Tag designed by Sharon M. Reinhart April 2020

There is still time to create this adorable Easter tag! The Base tag actually began its life as shipping material from a recent Reno. Being a crafter I knew it would have a great purpose at some point. Recently I decided to cut this marvellous material into tags by die-cutting the cardboard using a Tim Holtz die by Sizzix. A little bit of pink acrylic paint brushed onto the tag creates a nice base.
Next a white doily has been sponged with the same acrylic paint. A die-cut wreath using a Memory Box die serves as a pretty frame for the cute bunny. 
The bunny body is an accordion rosette created with a Tim Holtz die by Sizzix and the Ears have been made using a Heartfelt Creations daisy die and trimming all of the petals away except two. To make the bunny head I have used a Spellbinders circle die and added mini black rhinestones, a punched heart using a Fiskars hand punch and then drawing by hand the balance of the face with a fine point sharpie. 
The sentiment was stamped onto a die-cut stitched banner by Tutti Designs using an older Hero Arts
Stamp. Two additional banner shapes have been layered underneath the sentiment. The finishing 
touches, a little ribbon bow, tied with the aid of a fork. A little trick I learned from a friend that had worked in miniatures. Then some ribbon and twine have been added to the tag hole. This little bunny brought a smile to my face and I hope with everything that is going on in the world at present that she does the same for you!❤️ 

Easter card inspiration!

 Card designed by Sharon M Reinhart February 2020

Sending Easter card inspiration your way! This card is an A2 top fold card. I have tied a ribbon around a green/white printed card stock panel which is slightly smaller than the card base and layered it to the white base card.

Next it’s time to create the main collage! I began with a tag which was die-cut using a Simon Says Stamp die template. Then layered some punched leaves, Martha Stewart Crafts, followed by a punched flower, Stampin’ Up, and an adhesive rhinestone. My next step was to create a little egg collage on each side of the tag. I used Doodlebug Design printed paper and a die from Photoplay. The white eggs were embossed using an older folder from Sizzix. The eggs on each side of center were adhered using foam mounting tape and the other ones with Tombow Mono Multi liquid glue or Scor-tape. I tucked in a leaf spring and adorned one of the eggs on each side with a punched flower and rhinestone. To finish the center tag, the Happy Easter sentiment, Taylored Expressions, was stamped onto a stitched circle shape, Studio Katia, and then layered to shimmer green card stock, which is a 

punched scalloped circle cut in half. The finishing touches here are a flower embellishment and leaf sprig. Hope you are inspired to create! 

Creatively Your,

Sharon

Countdown to Valentine's Day!

Card project designed by Sharon M. Reinhart February 2019

Stopping by with another sweet Valentine! This is another sweet and simple Valentine card. This card is a white side-fold A2 base. For those of you who may be new to card making, an A2 size card is 4-1/4 x 5 1/2 inches in its folded form. That being said it can be made by beginning with an 8-1/2 x 5-1/2 inch piece of cardstock and scoring and folding in half at 4-1/4, of it can be a gate-fold with an opening in the center scoring at 2-1/8 from each side. An A2 card may also be made beginning with a 4-1/4 x 11 inch piece of cardstock and scoring at 5-1/2 inches and folding in half. They can all be made as a side fold or a top fold although the most effective gate folds in order to still display are side folds.

Onwards with this particular card. The printed paper layer base is a Recollection paper that has been trimmed slightly leaving just a small border of plain white. The sizes I typically use for this type of layering is either 5-1/4 x 4 or 5 x 3-3/4 inches. Next is a layer of coral cardstock followed by a narrow strip of the word "love". This narrow strip is cut from a Canvas Corp paper. I love to create notched ribbon ends and find the quickest and most efficient method is to use either my hexagon or square punches, utilizing a corner area within the punch. Okay, folks, pull out your retro card making supplies that have been banished to the back of the cupboard! In order to create the black decorative edge strip I have used my mini scalloped edge scissors from Fiskars! I still love them! I begin with a larger width than required which results in two useable decorative strips once the cut is completed.

Die-cut or punch a couple of heart shapes. This particular heart is an older one from Stampin' Up that cuts and creates the Swiss dot effect at the same time.  A plain heart works equally as well, it can always be embossed with an embossing folder. Or if you do not have the tools in order to emboss, try stamping a texture on the hearts, or adding score lines to create an embossed design. Where there is a will there is a way! Wrap thread (this beautiful thread is from Wonderfil) a few times around fingers and secure with tape and then sandwich in between the two hearts. One heart has been adhered with double-sided tape and the other with foam mounting tape.

Die cut, punch or stamp "LOVE" and "YOU" and adhere to the heart shapes. These particular words are from a Sizzix set by Stephanie Barnard, #560025. This sweet Valentine is good to go! Hope you have been inspired to create!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Heartstrings Valentine!

Card project designed by Sharon M. Reinhart February 2019

Hi everyone! Stopping by with a simple yet striking Valentine card suitable for either a guy or gal!

This card is made with a side-fold A2 size (begin with 8-1/2 x 5-1/2 inches and score and fold in half) white shimmer cardstock base. A 2-inch x 5-1/2 inch piece of "love" cardstock from Canvas Corp has been layered onto two red scalloped strips at each side. The beautiful scalloped edge has been created with a Lawn Fawn die set called Stitched Scalloped Borders. An alternative would be any scalloped border die or punch, punched circles layered on top of each other or scalloped-edge scissors.

The next layer is created with 3 thread wrapped cardstock hearts. These particular hearts have been die-cut using a Spellbinders Scalloped-edge Nestablilities die template. The thread is a beautiful cream/gold thread from Wonderfil. I find it best to work from the spool while completing thread wrapped pieces. First tape the end of the thread to the back of the heart shape close to the top. My first wrap begins through the first valley to the right of center on the top of the heart and continues along through the first valley to the left at the bottom of the heart. Continue wrapping in an anti-clockwise manner until complete, trimming thread from spool and adhering to the back with tape.

The center heart has been adhered with foam mounting tape allowing further dimension and the top and bottom hearts are adhered with double sided tape. A gold heart, punched using a Fiskars punch adorns the center heart followed by three mini adhesive black rhinestones.

The finish on this card is a die-cut heart from the printed paper using a die from Penny Black that has 5 decorative hearts and 1 plain heart in the set and is called All My Hearts #51-180. Layered on top of this is a gold die-cut word "LOVE" which has been created with a Sizzix set by Stephanie Barnard #560025.

I like to add a bit of the décor to the inside of the card, so I just simply added a strip of red cardstock followed by a stamped greeting punched out with a circle punch. There are so many ways of carrying the design from the front to the inside, just add some of the same colors or images that have been used on the front. It is amazing how just a strip of cardstock and a little element such as a punched heart or greeting finishes the inside! Hope you like this card and are inspired to create!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Valentine's Inspirations!

Todays post is a little Valentine Inspiration and a bit of a challenge to you as well. I love to look for different surfaces and blank forms to become my canvas so to speak. Well the inspiration here is the little gift card box on the left, of which was on clearance at Superstore after the holidays at drastically reduced prices. I thought they were beautiful to begin with but of course I have to create my handmade touches. There were a variety of designs and colors, but this one caught my eye for Valentine's. I can see many uses for this little box besides using it as a gift card holder. Perhaps a gift of handmade tags or mini note cards. The first step was to transform the outside of the box.

I began by removing any traces of Christmas, which was easily accomplished without damaging the box. Try using a piece of dental floss and wiggling it under the embellishments or sometimes a little bit of heat with a heat tool is enough.

My next step was pulling out Valentine theme supplies.  One of my most favorite heart die template sets is one from Cheery Lynn Designs, which is DL128 Two of Hearts. I die cut the largest heart out of gold mirror cardstock. It was going to need a layer underneath so I chose another die template from Cheery Lynn, this particular die template is the Mini Fanciful Flourish B117S, so I die-cut two of these from white glossy cardstock and layered them under the gold heart. It needed just something else in the middle of the gold heart, nothing too large or elaborate. I chose this stitched heart from a Lawn Fawn set the Reverse Stitched Scalloped Circle windows set which has a tiny stitched heart in the set. This was also die-cut from glossy white cardstock. The last die-cut to use was a sentiment that would fit beautifully in the bottom right corner. One simple word "LOVE" was all that it needed. This die is from a Sizzix set by Stephanie Barnard #560025. I also die-cut the word from glossy white cardstock.

Yes, I am all about handmade, but sometimes it just makes sense to start off with something pre-made and add to it, especially if it makes dollar cents too! So don't be afraid to use pre-made items, note cards etc. and add to it in order to make it your own. I have also done this same thing with printed cards that are just begging for more dimension and design! I hope you are inspired to create and like the transformation and stay tuned to see what I end up designing for the inside of this box!
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

More Valentines!

Hi there, this post has a bit of a challenge involved. It involves taking a pre-made card and turning it into a different card. The red and white card was some cards that a friend was getting rid of and of course I thought I would have a purpose for them being an avid paper-crafter. The black, white and gold cards were purchased at a dollar store as they were inexpensive and I was looking for that size of envelope and they worked perfectly.

The black, white and gold card original size is 4 3/4 x 3 3/8-inches, a perfect size for Valentine's cards or Thank-you notes, the back of the card is stamped as an Anna Griffin Design. I thought not only could I use the envelopes but the cardstock print was rather quite pretty as well. So, I went about on my challenge to create a simple card that was attractive. I believe I accomplished this -- I hope you will agree! My finished card is an A2 size card 4 1/4 x 5 1/2-inches. I began by trimming the card front from the decorative print note card and layered it to black cardstock and then onto a white card base. The pretty gold sections in the printed card was the inspiration to die-cut a design from shiny gold cardstock and I chose to use a D-Lites die from Spellbinders called the Frills Etched Die #S1-017. Next I layered that piece onto a strip of black cardstock with a banner notch cut at one end. One of my favorite methods for cutting banner notches is to use my hexagon punch. A square punch or even a heart punch works wonderfully as well.

This die-cut frill was begging to frame a beautiful flower or medallion. I chose to create a tea-bag folded medallion using pearl text weight paper. The basic circle method with a top layer fold back progression was used. If you would like to learn more about tea-bag folding I do have a class called Fabulous Folds available in DVD or online format through Annie's or I also have some copies of the DVD in stock as well as my Tea Bag Folding Through the Seasons book, just leave me a message.
Back to this card, the finishing touch on this card was to create a sentiment panel. I die-cut a small label square and cut it in half and attached a die-cut sentiment to it and then layered it to the bottom right on the card front.

The second card with an original size of 5 1/4 x 3 3/4-inches also includes a tea-bag folded medallion that makes use of a square fold with a progression folding the top left and right layers to the center. To add a bit more visual interest I applied some decorative tape to a cardstock panel and trimmed to 1-inch wide. The words "LOVE" and "YOU" (Sizzix die template #560025) were also cut from the tape/cardstock panel.

Hope you enjoyed seeing these "from this to that" cards and you are inspired to create! Keep watching for more Valentine's Inspiration!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Love-ly Inspiration!

Project design by Sharon M. Reinhart, may be used for personal use.

Before you know it Valentines will be upon us. Just stopping by to share a little more Valentine card inspiration. Check back soon, between now and February 14, I will be sharing lots of Valentine ideas.

This Love-ly card begins with a pink shimmer card stock base. Cardstock is cut 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches and scored at 4 1/4 inches and folded in half. For those of you that are beginners this is called an A2 size card with a side fold. The orientation for this one is portrait like a portrait of a person however it could also be created in a landscape orientation like a picture of the horizon or landscape. Another method of creating the A2 base card for this project is to cut your cardstock to 4 1/4 x 11 inches and then score at 5 1/2 inches and fold the card in half creating a top fold A2 portrait style card.

Ok, now onto the decorative part. Layer a 3 3/4 x 5 inch panel of printed paper to a 4 x 5 1/4 inch piece of white cardstock. Then layer onto the card front. I used a memory box die template to create the mesh effect, however if you do not have this die another option is to use adhesive drywall tape, it works wonderfully. A strip of ribbon or perhaps an embossed strip of white cardstock using an embossing folder that has a grid or line pattern would look equally as nice! I am sure you can see that with card making there are all sorts of options. Don't let not having the exact same supplies stop you from creating something beautiful!

The beautiful die-cut heart is one of my favorite die templates and it is from Cheery Lynn Designs it is called Two of Hearts DL128. Again, if you do not have this particular one just layer a plain heart to a decorative edge heart such as a scalloped heart. A plain white cardstock heart has been layered to the decorative pink shimmer cardstock heart. Next for a nice finish here, I have tied a piece of pink tulle into a bow and adhered it to the center of the heart using Tombow Multi Medium. A sentiment has been added by die-cutting the words LOVE and YOU, these dies are from a Sizzix set by Stephanie Barnard #560025 Framelits and Step-Ups. The delicate swirl has also been created with the same die set. To add a little bit of glitz a few pink sparkly gems have been added, these particular gems were found at Dollarama.

Keep in mind that I am using supplies that I have and encouraging you to do the same. Also, I am not being compensated by these companies but will try to list the product names or numbers where possible. I will also try to give you a few creative options just in case and warn you that some of the supplies may not be available but I also know that many of us have tons of wonderful tools and supplies that have been relegated to cupboards and drawers like old toys. Well here is your challenge, pull out those tools and supplies that you used to love so much and have forgotten about and give them a chance to once again be center stage on your creations!

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

Valentine Inspiration!

Project design by Sharon M. Reinhart - may be used by readers for personal use

This time of year I am typically organizing and cleaning up from the creative mess that remained after creating for Christmas. I was going through my old papers determining what to keep and what to give away when I noticed lots of beautiful papers that are discontinued. Why am I not using these? No, I cannot use them for published works but I can for personal and for kits for others to have fun with. Before my Mom passed away I used to make little card kits for her and I to enjoy some time together and recently I even had my Dad working on some Christmas cards with me. Whether discontinued or not pretty paper can always be used. There are many seniors at centers who would love to receive a special kit, or even children, or a girlfriend that would like to get creative over a a cup of coffee with you. Keep it simple, include all of the pieces needed in the kit. It is best if there isn't a big list of other supplies required in order to complete the kit, maybe just some glue or tape and scissors.

Now, onto the inspiration for this post. It is a cute little Valentine created with some old double sided paper that actually was a Christmas print with deer on one side and this delightful pattern on the other. I thought the colors and pattern was perfect for Valentines! This is a simple collage of die-cut hearts and words using a Stampin' Up set called Love Notes Framelits, a Sizzix set by Stephanie Barnard - Framelits Step-Ups /560025 and a heart die from Spellbinders.

Just pull out your heart themed supplies and use what you have. Punches, stickers, dies, stamps they all would easily translate into this card. Before you pack away all of your Christmas themed supplies, take another look, I am sure you will find many that would also work wonderfully for Valentine creations! I hope you are inspired to create!
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

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

Mother's Day Card!

Project design by Sharon M. Reinhart

I am sure you can tell that I love this Primrose paper line from Bo Bunny! With Mom's Day just around the corner I wanted to share this card created with Bo Bunny Papers, Spellbinder's Cut, Fold and Tuck dies as well as Shapeabilities, a leaf die from Sizzix and one of my favorite tea-bag folding techniques.
I truly hope you like it! Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Moms out there. Make sure to share some special time with yours!

Mothers hold their children's hands for awhile

 ... their hearts forever!

Forever in our hearts!

♥Sharon

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Card!

Project Design ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2014

Hi there, thought you might like to see something else besides Valentine Cards (although I do truly enjoy making Valentine greetings). This card is a delicate birthday card which incorporates the spirelli thread wrapping technique on a die-cut pinked circle. I love this thread from Wonderfil! The delicate little flower button was accented with a little rhinestone that was colored with a Bic Mark It pen to get the perfect shade. This paper has a clear embossed effect on it which if you want to re-create that type of look, just simply take a swirl stamp or stencil, some embossing or watermark ink and then heat emboss using clear embossing powder. The flourish used on this card is a Sizzix die and would also work great to create a stencil for the heat embossing technique. The greeting on this card is a delicate peel off sticker. For a larger view just click on the photo. Now, I challenge you to take this design and turn it into a wonderful Valentine's Day card - this card is perfect for many occasions! Hope you like it!

Share a little love!

Thought I would share a little love today with this Valentine themed card. This card would be wonderful as an Anniversary card as well. To begin create an A2 red base card then layer Canvas Corp printed paper to ivory pearl cardstock. The black cardstock flourish has been created with a Tim Holtz die from Sizzix. The adorable bingo card stamp is from Kaisercraft and the extra words, treasure and cherish were also cut from two other bingo card stamps. Finish with a thread wrapped scalloped heart, the thread is a beautiful metallic thread from Wonderfil and the heart was created using the Spellbinder's Nestabilities scalloped heart die. Don't forget the little rhinestone accents! Thread wrapping is easy to complete and offers such beautiful results! If you haven't tried this technique yet I encourage you to. Thread may be simply wrapped through the valley of one scallop and then directly across. Or, to give it a Spirelli look, skip a number of scallops and then continue wrapping until two threads are in each valley. For this heart I started the wrap to the right of center at the top and then continued to the left at center bottom. Keep wrapping in this manner then adhere and trim the thread on the back. If you do not create Valentine or Anniversary cards just switch up the greetings to a different occasion such as Birthday! Hope you like it! Creatively Yours, Sharon

Butterfly Wishes All Occasion Card

©Sharon M. Reinhart 2012

My sincere apologies for being absent for so long! The road of life all of a sudden merged without notice from four lanes into one. I am sure many of you can relate.
To get back in to action here I have chosen to share a card that was inspired by the paper itself. This beautiful paper from Pink Paislee inspired the use of the Beautiful Wings Embosslits from Stampin Up and the Tim Holtz dress form die from Sizzix. The Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder by Provocraft added a beautiful texture to the dress form as well as mimicked the pattern in the paper layered beneath. The beautiful rhinestone flourishes that are so popular were the perfect compliment to the neckline on the dress form as well as for use on the butterflies. White crepe paper slightly gathered became the skirt along with a paper waistband complete with a butterfly embellishment. I purposely did not include a sentiment on the front of this card as I felt that it could be used for a variety of occasions and I wanted the design on the front to be the focus. Once chosen for a specific occasion I will include the sentiment on the inside.
Hope you like this project!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Quick Any Occasion Card



Card Design © Sharon M. Reinhart 2011

This simple card is an example of using what you have on hand. If you do not have co-ordinating brads - make your own. Simply apply a strong double sided liner tape to the brad and trim excess. Place a square of printed card stock onto exposed adhesive (it's good to start with a slightly larger square), trim excess cardstock. To give the designer brad an epoxy or lacquer effect apply Glossy Accents or similar clear dimensional medium and let dry. The die cut leaves (Sizzix die) have a thin coat of the dimensional medium as well. The decorative mat is created using a Spellbinder's die. Now you can co-ordinate your brads to any card! The space at the bottom right corner would be perfect for a small greeting like the words thanks, thankful or grateful. On that note, as this weekend is the Canadian Thanksgiving I would like to extend my best wishes to all of you celebrating Thanksgiving, may you share some warm and wonderful moments with family and friends. I know I will be counting my blessings I hope you will too! Be sure to watch for my next post where this design will be transformed into a Christmas Card! 
Creatively Yours,
Sharon