Cathy Zielske's Blog

Say, thar's gold in them there hills!

Photographic background gold that is!

I present Exhibit A:

If you have been reading my blog of late, you're well aware of the cosmetic improvements happening at Chez Zielske (and yes, I will do a complete remodel post when all work is completed). But you have seen how this lovely shade of green is now part of my neighborhood's landscape, yes?

Well who knew it would be a photographic goldmine of a background?

Okay, maybe I did. I present the resulting scrapbook page of said background as Exhibit B, which also happens to officially be my new favorite scrapbook page of all time, for this week.

Oh for stinkin' cute. Seriously? Get out! No, I'm serious. Please leave and compose yourself because the cuteness and overall design tightness is too glorious to behold.

(See, a little positive self talk goes a LONG way for us scrapbookers, who may or may not get out much.)

I couldn't help calling it the Green Monster (Hello, any Red Sox fans in the hizzouse?), and yet it is not an intimidating force preventing all but the hardest hit of homerun balls, but rather one that inexplicably draws the scrapbooker nearer to pose her more willing children for photographic moments of glee.

Cue the choir of angels here.

I just had to share how my new affinity for green stucco inspired a page…about my affinity for green stucco.

Amen.

SUPPLIES: background paper (Just Linens No. 1 by Michelle Martin) • Interstate Extra Light and Thin fonts. Note: this template will be available next weekend in my Designer Digitals collection.

 

 

Remembering and honoring

Here's to remembering all of those men and women who've died serving our country, and to those still out there, doing their jobs every day to preserve everything this country stands for.

I'm so grateful to live in a place where voices can be heard—some popular, some not as much—but all able to shout what they believe from the rooftops. I'm thankful for the men and women who honor this ideal with their service.

Also in my thoughts today, the many tornado victims across the country. From right here, just 10 miles away in own back yard of Minneapolis to Missouri and across the South. For those lost and those who have lost everything.

For more information on how to help, click here for the Red Cross.

The CZ Design giveaway winners are...

Ladies, email me at czdesign@comcast.net. I'll have you pick out five of any of my products from Designer Digitals.

It was really cool to read how people found this blog. All I can say to you blog readers is thank you for continuing to come back.

Sponsor Appreciation + A CZ Design Giveaway

Today I'd like to take a post to thank and feature every one of my blog sponsors. As a self-employed designer, writer and blogger, the support of these sponsors gives me a way to help other small business people as well as provide a piece of the financial puzzle to allow me to continue doing the work that I love. I am extremely grateful to those advertisers who have chosen to promote their businesses here on my blog.

Please click through some of the links today, and get to know the goods and services of my sponsors. It's a diverse group of creative, memory-saving, photo-taking, and organizing kind of folks. Tell them I sent you, with much, much gratitude.

And to thank YOU for checking them out and for coming here and reading my blog, I'm going to giveaway three blog readers a set of (5) digital products of their choice chosen from my entire collection at Designer Digitals. That includes digital and hybrid album sets as well. Read on to learn more about my blog sponsors.

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ABOUT RENEEPEARSON.COM:

Ready to take the plunge into digital crafting? Or, perhaps you’re eager to polish or advance your current skills. No matter where you are on the learning scale, we have what you’re looking for at ReneePearson.com.

Renee Pearson literally “wrote the book” on digital scrapbooking. Now she’s built a teach team composed of the best designers, artists and photographers who share their skills, their processes and their secrets.

A ReneePearson.com student says it best: “There are lots of places I can go to learn digital scrapbooking. But ReneePearson.com is the only place I found that has the variety of topics and the quality of instruction at an affordable price. Keep up the good work.”

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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ABOUT CAPTURE YOUR 365:

CaptureYour365 is a community for photography ideas, inspiration, and support.  The CY365 gallery, community and blog is packed with information to improve your photography and memory keeping whether you are a taking a photo once a day, once a week, or occasionally.

Join the mailing list to receive a daily 365 prompt. Be the first to learn about available classes and upcoming photo challenges or get the link to each month’s photo idea list.
 
Visit CaptureYour365. You don’t need to know your f/stop from your ISO to take part in the conversation.

Website|Facebook |Twitter

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ABOUT A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE:

A Walk Down Memory Lane is your premier scrapbook and stamping headquarters. We have all of your favorite companies in the store, as well as some new companies you may not have seen before.

As a scrapbook supplies online scrapbooking store we offer more items than any of the local scrapbooking shops with scrap book items from all the major scrapbook suppliers including hard to find items. All Craft Supplies is your source for all your scrapbooking supplies delivered fast to your door. Compare our prices and selection of scrapbooking supplies with Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Michael's and other big box stores. Find Scrapbook Manufacturers and scrapbook supplies at discount prices here at awdml.com. Please take a look at our huge inventory of scrapbooking supplies from your favorite scrapbook manufacturers. Scrapbooking Supplies Is The Everything You Need for Scrapbooking. Scrapbooking Supplies Will Help You Create Beautiful, Personalized Scrapbooking Projects that you will Treasure for a Lifetime. Scrapbooking Supplies Learn How To Create Beautiful, Personalized Scrapbooking Projects that you will Treasure for a Lifetime.

Website | Facebook

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ABOUT SCRAPSCRIPTION:

ScrapScription is a unique and innovative kind of scrapbooking kit website.  No matter where you live, you can create creative scrapbook projects using our friendly kits, detailed instructional sheets, and coordinating product packs which are delivered right to your door.  Simply pick and choose which kits work best for you or better yet, join our monthly club, ScrapScribers!  As a ScrapScriber, you will automatically receive our mid-month release each and every month.  Besides getting each shipment at a reduced price, check out the ScrapScriber page to learn about other benefits.  Sign up to become a ScrapScriber by June 10th and we will pay the shipping costs on your first shipment!  Simply use the shipping code CATHYZ to receive this offer.

Website | Facebook

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ABOUT SIMPLIFY 101:

simplify 101’s mission is to make getting organized fun! Founded by Aby Garvey, the co-author of The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker, simplify 101 specializes in online organizing workshops that make it affordable and fun to work with a professional organizer! Simplify 101 is excited to announce their brand new online workshop Organizing with Your Kids. This online workshop teaches you how to team up with your kids and create results you both love! Save 15% now through May 31st by using the code KIDS15CZ during checkout. (Coupon may not be combined with other offers.)

Get a taste of simplify 101—and the organized life—with their FREE, simple-to-follow guide How to Create a Command Central Binder.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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ABOUT SCRAPPIN' STUFF:

Scrappin’ Sports Stuff is your all-in-one online shop for sports scrapbook supplies. Featuring both popular sports and extracurricular activities, we have the scrapbook papers, stickers, embellishments and scrapbook kits for all your pages from Baseball to Wrestling.

We offer more than just sports though. Beyond the sports field, we feature extracurricular activities and school events such as band, dance, drama, gymnastics, karate, scouting and off road activities. We even carry popular gaming supplies for video games and board games.

In addition to the broadest selection of scrapbooking supplies for every sport, Scrappin’ Sports Stuff also offer a full resource center with sports quotes, poems and free fonts, a gallery full of scrapbooking layouts for sports and scrapbook sketches to help you complete those scrapbook sports pages.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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ABOUT WILLETE:

Willette is a photography blog that provides photography tips, inspiration and products geared towards professional AND amateur photographers who want to better document their lives and their children’s lives with their cameras.  The products range from the finding the joy ebook, the portrait cookbook posing guide series, and there are tons of freebies on the blog including free photoshop and element action sets and lightroom presets, and the right now photography challenge.
 
Until June 1st, all willette products found at the Willette shop are 60% off with the code willie60, and the finding the joy ebook is currently only $35 (typically a $75 product).
 
Whether you just want to learn to take better photos of your OWN children or if you’d like to venture into taking photos of OTHER people’s children, willette is a great resource!

Website | Facebook

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ABOUT SCRAPBOOKING FROM THE INSIDE OUT:

Every month Scrapbooking from the Inside Out creates an emotion-focused kit that brings you the freshest supplies along with symbolism that will help you tell your real story. Each month’s delivery is a unique, stylish creation that will take you to new places in your heart and your crafting. Our industry-exclusive FREE Inspiration Page each month provides you with a multimedia support system - including deep journaling prompts, a music playlist, quotes, photos and evocative challenges to make your tender heart and creative mind and hands flow. Our kits are so much more than pretty - they're all about a deeper experience of scrapbooking - inspiration, emotional release and real understanding.

Website | Facebook

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ABOUT SCRAPBOOK CIRCLE:

Scrapbook Circle is a monthly kit club that is committed to bring you the newest scrapbooking products every month. The kits are a combination of products from many different manufacturers each month, so you are always guaranteed a fresh and creative collection of supplies. There is a low 2-month commitment if you would like to receive the kits at a discounted price or you have the option to purchase single kits. With a talented design team providing daily blog posts and creative ideas with every kit, you will find and endless supply of inspriation on the site. 

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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ABOUT FRITTS CREATIVE:

LeAnne at Fritts Creative has combined her passion for photography with her need to be creative!  By taking pictures of nature, architecture and everyday objects that resemble letters of the alphabet, she creates unique and colorful photographic letter art.  Using these pictures as letters, customers choose their own combinations to make personalized names and words.  Available in either color or B&W and with over 250 letter choices, there is a word for everyone.  From Name Frames to Word Plates, she want you to have fun and be creative!

Name Frames are 10- x 20-inch collage prints which allows the addition of personalized text—perfect for wedding, anniversaries and family names.  This is a print only, no framing.

Word Plates are individual 4x6 photographic prints, framed under glass and connected into one long framed piece.  A little funkier than name frames, word plates are very popular with kids of all ages.

For sample layouts, letter choices  and ordering please visit her website , Etsy shop  or Facebook page.

Website | Facebook | Etsy Shop

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ABOUT BITE-SIZED SCRAPBOOKING:

Bite-sized Scrapbooking is a simple and fun way to make layouts. For just $5 per month, subscribers receive three email messages each week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday), guiding them to create a layout based on the inspiration layout of the week. First, gather photos and words; second, gather supplies; and third, complete your layout using the inspiration layout as a guide. With this unique approach to scrapbooking, much of the decision-making time is eliminated, so your pages come together quickly and easily. Bite-sized Scrapbooking can help you get your stories scrapped, enjoy the process, and use your stash! Get your Bite-sized Scrapbooking FREE Sampler today.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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ABOUT PHOENIX SCRAPBOOK COTTAGE:

A relaxing retreat is just around the corner!  Phoenix Scrapbook Cottage offers:

• 24-hour access to your own scrapbooking space
• Six-foot wide personal work area with a comfortable chair, full-spectrum light, and drink holder
• Comfortable beds with plush linens
• A quiet, relaxing, home-like atmosphere for you and your friends to crop the weekend away
• Scrapbooking tool room with a computer, tons of fonts, a wide-format printer, cricut machine, stamps, idea books, and much more
• Wireless internet
• Fully-equipped kitchen
• Unlimited snacks and drinks
• Open nearly every weekend of the year

No bunk beds!  No uncomfortable hotel meeting rooms!  No schedule!

So, grab your friends, gather your photos, and get ready for a relaxing and fun time! Visit us at www.phxscrapcottage.com.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Thanks again to all of my present sponsors (and my past ones as well!) Please visit their sites to see all of what these small business woman (and men) have to offer!

TO ENTER THE CZ DESIGN GIVEAWAY: Leave me a comment today and tell me how you came to find this blog in the first place. And thanks again, for continuing to come back! I'll choose the winners on Sunday evening.

{Comments are now closed. Check back to see if you're a winner.}

 

What she has meant to me.

Today is finally here. The last official broadcast of the Oprah show. When it was announced late last summer, it seemed like a day that was eons away in the distant future in some alternate universe. In short: this day was a hard one to really believe was a-comin'.

Some people love Oprah. Some people couldn't give a rat's tushka about her.

I belong squarely in the Love Her category and I'm going to try my best to tell you why.

I turned 20 in 1986, the same year that Oprah's show went on the air nationally. At 20, I was officially an adult (or so I liked to believe.) As such, I did a very non-adult thing and I moved back into my parent's new home in Texas following a family relocation from Seattle in order to finish my college education. For the first time in my life I had a television in my room—with cable! My favorite show was thirtysomething and I watched the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson every single night before going to bed.

In 1986 and for many years to come, talk shows were sensational, sometimes a wee bit trashy and usually good for an hour of entertainment when I needed a break from studying for an upper level communications final. I also didn't know a lot of people in Texas, and I'm not ashamed to say Oprah kept me company during times I wished I had someone to hang out with.

I'd like to say that I remember each and every Oprah show I ever saw, but I don't. I remember thinking she was a breath of fresh air in the milk toast television landscape. I loved that she was different. At the time, I felt like a different person myself, one that was trying so hard to figure out who I was and who I wasn't and where I fit into this world at large.

I do recall, however, one Oprah show, and for the life of me, I can't find a link to it, but it was a show on racism, where they had a group of African American men and caucasian men in a room for a really frank and sometimes shocking discussion on race in America. I remember very clearly it being one of the first times (and Lord, how it wouldn't be the last) that I was absolutely glued to the discussion, with tears streaming down my cheeks as I felt the raw emotion and the pain in that room behind my television screen.

Oprah made me think about things I hadn't thought about before. She made me empathize on a regular basis. She made me cry during non-prime time television.

In 1998, after two years of post-baby weight gain that had gotten completely out of hand, I bought her book "Make the Connection" and did exactly what she and Bob Greene told me to do. There is a list of 10 things to live by in that book, and live by them to the letter I did. In a year, I lost 40 pounds and returned to my fighting weight. Of course, I also decided to pick up smoking again, and kissed the exercise component goodbye.  But during that glorious year, I worshipped at the fitness altar of Oprah daily, believing, truly believing that if I did what she did, everything was going to be okay.

When Oprah failed at her own fitness goals, I shared in that too. As I started to smoke again, I remember feeling like a failure as well. And when I quit a second time, and the weight came back on, I had her right there with me, realizing that some things in life are hard for just about everybody.

When Oprah made the decision to use her show as a platform for good, I cheered. She rose above the sea of "schlalk" shows and elevated the medium to a whole different level. Sure, she had her fair share of makeover shows and related fluff, but by and large, when I watched her show I learned something new, or I at least thought about it in a different way.

Oprah even got me into trouble at work from time to time. I remember once in 1998, Madonna was slated to be on as a guest. It was right around the time of her Ray of Light album, which I adored, and I really wanted to get home early to watch the show.

I was working as a designer for the Science Museum of Minnesota at the time, and my day ended at 4 p.m., right when Oprah's show comes on the air. Because I had no concept of how to use a VCR, I said to my boss at about 3:40, "Can I head out a little early? Madonna's going to be on Oprah and I really want to see it," to which he replied, in a very gruff and pissed off voice, "So now we have to compete with Oprah?"

Needless to stay I didn't get home in time to see the whole thing, and everyone knows the first 15 minutes are critical and set the tone for every show.

In the last year, I've watched more Oprah than I probably have in all the past year's combined. Mostly because I don't work as many hours as I used to, and also because I've been keenly aware that this afternoon television respite that has on occasion elevated me to the highest levels of human compassion is soon to be filed under the No More category.

People can say what they want about Oprah. That she's arrogant, that she's out of touch, that she's just a bit too big for her britches, but I will tell you this: anyone who tries to put something positive out into the world is to be admired in my book.

Anyone who has made a person think differently about even the smallest of things has made a tremendous impact in the world.

She has made me think differently and for that I am grateful and I will miss her daily show.

I still think she should have focused a bit more on scrapbooking, but what the heck. At least Lisa Bearnson got on there once.

God speed, Oprah Winfrey.

With much gratitude and love,

Cathy

Final day to save at Designer Digitals

SUPPLIES: Layered Template No. 82 (Cathy Zielske) • Wonderful Idea Dots Paper Pack (Jesse Edwards) • Just Linens No. 1 Paper Pack (Michelle Martin) • Boxed Days Brushes and Stamps (Cathy Zielske) • Archer font

Today is the final day to stock up and save at the Designer Digitals 2nd Quarter Sale.

I made this page over the weekend, while thinking about this whole health and fitness journey I've been on for the past year and a half. Maybe it seems weird that I keep trying new things. This month, I'll give up meat! This month, I'll eat more protein! This month, I'll stand on my head for 2 hours every day and recite poetry!

I'm just trying to find something that fits for the long haul and works with my particular chemistry. I look forward to posting on the Move More Eat Less front in the beginning of June. I'm trying to cut out excess and hidden sugars presently, and also trying to avoid anything made of white flour. Baby steps here.

So far, I feel great. I'm having food like eggs and sprouted grain toast with butter for breakfast and it seems to be agreeing with me. I'm also taking a hard look at my fitness regime and realizing it is time to mix it up. Running and swimming are great, but there is zero muscle building going on right now. This has to change. I'm actually planning on attending my first BodyPump class on Friday if I can just get over my anxiety about group fitness classes. Maybe a Zanax before hand will help?

Of course, I jest.

Just sharing a page and reminding you that today is the last day of the sale. Have a lovely Tuesday.

Project Life Check In

So after doing my first three weeks of Project Life, I sort of fell off the scrap wagon. What? Gasp. Noooo! Say it isn't so, Cathy!

But the cool thing about Project Life? No big whoop. You can easily recover and here's how I did just that for the past three weeks.

I created a smart folder in iPhoto and defined it by the date. I entered April 23 through May 14 and voila, all of my photos taken during that time were nicely separated from the bulk of my library.

Turns out I took 162 photos during that three-week slot. Can you imagine if that was back in the film days? I'd be on the fast track to running out of grocery funds.

But I decided that I really didn't want to try and cover three spreads in my album to make up the time. I just wanted to hit the highs in one two page spread. Period.

And that's exactly what I did. Whew! Talk about easy and guilt free!

It covered Mother's Day, Aidan's confirmation, choosing paint color for our home and a shirtless Rob Lowe. I feel I hit the high points, indeed.

And here is the week that I didn't share back in April, which is when my so-called slump began.

Ahhhh. Just like that, the slump is over, baby!

I really like having layered journal cards or even just using story card brushes to do a weekly (or tri-weekly summary) for one of my 6 x 4 pockets. For me, it's an easy way to get the highlights down for the week.

I may do this two- and three-week synopsis spreads again. Sometimes it might be because I'm falling behind and other times just because I want to trim down how many shots I'm printing and saving.

I will say it again: this system is flexible and forgiving.

That's my kind of project indeed.

 

And the winner of the giveaways are…

The winner of their choice of word or name, letters and color or BW. (Word plates are US only, Name Frames can ship anywhere) from Fritts Creative is:

The winner of a spot in Illustrator 2 with Laura Coyle, an intermediate Adobe Illustrator class is:

Ladies, contact me at czdesign@comcast.net to claim your prizes.

 

She really is amazing

SUPPLIES: StoryGuide No. 2 (Cathy Zielske) • Transitions Paper Pack (Ali Edwards)

The Designer Digitals 2nd Quarter Sale is in full swing, and to celebrate we are hosting an all day chat on Saturday, complete with lots of awesome free downloads. I'll be chatting at 10 a.m. Eastern time tomorrow morning. The topic: type. Join me and the entire team for a fun day of digital goodness and online chatting. Plus, my freebie is a pretty cute one! See you tomorrow morning (provided the world is still here, of course.)

Sponsor Giveaway: photographic letter art from Fritts Creative

Fritts Creative is offering one blog reader their choice of (1) 10- x 20-inch Custom Name Frame Print OR and (1) Word Plate, 8 letters or less. Your choice of word or name, letters and color or BW. (Word plates are US only, Name Frames can ship anywhere)

ABOUT FRITTS CREATIVE: LeAnne at Fritts Creative has combined her passion for photography with her need to be creative!  By taking pictures of nature, architecture and everyday objects that resemble letters of the alphabet, she creates unique and colorful photographic letter art.  Using these pictures as letters, customers choose their own combinations to make personalized names and words.  Available in either color or B&W and with over 250 letter choices, there is a word for everyone.  From Name Frames to Word Plates, she want you to have fun and be creative!

THE PRODUCTS: Name Frames are 10- x 20-inch collage prints which allows the addition of personalized text—perfect for wedding, anniversaries and family names.  This is a print only, no framing.

Word Plates are individual 4x6 photographic prints, framed under glass and connected into one long framed piece.  A little funkier than name frames, word plates are very popular with kids of all ages.

For sample layouts, letter choices  and ordering please visit her website , Etsy shop  or Facebook page.

TO ENTER: Tell me what word you'd have created if you won. I'll choose a winner on Sunday night.

Comments are now closed.