Tea-bag folded card

Card designed by Sharon M. Reinhart

I have been trying to sort through supplies and leftover kits from make and takes and classes that I have taught. Each time I find a leftover kit I get drawn away to see what different card I can create using the supplies. This is my take on one, it turned out quite a bit different from the original and I am pleased with it. My point with this post is if you find left over kits and supplies just switch it up a bit, simple changes is all that it takes to breath new life into a card. For this one I changed the tea bag fold and incorporated what I refer to as a square fold, beginning with a basic triangle fold and then adding a progression by tucking the top layer under to create a square. In my book and online/DVD class there are more complete instructions or video tutorial. If you are having difficulty finding any of them please leave a message and I will see if I have it in stock or if I can point you in the right direction to purchase.

The other change was to borrow more squares of the printed paper from an additional kit, originally prepped for the tea bag folding and repurpose them by cutting in half and then creating a border at the top and bottom of the card.

Another simple variation, was to change the orientation, originally a portrait card that I changed to landscape. An addition of a few punched flowers and adhesive gems and this one is good to go! I hope you have been inspired to create!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Tea bag fold Valentine!

Card designed by Sharon M Reinhart February 2020

Hi there, we are in the final countdown to Valentine’s Day and I had to include this special folded one. This card is a side fold card with a couple layers added to the front followed by a black card-stock strip with a flag tail end, then punched hearts using a Fiskars punch, a computer generated sentiment and the focal point is a tea bag folded medallion. This fold is one that I refer to as a basic square fold with a couple fold back progressions. The medallions may be created with any size of square and light weight paper, the weight of photo copy paper or what is referred as text weight paper. Even paper from recycled books works beautifully. You will need eight squares of paper, this medallion makes use of two inch squares of black linen text weight paper. Fold square of paper in half horizontally, unfold, then fold in half vertically, unfold and then complete one diagonal fold and unfold. Collapse the paper into a smaller square by pressing in on the diagonal fold. The progression is completed by folding the top layer back on itself to the folded point edge and then one more fold back to the horizontal fold at center. Apply scor-tape to back of each piece on one folded edge and adhere 8 together to create the medallion. Insert a brad at center followed by a punched heart and then layer to your card! If you would like more tea bag folding inspiration check out my books and online class or DVD, I do have a few copies available for purchase, just leave me a message. Hope you are inspired to create! Happy Valentine’s!

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

Happy Birthday Card!

Project design ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2013

Just wanted to share this birthday card with you that I made for a friend recently. For those of you that enjoy tea bag folding, this design incorporates two tea bag folded rosettes that have been layered. Just use two different sizes of circles when folding. The wonderful layers underneath the rosette were created using one of my favorite Memory Box die templates. The leaf was created using an Elizabeth Craft Designs leaf die set which has three different sizes in the set - it's a go to leaf die for me. The tag is a Fiskars punch with a little flag accent created using an EK Success punch.The sentiment stamp is from Petit Pairs Stampin Up. Lastly, the cardstocks are Bazzill and the printed paper is Recollections. If you would like to give tea bag folding a try or are looking for more ideas I encourage you to take a look at my book Tea Bag Folding Through the Seasons which is currently on sale at Annie's or my online class or DVD Fabulous Paper Folds. Hope you are inspired to create something today!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Card for Mom!

project design ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2013

With Mother's Day approaching, I thought I would share this simple but delightful creation with you. This card is created using printed papers from Michael's and a pearl text weight paper by I believe Stardream or Curious Metallics. The flower is created with two separate tea-bag folded medallions that were created using the basic circle fold and one progression (one of my favorite folds) then layered together with a brad accented with an adhesive rhinestone. The next layer is created using a beautiful Memory Box die called Tilth Floral - one layer was cut from the purple print paper and another from the pearlized text weight paper. The leaves are created using a die from Elizabeth Craft Designs and card stock. Stamp the letters for MOM on the pearl paper, punch out and adhere in the top right corner and you are done. If you want to learn all about tea-bag folding, iris folding and some fun folds be sure to check out my online class Fabulous Paper Folds or possibly one of my books. Hope you like this card! I think this one will be going to my own Mom.
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

Festive Decor!

Project design ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2012

Where does time go! Sorry for my absence. Life was a bit topsy turvy for awhile. Hopefully we are back on track. Onwards and upwards! Also, to all, whose lives have been affected by the horrific storm - Sandy, my thoughts and prayers are with you!
To bring some cheer to the day I thought I would share this festive canvas decor. Initially the wooden JOY piece was going to be an ornament or piece that could be hung on the wall and then I decided to incorporate a small canvas into the picture. These canvases are perfect for this type of decor, it is one of those Can Do Art childrens canvas that has a pre-printed picture on it. Once its painted or paper has been adhered you don't even know. The wooden word has been covered with an Echo Park paper (I don't believe it is still available.) There are however a variety of music score papers out right now that would work wonderfully, some are on cream backgrounds but you could easily change that with the use of sprays or light washes of watercolor or thinned acrylic paint. Yes, that is a tea bag folded medallion in the center created using the basic circle technique. If you would like to learn more about paper folding check out the free previews for my Fabulous Paper Folds online class! Add a stamped word, a bit of ribbon and some pretty corner die-cut pieces placed together (Heartfelt Creations/Spellbinders) and you are done. If you are looking for card inspiration I challenge you to use this piece somewhat like a card sketch or inspiration piece and create a card.  I will work on this challenge as well, be sure to check out my next post to see what I have come up with. Enjoy!
Creatively yours,
Sharon

The Winner Is ...

Online class project & image ©Annie's

Another fun card!  You can learn the technique in the online Fabulous Paper Folds video class and also download the complete instructions for this card!
Thanks to those who have left comments here and also to those who have liked, pinned, or shared in some fashion the info about the Fabulous Paper Folds class through Annies. Also, a big thanks to those I have heard from who have purchased the class. I hope you enjoy it and are inspired to create!  Remember, if you have any questions you do have access to the instructor -- that's a feature of the classes. If you have not seen the previews just use this link to Annie's online classes - while you are there you can also like or pin the class as well.
Now onto the winner! After a random drawing the winner of a signed copy of Tea Bag Folding Through The Seasons is ... Sheryl H.   Sheryl please email me so that I may get your shipping info. Congratulations!  and again thanks to everyone for the comments and just sharing the news!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Fabulous Paper Folds!

It's so exciting! A new page is up at Annie's online classes which allows viewers to preview and learn more about the new online classes available. To celebrate this, if you head to Annie's and then return here and leave a comment about the online class page and classes I am going to draw one lucky name randomly and the winner will receive a signed copy of my book Tea Bag Folding Through The Seasons. The opportunity to enter your comment and name will stay open until midnight (MDT) Saturday September 8th. The name will be drawn and announced on Sunday September 9th. The photo I am sharing today is a group photo of some of the projects that are available as downloads in this class. The techniques to complete the folds on these cards is shared within the video. Don't forget you have access to each instructor if you need further assistance. I sure hope you will head on over to Annie's online classes and check this exciting new resource out!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Online Class Inspiration!

Project and image ©Annie's

As September 1st is the scheduled launch of Annie's online classes I will be providing a few sneak peeks of some of the projects that can be created using the techniques taught in my Fabulous Paper Folds class (yes, that is now the official title) This creation also involves a tea bag folding technique that can be used on cards, scrapbook pages, canvases, gift packaging and tags.  You could even use the tea bag folded tree as ornaments on a full size tree.  The possibilities are endless!  For more info on the Fabulous Paper Folds class head on over to Annie's online classes.
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Tea Bag Folded - Thankyou Card

I would like to invite you to take a look at my most recent CardMaker newsletter - it's about Tea-Bag Folding! These three cards were created using tea-bag folding techniques.  The top left card makes use of punched or die cut circles, the top right card is created by using a rubber stamp to create the papers and the bottom left card makes use of printed squares of paper folded and then layered onto a border punched square.  If you are interested in further designs please check out my book Tea Bag Folding Through the Seasons.

Here is a little design tip for varying sentiment images.  Simply pierce through the word to give a stitching effect.  I use a foam mouse pad for my piercing pad and I really like the Tonic retractable piercing tool.
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Delicate Layers & Tea Bag Fold Card

I think the amount of snow we received the past couple days was the inspiration for this card. The snow glistens as if it has been dusted by glitter thus the glitter on this piece. The layers are like the layers of snow we now have and the finished piece could resemble a snowflake as well. This card is created by using the Fleur De Lis  Pendant die by SpellbindersTM, however any pendant die would work. Then the final part is a tea-bag fold creation in the center followed by a pretty pink brad. A couple of sparkling rhinestones can also be found here and there. To build the layers just use a dimensional tape in between, I do like to use the foam mounting tape or squares by 3M. The tea-bag folded rosette was created using a basic fold with circle shapes and then progressing on with a final fold back of the top layer. The basic fold is to fold the circle in half and then again into quarters. Unfold all, re-crease on both lines so very pliable. Holding the circle with the folds in an x shape, push center pieces under and into center to collapse into a pie shape. Fold back top layer aligning with edges (refer to photo).  You need 8 pieces to create one rosette. Then assemble by placing a small piece of tape on the back on one side (stay consistent to the same side), sandwiching one piece between the other. My favorite tape to use for this is the 1/8" wide Scor-tape. For more tea-bag folding projects and instructions please check out my book Tea Bag Folding Through the Seasons.
Creatively Yours,
Sharon