CZ Design

Simon Says Stamp Fun & Festive Blog Hop

Simon Says Stamp Fun & Festive Blog Hop

It’s blog hop time for Simon Says Stamp to celebrate the fantastic new Fun & Festive release! I’m really happy with the card project I’m sharing today. I haven’t done a lot of scene builders and this one, Winter Scene, is kind of adorable.

Plus, check out that smoooooth blue background, friends. Yes. I did that. Me. I have had a hard time figuring out the light hand touch, but I recently discovered the Life Changing Brushes and I think the name lives up to the product!

Also, the Swiss Dot Background embossing folder? I LOVE that thing. The subtle texture is so great! It’s such a classic tool!

The other thing that makes me happy? Putting a layer of Glossy Accents over those bulbs. Seriously so cute and shiny!

Click on the image below to watch my video showing the process of creating this card project!

Thanks so much for watching! Now, here’s a fun thing:

Simon Says Stamp is giving away a free Festive Stickles with any purchase as part of our two-day blog hop! Be sure to use the code FEST587 at checkout and your free Stickles will be automatically added to your order!

BLOG HOP DETAILS: We’ve got a ton of festive inspiration for you, as well as a $25 Simon Says Stamp store gift certificate at every stop along the way. All you have to do is visit the blogs, leave a comment on each, and you increase your chances of winning! Winners will be chosen over the weekend and posted on the Simon blog on Wednesday, October 17.

Simon Says Stamp Blog 

Cathy Zielske—you are here!

Laura Bassen

Nina-Marie Trapani

Amanda Korotkova

Nichol Spohr

Jessica Frost-Ballas

Suzy Plantamura

Heather Hoffman

Elena Salo

Ankita Gupta

Karin Åkesdotter

Emma Williams

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. This helps me to continue building my YouTube channel and my small business. Thank you!


Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jan Elmore says

    I think ornaments make a terrific card image; so dang cute and your color choices are stunning!

  2. Kimberly O. says

    I wonder how these brushes compare to similar style “blending brushes” sold for makeup? Your blending looks amazing!!

  5. Michelle Daigle says

    Love your card! So clean and those Christmas light with the glossy accents – love!

  6. Michelle Hackett says

    The winter scene set is so cute. I struggle with scenes, but you made it look easy. And the polka dots give the impression of snow falling. Great design.

  7. Valerie says

    So, the life-changing brushes are arriving to my home tomorrow due to another enabling video you shared previously, my wallet is screaming Cathy, hahaha! Love all of your cards, this one is so darn cute!!!

  8. April Z. says

    What an adorable card! I really like everything about it. I’ve had that swiss dots embossing folder for at least 10 years, but I haven’t used it in a really long time. Thanks for reminding me how cute it is!

  11. carol says

    Cathy, beautiful winter scene has sent my Christmas spirit soaring! Your ‘light touch’ blending, the shiny ornaments, the subtle polka-dot embossing: special touches that add so much impact! Thank you for the smiles and inspiration!
    ~carol

  15. Denise Mlady says

    This is such a cute little scene! There are a lot of great products in this release. I also love the ornament stamp set that you designed.

  16. DebbieC says

    You did a great job on this scenery card. Seeing your swiss dot embossing has inspired me to dig mine out.

  19. Mirella Rogan says

    Lovely card, Cathy, it’s hard to believe that you’re relatively new to card-making! I’m so glad that you joined forces with Simon, though, as your designs are DA BEST 😉

  20. eileen bochsler says

    Just love the Winter Scene stamp set… the card is so crisp and makes me feel like going outside to build a snowman… but we don’t have snow yet. 🙂

  24. Mary W says

    This stamp set covers all the basics for me – frosty woods w/deer, festive lights and church!

  27. Melanie S. says

    The winter scene set is so gorgeous! Your card is simple in a way with all the white, but because of that so full and stunning at the same time

  35. Linda Towill says

    I love this stamp set and the adorable card you created with it! Also thanks for the reminder about how cool that swiss dot embossing folder is. It really makes a great addition to your card design.

  37. Linnea Sundstrom says

    such a cute card! thanks for showing that those brushes won’t end up being some cheap, meaningless fling!

  38. Trisha L Jensen says

    I love this card! I’m not one for scene building but this set will make it so much easier! I too love the swiss dot embossing folder, it’s the first one I reach to for doing embossed backgrounds! Thanks for the inspiration!!

  41. carolcoons says

    beautiful products, simple clean and cards that catch the eye. Most cards are so busy, but these are simply beautiful ! Thank you for your wonderful products and ideas.

  46. Johanna T. says

    What an adorable card! I love the attention you paid to all the details and the blue background is stunning.

  49. Jill says

    Love the simplicity of the card but still packs a big visual punch. Thanks for sharing. I love these blog hops…… I find more great artists to follow on YouTube.

  60. Linda Partch says

    Love simple designs also and especially when I have so many to make before the holiday season. Thanks for the ideas.

  67. Lindar C says

    I’ve given up trying to blend on regular cardstock, now I just use Bristol for blending, it’s almost fool proof and makes me look good 🙂 . Your card is so sweet!

  68. Jean G. says

    I love the dotted background on your card and the blue sky is terrific. Hate to think of winter already but it will be here before we know it. Lovely simple card

  69. Cathy Lillie says

    What a lovely winter scene! You sound like me when I make a card, lol. I haven’t figured out that light touch for blending yet. I love this stamp set and all the options it has! It makes creating a scene so simple. Thanks for sharing!

  73. Cheri Furr says

    Such a darling card! Loved the bumped up garland of lights with thr glossy accents. Thanks for the inspiration!

  77. Mary G says

    Great card! And a reminder about the swiss dots embossing folder. It is great for winter scenes.

  78. Super Stick Chick says

    Fabulous release! So fun! Love your card and designs, Cathy. Your are the queen of CAS.

  85. barbara lassiter says

    This is a CAS design with just the right amount of detail. The stamp set is so cute.

  86. Cheri says

    Darling CAS card! I love that it can be made fairly quickly. I have trouble with blending, too – would like to try that blending tool set. It has to go on my ‘wish list’ though!

  93. Paula Gentry says

    Cathy, your card is spot on! I love displaying my holiday cards and keep them up til “Little Christmas” on January 6th each year. Receiving this card would just make my day!

  99. Sue Smith says

    Absolutely stunning. Your sky background is superior. Love the scene and that is one of my favorite all time sentiments. TFS 🙂

  100. Lauryne Cunningham says

    I love the simplicity of your card! The dotted embossing folder is my go-to also!

  103. Mindy Drummond says

    I agree with you, this scene is very adorable! And yep that background…. smooth and awesome, I just purchased the Life Changing Brushes so here’s hoping I can make my backgrounds look like yours lol. Your card really is Fun & Festive, I love it. Thanks for sharing it today and for the inspiration! (mardy14@bellsouth.net)

  108. Julie says

    Pretty card—I think I need those brushes (although the foam blenders work my arm muscles!). I have a dot embossing folder that I’ve used for years—works on lots of styles of cards.

  119. Cynthia Johnson says

    This card is so cute! The swiss dot background is awesome. Those brushes look so cool. Did you try the Clarity brushes that were the rage a while ago? I like them for the same reason as you like these, you can build color slowly. I love your videos.

  122. Annalisa says

    I love watching you create, because you’re so honest about where you are in your cardmaking journey. I started about the same time as you, so I feel like I have a friend with me, learning as we go. Of course, this friend has umpty-ump years of design experience so she can also teach me about all those basic design principles that I never learned. So basically, I’m just going to hang onto your coattails as we go along. Is that okay with you? 😀 Thanks for sharing and designing such great products.

  123. Kitty Tatman says

    The scene building set is genius! Everything already coordinated and sized to match– totally diggin’ it. I love your addition of the glossy accents on the bulbs. Too cute!

  124. Shelly P says

    Love this happy little winter scene! And Swiss dot snow? Too cute! Your blending was amazing! Love this new release and can’t wait to get your new CZ Design Besties set! Thanks! ???

  132. Aimee LaCroix Slocum says

    Your scene is fantastic! The blending is beautiful….definitely going to have to try those brushes! Love the added subtle texture of the swiss dot!

  139. Kim Hund says

    What a fun card. Can’t believe how beautiful it is and only using just a few colors. Less is definitely more!

  145. joy meadows says

    Love this beautiful card, Cathy! Also loved watching your video. Thanks for the inspiration.

  147. Denise Gutshall says

    Love the simple design of the stamps and how they pop on the white background of the embossed cardstock. Your blue sky is gorgeous – and so smooth! I am a bit heavy handed myself so I think the brushes may be just what I need — thanks for the tip!

  150. andrea murdock says

    I’m kinda upset with you. I had told myself I didn’t need these stamps and dies and now I have to have them! Maybe you should write me a prescription for them that I can show my husband that without them I will be sad. LMAO

  155. Teresa says

    If I had to choose just ONE (which obciously won’t happen) I think i’d Chosose the Winter Scene stamp set. I love your card Cathy! It’s just so darn cute!!!

  173. Denise Bryant says

    Love this Fun & Festive release! The Winter Scene stamp set is just adorable, and your card is delightful! Love the coloring and blending!

  176. Colleen Beamish says

    Very cute card! I think I’ll have to try those life changing brushes for ink blending because I struggle with the foam blenders too!

  182. Mary Holshouser says

    Clean and simple and so pretty.
    Great holiday card.
    thanks for sharing
    txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

  187. Henriëtte says

    A gorgeous scene Cathy, love it. Love also that you put the scene on the white card with the Swiss Dots Embossing Folder. Did you know that this embossing forlder was one of the first that came out. Thank you for showing this great card.

  189. Marillyn says

    Gotta say I love your card. It’s simple and yet stunning. Thanks for making it that way. Going to check out those brushes. They look like a find.

  190. Denise Ward says

    I love the little scene you’ve made here and I think SSS was quite clever in making a stamp that included the little hills to make scene-building so much easier. The colors you chose are cheerful and help make this such a great card!

  192. Rosann Barnes says

    Coolest little tips you give ( I’ll be coming back to videos for these tips ) !! Love your card; glossy accent lights so adorable !

  194. Stacy V says

    That is some nice scene building! The Swiss dots are a nice added touch…tactile is also important 😀

  196. Jayell says

    Such a cute card! I think I need to try these new brushes because I still find blending so hard.

  197. Lisa Byers says

    I love this stamp set. It creates a nice Christmas scene so easily. Your card is very pretty.

  198. Kim Faucher says

    I am loving the idea of this scene as individual elements in one stamp set… love how it all goes together but can have such unique looks depending on how the artist layered it, added colors etc!! ?

  201. Jackie Price says

    A fabulous winter scene card! I’m not good at scene cards either but this set makes it seem like it’d be doable. Your lightly blended sky with the lightli falling snow from the embossing folder couldn’t get more perfect!! And glossy accents – it makes everything better!