Beachy Birthday Card with Ink Blended Waves Using the Rolling Waves Bundle

This card just makes me happy! There’s something about that deep blue water against the sandy background that feels so realistic — like a little snapshot of the beach.

And I love that it works perfectly for a birthday card too. Who wouldn’t want a little ocean vibe in their mailbox?

This card starts with a Thick Basic White card base, then I added a layer of Crumb Cake cardstock for the sand. I blended Crumb Cake and Pecan Pie inks together to give it that natural beach look, then stamped the shells in Pecan Pie ink to add a little extra detail.

The water is where all the magic happens. I used Balmy Blue cardstock and blended Balmy Blue, Azure Afternoon, and Blueberry Bushel inks together to create that rich ocean color. After blending, I added some speckling with a Water Painter, which gives it that realistic, watery texture that looks like sunlight hitting the waves.

For the wave tops, I used the die cut from the Rolling Waves bundle in Basic White cardstock — this layer really brings everything to life and adds that foamy ocean look. The sentiment is stamped in Blueberry Bushel ink on a simple strip, which keeps the focus on the background.

I finished it off with Garden Epoxy Dots in Blueberry Bushel for just a little pop that ties everything together.

If you want your water to look more realistic, try adding a little splatter of water after ink blending. It breaks up the color and gives that natural, slightly uneven ocean look.

The full supply list for this card can be found further down on this blog post. You can also see the video link and the class information below!

ROLLING WAVES CLASS TO GO:

When you spend at least $50 in my online store (before tax and shipping and after applying any stampin’ rewards) from April 11 – 17, 2026, I will send you this week’s Class to Go packet for FREE! The packets will include 3 card kits (1 of each design). Packets will ship on April 21.

ROLLING WAVES TUTORIAL YOUTUBE VIDEO:

Watch this week’s card class on YouTube on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 5p central time (or catch the replay). Don’t forget to join me live on YouTube every Tuesday at 5p central!

SUPPLIES USED ON THIS PROJECT:

If you love creating scene cards or playing with ink blending, the Rolling Waves bundle is such a fun one to add to your craft room. It’s perfect for summer cards, birthday cards, and anything with a beachy feel. You can grab it in my online store and start creating your own little ocean scenes!

Rolling Waves Bundle (English)

[167145]

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

[159229]

Balmy Blue 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[146982]

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[120953]

Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad

[147105]

Azure Afternoon Classic Stampin' Pad

[161663]

Blueberry Bushel Classic Stampin' Pad

[147138]

Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad

[147116]

Pecan Pie Classic Stampin' Pad

[161665]

Blending Brushes

[153611]

Water Painters

[168253]

Garden Epoxy Dots

[167124]

Take Your Pick

[144107]

Stampin' Seal

[152813]

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

Let’s Stay Connected! If you give this design a try, I’d love to see your creations! Share them in my Facebook Group (click here to join). Need more inspiration? Join my email newsletter to stay up to date on classes, videos, and more!