The Polka Cabana

Promised Rainbow Flower Tutorial

polkacabana — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:47:38 +0000

Hello everyone in the bloggy world.

This is Jeannie from The Polka Cabana with yet another FLOWER tutorial for you!

Last week I had such a nice response to my rainbow flowers and quite a few of you said YES to my offer for a tutorial, so that is what I am going to share with you today.

I use inexpensive tissue paper for these flowers.

The first thing I do is to cut strips long enough to fit the CUTIES #4 die on. I make them wide enough to cut 2 times from the paper. The stack is cut from the unfolded pack of paper. I use the whole thickness (30 sheets deep) for the flowers.

Here is my big secret…my dye! I’d love to use some sort of expensive dye, but I am a struggling artist after all and can’t afford something like that. I had this idea to take Kool-Aid packets and mix with a little bit of water and rubbing alcohol to make my own die. Here you can see the bottles all mixed and lined up ready to go.

I have the papers on top of a cookie rack, which is on top of a cookie sheet, to catch any drips that might occur. I like to try to do 2 complete ROYGBIV patterns on the tissue paper.

Here you can see I have gotten all the dye on the paper, now they need to dry. I put the, in the oven at 170 degrees for about 20 min. But, I do not endorse this as I know paper in the oven…sounds risky!

Here the strips are all dry.

After I cut all my cuties, I like to stitch them to keep them together. ( I lengthen the stitch to make sure the machine does not destroy the flowers,)

When putting these together, whether you choose to stitch them like me, or glue them, it is imperative to have the petals of the 2 die cut strips lined up so that the bottom layer of petals show up in the gap of the petals in the top layer. Below is a close up of what I am trying to say.

To assemble the flowers, I use these sticks that are about the size of toothpicks, without the pointy ends.

Apply hot glue to the tip of one of the sticks and roll the beginning of the flower around the stick…

…and hold there until the glue is dry.

Then just roll the flower up and secure with another drop of hot glue.

Next, cut the stick very as close as you can get to the base of the flower.

On a circle about 5/8 wide, have a big dollop of hot glue waiting and…

…glue the flowers to the circle.

After the glue is dry, I take a very soft toothbrush to fluff and separate the tissue paper layers.

Here they are all fluffed up.

When using these types of flowers, I like to have a nice crisp white background.

I have only used the Cuties #4 flowers and the Dancing Doily Lace Border.

They make such a colorful presentation.

So, there you have it! I kept my word and divulged my secret!

I hope you have enjoyed my post today.

Be sure to check out our current Challenge. This week our theme is

DRY EMBOSSING.

You can get all the details here.

I am off to pack, heading to Southern California for CHA!

I am so excited to be there with Cheery Lynn Designs.

This has been Jeannie from The Polka Cabana with today’s post.

Gel a tins with Authentique Paper

polkacabana — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:30:02 +0000

Today I want to show you a card I came up with just by looking at the wrapping on my Authentique paper Miracle Collection Kit.

Just by looking at the above I thought it’d make a great background. Here it is cut to the size I needed.

You can see here, I am adding my layers of Cheery Lynn Designs border dies, fabric tape etc.

For the stamps I embossed them in a powder that is a bit “shabby chic.” The image is distorted slightly, but it works for this card.

The set I am using is called:

Sugar & Spice

Here is the card all assembled.

I love the soft colors and they playful stamps.

Such a cute card for a new bundle of joy!

I hope you will remember to look at covers of paper pads, kit inserts and packaging. There is always something that can be reused, just like I reused the kit insert on this card! Just remember to always, think out side of the box!

I hope you have enjoyed my post today! Be sure to visit the Gel A Tins blog because we have some AMAZING designers that are always coming up with new things to try!

Have a great day and see ya next week with more GEL A TINS fun!

This has been Jeannie from The Polka Cabana with today’s post.

Wednesday Wowzer Time

polkacabana — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:47:49 +0000

Today I am sharing a card that our own {ippity} Heather has challenged us with. You can find the challenge HERE.

Here is the sketch for the challenge.

Here is what I have created based on the sketch.

I have used 2 different sets on this card. The sets are called, Time for Friends and Your Friendship, My Cup of Tea.

I am also using my super yummy Embossing Powders from WOW Embossing Powders.

I loved the sketch. I hope you like this card, I LOVE IT! Polka Dots & Cherries, how can I go wrong with those, right?

Well that is it for me today!

ALSO….A BONUS CARD!!

This is using an itty, bitty, {ippity},(say that 3 times fast!!) called HAPPY.

You all know my love affair with Roy G. Biv and this phrase sang Roy G. Biv to me!

All those flowers are hand made by me using the fabulous die called Cuties 2. Th background flourish(my favorite) is called Fanciful Flourish. Both dies are by Cheery Lynn Designs.

This card I plan on entering into the NEW BEGINNINGS Challenge. You can read about that challenge here…wish me luck!!

Thank you for stopping by and have a great day!

See you next week!

This has been Jeannie from THE POLKA CABANA with today’s post!

Sweet Stamps Tuesday!!

polkacabana — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:30:55 +0000

Starting today on the Sweet Stamps blog, we have another new challenge for you!

LOVE

Perfect challenge for this time of year!

Here is my card. I have used so many supplies from Sweet Stamps.com.

Where do I start to let you know all the fun things I used on this card? My background paper has been embossed with the DAMASK folder and all my decorative papers are from the LOVE LETTERS 6×6 pad.

The doll is called RUSSIAN DOLL, her wings are SMALL LACE BUTTERFLY WITH ANGEL WING.

The stamp YOU ARE LOVED finishes off the card. I also used the FRUIT PUNCH Stickles to add some pretty shimmers to this.

If you like challenges and want to join out challenge, head on over to the Sweet Stamps blog and read the entry requirements and link up with us!

You have a chance to win a $20.00 gift certificate to Sweet Stamps and you can buy some really fun stamps and accessories there!

I hope you are having a wonderful January. Can you believe it is 2012?

I am on the COUNTDOWN, counting down the days until I get to leave for CHA!!

As of this post it will be 4 days till my departure!!

I CAN’T WAIT!!

JW Illustrations with Authentique Paper

polkacabana — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:01:07 +0000

It is a rainy day AGAIN and I ham creating with some cute things today!

Today I am going to show you a card I have made for JW Illustrations.

JW stands for Jessica Weible, just so you know!

Most of you know I have a thing for ladybugs, so I am using the LADY LOVE BUG digital stamp.

Here is what I came up with.

How do you like the paper combination? It is a new collection from Authentique Paper called MIRACLE COLLECTION – GIRL.

As already mentioned the adorable bug is by JW Illustrations. I love digital stamps because there is so much you can do with them.

I love being able to manipulate, and do what ever I can figure out how to do with, digital stamps.

As for the products I have used today here is a little list:

Stamp – Lady Love Bug – JW Illustrations

Paper – Authentique Papers – Miracle- Girl

Letter Stickers – Authentique Paper – Miracle Collection

Rhinestuds – Rhinstone Hues – Etsy

Pennant Die – Cheery Lynn Designs

Twine – The Twinery

Candi – Sweet Stamps.com

What do you think? Do you use Digital Stamps? If so, what is your favorite thing to do with them? I’d love to know!

Ok…I am done for today! I might make another something for tomorrow…you never know!

Have a great day!

~Jeannie

What do creative minds do on rainy days??

polkacabana — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:01:02 +0000

As my title asks, what do creative minds do on rainy days?

Do we cook? NO!!

Do we clean house? NO!

Do we catch up on laundry? HECK NO!

We ….. CREATE!

It is a rainy, I am so happy to say that, we need it so badly.

Today I am going to show you a card I have made for JW Illustrations.

JW stands for Jessica Weible, just so you know!

I am using her Valentine Car Stamp, that just so happens to be ON SALE right now!!!

Here is what I came up with.

I am so blessed to have so many different items to play around with.

What I mean is, this card is a compilation of many companies that I work with, love and happily endorse!

As already mentioned the adorable car is by JW Illustrations. I love digital stamps because there is so much you can do with them.

You can use your favorite papers or stamps, the possibilities are endless.

As for the products I have used today here is a little list:

Stamp – Valentine Car Stamp – JW Illustrations

Paper – Authentique Papers – Freebird – Delight

Letter Stickers – Authentique Paper – Miracle Collection

Stamps – Unity – Authentique Paper – You + Me = Bliss

Embossing Powder – Wow Embossing Powder – BUBBLE GUM, WHIRLY POP & GUMMY BEAR GREEN

Rhinestuds – Rhinstone Hues – Etsy

What do you think? Do you use Digital Stamps? If so, what is your favorite thing to do with them? I’d love to know!

Ok…I am done for today! I might make another something for tomorrow…you never know!

Have a great day!

~Jeannie

Cheery Lynn Designs Happy/Colorful card time

polkacabana — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:30:11 +0000

Let’s start with a disclaimer first! I need a good Rainbow quote so I asked my top secret group of ladies from the Paper Issues team for help. I got some GOOD ONES too!

Well my virtual buddy, Michelle, gave the quote I used…and I asked if she came up with it…but she went off line and I had to make an executive decision on using the quote!

I GOOGLED it and came up with nothing EXACTLY the same…so I gave credit to Michelle, sort of an inside joke, but a compliment to her at the same time…End of story!

On to my project!

My card today is my effort to use the rest of the dies I didn’t get a chance to use on my NEW RELEASE post.

I am using the new dies Country Girl, French Lattice Small and Cuties #4.

I have the Lattice cut in white on top of a white piece of paper that I have used the Pierce Plate on.

How do you like those flowers? They are a very TOP SECRET design I came up with myself and maybe is enough people say..”OOOH, HOW DID YOU DO THAT?” I might do a tutorial on them sometime soon!

There is something so striking and satisfying to me about bright colors on a white background.

There are so many different ways to do this and I never tire of trying new ways.

I am having a blast with all the new dies. I love making my own custom flowers and these new Cuties #4 are fabulous to work with.

Be sure to check out our new challenge…

SNOWFLAKES

The weekly winner gets a $20 gift certificate to Cheery Lynn Designs.

You can go HERE to see all the details on our challenges.

This has been Jeannie DeGruccio from The Polka Cabana with today’s post!

The new dies are just wonderful. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Cheery Lynn Designs goes and WOWs us AGAIN!

This new release of dies are AMAZING!

Be sure to visit the Cheery Lynn Designs blog to see what the other DT has done with the new dies.

Gel a tins gets a little Sassy!!

polkacabana — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:00:33 +0000

If you are anything like me, I gather inspirations from many places. Sometimes I feel it is almost a curse because I see layouts, cards designs all around me.

It is hard to explain, but today’s post is a perfect example.

I knew I wanted to work with this Sassafras bundle I had, so I took a look at the cover and instantly the finished card’s image formed in my mind.

Here is what I started out with. The bundle of Nerdy Bird papers from which I used 3 different patterned papers.

Now, I could have just used the wonderful “pieced” looking paper for my background, but by only using a portion, I can get more projects out of the adorable main sheet and the portion I use will stand out more!

Here is what I did, I cut out a section and built my own background with strips of the other papers. I made sure to include that small purple strip too, because it was too cute to throw away,

The Gel a Tins set I chose to use is called: Elephant Garden

I embossed my elephants in 3 different colors. All my colors are from WOW Embossing Powders.

Then I took 2 of the flower stamps and used them at the same time and embossed them in yellow on the polka dot paper.

Then I took one of the Paisleys and embossed it in a darker blue on the swirly blue background paper.

They I took a zig zagged all around the card. I had the card on wax paper and after I sewed everything I tore the wax paper off. The result is that it left traces of ripped paper all around that I tinted pink. I love the way it looks, it is hard to see here though.

Here is the finished card! I added the googly eyes because it just goes along with the whimsy of the paper product, don’t you agree?

Ahh, such a happy card!

I hope you have enjoyed my post today! Be sure to visit the Gel A Tins blog because we have some AMAZING designers that are always coming up with new things to try!

Have a great day and see ya next week with more GEL A TINS fun!

Authentique Paper + Helmar Adhesives = Amazing

polkacabana — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:00:47 +0000

Authentique Paper and Helmar are teaming up this week to bring you tons of inspiration using Authentique Paper products and Helmar adhesives!

After you check out my post (below), be sure to head on over to the Helmar blog to find out what the talented members of their Design Team have created.

I have this wonderful sewing book called One Yard Wonders! It has some fabulous ideas and they are all for fabric. But, I had an idea awhile ago that I wanted to try and take a pattern, shrink it and make it with paper. I decided to try this with an apron pattern from this book.

Here I have all my pattern pieces cut out and ready to go.

Using Helmar’s Premium Craft Glue I tapped my seam allowances down. The Premium Craft Glue was perfect since 1, it dries very quickly and 2, after it is dried I can sew on small amounts of it without gumming up my sewing needle. HOORAY!!

For attaching the ruffle I used Helmar’s Quick Fix Permanent Adhesive Runner.

I just slid the runner across the top of my piece..

..and scrunched my paper up to make the ruffle.

The Quick Fix Runner kept the ruffle right in place.

Here you can see that I have added the bodice/bib and waist band.

I then added a paper bias to the sides.

Here is the finished apron, now I need to add the pockets.

Because I wanted the pockets to stand-out a little, I used some 1/4″ Zap Dots on the top of the pocket and then some Professional Acid Free Glue on the bottom of the pocket. This made the pockets look slightly puffy, which is what I wanted.

To curl the apron strings, I wound them around something and them lightly coated them with a dab of the

Professional Acid Free Glue.

All done, can you see how the Professional Acid Free Glue made the curl stay in the paper?

Fabulous stuff!

For my card base, since I was using my machine, I used just a dab of glue from my Helmar’s Quick Fix Permanent Adhesive Runner. You would NOT want this adhesive to come in contact with your sewing machine needle, it is very sticky and would cause major problems.

I only used the adhesive to tack down the middles of all my background papers to secure them as I did the sewing.

For the card sentiment, I just used scraps that I had. Even the leftovers from my ICONS, make perfect borders for small things like tags.

To adhere my items to the card front, I used the 1/2″ Zap Dots on the backs of the apron and tag.

Here is the final product!

My mini apron card.

This would make a perfect Mother’s day card, don’t you think?

Here is a close up of the apron.

I am so happy my idea worked! Now I will be scouring through my patterns to see what else would be fun to make out or paper!

Thanks for visiting today. I am very grateful to Helmar for the use of their awesome adhesives. The Helmar products really made this project do-able!

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial.

This has been Jeannie from The Polka Cabana with today’s post.

“Scents” able Card Making!!

polkacabana — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:41:41 +0000

I have a FUN idea to pass along to you today!

My next 2 days of cards are dedicated and made with a special friend in mind! Dearest Michelle, I hope I make you smile!

Did you catch the clue in my title? SCENTS able?

I am going to show you how to make a yummy smelling card!

Start with some basic supplies. Here I have my embossing pad, my Cherry Stamp from the NEW SEASON, NEW WONDER set and some Kool-aid mix and my brand new CABLE CAR RED embossing powder from WOW EMBOSSING POWDERS.

First, mix a little of the Kool-aid powder with the embossing powder. After you mix the 2 real good, you use the scented powder just like any other embossing powder. You can smell it while you heat it up and the scent stays after it has embossed and dried!

I have a lot of these little empty plastic jars, so I saved the excess to use later.

I have used lots of Sassafrass fun papers and embellishments to go along with this card.

The large cherry stamp, the background on the navy blue strip and the word SWEET are all done in the scented powder. It smells so fruity! YUMMY!!

Here is the side view, now isn’t this a cheerful card??

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you have enjoyed this little tutorial! If you use my idea, I’d love for you to link back to this post!

That is my WOW for today! Have a great Wednesday! See you next week!

This has been Jeannie from THE POLKA CABANA with today’s post!