Cathy Zielske's Blog

If you’ve been staring at those ink pads and wondering which color is best for a particular card project, there’s no time like the present to start swatching your inks! There are many ways to create swatch reference tools, but I’m a big fan of easy to grab swatch rings, where I can flip through colors with ease, to find the exact color I need.

Today I’m sharing how I’m approaching swatching in 2026! Check out my video here:

First up, let’s get you the free download. These are des...

It’s been a while since I shared what my go-to card making tools/supplies are. I shared a Top 5 Tools video back in 2022 (and yes, some things are still on my list!), so I wanted to give an updated look at some of the things I use every time I create. Plus, I will share a few honorable mentions here on this post, that didn’t make it into the video.

Shall we?

I have all of the items linked in the supply list below. Now, here are a few more things I use quite frequently that make ...

If you’d like to be entered for a chance to win the card from today’s livestream (April 22, 2026), just leave a comment below! I’ll choose a winner at random by next week’s live.

All supplies for this week’s livestream will be listed at the bottom of this post. In the meantime, check out the live (or replay) here: 

Today I have a promotion to share with my viewers in need of tape runner!

Stock up on Glue Tape! This tape runner from Altenew lays down the dots of adhesive l...

If you’d like to be entered for a chance to win the card from today’s livestream (April 15, 2026), just leave a comment below! I’ll choose a winner at random by next week’s live.

Today’s live features some lovely products from Hero Arts and they have provided a discount on any purchase over $100:

All supplies for this week’s livestream will be listed at the bottom of this post. In the meantime, check out the live (or replay) here: 

What a fun li...

Welcome to my unboxing and card making video for the May 2026 Card Kit from Simon Says Stamp, Long Stem Florals. Here is what’s in the kit:

It’s a little modern AND a little vintage. Let’s get into the video first:

Now let’s take a closer look at each card.

Card 1 felt very much like a me kind of card! I love how the drawers lined up, and the little bit of pink floral and the butterfly were designed so nicely. Sometimes your patterned papers just hand you a perfect design ...

Welcome to the blog hop to celebrate and showcase the April 2026 release from Altenew! Today I’m sharing my favorite way to ground a design, but using a cool new die set to achieve that effect, one that is actually designed for stitching!

First up, my tutorial:

Grounding is so easy and it’s a great way to hold your florals all together! While the Perfect Pegboards die set is designed for stitching, the dies work great for standalone shapes!

I think the spatter addition...

Today’s live is all about celebrating Altenew’s 12 anniversary and to that end, I have a special promotion to share with you:

Save 50% on the 7.5 x 10.75 Storage Pockets using my code at checkout, CATHYANNI. These storage pockets hold a lot and they’re strong and reinforced. Stock up and save.

If you click below my code will automatically be added to your cart.

Plus, today I’m sharing an extended discount code for the upcoming Secret Garden Online Card E...

Today I’m sharing how one blended panel can yield multiple cards using some of the new releases from Waffle Flower Crafts, plus some old favorites, as well. The Celebrate You release is out now but first, here is my tutorial.

You can do this with any of the Postage College stencil collection! Break them up into multiple cards.

Such a fun set to work with!

Today I have a $20 gift card up for grabs to the Waffle Flower shop. Just leave a comment on this blog post fo...

If you’d like to be entered for a chance to win the card from today’s livestream (April 1, 2026), just leave a comment below! I’ll choose a winner at random by next week’s live.

All supplies for this week’s livestream will be listed at the bottom of this post. In the meantime, check out the live (or replay) here: 

I absolutely LOVE how the card turned out:

I would not have chosen these colors but they work together beautifully.

Check out the Penny Lane paper pac...

Today I’m sharing three card ideas for Mother’s Day, starting with more of an expert level, then medium, then easy! These ideas could also go with any theme you are working with, as well. I have a brand new Mother’s Day stamp and die set in the Simon Says Stamp shop that I’ll be using for all three cards. First up, the video:

Even if you aren’t making a Mother’s Day card, I hope you can take some of the ideas for other cards!

Sometimes I love to spend more time, and others, w...