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CZ Design

It’s My One Year Cardversary! (I’m celebrating with a giveaway and a video tutorial!)

March 17, 2018

It’s My One Year Cardversary! (I’m celebrating with a giveaway and a video tutorial!)

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.

 

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Comments

  1. Denise Terry says

    March 17, 2018 at 8:21 am

    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

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      March 17, 2018 at 8:25 am

      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!

      Reply
  2. Vivian says

    March 17, 2018 at 8:34 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      March 17, 2018 at 8:42 am

      Sorry about that Vivian! Just trying out some new approaches to giveaways! 🙂 There will be more fun giveaways in the future!

      Reply
  3. Doreen says

    March 17, 2018 at 9:03 am

    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!!!!

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      March 17, 2018 at 9:25 am

      Thanks for following along, Doreen!

      Reply
  4. carol ann says

    March 17, 2018 at 9:04 am

    I love you, Cathy! Happy Cardversary! Here’s to many more years of goodness and smiles!

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      March 17, 2018 at 9:24 am

      Thanks Carol Ann!

      Reply
  5. pat smith says

    March 17, 2018 at 9:05 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      March 17, 2018 at 9:23 am

      Sorry about that Pat! I will have more giveaways in the future, I promise!

      Reply
  6. Lis C says

    March 17, 2018 at 9:09 am

    I love the card….I especially love the short cut on making the envelope!!

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      March 17, 2018 at 9:24 am

      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

      Reply
  7. Virginia Palmer says

    March 17, 2018 at 9:16 am

    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…

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      March 17, 2018 at 9:23 am

      That’s all Gina! I learn SO much from her videos!

      Reply
  8. Teresa Doyle says

    March 17, 2018 at 10:34 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      March 17, 2018 at 12:38 pm

      Thanks for your comment, Teresa!

      Reply
  9. Kelly B. says

    March 17, 2018 at 10:39 am

    Happy cardversary! I love how your clean and simple card design and how you always keep it real!

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      March 17, 2018 at 12:38 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  10. shirley wiley says

    March 17, 2018 at 11:02 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      March 17, 2018 at 12:38 pm

      Glad to have you keep coming back!

      Reply
  11. Chris Domino says

    March 17, 2018 at 11:22 am

    Happy Cardversary to you and I love your creations. Jennifer McGuire shared checking you out and I have enjoyed doing so! Happy creating.

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      March 17, 2018 at 12:39 pm

      I owe a lot to her for bringing more people my way! Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  12. Donna Griffin says

    March 17, 2018 at 11:50 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      March 17, 2018 at 12:39 pm

      Thanks, Donna!

      Reply
  13. peppermintpenguin says

    March 17, 2018 at 12:23 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      March 17, 2018 at 12:39 pm

      KEEP HOPE ALIVE! lol

      Reply
  14. Gayle Bartholomew says

    March 17, 2018 at 12:24 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      March 17, 2018 at 12:40 pm

      Thanks for stopping by, Gayle!

      Reply
  15. Rose says

    March 17, 2018 at 1:04 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      March 17, 2018 at 2:33 pm

      Thanks for following along!

      Reply
  16. Tracey Magner says

    March 17, 2018 at 2:15 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      March 17, 2018 at 2:33 pm

      Thanks, Tracey!

      Reply
  17. Susan says

    March 17, 2018 at 9:27 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      March 18, 2018 at 8:38 am

      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!

      Reply
  18. Sue P says

    March 18, 2018 at 7:11 am

    I am in awe of your talent! Love this card. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      March 18, 2018 at 8:38 am

      Aw, thanks. Honestly, it’s Gina’s tool and the Misti tool!

      Reply
  19. Audrey Drawn says

    March 18, 2018 at 7:56 am

    Thank for the giveaways and all that you let us share in your greatness of card making.

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      March 18, 2018 at 8:39 am

      You’re welcome! Thanks for following along!

      Reply
  20. Sandy Stein says

    March 19, 2018 at 8:43 am

    Happy Cardversary. The Wreath Builder is an awesome template and you utilized it beautifully. Happy to have your input in my card making endeavors.

    Reply
  21. Diane says

    March 19, 2018 at 9:10 am

    You are so inspiring and motivating! Thank you ?!

    Reply
  22. Betty Kaldenberg says

    March 19, 2018 at 10:44 am

    For someone who hasn’t been into card making long you do super work. The card and envelope are wonderful.

    Reply
  23. Gilda (McStamper) says

    March 19, 2018 at 10:24 pm

    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.

    Reply
  24. Marian says

    March 21, 2018 at 10:54 am

    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.

    Reply
  25. Marisela Delgado says

    March 22, 2018 at 5:27 pm

    Such pretty cards!

    Reply
  26. Sonia Nelson says

    March 28, 2018 at 8:57 am

    I am so glad that you have gotten into card making. I enjoy your process and really enjoy your designs.

    Reply
  27. Jan Elmore says

    April 13, 2018 at 7:35 am

    Your are proof that less can be stunning!

    Reply
  28. Val P says

    October 23, 2020 at 4:18 pm

    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.

    Reply

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