Same supplies - different card!

Card project designed by Sharon M. Reinhart

Well I was on a mission to go through my supplies and organize. My mission ended quickly once I found all of the leftover kits from previous card classes and make and takes! I was still on a mission, but more of a creative one rather than a cleaning one! The mission if I accepted was to take these card kits and without adding more supplies switch the card design up! I gladly accepted this mission and thought I would share the results with you.

The original card was basically the card on the left but without the extra aqua card base. The tea bag fold was a basic triangle tea bag fold using squares of Recollections paper and the white base was pressure embossed and then dots of craft paint were added as an accent using the end of a paint brush using a dip-dot method. You can also use a stylus for this as well. Just dip the instrument into the craft paint and then dot onto your cardstock. The craft paint was also used to color the layered square of cardstock underneath the die-cut square simply using a sponge.

The first switch up (on the left) was to trim the panel to fit the aqua card base. This was another find in my inventory, pre-made note cards that had a beautiful silver embossed double frame on the front. The first switch up entailed using only a single silver frame. The second change on this card was to add a bit of Stickles glitter glue to the silver brad and random paint dots.

The second switch up (card on the right) was made into a side-fold portrait card. The fold made use of a progression fold, starting with a basic triangle fold and then folding the top left and right points under to the center to create this beautifully textured square design in the center. If you are interested in tea bag folding and looking for more progressions you may wish to check out my Fabulous Paper Folds online class or DVD, I share the basics and then a multitude of progressions! To change this design a little further I trimmed the white panel a little smaller to make use of the double silver frame on the pre-made card base. The other switch up was to use two more squares of the printed paper that was used for the tea bag fold as a layering element underneath the die-cut square.

So if you have left-over kits or bits and pieces from previous creations, challenge yourself to make something new using the same supplies. Hope you are inspired to create!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Bit of Spring!

Card project designed by Sharon M. Reinhart March 2019

Stopping by with a cute card that offers a feeling of Spring and would be perfect for a variety of occasions from birthday, Mother's Day, new baby, Easter, and thinking of you.

I feel like there is a bit of a trend happening right now which combines stamped words with die-cut script words. I love the look! It is easy to accomplish as well. For this card the effect was created with a stamp set from Stampin' Up. I chose the sentiment "sent with love". Simply place a post it note or painters tape over the area that you do not wish to have stamped. In this case I masked off the word "love". Next ink up the stamp, remove the post it note or painters tape and stamp the sentiment onto white cardstock. Next, die-cut the word "love" from pink cardstock, this particular one is from a Recollections set but there are many die-cut word sets available through a variety of manufacturers. Add the die-cut word below the stamped greeting. It's that simple!

If you don't have a lot of word stamps try using a label maker or perhaps computer generate the words and print them onto cardstock. Further options would be to use sticker words or cut words from old books.

Now onto the actual card. This card is an A2 side fold card. A beautiful scalloped edge window has been created using the Reverse Stitched Scalloped Circle die set from Lawn Fawn. Cut the window in the top portion of a white panel of cardstock and layer to a pink cardstock panel that is slightly larger. Adhere to the card front.

Die-cut a flower using white cardstock and the Elizabeth Craft Designs Victorian Flower Overlay Set 1. Wrap metallic thread around your fingers and sandwich it between the die-cut flower and the pink layer on the card front. Next die-cut the flower center and adhere using foam mounting tape. To dress up this delightful flower apply adhesive glitter dots. I use my piercing tool to lift the adhesive dots from the backing sheet and to place them on my image. Glitter dots are available in a variety of colors and add the perfect amount of bling without the bulk!

To further embellish the card front, die-cut a little bow using the Elizabeth Craft Designs Lollypop, set or alternatively tie a bow with narrow ribbon or twine. Add a glitter dot to the center and adhere to the card front. Punch the sentiment out using an oval punch or die, a Fiskars punch was used here. Punch an additional oval from pink cardstock, cut in half and adhere to the back of the sentiment piece at left and right sides to create a layering effect. Adhere to the card front using foam mounting tape.

I realize that I have used several products from Elizabeth Craft Designs; the flower, lollypop (bow) and the glitter dots. No, I do not work for this company I simply enjoy using their products. Please know I will always give you my honest opinions regardless.

This card is simple to make and offers beautiful results! I hope you have been inspired to create!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Love Letters!

Project designed by Sharon M. Reinhart January 2019

Back with more Valentine inspiration! This valentine makes use of stamps, die templates and an embossing folder to create some wonderful layers. The embossing folder is a Recollections product, the swirl border is from Dee's Distinctively border #3 and the balance of the layers -- hearts, mini envelope and insert is from Stampin Up's Love Notes Framelits set #142752. The stamp unfortunately is an older stamp from My Sentiments Exactly, so it could be difficult to find, but there is always a way to recreate the effect, look for some tips below!       

Start with an 8-1/2 x 11 inch piece of white cardstock, score at 4-1/4 and fold in half creating a portrait style side fold card. Next emboss the card front using the embossing folder and a die-cutting/embossing system.

Now onto creating the layers, layer a 2 x 5-1/2 piece of red cardstock to card front at right side. I did add some black distressing or edging to the panel prior to adhering to the card front. Next stamp the image and die-cut each letter out using a circle template, (Spellbinder's circles small Nestabilities) edge each circle with black ink. Layer the letters onto the red panel overlapping slightly. On the left side I actually began this by creating the envelope with love letters embellishment, instead of layering the one little heart onto the red heart I wove it through the slats and secured at the back. The first piece adhered on this side of the card was the little envelope embellishment made up of various elements from the die set and layered together collage style. Again, add some distressing/edging to the mini envelope. This is a wonderful way to make your own embellishments for cards, tags, gift bags, favors, etc. Gather all of the elements you wish to use and start layering together, don't forget to vary the adhesive used. For this embellishment I used foam mounting tape to add dimension with the white heart on the envelope and to adhere the woven heart on top of the envelope flap. Next die-cut a swirl border, adhere to card front right next to the mini envelope embellishment, trim excess and repeat at opposite end. The final touch is to add a few little black rhinestones to the white heart on the mini envelope.

I know that we don't always have the same supplies and some unfortunately may not be available to you. So look at your supplies and see what you can use to replicate. For example the stamp, just stamp some script onto white cardstock followed by an alphabet letter or use book print paper and stamp letters onto that or for further dimension layer chipboard letters on top instead of stamped letters. For the swirl border, try some delicate leaves or branches at each end. This is just a start to what you could use to re-create this design. Make it your own with your own supplies and have fun doing it!

I hope you have been inspired to create! Until next time ...
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Lovely in Pink Valentine!

We are getting closer to Valentine's Day and I have a couple more creations to share with you. Today I have chosen this Lovely in Pink card which is a 5-inch square side fold card. Mini envelopes are a wonderful way to add interest, create little pockets and tuck love notes into. These particular mini envelopes are die-cut using the Love Notes Framelits set from Stampin' Up. There are many methods of generating a mini envelope, from die-cutting to stamping or using an envelope punch board. The hearts and words are all die-cut using a Sizzix die template set #560025 designed by Stephanie Barnard. The paper is a Recollections paper that works perfectly to create this delicate Valentine. The cardstock strip along the bottom provides an area to add a touch of white satin ribbon and to provide a resting place for the arrow which is also created using the Love Notes set. I have chosen to adhere the cardstock strip with foam mounting squares in order to add a bit of dimension. Hope it provides you with some inspiration!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon