CZ Design

Shimmery Background Sympathy Card (Simon Says Stamp new release blog hop)

Shimmery Background Sympathy Card (Simon Says Stamp new release blog hop)

Welcome to Day 1 of  Simon Says Stamp blog hop for their new release, Believe in You.

Today I have a simple, minimal card design to share with you that could be replicated for a number of different occasions.

I created a sympathy card using my just released Clean Line Everyday stamps. I designed this set to serve as an all-purpose greeting set, featuring a clean and minimal font, with appropriate sub-sentiments.

There will be coordinating dies coming for these as well, but they are not quite ready from the manufacturer, so… I just went with a simple stamping approach.

I created a simple watercolor marker background and added some Tonic Glimmer Paste to create a beautiful shine behind the Butterfly Square die.

I also used the colorful outline piece to create a second card project.

Here is the video showing you how I created this card:

Thanks for watching! But wait, there’s more:

Simon Says Stamp is giving away a Mini Distress Resist Spray free with every purchase while supplies last! No coupon needed. It will automatically ship with your order.

BLOG HOP DETAILS: Simon Says Stamp is giving away a $25 store coupon at every stop along the blog hop! Visit all the hop blogs, leave a comment and increase your chances of winning! Winners will be announced on the Simon blog on Wednesday, July 31.  This is a two-day hop so be sure to check out Day 2, as well! Here are today’s blog hoppers:

Simon Says Stamp Blog 

Cathy Zielske—you are here!

Nina-Marie Trapani

 Jessica Frost-Ballas

Amy Rysavy

Suzy Plantamura

 Lisa Addesa

Heather Ruwe

Gayatri Murali

Barb Engler

Marge Yoon

Lea Lawson

 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Be sure to check out the full release today!

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

  5. Lauryne Cunningham says

    Gorgeous CAS cards! I love the dimension of your stacked die cuts with the beautiful Nuvo glimmer paste- so pretty!

  8. Sharon O says

    Sympathy cards are usually not beautiful but this design is! Thanks for sharing your elegant card.

  9. Stefanie White says

    This is my favorite stamp set from the release! Can’t wait for the dies so I can buy the bundle. Awesome C & S card, loving the lilac!

  11. Cheri Hochstettler says

    I am always looking for sympathy card ideas so this will come in handy!

  12. Bonnie Bauer says

    Such simple but beautiful cards !! I love this stamp set!! A must Have, for sure.

  13. barbara lassiter says

    I think simple and elegant is perfect for a sympathy card. Plus, this is beautifully created!

  15. Angela says

    That shimmer background is just gorgeous! Clean and simple cards are among some of my faves and this one has inspired me to give a similar design a try this weekend. Thanks Cathy!

  21. Nina Houghton says

    Oh gosh, I just love these cards. I’m so glad it’s Friday so I can look forward to a weekend in my craft room. You have really inspired me.

  23. Kathy says

    Your cards are great!! I love the clean and simple sympathy card. I have made so many sympathy cards lately and I have so much trouble making them, but I love the one you made, quick, easy and pretty. Love that die!

  29. Shelley Frizelis says

    Darn you CZ!!! My shopping list just keeps getting longer!! I always love your clean and simple design and that stamp set is wonderful!!! I’m also very torn up about those markers! Your videos always make my day better, THANK YOU!!!

  31. Tammie Koehnen says

    Such soft and delicate colors and cards. I love the all occasion stamps. Beautiful cards!

  32. Janae Pickett says

    I always love your cards and this is no exception. Thanks for the inspiration.

  37. Lynne Selleck says

    The card is elegant and understated perfect for a sympathy card. I have never used glimmer paste but seeing you in your video made me want to get it and give it a crack.

  38. Merrill P says

    That shimmer background makes for a subtle touch. Also clever how you use the swiffer cloth for even pressure.

  44. Patricia Wilson says

    Love it! Just another example of how “less is more”. Simple and beautiful. Will have to get some of that glimmer paste as so pretty!

  46. Erica Marroquin says

    I love all your designs, they’re just so versatile. Love the shimmer to the delicate little butterfly background. Thanks for sharing!

  55. Tamara Campbell says

    I went over to youtube and watched your video. Very beautiful cards and I always love sparkles.

  57. Yvette Williams says

    I had to stop by and see what beautiful work would be done with this great collection. Good job.

  61. debbie d says

    love the style of these sentiments. Ordered this stamp set and am excited to hear that there will be coordinating dies.

  62. Carol Jones says

    Delightful cards Cathy! Did anyone ever tell you that you are an *outstanding* designer? Well, you are! (LOL, I know you hear this all the time) I have that AI palette and love it too. I also love that you made 2 cards from the one watercolored piece, brilliant! And thank you for adding safe travels to your sentiments set, haven’t seen that in a stamp set before.

  65. Dee Earnshaw says

    wow, Cathy – the simplicity of these cards is breath taking – they are so elegant – love the two-fer design!!

  68. Jenrescuemama says

    I don’t see many sympathy cards in pastel colors and I love it! The simple lines of the sentiment really let the butterfly stand out. They’re both lovely.

  70. Jessica Hevner says

    Absolutely love the simplicity of these for the purpose. Excellent work, as always.

  71. Darlene De Sario says

    You had me at sparkle . 😉 the sentiment set is great and how you used the square elegant. Thank you.

  73. Sheri Kempke says

    Love your card, the sparkle watercolor background is great. The stamp set you created is super, I think I need to purchase this set, perfect for so many life events.

  74. Gretchen Wilson says

    Love these beautiful cards, so delicate and soft! Love your new sentiment stamp set!??

  75. Karen Wade says

    I love the clean look of the card. You do have a special style that I can spot a mile away. Just beautiful.

  80. Barbara G says

    As usual, another beautiful card! Your directions are always clear and concise, your cards are always doable. I can’t wait to try this one. Love the simplicity of the stamp set’s font, yet it’s different. Nowhere else is there a “safe travels”, which is an expression I always use! Thanks Cathy, for inspiring us!

  81. Evs N says

    I love these new sentiment stamps & that you are also making coordinating dies. It’s so easy to create quick, great-looking cards with a little pretty paper & one of your sets!

  82. Cheryl S says

    Thank you for sharing your wonderful cards and creativity with us again! The touch of glimmer is terrific and I can’t wait to try this technique.

  83. Loly Borda says

    I love your card, Cathy! And I love the sentiments and dies that you designed for this release.
    TFS!

  89. Lia says

    The shimmery background is stunning! I haven’t tried glimmer paste yet, so it’s great to see what you can do with it.

  90. Bre says

    Cute and classy! Loving the all-purpose sentiment stamp set too. Such a lovely, minimal font. I can’t wait to get mine and play with it (ordered it yesterday!).

  91. Andre M. says

    The soft colors are gorgeous on these beautiful cards. Thanks for sharing your creativity.

  92. Zlatka Kabaivanova says

    Stunning card! I love the colors, the clean design, everything about it.

    • Terrie D. says

      Your new sentiment stamps are great! Both of the cards you created are lovely. Thanks for sharing the process on the first one. 🙂

  94. April Braun says

    What beautiful color choices! Those sentiment stamps are in the best font ever. Simple yet striking. Fantastic job!

  96. love2stamp says

    Liking the watercolor background and soft colors very much, Cathy – lovely card!

  102. Jackie B. says

    I love the clean and simple design of both the positive and negative pieces on your card designs.

  107. Phyllis Beaver says

    Love the soft color of both your cards! I am not a big purple girl, but this soft lavender is beautiful! So pretty!

  110. Denise Ward says

    This new SSS stamp set is a “must have” in my book. The clean, bold greetings are paired with sentiments that are perfect for so many different occasions. I also really like the cards I have seen using these “classic” stamps.

  122. Tracy Chambers says

    I love these sentiments, and who doesn’t love getting 2 cards for the price of 1. So inspired, thank you.
    Tracy

  124. Carol MJS says

    Beautiful cards, Cathy! I really love the sentiments in this stamp set. I especially love the clean, bold font. So nice to see the “safe travels” greeting.

  133. Tina Richards says

    I guess I’m not the only one the loves your stuff! Love watching your video and clean designs along with your antics!

  135. ROSALIE JOHNSON says

    I must start using my Zigs – thank you for the inspiration and beautiful cards!

  137. Denise Mlady says

    I love this new sentiment set, great for lots of occasions! Really pretty sympathy card!

  138. Nicole Bell says

    I love how versatile this card design is! You could recreate it for different occasions and with different die/sentiment combinations. Thanks for the inspiration

  144. Kerry Myers says

    I had to come back and look at this card (s) again. Now I really want the dies with the butterflies & flowers in them… these are beautiful cards and would make great sets!!

  149. Becky Green says

    STUNNING WORK, Cathy! LOVE the soft shades of water color! (I’ll have to check out the Art Impression Palette!) 😉 AND I LOVE your trick of using the clothes pin too! LOL I LOVE that trick with your Scor-Buddy too! I also find to make sure the ends of my card align, to lay my card on the Scor-buddy, aligning the ends of the card in the corner, & then pressing with my bone folder help! LOVE that teflon tool too! 😉 AMAZING CARDS, Cathy!!!!! ;)<3

  150. Jo Anne Malicoat says

    Absolutely beautiful cards, love the colors you chose. It’s hard to get a sympathy card just right, but you nailed it!

  152. Karen Hale says

    Beautiful cards, Cathy. I love the simple design with the bit of glimmer. So perfect for sympathy cards. Thanks for the great tips and inspiration.

  153. LC Lamothe says

    I echo so many other commenters, your cards are beautiful! I love that you used Zig markers. I’ve only used my set to color images but you’ve inspired me to try to create a background with them too.

  155. Kathy Baids says

    Very nice cards! I liked that stamp set and wondered if does would be available… you’ve answered that!

  157. Anne Sturgeon says

    Great tips Cathy and this sentiments set is so perfect. Need to add this to my arsenal…glad there will be dies available also. Super job and I am so enjoying the hop.

  158. Angie Cammack says

    Cathy, this is just beautiful!! I love how you used that frame and built it up. Such a beautiful card for a sad occasion. 🙂

  163. Susan Carlson says

    Tried commenting – doesn’t look like it took! Love these cards, simple, heartfelt. For sure saving my pennies for that clearline, everyday stamp set. Love your style Cathy!!!

  168. Lonya H Mathys says

    Lovely cards. I like the idea of using the score buddy to even up the sides. I have been using my Misti which works well also.

  169. Mary Holshouser says

    Love the butterfly attached to the frame.
    Both versions are beautiful. Wonderful
    color combination. thanks for sharing
    txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

  172. Laura says

    Always difficult to choose a favorite, but I love the mix of font sizes in this stamp set. Inspiring as always.

  174. Korey says

    Cathy,
    Can you not make another set for maybe three months? I love your style, but my wallet is upset with you. Love the simplicity of these cards.

  175. Krissa Perryman says

    Love the soft rainbow colors and the card too! I’ve never seen the watercolor technique where you put the ink from the marker on the clear block first. The second card you made from the negative images was beautiful too!

  179. Linnea Sundstrom says

    this die is going to be so versatile! and “luv me some” CZ Designs sentiments!!!

  180. Lynn says

    I would never have thought to use the cut away as a separate background. You are a genius! I always like your cards. Thanks for sharing that technique!

  181. Jan says

    Thanks for a very well done video tutorial. Love your style! and the new products you used.

  182. Joni Stoneking says

    These are beautiful cards. I went to order your sentiment set and it was sold out! Soooo, I’ll get notified when it is back in stock and I’ll get it next time around. It’s a lovely set, and I love the font!

    Love how easily this card came together – lovely, simple elegance. Just right. Thanks!

  186. Mendy Crumpton says

    Now I just found more things to buy. I just bought all your sentiment stamps. I love me some sentiment stamps. Love the card!

  187. Tricia A Podmore says

    What a gorgeous color palette for both cards. Soooooo creative and inspiring. You are amazing and I appreciate your sharing your talents.

  189. Amy Lombardo says

    I tried to comment but my internet is being fussy. I love both cards, especially the light colors.

  191. Valerie Hayden says

    Love the simplicity and beauty of your cards. Love the watercolor markers they add perfect amount of color. Two lovely cards.

  194. Teri Spracklin says

    I love how the soft colours are complimented by the soft rounded corners. Just beautiful. 🙂

  197. Brenda McBride says

    Awesome cards! The Clean Line sentiment stamp is a must have. Thank you for sharing!

  199. Andrea Hastilow says

    Absolutely stunning. I very rarely fine a sympathy card that I like but these are just awesome. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas today x

  203. Kathy Dippner says

    Beautiful cards! Thanks for the tip about the glimmer paste not die cutting well. I just bought some and haven’t used it yet.

  207. Kit A says

    Really pretty butterfly cards. I like the clean and simple sentiments too. I can’t wait for the dies to come out that go with them.

  217. S Jameson says

    I love your work and the simplicity of your stamps. There’s something soothing about clean sentiments on my cards that make them stand out and help balance the crazy that is life. :p

  218. Artconquers says

    Such a pretty and elegant card! Love the shimmery background!Thanks for the inspiration!

  223. Cindy Helton says

    Especially with Sympathy Cards, a clean and simple approach is best. You’ve achieved that look with your beautiful and simply cards. Thank you for sharing!