. Reinhart
as shown in CardMaker Magazine May 22, 2017 Update

My most recent CardMaker Update went live today! If you are looking for inspiration on shower invitations, announcements, thank-you notes and even décor head on over to CardMaker Magazine and check out the May 22, 2017 Update! Maybe its wedding inspiration that you are looking for? If, so keep in mind most designs can be translated into different occasions with just a few modifications!While you are at the CardMaker Magazine web site, if you haven't done so already, sign up for this free resource that comes to your inbox every three weeks. You will receive inspiration and information from the two CardMaker Update Editors, yours truly and the talented Kimber McGray. I hope you will take a look and be inspired to create something wonderful!

Flower Decor

If you are looking for some quick flower décor for Mother's Day Brunch or perhaps a wedding or baby shower I have a great idea! This one even involves recycling. These beautiful flowers began as cardboard rolls - the type from paper towels and bathroom tissue rolls! These particular ones have been created by using the bathroom tissue cardboard rolls. Simply press down the cardboard roll to flatten and use a bone folder to burnish both folded edges. Next place in a paper trimmer, I used my Fiskars paper trimmer and cut into 1/2-inch increments. Apply score tape to one side approximately an inch of tape starting at the folded edge. Then just start assembling by removing the tape liner and adhering one piece to the other. For these flowers I dressed them up a little bit further by die-cutting another flower  (Elizabeth Craft Designs) from pink cardstock and then added a gold circle to the center. They are perfect on their own or they can be adhered together to create a beautiful cascading effect! Hope you will give it a try!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Pearls for Mom!

Designed by Sharon M. Reinhart

With Mothers Day quickly approaching I thought I would share this "Pearls for Mom" card, which has been created using a tea-bag folding technique! My Mom loved her pearl necklace and she was my biggest supporter and fan when it came to my creative pursuits! Even when she became more house bound she truly enjoyed our card making moments, I would put simple kits together and take them over and walk her through the steps. She loved that she had made something that she could use to brighten someone else's day and it also afforded her some distraction from her sickness. Although she is not with us on this earth any longer it was she that inspired this card! XO Miss you Mom! I encourage each of you to share your talents with someone and help to brighten their day! The gift of time is something that you cannot put a price tag on -- it truly is priceless!

Tea-bag folding requires the use of a lightweight paper - text weight or photo copy weight. This fold begins with 8 circle shapes that are folded into quarters. Unfold all, and re-crease the fold lines so that they are all mountain folds. Next holding the circle shape with the mountain folds in an X orientation, press on the sides and collapse into a pie shape. The last fold for this one is to fold back the top curved layer. With the folded shape on your work surface and the pointed end at the top, place double-sided adhesive such as Scor-tape along the right folded edge of each folded shape.

To assemble, remove the tape liner and sandwich the layers of one folded piece in between the layers of another. Continue until complete. Remember to remove the tape from the last folded shape and join the medallion together.
This is one of my most favorite folds! For more information and inspiration  about tea-bag folding please check out my books or my online class/DVD Fabulous Paper Folds! I do have a small inventory so if you are wanting to purchase an item please contact me through this blog.
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Easter Cards With Doilies!

Projects designed by Sharon M. Reinhart from the
April 10, 2017 CardMaker Magazine online Update

Just in time for Easter card crafting! My most recent CardMaker Magazine online update April10, 2017 has gone live today. It is about creating Easter cards with doilies and doily shapes! I encourage you to head on over to www.cardmakermagazine.com and view the Update for the full article and full photos of each card! If you are not familiar with this resource it is free and all you have to do is sign up on their website. Every three weeks an article with photos and inspiration will be delivered to your inbox from either myself or our other CardMaker Update Editor the ever-so-talented Kimber McGray!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Embossing Folder Fun

Designed by Sharon M. Reinhart as seen in the CardMaker Update

Just sending out an invitation for you to check out my most recent online CardMaker Update. It's all about creating cards using embossing folders! One of my most favorite tools to create with. To view the full article along with individual card pictures head on over to CardMaker using this link or go to www.cardmakermagazine.com, it is the current issue, Feb. 27, 2017. While you are there check out the archives and also sign up for this free resource to be delivered straight to your inbox every three weeks! Hope you enjoy it and that you are inspired to create!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Wrapped in Love!

Designed by Sharon M. Reinhart 2017

I have another simple but pretty Valentine's Day greeting card to share with you today. This creation makes use of a Spirelli thread wrapping technique and beautiful red metallic thread from Wonderfil. The base card is an A2 (4 1/4 x 5 1/2-inch) side fold card. Layered onto the front is a die-cut banner, scalloped circle, lacey circle, standard circle and lastly the thread wrapped scalloped circle. The scalloped, lacey, and standard circle die templates are from Spellbinders.

To create the Spirelli wrap, it is best to work from the spool of thread. Secure the end of the thread to the back with tape. Wrap the thread around to the front through one valley, next count 9 valley's to the right and continue the wrap in the ninth valley. Wrap around the back returning to the right of the first wrap and continue wrapping until there are two thread wraps in each valley. Secure at the back with tape. The larger number of spaces skipped will create a smaller center circle and a smaller number of spaces skipped will create a larger center circle. Place an adhesive rhinestone in the center circle created by wrapping the threads.

To finish this card a die-cut sentiment (Sizzix) has been adhered to a tag shape and then adorned with an adhesive rhinestone. Adhere the sentiment panel to the card front using foam mounting tape to create a bit of dimension.

This is the design in its most basic form, however remember depending on your supplies and level of experience it is easy to take it to the next level. Some options would be to complete some pressure embossing on the banner strip or card front or possibly some background stamping and/or heat embossing.

I hope you have been inspired to create!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Valentine Inspiration!

Project design by Sharon M. Reinhart

It's getting close to that day where love is in the air and all around us! I love (no pun intended) making valentines cards and little treats! Thought I would share this quick and easy card. I began with a Kraft colored cardstock base and then embossed it using a Taylored Expressions embossing folder. Next layer corrugated paper to the card front followed by red cardstock then a layer of red glitter tape and a corrugated notched banner strip. Notched banners are easy to create by using a square or octagon punch, or with the use of a die template, or manually by cutting up the center and then from the corners to the center cut line.

Adorn the card front with a mini collage created with a die-cut heart, die-cut flourishes and die-cut words. These dies are all Sizzix die templates. Then to create the studded effect on the card without the dimension just add glitter dots (Elizabeth Craft Designs) to the words and scatter on some of the embossed areas. It may be hard to see in this photo but a Wink of Stella gold pen has been used around the die-cut heart, edge of the large corrugated layer and on the words. These pens have a beautiful shimmer to them - love them! I hope you are inspired to create something LOVE-ly!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Back to Basics!

Projects designed by Sharon M. Reinhart as seen in the CardMaker
January 16, 2017 Update

I would like to invite you to take a look at my most recent CardMaker Update, in this issue we go back to the basics for all of our new card makers, but there is also creative inspiration for our seasoned card makers. Head on over by clicking this link CardMaker. If you have not yet signed up for this free resource, I encourage you to do so while you are there. We have two editors, myself, and the fabulous Kimber McGray. Kimber and I alternate the writing of the update so that you get some great information and inspiration directly to your inbox every three weeks! I hope you will take a look and be inspired to create.
Creatively Yours,
Sharon