Hello crafty friends, and welcome to Day 1 of the DieCember® Blog Hop!

My project today features a gorgeous, huge Detailed Rose die along with a Hugs word and shadow die. A little bit of simple ink blending on the shadow layers gives you a gorgeous look for the backgrounds.

Here’s my tutorial, showing you how I created the 5 x 7 card.
Now onto the blog hop details!
HOP DEETS: Leave a comment at every stop along the hop because we are giving away a $25 at each one of them! Winners will be posted on the Simon Says Stamp blog on December 9th. This is Day 1 of the hop, so be sure to check the Simon blog on December 3 for Day 2 inspiration! Here are the Day 1 Hop participants:
Cathy Zielske—you are here!
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 directly supports my YouTube channel and my small business. Thank you!

Michele K. Henderson says
Your card is so beautiful and fresh! I love your amazing designs! You really “get” paper crafters like me! have a great DIE-Cember!
Warm Hugs,
Michele
Anna Kingery says
Thanks for the great idea. I love the colors!
Candy Clay says
Beautiful card. Taylored k you for sharing.
Patti Nienberg says
Love it! Love all your videos! HUGS to you also! 🙂
Judy Inukai says
Beautiful rose. This is going on my wish list. I love how you’ve blended the background. I visualize many color combinations for this die. Thanks for the inspiration.
Robin Hill says
Would make a beautiful Mother’s Day card! So pretty and soft.
Daniel says
So simple and beautiful … love your clean and amazing style ❤️
Titus Debbie says
I always look forward to your cards. Enjoy your videos. And I’m still coveting your cute shoes with the stars on them. 😁
Janet Logsdon says
Love your cards. So my style!
Tina Anderson says
Great card! The new rose die is beautiful.
Laurie D says
Beautiful card! I love the hugs sentiment.
Lara says
I love you style, so neat and pretty! Less is definitely more with you!
Katherine Kloschinsky says
Cathy Z you are da bomb!! Love your card and your video. Thanks for always being you. Happy Diecember. ♥️
Anne Sturgeon says
Blended beautifully… love the size of the new word dies & shadows. Really looks amazing. Thanks for these and have a Happy Holiday!
susie sonnier says
Such a beautiful card! Love your dies!
Emma says
I love how you created the varied look on the rise with just ink!
Ann Apolito says
Lovely card Cathy, very elegant.
Patricia H says
What a gorgeous rose! And quick beautiful card! I know I can do this too! Love your videos, Cathy!
Meghan Kennihan says
Such an elegant rose! Beautiful!
Leora Henkin says
I love it Cathy! How many stacks did you use in the word Hugs. It is lovely. Can’t wait to get mine!
Jeni Jenne says
Wow a 5×7 card! Love your clean and simple style! Stay safe;)
Lisa Achilles says
Wow! That flower is beautiful. Such a pretty card.
Lauryne Cunningham says
Your card is beautiful! Love the ink blending! The images really pop against the white background!
kari leach says
Love this card. Thanks for all your tutorials, I really enjoy them.
Carey E says
Your card is lovely.
Dawn Hueser says
Simple elegance. Thanks for sharing
KimberlyO says
I love the dies with the “background” and the “detail”.. Words, flowers, etc. I think it makes it so much easier to make a WOW card!! 🙂
Lisa B Harvey-Reber says
Love the large size of that die! Great card!
Kelly Ornelas says
Beautiful 😻
Eileen says
Always amazing!
Audrey Meyer says
Your chunky Happy die is the best part of this release… and, I’ve gotten sooooo much use out of your “miss you” due too!
Mary Kay Ross says
Beautiful, Cathy! So crisp and fresh!
Gabriella Bell says
So simple and classy. YAY
Barbara Chmura says
A lovely card-just beautiful colors!
Aliya Damji says
Loved this design! The flower is so pretty and the colour choice was awesome.. thanks for another great video!
meaniegreen says
Classy and beautiful as always!
barbara lassiter says
This is a beautiful card. I love the ink blending technique and think Strathmore Bristol board works best especially with Distress Inks. I’ve been trying to decide on a hugs die and I do think this one is it! It works well on the 5 x 7 card, but would work on any size! Thanks for a fun video!
Sue KUJAWA says
I love your style.
Mary Holshouser says
Beautiful rose.
thanks for sharing
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
Janet Durbin says
Love this, so simple but also so elegant!
Barb Sabatini says
I love the stacked elements! Fabulous!
Miesje F says
Oh I was so tempted to order that flower! I love how you did that – so pretty.
Gayle Chrvala says
Love your CAS card with the soft colors and fabjulous dies.
Jeannine says
Beautiful card – it is simple and elegant. Thanks for sharing.
Angie D Cammack says
Oh. My. Gosh!!!! This is perfection!!! I love every thing about this card! Seriously. Everything.
Getting both dies now. 🙂
Cindi says
So soft and pretty and the sentiment stands out nicely. I need to watch your sequin placement video!
Mary Bartolotta says
Oh I love this card. Great for the holidays but also be used through out the year. Thank you for the giveaway !
Carol DuBois says
Always love your cards and your designs. Beautiful rose die, thank you.
Joanne Hoffmann says
Simply sweet card! LOVE it!
BECCA YAHRLING says
So very sweet. Thanks for the inspiration!
Stacey Kowbel says
Such a sweet card and fantastic CAS design!
Larissa Heskett says
Such a SWEET Card!! I LOVE that Rose Die and how you layered the Word Die Cut!! THANKS for sharing and have a FABULOUS WEEK!!
Julie Urban says
Gorgeous, Cathy! Beautiful dies…they have such great detail. Love how you layered up the rose.
Sunshine HoneyBee says
Wonderful use of Rose die.
Melissa
“Sunshine HoneyBee”
Angela B says
So simple and so beautiful!
Robin Morris says
Card is very sweet – love the overlay of the die cut
Patt H. says
Love the beautiful simplicity & gorgeous coloring on this card!
Lara Mosby says
A great card. Your process is always fun, Cathy! Thanks for demonstrating part of the wonderful DIEcember release!
Charlotte says
I can’t help but wonder why the strip dies are necessary when you can easily cut strips with a trimmer or guillotine. Do you find there is a significant difference?
Katie K says
Beautiful
Grace Bullen says
Cathy, these diecuts really do a nice job of filling out the 5 by 7 space, without making it cluttered. I love your videos! YOu’re like the fun person at the covered dish supper that I want to get to know. My CAS cards always used to seem boring, but I’m learning from you how great color combinations, great dies and good use of white space can make for a professional looking but not complicated card.
Roberta Thome says
A simple but very elegant card!
Diane Hunt says
Roses are one of my favorite flowers. My 5 year old great granddaughter woul love to make this card. Beautiful blending, have got to make this.
Susan Beane says
As usual, Cathy, I love your beautiful designs!
Jasmin Winnie says
I love your videos. I think you’re very funny and a treat to watch and craft along
Patricia Wilson says
Very nice ink blending. That’s a great die. So pretty. Thank you for sharing your ideas.
Cynthia A McCool says
So elegant, love these cards
Jan E says
Stunningly simple and beautiful!
Caroline says
Love your card, beautiful rose!
Maureen Reiss says
This is sooooo Pretty!!!
Carolyn R says
Such a sweet card, love it!
Judy M says
This is a great card design and you could use almost any sentiment. Love your color choices too.
Benita Rivera says
CZ— You’re the best! I love your videos because your clean lines and the simplicity of your ideas speak to the graphic designer in me. You always make beautiful cards and I buy more of your products on SSS than any other designer. Thank you for the inspiration to craft more and better.
Lori Spitzer says
Hi, CZ –
Wow, that is a simple but visually arresting rose / greeting. I love it! I thank you for creating a design that does not require 12 dies, 25 stamps sets, etc. This is something I can make with other similar dies OR as soon as I get that gorgeous rose! TFS and wow, how I would love to be a winner!
Lori S in PA
Sandra Fulmer says
Lovely
Sheri Kempke says
Beautiful card Cathy–love your new hugs die and the rose die, just beautiful!
Elin Larsson says
What a lovely rose! It’s to die for 😉
Debbie P says
Beautiful card. Love the new release. Thank you.
Dayle Shimamura says
As always Cathy, you rock the stylistic simple cards! Beautiful!
Vicky says
So pretty!
Daria Zender says
Such a pretty card, Cathy! I love your choice of colors and what a great tip using glue on the foam tape to allow a little “wiggle room”!!
Theressa says
Love the card, love your videos!
Steffi H. says
Wonderful ink blending on your soft colored rose.
Lisa Brussow says
Pretty card especially with the softness of the colors.
Susan Hodgson says
Click on my face… you always make me laugh. Who says learning can’t be fun. 🙂 Cheers, Sue
Dionne says
Beautiful Card.
Gayle F says
Beautiful card!
Deb Bryson says
Very pretty card! And I love that hugs die
Barbara Martin says
What a gorgeous card! I love the rose and your hugs die!
Tami B says
Simple elegance…what a beautiful card!
Carol R says
Thank you! I love your videos. Your style is so fun. I find myself looking forward to seeing your next project. thank you again for the great card and tutorial!
Ro Battaglini says
Elegant yet simple
Mitzi says
Soft, sweet and beautiful. I rarely make cards this large, but because I like what you did I may have to give it a go.
Bunny says
The CZ Designs line is my favorite. You do such an excellent job. It always has a great look and I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase some of your products last month. I already see more that I want. I’ll be waiting for the right time. Your card is lovely.
Maria Giselle B. says
Very pretty!
Mavis Klink says
I always appreciate how accessible your card designs are. I always check out CZ Designs first over at SSS. I recognize your style immediately, but it’s always fresh.
Lindar C says
Very pretty card, I love all CZ design word dies.
Tracey Randolph says
Great card & I love your videos!
K says
Cathy – I really appreciate your videos. Your ideas are so clean and simple for a relatively novice ink crafter.
Nancy Roth says
Love the simplicity of your cards. This rose is beautiful.
Cheryl Stauffer says
So elegant. Thank you for the inspiration.
Jeannette says
So soft, so pretty. Can think of lots of ways of using this type card.
Susan Young says
Beautiful and simple, love the pink!
Laurie Schlichter says
Love the delicacy of the pale pink rose with the strength of the ‘hugs’ die with the shadow.
Giselle D. says
I really like the effect the ink blending has. I am new to card making so I would have just used coloured paper. Thanks for sharing a great technique!
Barbara Escalante says
That is such a lovely card and surprisingly simple to make. I love it.
Barb Housner says
love the simplicity of your card
Donna de Gale-Kalloo says
Love it! Simple, yet effective! And the colour is just gorgeous!
Tammie J. says
The coloring on that rose is so pretty!!!
Cindy Holmes says
Oh my gosh! I want to get that rose die big time! Your card is absolutely gorgeous!
Lara Read says
Thank you Cathy! Love it. Hope you are feeling better.
Kelley says
I ordered the Detailed Rose yesterday! After your video, I’m thinking I should start ink blending and have cardstock ready when my die arrives. 🙂
Thank you for the video.
Kerry G says
Love your style girl!
Barbara-Jean says
What a beautiful and cheerful card!
Cindy Aguirre says
Beautiful card! Thanks for the inspiration!
Ann Ito says
Love this card and the video how to.
RobiW says
Beautiful card — so clean and fresh.
Lotte Jessen says
As Kristina mention, you are amazing. Love your card🎀👌
Karen Walker says
CAS and gorgeous!
Sharon Gullikson says
So subtle and pretty. I like your soft colors.
Donna Rinckel says
Such a simply elegant card! Beautiful dies for any occasion. Love it!
Phyllis Freese says
I love this large rose die. I have one with smaller roses. Your idea to ink blend before die cutting is one I’ll have to remember.
Laurie Black says
Beautiful card! the ink blending is a nice detail
Judy Strasser says
Your card really does pack a punch!!! I love the clean, soft look.
Sherri says
Lovely.
Megan N says
Love the soft colors you used!
Marisela Delgado says
Girl, you always crack me up in your videos. 💜 Great card, Cathy!
Vicky C says
Beautiful card, love the rose die!
Ginger Payne says
Beautiful and simple card! I love it when your new videos come out, you make me want to craft.
Laura G says
Thank you for ideas. As always, love the clean style. Appreciate that you share the “mistakes”. Those are often ways that we become even more creative.
Pat McCleary says
Simple yet stunning!
Marybeth Lopez says
Gorgeous and I love the soft blended pink.
joni a says
Beautiful card! Love the rose die and the ink blending is spot on…as usual!!! This is definitely a card I can use as inspiration! TFS
Christy Malone says
Beautiful card! I love the big rose for making a quick and easy, but still lovely, card.
Patty A Eifert says
Perfect clean and simple card as usual! The dark pink card stock for the sentiment is beautiful!
Debbie Selby says
Love the simplicity of the card. Also love sentiments with shadows
MichElle Noto says
Beautiful!! Love the hugs die!!
Cynthia Johnson says
I love this card. The perfectly blended, soft pink colors are perfect with the white outline. The green of the leaves is awesome with the pink. Simple, but effective.
Michelle Sellers says
Pretty, pretty clean and simple! Merry Christmas!
Marilyn Brittain says
I really like the style of your word dies
Sylvia Allen says
Sweet card. Love the golden nuggets you drop – sometimes I get stuck when wanting to place my sequins!$
Carol Lokhorst says
Love it! Love it! Love it!
Thanks as always for the inspiration!!
Kailash says
Beautiful card, love the soft colors!
Dorothy Ayotte says
What a beautiful rose die and card! Lovely!
Amy H says
I love the hugs die. Now more than ever it is nice to express hugs through cards.
Paula Haller says
Always love your cards! Nice and clean, and great looking dies. Your videos are some of my favs!
Betsy says
Lobe your cards. I’m in the market for a good hugs die. Seems the world needs more hugs these days
Denise Bryant says
So pretty! I love this gorgeous rose!
Joy Soldan says
Love your SIMPLE and LOVELY card design!!! I always look forward to your new stamps and dies…I can’t get enough of your products!!! Love them all!!!
Leslie Scholes says
Gorgeous card & I love your dies.
Judith says
Lovely CAS design!
Cheriese H says
super pretty! love your blended background!
Holly Mahoney says
Gorgeous card! The word dies with the shadow are becoming a favorite of mine.
Sabrina Radican says
Very beautiful card!!
Maryann Scrapbooking says
Très jolie carte pleine de douceur.
Bises.
MaryannG
Very pretty card full of sweetness.
Kisses.
MaryannG
Mirella says
A simple beauty! Also, I like how your nail polish matches the card.
Liz Ford says
Your rose 🌹 is super soft and so eye pleasing! I like the white outline to provide contrast. You come up with some wonderful fonts and this hugs die is no exception. I like the cas look too! Great card. 😊
Heike Carlson says
Such a pretty card. Thanks for sharing.
Becky Reinke says
wow love the blended rose in pink the use of word die. A winner again Kathy 👏.
Janice Blower says
Love the pink!
Melinda M. says
Loving your hugs die! Also love your videos and your sense of humor!
Joy Meadows says
Cathy, your card is simply stunning! I never make 5 x 7 inch cards, but this rose die makes me want to start making them. Love the simplicity of your design.
Sally Sherfield says
Gorgeous rose card, love this new die!
Andre M. says
Your CAS style is always so eye catching. Thank you for sharing your beautiful card!
Cheryl Leitzel says
Love the rose!
Lindarub says
Beautiful card!
Sherri Little says
Love it on a 5” x 7” card. Wonder what it would look like on an A2 sized card.
Anakaren Powell says
Your card is so pretty and simple, I love how you blend the inks!
Avra Williams says
Very pretty!
Marianne says
Love how you blended the inks to add interest to your die cuts.
Laura Pyle says
This looks like a version of stained glass! I love it!
Donna Gourley says
Your use of subtle and subdued colors makes for a calming, pretty card.
cgp says
Love the simplicity. Striking!
Laurie says
Such a gorgeous card! So many possibilities with this rose.
Jan Jenitis says
Such wonderful balance with all the white space! Refreshing and clean. Thanks!
Jody Jensen says
Cathy,
Love watching your videos! I was looking for inspiration yesterday and actually giggled saying “Yay! She has a new video!”
Cheryl Rigney says
Such a lovely card!!
Mirella Rogan says
Lovely, delicate and feminine!
Michelle Hackett says
Gorgeous as always. Love your simple cards.
Jeannie Boudet says
Simply beautiful card!!
Dee Earnshaw says
darling card – so soft and femine
Savannagh Kacey says
So clean, so well-composed, so very, very pretty! Thank you Cathy for another dose of inspiration!
Alli says
Hugs… so 2019. 😀 Thanks for the giveaway!
Allison Nesbitt says
I have nothing like this in my collection. You have inspired me. Thank you. I love your clean and simple style.
Jenni King says
sweet card!!
love this flower die!!
Debbie Payn says
“A rose by any other name…” thank you for this lovely card! Debbie
TamiB says
Beautiful card!
Peg Frushour says
Beautiful, simple card!! Very pretty!
Anne McColley says
Your videos are always my favorite! Thanks for sharing all your talent! 🙂
Jeanne Beam says
Beautiful card!
Thanks for sharing…
Teri S. says
Cathy, thanks for showing an easy way to ink blend & them use it for a background under a delicate die like this. I don’t have many dies due to cost, but I’ve not thought to buy them as an item without a stamp that goes with it. Now I know I can. I really appreciate the clean designs of your sentiments.
Maureen Turner says
Beautiful card!
Sabrina says
So pretty!
Vicki K says
Pretty rose card and love the big and bold sentiment.
Melanie Barrett says
So, so pretty! Love the soft colors!
Penny Klie says
Beautiful card… pretty colors. BTW… your hair looks great!
Carol Wortman says
That is the Rose I’ve been dreaming of!! The softness of this card is beautiful! I sure enjoy your inspiration!
Jade says
Lovely card! Great rose colors!
Karen L K says
Very nice card! Such a pretty rose!
Deb Heinritz says
Love this die, it is added to my wishlist!
Cherry Robinson says
Love your card Cathy and all of your new word dies! I really need to get everything in this release! ❤️
Jana Yeager says
lovely sweet card for any occasion!
AnitaK says
Love your channel and beautiful cards you create.
Denise Smith says
Beautiful card. Love the simplicity.
Shar Zar says
Marvelous die cut card.
Rosann Barnes says
OMG the rose die is gorgeous ! Yes bundled sage and rustic wilderness are an awesome combination 😉 love the simple elegence of your card. Thanks for the tutorial .
Lori Lehnen says
Very elegant card with the soft colors.
Thanks for sharing.
Claudia says
My craft room is also my boys bedroom – definitely COULD not video there LOzl. This is a great card design and as usual, great colour choices too.
Katie K. says
Thanks for all the helpful tips!
Giselaine Ellison says
Very pretty card Cathy. Love the font of your dies and that there is a shadow.
Anneleise Hampson says
What a gorgeous card! Amazing color choice.
Mary-Anne V says
Beautiful floral card I love the rose die and the great word died too.
Kelsey Thomas says
Love this card!
Donna Kalinowsky says
Love how you used inks to color the card!
Kim Salito says
I love your videos. And your cards are always amazing too.
Kelly Hunsaker says
I love the simple style. It makes me believe I could do it too.
tina z says
Your card is lovely.
Sue D says
Very pretty with the ink blended rose.
Shelley Rodgers says
A simple but very effective card for many occasions! Thank you for making the video.
Beth Buss says
This is really pretty, Cathy. The rose stands along. Love it.
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