My Inspiration | The Polka Cabana

Tag Archives: My Inspiration

This will be my Favorite post EVER!!!! Be sure to read!

I have had an idea brewing for a while now and today I am putting my plan into ACTION. There are so many crafty people in this world. So many different styles and personalities. I get inspiration from many sources and today I am going to start a monthly spotlight of my TOP 10 people who inspire me. To go along with my Spotlight, I will have a unique giveaway catered to the STYLE of the person I am spotlighting. Some of my Favorite People, will actively participate, I will let all of them know. So today, let me introduce you to one of my favorite, most creative, spunky, fun and amazing people.

Her name is Deena Ziegler.

I happened upon Deena’s website, a while back and was instantly drawn to her style. I think my style is very much like hers, since we seem to use a lot of the same colors, etc in our projects. However, I am no match for Deena. Google her name and you can see how busy this lady is. A couple of my favorite links on Deena:

http://www.imaginisceblog.com/2010/02/ispy-deena-ziegler-of-be-creative.html
http://www.sizzix.com/blogs?artist=3
http://www.sizzix.com/catalog/designer/Deena%20Ziegler
http://deenaziegler.typepad.com/my_weblog/ (THIS IS HER BLOG!)
http://www.mycreativeclassroom.com/course/category.php?id=36 (A class she teaches on the SIZZIX machine)
http://www.google.com/images?q=deena+ziegler&hl=en&rlz=1C1GGGE_enUS380US380&prmd=ivo&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1920&bih=1085 (Googling her name, you can see so many FABUOLOUS projects!!)

On her blog she often features her children and I love that she is really modest and down to earth. She is sweet and caring and is a real person. She has this to say about what she does:

“First, I’m a mom to two girls that are growing up quicker than I’d like. They keep me busy with school activities and horseback riding. They both love to craft and join me in my work room every day. They especially like to use up all my adhesive and smash my marker tips. When my second daughter was a toddler and I was in full stay at home mom mode I accepted an invitation to teach at my local scrapbook store where I still teach to this day.

Soon I had started teaching a class called Creative Cards. Attendance was up and down but I kept at it for the last seven years and now have two sold out classes every month. I appreciate each and every one of my customers and I cherish the personal relationships that I have with them. While I don’t see an end in sight for my in person teaching I was ready to take Creative Cards to a new level. I now offer my kits to anyone out of my teaching area or for those that just can’t make it to class and Creative Cards Homeschool was launched.”

You can read her full ABOUT ME BIO, here: http://deenaziegler.typepad.com/my_weblog/about.html

Having mentioned Creative Cards Homeschool, I can not give this enough praise. I have been a participant for quite a while now. I do not feel that I need to have guidance for making cards. I can easily come up with my own designs. But, what I love about Deena’s Creative Cards Homeschool are:

The assortment of DIES that she uses
Her color combinations
Her vast assortment of Ribbons and Buttons
Her Whimsical Phrases
Her hard work to precut and package everything
The CONVENIENCE of having everything in one package

I am not in a position to own or have access to all that Deena has, so it is kind of like she is SHARING not only her talent, but her STASH with us! What I usually do and am going to show you today, is how you can either use her card kit and follow her pattern and guidelines, OR do what I do, use the supplies and make your own MAGIC! I love the challenge of taking all the things that has been designated for one card and trying to make the card completely my own. I usually have success, sometimes it can be hard, but most times it works. Take a tour of OCTOBER’S CREATIVE CARDS HOMESCHOOL KIT:

Here is the Kit in its package:

Here are pictures of everything you get (unassembled)

Here are the details for October’s Kit:

Each monthly kit includes supplies to make 5 beautiful cards with envelopes featuring the latest papers and trendy shapes. Each monthly kit is $20 – includes US shipping

October Kit ($20– includes US shipping)-Now shipping. Get started with your subscription today. DETAILS ON HER BLOG HERE. We’d be so happy to have you join us! This month I got my inspiration from a twist on fall colors my happy brights plus a little black thrown in. Got fallish with trees, woodgrain and birdies. Sentiments include; You’re the friends everyone wishes they had, A birthday wish to warm your heart, Thank you for brightening my day, Just a tweet to say “hello” and You make me smile. Fine detailed scalloped shapes, embossed woodgrain paper and happry colors are just a few of the details you’ll enjoy this month.

Now, I will show you DEENA’S card design, the supplies for that card, and what I did with the supplies.

TWEET CARD SUPPLIES:

Here is DEENA’S TWEET CARD

Here is what I did with the Card Supplies:

Inside of card:

Deena’s THANK YOU CARD:

THANK YOU CARD SUPPLIES:

Here is what I did with the Card Supplies:

Top Flap Opened:

Bottom Flap Opened:

Deena’s You make me smile Card:

You make me smile CARD SUPPLIES:

My Version of the Card:

Inside of Card ( I LOVE THE INSIDE OF THIS ONE!!!!)

Close Up:

Deena’s A Birthday Wish Card:

Supplies for this card:

My Version of the Card:

Inside of Card:

Close Ups:

Last Card : Deena’s You’re the Friend Card

Supplies for this Card:

My Version of the Card:

Inside of Card:

Close up:

So, there you have it. I hope you can see why I enjoy Deena’s Card Kits so much. I know she has kits on her site, so be sure to see some of her PAST KITS too! Sign up for a momth, there is no LONG TERM COMMITMENT, but BEWARE, once you start, you won’t want to stop. Believe me…I do not know how I could NOT get a monthly kit! It would be TORTURE!

For TODAY’S Freebie….YOU GET TO PICK ANY 1 OF MY CARDS, that is in this blog post. Remember it has to be MY version and not DEENA’S!! Please visit DEENA and if you do let her know that Jeannie sent you over!

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