Summer Card Idea using the Notes and Totes Bundle

You’ll love easy it is to make this Summer Card Idea using the Notes and Totes Bundle by Stampin’ Up!® This is one of those projects that makes you want to grab an iced tea, sit by the window, and spend the afternoon crafting something soft, sweet, and oh-so-meaningful. This warm and breezy handmade card combines soft seaside tones, delicate die-cutting, and simple ink blending for a look that feels both elevated and effortless.

The moment I saw the Notes and Totes Bundle, I knew I wanted to do more than build a tote bag. This Bundle has hidden gems—like the starfish and seashell dies, and speckled texture stamp—that are perfect for creating beachy cards. For this project, I paired those coastal dies with sentiments from the Notes & Totes Stamp Set, which includes a lovely script that adds just the right amount of elegance without being fussy.

The color palette sets the tone: Basic Beige for the background, Pool Party for the sky-meets-water wash, Petal Pink for softness, and Calypso Coral for just a pop of warmth. I started by blending Pool Party and Crumb Cake inks across a panel of white cardstock to create a soft ocean-meets-shore effect. Then I stamped the texture dots in Crumb Cake to mimic sand. The sentiment was added in a rich neutral ink—just dark enough to stand out without taking over the card.

The real charm comes in with the details. I die-cut the starfish and shell from Petal Pink and Calypso Coral paper and a few adhesive-backed gems bring in that dreamy glimmer of sun-on-water. The entire panel is layered onto a Basic Beige card base for a tone-on-tone finish that feels clean but cozy.

This card isn’t complicated, but it’s definitely more of a Worker Bee project due to the Dies. Between the ink blending, die-cutting, and subtle shading, it’s the kind of card you want to make when you’re in the mood to slow down and enjoy the process.

Whether you’re sending warm wishes to a friend or just looking for a summer-themed card idea that’s a little different, this one’s a keeper. It’s also a great way to stretch your Notes & Totes Bundle beyond totes and tags—and into seaside serenity.

Want to recreate this look? Grab the step-by-step tutorial below for full measurements, supplies, and tips to bring your own beachy card to life.

1. Fold the 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ piece of Basic Beige cardstock in half at the score line to create your card base.
2. Ink up one of your Blending Brushes using the Crumb Cake ink pad and lightly sponge onto the bottom of the 3″ x 5″ Basic White cardstock. Blend at an angle — see the sample for placement.
3. Ink up another of your Blending Brushes using the Pool Party ink pad and sponge ink onto the top of the Basic White cardstock, following the line of the Crumb Cake ink. Tip: sponge a very light amount of Pool Party ink where it lines up against the Crumb Cake ink.
4. Using the speckle stamp from the Bundle, ink up the stamp using the Crumb Cake ink pad, stamp off 2 times on your scratch paper and stamp over the Crumb Cake sponged area. Repeat as desired.
5. Stamp the sentiment onto the right side of the cardstock using Crumb Cake ink.
6. Run the scraps of the Subtles Designer Paper through the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine and cut 2 of the starfish out of the Calypso Coral paper and one of the shell from the Petal Pink paper. Adhere to the Basic White cardstock as shown in the sample; adhere to the front of the card.
7. To finish, add several of the Antique Pearls as desired.

Thanks for stopping by for today’s card tutorial! 

I appreciate you dropping by! My mission is to inspire you with card tutorials that are as fun to make as they are to give. If you’re curious about the specifics of crafting today’s design, just send me an email.  Want more papercrafting ideas?  Join my Facebook Community today.

Supplies Used On This Project: