Happy Easter!

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

Spring Greetings!

Project Design ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2013

As this is officially the first day of Spring I thought it only fitting to share a spring theme card. Can you tell this is one of my favorite tea-bag folds? This one begins with the basic circle fold and then one progression, quite simple. If you would like a class on tea-bag folding, iris folding and some fun folds I encourage you to check the free preview of my Fabulous Paper Folds online class at Annies! Not only do you learn all the folds and tons of progressions in the video, but there are also 16 card projects with complete step-by-step instructions that may be downloaded.
Back to this card. I purposely left off any sentiment as I felt this particular card would be perfect for a variety of occasions such as Easter, Mother's Day, Baby, Just Because and Happy Birthday! It is a quick one to put together. The embossed polka dot panel was created using a Darice embossing folder. The printed paper is from Doodlebug design (I don't believe it is current though), look in your stash of papers, as I did, and use a bright print that you already have. The pink card base is Bazzill Bling and the dies -- Floral Doily Accent and Pennants are from Spellbinder's TM. The large pearl brad in the center of the tea-bag fold medallion is from the Bridal section at Michael's and the three small pearls are from Kaisercraft. Hope this card helps to put a little "Spring" in your step even if the weather in your area may not look very spring like!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Card Class!

Just wanted to invite you to a book launch and mini card class on Saturday March 16th, the class is from 10:30 am to 11:30 am, create two any occasion cards using iris folding and tea bag folding techniques. The card class fee is $10.00 per person, payable by cash or cheque to myself. Participants please bring scissors, paper trimmer, bone folder, double-sided tape & dimensionals/3D foam tape. To ensure you have a spot in the card class, please register directly with me by Friday March 15th,at sharonmreinhart@yahoo.ca , registration at the crop will be subject to availability. Copies of my new book Iris Folding for Life’s Special Moments will be available for purchase between 10:30 am to noon. The price for the book is $12.00 payable by cash or cheque.
Participants may register for either the crop, card class OR both events. Contact Joanne to register for the crop and Sharon for the card class.
Location:
WOODCLIFF UNITED CHURCH
5010 Spruce Drive SW
Crop Fee $40.00
Contact Joanne to register for the crop at
jliddymct@shaw.ca
Hope to see you there!
Sharon 

New Arrival!

No its not a baby! It's my new book Iris Folding for Life's Special Moments! I finally have the hard copy in my hands. I am quite thrilled and must say that everyone that worked on this book from editing to photography and everything else it takes to put a book together, did a marvelous job! Heartfelt thanks to all! 


Project Design
 ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2013

In honor of this newest release, I have created an iris fold card especially for you, my blog readers! This card is created using cut strips of card stock to completed the iris fold. This one is a  monochromatic look and I think it turned out quite nicely! If you are interested in learning more about iris folding I encourage you to check into this new publication Iris Folding for Life's Special Moments.
I am scheduled to do a book signing and mini class in southwest Calgary on March 16, 2013 at a Scrapbooking Crop being organised by Joanne Liddy-McTavish. Save the date! More info to come.
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Challenge Yourself!

Project design ©Sharon M. Reinhart
printed papers from Susan K. Weckesser

Hi All!  Thought I would share this creation with you. My challenge was to work with colors that are not my norm. I was inspired by Susan Weckesser's printed papers. I have always enjoyed creating backgrounds and recently have been using more acrylic paints in my card backgrounds. However, as time goes or the lack of time, sometimes I want to create the look of a mixed media background but either don't have one ready or that block of time to create it is not available. That's how these papers inspired me, they resembled some of the paint or ink layering techniques that I enjoy doing.  I encourage you to visit Susan's website using this link. Besides wonderful papers, she also has rubber stamps and stencils. While you are there check out her blog!
Back to this card, it is quite simple and involves creating a teabag folded medallion using the circle fold and pearl text weight paper. The other papers are all from  Susan K. Weckesser and four of her lines; Live in Color Tags, Color Burst, Live in Color and Live, Love, Create, even the sentiment, which is printed on the edge of the paper and the name of one of the lines. It worked perfectly, trim the words out, edge with some Distress frayed burlap ink, cut or punch a notch and add a rhinestone accent. I used one of her stamps to create the look of a flower stem coming from the teabag folded medallion. The leaves are punched using a Martha Stewart punch. A little pencil smudging around the birdie and some Tombow and Spica markers on the butterfly and voila! I was pleased with the results.  Hope you are too!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Great resource for cards!

As seen in the CardMaker online Feb. 18 newsletter
by Sharon M. Reinhart

Just wanted to invite you to visit CardMaker magazine online newsletter. The Feb.18, 2012 issue is all about using peel-off stickers for card making. To have this newsletter delivered directly to your inbox, just sign up while you are there - it's free!  Kimber McGray and myself are the Cardmaker newsletter editors and this issue is my most recent one. Every 3 weeks its a different topic. Hope you enjoy it!
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

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

Elegant Stamped Heart!

Project Design ©Sharon M. Reinhart

Just had to share this Valentine card that I made for DH. The inspiration for this card is from a delicate heart image created by the talented Suzanne Cannon of Quietfire Design, it is from set #6248 which is perfect for Valentines, Wedding, Anniversary or simply to let someone special know that they are loved. Just love the beautiful intricate heart that Suzanne has created with her own talented hands! There are wonderful flourishes and in the right hand side a very pretty flower. I chose to leave the image as is without alterations.The flower however would look very beautiful colored with Tombows, Distress Markers, Copics or your medium of choice.
Usually when I purchase unmounted stamps, the first thing I do is apply the cling cushion material - with these stamps you don't have to. I read someplace on Suzanne's site or blog that she often just puts some double sided tape on her mount and then attaches the rubber image. I thought I would put this to the test and voila it is so true! This image of the heart was stamped with only the rubber image on an acrylic mount. Now you are free to adhere the images to cling cushion and its probably recommended but I was very surprised and impressed at how well it stamped using only the mount. I am thrilled to hear that Annie's catalog is now stocking some of Quietfire Design images that I used in my newest book Iris Folding for Life's Special Moments, (not sure if it has officially released but it is up on the Annie's site) and yes it is about iris folding and we have included a variety of materials such as fabric, shimmer sheetz, cardstock, ribbon and papers. I will be sure to keep you posted on this.
The red velvet in this Valentine card is Christmas velvet ribbon that I purchased at the end of the holiday season at a majorly reduced price and its perfect for many other occasions as well. The small hearts are actually punched from the velvet ribbon and in the past I have also used die templates to cut out shapes - love this stuff! My other bargain find was the black glittered band - it is from the wedding section of Michael's and it was 90% off - .53 cents was the cost, can't lose at that. The other addition to this card was a script embossing folder. I hope you enjoy this creation!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Fabulous Paper Folds!

Project design and image ©Annie's

I thought I would share a couple more cards from my Fabulous Paper Folds online class with Annie's. This class covers tea bag folding, iris folding, and some fun folds like accordion rosettes, origami butterflies, a dahlia fold and a couple pocket fold variations. For a free preview use this link Fabulous Paper Folds.  While you are there scroll through the slide show to see what other card creations you have access to in this class. Hope you like them!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Join us for some creative fun!

Just wanted to pass this on for anyone in the Calgary area. You may register for the crop, the classes or everything! Join Sharon M. Reinhart (Author & Designer) for a variety of mini classes in Calgary at a Scrapbooking Crop hosted by Joanne Liddy-McTavish. Saturday January 26, 2013 10 am to 10 pm, Woodcliff United Church 5010 Spruce Drive SW. Contact Joanne to register for the crop at jliddymct@shaw.ca Mini Classes being offered by Sharon at the crop:

Share a Little Love: 10:30 am to 11:30 am, create two cards perfect for the love’s in your life using thread wrapping, pressure embossing and tea bag folding techniques. Perfect for Valentine’s, Anniversary or simply just because!

Mixed Media Cards: 11:45 am to 12:45 pm, create two A2 cards, one card makes use of pressure embossing and acrylic paint and the 2nd card has you creating a background using a variety of readily available objects and acrylic paint, accented with rubber stamping and pressure embossing.

Joy Canvas: 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm, create some joy with this 5-inch mini canvas project and learn how to make beautiful recycled flowers from something we all have access to. Card classes are $10.00 per class & the mini canvas class is $18.00, payable by cash or cheque to Sharon. Participants please bring scissors, paper trimmer, double-sided tape & dimensionals/3D foam tape. To ensure you have a spot register with Sharon before Saturday, directly at sharonmreinhart@yahoo.ca, registration at the crop will be subject to availability.

More Love to Share!

Hi there, hope you are all doing well! A quick post today to share a photo of a mini class I will be teaching in the near future. There will be two different card classes and a mini canvas class. I will share the info with you once I have totally finalized the details. For now hope you like my take on some Valentine themed creations.

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

Live from CHA with Charity Wings!

The conference part of CHA in Anaheim began today and the trade show opens tomorrow January 12th. Alas it was not in the cards for me to attend this year. Safe travels and wishes for a great show to all of you who will be attending. If you are not sure what CHA is, it is the Craft and Hobby Association, and I am CHA Designer Member. The annual Winter conference and trade show is held in Anaheim and it is one of the biggest shows I have ever attended. I remember my first time attending way back in 2002 and it was so exciting and overwhelming at the same time. The products, displays everything was a feast for the eyes. This show is typically when many companies launch new products - yummy!  I thought you might enjoy getting in on the CHA buzz so I thought I would share this link to Live from CHA with Charity Wings with you.  Charity Wings is a non-profit organization and their mission is...

"Our Mission is two-fold, to support Artists, Crafters, and Scrapbookers who want to raise money and awareness for their favorite causes; and to offer the community unique opportunities to give." Charity Wings will be providing three days of live streaming from CHA, interviews and sneak peeks of products. I encourage you to visit and get in on the CHA buzz!

Regarding my regular posts, Blogger is giving me some grief with uploading any photos that are on my computer. So I will work on this, and hopefully be back soon with some more creative ideas! Until then enjoy Live from CHA and find out how you can be a part of making a difference by viewing the different areas of the Charity Wings website while you are there! Till next time, hope your adventures are creative!

Creatively Yours,

Sharon

Card Makeover!

Project Design © Sharon M. Reinhart 2013

One of the things that I would like to improve this year, is to provide you with more inspiration and on a consistent basis. It looks like so far I am on track. Wish me luck!

At this time of year many of us are feeling somewhat creatively drained when it comes to our cardmaking. Rather than struggle with this, look to some of your creations from Christmas and the holidays. To see the Christmas card instructions and supply list, head on over to my November 26 Cardmaker Newsletter using this link. As you can see the design inspiration was taken from the Christmas card and then recreated with different papers and placement of the elements.


Project Design © Sharon M. Reinhart 2013

The accordion rosette on this card has been created using a Tim Holtz die and ivory pearl cardstock. The heart embellishment was simply cut from the printed paper and adhered to a die-cut SpellbindersTM scallop heart shape. Then pretty pink metallic thread, from Wonderfil thread, was wrapped in the valleys of the scallops. To finish the card, a stamped image using Chalk ink was created. Then a final accent using fancy edgers from Fiskars (have not used these in a long while, usually head to my border punches, but think I will pull out my fancy edgers again!)
This is a simple yet effective card and one that with a different sentiment could easily work for a wedding, anniversary, birthday, Valentine's or a baby card. Hope this technique of recycling ideas helps to rev up your creativity again! Start with clean and simple and then if you are ready to kick it up another notch -- go for it!
Till next time I challenge you to give this a try!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Delicate Paper Snowflakes

These 26 paper snowflakes were created to honor the staff and students of Sandy Hook school. The PTA had put out a call for snowlfakes so that they could transform the new school that students of Sandy Hook will be attending in January into a Winter Wonderland. I believe they have accomplished their goal, as today when I went to the web site to retrieve the address to ship my snowflakes, they had a new note stating that with regret they had to close this project for further donations of snowflakes as they have been overwhelmed with donations. So, my little snowflakes will be donated instead here at home to a project involving children or schools. So, if you too are like myself, I encourage you to visit this site to find out other ways your snowflakes can be used to honor the community of people at Sandy Hook school and help others. http://www.ctpta.org/SANDY-HOOK-FUND.html

If you wish to create snowflakes like the ones shown above for your own creative projects -- ornaments, tags, gift packaging, or cards.  Here are some brief instructions:
1.  Cut out snowflake of choice by hand or using a punch or cutting system. The snowflakes shown here have been created using a Spellbinder'sTM template.
2.  Next cut a scallop shape, one that has an even number of scallops, this scallop circle is 1 3/8-inches. Tape metallic thread to back, wrap thread through the valley of one scallop, count 7 valleys to the right and wrap thread through this valley. Wrap thread around back of shape and to the right of the first wrap. Continue wrapping in this manner until two threads appear in each valley. Adhere thread to the back and trim. Place an adhesive rhinestone to the center. Adhere to one side of the snowflake. Complete an additional thread wrap scallop and adhere to the opposite side of the snowflake.
3.  Finish the snowflake by applying Stickles glitter glue randomly to the snowflake.

As a new year is quickly approaching I would like to take this time to wish you and yours all the best and may 2013 be filled with good health and happiness. Life is as delicate as snowflakes, and just like snowflakes, each persons life and path is different.  I do hope the common denominator will be kindness and compassion. Have a safe and happy New Year!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Holidays & New Iris Folding Book!

Where did the month of December go? Unfortunately, between a lingering month long cold and some personal and family commitment's I blinked my eyes and December had marched on without me. As I truly enjoy this time of year it was my hope to post and provide lots of inspiration for cards, favors, packaging etc. Alas, this was not in life's plans for me this year. That being said I do truly count my blessings of which I have many, and my heart and prayers go out to all who are experiencing hardship, loss and difficulties at this time. 
I hope that however you celebrate the holidays that you were able to wrap yourself in some precious moments spent with family and friends! 
I know you stopped here to experience something creative so I thought I would share with you a sneak peek of the cover of my most recent book, scheduled to be released in February. It is a collection of Iris Folded Cards celebrating Life's Special Moments. Watch for more info in the future.


Book & images ©Annie's

As we are approaching a new year I would like to extend my Best Wishes to each of you and it is my hope in this coming year to provide you with regular inspiration through these posts. Lets hope that 2013 is a great year and one filled with kindness, compassion, good health and happiness!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Quick & Easy Christmas Card!

Project design © Sharon M. Reinhart 2012

If you are madly finishing up your Christmas Cards and looking for a quick and easy design, this card is it. Simply layer decorative paper onto the card front, add a punched border strip at left side followed by some rich velvet ribbon and a sheer ribbon accent at the top. The main focus is the beautiful layered snowflake - a SpellbindersTM snowflake die, they have quite a few to choose from. A sparkling rhinestone accents the center of the snowflake and then pick one of your favorite greetings to convey your message.


The inside does have a pocket created from the same papers as used on the front. This pocket is great for a gift card, money, or the annual family Christmas letter. You can always skip the pocket for a simple greeting. Hope you like this design and look for future posts on Christmas tags, decor and party favors using your paper crafting supplies.

Creatively Yours,

Sharon



 



Christmas Cards & Inspiration!

Project designs ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2012

I would like to invite you to head over to Cardmaker Magazine's most recent newsletter. I am sharing some Christmas card designs as well as how to take inspiration from one design to create other items such as party favors, packaging, ornaments, etc. The newsletter is a free resource that if you sign up will go directly to your inbox every three weeks. Hope you like it!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon