Through High Tide and Low Tide: Simple Friendship Card Featuring Fin-Tastic!

Hey friends! Today I’m sharing a friendship card that’s full of charm, texture, and a little underwater whimsy. The best part? It’s built using just a few thoughtfully arranged stamped images—and it says a lot with very little.

I often get messages from fellow cardmakers saying, “I have all these cute stamps, but I never know how to mix them or place everything so it feels right.” And trust me, I’ve been there! Especially when you’ve got seaweed, mermaids, and adorable octopuses on your desk—all wanting to be part of the scene.

That’s where this card comes in. It's a great example of how to combine multiple stamp sets, create a balanced layout, and let your sentiment take center stage without being overshadowed. I used the High Tide and Fin-Tastic sets from The Rabbit Hole Designs LLC, and they work together beautifully.

Through High Tide and Low Tide: Simple Friendship Card Featuring Fin-Tastic!

Building a Visual Story with Stamps

When I sat down to create this card, I knew I wanted the sentiment—“High tide or low tide I’ll be by your side”—to carry the emotional weight. That gave me direction right away: the images should feel supportive, connected, and a little magical.

I started by stamping and coloring the mermaid on her shell from the High Tide Stamp Set, along with the seaweed and rock cluster, and the cutest little octopus from Fin-Tastic Stamp Set. These sets work so well together—you’d never guess they weren’t part of the same release.

I colored everything with my Ohuhu Honolulu Brush Markers (the 48 set plus the skin tones set). I really enjoy how blendable these markers are. They’re budget-friendly but don’t sacrifice performance, and they’re a great choice if you’re just starting to build a marker collection.

Pro Tip: When working with sea-themed images, don’t be afraid to go bold with your contrast—those deep shadows help underwater elements pop!

When in Doubt, Emboss It Out

Now, let’s talk backgrounds. Sometimes a bold ink-blended panel or patterned paper can be too much, especially when you want the sentiment and images to shine. So I reached for one of my favorite tricks: white-on-white dry embossing.

I used an embossing folder from my stash to add subtle texture to a panel of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80 lb Cardstock. This simple step gives the card just enough dimension without competing for attention. It also ties in beautifully with the die-cut images, which I popped up using foam adhesive for depth.

A Little Strategy for Layout

Creating a scene isn’t about filling every inch of your card. It’s about leading the eye—and I’m a big fan of using a visual triangle to do that. Here’s how I placed everything:

• The mermaid sits off to the right of the sentiment—she’s the anchor of the design.

• The seaweed cluster is tucked in at the bottom left—grounding the scene.

• The octopus peeks in from the top left, overlapping the sentiment just a bit—adding personality.

Together, these three points create balance and movement without clutter. It also helps the sentiment stay readable and front-and-center.

Sentiments that Stick

Speaking of the sentiment, I stamped it in Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink—one of my go-tos for crisp, dark impressions. This one says: “High tide or low tide I’ll be by your side.” Isn’t that the sweetest? It feels like something you’d tuck into a card for a best friend, sister, or even someone going through a hard time.

The Finishing Touches That Make It Yours

Once the main elements were in place, I added a few simple touches to bring the whole design to life:

• White gel pen highlights on the mermaid and octopus—just on the hair, cheeks, and little bits of the shell.

• Clear Water Dew Drop embellishments (from my stash) scattered around the sentiment and seaweed. They give that illusion of bubbles rising up—super fun!

• A bit of Stardust Stickles on the pearls—because a little sparkle goes a long way.

Pro Tip: When adding embellishments, think about their role in your design. Here, the dew drops lead the eye and reinforce the underwater vibe—they’re not just “bling.”

Final Thoughts

What I love most about this card is how easily it came together once I let the sentiment lead the design. Sometimes, we overthink our layouts or feel pressured to use all the things. But the truth is, a few well-chosen elements and some smart placement are all you need to create something heartfelt and beautiful.

If you’ve got stamp sets that feel a little intimidating to mix, try looking at them through the lens of a story. What images go together? What sentiment could tie them in? Start there—and don’t be afraid to let whitespace do some of the heavy lifting.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope this card inspires you to dig through your stash, mix up your sets, and create something that makes your heart smile.

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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