Valentine Inspiration

Card designed by Sharon M Reinhart

What are your favourite size of cards to work with? Usually I enjoy making A2 size (4-1/4x5-1/2 inches) or 5-inch square. Lately though I have been really liking the mini slim line 3-1/2 x 6-inches. They have a good amount of surface area to work with and don’t leave me trying to just fill space. The other thing that I like is that the envelopes are readily available at dollar stores and are inexpensive!

This particular card is a mini slim line and I have to put a shout out to Taylored Expressions, I have been thinking about getting their stitched rectangle and Scalloped rectangle mini slim line dies for some time and poof the other day while in a craft store they were staring me in the face so I purchased them. They work beautifully for this size of card, but will also be very useful with other card sizes as well. (No I do not work for this company or receive any compensation. Just truly love their products, please know though that regardless of compensation I will always give my true opinion)

I started this card with a piece of white card stock cut 6 inches wide by 7 inches long. Next score at 3.5 inches and fold in half. This one will be a top fold landscape card. The layers are a red Scalloped layer die cut with the largest Scalloped die in the set followed by a stitched rectangle die-cut with the largest stitched rectangle in the set and from printed card stock.

Cut two solid hearts, these ones were made using an older Stampin’ Up template that cut and embossed at the same time. Use what you have, you can always die cut a solid heart and then emboss with an embossing folder or you can create texture by using a score board and doing lines vertically and then turn and repeat to create a grid effect. Or if you have none of those supplies stamp a decorative design all over the hearts, or even pierce a design into the heart. That is only a few options,  I think you understand that there are many avenues to pursue while creating.  The middle heart is an open decorative heart, again one from Stampin’ Up, yes, I do love their products as well. If you don’t have this particular one, layer two nesting heart templates to create an open style heart, or stamp a decorative design around the outside edge of the heart and place a smaller heart cut from the printed paper in the Center of the heart in order to create a similar effect. This sentiment was generated on my computer and printed onto card stock. Add an accent piece such as a flower, gem or both. Simple but very effective design! Hope you are inspired to create!

This card has been chosen for a card-of-the-month contest through Creative Scrapbooker magazine, it’s just a fun little contest, no prizes, just a way to show some creativity and hopefully inspire others. If you like this card and wish to vote please use the link below to see all of the cards, scroll to the bottom and you will find my card! There are different rounds to vote in, the first ends February 6, 2021. 

Creatively Yours,

Sharon

Sharing a little Valentine while encouraging you to take advantage of all the Christmas themed products that are on sale at deep discounts presently. Keep a look out for items that can be used for Valentine’s, red papers, ribbons, twine, vinyl backed velveteen ribbon is perfect for die-cutting - the possibilities are endless. This paper is actually a Christmas paper, the reverse side is a definite Christmas theme but this side with the hearts is great for creating Valentine’s! The window frame is the perfect grid for the X and O effect, with the little hearts serving as the O’s. Are you looking for some metallic accents but don’t have any mirror cardstock left? Just adhere some metal duct tape to a piece of cardstock, use the lines on your scoring board to create a grid, create vertical lines then rotate paper and repeat then punch!

Creatively Yours,

Sharon

Heartfelt Appreciation!

 

Sharing this card that I created for a family member to show their appreciation to an individual who did something wonderful for our family. It’s important in life to show your appreciation even if what they have done for you is part of their job, let them know that they are making a difference and touched your life in a positive way!

I am pleased with the finished results of this card. Awhile back I had the opportunity to design and teach some classes for an inaugural crafting event. I didn’t use all of the papers and had some beautiful papers leftover. I decided to pull them out and use for this card. So unfortunately the paper is retired but if you visit Bo Bunny’s website I am sure you can find some equally as beautiful. These papers had multiple different size panels perfect for pocket scrapbooking, probably their first intention but also great for card-making.

I made use of a fairly new set that I purchased from my Stampin Up rep, the forever fern stamp and coordinating die bundle, love it! The focal point was created with a shimmer sheet and flower die from Elizabeth Craft Designs, I further embossed dots on the flower with an embossing folder. The sentiment stamp was the finishing touch. 

I have been noticing the metal rings that Stampin Up had released and quite liked them but didn’t have any. So as a crafter does, I went on a quest to create my own, my answer drum roll, memory wire used for bracelets, it comes packaged in a beautiful coil and you can just snip with wire cutters adjacent to the loose end and voila you have a beautiful metal ring. As mine was being covered on one side I simply placed foam mounting tape on top of the ring to secure. If you would like less of a footprint try some liquid glue or an adhesive dot to secure the ring together. My aha moment for this post!

Hope you are inspired to create, and please remember and acknowledge the individuals in your life thatmake a difference!

Creatively yours,

Sharon

Flowers for You!

This cheery card came together quite quickly. The supplies that were used were the Jar of Flowers stamp set and punch from Stampin’ Up, sentiment stamps and simple strips die from Taylored Expressions, stitched banner dies from Tutti Designs and the stitched circle was a positive piece from a Studio Katia die template. The colouring may be accomplished with a variety of mediums from watercolor markers, paints, and pencils to alcohol base markers. This one was actually coloured with Crayola washable markers and an aqua brush! Hope you are inspired to create!

Creatively Yours,

Sharon

Floral Delight Card!

Card designed by Sharon M. Reinhart June 2020

Stopping by with a delightful card that would be perfect for many occasions. The “happy” sentiment allows you to personalize on the inside by adding Birthday wishes or Anniversary wishes even retirement, as I said it would cover a variety of celebrations! The focal point began with a die  template from Studio Katia, the dotted square STK019. Then I created a flower using a Spellbinders die, the Anemone, using 4 layers, the bottom layer is only the outside ring and the inside gold piece was used on the second layer and then one complete red layer in the middle and first layer. The flower is very quick to come together, just slightly curl petals with a bone folder. To finish the flower I coloured a clear gem with a pink Copic marker. The leaves on this flower were created using a Stampin’ Up die template. The sentiment is a die-cut word placed on a die-cut stitched oval. I love my Stitched shapes from  Stampin’ Up and use them quite often. Many companies have their own version, I also recommend the stitched banner shapes from Tutti designs! This is an older designer paper which may be hard to find however there are so many beautiful papers on the market and probably in your stash, I encourage you to choose a floral print that inspires you! Hope you have been inspired to create! I will share the other two cards inspired by this one in my next post!

Quick and simple card!

Card designed by Sharon M. Reinhart May 2020

Stopping by with one of those ultra quick cards today! This one makes use of an older printed paper, one that started out as 12-inch, with a variety of different size printed panels on it. Many scrapbookers love these types of papers for project life style scrapbooking and pocket pages and to add to their compositions. Don’t miss out on this wonderful resource card makers!
This card began as an A2 side fold white card base. Next I layered a strip of teal card stock to the right side. The next step is to layer one of those printed paper panels, trim as needed. To create a spotlight effect on the sentiment on the printed panel I created a window using a Lawn Fawn die (Reverse Stitched Scalloped Circle window) along with a standard circle die from Spellbinder’s. To add some dimension the Scalloped window has been adhered with foam mounting tape. A stamped and die-cut simple strip from Taylored Expressions was added to complete the sentiment’s message. The finishing touch is a few sequins scattered around the card. I hope you like this card and see the value of using these types of papers and panels within card making!

Mini Notes - works of heart!

Mini notes designed by Sharon M. Reinhart May 2020

We all have days where finding your creative muse, mojo, inspiration, whatever you call it sometimes eludes you. I too have times like this. Rather than give up and get upset because I didn’t create anything - I choose to create my works of heart! Miniature note cards that can provide joy to others while giving my heart a creative release. These mini notes are a perfect way to let someway know you are thinking of them, appreciate them, thank them for their kindness or gift or to let them know that they simply make you smile! These little works would also make perfect random acts of kindness notes! You could also make occasion specific ones such as Birthday and anniversary and tuck them
into the gift or bag. A supply of these little gems are great to have on hand. The point is, is that it is a smaller canvas and allows you to complete it quite quickly. If you wish to make them the same or create them all different, that is also fine. Remove the perimeters and the expectations! Sometimes these even serve another purpose and unexpectedly kickstart your creativity and allow your muse to fly right in!
Pull out your scrap papers, leftover stamped images, die-cuts, etc., which also gives you that warm fussy feeling of putting things to good use rather than discarding. I have stamped sentiments ready to go, typically just stamping on white card-stock with black ink. This will usually go with most mini notes you make however if you wish to customize just sponge a colour onto the sentiment.
You may wish to create a little station or tub where you have cut, scored and folded card bases to go along with your sentiments and other pieces. Most of my mini works of heart are 3-1/2 inches square. You may be worried about envelopes, don’t be! Just take a business size envelope (4-1/8 x 9-1/2), seal the flap then cut in half at 4-3/4 inches, score at the 4 inch mark at the open end. Cut the two corners at the open end on diagonal (mitre). Fold the front flap down and trim away the back flap. A
couple pieces of scor-tape (sookwang) on the flap and this envelope is ready for a work of heart! I hope you have been inspired to create!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

For Mom!

 Card designed by Sharon M. Reinhart

Stopping by to share this card perfect to honour Mom! This card has been created with some great die templates from Lawn Fawn, Cheery Lynn Designs and Pink Fresh Studio. A little texture was added with a Sizzix floral embossing folder and the final accents a few punched flowers! Happy Mother’s Day!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Flower for Mom - kids craft project

 

With Mother's Day quickly approaching I thought I would share this flower project for the little's to do. My 2.75 year old granddaughter had fun making these with a little adult assistance, so it is suitable for a range of ages. Some of the supplies that I used are the Flower Frame die template from Lawn Fawn, circle die template from Spellbinder's, tag punch from Fiskars Crafts and sentiment stamp from Taylored Expressions.

Supplies:

• card stock flower shape, leaf shape, 2 and 1-inch white card stock circles
• variety of 1-inch squares of tissue paper
• sentiment stamp or computer generate
• coloring medium of choice - crayons, markers, paint or ink
• foam mounting tape, white glue
• popsicle stick or skewer
• pencil with eraser
• children's scissors and/or adult assistance with
• scrap of white cardstock for sentiment

Instructions:

1. Die-cut, punch or fussy cut card stock shapes if not already completed
2. Color flower petals with desired medium and leaf if necessary
3. Glue 2-inch circle to back of flower shape if using the Flower Frame shape, apply glue only to outside edge of circle.
4. Pick up piece of tissue paper on end of pencil eraser, scrunch around eraser, dab lightly into white glue and press down onto center of flower. ** for younger children to make it easier have them simply scrunch the tissue paper in their hands, dab into glue and then press onto center of flower.
5. Continue in same manner until flower center is full of tissue paper.
6. Adhere stick to back of flower by placing a strip of foam mounting tape over stick, tape should be hugging stick. Apply foam mounting tape to the top, left and right sides of the 1-inch circle, to hide stick and finish back.
7. Adhere 1-inch card stock circle on top of stick.
8. Apply glue to the inside fold of the leaf and one leaf, adhere around the stick.
9. Stamp or computer generate sentiment. Trim out with scissors, die-cut or punch.
10. Adhere sentiment to flower.
11. Optional - apply adhesive rhinestone to sentiment tag.

Here are some step out photos to assist you with this project.


Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7 & 8



Steps 9, 10 & 11

I hope you have some creative fun with your little's and this project and that you have been inspired to create!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Tea-bag folded card

Card designed by Sharon M. Reinhart

I have been trying to sort through supplies and leftover kits from make and takes and classes that I have taught. Each time I find a leftover kit I get drawn away to see what different card I can create using the supplies. This is my take on one, it turned out quite a bit different from the original and I am pleased with it. My point with this post is if you find left over kits and supplies just switch it up a bit, simple changes is all that it takes to breath new life into a card. For this one I changed the tea bag fold and incorporated what I refer to as a square fold, beginning with a basic triangle fold and then adding a progression by tucking the top layer under to create a square. In my book and online/DVD class there are more complete instructions or video tutorial. If you are having difficulty finding any of them please leave a message and I will see if I have it in stock or if I can point you in the right direction to purchase.

The other change was to borrow more squares of the printed paper from an additional kit, originally prepped for the tea bag folding and repurpose them by cutting in half and then creating a border at the top and bottom of the card.

Another simple variation, was to change the orientation, originally a portrait card that I changed to landscape. An addition of a few punched flowers and adhesive gems and this one is good to go! I hope you have been inspired to create!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Alpha Hugs!

Cards designed by Sharon M. Reinhart April 2020

I must be wanting to give hugs these days as I seem to be creating with that common theme! I hope you like these ones, they are so easy to make! I used my Adore Alphabet set from Pink Fresh Studio. This die template is so versatile it cuts the letter and the shadow outline all in one pass! Great for words, monograms, names and the list goes on. Hope you are inspired to create!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Sending a Hug Card

Sharing two slightly different versions of this card. One with the leaves and one without. Not sure which one I prefer. Do you have a preference? I have revisited an older technique using folded hexagon shapes to create a medallion or rosette. The best results are with double sided paper. This particular paper is an older line which most likely you will not be able to find however there are a treasure trove of papers that would look equally as nice. Check your own inventory of supplies and you could be pleasantly surprised! There are many die templates and punches that can be used to create your hexagon shapes, I have used a Spellbinder’s template. The embossing folder used is from Stampin’ Up. The leaves were punched using a Martha Stewart Crafts punch. The sentiment is Simple Strips from Taylored Expressions. Hope you have been inspired to create!

Creatively Yours,

Sharon

Tag designed by Sharon M. Reinhart April 2020

There is still time to create this adorable Easter tag! The Base tag actually began its life as shipping material from a recent Reno. Being a crafter I knew it would have a great purpose at some point. Recently I decided to cut this marvellous material into tags by die-cutting the cardboard using a Tim Holtz die by Sizzix. A little bit of pink acrylic paint brushed onto the tag creates a nice base.
Next a white doily has been sponged with the same acrylic paint. A die-cut wreath using a Memory Box die serves as a pretty frame for the cute bunny. 
The bunny body is an accordion rosette created with a Tim Holtz die by Sizzix and the Ears have been made using a Heartfelt Creations daisy die and trimming all of the petals away except two. To make the bunny head I have used a Spellbinders circle die and added mini black rhinestones, a punched heart using a Fiskars hand punch and then drawing by hand the balance of the face with a fine point sharpie. 
The sentiment was stamped onto a die-cut stitched banner by Tutti Designs using an older Hero Arts
Stamp. Two additional banner shapes have been layered underneath the sentiment. The finishing 
touches, a little ribbon bow, tied with the aid of a fork. A little trick I learned from a friend that had worked in miniatures. Then some ribbon and twine have been added to the tag hole. This little bunny brought a smile to my face and I hope with everything that is going on in the world at present that she does the same for you!❤️ 

Just stopping by with this mini card kit I created for my littles - my grandkids. I encourage you card makers to pull out your supplies and design a little card that the kids would have fun putting together. Prep it according to their age, in my case 2-1/2 and 5-1/2; so I prepped it so that all they would have to do is glue it together. I cut, scored and folded the white card stock to create a 2-3/4 inch card base. Punched some green card stock using a Martha Stewart Crafts border punch. Stamped some eggs on printed paper and die-cut using a Photoplay stamp and die. Die-cut some stitched circles with a Studio Katia die, then stamped the sentiment with a Taylored Expressions Stamp and layered to a punched circle. The final touch was the addition of a few punched butterflies using a Martha Stewart Crafts punch. I used leftover papers from previous projects and scraps for these kits. Once you have the pieces all together,  complete one sample card for them and package it all in a sandwich bag or envelope. Don’t forget a little bit of liquid glue just in case they don’t have any. Do the stop drop and roll away 6 feet to drop off and keep physical distancing or do a surprise drop and tell them to go look on their step or door handle. Although I am unable to craft with them personally right now it was fun to create something for them to do and then they can email me pictures or face time and show me their wonderful creations❤️
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Eggcellent Easter Card!

Card designed by Sharon M. Reinhart

Stopping by to share this quick and easy Easter card! This one comes together quickly. I have layered solid pink card stock followed by a green print paper to a white A2 card base. Next die-cut a stitched banner shape using a Tutti Designs die template and layer to card front. The white tag was die-cut using a Simon Says Stamp die set which has two different tag shapes in the set. Next I stamped an egg onto printed paper using a Photoplay stamp and then die-cut with the coordinating egg die. Still using the Photoplay set, stamp one of the two sentiments onto white card stock and create tails at each end. Adhere on top of stamped egg using foam mounting tape. Add punched leaves and flower shapes to tag and top left and bottom right corners of card. The leaves were punched using a Martha Stewart Crafts punch and the flowers were created with a Stampin’ Up punch.
Hope you have been inspired to create!
Creatively Yours,

Sharon

Tea bag Folding

Just adding some step out photos to help you out with the circle tea bag folded rosette in the “So Grateful For You” Card project. Start at the top and work your way from left to right. Hope they help!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

So Grateful Tea Bag Fold Card

Card project designed by Sharon M. Reinhart March 2020

Hi all, stopping by with another project using the same papers as my last post but creating a total different card! This card uses a tea bag folding technique to create the focal point. Tea bag folding is a fun technique which requires only a few supplies. Once you master a basic fold there are many
progressions that may be completed to change the design. This particular fold begins as a basic circle fold whereby you start with a die-cut or punched circle (when first learning begin with a larger circle and then progress to smaller circles.) A text weight/lightweight paper is the best to use.

Fold your circle shape in half and then in half again so that it is folded into quarters, creasing well with a bone folder. Unfold and crease again on both lines creating two mountain folds. Hold the circle shape so that the folds are in an X shape, press in on sides to collapse down into a triangle with the folded point at the top and the curved open end at bottom. You have now completed the basic circle fold and could assemble into a medallion at this point but we are going to add a simple progression. Fold back the first layer onto itself, at the open end. There that’s all there is to it, now complete 7 more folded circle pieces.
To assemble, place sookwang tape (scor-tape, be creative tape) along the folded edge on one side on the back of the shape. Remove the tape liner, sandwich between the top and bottom layer of another folded shape, continue until 8 folded shapes have been secured. You now have a floral shape or medallion. Insert a brad through the Center or simply an adhesive rhinestone.

The rest of this card is pretty simple, begin with an A2 white card base, layer a solid colour panel which is 1/4-inch smaller followed by a printed panel -Lawn Fawn, which is again 1/4-inch smaller than previous. Die-cut a fancy circle, Spellbinders, or doily shape or simply use an actual doily. Adhere this to the upper portion of the card. Next adhere the folded tea-bag medallion to the Center of this. Adhere a strip of solid colour card-stock along the lower portion of card, add a sentiment, simple strips by Taylored Expressions has been used here, and voila you are done.

I chose the sentiment “So Grateful For You” as I was thinking about the many people that are out in the front lines battling this virus for all of us, from health care workers to truckers and grocery
workers and everybody in between. I am so very grateful! I encourage each of you to make a card with the sentiments of thanks, appreciation and gratefulness and although we can’t get it into the hands of every person on the frontlines, we could post through social media or display on our windows at home and start a different trend - a grateful trend!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Hello!

Card project designed by Sharon M Reinhart March 2020

Stopping by to share this project and instructions, I thought possibly it could provide some creative therapy. ❤️
First create the card base with a 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 piece of white card stock. Score at 4-1/4 inches and fold in half. Next layer a 4 x 5-1/4 inch piece of solid colour card stock followed by a 3-3/4 x 5 inch piece of printed card stock, this particular one is a speckled double-sided card stock from Lawn Fawn. Now don’t worry if you don’t have it. You can create by splattering paint with a toothbrush or by tapping the paintbrush. There are also many stencils that would work and stamps. Worse case scenario just pick a pretty piece of paper from what you have.
The next step is to layer a scallop strip to the card front using a die template or edgers. Then cut a strip from glitter card stock and adhere on top of the straight edge of scallop. Some options here if you don’t have glitter card stock is to apply tape to a piece of cardstock and then apply glitter and burnish into the tape, or paint a piece of card stock with shimmer or glitter paste, or check your gift wrapping supplies for a glitter bag that you can cut apart. Next, using punches or die templates create a collage of flowers and leaves, this collage was created with die templates from Elizabeth Craft Designs. Add a touch of sparkle to the flower Centers with adhesive rhinestones. The final touch is to add a sentiment, this particular one is a die template from Avery Elle. Keep in mind that you could use stamps, stickers or other word Die templates or even computer generate a sentiment.
I hope that I have given you some ideas on what you can use to create this project while we are all doing our part to flatten the curve of this virus by social distancing and self isolation. Be sure to check your local craft stores as many are providing delivery or curb side pick ups!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Card resources

Hi there, I am straying away from Easter and St. Patricks Cards today. I was looking for some smaller envelopes and came across these ThankYou notes at a dollar store. The envelopes are 4 x 5 1/2, and the cards are 3-3/4 x5, the price was great, I just wanted the envelopes and for the $2.00 price for 24 it really didn’t matter what I used the card for. They actually are a Hallmark brand as well. I did have to try to see how I could incorporate this card into a handmade card. I think it turned out quite well. I cut the front off the note card and trimmed slightly and layered to a 4 x 5-1/2, navy card base. I trimmed navy card stock to cover the ThankYou sentiment, then I grabbed some printed paper, this
one is pretty old by the way. I fussy cut the flowers and adhered to the navy Center. Next I applied antique linen distress ink to a simple strips stamped and die-cut greeting that had been stamped onto white card stock. Tip here, I pre-Stamp my simple strips on white card stock and then if they need to be coloured I customize to that particular card. I used the other half of the note card for the card
inside. I love the gold foil lines and I didn’t have to pull out my foiling machine. So remember sometimes you can cheat a bit and still end up with a handmade card. It’s really not cheating as instead of a printed paper layer I used a notecard front. Simple and easy!
Creatively Yours,
Sharon

Quick Easter card!

Card designed by Sharon M. Reinhart March 2020

Hello there, just stopping by with a quick little Easter card. This one began its life as a tag, I was creating little tags for favours and I thought this could be a great starting point for a card! The tag base has been created using a Simon Says Stamp die template that has two tags in the set. From there I added some printed paper, a little scalloped edge using a Lawn Fawn die and a stamped sentiment from Photoplay onto a die-cut tag from Impression Obsession which has three different tags in the set. To frame this delicate tag I die cut a wreath shape using the Jovial wreath die template from Memory Box. A few little punched leaves from Martha Stewart Crafts and punched flowers from Stampin’ Up with some adhesive rhinestones finished this card off nicely. The base card is an A2 side fold using pink card stock with a layer of printed card stock from Bo-Bunny. I hope you are inspired to create!

Creatively Yours,

Sharon