You Light Up My Life: Easy Lighthouse Card Featuring High Tide from The Rabbit Hole Designs!

Some of my favorite cards are the ones that come together quickly but still feel thoughtful and finished—and this one checks all those boxes. I created this clean and simple lighthouse card using the High Tide Stamp Set and High Tide Outline Dies from The Rabbit Hole Designs, and it turned out to be such a sweet little project. There’s something really charming about lighthouses, isn’t there? Maybe it’s the idea of guiding someone home or just offering a little light during a dark moment. That idea really stuck with me as I was making this card, and I think that’s why it felt so meaningful even with a minimal design.

You Light Up My Life: Easy Lighthouse Card Featuring High Tide from The Rabbit Hole Designs!

A Strong Focal Image Can Carry the Whole Card

I started by stamping the lighthouse image from the High Tide Stamp Set in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. This ink is my go-to when I’m coloring with alcohol markers, and it worked perfectly with my Ohuhu Brush Markers. The bold, clean lines of this lighthouse image make it incredibly easy to color—no tiny details to fuss with, but still plenty of space to add shading and bring it to life.

I colored the lighthouse with classic nautical shades: rich navy blue for the stripes, warm yellow for the windows, and a pop of red for the little door. I think adding a bold color like red in a small space really draws the eye and helps balance the design. The rocky base and surrounding greenery give it a grounded feel, and the built-in texture makes it easy to blend a few gray and green tones without overthinking it.

Pro Tip: When coloring larger solid areas like the blue stripes on this lighthouse, use your brush marker in long, smooth strokes to avoid streaks. Ohuhu markers are nice and juicy, so you can get that even blend pretty easily with a light hand.

White Space Is Your Friend

This is a clean and simple card at its core, so I really leaned into that by using a white-on-white panel setup. I mounted the die-cut lighthouse using the coordinating High Tide Outline Dies, which gave me just the right amount of dimension without making the card feel heavy. The base panel is slightly trimmed on the lower edge, creating a subtle wave-like curve that adds interest without stealing the spotlight.

The sentiment, “You light up my life,” is also from the same stamp set. I stamped it off-center and at a slight angle—just enough to feel intentional and give the design a little extra energy. It’s such a sweet phrase, and I love that it can be used for so many occasions: encouragement, friendship, even a “just because” note.

Finishing Touches That Add Sparkle, Not Clutter

Now, I know it’s tempting to keep adding elements, especially when you’ve got a clean layout. But here’s where restraint really pays off. I added just a handful of clear iridescent sequins to create a soft sparkle effect that mimics the idea of light without being too literal. Placing them near the lighthouse beam helps guide the eye upward and fills the space without overwhelming it.

Pro Tip: If you ever feel like a clean and simple card looks a little too empty, try adding a trio or cluster of clear embellishments. They give you visual interest while still keeping everything cohesive.

Why This Design Works

This card is all about balance. The large, detailed focal point (the lighthouse) is grounded by the simple sentiment and white background. The curve in the panel adds a touch of movement, and the sequins give it just a bit of shine. It’s one of those layouts you can easily replicate with other stamp sets—just swap out the image and sentiment, and you’ve got a whole new look.

It’s also a great design for those days when you want to make something heartfelt but don’t have hours to spend crafting. With just a few high-impact elements and a bit of thoughtful coloring, this card came together quickly—and honestly, I think it’s one of my favorites I’ve made with The Rabbit Hole Designs’ High Tide Set so far.

If you’ve been feeling stuck or unsure how to make clean and simple cards that still feel complete, I hope this gives you a little spark of inspiration. Sometimes all you need is a great stamp, a little pop of color, and a sentiment that speaks for itself.

Thanks for dropping by today I hope that you found a little spark of creative inspiration with my project today. 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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