Journey back to Creativity!

Designed by Sharon M. Reinhart September 2018

I am happy to say that I am back! I also apologize for the long hiatus, been devoting the majority of my time to my Dad who has some major heath issues. I realize though that I also need to allow my self the opportunity to do some of the things that are important to me -- and creating, sharing, teaching, writing, designing are some of the things besides family that are important to me.

So it is my goal to regularly post and hopefully inspire some of you!

Lets get to it! Thanks to Carole Crawford from Paper Pastimes in Calgary who recommended this die set from Elizabeth Craft Designs to me. I was looking for some creative inspiration and I believe I found it. The Christmas season is truly one of my favorites and one of my favorites to create for, whether it be cards, favors, décor, etc.

I have chosen cards simple in design that a beginner could create quite easily and one that I think an advanced crafter could also appreciate. These snowflakes are quite possibly the most beautiful I have seen. They have been created with a die-template and not only are they simply beautiful but they have dimensional aspects built right into the die-cut. By simply lifting elements of the design up it is easy to create dimension without even layering multiple die-cuts. They die-cut beautifully! This set is #1409 Ornate Snowflakes. Please know that I do not receive compensation from Elizabeth Craft Designs however that being said you will always get my honest opinion!

Now I must say that I am also in the mode of using up some of my beautiful papers that are discontinued and that I was not able to use for publication or when I was writing for publications such as CardMaker Magazine. (miss that magazine and the wonderful people I had the pleasure of working with over many years) So you know what they say, seize the opportunity! This is mine and your opportunity to pull out some of those beautiful papers and give them life once again!

The NOEL die template is a Spellbinders die set called Ho Ho Ho Holiday 2017 #S2-266, that I was demonstrating with last year at the Scrapbook Carnival at Spruce Meadows which is still showing available on their website.

Add some glitter with adhesive rhinestones and stickles glitter glue, a stamped or die-cut greeting and these cards are good to go!

As you can see an A2 card can change its appearance just by changing the orientation from portrait (tis the season card) to landscape as shown in the NOEL card.

I truly hope that you have been inspired to create!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Mother's Day Inspiration

Cards designed by Sharon M. Reinhart

Hello, my sincere apologies for being absent for so long -- unfortunately I have been dealing with some parent health issues which sadly are still ongoing. I did manage though to take a creative break the other day. Its amazing how when one is not creating regularly how it becomes a difficult process when you get back to it. I am so glad though that I did get back to it and hope to find my muse once again. For those of you who find themselves in the same position I encourage you to just pull out some supplies and tools and get cracking. Its kind of like falling off the horse and getting back on again. Don't forget through the process to be kind to yourself as well and not to be overly critical. I also recommend just taking some classes just for fun, seek out some of your local talents and see what they have to offer. Allowing yourself some time to be creative is great food for the soul!

Anyways, I wanted to share with you a couple of cards that I did manage to finish. A shout out to Island Paperie in Maui! I had the pleasure of visiting this shop a few years ago, I did of course buy some papers but the owner also provided product support of some for an article that was published. Many thanks again! The printed papers used on both of these cards are from Island Paperie. I encourage you to visit their site www.islandpaperie.com.

These cards are 4 1/2 inches square with the card base being a cream pearl cardstock with a turquoise cardstock layer followed by the printed paper from Island Paperie called Hibiscus Blues Scatter G15. Both cards make use of the Flourish Thinlets dies #141478 from Stampin' Up. The scallop element shown on the floral trio is the Stitched Scalloped Borders die template from Lawn Fawn #LF612 which has three lovely scallop border designs in the set. The centers of the floral trio are created with a floral hand punch by Fiskars -- those old school tools still come in handy! Don't forget to pull out your hand punches and your fancy edge scissors! For the word MOM simply use stickers or die-cut alphabet letters or even alphabet beads or stamped letters. Don't be afraid to experiment with what you have, it does not have to be exactly the same as the sample you are recreating.
I hope you have been inspired to create!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Happy Valentine's Day!

Project design by Sharon M. Reinhart may be used for personal use.

Another card coming your way on this Valentine's Day! This one makes use of an A2 size white card base that has been embossed using a wonderful embossing folder by Spellbinders -- the Quilt It SES 013. That being said, there are many wonderful embossing folders that would also work nicely with this card design. Embossed hearts or swirls would look lovely and whichever you use remember to emboss the black cardstock hearts to add a little visual interest. A piece of printed cardstock in the center creates a wonderful base for layering die-cut hearts and other elements such as the stamped and punched greeting from Stampin' Up or the die-cut word. If you do not have any suitable printed cardstock (this particular one I believe was from Canvas Corp) try stamping with a word stamp and repeating the design until the panel is full or even a page from a book or romantic novel would work great. Hope you have been inspired to create something wonderful today!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Lovely in Pink Valentine!

We are getting closer to Valentine's Day and I have a couple more creations to share with you. Today I have chosen this Lovely in Pink card which is a 5-inch square side fold card. Mini envelopes are a wonderful way to add interest, create little pockets and tuck love notes into. These particular mini envelopes are die-cut using the Love Notes Framelits set from Stampin' Up. There are many methods of generating a mini envelope, from die-cutting to stamping or using an envelope punch board. The hearts and words are all die-cut using a Sizzix die template set #560025 designed by Stephanie Barnard. The paper is a Recollections paper that works perfectly to create this delicate Valentine. The cardstock strip along the bottom provides an area to add a touch of white satin ribbon and to provide a resting place for the arrow which is also created using the Love Notes set. I have chosen to adhere the cardstock strip with foam mounting squares in order to add a bit of dimension. Hope it provides you with some inspiration!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

More Valentines!

Hi there, this post has a bit of a challenge involved. It involves taking a pre-made card and turning it into a different card. The red and white card was some cards that a friend was getting rid of and of course I thought I would have a purpose for them being an avid paper-crafter. The black, white and gold cards were purchased at a dollar store as they were inexpensive and I was looking for that size of envelope and they worked perfectly.

The black, white and gold card original size is 4 3/4 x 3 3/8-inches, a perfect size for Valentine's cards or Thank-you notes, the back of the card is stamped as an Anna Griffin Design. I thought not only could I use the envelopes but the cardstock print was rather quite pretty as well. So, I went about on my challenge to create a simple card that was attractive. I believe I accomplished this -- I hope you will agree! My finished card is an A2 size card 4 1/4 x 5 1/2-inches. I began by trimming the card front from the decorative print note card and layered it to black cardstock and then onto a white card base. The pretty gold sections in the printed card was the inspiration to die-cut a design from shiny gold cardstock and I chose to use a D-Lites die from Spellbinders called the Frills Etched Die #S1-017. Next I layered that piece onto a strip of black cardstock with a banner notch cut at one end. One of my favorite methods for cutting banner notches is to use my hexagon punch. A square punch or even a heart punch works wonderfully as well.

This die-cut frill was begging to frame a beautiful flower or medallion. I chose to create a tea-bag folded medallion using pearl text weight paper. The basic circle method with a top layer fold back progression was used. If you would like to learn more about tea-bag folding I do have a class called Fabulous Folds available in DVD or online format through Annie's or I also have some copies of the DVD in stock as well as my Tea Bag Folding Through the Seasons book, just leave me a message.
Back to this card, the finishing touch on this card was to create a sentiment panel. I die-cut a small label square and cut it in half and attached a die-cut sentiment to it and then layered it to the bottom right on the card front.

The second card with an original size of 5 1/4 x 3 3/4-inches also includes a tea-bag folded medallion that makes use of a square fold with a progression folding the top left and right layers to the center. To add a bit more visual interest I applied some decorative tape to a cardstock panel and trimmed to 1-inch wide. The words "LOVE" and "YOU" (Sizzix die template #560025) were also cut from the tape/cardstock panel.

Hope you enjoyed seeing these "from this to that" cards and you are inspired to create! Keep watching for more Valentine's Inspiration!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Love-ly Inspiration!

Project design by Sharon M. Reinhart, may be used for personal use.

Before you know it Valentines will be upon us. Just stopping by to share a little more Valentine card inspiration. Check back soon, between now and February 14, I will be sharing lots of Valentine ideas.

This Love-ly card begins with a pink shimmer card stock base. Cardstock is cut 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches and scored at 4 1/4 inches and folded in half. For those of you that are beginners this is called an A2 size card with a side fold. The orientation for this one is portrait like a portrait of a person however it could also be created in a landscape orientation like a picture of the horizon or landscape. Another method of creating the A2 base card for this project is to cut your cardstock to 4 1/4 x 11 inches and then score at 5 1/2 inches and fold the card in half creating a top fold A2 portrait style card.

Ok, now onto the decorative part. Layer a 3 3/4 x 5 inch panel of printed paper to a 4 x 5 1/4 inch piece of white cardstock. Then layer onto the card front. I used a memory box die template to create the mesh effect, however if you do not have this die another option is to use adhesive drywall tape, it works wonderfully. A strip of ribbon or perhaps an embossed strip of white cardstock using an embossing folder that has a grid or line pattern would look equally as nice! I am sure you can see that with card making there are all sorts of options. Don't let not having the exact same supplies stop you from creating something beautiful!

The beautiful die-cut heart is one of my favorite die templates and it is from Cheery Lynn Designs it is called Two of Hearts DL128. Again, if you do not have this particular one just layer a plain heart to a decorative edge heart such as a scalloped heart. A plain white cardstock heart has been layered to the decorative pink shimmer cardstock heart. Next for a nice finish here, I have tied a piece of pink tulle into a bow and adhered it to the center of the heart using Tombow Multi Medium. A sentiment has been added by die-cutting the words LOVE and YOU, these dies are from a Sizzix set by Stephanie Barnard #560025 Framelits and Step-Ups. The delicate swirl has also been created with the same die set. To add a little bit of glitz a few pink sparkly gems have been added, these particular gems were found at Dollarama.

Keep in mind that I am using supplies that I have and encouraging you to do the same. Also, I am not being compensated by these companies but will try to list the product names or numbers where possible. I will also try to give you a few creative options just in case and warn you that some of the supplies may not be available but I also know that many of us have tons of wonderful tools and supplies that have been relegated to cupboards and drawers like old toys. Well here is your challenge, pull out those tools and supplies that you used to love so much and have forgotten about and give them a chance to once again be center stage on your creations!

I hope you have been inspired to create!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Valentine Inspiration!

Project design by Sharon M. Reinhart - may be used by readers for personal use

This time of year I am typically organizing and cleaning up from the creative mess that remained after creating for Christmas. I was going through my old papers determining what to keep and what to give away when I noticed lots of beautiful papers that are discontinued. Why am I not using these? No, I cannot use them for published works but I can for personal and for kits for others to have fun with. Before my Mom passed away I used to make little card kits for her and I to enjoy some time together and recently I even had my Dad working on some Christmas cards with me. Whether discontinued or not pretty paper can always be used. There are many seniors at centers who would love to receive a special kit, or even children, or a girlfriend that would like to get creative over a a cup of coffee with you. Keep it simple, include all of the pieces needed in the kit. It is best if there isn't a big list of other supplies required in order to complete the kit, maybe just some glue or tape and scissors.

Now, onto the inspiration for this post. It is a cute little Valentine created with some old double sided paper that actually was a Christmas print with deer on one side and this delightful pattern on the other. I thought the colors and pattern was perfect for Valentines! This is a simple collage of die-cut hearts and words using a Stampin' Up set called Love Notes Framelits, a Sizzix set by Stephanie Barnard - Framelits Step-Ups /560025 and a heart die from Spellbinders.

Just pull out your heart themed supplies and use what you have. Punches, stickers, dies, stamps they all would easily translate into this card. Before you pack away all of your Christmas themed supplies, take another look, I am sure you will find many that would also work wonderfully for Valentine creations! I hope you are inspired to create!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

'Twas the week before Christmas!

Projects designed by Sharon M. Reinhart
as shown in the Dec. 18, 2017 CardMaker Update

If you are looking for some inspiration for Christmas tags, bags and gift card holders look no further! My most recent CardMaker Update has just been released and I would love it if you would head on over to www.cardmakermagazine.com to take a peek at all the photos and content! I am quite pleased with these projects and hope you will be too!
I would like to take this opportunity to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas, may it be spent sharing wonderful moments with the special people in your life!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Boxful of Thanks

Being grateful isn't just reserved for one specific date of the year however we do tend to put a bit more focus on it around certain holidays. The Canadian Thanksgiving holiday has come and gone and I hope everyone enjoyed a warm celebration with family and friends. The American Thanksgiving holiday is just around the corner and possibly some of you are looking for some Thanksgiving inspiration. That being said, any of these projects can be changed from a Thanksgiving theme to a Christmas or birthday theme, in fact probably any theme that you are celebrating! We don't necessarily need a theme to show our appreciation!

I invite you to view my most recent CardMaker Update which is all about creating with boxes! For instructions and complete photos just head on over to www.cardmakermagazine.com and take a look at the November 6 Update! I hope you enjoy it!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Fun with Easel Cards!

Projects designed by Sharon M. Reinhart as seen
 in the July 3, 2017 CardMaker Update

Inviting you to take a look at my most recent CardMaker Update which went live today July 3, 2017. It's all about creating Easel cards! I hope you will stop by CardMaker Magazine www.cardmakermagazine.com  to see full photos, instructions and other creative tidbits! In case you haven't signed up for this free resource, which comes out every three weeks sign up while you are there and then after that its easy, it will come directly to your inbox! If you have missed a few issues there are a few archived and can be accessed by clicking the Updates tab.
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Baby Shower Inspiration!

Projects designed by Sharon M. Reinhart
as shown in CardMaker Magazine May 22, 2017 Update

My most recent CardMaker Update went live today! If you are looking for inspiration on shower invitations, announcements, thank-you notes and even décor head on over to CardMaker Magazine and check out the May 22, 2017 Update! Maybe its wedding inspiration that you are looking for? If, so keep in mind most designs can be translated into different occasions with just a few modifications!While you are at the CardMaker Magazine web site, if you haven't done so already, sign up for this free resource that comes to your inbox every three weeks. You will receive inspiration and information from the two CardMaker Update Editors, yours truly and the talented Kimber McGray. I hope you will take a look and be inspired to create something wonderful!

Flower Decor

If you are looking for some quick flower décor for Mother's Day Brunch or perhaps a wedding or baby shower I have a great idea! This one even involves recycling. These beautiful flowers began as cardboard rolls - the type from paper towels and bathroom tissue rolls! These particular ones have been created by using the bathroom tissue cardboard rolls. Simply press down the cardboard roll to flatten and use a bone folder to burnish both folded edges. Next place in a paper trimmer, I used my Fiskars paper trimmer and cut into 1/2-inch increments. Apply score tape to one side approximately an inch of tape starting at the folded edge. Then just start assembling by removing the tape liner and adhering one piece to the other. For these flowers I dressed them up a little bit further by die-cutting another flower  (Elizabeth Craft Designs) from pink cardstock and then added a gold circle to the center. They are perfect on their own or they can be adhered together to create a beautiful cascading effect! Hope you will give it a try!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

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

Easter Cards With Doilies!

Projects designed by Sharon M. Reinhart from the
April 10, 2017 CardMaker Magazine online Update

Just in time for Easter card crafting! My most recent CardMaker Magazine online update April10, 2017 has gone live today. It is about creating Easter cards with doilies and doily shapes! I encourage you to head on over to www.cardmakermagazine.com and view the Update for the full article and full photos of each card! If you are not familiar with this resource it is free and all you have to do is sign up on their website. Every three weeks an article with photos and inspiration will be delivered to your inbox from either myself or our other CardMaker Update Editor the ever-so-talented Kimber McGray!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Embossing Folder Fun

Designed by Sharon M. Reinhart as seen in the CardMaker Update

Just sending out an invitation for you to check out my most recent online CardMaker Update. It's all about creating cards using embossing folders! One of my most favorite tools to create with. To view the full article along with individual card pictures head on over to CardMaker using this link or go to www.cardmakermagazine.com, it is the current issue, Feb. 27, 2017. While you are there check out the archives and also sign up for this free resource to be delivered straight to your inbox every three weeks! Hope you enjoy it and that you are inspired to create!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Wrapped in Love!

Designed by Sharon M. Reinhart 2017

I have another simple but pretty Valentine's Day greeting card to share with you today. This creation makes use of a Spirelli thread wrapping technique and beautiful red metallic thread from Wonderfil. The base card is an A2 (4 1/4 x 5 1/2-inch) side fold card. Layered onto the front is a die-cut banner, scalloped circle, lacey circle, standard circle and lastly the thread wrapped scalloped circle. The scalloped, lacey, and standard circle die templates are from Spellbinders.

To create the Spirelli wrap, it is best to work from the spool of thread. Secure the end of the thread to the back with tape. Wrap the thread around to the front through one valley, next count 9 valley's to the right and continue the wrap in the ninth valley. Wrap around the back returning to the right of the first wrap and continue wrapping until there are two thread wraps in each valley. Secure at the back with tape. The larger number of spaces skipped will create a smaller center circle and a smaller number of spaces skipped will create a larger center circle. Place an adhesive rhinestone in the center circle created by wrapping the threads.

To finish this card a die-cut sentiment (Sizzix) has been adhered to a tag shape and then adorned with an adhesive rhinestone. Adhere the sentiment panel to the card front using foam mounting tape to create a bit of dimension.

This is the design in its most basic form, however remember depending on your supplies and level of experience it is easy to take it to the next level. Some options would be to complete some pressure embossing on the banner strip or card front or possibly some background stamping and/or heat embossing.

I hope you have been inspired to create!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Valentine Inspiration!

Project design by Sharon M. Reinhart

It's getting close to that day where love is in the air and all around us! I love (no pun intended) making valentines cards and little treats! Thought I would share this quick and easy card. I began with a Kraft colored cardstock base and then embossed it using a Taylored Expressions embossing folder. Next layer corrugated paper to the card front followed by red cardstock then a layer of red glitter tape and a corrugated notched banner strip. Notched banners are easy to create by using a square or octagon punch, or with the use of a die template, or manually by cutting up the center and then from the corners to the center cut line.

Adorn the card front with a mini collage created with a die-cut heart, die-cut flourishes and die-cut words. These dies are all Sizzix die templates. Then to create the studded effect on the card without the dimension just add glitter dots (Elizabeth Craft Designs) to the words and scatter on some of the embossed areas. It may be hard to see in this photo but a Wink of Stella gold pen has been used around the die-cut heart, edge of the large corrugated layer and on the words. These pens have a beautiful shimmer to them - love them! I hope you are inspired to create something LOVE-ly!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Back to Basics!

Projects designed by Sharon M. Reinhart as seen in the CardMaker
January 16, 2017 Update

I would like to invite you to take a look at my most recent CardMaker Update, in this issue we go back to the basics for all of our new card makers, but there is also creative inspiration for our seasoned card makers. Head on over by clicking this link CardMaker. If you have not yet signed up for this free resource, I encourage you to do so while you are there. We have two editors, myself, and the fabulous Kimber McGray. Kimber and I alternate the writing of the update so that you get some great information and inspiration directly to your inbox every three weeks! I hope you will take a look and be inspired to create.
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Simple Yet Elegant Christmas Card!

Designed by Sharon M. Reinhart

If you are like me and getting short on time I thought I would share this simple yet elegant Christmas Card. Just choose a pretty snowflake background, die-cut or punch some snowflakes and scatter them on the front. Add a die-cut sentiment and finish with some sparkly glitter dots. Done - I actually like it, it is very peaceful and serene. If you would like to take it a step further add some glitter or glitter glue to the snowflake and sentiment or add small rosettes or tea bag folded medallions to the center of each or one of the snowflakes.
I hope you are inspired to create something wonderful!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

O Christmas Tree Cards!

As shown in CardMaker Update December 5 issue,
projects and article by Sharon M. Reinhart

If you are in need of some Christmas Card inspiration my most recent CardMaker update has just been released! It's all about creating beautiful Christmas cards with trees as the focus. I hope you will take a look at the complete article with individual card photos online at CardMaker Magazine 
Creatively Yours,
Sharon