CZ Design

Simon Says Stamp Best Days Blog Hop Card + Tutorial—Sweet Elephants dies

Simon Says Stamp Best Days Blog Hop Card + Tutorial—Sweet Elephants dies

cathyzielske.com

Hi friends! Today is the Simon Says Stamp Best Days new release Blog Hop day! This is my first ever blog hop with the team at Simon and I’m really excited to be included with this amazing group of card makers and designers. I’m also excited to have a few of my own new releases included in the big release (see this post for info on those products!)

cathyzielske.com

For my card today, I’m using the Sweet Elephants die set. These two tiny elephants are super cute and as I realized that I had recently forgotten to send a birthday card to my niece, I thought this set would be perfect for creating a simple card to send after the fact. (All card supplies are listed at the end of this post.)

cathyzielske.com

One of the things I strive to do with cards, as in with scrapbooking, is to bring a clean and simple aesthetic to what I create. This card is exactly that minimal feel that I shoot for. I absolutely love the nested oval dies from Gina K Designs (Double Stitched and Single Stitched, that nest together)  that I used to ground my little elephant and sentiment.  I used a few other sets from my stash for the sentiment, the banner and the hearts to create this card.

Here’s my video of the entire process!

WHAT’S A BLOG HOP WITHOUT A GIVEAWAY? Simon Says Stamp is giving away a $25 gift certificate for every stop on the blog hop. Simply leave a comment here on my blog, and keep working your way through the hop for more chances to win! Winners will be posted on the Simon Says Stamp blog next Wednesday.

HERE IS THE HOP LIST FOR BEST DAYS: Click along for tons of inspiration!

Simon Says Stamp Blog 

Jennifer McGuire

Kristina Werner

Cathy Zielske—you are here!

Nina-Marie Trapani

Kelly Latevola

Jessica Frost-Ballas

Suzy Plantamura

Jean Manis

Heather Ruwe

Sarah J. Moerman

Lorraine Aquilina

Amy Kolling

May Park

Kathy Racoosin

 

SUPPLIES:

Affiliate links are used in this post and below at no additional cost to you. I receive a small percent of compensation when you click through and shop using the provided links. Thank you!


Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathy Meredith says

    I live the elephants and always love Cathy Zielske clean and crisp designs! Thanks for a chance to win!

  2. Lisa A creations says

    Simply WOW! I LOVE your card! Those elephants are too cute! And with the tiny hearts it’s just perfect.

  4. Leora says

    Welcome to the blog hop. I love the elephants, the tutorial, and you! Good luck!

    Leora

  10. Jeanie says

    Well, I tried to post and for some reason it didn’t go through – so one more try! I think it has been fun watching you explore and enjoy card making. These are always such cute and easy projects to see from you. The make me think – I could do that! Now on to check out other blog posts!

  37. Jan D., FL says

    So cute and I love that color combo….I use something similar a lot. The little elephant is adorable. Having many friends and family members who are Bama fans, the elephant is perfect as a mascot for cards for any of them. Loved your video. Hard to believe you are so new to cardmaking….coulda fooled me. LOL

    Have a great day.

  39. Sandy Stein says

    Love the simplicity of this card. My favorite part is the ear of the elephant.

  40. Sabrina Radican says

    OMG!!! Those little elephants are so stinkin’ cute and so is your card!!!!!

  44. Kathy says

    Sweet card. I just met my new little grand niece whose parents and decorating her room with elephants. This is perfect!

  45. Mirella Rogan says

    I absolutely adore these little elephants, they’re my favourite in this whole release, and your card is really cute – makes me want the elephants even more 🙂

  49. Martha R says

    Simon is killing me with all the cute story-book dies! You card is just cute as can be. Thank you for the video.

  52. Patt H. says

    Those elephants are at the top of my wish list! Love your clean & simple design. Actually, I love everything about this clever card!

  54. Jackie says

    That’s such a sweet card! The elephant is perfect with the sentiment and the 3 little hearts are in just the right spots.

  59. Margaret Minneman says

    I wasn’t sure about these discounts, until I saw this card. Thanks for sharing. So cute

  60. Susan Wareham says

    Cute card good read about you very clever and funny, I wish I was into the digital scrapbooking but right now I like the paper.

  61. Ina says

    Love craft dies so much. I wish someone would make a trout set for my fishing family.

  71. joy meadows says

    this card is absolutely adorable! Love the simplicity of it and the elephant dies are so nice.

  78. barbara lassiter says

    What an adorable card! All the cards from this new release have been amazing, thus far, on this blog hop! Congrats on your new designs, too!

  82. Annette Gordon says

    What an adorable card! Those elephants I think are my favourite from the release.

  84. Karen Hale says

    Cute, sweet card! Excited about the Best Days release and these Sweet Elephants are one of my favorites

  88. Cacia says

    This is charming! I love the simplicity of the design and the balance of colors—it’s everything I aspire to in my own card-making.

  95. cyndi morris says

    Love this adorable card. The colors are perfect and the elephant it so cute.

  100. sherry butcher says

    so cute, love the elephant dies. the colors are perfect. thanks for sharing.

  104. Jan Schul says

    I love clean and simple designs, and this one is top notch! That elephant….swoon!

  107. Nancy Yoder says

    The ears make this card a outstanding card!
    Love the technique of lighter color ears.
    Adorable for all ages!

  108. Isabelle says

    Your card is adorable ! And It’s great that you left in the video the resolution of “the problem”, it’s always useful to see how to other crafters find the solution to save a card.

  109. Sandy M says

    I immediately thought of a baby card when I first saw the elephants. But your use of it as an “I forgot” card is spot on. Love it!

  112. Angie Hall says

    The Sweet elephant stamps & dies are so cute. This card is adorable. I’m sure your neice will forgive you for forgetting her big day.

  116. Henriëtte says

    What a adorable card, love the way you used the elephant. Thanks for your gorgeous example and have a nice weekend.

  118. Kilcha Goos says

    Such a sweet card. Love your simple execution–simple is best, but I seem to fail at it more often than I succeed….always just adding “one more thing” until it’s a hot mess! You’ve got the best eye for clean perfection, Cathy!

  119. Kris Butler says

    I love your super clean and simple elephant card. It is very elegant and lovely. Simon says stamps comes up with some of the best products.

  120. Sam Burnett says

    LOVE this card – the elephant and the soft colors are just perfect!! TFS!!

  126. Becky Schneider says

    I have always loved elephants…..I am going to HAVE to get those! Very cute card!

  128. Michelle Bradtke says

    Very cute – would make a great baby card. Love the pink and gray color combo!

  131. Vicki Bray says

    Your card is simply stunning! I love the colors you used! Especially liked the hearts!
    Very impressive!

  133. Mitzi says

    If you knew how often I’m late with cards… I think this one was meant for me to create! Absolutely adorable card!

  141. Susan O'Halloran says

    Adorable card! Love the colors and the clean lines. Must have that elephant die now that I’ve seen your video!

  142. Sharon O says

    Congrats on your first blog hop! Your card is too cute with that darling little elephant on it.

  144. Stef Perry says

    Love your CAS card design and yes, that little elephant is super adorable! Good recovery adding the small hearts to fill the white space!

  147. Deborah W. says

    The elephant and heart card is so simple but so sweet too. Thanks for sharing.

  149. F. Andre says

    Congrats on your wonderful designs for this release! The grey and pink are lovely together on your card.

  151. Billie A says

    I love your card. I love elephants as they remind me of my father who loved them. he passed sometime ago and they always warm my heart when I see them. I love the layout of your card. Thanks

  156. Sharon Hudson says

    Such an adoreable die set! Elephant is so cute. Love the colours you’ve used, goes so well together and adore thise stitched nesting dies

  162. Lee says

    What an adorable elephant set! The hearts were a nice touch. And the message is SO perfect for a late greeting. Felt like there should be a little stamp to go inside that says something like “the use of an elephant on this card is not a political statement”. : )

  165. Linda T. says

    Love, love, love these little elephants! So cute on these cards you created. Can’t wait to use.

  166. Cathy Lillie says

    I love the little elephant dies! They are so adorable! Your card is very cute and I like the clean design and soft colors!

  170. ReNae Allen says

    Cathy,
    I’m so glad that you were included in the blog hop! Your card is just adorable!

  178. Miriam Prantner says

    Darling! Love the neutrals with the pop of pink and the movement from the hearts, so sweet!

  183. Jackie Veroneau says

    This card is so cute and sweet, and I just love it all! Cathy, I started cardmaking around the same time as you, and I have to say that your blog and videos are so awesome and help me so much!

  194. Tracey Magner says

    AHHH, Cathy your card is sooo adorable, I just love elephants, who doesn’t right!! Love your card and LOVE your release at SSS, so AWESOME, I always get such a kick out of your stamps and dies because you have such a unique and awesome style and I love it, you ROCK GIRL!!!!

  199. Sheryl D. says

    Oh, such cute elephants! The hearts have a special shape to them. And the color scheme is simple and elegant. Very nice card!

  203. Julie says

    I love elephants, and the dies on this card are really amazing. For all the commentors here who also love elephants, please contact your representative re: the recently lifted ban on importing elephant tusks. We have lost 80% of the African elephant population in the past 9 years.

  204. Pat says

    How clever of you to fill in the extra white space with two smaller hearts. Finished the card perfectly!

  209. Diane Koele says

    I’m just in love with these little elephants. They are just adorable. I love the way you switched out the ear colors on them. Thanks for the inspiration!

  222. Isabel Z says

    I LOVE blog hops because they inspire me to create and I love seeing how all the amazing artists are using the Simon Says products

  223. MaryAnn Samuelson says

    OhMy those shades of grey and hint of pink in the hearts have me all comfy cozy (I am in a grey color palette now) now I regret not getting the elephant when I placed my 1st and 2nd order, do I see a 3rd order in my future mmmmaybe..

  226. Judy says

    Your elephant card is so very cute. I love paper crafting, but need lots of inspiration to get started.

  227. Tami B says

    I can’t tell you how much I love this card, from the “sophisticated simplicity” to the beautiful soft colors. FANTASTIC job!

  230. Kelli C says

    Oh I could use a lot of these cards witht this sentiment! Love your style as always Cathy!

  232. Gayle Bartholomew says

    What a cute card, really like how you used the sweet elephant with the I Forgot sentiment.

  241. Dona Green says

    Just love your card – clean, simple and elegant. That’s also my preferred style. Great card and great release. TFS

  242. Marneta Hoel says

    I love this little elephant set. Your card is really cute, and it’s a really simple design. I seem to do better when I keep it simple!! Thanks for sharing.

  243. Shana says

    This card is simply precious! Nailed the color combo, layout & simplicity. So good to see you having fun maki g cards!

  244. Pam Whitehead says

    What a GREAT IDEA!!!!!!!!!! Especially since the saying is an elephant never forgets! LOL!!

  246. Sheri K says

    This elephant is simply adorable–love this card and the great new release from Simon!

  256. Paula Haller says

    This is completely perfect! I love your clean style. The nested oval is perfect with the square card. Great colors and the elephant is too cute to pass up!

  261. Lindar C says

    Very sweet card. I love your voice over and the “free range” stamping, you crack me up.

  264. Mary Holshouser says

    I love elephants. I have a large collection of them – from
    pottery to stamps. this guy is darling. Great card.
    thanks for sharing
    txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

  265. Megan N says

    So cute! You can’t go wrong with a CAS design. And the elephants are too stinking cute.

  267. Marie Bingaman says

    Man, I thought I was never gonna stop scrolling to find the comment box…lol! This is really super cute, and the sentiment could easily be changed out for another occasion! ?

  271. Debbie B says

    Adorable card! Love that little die! Fantastic new SSS release! Loving this blog hop with all these amazing designers! Thanks for being one!

  276. Denise Ward says

    This is such a great card! I love the new elephant dies from SSS and they look perfect in this gray & pink design!! I think all of us need a few of these cards in our stash for the times we don’t get birthday wishes sent on time.

  278. Pat says

    Thanks for the tip about another use for micro pore tape. Love the elephant and your choice of color for this simply perfect card!

  281. Dixie Cochran says

    Awesome card, Cathy! The addition of the little hearts was a perfect solution. Well done!

  283. pip says

    Love your clean, simple style! Love your cards! Love, love, love your videos because they are more than just informative, easy to follow tutorials for gorgeous cards – they are fun and honest, and you keep it real!

  284. Annette Hindes says

    Cute Card! Like layout & square
    I rarely use ovals… your use is great!
    Double stitch is really nice!

  289. Joy Moss says

    Love the clean and simple look and feel of your card and how you used a different color for the elephant’s ear!

  291. Tracy Chambers says

    Hi Cathy,
    Oh I LOVE THIS CARD. I admit, I’m a sucker for Elephants, and this one is just so cute. I also love that you gave us ideas for using this Elephant for more than just a baby card (even though I love making baby cards). Thanks for the inspiration.
    Take care
    Tracy

  295. Kym Maxwell says

    Cathy you are such a joy to watch!!! I simply adore this little card!! So stinkin cute!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!! You have made my day!!

  298. Jackie Price says

    Such a sweet card! Love the clean crisp design and the soft colour combination.

  299. Lulyg says

    Cathy – love your clean and simple designs – as always…but that little elephant is so adorable!!

  302. Tanvi says

    I love the simplicity of this card.. specially those pink hearts add just a perfect dash of colour to the otherwise super subtle card.. beautiful ?

  305. Gayle Hill says

    So cute and love the little heart accents. It looks like the little elephant is blowing heart balloons with his trunk. Love it!

  306. Gayle Hill says

    Love the little elephant blowing ‘heart bubbles/balloons’ with his trunk! So fun!!

  314. Sherrie Johnson says

    Wow! It sure takes awhile to whip all the way down this blog to post this comment! 🙂 I just love to watch your videos! And this card is so adorable. That elephant is the cutest!

  331. Michelle Watson Christ says

    I’m an elephant lover so this is right up my alley. So cute I love it.

  348. Sheila Bacon says

    Cute card…love the gray and pink color combo – very eye-catching. Must have the forgot sentiment!

  349. Regina Dziak says

    Oh my gosh, I love those little Elephants, I love Elephants like crazy anyhow. Your card is gorgeous. Thanks so much for sharing it. I will copy it, maybe a little different, I hope you do not mind. Once I will have what I need.
    You do great work, as do all of you, but there are favorites.

  350. Beverly Jordan says

    Am so in love with this adorable little elephant and such a clever sentiment!! Great layering!

  354. Annalisa says

    This card is definitely worth an “Awww, for cute!” I never do square cards, but this one totally worked as one. I’ll have to try to be less scared of the square in the future! Thanks for sharing and having such an approachable teaching style.