Cathy Zielske's Blog, page 10

A lovely design that is deceptively simple to create!

Today I’m sharing a lovely card that was so easy to create, but really has the look of something that might have taken much longer to create!

Featuring the new Trellis Window die and the Flower Vines Fancy Die, this card came together SO quickly, with just a few easy-to-do inking techniques. Check out my tutorial here:

I think adding a bit of shimmer was the right call, too!

This card is also over on my Instagram account as part of a hop to celebrate the new release. F...

Cathy Makes a Card: the giveaway

Welcome to the blog post for this week’s livestream (February 19, 2025). If you’d like to enter to win today’s card, leave a comment below and I’ll choose a winner in a few days.

I have a special promotion today with Altenew! See all the details in the graphic below:

SPECIAL PROMOTION:

Get one pack of Double-sided Adhesive (5 sheet set/$10.99 value) on Altenew orders over $79 while supplies last. Use promo code: CZXALT4FUN

Code is valid From 2/19/2025 at 12:00 pm EST to 2/...

Let’s unbox the March 2025 Card Kit From Simon Says Stamp!

It’s Kit Unboxing Day! The March Card Kit from Simon Says Stamp is called Tweet Friends and is packed with crafty goodness. More details are below, but let’s start with my unboxing and cardmaking video:

I won’t lie: if you love this kit, you’ll want to add the coordinating dies for the Tweet Friends stamps! It makes such a difference to be able to easily cut out the cute images and greetings.

For Card One, I did very simple coloring but I love how the patterned paper from th...

Cathy Makes a Card: the giveaway

Welcome to the blog post for this week’s livestream (February 12, 2025). To enter for a chance to win the shaker card from today’s live, leave a comment below!

In the meantime, check out this livestream replay here:

I absolutely loved how this card came out and am planning to make another to send to one of my besties.

I have stumbled onto a new type of shaker for me. This turned out so stinkin’ cute! And it was a great way to use up extra packaging AND sequins.

Th...

More on the power of the crop!

Today I’m sharing more on how to use my new Cropping Panels to help you visual your finished card design before you cut and glue!

For my cards today, I used two floral stencils, both are in the brand new Sending Flowers Card Kit. In my video today, I’ll share how these two cards came together:

Cropping is a crafty super power that anyone can do!

If you haven’t downloaded my Cropping Panels, check out the post and download here.

Thanks so much for stopping b...

A must-have tool for cardmakers: cropping panels

Today I’m sharing a fun make-at-home tool to help you visual different panel sizes with your stamped and ink blended images.

I’m calling them Cropping Panels and this video will explain what they are and how to create yours at home:

All you need are a few sheets of neutral colored cardstock and some nesting rectangle dies. To get my PDF printable, click on the image below:

The file will open in a new window and you can download the file, or print right from the web browser...

Fool-proof florals with keyhole dies

Today I’m sharing a gorgeous and simple floral card as part of the February 2025 Blog Hop for the new release from Altenew.

The Keyhole dies have changed my perspective on flower building because they make it SO easy!

You’ll see in my video how it’s literally like connecting the dots… or, the keyholes! The whole Craft-a-Flower series is really so clever.

I love how the card turned out and I really love One-Go: Solid Sentiments press plate and die. Wow!

GIVEAWA...

Cathy Makes a Card: the giveaway

Welcome to the blog post for this week’s livestream (February 5, 2025). If you’d like to win the card and or the gife card, leave a comment below and I’ll choose the winner a few days following the live. I will be giving away two cards today, but only one of you will also win the gift card. Good luck!

In the meantime, check out this livestream replay here:

I’m also giving away a $20 gift card to Waffle Flower Crafts! One of you will win a card AND the gift card! So be sure to lea...

Take your card from meh to YES! with unity in design

Today I’m sharing how to take a card from just okay to much, much better simply by unifying your elements.

This is not the greatest end design in the world, but hopefully by sharing my process, it will help you when you sit down to create!

It really is just shifting a few things and editing your choices that will help you design cards you love!

Remember: unity in design means all of the elements feel purposeful and like they belong together. By layering items and physically co...

Cathy Makes a Card Live

Welcome to the blog post for this week’s livestream (January 29, 2025). If you’d like to win the card, leave a comment below and I’ll choose the winner a few days following the live.

In the meantime, check out this livestream replay here:

I love how this design turned out!

Remember, just pick two colors on opposite sides of the wheel, go with the tint or shade you love, and get creating!

SUPPLIES:

Affiliate links are used in this post and below at no additional c...