Making Flowers with Die Templates!

As seen in CardMaker Magazine online newsletter
Projects designed by Sharon M. Reinhart

Just wanted to let you know that my most recent CardMaker newsletter is available now and it is all about making flowers using die templates! With Mother's Day approaching there is also some inspiration for your cards in order to celebrate Mom! Head on over to CardMaker Magazine newsletter for the complete article and full pictures!

Happy Mother's Day!

Hope all of you are enjoying this special day!
Just wanted to relay that I spent the day yesterday teaching some wonderful ladies. We were on a mixed media adventure creating a canvas and in the afternoon it was a card class working with iris folding, spirelli thread wraps and handmade flowers using the yellow pages!

Project Design ©Sharon M. Reinhart

I had a great time sharing and I hope at the end of the day each was inspired to create!
If you are looking for further card inspiration please check out CardMaker magazines online newsletter. It is a free resource that once you sign up the newsletter will go directly to your inbox. Kimber McGray and myself are the editors of this newsletter. Presently Kimber's Card Challenge Corner issue is up and my next issue goes live on Monday May 13th, so head on over and sign up. Here is a sneak peek -- It's Graduation Time!


Project Design ©Sharon M. Reinhart



If you are not in the market for graduation cards at this time I encourage you to use the designs in this newsletter somewhat like you would a card sketch. Take the basic design and switch up the theme and papers to coordinate with a different occasion. Congratulatory cards can be used for many occasions! Hope you are inspired to create!

Creatively Yours,

Sharon

Easter Decor

Thought I would share this little basket that could be used for a little treat! This basket brings recycling into play as the base is a yogurt container and some of the flowers have been created using the yellow pages. Clean and dry the container then wrap it with some pretty cardstock. The embellishment on this creation was made with punched leaves using a Martha Stewart punch, handmade flowers -- two of which were created with phone book pages and a Spellbinder's scalloped circle die. The third flower is creating by starting with a punched circle, then cut a spiral into the circle and coil into a pretty little flower. All of the flowers have light accents of gold metallic paint. The handle on the basket is two chenille stems twisted together along with some wire trim. Add some crinkled paper or basket filler and your treats!  I can't take credit for the yummy treats inside, you will have to visit the candy store for those, or put a real colored egg in.
I thought this little basket would be a pretty little addition to the dinner table or just for a sweet little favor for guests. This idea could be used for many occasions such as Mother's Day brunch, baby and/or wedding showers too! Great little project for kids as well, depending on the age, some assistance may be needed for the flowers or switch it up a bit and use punched or die-cut flowers, even silk flowers would be pretty.
Hope you like it!
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

Cards - Back to School style



Project designs ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2012

I wanted to share with you the topic of my last Cardmaker newsletter - using school supplies to create cards! Can you guess what the circular pattern on the wish card was created with?  How were the blooms created? Head on over to the Cardmaker's September 3rd, 2012 issue to find out and learn more about these fun cards. This newsletter is a free resource, so sign up while you are there in order to have this wonderful resource go straight to your inbox. The next newsletter coming out is by Kimber McGray on September 24th. There is a new issue every three weeks - Kimber and myself are the editors of the newsletter and alternate the writing. There is also an archive of past newsletters packed full of useful and inspiring samples, free projects and information. The stamps used in these cards above are from Quietfire Design, Dyan Reavely, Invoke Arts and Unity Stamp Company.
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

 

Mother's Day Gift Inspiration!

Project Design based on project seen in Exquisite Embellishments for Paper Crafting published by Annies'Attic

Okay, I promise this is the last post for a bit about this new publication (Exquisite Embellishments for Paper Crafting), I so much wanted to share a project that did not get into the book, however the other three pieces of this ensemble did. You have seen the wood tote box (which is included in the book) however this journal is not included in the book. That takes me to the topic of using one design to inspire you to create other things. Somewhat like one card five ways, taking the same set of supplies and creating other things. Sometimes our creative well needs replenshing and this is one way to accomplish it. This little journal would make a perfect Mother's Day gift and card at the same time. Open it up and write your thoughts and wishes to your mom on the first page. Or, take inspiration from the design to make a square card. Most of the techniques needed to complete this journal are in the book. (sorry I am unable to share that info) For further info on this publication and to see more inspiring photos click on this link to Annie's Attic.
Wishing all the moms and moms-to-be a wonderful Mother's Day! May it be filled with happiness and sunshine! I know this wish is early, but I too plan on having a wonderful weekend and spending some quality time with my family, I hope you are blessed with the same!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Tag Art for Mom!

Project Design ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2012

I thought I would share this tag that is beautiful on its own or would make a wonderful card. With Mother's Day quickly approaching this would be a great way to show Mom just how much you care. I created this tag as kits that I will be offering for sale at a fundraising crop that I am participating in. I donated my time and supplies to create a make and take with the ladies. This is not the make and take - still working on that one, guess I better hurry up and get it done. This project is created with a shipping style tag. The Sizzix postage stamp die paired with coaster board was used for the frame and book print paper for the flower which has been die cut with a Spellbinders die.  The music score background from Stampendous was stamped onto kraft color tissue paper and then layered onto the tag. Some brown and copper craft acrylic paint distressing and wire tendrils were added along with a stamped mini domino.  Three different styles of fibers are the finishing touch. Hope you like it!

Creatively Yours,

Sharon

Congratulations! Greeting Card

Design ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2011

Congratulations! What a wonderful word! One that can be used for a multitude of occasions. Wedding, Engagement, New Baby, New Job, Promotion, and Graduation are just a few of those most wonderful moments we are blessed to be able to celebrate. This card makes use of one of my favorite techniques - making handmade flowers using scallop style dies and beautiful papers. The dies used on this card are from Spellbinder's. The card is one that I shared in a CardMaker online newsletter about wedding and shower cards. This particular card was given to a wonderful person in celebration of the new career she is embarking on. The delicate nature of this design suited the individual perfectly! Hope you like it!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

From Card to Home Decor!

Design ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2011

Two areas of paper crafting that I really enjoy are cardmaking and home decor projects. Well for this project I made use of a card that I had created for a recent CardMaker newsletter article -- From Trash to Treasured Cards, not only were the flowers created using an old phone book, Spellbinders scallop dies and inks, but now I have also repurposed the card into a home decor piece. I layered the card onto beautiful embossed daisy paper and then placed the project into an Ikea frame. So, go take a look at your collection of cards, maybe some of them would make a perfect home decor piece. Time and time again I look at wall decor pieces in the store and say "I can make that" and I never take the time out to do it, so this was a step in the right direction. There is hope for me yet!  Enjoy!
Creatively yours,
Sharon

Happy Birthday Card



Design ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2011

Happy Birthday to all of you born on 8/8 and those born on 8/8/88 like my youngest daughter for whom this card was created. Yes, back to handmade flowers, (cannot get enough of them) however using a different die. This time I used the pinked circles die from Spellbinder's, it worked beautifully, creating a carnation style flower. The leaves are from ProvoCraft - love them, I think this one had three different dies in the set. The border was created with a Fiskars border punch.
Quick post today - some simple inspiration!
Enjoy!
Creatively yours,
Sharon