Mixed Media Canvas Class

Project design ©Sharon M. Reinhart

Many of you have asked when I was going to teach this canvas class again as you were not able to get in on the it the first time -- well Saturday May 11, 2013 is the date. I will be teaching this class at a paper crafting and scrapbooking crop hosted by Joanne Liddy-McTavish at the Woodcliff United Church 5010 Spruce Drive S.W. Calgary.
This whimsical canvas would make a wonderful gift for yourself or someone special in your life. I would like to give a shout out to Quietfire Design - the wonderful checkerboard image seen in this canvas is a rubber stamp from this great company! Please join me and embark on a mixed media adventure! Many of the techniques being used, also work wonderfully for card making and scrapbooking. A variety of items and mediums will be used to create this 8 x 10 canvas. Some of the items used in the creation of this project are; stamps, acrylic paints, bottle caps, wire, drywall tape, die-cut flowers and shapes, permanent marker, and a variety of found objects.
Class participants need to bring a brush suitable for use with mod podge or gel medium (not your best paint brush, even a foam brush will work), foam mounting tape or dimensionals, piercing tool & foam mat, fine point permanent black marker like a Sharpie, and double-sided liner tape such as Scor-Tape.
We have blocked two hours for this class from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. The canvas class fee is $30.00 per participant. Please register in advance directly through Sharon by email sharonmreinhart@yahoo.ca no later than May 9th, 2013. On site class registration will depend on availability. Keep watching, samples of the mini card class with Sharon still to come!  Register for the class OR the crop OR both! Register for the crop directly with Joanne by email jliddymct@shaw.ca. Looking forward to sharing this creative adventure with you!
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

Cousin Slide Bracelet Reveal!

In my last post, I spoke of waiting for a special package to arrive, well it did! I was one of a group of designers who were asked to review this new product - the Slide Bracelet. I have dabbled in jewelry making a little bit, but I am far from a professional jewelry maker. Thus this task of reviewing this new product line from Cousin had me curious, it was referred to us that "one did not have to be a jewelry maker in order to create a slide bracelet". Well, I must say it is totally true! I truly enjoyed putting my bracelet together and I will wear it with pride!
I chose to combine elements from two different sets. I do like having the ability to customize the bracelet.



As there is a rhinestone in the center of the flower, I chose to add a small rhinestone to the center of the outside metal slides, just to add a bit more bling. I think it turned out quite nicely! 

 

I encourage you to view this video for a great tutorial on how to put these bracelets together. Thanks to Liz and the Cousin company - I enjoyed working with this product and feel that I achieved success without any frustration at all!

Creatively Yours,

Sharon

Cousin Slide Bracelets

Besides paper crafting I am an avid crafter/mixed media designer who enjoys working with a variety of materials. I shall be receiving a special package from the Cousin company shortly, in order to create one of these beautiful slide bracelets. In the meantime I thought I would give you a peek at this product. I have seen some great designs created by other designers, such as my dear friends Eileen Hull and Lorine Mason, using these materials. I am so looking forward to creating one myself. The company has many wonderful products and I encourage you to visit their site here. The step by step photos below show how simple of a process it is to put one of these beautiful bracelets together.

Be sure to watch for a future post where I will share my creation!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Creating Cards With Fabric

Project design ©Sharon M. Reinhart 2013

I wanted to invite you to visit my most recent newsletter at CardMaker Magazine, it is a free resource that once you sign up will be delivered directly to your inbox.This issue is all about using fabric to create cards with, even if you don't sew! As you can see from the photo above, a variety of techniques are discussed. Kimber McGray is also an editor of the newsletter and we alternate the writing of the issues. Head on over by using this link -- CardMaker newsletter. I truly hope this issue inspires you to create!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

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