CZ Design

Crafty Hugs Blog Hop: Simple Ideas for Background Stamps

Crafty Hugs Blog Hop: Simple Ideas for Background Stamps

Hello crafty friends! It’s Blog Hop Day 1 for the brand spankin’ new Crafty Hugs release from Simon Says Stamp. My cards today feature taking really simplified approaches to using background stamps!

My first card features the gorgeous So Beautiful 6 x 6 Cling Stamp. I decided rather than try to get all fancy, I’d just stamp in in the same color onto the same color of cardstock for a cool monotone look.

For my second card, black ink on kraft cardstock created an elegant, understated sympathy card, and it features a pre-printed sentiment from the Reverse Sympathy Sentiments set.

And finally, I used the Peony Bouquet for my third card project, again using the same ink and cardstock color to create a monotone look.

Here is my video tutorial showing you these cards projects:

Now onto the hop details!

HOP SPECIAL: Be sure to use the code HUGS4U at checkout to receive a free package of Rainbow Shattered Glass Deco Foil (while supplies last).

HOP GIVEAWAY: Simon Says Stamp is giving away a $25 gift certificate to the store on every stop along the hop. To enter? Just leave a comment. The more blogs you visit, the more your chances of winning increase! Winners will be announced on the Simon blog on June 3.

HOP PARTICIPANTS: Here’s the list of all the cardmakers in today’s hop! Be sure to stop by the Simon Says Stamp blog on Saturday, May 30, for Day 2 of the hop!

Simon Says Stamp Blog   

Jennifer McGuire

Kristina Werner

Cathy Zielske—you are here!

Nina-Marie Trapani

Nichol Spohr

Lisa Addesa

Heather Ruwe

Suzy Plantamura

Kathy Racoosin

Ashlea Cornell

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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. Lauryne Cunningham says

    Your cards are so pretty! Thank you for the inspiration to use my background stamps more often- love the monotone look!

  4. Elizabeth Petersen says

    I love your simplified cards. They are very elegant. I need that flower stamp.

  5. Kathy says

    Cathy
    I have been scrapbooking for years but have always been intimidated with stamping until I started following you!
    Thank you!

  6. Robin Ridpath says

    Great cards! You can sometimes forget that a simple card can be just as beautiful as a complex card. Thanks for the reminder!

  7. Elsa Velez says

    I have loved your work FOREVER. You inspire me and have helped elevate my craft to new levels. Please keep up the great work.

  8. Meghan Kennihan says

    These are stunning! I LOVE how you do the backgrounds and make the sentiments pop!

  9. Leslie Scholes says

    Love your cards! Such a lovely CAS design! Gonna go thru my background stamps now…

  10. Patricia Beck says

    Cathy, your cards are so appealing, and as a new crafter, they inspire me, as I can actually see myself making similar cards! Thank you for creating them.

    • Dena Hughes says

      So beautiful! Love the clean simplicity. Your videos always teach and inspire.

  13. Jeanne Ragan says

    Great idea! I already bought this stamp and am happy to see a simple but beautiful card using it! Thanks!

  16. Julie Sullenszino says

    Lovely cards. I like more streamlined designs so the use of the background stamps in simple outline form is lovely. Thank you for your work. I will visit again.

  17. Wanda S Radler says

    Your cards are amazing. I love the tone on tone look and the black on kraft look. that background stamp is so versatile.

  19. Cynthia says

    I really like the tone on tone on your cards. Very nice and something I plan to try.

  20. Yvonne Boucher says

    Kathy, these cards are great! Simple yet impressive! Thank you for sharing your creativity!

  21. Toni Kwaiser says

    Very elegant cards! Thank you for reminding us everything doesn’t have to be complicated!

  23. Gayle M says

    Such amazing cards…thank you for all the tips. I can’t wait to try them out.

  24. Gloria iba says

    I used to think card making had to be , for a better word excessive. You made me realize that simple cards made with pression can be just as beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

  25. Paula Haller says

    Beautiful! Love the tone on tone and you can never go wrong with black on Kraft. Such understated but full impact cards!

  26. barbara lassiter says

    I love these cards and think they are beautiful. Using the Misti this way for cling background stamps is pure genius technique. Why can’t I think of those? Lol! I think embossing the first two cards with clear embossing would be great looks too! Thanks for the inspiration!

  27. Nancy R. says

    As always, pleasant clean & crisp cards! I especially think the sympathy card is striking!

  28. Eva N says

    I always look to you for clean and simple designs and once again you’ve given me some great ideas. Love all these cards using simplfied backgrounds.

  33. stacey says

    Very lovely cards! Sometimes it’s nice to make some simple cards, your turned out beatuiful.

    Thank you for all your videos and chats, I really enjoy them!

  34. La Rae Prentice says

    Although I like monochromatic cards, I was really impressed by the black on kraft sympathy card.

  35. Barb Chmura says

    Sometimes simple cards are the best. I love the clean lines, the graphic lines of the sentiment and the preprinted add-ons! Love the techniques you showed, too.

  36. Kay Furnish says

    I love that blue DAD card! So simple, but so pretty! I’m not very good at coloring, so just stamping the background like that is very appealing to me.

  42. Barbara-Jean says

    Yes, those cards are simple, yet so attractive! Thank you for the idea of using the background stamps!

  43. Sonja says

    Your cards are nice, as always, but your HAIR? O.M.G. I LOVE IT! Keep it swinging, Cathy! ?

  44. Lisa Chin says

    Love these nice simple cards. You have given me some great ideas for a Father’s Day Card to make this weekend!

  45. Carolyn says

    I love these cards. Thanks for sharing. I am puzzled by the placement of the sequins on the pink card. While you use five of varying sizes, you only placed them in two spots. Did I miss something in your sequin-placement video recently??? Please explain.

  47. Joanne Travis says

    Your cards are so clean and pretty. The name of the stamp “So Beautiful” is really perfect!

  49. Joanne M Hoffmann says

    INCREDIBLE….simply beautiful! I love the tip about using the corner of the Score Buddy to perfectly align your front image piece…BRILLIANT!

  50. Michelle Hackett says

    Monochromatic cards are so simple, elegant, and fast. Great cards Cathy!

  51. Pamela R Schultz says

    Beautiful cards, Cathy. You make stamping look so easy. I love cards that I don’t have to color. I’m always looking for quick ideas. Thanks.

  52. Miesje Flach says

    Love it – I haven’t done many of the monochromatic in a while – I will be now! Looks so elegant!

  53. Michelle Patricia Anders says

    Love your cards and would never have thought using flowers for a man.

  57. Cyndi Morris says

    Beautiful, clean cards. Thanks so much for the tip for stamping background stamps with the misti. I struggle with getting a good impression even after several tries, and your process makes perfect sense. I’ll definitely be using it from now on.

  62. Sheri Kempke says

    Great cards Cathy, love the stamps you designed for this great release. I’m so sorry to hear what is going on in your area, which is my “home” state. My heart is crying for all the folks in MN.

  63. Lee Miner says

    Really like the look and also the break from the intimidation of big open coloring spaces. Excellent to see several examples. The black on tan was perfect for its purpose.

  64. Debbie Cornish says

    Beautiful cards. I love the tone on tone designs. I am always intrigued with black on kraft card stock yet I don’t think to use it.

  65. Nicole Bell says

    Love the simplicity of these card designs. A great reminder that sometimes a gorgeous stamp doesn’t need much to turn into a beautiful card!

  67. Cindy Aguirre says

    Love your cards! I feel the same way about coloring, so this video was great! Thanks for the inspiration!

  68. Debra says

    I love the simple elegance of the outline of the flowers. I think I have to get that (So Beautiful). Thanks for sharing your cards!

  70. Charla Everhart says

    Your cards are simply done but very elegant. Lots of inspiration, thanks for sharing.

  71. Martha says

    Your cards are wonderful. I love the sympathy one and am buying that stamp now.

  75. Patty A Eifert says

    You are hilarious!! And yes…me coloring that stamp would definitely be above my pay grade lol!! I absolutely LOVE what you did with the stamps, and I’m definitely making some of these type cards…they look awesome and I have many pretty flower stamps that I have purchase in the past to use on them! Thanks for some great ideas!!

  76. Becky Pilcher says

    I love the way you can just do a monochrome effect. But I really loved the flower using the Gina K pink pink on pink paper

  80. Daria Zender says

    All three cards are wonderful – and fast!! Love that! I especially love both of the tone on tone cards.

  81. Patricia Wilson says

    Wow! I have taken a week to make some cards and these simple and easy cards you made are just as nice. Thanks for your tips and letting us try some simple designs once in awhile.

  82. Julie Miller says

    I love the simple elegance of the using one color. Thank you for giving us “permission!” 🙂

  83. joy meadows says

    Love this quick and simple way to make impactful cards, Cathy! Very pretty.

  86. Linda Evans says

    What awesome cards! And so simple. I over think things way too much! Thank you!

  87. Cindy Wilson says

    We forget simplicity these days but it is so effective. I love the Peony stamp. Thanks for the ideas

  88. Connie Kahl says

    I’ve never done a ‘stacked’ die cutouts before and so want to try it. I’ve been known as a Pop Dot queen, lol. Thank you ?

  92. MP says

    Interesting to see those tips about using a J-cloth plus putting the envelope on the acrylic “lid.” I’m going to try this on a large cling stamp that I’ve had trouble with. Thanks!

  100. Karyn K Siemering says

    Love the cards Cathy! Simplicity is very hard for me but yetn it can be so gorgeous

  102. Carol Wortman says

    Very elegant for sure. Love the cas inspiration! Beautiful contributions of lovely designs for this release. ♥️

  103. Annette Gordon says

    I so enjoyed your video! So many great tips. I especially liked how you lined up the card using your score buddy. I am not a good at colouring. And my skill set is very limited, so I gravitate to cards that are simple but yet so stunning! And that is exactly what your cards are! I am going to use all the ideas I learned to today. Thank you so much for sharing!

  104. Rhonda Huggins says

    Cathy, so simple, sooo elegant. I will be looking for matching inks and papers! I also feel validated by your use of that dusting cloth with your MISTI. My first stamping platform had a grid on the lid that was really tough to run my hand over…I grabbed a cloth that was in reach and used it to go over my stamping. Later, I love seeing artists making the most of a situation with simple solutions. Thanks so much!?

  107. Lynn Conlon says

    I love learning how to make simple, elegant cards. You did it so well and I love the
    way you showed us when using large stamps. Thank you for sharing. Stay safe and healthy.

  108. Miriam Prantner says

    Love the gorgeous simplicity of this card, especially the tone on tone stamping!

  109. Becky Moore says

    I love what you did with your background stamps! Those cards are beautiful!

  115. Mary-Anne V says

    I love to use this background stamp. I like the unique way you created the masculine forward for your dad and did tone on tone.

  118. MaryH says

    Slapped my forehead several times while watching your video; because your tips were great and why hadn’t I seen them before. Tips are great effective time savers. Not to mention my sanity too. What great tips using in stamping platform: reverse placement of stamp and paper, use baby wipe to glide hand across stamping platform when applying pressure, and when applying mat same size as card face, put card in corner of stamping platform and apply mat using sides of platform to aid in placement. Cards simple but certainly elegant!

  120. Bonnie King says

    I never think of going monochromatic, but always love the way it looks. Your cards have inspired me to try it. And that tip about using the score tool to line up the panels? Excellent! Thank you!

  121. Phyllis Freese says

    I favor the clean & simple style card, so your card designs are perfect for me.
    Love your lettering fonts on these word dies.

  122. Tiesha McKinney says

    Love these cards! Oh how simple. Not intimidating at all. Can’t wait to try them. Thanks for sharing your technique.

  123. Tiesha McKinney says

    Loved these cards! Nice and simple and not intimidating for someone just starting out. Can’t wait to try them.

  124. Rufus says

    Thanks for reminding me that you don’t ALWAYS have to color everything in! This is very effective and perfect for faster cards or those folks who you know are minimalists!

  125. Anne McColley says

    Love the monochromatic background stamping! Thanks so much for creating another great video tutorial!

  127. Dee says

    WOW…those are beautiful. Who knew that a simple technique like that would result in such beautiful cards. Thanks so much for that tip…I labor (key word here) over trying to color my large background stamps and by the time I’m finished I’ve put in 8 hours and I’m not even finished with the inside or envelope! Thank you from the bottom of my OCD heart.

  131. Annalisa says

    You are so good at reminding me of the beauty of simplicity. The tone-on-tone images are just gorgeous, and sometimes that’s all you need to make a really striking card! (Also, as I was watching, I kept thinking “White space, white space!” I have learned well from your design chats.) I’m sure your dad will love that card.

  138. Denise Bryant says

    Awesome cards! Love the style of the So Beautiful and Peony Bouquet flowers!

  139. Jeanette U says

    Love the simplicity of these cards. I enjoy working with large background stamp as well. Thanks you for your inspiration.

  141. Jennifer colbourne says

    Lovely cards. I often forget about my background stamps!!!! I will be playing with them this week. I love the sympathy card, simple but beautiful

  142. Jennifer colbourne says

    Lovely cards. I often forget about my background stamps!!!! I will be playing with them this week. I love the sympathy card, simple but beautifully made. Thanks for sharing.

  145. Lindsey F-NY says

    I really like the understated sympathy card. Classy. Plus I just adore that wildflower stamp from the new SSS Release.

  147. Laurie Fleuette says

    I just love these clean, simple and oh so gorgeous cards! Thanks for the inspiration!

  149. Helen F says

    Great backgrounds on your cards! I love the look of monotone look with the matching ink and cardstock! Thanks so much for the inspiration! 🙂

  150. Joy Soldan says

    CATHY,
    I have just started watching your videos the past few months and SIMPLE AND ELEGANT should be you middle names!!! Love the look of your cards and LOVE the tip of placing the cling stamp inside the Misti instead of the usual way…can’t wait to give this a try!!! I heard your name from Laura Bassen many times and she is right, you can always rely on a great design from CZ!!! You make everything so easy with your explanations and demonstrations!!! A BIG THANK YOU from a California fan!!!

  152. Maribel Diaz i Mata says

    Thank you for sharing all your precious creations and for the chance of entering in the Simon Says giveaway.

  153. Tina Anderson says

    I love the versatility of the “So Beautiful” stamp. I can’t wait to try it out!

  155. Kim U says

    Such pretty cards and great tips to remember it doesn’t have to be complicated to be beautiful!

  156. Julie Wexler says

    Cathy- tone on tone is such a good, quick go-to…so why do I always forget to do it? Thanks for the reminder and your fabulous stamp and die designs for this release. Stay safe and be well.

  158. Laura Budke says

    I love the tone on tone inspiration. Thanks, Cathy! You design amazing products for our crafty community!

  160. Megan N says

    Love these, Cathy! I do enjoy coloring, but sometimes you just don’t want to take the time. And it’s a great alternative look for them!

  161. Jeanne Beam says

    Such amazing cards! Love the simplicity of each one.
    Thanks so much for sharing…

  162. Laura Greig says

    Great tips for working with large background stamps. Love the simplicity, I don’t always have time to spend the whole day on a card!

  163. Mary Holshouser says

    Simple and non-fussy always makes
    striking cards. Both versions are
    great. thanks for sharing
    txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

  164. Cheryl H says

    Great cards! I often hesitate to keep it simple, and then when I try to color, I end up making it worse!

  165. Mary Holshouser says

    I think I might have pushed the wrong button
    so I’m going to try this again.
    I love the clean and simple stamping.
    The mono coloring and the black on the
    kraft are wonderful. Simple is always
    better than too fussy. thanks for
    sharing. txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

  171. Barbara Martin says

    Only you could make such simple cards torn out so beautifully! They’re outstanding!

  173. Michelle Anderson says

    I enjoyed watching your video. The tips you added were so simple but things I had not thought of. I loved the tone on tone cards. Very simple but classy. Thanks for your ideas.

  176. Cate says

    Such pretty, CAS, and elegant cards, Cathy. Love them, I love the peony background stamp card to see that it looks lovely in one color. Fantastic!

  179. Michele W says

    Love these ideas! Not only are they great ideas for using background stamps (I love the so beautiful stamp but didn’t want to have to do all that coloring) but sometimes you need a card but need something quick and these would be perfect. These cards are so versatile that it would also be great to have some of these on hand without the sentiment. Then you could just add a sentiment when you need a card on the go. Thank, Cathy! You’ve really inspired me!

  181. Heather Nelson says

    Lovely cards! I’ve had my eye on those pretty flowers. Thanks for your great ideas! Love the tone on tone look!

  182. Henriëtte says

    Simple but gorgeous cards Cathy, I love them.
    Thank you so much for sharing your gorgeous inspiration,
    stay safe and have a wonderful weekend.

  185. Amanda Steele says

    Yes, I think I overthink things most times, so thanks for showing a no pressure way of making simple but clean and beautiful cards Mrs. Zielske. They’re beautiful!

  188. Deb M. says

    Love your cards and the So Beautiful and Peony Bouquet stamps! Great new product release.

  189. Liz Gehman says

    You always make this hobby so accessible to those of us who aren’t pro designers. Great to see these products used on a card I could knock out after work. Thank you!

  190. melissa b. says

    Beautiful sympathy card. I love “simple” cards. They really can make a strong statement.

  192. Kimberly Asman says

    Great inspiration for using background stamps in more ways!!! Thanks so much!

  194. Barbara Matthews says

    Beautiful cards as usual, love all the techniques you show me. Thanks for sharing.

  199. Kathy Dippner says

    Beautiful cards! Such a fantastic way to use background stamps. Definitely going to try it.

  201. Beth R says

    I really appreciate your video, I am new and this is something I think I can actually do. I’m so excited to give them a try, I loved them all

  203. Heather DePasquale says

    Great release! I just love the So Beautiful cling stamp. Can’t wait to use…so many possibilities.

  204. Danielle Loenneker says

    Thankyou for the inspiration!
    Love the simplistic tone on tone look.

  206. Colleen J Howell says

    I love the 2nd card, it is so simple but yet it is very pretty at the same time. I always forget to do these type of cards. I have to remember this style!

  207. Danyelle Dillon says

    Love the simple looks of your cards, very elegant and nice bright colors!

  209. Tracie Gambino says

    I just love what affect background stamps can do on a card and you’ve really shown us just that!! ❤

  210. Teri S. says

    Thank you Cathy for the reminder of tone on tone. I have a couple of background stamps that I seldom use as they are busy & I know there is no way I could do them the least justice by trying to colour them. I so enjoy your videos as you have an easy going way of presenting your incredible talent.

  211. Lane says

    All your cards are always great, Cathy, but the one on kraft paper really stand out for me. Simple and stunning! ??

  213. Melanie Barrett says

    Love all the cards, and I enjoyed the video with your sharing how you overcame your struggle to use such large stamped images without coloring them!

  214. Sheila Bacon says

    I’ve bookmarked your video so I can rewatch at my leisure as tour cards are fantastic. The background is eye-catching with the use of the same stamped color as the paper. A simple look, but so rich looking. I like how you left unused space as it keeps my eyes focused on the stamped image and sentiment vs moving off the card. Keep creating!!!

  215. Giselaine Ellison says

    Loved all of your cards Cathy and the products you used. Such a great SSS release.

  216. Brenda Simpson says

    Those flower cards are the best! Your Father’s Day card hits the mark with the versamark ink & blue tones! I also like the black and craft used for the So Beautiful cling stamp too. Since you started your 10 minute crafty design chats, I always look for those concepts in your cards now! 🙂

  218. Denise Mlady says

    I love this Floral background stamp and the simple way you used it really shows it off! The tone on tone Peony is so pretty. There are a lot of great products in this release!

  222. Anushree Vaish says

    You are awesome Cathy !! Your designed cards are so good…more to learn from you!!

  223. Andrea D. says

    Your cards are so beautiful and so simple.
    Thank you very much for the inspiration.

  224. Amy Cooley says

    I love this clean and beautiful card that’s quick to put together. Great new releases from SSS.

  226. BILLIE Sue M WOOLLEY says

    What great ideas. I particularly like the black on Khaki for a sympathy card

  228. Dawn says

    Great cards and love seeing new tricks…mounting the cardstock on the Misti door instead of the stamp ..and using the score buddy to line up and mount the cardstock on the card…love them…

  230. Judy Czarnecki says

    I have to ask about those blender brushes in all the colors! Where are those from?