Waterside Retreat Designer Paper | Linda's Stampin' Escape

Hello Stampin’ Friends ~

There’s something so peaceful about sitting by the water… the gentle waves, the warm breeze, and that feeling of complete relaxation. Today, I’m bringing that same calming, carefree vibe right into your craft room as we create two beautiful summertime cards using the Waterside Retreat Designer Series Paper.

This collection truly captures the essence of a lakeside escape. With soft, sun-drenched colors, charming imagery, and patterns that feel both fresh and timeless, it makes creating stunning cards incredibly easy. In fact, this is one of those papers that does most of the work for you—perfect for those days when you want to sit down, relax, and just enjoy the creative process without overthinking every detail.

For today’s cards, I focused on letting the designer paper shine while adding just a few simple layers and embellishments to bring everything together. One card features a soft, all-over pattern with fish paired with the simple sentiment. Perfect for letting someone know they’re in your thoughts. Perfect for our friends and family who love to fish … watch the video for a fun tip.

The second card takes on a slightly more structured look, making it ideal for that warm summer day feel (think birthdays, thinking of you, or just because). I love how versatile this suite is… it truly gives you options for so many occasions!

You’ll notice how easy it is to mix and match these patterns, and how a simple die cut or focal point can completely transform the look. Whether you’re creating a quick card or taking a little extra time to add details, this paper supports both styles beautifully. It’s perfect for beginners and seasoned stampers alike.

And the best part? I’m sharing it all with you in today’s video! 🎥 You can watch step-by-step as I walk you through both card designs, share a few helpful tips along the way, and hopefully inspire you to pull out your own supplies and start creating.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH ON YOUTUBE

So pour yourself a cup of coffee ☕, or favorite beverage and settle into your favorite crafting spot, and let’s take a little creative escape together…

👉 Be sure to watch the video below and let me know in the comments—which card is your favorite?

Happy Stamping,
Linda 💙
Shining the Light on Creativity

Hello Stampin’ Friends ~

I am back from my Stamping Retreat – what a beautiful and fun weekend… I’ll be sharing from our retreat in upcoming posts. One of stamping sessions featured the Waterside Retreat and the Scenic Coast bundles that are in the upcoming catalog!

For today’s card, I wanted that stunning sunset to peek through and become the focal point, so I layered the Dotted Circles Embossing Folder over the card front and die cut the center opening to frame that glowing sun image. I just love how the embossed circles add movement and texture, almost like bubbles or sea spray dancing across the card. It’s such a fun and easy way to add interest to your projects, and because this embossing folder is currently on the Last Chance List, you may want to scoop it up soon if it’s been on your wish list. It’s one of those versatile folders that works beautifully for so many styles of cards.

To carry that peaceful shoreline feeling even further, I added the Adirondack chair from the Waterside Retreat Bundle, and I think it steals the show! Doesn’t it just invite you to sit down and stay awhile? The die-cut details in this bundle have such a relaxed, lakeside feel and pair beautifully with the Scenic Coast paper. I tucked the chair slightly over the die-cut opening to create depth and dimension, then added a simple “Relax” greeting to tie it all together. Sometimes a card doesn’t need lots of layers or complicated techniques—just thoughtfully chosen elements working together to tell a story.

What I especially love about this layout is how easily it could be adapted with other scenic papers or dies you already own. Try changing the sentiment, switching the chair color, or using this same window technique with florals, winter scenes, or even scrapbook pages. It’s a wonderful reminder that designer paper can be more than a background—it can be the inspiration for the whole project.

If this card has inspired you, I’d encourage you to take another look at your designer papers and let them shine! And if the Dotted Circles Embossing Folder or Waterside Retreat Bundle have caught your eye, be sure to grab them while they’re available—especially those Last Chance favorites.

I’d love to hear… does this card make you dream of the beach, or a peaceful lakeside retreat? Let me know in the comments. You’ll find some product details in the links below, the others will be available when the catalog goes LIVE on May 5th.

And as always, thank you for stopping by Linda’s Stampin’ Escape, where we’re always shining the light on creativity.