Cathy Zielske's Blog

And the pot continues to sweeten (charity:water)

Remember back on Monday, when I told you about the Circut that needs a new home and how if you donate just $5 to my charity:water campaign you'll be automatically entered for a chance to win that and a stash of scrapbook stuff?

Well my friends at Hero Arts have decided to add another sweet prize for me to giveaway. One other winner will get one of every new Cling stamp in the new Crazy for Clings catalog. That's about $130 worth of stamps and Clings look a little something like this:

Holy schnitke batman! That's some stampage pleasure! You can make things like this:

And this lovely card was made by the ever-talented, ever-thoughtful Jennifer McGuire, who was instrumental in hooking me and Hero Arts up! And look here. It's a little How to Use Clings video.

So again, if you donate to my charity:water campaign, you'll also have a chance to win this set. Two great prizes for a great cause. Thanks, Hero Arts!

Now, I realize the initial goal of $5K has been met, but there are still lots of days left in the campaign. And remember, $5 is all I'm asking for. 100 percent of your donation goes to do the actual work, not for admin or overhead.

Thanks, everyone! I look forward to giving away some goods in 57 days!

Quizzes, and Printables and Pages (oh my!)

(click on layout for bigness!) DIGITAL SUPPLIES: Aryanna Paper Pack, Weathered Neutrals Paperie, Ella Publishing Printable, Avenir font.

One of the ways I've been keeping busy since entering the realm of "I don't have a full-time job with a regular check " is by freelancing. I'm incredibly lucky to have built some good relationships over the years which let me continue to follow my passion and design from the safety of my cozy little office.

One of my newest clients is Ella Publishing Co. Ella, as many of you know, was launched by two of my former Simple Scrapbooks colleagues, Angie Lucas and Lain Ehmann, and is an eBook publishing company focusing on our favorite subject: memory keeping. Ah yes… memories.

While most of my work is the behind-the-scenes sort that most graphic designers do (I design the books and make them readable and pretty and then get the heck out of the way), Angie asked me to create a special collection of printables—pre-designed PDF journaling & title files—that corresponded to one of Ella's first eBooks, Quick&Creative Quizzes.

This inspiring collection of quizzes, written by Angie and Wendy Smedley, is designed to get you thinking and writing with the goal of creating some truly authentic slices of your life in the here and now.

I have designed a companion to the book. It's called Quick & Creative Quizzes Printables. This 37-page downloadable PDF book contains 10 sketches for 12 x 12 layouts that all correspond directly to the eBook, and included are printables that help you complete each layout. The cost is $3.99.

I've taken Angie and Wendy's quiz questions and created my own sketch interpretations. You simply print them onto cardstock, trim and use as part of your finished page.

The cool thing about printables is that you don't have to be a full-on digital expert to use them. You just need to have Adobe Acrobat and presto—you get to play with stuff that's designed and ready to go and create a truly hybrid final page. (You can also use the files to create a digital design, like I did.)

I just wanted to share the page above as an example of one of the sketches (and printables) that are part of the collection. Enjoy!

charity: water (I'm sweetening the pot)

As many of you blog readers know, I'm currently campaigning to raise money for charity: water to fund water projects in developing countries. The goal of charity:water is simple:  safe, clean and accessible water for all—something most of us never have to think about.

(To read the story that goes with the above photo, click here.)

I've challenged you, my blog readers, many of whom are scrapbookers, to take $5 that you would have spent on supplies for a layout and donate it to the campaign. Every single dollar you contribute goes to charity: water. Every single one.

Some of you have been more than generous, donating $10, $20, $50—heck, an anonymous donor gave a whopping $250! To date, 212 of you have given, and I just want to say thank you. Money doesn't grow on trees. There was a period in my life where I was so broke from not working that I couldn't justify buying adhesive without feeling guilty, and a good friend of mine sent me a gift certificate for Two Peas in a Bucket.  I share that with you because not everyone can give, and that is perfectly okay.

I've told you I'm going to give a box of scrap goodness to one random contributor pulled from the pool of all those who donate to my campaign. And trust me, I got LOTS of scrapbooking goodness to give. But this past weekend, I decided to sweeten the pot, and add this to the loot I'm giving away:

Yep. I'm giving away a brand spankin' new Cricut, along with four cartridges, and other Cricut accoutrements.  All you have to do to be part of this? Donate $5 to my campaign.

The only thing you won't get from me is the original box, because I recycled it right after I got it. This Cricut has been used for all of 1 day. The reason I'm giving it away is that I can't justify keeping something if I don't truly plan to use it. I've been dabbling a lot more in digital scrapbooking lately, and I would feel much better if this baby went to someone who a) could use it and b) who loves clean water.

How does that sound?

My campaign goal is $5,000. I have 60 days left on this campaign. I have a sneaking suspicion we'll be blowing that number out of the water.

So to sum up: I am going to draw one winner from all of those people who donate to my campaign for charity: water and I'm going to send them my brand new, barely even looked at Cricut, and a stash of other scrapbooking goodness.

Remember: I am not asking you to go nuts. Just $5 that you would have spent on scrapbook supplies to complete one layout. As of right now, you have a 1 in 212 chance to win a brand new Cricut, and while that number may go up, I still think the odds are pretty decent.

Here's raising a glass to you. Thank you.

From 4th grade to prison

Yesterday at school, Coleman apparently got into mild trouble for making and playing with a paper fortune teller, and it was taken away. He made another one on the bus, on his way home from school.

As he was asking me to pick a number, I was still wholly fixated on the fact that he'd gotten into trouble and I said something to the effect of: "Hey, buddy. Do NOT be a 4th grade trouble maker, you got it?"

To which he replied:  "I go from 4th grade to America's Most Wanted. That's just great."

Today's moral? It's a fine line between much-loved childhood traditions and a lengthy prison term.

(And don't you forget it, young man.)

STAY OFF DRUGS!

And have a great weekend.

Sponsor Giveaway: ScrapScription {the winner!}

The winner of the kit is…

Peggy, who wrote:

I will say my most favorite thing about fall is the changing of the leaves. I love all the GORGEOUS colors. I live in upstate and NY and my ride to and from work everyday is the absolutely best for fall foliage.

Peggy, email me me to claim your prize, and thanks to ScrapScription for the awesomely cool kit!

Note: ScrapScription is offering free US shipping until sept 30th on any kit (except for new Scrapscriber signups). For intl orders they are offering a $5.95 credit toward shipping.

Fall is officially here, and my newest sponsor ScrapScription is giving away their super gorgeous, Fallish, yummy September kit to one of my blog readers.

Read the description here:

The sound of leaves crunching under your feet as you take a walk through the park, the smell of apples in the orchard, and the feel of a cool autumn evening next to the fire. Take a hint from nature and complete an album dedicated to all the things you love about autumn. Starting with the Basic Grey Milk Chocolate Chipboard Stepped Bracket album we’ll transform each page into a beautiful space to showcase your fall pictures with Basic Grey’s brand new Indian Summer patterned papers, cardstock stickers, and coordinating White Chocolate chipboard alphabet.  The browns, rusts, and golden tones are paired with a gorgeous maroon and fresh cherry vanilla color palette reminiscent of a sizzling autumn sunset. You’ll love the pre-stamped images, large paper flower, ribbons, and other embellishments that complete each page. As always, each kit comes with a full-color set of step by step instructions to put your album together!

Mmmm. Seriously cool! So, if you would like to win this lovely Fall kit, leave a comment and tell me your single favorite thing (or—gasp—least favorite thing) about my personal favorite of all seasons, Fall.

I will draw a winner sometime tomorrow! Good luck!

Learn more about the people behind ScrapScription here and take a peek at their idea gallery.

[comments are now closed]

Find a picture, add some words

(click to see the layout larger in a new screen)

 DIGITAL SUPPLIES: Bellissimo Paper Pack, Weathered Neutrals Paperie, template by Ali Edwards, Courier font

My creative friend an fellow designer Ali Edwards is releasing a new template this weekend over at Designer Digitals, inspired by a recent post from her blog. While Ali did a page that captured her life in the moment, I decided to use Ali's template to capture a slice from the life of One-Three.

And lucky me, I just happened to have a few fresh shots of her ready to be scrapbooked.

I gotta tell ya, this digital thing? Pretty stinkin' cool. I played with this layout for an hour yesterday, swapping out colors and papers. Yet the overall simplicity of the design and concept speaks to me.

Thanks for the coolness, Ali. This, much like Aidan's new hair, rocks.

Look for Ali's template this Saturday at Designer Digitals.

Can't touch this.

(Note: if you are my Mother, you might want to SKIP reading the following post as it involves HAIR that is being CUT, and I know how that... upsets you... You have been warned, Shirley!)

My girl got a haircut the other day. Cut and color. She'd been wanting to chop the old locks off for a while now, and who am I—the global embassador of short hair—to stop her?

I mean, it's not like it's that short. It's still longer than mine, which means I still WIN! But she can do artsy-moody pretty well, so maybe I need to watch my back.

She also does the winsome, contemplative side-gaze fairly well.

Oh, who am I kidding? In the generationally transcendent words of MC Hammer: you can't touch this.

Stealing great ideas from children

That's it! I'm using this as my new idea for a business card. My middle initial just happens to be 'A' as well. Good idea, Coley.

(Thanks to my friend Gwen for digging this out of her son's pocket, where this card ended up, and sending me the shot. Peek at more of her pretty photos here.)

Have a great weekend, blog readers.

I'm bringing design back…(yeah)

I'm extremely thrilled to report that Big Picture Scrapbooking is letting me run my design workshop as the first leg of their 4 Experts series for 2010. More details will be coming soon, but here's what I can tell you:

• It runs from December 31 until March 24 (12 weeks)

• It will cost $99

• It is the same class I taught in late 2008, with modifications to include digital scrapbookers

• It will change the way you make layouts…for the better

• DYL 2008 Alumni will be able to register and take the class at a greatly reduced rate.

There will be more details coming soon on Stacy Julian's blog. The official announcement on the Four Experts will come on Oct. 1st. I'm in some pretty great company. My full class description and registration information will be coming soon.

One of my favorite albums (and a freebie for you!)

If any of you out there have read my second book, Clean&Simple Scrapbooking: The Sequel, you might recall this bad boy:

 

(Copyright CK Media on the above, and the following four images.)

This is my Halloween album. A simple themed album, with a basic design that is simply one of my favorite scrapbooks. Let me refresh your memory as to the contents. Above, of course, is the title page to my album. I know, ADORABLE. 

Then we have the introduction (click to see all of these larger):

 

Next we have the dedication (thank you, Jerry Seinfeld!):

 

Followed by the album guts:

It's just year after year of Halloween goodness, and such a visible way to document, OH MY HECK! The kids are growing!

Here are the pages you didn't see in the book, including Aidan's 2nd and 3rd and 4th Halloween, which for some reason, got the axe in the editing room:

 

Okay, so maybe it wasn't my finest moment in Holiday photography, still… pretty friggin' cute if you ask me.

And okay, I know it LOOKS like the same year, but trust me, she had grown.

 

(FYI: After the fourth installment, I walked away from the black and white film.)

And here are the ones that came AFTER the book was published:

 

 

Sure, the ink colors were slightly off from year to year on account of changing printers and levels of ink, but that's not really the point of this project now is it?

I realized last week I hadn't added to the album since 2007. Naughty little scrapbooker! So, I'm now working on the files to complete 07 and 08. Here's 07 so far, in digital form:

 

 

And I would show you 2008, but I have NO record of my eldest child from last year. Needless to say, when I confessed to Aidan that I hadn't managed to get her on film she was HORRIFIED. Who would have predicted that reaction?

No worries, I'll figure out something to go with this picture:

 

I share this album with you because I'm always struck by how powerful a simple approach can be. A shot per year and a bit of journaling for a finite period of life. This is simple scrapbooking at its best.

I created this album in 2004 after Aidan had clocked in more than a few All Hallows Eves. My point: you can always go back and find a shot here or there and make a complete picture of a tradition or other memorable, continuing event.

AND NOW A TREAT FOR YOU: In the spirit of Halloween treats, I converted this album design into two layered PSD files for you, my template lovin' blog readers. You can use them for a digital album or be like me, and go hybrid. The journaling page has been designed using Arial, which is simply a placeholder font. Feel free to add in whatever font  you like. My album you see above uses Gill Sans.

Here's to simplifying the process!

(to download, click on links. PC users: right-click, and scroll to "Save Target As"; Mac users can just click on the links.)

Download CZ8x8TemplateA

Download CZ8x8TemplateB

Enjoy!