It’s blog hop day for the brand new Sunny Days Ahead release at Simon Says Stamp. I’m so happy to join in the creative fun today!
I have two card project to share featuring a fun technique—dry embossing using a stencil!
I love the subtle texture it adds to any piece of cardstock or patterned paper. Here is my video showing you how I created these simple cards:
And now onto the blog hop details!
BLOG HOP SPECIAL: If you shop between now and April 26 you’ll receive a Simon Says Stamp Intense Black ink pad for free while supplies last. Don’t forget to include the code seen in the graphic above at check out.
WIN A $25 GIFT CARD TO THE SIMON SHOP! We are choosing one winner from each blog along the stop! The more blogs you leave comments on, the more chances you have to win. Winners will be chose ver the weekend and posted on the Simon Says Stamp blog on Wednesday, the 29th of April. Winners must contact Simon to claim their gift card.
HOP DETAILS: This is a 2-day hop and here are the Day 1 participants!
Cathy Zielske—You are here!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
SUPPLIES:
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ava gavloski says
Thanks for a great video. You have inspired me to try the stencil embossing ….
Jody V says
Thank you for sharing some techniques with us. Love your cards. Thanks for sharing.
Shawna Eddy Kissell says
Very cute
Brian Dickey says
Beautiful cards, Kristina!
Michelle Erickson says
What a great idea to use a stencil to create an embossed background ❤️ I have graduation on the brain as well! My heart goes out to them!!
Bonnie E. says
I love the dry embossed stencil on that striped paper – what a great way to add texture and more pattern to the background!
Joanne M Hoffmann says
What a sweet card and can be designed as feminine or masculine by switching out card stock colors or using school colors!! Love it!
sharon gullikson says
I like how you used the colorful paper sort of sideways. NICE
Wanda S Radler says
These are beautiful cards and a nice release. It is too bad that because of the pandemic a lot of our seniors will not get to have their special celebrations.
Shirley Desrochers says
I am loving rainbows right now!
Sue Goodrow says
LOVE your cards! clean simply!
Kim Clark says
Love the new die. Thanks for the inspiration.
Nina Houghton says
Oh gosh, I love this card! And I was so happy to have a video. Thank you so much.
Wendy says
Love the graduation card with the bright colors! Thanks for sharing!
amy bishop says
Cards with multi-color/rainbow accents are always great. Thanks!
Miesje says
I love these – I always forget about using the dry embossing technique! I really love the graduation sets, especially since I have 2 granddaughters graduating this year. Hey Cathy, I have 6 sons and 6 daughters-in-law – next time you design sentiment strips or stamps could you include some with -in-law or daughter in my heart mothers day or birthday or love. You know what I mean.
Barbara Buckland says
I always love your cards-
Elle Bee says
I love the way you used that cool new congrats die with rainbow paper as the shadow!!!!!! Brilliant!!! Also that cap die is super cute!
Rita DeCook says
Love this technique of using stencils to emboss. Will be giving it a try, as I have oodles of stencils.
Denise Mlady says
Love this large Congrats die! Both cards are fun, love the patterned backgrounds. Great way to use some patterned paper.
Candace says
Nice use of rainbow paper! well done. Thank you.
Robin Mayfield says
Wonderful cards for grads! Great release!
Paulina P says
I like the use of pattern paper for word shadow, so simple and graphic
Teri S. says
Great Release! I really like your cards, especially the one with the grad hats stencil used to dry emboss. I have a grandson graduating in June & then 8 more to follow. This is a well timed release for me at least. Thanks for the good video Cathy.
Shraddha says
So fun! Love your clean and simple style – you’ve quickly become one of my favorite designers!
Karen says
Love the rainbow pad! Thats a special card for a graduate! Especially now!
Nicole Bell says
This is such a fun technique I haven’t tried yet. Even more ways to use my stencils!
barbara lassiter says
These are all really cute and probably what you had in mind when you created this set. Love your clean and simple style!
Cindy Bowman says
This is a great idea!
Jennifer Sears says
I enjoy this dry embossing technique. A cool way to stretch our stencils!
Holly Lau says
Beautiful cards!! Love your designs and specially the dried embossing one.
Barbara Chmura says
Love the typeface! Clean and graphic!
DEBBIE McDaniel says
Love, love your cards and these grad cards along with some from another of your posts are just beautiful and seem so easy to make!
Thanks.
Deb L says
Great video.
Juanita says
Love the big greetings and the dry embossing is very pretty TFS
Candy Clay says
Love CZ Designs
Cathy B says
I don’t have any grads to make cards for this year, but I learned some new tricks and techniques to try on all the encouragement cards I am making. God bless!
Nancy R. says
Your bold, clean designs are wonderful! Thanks for sharing your talents!
KimK says
Both cards are great! I love how you dry embossed the stencil on them!
Susan Carlson says
Really enjoy these cards – rainbow at an angle, Dey embossing stencils, clean designs (borders!) – appreciate you sharing your creativity! Thanks!
Teresa Krueger says
I love these clean, colorful designs. Any grad would love them!
Dee Walsh says
Stunning cards as always, thank you so much for sharing.
Evelyn says
Love what you did with the graduation cards here!
Barbara Matthews says
These cards are beautiful, thanks for the inspiration. I have used the dry emboss technique before but not for a while. It’s nice to revisit older techniques.
Susan says
Great Cards! My son graduates this year with his Masters and these would be great cards for him.
Susan N says
I never thought I could use my “flimsy” stencil for embossing. I’ll have to see what I can do with my Big Shot. Thanks for the video!
Jennifer Dahlgren says
Ok, so I just learned 3 new techniques I want to try from this video! Both cards are awesome! Thank you for your ideas and inspiration!
Barbara Tarayao says
Another amazing release from SSS! I just want it all! Love love you cards.
Melissa Leftrick says
Beautiful!! I love this big Congrats!! Perfect!!
Tonna R Zablah says
Love the rainbow background
Mel H says
Great card CZ. Perfect for the poor seniors who are struggling with no big graduation events.
Jennifer Langer says
So very pretty and cheerful (quite necessary right now…). Thank you for the inspiration!
Elle Bee says
I love the way you used that cool new congrats die with rainbow paper as the shadow!!!!!! Brilliant!!! Also that cap die is super cute!
bmcdougal says
Your designs and work inspires me to be better. Thank you.
Sheri Kempke says
Great cards and great designs as always Cathy! Hats off to SSS for another great release!
La Rae Prentice says
It’s always great to find additional ways to use our existing tools. Thank you for the dry embossing suggestion.
Carol Wortman says
Cheers to the grads!! I dont have a family person this year but they are in my prayers who will have a different memory of theirs! Great cards! Please stay healthy and safe!
Lauryne Cunningham says
You make easy-to-create cards look so awesome! Love the rainbow!
Ruby Marchand says
Stunning cards. Thanks for sharing them.
Nandini Karmarkar says
Beautiful cards. I love the pretty colors. The new release is great, especially the gorgeous dies.
Kelly B says
Fantastic as always!
Mirella Rogan says
These look fantastic, some more excellent products by the one and only CZ! 🙂
Susan Babcock says
So fun! I love the subtle background interest. Your cards are always so cheerful, thanks for sharing them.
Karen M says
That rainbow “congrats” is nice and colorful! And the dry embossing is a great extra touch.
Rita says
Awesome tip! I’m loving stencils nowadays and now I have one more way to use them! Thanks!
Christine Polasko says
I love the simplicity of these cards!
Barbara Martin says
Your cards and designs are so classic and wonderful! I enjoy your YouTube videos as well!
Maria P. says
Great cards. The Congrats with the rainbow paper shadow is awesome!
Tamala Priebe says
Great video. I sometimes forget you can emboss with stencils, thanks for the reminder!! Love your cards, anxiously awaiting my orders from SSS.
Lindar C says
I feel for the graduates this year, but it’s better to stay safe. Wonderful cards, love all your new designs and this release.
Jeanne Ragan says
Love your stamps and dies! Love your videos! This is a great release!
Gayle says
Another great video. Thanks for sharing!
BECCA YAHRLING says
Fun inspiration for the graduates!
Dee Earnshaw says
love these simple but cute designs for grad cards – really inspiring
Cynthia Baldwin says
I love these cards and the products to make them with! I have a high school senior, my youngest. She and her friends have been going through a lot of uncertainty. We’re not yet sure if they’ll have a grad ceremony at the end of May or the alternate date in July. So I’ll be making lots of cards to celebrate these awesome kids.
joy meadows says
Your cards are super simple but super great, too, Cathy! Love the video.
Hanh says
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Thank you for coming out with more of your word dies! Your stamp sets are amazing too but your word dies have my ♥️!!! I honestly think my heart skips a beat each time that I see them! Please continue to make more … LOTS more! I LOVE your clean and simple style and the beautiful typewriter font! Love these two cards that you’ve created … just beautiful! ?
Barb Housner says
love the rainbow card
thanks for sharing
Cathy Thomas says
So fun to see all this great inspiration. Love your technique you brought to us today!
Melanie Barrett says
Love the cards you made, and thanks for the video showing how you made them!
Cyndi Morris says
Love these fun cards. I don’t have any graduations coming up this year, but I almost wish I did — these are wonderful. I always love your designs, especially your beautiful sentiments!
Karyn K Siemering says
Love a card with dimension and rainbow. Nice graduation card!
Karyn K Siemering says
Love a card with dimension and rainbow. Nice card!!!
Sue Smith says
Very cheerful congrats card. I love learning new techniques so thanks for the super video.
Sue Smith says
Love the bright background strips on your card. Thanks for some new ideas I learned from your video.
lynne morgan says
dry embossing is something i forget to do, thanks
Kathy J in Ellicott City says
Great congrats cards!
Barbara-Jean says
Fantastic cards! I’ll have to try the dry embossing with a stencil!f
Maureen Reiss says
really Awesome grad cards!!!
Penny Klie says
Great cards… I love the rainbow shadow.
PHYLLIS FREESE says
I’m anxious to use my stencils to emboss after seeing this video. Your graduation cards are great. I love the striped pattern paper behind the large letters to make a statement.
Tami B says
Great cards! I love the idea of using the stencil for embossing, and I LOVE your designs.
Vivian says
You never disappoint.
Karen Hale says
Great card for those grads out there. Also inspired me to try dry embossing with my stencils. What a clever background technique.
Cheryl says
Love the purple card!
Janet Durbin says
Thanks for this great video, and this wonderful technique! I’ll have to try this soon!
Denise Ward says
It is really hard to decide which design I like better: they are both simply fantastic! Graduation cards can be tough to make. However, the things in this release just made it a whole lot easier to find the right images and sentiments for anyone on your list!! CZ Designs and SSS are a great partnership!!
Megan N says
I like the subtle embossed background!
Laura Rozsonits says
Gorgeous cards! I need to try dry embossing using stencils.
debbie d says
great cards! love the colorful congrats card!
Lina pena says
I love the dry embossing with the stencil. What a fun idea. Pretty cards too
Lina Pena says
I like the dry embossing using the stencil. What a fun idea. Your cards are pretty too
Nancy Roth says
Great cards! Love the rainbow and the dry embossing.
Bunny Hoyle says
I love the congrats card. Our seniors are going to graduate in July. I’m glad they get a chance no matter what the date.
Lindarub says
Great graduation cards!
Annette Gordon says
Such great graduation cards! They are so bright and happy.
Marta G says
How pretty this stencil looks with the dry embossing technique. Your clean and simple style in these cards is absolutely beautiful!
Patty A Eifert says
Fabulous card Cathy!
Zlatka K says
Beautiful cards! Love the clean designs.
Kailash says
Such fabulous card designs!
Robin Burgeson says
I love that you used a variety of techniques. Even though official graduations have been cancelled, those young people are still going to graduate and will love a card
SueB says
Simple cards are quick cards! Nice simple yet colorful card.
Jeanne Beam says
Such awesome cards! Love the colors!
Thanks so much for sharing…
Jenifer Hill says
The simplicity of your cards is always perfect!
Claudia K Anderson says
Love these cards! I just learned about stencil embossing last week and am looking forward to trying it!
Teri Terrific says
Great idea dry embossing the Grad Caps stencil on the background, especially on the patterned paper! I forget how subtle yet impactful that can be. I’m so delighted with your designs, thank you.
Lindsey F says
Thanks so much for your video. I learned several new techniques!
Dianne Vande Voort says
Beautiful cards!
Hillary Wendell says
I’ve seen the dry embossing technique several times and always forget about it when I take my stencils out. Time to try it myself! Love the colorful shadow!
Bev Williams says
Cathy, always love your designs. Thanks for sharing these wonderful Grad cards.
Vivienne says
Love the embossed grad hats. The grads do need special congrats as it’s a tough way to finish missing so much of their last year.
Priya says
beautiful cards and love the designs
Lalitha says
Love the stencil embossing and congrats rainbow sentiment.
Laura Ingersoll says
I love the Congrats card. It’s just beautiful. The design is just perfect.
Denise Bryant says
Awesome cards! The congrats card is so pretty with the rainbow colors! Enjoying the hop and all the inspiration!
Debby Green says
Great grad cards! My son is/was graduating this year. Still not sure if there will be a ceremony. Kind of sad since he is my “baby”.
Helen F says
Great cards, Cathy! I love the super effects from dry embossing the backgrounds! Thanks so much for the inspiration! Stay safe! 🙂
Bev (Beverley) Page says
Hi there Cathy. Love your cards but am totally in love with all your beautifully simple clean line word dies. So beautiful – so easy to read – would have them all if I had the money. Also, for those of us who don’t say mOm, thank you so much for making a MUM die, also a MAMA die! Wonderful! Love your work – love your designs. Hope you and yours keep safe and well in these difficult times. Regards, Bev from Sydney Australia.
Christy Sugiarto says
What a great idea using stencil for dry embossed
Love the happy color cards
Scraporcraft says
I like the look of the shadow behind the word. Nice combination.
Cheriese H says
Stencil embossing is so cool – what a great technique, and gorgeous cards!
Judy Inukai says
Great cards. Thanks for showing how to emboss using stencils. I’d forgotten I could do that and it’s definitely something I want to try now that I’m expanding my stencil collection. Your dies are awesome.
Anushree Vaish says
Love both the cards,especially rainbow one!!
Dana M says
Fabulous cards and product designs! I love the clean and graphic lines.
Cori Dahmen says
Beautiful, striking simplicity. Love that!
Cindy C. says
Thanks for the inspirations, so clean and crisp and cheerful!
Laura Corkill says
WOW! So simple but so amazing. Love these products and ideas.
Shawn Bartolacci says
These cards are absolutely beautiful and look very easy to do. I am always looking for new ideas for grad cards and these are wonderful. Thanks Cathy!
Merrill P says
Love the rainbow effect.
Pallavi Joy says
I love the graduation card! Thank you for sharing!
Mary Holshouser says
Wonderful cards. So sorry the
graduates may not get to go through
the ceremony – still need the cards
to congratulate them. thanks for
sharing. txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
Tanya C. says
Your grad card looks quite impactful with how clean it looks. Love it!
Ana Korban says
Your cards are always so clean but colorful. I love your style and these cards are beautiful!
Lisa Achilles says
Beautiful, simple card. I love watching your videos. You always make me laugh.
Lisa Byers says
Love these beautiful cards and this wonderful release!!
Sam Burnett says
Great cards – super idea to use the stencil to emboss and it really does look so good! TFS!
Kimee Moore says
I LOVE the dry embossing! So simple, yet it relly makes a “normal” card great!! Thanks for the ideas!!
Gabriella Bell says
Very cool and I like the clean look
Ashlee Mc says
LOVE your fun cards!!!
Judy Holbrook says
Beautiful cards! Such cheery colors.
Sherry Sellers says
Cathy these are great! I loved how you used the stencil! Your cards are both cute as well as having a simplistic and modern feel!
Terrie D. (StarSpry) says
These are great cards! I love how you used the stencil to dry emboss the backgrounds and the rainbow shadow layer looks so fun. 🙂
Vicki Rogers says
Love the graduation cards. The poor 2020 seniors. A card might make them feel better.
Dianne Vande Voort says
Beautiful cards! Love the dry embossing idea.
Lagene says
Awesome Sunny Days Ahead Release! Awesome creations! I especially love the diagonal striped congrats card!
DebbieC says
Great cards today. I have not tried using my stencils for embossing as I thought they would be to light and flimsy but I will be giving it a try now that you have showed us how well it works.
Samantha says
I love the simplicity of these cards!
karenajo says
Really love the dry embossing on the background – it adds so much and a great way to get more use out of your stencils! Great cards – thanks for sharing!
Sweet Sarah says
So wonderful. You are truly talented.
Karen BuhoScrapper says
Wow! That’s a pretty creative way to use stencils! I love it!
Cate says
Love the embossing with your stencil idea, it makes for a wonderful background on your second card. I also like the rainbow paper on the diagonal behind the sentiment on the first card.
Amy Cooley says
Cute graduation cards! I love your clean style.
Colleen H. says
Love the idea of using patterned paper for the shadow layer! Why do I never think to do this and always default to solid back or white? Thanks for helping me break a creative rut I didn’t know I was in. 😉
Kathy R says
Great graduation cards! I hope those that are graduating this year actually are able to attend a ceremony and all stay safe.
Hildy says
I tend to go over the top and add too much, I love to see clean and simple cards. CAS cards are the hardest for me to make. These are great! Who doesn’t love a rainbow???
ann p says
would love to win a gift card.
Carol McCready says
Fabulous cards. I love the embossed purple background.
Rovive Ro Love says
U have knocked it out of the park once again lady! I love this card!
Dhruvika says
Beautiful cards and great to have a video tutorial.. The embossing on the second cards looks great.
Helen says
Like your colorful sentiment…your card is simply celebrative! tfs-stay well.
Heike Carlson says
That graduation cap die is so cute!
Elaine Clark says
Oh I love the dry embossing! Thanks for the inspiration!
Isabel Z says
You are super talented!
Megan N says
I always love your typography stuff!
Michelle Hackett says
Such great cards. Colorful and cheerful.
Sheila Bacon says
I really appreciate the incorporation of stencils as I have a large collection of them. I also enjoyed your video and being inspired by your creativity.
Iza Malek says
Such a beautiful cards !! I love them !
Larissa Heskett says
SWOON!! These are BEAUTIFUL!! I LOVED the Video too!! THANKS SO MUCH for sharing and have a FABULOUS WEEK!!
Mary-Anne V says
Just love these cards. I think your products for SSS are fabulous.
Kay Furnish says
I love your cards! I usually do a 1/8″ border of the card base, but I really liked that 1/4″ size. That “Congrats” card is my fave, but they both turned out great! Thanks, too, for the tips on using our stencils for embossing! What a great way to stretch our supplies.
Dorothy A says
Thanks for the inspiration! These cards are great for the graduate, and a change of color for male or female, would be so easy!
Laraine says
Sweet cards! Love this release! Thanks for the video!
Sue D says
Great graduation card designs. I need to make one this year–thanks for these ideas.
Heather DePasquale says
Simply beautiful! Love the CONGRATS die. TFS and thanks SSS!
Jackie Peterson says
I love the dry emboss idea. Such simple, cute ideas for graduation cards!
Stacey Kowbel says
Such wonderful cards! Great grad card!
Anne Lee says
Love the subtly embossed graduation hats and the rainbow background behind congrats!
Kris Reeves says
FABULOUS as usual!
Annette Reed says
Fantastic cards! I love the rainbow behind the congrats. Your purple card
Looks fabulous with the stenciled background and I like the sentiments
Donna Kalinowsky says
Lovely cards! Don’t have anyone graduating this year but the card you made would be perfect for any graduate.
Karen Walker says
Great cards! I especially like the Congrats on the rainbow paper!
Marianne says
Love your fun rainbow card. Thanks for sharing.
Shannon B. says
Simple but classy cards. Love both of them and the recipients would too.
Lee Miner says
Bright, cheery, classic, graphic. A winner.
Kathy Dippner says
Fantastic graduation cards! Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas.
Jenny N says
Love your video process and the cards turned out beautifully. Thanks for sharing.