Cheery Card with Special Folds!

I love these dies from Spellbinder's TM (Shapeabilities® Cut, Fold & Tuck) - it definitely saves time and labor. Not so long ago I was cutting each area by hand using a metal template and craft knife. If you have not tried these dies you are going to love them! Thought I would share this cheery card with you, it includes two great card making techniques, the cut, fold & tuck technique using these great dies, and tea bag folding. I think they work wonderfully together! This looks like a time consuming card, but it's not. The printed paper from Echo Park is beautiful paired with the Stardreams lagoon text weight paper and the pearl brad from American Crafts is the perfect finishing accent. I hope you like it!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Mini Canvas Decor

My apologies for being gone so long. I will have exciting news to share soon, that will explain my absence. In the meantime I thought I would share these mini canvases. I have these on display in my family room. So if you decide to create them, choose a color that compliments your decor or the recipient's decor. These were created with a stencil effect at the right and a rubber stamp at the left.  Some embossed metal (actually a pizza pan) that has been distressed with craft paint, word rubber stamps from magnetic poetry and some chipboard letters. They look better displayed in one row accordion style but for the photo I thought this worked. The canvas are approximately 5" square - I used kids canvases from Michaels with the drawings on them, jut paint over it! The stamp was an architectural style of stamp and further lines were created with the edge of an ink pad. Many of these techniques would work equally as well on cards and paper crafts. This was a fun project and at one time was being considered by a company for product development but alas that did not become a reality -- oh well, I still enjoy them in my home. Hope you do as well.

Cardmaking with Alcohol Inks

Project Designs ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2012

My apologies for not posting more frequently -- I am on some major deadlines recently. Working on my next book and some other exciting projects! Will fill you in on the other exciting projects when I have been given the go ahead to do so. So for todays quick post I would like to invite you to try working with alcohol inks if you haven't done so before and maybe you have but they are now collecting dust. Well pull them out, dust them off and have some creative fun. My most recent e-newsletter with Cardmaker Magazine went live on June 11th, it's all about alcohol inks! There is also one card in the article that would be perfect for Father's Day! The creations above are from that issue and for more info please use this link and head on over to CardMaker magazine -- it's a free resource so why not use it!
Have a great day!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Mixed Media Class



Project Design ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2012

                 

I am so excited to share this news with you! I am scheduled to teach two classes at the Paint In Alberta Creative Arts Convention being held at the Deerfoot Inn & Casino  in Calgary, September 13 to 16, 2012. I know its a bit early but I thought I would get you thinking about it.

This event has an exhibition attached to it as well, therefore there are also day rates which allow access into see the exhibits, demonstrations, make and takes & cash and carry classes. You must register for the event in order to register for classes that are listed in the catalogue. There is a one day or a two day registration which allows unlimited access to the exhibit hall.There are some wonderful classes and some truly amazing talent!

Here is the link to my Friday class -- Joy Greeting Card or Wall Decor #228, scroll to bottom of page(please note cardstock letters will be used in this project rather than metal letters)

http://www.c2cevents.com/Conventions/pia_2012/classfri.htm

and my Saturday class -- Take Time Mixed Media Decor #339, scroll to middle of page

http://www.c2cevents.com/Conventions/pia_2012/classsat.htm

I have linked two other helpful pages as well:

General info

http://www.c2cevents.com/Conventions/pia_2012/general.htm

Registration Form

http://www.c2cevents.com/Conventions/pia_2012/regform.htm



Project Design ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2012

I hope to see many of you that have been asking about my classes at this event. If you require any further info please do not hesitate to leave me a comment on this blog and I will be sure to answer.

Until next time have a great day!

Creatively Yours,

Sharon

Gratitude Card

I must apologize, I just realized that a recent post, (which has now been deleted) was a card I already shared with you. So to make up for it here is a card created with heat embossing, vellum and tombow markers.  the floral stamp is from Hero Arts and the lovely layers of course are created with Spellbinders TM dies. It was part of the trio for my April 30 issue of the CardMaker online newsletter. Just a quick post today -- life is spinning fast.
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

The Winners Are!

The Exquisite Embellishment blog hop has wrapped up. Thanks to all who stopped by and left your wonderful comments - you are the best! Keri (author) has announced the three winners on her blog which were chosen randomly, drumroll, the winners are: from Keri's blog Stephenie Smith, from Nina B's and Tami Mayberry's blogs Carole & Hawaiian Librarian.
Congratulations ladies!! Hope you enjoy the books!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Exquisite Embellishments Blog Hop!

Today is the launch of a wonderful new book published by Annie's Attic - Exquisite Embellishments for Paper Crafts TM.

This book is filled with beautiful projects created by some very talented designers, I am thrilled to be amongst their company. I was so pleased to see one of my projects on the cover, the decorated wood tote on the right, which by the way is from a three piece ensemble. The other two beautiful cover projects were created by Sherry Wright and Kandis Smith. Thanks Keri and Tanya for including my work in this beautiful publication!

As seen in Exquisite Embellishments for Paper Crafts published by Annie's Attic

Please join us for the Exquisite Embellishments blog hop and be sure to leave your comments at each stop, as three lucky winners will be drawn at random to receive a copy of this new publication! Comments will be left open from Friday through Monday and the draw for the winners will take place on Tuesday May 8, 2012. To order a copy of your own or as a wonderful gift, click on this link to Annie's Attic.

Keri Lee - http://www.pinklemonade.typepad.com

Linda - http://lovelylindascraftcentral.blogspot.com.au/
Sherry - www.sherrywright.typepad.com

Lori - http://www.loricraig.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com

Heidi - http://embellished-dreams.blogspot.com/

Kandis - www.mycreativetreasury.blogspot.com

Nina - http://ninabdesigns.blogspot.com/

Sharon - smrdesigns.blogspot.com  (you are presently here)

Melissa - lilybeanpaperie.typepad.com

Jessica - http://iembellish.blogspot.com/

Tami - http://tamimayberry.blogspot.com/

Teresa - http://paperieblooms.blogspot.com/

Jing Jing - http://thislittleartofmine.blogspot.com/
Thanks for stopping by!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Heat Embossed Cards

Project designs ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2012

I would like to invite you to head on over to Cardmaker's online newsletter, my most recent issue all about heat embossing went live on Monday April 30th. The photo above is just a little peak. Just a quick post today -- stay tuned though, exciting news tomorrow (Friday May 4th) and an opportunity to win a prize.
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

A Card for the Guys!

Well I think I am getting ahead of myself. This is the card that I made for my DH for our anniversary. After taking a second look it would also be great for a Father's Day card which is the part I am getting ahead on-- posting Dad's day cards before Mom's day cards. I assure you that Mother's Day card samples will come, I promise.
This guys card uses metal duct tape that has been attached to cardstock and then embossed with this masculine embossing folder (gears and things). From there acrylic craft paint was applied and once dry the panel was lightly sanded. 
Just a quick post today - hope you like the card.
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Always & Forever Wedding Card

Project design ©Sharon M. Reinhart

Sharing another card that we created in the wedding inspiration class. This one combines the ease of pressure embossing using a Cuttlebug embossing folder and thread wrapping techniques. The scalloped hearts were cut using the Spellbinders Nestabilities classic scalloped heart. The beautiful metallic thread is from Wonderfil. The use of embossing folders and die templates on assembly line style cards makes the process a whole lot quicker. The thread wrapping is not difficult at all -- you could put the entire wedding party to work on these, both the guys and the gals! For the thread wrapping be sure to work from the spool of thread if you cut a length of thread it will be tangled in no time. Tape the end of the thread to the back of the scallop shape. Wrap thread around the front just right of center then across the front and between the scallops at the bottom just left of center. Continue wrapping the thread in a clockwise manner until complete. Cut the thread from spool and adhere to back of piece.  Adhere one of the hearts with double sided tape to the card front and the other with foam mounting tape - two of my favorites are the Scotch foam mounting squares and the Tombow power tabs. I find that both of these products allow for my designs to have dimension but usually do not interfere with the mailing process. This card is a great style for a wedding invitation, shower invitation or an anniversary. Enjoy!
Creatiely Yours,
Sharon

Pocket Style Cards

Project Design ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2012

I recently taught a class to a group of ladies who were looking for ideas and inspiration for different styles of wedding/shower invitations. This pocket card is one of the cards we created. The pocket style enables you to generate the information on a seperate piece and insert it into the pocket. Or, it could be used as a Thankyou card as shown here.  Just stamp, write or computer-generate your sentiment or note on the insert piece. Two pocket bases can be created from one 12 inch piece of paper. The beautiful sentiment stamp is by the ever so talented Suzanne Cannon of Quietfire Design. She has many wonderful quotes and sayings completed beautifully with calligraphy as well as other images such as flourishes along with a variety of paper-crafting supplies.  I encourage you to check out her web site.  The roses were created using the spiral technique, you can find some step out photos in my CardMaker newsletter about creating flowers. The leaves were created using a Martha Stewart punch. As you can see this style of card is very versatile and would be perfect for thankyou notes, wedding invitations and save the dates, shower invites both wedding and baby, baby announcements, Sweet 16, and for almost any reason or season!
Enjoy!
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

Happy Birthday Card

Project Design ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2012

With the official first day of Spring right around the corner (March 20th) I thought this birthday card full of flowers would be great to share with you today. Unfortunately, I do not remember what company the paper is from - it is absolutely beautiful and actually inspired the card itself. A notched piece of turquoise paper is placed vertically and then a tag shape was cut from the printed paper and layered horizontally followed by all of the beautiful flowers layered on top. Some of the flowers were cut directly from the printed paper and the white flowers were stamped and thermal embossed with white on vellum/parchment (parchment is heavier than vellum) and then cut and layered.  I love to work with parchment paper due to the fact that it is heavier. It is great for pressure or thermal embossing techniques. White thermal embossing on the white parchment is quite striking, it almost gives a Pergamano® effect, a craft technique that is quite beautiful. The beautiful white flower is a stamp from Outlines. Flowers and a card all in one - these flowers do not require watering and will not wilt. The delicate greeting is from Stampin Up. I hope this inspires you to create something today, especially since the month of March is national crafting month.
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

Paper Flower Favor



Project Design ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2012

A quick post today to share one of my most favorite dies. It's the Spellbinders TM  Shapeabilities® Anemone die set! This project was originally for Valentine's  Day but it would also make a wonderful wedding or shower favor. It started with a silver tin that was dry brushed with white acrylic paint. Then two layers of the same size Anemone die followed by the petal style die (in the same set) and then the final layer a stamped letter. Be sure to curl the flower petals gently using a bone folder or wooden skewer. 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

Same Supplies three Valentines Cards!

I wanted to invite you to come on over to CardMakers online newsletter where I am sharing info on creating these three valentines from the same set of supplies. This is a great way to kick start the creative process. Choose a set of supplies and by changing the orientation, color layers, and placement of images, see how many different designs you can come up with. I know with life on fast forward at times we all need a method to create our greetings quickly and in an orderly fashion. I often have a difficult time with assembly line cards because I like to change it up, this method allows me to do that but also keeps my creative wanderings under control so that I may complete more cards in less time. So give it a try and head over to CardMaker magazine online newsletter February 6th issue for the how to on the cards shown in this post.
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Back from CHA!

For those of you who are not familiar with CHA it stands for the Craft and Hobby Association. Twice yearly, Winter and Summer a huge trade show and conference is held. This winter the show returned to Anaheim, my favorite location. There is always a buzz around these shows, partly due to all of the new product launches but also the wonderful demonstrations, classes and displays that can be found. It truly is a creative feast. so my apologies for being MIA, I was madly preparing my designer showcase for CHA and then attending the show.

Dyan Reavely - Ranger CHA

Dyan Reaveley journal page in progress

One of my favorite demonstrations was by Dyan Reaveley a signature designer with Ranger. Her line with ranger is called Dylusions and it includes, spray inks, stamps and stencils. Art journaling has become very popular and Dyan makes it look so easy. Within minutes she created beautiful layers and textures in her moleskin art journal, however she says she uses any type of paper. Her demo was interesting, inspiring, educational and fun! Thanks Dyan, I have been inspired to create! Until next time I hope your adventures are creative as well! Creatively yours, Sharon.