The Polka Cabana Etsy Store

The Polka Cabana on Etsy

To all my blog followers, I am trying really hard to get many of my items listed on Etsy.  It is time-consuming, but I ask for your patience while I try to get through hundreds of items to list.  There is a small amount of things in my store now and my goal is to add more items every day.

Maybe one of your favorites that I have created is in the store now.

If you are one of my blog followers, you are getting this email and that means you qualify for a limited time discount.  The Coupon Code is:

Polka10

It should(fingers crossed) allow you to take 10% off your purchase.  I will keep this coupon active through the end of March so that you can take advantage of anything I post in the store until then.

It is not much I realize, but I wanted to do something to let you all know, I do not know where I would be without your kind words and positive affirmations.  I read every single comment and wish I had the time each day to write you all a thank you note for your nice compliments.

So remember the coupon code:

Polka10

Come on over to The SHOP and see what is there:)

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JW Illustrations with Authentique Paper

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??

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

Arts and Crafts with your Pet Frog

Now there is a TITLE!

Good thing it is APRIL FOOL’S DAY, right?

I am not about to craft with any reptile!

Today I have a fun project to share.

Hoping to really inspire you all to think BEYOND paper!

By now, you all know I love those Veggie Tale guys, right?

Today I am going to show you how simple it is to take a plain, ordinary outfit and turn it into something really EXTRA-ORDINARY!

Here is my starting items;

A plain white onsie & a $2.00 clearance skort from the neighborhood K-Mart.

With some bits and pieces of felt and material…

…and the Bob the Tomato metal die…

look what you can make!

My ever handy sewing machine does letters.

I just punched my title in and voilà, instant messaging!

Now, I have to admit, I am one of those people who have the greatest hopes to think of something that will make me millions on ETSY, or something like that.

Here is a close up of the onsie for this outfit.

Bare with me, my hopeful “self” got away with me and dreamt up a bunch of future scenarios.

If I find the time to mass produce these, here are some cute alternate messages I could put on the onsies, but these are “Photoshop-ed” shhhh! Don’t tell anyone!

HOLD THE MAYO!

GOT BACON?

(for the non vegetarians:)

FUTURE VEGAN

For my surrounding counties.

VEGGIE PRINCESS

For my 4 year old!

So, there you have it, my future million dollar maker.

Think I have a chance? Let me know what your favorite sayings are!

If you want to special order…well I’ll get back to you on that one!

This has been me, Jeannie, showing you creative ways to use your CHEERY LYNN DESIGNS dies on more than just paper!

On a side note, maybe I will let my kids use the VEGGIE TALE DIES on their ATC CARD SWAP.

If you have kids who like to create, maybe you should hurry up and sign them up!

The swap is for those 4 and up.

The deadline is April 4, 2011.  There is still plenty of time.

Head on over to Bright Eyes + Blue Eyes to see all the details!

I will post the kiddos cards, once we figure out their designs!

I just realized that BIG IDEAS has a new great website for the VEGGIES…you have to go take a look!

http://veggietales.com/index.php

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH FUN!!!

Dies used on today’s project:

BOB THE TOMATO

Peace, Love & Rock -n- Roll!

How is that for a title?

How is that for a theme?

I have no idea why I came up with this, it just happened.

Jean Claude and Philippe Pea happily volunteered to be my models today.

Let’s go in order, shall we?

PEACE – Veggie Style

Pretty creative huh? What the world needs more of is Peas, right?

 

These guys are certainly 2 groovy little dudes!

 

LOVE – Veggie Style

I decided to do this one based on the news of Japan.

I thought about it today when I did not get some good news,

I had really hoped/wished for.

Then I felt bad, being so selfish when Japan is in such a crisis.

 

All I can do is keep them in my thoughts and prayers and that is just what I will keep on doing.

 

ROCK & ROLL – Veggie Style

 

This is just a fun card! I thought that it was a good finish.

 

Those Peas are such good sports!

 

Hopefully you can see that having a set like these, you really can make anything you can dream up!

On a personal note by me, that FABULOUS paper  for my WORLD PEAS card is from Memories Emporium on ETSY.

My World Peas card is dedicated to Groovy Deb and the gals over there, miss you all and luv you all!

My Love card is dedicated to Michelle from My Analog Life, and her and I both know why 😦

My Rock and Roll card is dedicated to the Paper Issues team, because of our 1st Blog Hop…we are going to ROCK the WORLD…

…hey, it  could happen!

Products I have used: Cheery Lynn Pennant Die, Circle Large Nesting Dies, Stitch Plate, Pierce Plates, Eccentric Circle Embossing Plate, Optimistic Font, Buttons5, Baby Giraffe Frame and Jean Claude and Phillipe Pea.

Fridays with Cheery Lynn Designs

I sure do hope some have come by today to see the full project that I gave you all a teaser for last week. Remember that tiny picture I shared? Here it is again.

Well, before I share the rest of this project with you, let me share a card I have made with the little Veggies again. Do you know how versatile these dies are? With a little imagination, these dies can be use for really ANY occasion.

Here is one of the Peas decked out like a Cowboy or would that be a Cowpea?

Over on the Cheery Lynn Design Blog, we have been trying to WOW you with the Cheery Lynn Designs Embossing Plates.  I have used quite a few on this card. 

I started by cutting my card with

Circle – Scalloped LG Stackers Nesting Dies. 

Then I embossed the circle with the RODEO embossing plate.

 Because I was using the Core d’ nations cardstock, I was able to lightly sand the card front for the embossing pattern to appear.

 

Do you like all the dangling tags, they are all different branding iron images.

They are from the embossing plate called RANCH BRANDS/COWBOY BOOTS & HAT.

The boots and hat on the PEA are from the same plate, other side, it is a two sided plate.

 Also, the rope the tags are dangling from are from the same plate.  A very versatile plate, if you ask me!

Other products used on this card are OPTIMISTIC 1/2 inch Font set, MOUNTAINS BORDER DIE, and the GALLOPING HORSE die.

I am not a horse person, but hey, I can make a horse person card, any ole’ day!

Now, on to where my comfort zone is!

  

Cuteness, rhinestones and my kids!

The little teaser last week was a portion of this picture.

My little one LOVES Madame Blueberry!

It was my little one’s 4th birthday not too long ago. I was at Old Navy and found this very inexpensive skirt and clearance.

 It was purple and white stripped. I immediately saw(in my head) Madame Blueberry on there and had to get it for my daughter.

I found a plain white shirt to go along with it, here is the Birthday girl modeling her outfit for you.

She just loves her new outfit! It is truly a one of a kind outfit!

Here is a close up of Madame Blueberry on the skirt.

Oh, yes, she is QUITE the princess!

I used a high grade felt for most of Madame Blueberry’s pieces. I used individual rhinestones to write the word PRINCESS above Madame Blueberry’s head.

Now, remember, if you are going to go get some stones, you have to check out Rhinestone Hues on Etsy!

My last tip is that I used a mixture of a high grade fabric glue and Heat n’ Bond to attach things to the clothing. For my machine appliqueing, I used a clear nylon thread!

Hope you have enjoyed this project, imagine all the things you can make using your dies as fabric appliques.

I am sure to have something fun to share next week, so come back and see!  I love to hear from you so please leave me a comments, especially if there is something you’d like to see or know how to do that I have not covered!

TA TA FOR NOW!! This has been Jeannie from The Polka Cabana.

It’s a Blue Tuesday

Now, that is not meant to be a depressing title.  My projects today are a a combined effort for Cheery Lynn Designs and Paper Faces Designs by Therese Travis.   I figured since they both offer things that are not of the same category, there is no “conflict of interest” going on here.

Christina of CG SAYS SOMETHING LOUDLY, came up with our Challenge theme I have followed. A one word theme: BLUE.

  

 

POLKA CABANA NOTE:  

I am dedicating this post to some friends I have made on a different website called, Theme Worx.  I won’t name them by name, since I have not asked persmission. 

When I was given the BLUE challenge and made my card, I looked at here and wanted to name her INDIGO.  I have learned a whole new world is attached to this color, that I never knew existed.  If you have not heard this color used in reagards to personalities of people, it is a very facsinationg subject.  So my card, which is I now refer to as INDIGO, is dedicated to those 2 special people that have shared some very personal and wonderful information with me.

 

This actually turned into quite a challenge. I used nothing but the one Therese Travis Digi Stamp and then nothing else but Cheery Lynn Designs products.  Challenging, yes, but fun too!

 

The way I made my project interesting, without being boring, is with all the different patterned papers in the BLUE scheme.

 

Here is Angel Meggie, all decked out with the help of Cherry Lynn Designs dies and other fun stuff.

Here is a close up of the banner above Meggie’s head. Can you see those tiny bows, and what, are those glass beads hand sewn to those PRETTY PETAL flowers?

Why yes they are.

I admit, I went a little overboard on this card, and I loved every minute of it!

Here is a close-up of the banner, cut from the PENNANT DIE.

 

 I just kept the inside, fairly simple. The phrase reads, “Friend: One who knows all about you and loves you just the same.” Such a true statement.

 

In the corner are a trio of PRETTY PETAL flowers.

Here’s a close-up so you can see their dimension and detail.

On this last picture, before you navigate away from us, look closely at the background papers. I cut the scalloped rectangle using the dies with the same name, SCALLOPED RECTANGLE. Look even more closely, the paper that in under the SCALLOPED RECTANGLE piece, has been pierced with the new PIERCE PLATE. I am having a blast with those and the stitching plates. They make a fabulous look and texture on plain, hum drum cardstock. Lastly, the base of my card(white), is embossed with the BANDANA embossing plate.

 

 

I could have stopped here, but why?  Christine had mentioned these cards called Waterfall Cards.  I showed one the other day that I made for Tiffany Doodles new flower stamp releases.  You can see that card here, and compare the two cards.

 

 

Bear with me as I share many pictures, I am doing this so you can get an idea of how the WATERFALL CARD works.  With this card, I have again used one of Therese’s stamps.  But it is only the Flowers from here Heart Wreath. 

 

 

The WATERFALL card has 4 different images. 

  

 

As you pull the ribbon, each image is revealed, one at a time. 

 

 

After one image is shown and the ribbon is pulled, the previous images cascades and falls behind the image you just viewed.

 

 

Here is the last of the 4 images, the others are all tucked neatly behind the last image.

 

 

Here is a side view, as the Waterfall begins. 

 

 

With such a complex fron, I just left my inside plain.  I did make a tiny little flower and thought it would be neat to incorporate Thereses store name in the flower.

 

 

One last view of this wondrful card.

 

 

That is has been my BLUE TUESDAY for you. Thanks for visiting The Polka Cabana today.

I know that all of us on the PAPERFACES Design Team are revealing a challenge.  I do not have the specifics, but, as soon as I get them I will add them to this blog post.

The Cheery Lynn Designs products used in my cards today are as follows. All products have the link embedded in their product names.

 

PENNANT DIE, PRETTY PETAL, SCALLOPED RECTANGLE, PIERCE PLATE LARGE RECTANGLE and BANDANA.

Come back again, pretty please???

It’s all about the Veggies!

Ok, you crafty types out there.  What do I have to do to convert you all to loving my friends as much I do?  Which friends you ask?  You know, Bob, Larry, Jimmy, Jerry?  The VEGGIE TALES?  Well, I have such exciting things to share about my little veggie friends.   Cheery Lynne Designs have given the Veggies, their own place to shine.  You will be able to check in with them, and me, weekly to see what mischief we have gotten into.  Please go and visit THE PRODUCE AISLE over on Cheery Lynn Designs. 

I will still be with the Cheery Lynn Designs Blog and will continue to have new things, there, to entice with all of the Cheery Lynn Designs dies.  THE PRODUCE AISLE will be for the VEGGIES only and anyone they care to include:) 

This week, I have a lot to share with you, so grab a V-8 and keep scrolling.  The owners of Cheery Lynn Designs wanted to have some of the Veggie Tale characters to ship to the BIG IDEA studios.  BIG IDEAs, do you know who they are?  They are the creators, the geniuses behind VEGGIE TALES. 

Ok,  back to my story, it kind of goes like this:

Cheery Lynn Boss A to Boss B = Let’s send some of the Veggie Tale Characters to BIG IDEAs and they can assemble them to see what they look like

Cheery Lynn Boss B = Oh?

Cheery Lynn Boss A to Boss B = Maybe you could assemble them and mail them off to BIG IDEAs?

Cheery Lynn Boss B = ***Snickers***

Cheery Lynn Boss B to Boss A = How about I ask Jeannie, if she could make some cards or something to send their way?

There you have it, the reason behind today’s and some upcoming creations I have done.  The second I was asked to do something for BIG IDEAs, I knew I wanted to do a family portrait.  I had quite the problem, getting all these guys to cooperate for the picture, but finally we got some good shots!  (Kidding, this is a paper pieced Family Picture)

On this picture, that measures 11 inches wide and 8 1/2 inches tall, I used ALL of the Veggie Tale Dies.  You can view the whole gang(dies) here.  I also used, Picket Fence, Mountains Border, Scallop Circle and some new plates that are called Stitching Plates.  I had so much fun making this. 

I can see this framed and hanging in a baby’s room, a daycare, a church nursery a newlywed gift that says “{insert last name} EST {insert year}.”  I can see something like this used for many different occasions.  They are cute, colorful and HAPPY!!  Here are some more pictures.

Left side of portrait:

Right side of portrait:

A little closer up to see the detail.

I love using rhinestones on my projects and my favorite supplier is: Rhinestone Hue’s on Etsy.  She got my addicted to rhinestuds, which she mostly sells on EBAY.  On this portrait I have used BOTH the studs and the stones.

Her Etsy store: http://www.rhinestonehues.etsy.com
Her Ebay store: http://stores.ebay.com/Rhinestone-Hues

Before putting this portrait together, the Veggies had a photo shoot individually. 

BOB

LARRY

MADAME BLUEBERRY

JIMMY GOURD

JERRY GOURD

JEAN CLAUDE & PHILLIPE PEA

PA GRAPE

Not pictured are Archilbald Asparagus and Jr. Asparagus.  They must have been out helping LARRY BOY or something!

After I got them all individually pictured, I decided to do some magic with them.  By extracting them from their white background, I was able to turn them into .png files. Now I can use them digitally.  Here are my examples.  This first example  is my .ning page header.  Again, the Asparagus’s are missing..oops!  I used 2 digital kits by STUDIO FLERGS on this banner.

 

 

Last, is my new profile picture for some different sites I am on and THE PRODUCE AISLE.

 

So, there you have it!  My long-winded post.  After playing with these guys, digitally, it sure does get my brain thinking of the many possibilities with my paper creations.  You know that ALLADIN song “A WHOLE NEW WORLD”?  That is what I am thinking.

Thank you for stopping by today.  Please visit us in THE PRODUCE AISLE often, we will continue to make you smile!

One picture, SO MANY OPTIONS!!

Another of my top 10 people who have inspired me and has had a great impact on me is Therese Travis.  Therese’s Design Team for PAPER FACES DESIGNS, was the very 1st team I wan invited(or allowed) to be on.  I am proud to say I am still with her and she will have a hard time getting rid of me:)

The other day, I shared with you the tutorial of how to create a card with a Digital stamp and Digital Papers.  Todays techniques have some same steps, but are different in many ways.  To view the tutorial on Digital Stamps with Digital Papers you can click here to view the post.

Today, I am using Therse’s Angel Miriam.  You can purchase Miriam for your own personal use here.  I will show you how to use a .svg file and also how to use Miriam as a DIGI STAMP for 3 beautiful cards.

For my.svg card, I am using a version that Therese created for me so that I can cut it out on my Cricut.

You will start with your file opened up in your cutting software.

Please note, I have warped the pattern to hopefully protect Therese’s image. 🙂  The image will open up all grouped together.

My next step is to discard what I won’t use.  Or to be safe HIDE what you do not need and at this point, I group them on my mat how I want them to cut.

I am pretty picky about trying to save paper.  So I go with the minimum of paper I can go with to cut my files.  You can see on the next image, I have divided the pieces up into what color I will cut them out on.

Next I measure my colored paper out to fit the image on my template and adhere the paper to the cutting mat. That is the next image you are seeing.

Next you will see my pieces are cut and ready to go!  Yes, I warped the picture again:)

Jeannie tip here…When working with certain files, such as Therese’s Fairies, angels, or anything with faces or cirles etc, as I am removing them from the cutting mat, I turn them over and put a small dot on the TOP so I know which is the top and the bottom.  Might sound silly, but it has really helped in my assembling process.

I have gathered all the supplies to complete this card.  In one place..it helps the picture taking process tremendously!!

It is always important to add some depth to you pieces by sponging them with a neutral color.

My next step is to emboss my background and assemble my word art on cardstock.  I sponge these with a dark color and edge with a gold stamp pad.

Here is Miriam all assembled and ready for her card.

Time for the bow.  I use an empty cup and tie a knot on the cup.

I then cut the ribbon on the opposite side of where I just tied my nice knot.

At this point I have a for tailed ribbon, take the ends that you cut and adhere them around an attach behind your card with tape.

At this point, I forgot I needed to mat Miriam with white paper, so find a scrap and “bubble cut” around her.

Next, put dimensional adhesive on the back of Miriam and the word art.

Assemble the rest of the items and that is how I use an .svg file.

Here is a comparison with a card that I did with the DIGI stamp and colored cardstock.  I love the way it looks..but with the .svg file, the CRICUT does the cutting, with the DIGI, I do the cutting.

I also tried a different techiique I can show you later if anyone is intrested.  It uses the DIGI stamp also.  Here is the final product.

Here are the TRIO.  Which do you like best?

Your favorite will be my FREEBIE today..that one lucky winner will receive.  To qualify for the freebie..here are my terms:

Please visit THERESE and if you do let her know that Jeannie sent you over!

Leave a comment and on next WEDNESDAY’s post, I will announce the winner!  Send you friend over and they mention your name..you get an EXTRA ENTRY!

• Leave a comment = One Entry
• Send a Friend = One Entry
• Follow my Blog = One Entry
• Visit THERESE and leave a comment = One Entry
• Fiskateer’s post your Fiskateer Number in comment = One Entry
• Co-Design Team Member of mine, on any team = One Entry  Just mention which DESIGN TEAM we are together on!

Be sure to let me know HOW MANY entries you qualify for and what card technique is your favorite.

The others will go on Etsy, and I will take special orders for these, if you need more than one.

Can you believe the art of Therese?

Lastly I leave you with a card and a scrapbook page made from another one of Therese’s lovely drawings.

CARD

SCRAPBOOK PAGE

I hope you liked this tutorial.  Let me know if there you have an intrest to see the other technique I used on the 3rd card.

I want to thank Therese Travis of http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperfacesdesigns for allowing me to use ANGEL MIRIAM  in this project.

Visit http://tuesdaytrio.blogspot.com/ to see what the sketch and challenge are for this weeks challenge.  Here is what I did with Theres’s Angel Cherie.  Let me know how you like her also.

Wow, what a post, right??

So many things to POST!! So little time!!

I have a tutorial I will share with you tomorrow!  Be sure to check in!

My BLINKIE SHOP is open, you can find me on ETSY here:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/61234400/custom-blog-blinkie-gif

I wanted to announce my winner from last weeks DEENA show.

Here is a slide show so you can see for yourself if you are the lucky one(s)!!

 

I felt soo nice..or is it delirious, that we drew 2 names!  Totally random…I count how many entries you all qualify for, and yep that is how many times your name goes into my BUCKET!!

 

Without further ado….

 

The winner, winners are…….

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

If you are one of the lucky 2 winners, email me and address and let me know what card was your favorite.  Winner #1 gets 1st choice, winner  #2 gets 2nd choice…have to be fair…right????

 

Another post tomorrow!!  Bye for tonight!