You're My Best Catch! | C.C. Designs July Sneak Peek Day 3

When I first saw the new Crusty Stamp Set from C.C. Designs, I immediately pictured a fun nautical scene with bold reds and blues—and let me tell you, this little guy did not disappoint! Today’s card is part of Day 3 of the July 2025 Sneak Peeks, and if you love playful designs with a coastal twist, this one’s right up your alley. It’s got a little coloring, a bit of fussy cutting, and a lot of personality. I’ll walk you through the design choices I made and why they work together so well—because sometimes it's those little details that make a big impact.

You're My Best Catch! | C.C. Designs July Sneak Peek Day 3

Building a Bold Nautical Background

For the background, I reached for the Sea Life 6 x 6 Pattern Paper Pad from Echo Park. I’ve had this pad in my stash for a while, and it’s perfect for summertime crafting. The soft fish print was the ideal subtle background for my bold red focal point, and the red-and-white striped strips? Those reminded me of old-timey beach umbrellas or even lifeguard stands—just enough of a graphic pop without stealing the spotlight.

Pro Tip: When you’re working with bold patterns or colors, grounding your design with a cohesive palette makes all the difference. Limiting myself to a classic red, white, and blue color scheme helped keep this card looking clean and coordinated, even with several different elements in play.

Coloring the Star of the Show

I stamped the lobster from the Crusty Stamp Set in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto a piece of OLO Blending Cardstock—my go-to for alcohol marker work. I colored him in using my Ohuhu Brush Markers, sticking with rich reds and soft pinks for shading. This lobster has such a sweet expression, and the curved lines make it easy to add personality with just a few highlights and shadows.

Once he was all dressed up in red, I fussy cut him out. I know fussy cutting isn’t everyone’s favorite, but I actually find it kind of relaxing. I’ll usually throw on a podcast or some calming music and just take my time. Plus, cutting right up to the line gives a cleaner look, especially when you’re placing the image over patterned paper.

Sentiment Panels with a Coordinated Twist

The sentiment, also from the Crusty Stamp Set, is a fun one: “You’re my best catch.” I stamped it in Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink onto a square cut from Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock. To tie the panel into the rest of the card, I colored another square with one of the same red markers I used on the lobster—just a simple trick that creates instant coordination without digging for matching cardstock.

Pro Tip: If you’ve ever struggled to find the perfect matching layer for your focal point, try coloring a piece of cardstock with the same marker you used on your image. It guarantees a perfect match and makes the whole card look more polished.

Finishing Touches That Sparkle (But Not Too Much)

I used 1mm foam tape to pop up the focal panel, giving it just enough lift without making the card too bulky. A few Iridescent Dew Drops from PinkFresh Studio added a soft shimmer—kind of like sunlight hitting the ocean. And of course, a few touches of white gel pen brought some light and life into that red lobster shell.

I mounted everything onto a top-folding A2 card base made from Neenah Ultra Thick Cardstock, which is my favorite for card fronts that need to hold up to layers and embellishments. It’s sturdy, clean, and makes the whole design feel substantial in hand.

Why This Design Works

This card is one of those examples where color choice, repetition, and balance really do the heavy lifting. From the matching reds to the repeated stripes and ocean-themed patterns, every element feels like it belongs. It’s playful, summery, and bold—but still cohesive and easy on the eyes.

And sometimes that’s all a card really needs: strong color choices, a standout focal point, and a few thoughtful details to tie it all together.

Let me know if you’ve tried the Crusty Stamp Set yet, or if you’re planning to scoop it up when the new C.C. Designs release goes live on Friday, July 11. I’d love to hear how you’d use it—maybe a birthday card? A sweet thank you? There are so many fun possibilities with this little guy.

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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