Thanks for All the Kelp! CAS Thank You Card with Fin-Tastic from The Rabbit Hole Designs!

Hello, crafty friends! I’m back today with my last Mer-May card of the month, and I’m absolutely swimming with excitement about this one. It’s a clean and simple (CAS) design featuring the Fin-tastic Stamp Set and Fin-tastic Outline Dies from The Rabbit Hole Designs LLC — a duo that’s quickly become a go-to in my stash for all things underwater. This time, I decided to play around with a punny sentiment and a kelp-themed thank you card that felt just right to close out the month.

Thanks for All the Kelp! CAS Thank You Card with Fin-Tastic from The Rabbit Hole Designs!

A Little Inspiration Behind the Card

I have to admit, the sentiment “Thanks for the Kelp!” from this stamp set just cracks me up. It’s the kind of playful pun that instantly makes me think of bright, cheerful cards that are sure to bring a smile. I love when stamp sets have those unique little sayings that feel fresh and unexpected! So, for this card, I wanted to build a simple scene that would let the sentiment — and that sweet mermaid — really shine.

I started with my trusty Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80 lbs Cardstock. It’s smooth, blends beautifully, and is the perfect backdrop for coloring with my Ohuhu Brush Markers. I stamped out the mermaid and kelp images from the Fin-tastic Stamp Set using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink — still my favorite when working with alcohol markers because it doesn’t smear or bleed. Once everything was colored up, I used the Fin-tastic Outline Dies to cut them out in no time. There’s something so satisfying about how these coordinating dies line up perfectly!

Adding Texture with an Old Favorite

To give my background a little extra something, I pulled out an old swirls embossing folder from my stash. It’s been in my drawer for ages, and I love how it brings movement and a watery vibe to the card without adding busy patterns. I dry embossed another piece of the Neenah Classic Crest Solar White and cut it down to 4" x 5 1/4". It fit perfectly onto my top-folding A2 card base cut from Neenah Ultra Thick Cardstock — that heavyweight base is such a workhorse!

Since that exact swirl embossing folder isn’t available anymore, I linked to a similar one in my supply list below. I always say: don’t be afraid to swap in something new if you’re missing an older supply. It’s all about getting the look you love.

Bringing the Scene to Life

When it came time to arrange my mermaid and kelp, I wanted a little cluster of images in the bottom right corner. It’s a fun way to ground the scene and still leave lots of white space for that CAS vibe. I glued down the mermaid first with liquid adhesive, then added the kelp below her using foam tape so it looks like she’s swimming up from her sea garden.

But here’s the thing: the scene still felt a little… empty. That’s when I remembered my little box of leftover stamped images from this month. It’s a tip I always share: don’t toss those extras! They’re gold for finishing scenes or adding small accents. I rummaged through and pulled out a few seashells and a tiny fish that I had stamped and colored with the High Tide and Salty Air stamp sets — both from The Rabbit Hole Designs, too. Those tiny extras were just the ticket to filling in the scene and making it feel complete.

Finishing Touches for That Final Pop

For the sentiment, I grabbed one of my go-to white cardstock strips — I keep a stack of these next to my craft table so they’re always handy. I stamped “Thanks for the Kelp!” in Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink for that crisp, jet-black finish I love. A little foam tape and a dab of liquid glue helped me nestle it in amongst my scene.

To bring it all together, I reached for my trusty white gel pen and added a few highlights to the mermaid and kelp. It’s amazing how just a few little lines can make your coloring pop and bring a little sparkle to the finished piece.

Stretching Your Stash: My Favorite Tip

If there’s one takeaway from this card, it’s the magic of using those leftover bits and bobs. Don’t let them sit unloved in a box — pull them out and see how they can fill out a scene. It’s a fun challenge to see how you can stretch your supplies and create something totally new with what you already have.

This card is a perfect reminder that sometimes, the simplest designs can be the most fun to put together. I loved making this one and giving that mermaid a beautiful kelp home to swim through!

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing a bit of Mer-May magic with me. I can’t wait to see how you use your leftover images and stash to make your own fin-tastic cards! Keep creating, and I’ll be back soon with more cardmaking adventures.

Wondering what I used in this project? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails in the Materials Used section, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible.

Materials Used:

Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.

Happy Stampin'

Rick Adkins

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