It was roughly one year ago that I, Cathy Zielske, being of sound mind and crafty body, decided to start making some cards.
In early March of 2017, Stampin’ Up sent me their Big Shot machine, along with a few Framelits dies, and I made this magical card you see here for an 11th birthday celebration at Scrapbook & Cards Today, (the magazine I presently serve as art director for!)
I had been dabbling in designing some clear stamp sentiments and decided it was time to possibly play with a few of the accoutrements of the card realm. Well, one thing led to another and I found myself, to quote Bella Swan, “…unconditionally and irrevocably in love with…” card making.
Y’all know I have been in the craft biz for a LONG time now, right? I’m a member of what they call the Old Guard in the industry. And though I had people telling me a long time ago (yes, I’m talking directly to you, Jennifer McGuire!) that I should make cards, I guess I just thought, “Nah. I’m good.”
But something clicked inside my brain with cards. A certain playful innocence that had been missing from my crafting suddenly blew up all around me.
I decided to start posting videos to my long neglected YouTube channel, posting this decidedly rough around the edges first-ever process video, and I began sharing my journey as a new card maker.
I think that people think because I like clean and graphic that cute stuff doesn’t really fit into that formula.
But card making only energized my love of design.
And it is helping my business, as well. Partnering with Simon Says Stamp has allowed me to reach a much wider—and often brand new—audience, and it has been amazing to see what people create with the stuff I’m designing. I truly am grateful that I have made my living in this industry for 18 years now. Anything that helps me to be able to continue to keep doing the work that I love is a good thing.
So today is all about celebrating one year of making cards. (And to see every card I’ve shared here on my blog, click here.) And because it’s my Cardversary, I’ve got a video and a new card to share first and a really fun giveaway, second!
The card in today’s video was creating using my new friend (and oh, do I adore her!) Gina K. Design’s ingenious Wreath Builder stamp bundle (also available at Simon Says Stamp!) Not only have I fallen in love with Gina K herself, I also love her products, her YouTube channel and her ability to teach you that you CAN stamp and make really lovely cards.
Gina also taught me how to make my own custom square envelopes to match my square cards! Check out my tutorial below, and then keep on reading for details of my giveaway today!
So there’s that, and now…
THE CARDVERSARY GIVEAWAY
Today I’m so excited to be doing and Insta Giveaway on my @czdesign Instagram account! I have FIVE $50 gift certificates to give away—three to Simon Says Stamp and two to Gina K. Designs! If you would like to enter, go check out @czdesign on Instagram today and look for the graphic you see above for the details on how to enter for your chance to win! I will announce the winners next week by tagging you on Instagram (so you have to be on Instagram to win!)
Good luck! And don’t worry… I still make scrapbook pages, too! I’m just following where the current inspiration leads me! That’s how I’ve always done it.
Denise Terry says
Happy cardiversary! I am so glad Jennifer McGuire recommended following you because, well, you remind me of some of my favorite people in the world, and you make cards ?. Cute, fun cards
Cathy Zielske says
Yay! Thanks for following. And I owe much to that fine woman, Jennifer McGuire! She has truly helped me so much in the past year!
Vivian says
Love all your cards and the way you make it look doable for me. Bummer that you have to be on Instagram for a chance to win though.
Cathy Zielske says
Sorry about that Vivian! Just trying out some new approaches to giveaways! 🙂 There will be more fun giveaways in the future!
Doreen says
Happy Cardversary!!! A friend of mine mentioned you to me years ago and she was in love with your scrapbook style at the time I was not doing much scrapbooking, but enjoyed your style, then you dabbled into the card making world and I had to mention back to my friend that you just became “more awesome” !!! Keep inspiring us Cathy ! I love following your daily crafty adventures!!!!
Cathy Zielske says
Thanks for following along, Doreen!
carol ann says
I love you, Cathy! Happy Cardversary! Here’s to many more years of goodness and smiles!
Cathy Zielske says
Thanks Carol Ann!
pat smith says
Congratulations on your first year. It gets more exciting as the years roll on! Love your work. I am hoping I can enter this, not sure if I am on Instagram or not. Sorry to have that restriction, as many of us are not, and that has nothing to do with our stamping.
Cathy Zielske says
Sorry about that Pat! I will have more giveaways in the future, I promise!
Lis C says
I love the card….I especially love the short cut on making the envelope!!
Cathy Zielske says
Isn’t that a great tip? I did not discover it! lol. All Gina K! She’s great! Check out her youtube channel! https://www.youtube.com/user/StampTV
Virginia Palmer says
Mind blown by the envelope re-sizing! I caught the card-making bug about the same time you did – having a great time. Off to Instagram…
Cathy Zielske says
That’s all Gina! I learn SO much from her videos!
Teresa Doyle says
Congratulations Cathy on ALL of your achievements over the past year in the card industry. I have been following your work both your projects and products and I am already collecting them! I am on IG (my handle is : handemadebyteresa) but rarely check it, however in this case I will make a note to check it out!
Your card and envelope are beautiful. I had seen/saved Gina’s video the day she posted that envelope “make over” and just last week went through most of my pins until I found it as I needed a reminder of the measurements. LOL Her wreath builder is such a genius idea. I L♥VE IT!
Cathy Zielske says
Thanks for your comment, Teresa!
Kelly B. says
Happy cardversary! I love how your clean and simple card design and how you always keep it real!
Cathy Zielske says
Thank you!
shirley wiley says
Happy Cardversary. I have been making cards for 20 years and I have been reading your blogs for at least 10 years and love your sense of humor. Keep going strong.
Cathy Zielske says
Glad to have you keep coming back!
Chris Domino says
Happy Cardversary to you and I love your creations. Jennifer McGuire shared checking you out and I have enjoyed doing so! Happy creating.
Cathy Zielske says
I owe a lot to her for bringing more people my way! Thanks for reading!
Donna Griffin says
Seems that Jennifer McGuire started a lot of us folks making cards! She is so very talented and so glad she convinced you to spread your talent wider. Love your blogs, IG stories and YouTube videos. Provide a ton of inspiration!! Happy Cardversary!! Looking forward to many more years of crafting happiness!! Hugs!
Cathy Zielske says
Thanks, Donna!
peppermintpenguin says
as I told you, I’m meh on the scrapbooking thing, but I love your clean graphic cards.
I don’t love *my* clean graphic cards, because so far I’m not really managing that…. but I live in hope.
Cathy Zielske says
KEEP HOPE ALIVE! lol
Gayle Bartholomew says
Beautiful card and Happy Cardversary! I just “discovered” you and really like your style. I follow both Gina K. and Jennifer McGuire and think they are both amazing. Thanks for sharing your beautiful card.
Cathy Zielske says
Thanks for stopping by, Gayle!
Rose says
Happy Cardversary! Have been following you for a long time. Started with scrapbooking and onto card making. It was nice to see you jump in last year. Love all the inspiration. Thanks for sharing and chance to win!
Cathy Zielske says
Thanks for following along!
Tracey Magner says
YAH, Happy CARDVERSARY Cathy!!!!!! I LOVE your style and I LOVE your stamps, you have such a cool and UNIQUE style, I think you ROCK girl!!!!!! Here’s to many many more years in card making and stamp/die making. Hugs.
Cathy Zielske says
Thanks, Tracey!
Susan says
Cathy I love this Wreath Builder set! Thanks for the tutorial! Question – what was the R2D2 looking contraption you were keeping your Tidy Towel in? I don’t see it linked – and a non-funky-smelling towel sounds awesome! Thanks – and happy Cardversary!
Cathy Zielske says
Oh, it’s linked down there woman! But here’s a shortcut: http://amzn.to/2DvgB6y
It’s a salt cellar and it’s perfect for shammies!
Sue P says
I am in awe of your talent! Love this card. Thanks for sharing!
Cathy Zielske says
Aw, thanks. Honestly, it’s Gina’s tool and the Misti tool!
Audrey Drawn says
Thank for the giveaways and all that you let us share in your greatness of card making.
Cathy Zielske says
You’re welcome! Thanks for following along!
Sandy Stein says
Happy Cardversary. The Wreath Builder is an awesome template and you utilized it beautifully. Happy to have your input in my card making endeavors.
Diane says
You are so inspiring and motivating! Thank you ?!
Betty Kaldenberg says
For someone who hasn’t been into card making long you do super work. The card and envelope are wonderful.
Gilda (McStamper) says
Happy Cardversary. Your cards are fabulous. I love the one with the Wreath Builder and thanks so much for the video. Also, thanks for the awesome give away.
Marian says
Can’t believe it’s been a year. YIKES, where does the time go. I love your cards because of your clean design. Just like your scrapbooking.
Marisela Delgado says
Such pretty cards!
Sonia Nelson says
I am so glad that you have gotten into card making. I enjoy your process and really enjoy your designs.
Jan Elmore says
Your are proof that less can be stunning!
Val P says
Loved your video and card! Haven’t used my wreath builder in a while but now I’m excited again. Happy
Cardversary — but I couldn’t find the info on Instagram to enter the drawing.