Layered Beach Scene Alternative Card - April 2026 Paper Pumpkin Lakeside Retreat Stampin' Up!

Today I’m sharing my tenth alternative card idea using the April 2026 Paper Pumpkin Kit – Lakeside Retreat!

This card combines soft coastal scenery with layered textures and patterned paper for a clean but detailed design. I love how the beach scene instantly creates a calm relaxing feel while the navy accents add contrast and depth.

For this design, I focused on:

●     Layering multiple patterned elements

●     Mixing soft coastal colors with darker navy accents

●     Creating dimension with simple strips and textures

●     Letting the scenic artwork remain the star of the card

The combination of:

●     Coastal scenery

●     Stripes

●     Woodgrain textures

●     Twine details

creates such a relaxed lakeside feel.

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The Cutting Guide is one of the most requested resources I create—it shows exactly how to cut your cardbases/gift boxes to make all of my alternatives. Cut Club members get it EVERY MONTH.

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Supplies

Paper Pumpkin Subscription

[166815]

Waterside Retreat 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[167920]

Very Vanilla 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166784]

Basic Beige 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[164511]

Peaceful Pine 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[167691]

Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad

[147116]

Mini Corrugated 3 D Embossing Folder

[165559]

Baker's Twine Essentials Pack

[155475]

Add All to Cart

 

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Measurements

Thick Basic White Cardbase – 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" scored at 4-1/4"

Waterside Retreat DSP – Grasses & Beach Scene

Misty Moonlight – 1/2" strip

Basic White – 1-1/4" Circle

White & Gold / Vanilla Twine – 10"

White Woodgrain Cardbase* – 1-1/4" x 3”

Blue & White Stripe Cardbase* – 1-1/4" x 4”

Envelope* – 3” x 5”

Card Assembly Instructions

1. Add Details to the Envelope Piece
Using a Blending Brush and Misty Moonlight ink add a darker edge around the 3” x 5” Envelope piece.

Stamp the Flying Birds in MIsty Moonlight in the top corners at different lengths.

Splatter with Pecan Pie ink, I used Dark Blend Marker.

2. Beach Scene
Cut from Waterside Retreat Designer Series Paper the Beach with Grasses Scene to 3” x 3-1/2".

Add the 1-1/4" x 3” White Woodgrain piece to the bottom.

3. Stamp Texture on Strip
Stamp the Rope Detail vertically across the Misty Moonlight strip in Misty Moonlight ink. Flag the ends.

 

Attach to the top edge of the White Woodgrain piece.

4. Layer Together
Add the Blue & White stripe piece behind the Beach Scene about 1/2" from the bottom and 1/2" showing on the left & right sides.

Attach the Beach Scene to the Envelope piece with Dimensionals. 1/4" from top & bottom and 1” from left & right sides.

Add to the center of the cardbase.

5. Sentiment
Stamp your greeting in Peaceful Pine on a 1-1/4" Circle (I used one from the Stylish Shapes Dies).

Attach a faux bow to the back of the greeting using 10” of Twine. Add with dimensionals to the right side of the Beach Scene.

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Why I Love This Card

This card feels:
 ✔ Relaxing
 ✔ Coastal
 ✔ Layered
 ✔ Masculine but versatile

My favorite part is how all the patterned strips work together without overwhelming the scenic image.

This layout is also incredibly easy to customize using:

●     Different sentiments

●     Different scenic panels

●     Different color palettes

It’s a great design for stretching your Paper Pumpkin supplies!

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Video Tutorial

Be sure to watch my YouTube tutorial where I’ll show you:

●     How to layer patterned papers easily

●     Tips for balancing scenic focal points

●     Ways to add texture without bulk

●     How to create more alternative cards from your Paper Pumpkin kit

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If this project inspires you to create something, I would love for you to tag me on social media using @creativechelsey | #creativechelsey or email me at chelsey@creativechelsey.com.

Make sure to come back tomorrow for even more Alternative Ideas you can make with the April 2026 Paper Pumpkin Kit.

Have a creative day,
Chelsey