Sea Inspired Greetings: A Mixed Media Porthole Card with Sunset Magic | featuring Love From Lizi

Welcome back, crafty friends! I’m excited to share another card in my Love From Lizi “To The Beach” card kit series. This time, I went full-on mixed media, combining die cuts, watercoloring, fabric, and even a realistic faux seashell! This card was so much fun to create, with its layered textures and dimensional elements. Let’s dive into the details!

This card brings a nautical scene to life with a lighthouse at sunset, framed inside a stitched circle porthole. I used Distress Watercolor Pencils for the sky and ocean, COPIC markers for shading, and added extra texture with yellow felt, net-like ribbon, and a faux seashell embellishment. The Love From Lizi kit made it easy to mix and match different materials for a fun, beachy feel.

Supplies List

• Love From Lizi “To The Beach” Kit (stamps, dies, ephemera, and embellishments)

• Ranger Distress Watercolor Pencils (for the sunset background)

• COPIC Markers (for lighthouse coloring)

• Ranger Heavy Stock Cardstock (for the watercolor scene)

• Masking paper (to protect the lighthouse while watercoloring)

• Stitched circle and rectangle dies

• Yellow felt (for background texture)

• Net-like ribbon (to mimic a fishing net)

• Faux seashell embellishment

• White acrylic paint (for clouds and reflections)

• Foam tape and liquid adhesive

• Top-folding card base

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Creating the Porthole Frame & Scene Base

I started by die-cutting a stitched circle frame from the kraft cardstock included in the kit. This became my porthole for framing the lighthouse scene inside. Using the inner circle as a guide, I traced a pencil outline onto Ranger Heavy Stock Cardstock to position my stamping.

2. Stamping & Masking the Lighthouse

I stamped the lighthouse in black ink at the center of the circle. To protect it while painting, I stamped the lighthouse again on masking paper, fussy cut it, and placed it over the image, ensuring a snug seal.

3. Painting the Sunset & Ocean

With the mask in place, I began watercoloring:

• First, I painted the ocean, laying down a rich blue horizon line and letting it dry completely.

• Next, I masked off the ocean to keep it crisp while painting the sky. I blended from yellow to orange, then pink to purple, creating a seamless sunset gradient.

• To intensify the colors, I layered and heat-set between applications.

  
  
  
  
  

  

  

  

  

  
  
  

Once dry, I removed the masks, revealing a crisp, untouched lighthouse.

4. Coloring the Lighthouse & Adding Details

I used COPIC markers in gray tones to shade the lighthouse, giving it a silhouette effect against the sunset. I colored the windows in warm yellows to make them glow. To add depth, I used white acrylic paint and a flat brush to create clouds in the sky and light reflections on the water.

5. Assembling the Porthole Scene

I die-cut the watercolor scene along the penciled outline and adhered it behind the kraft porthole frame with foam tape, adding dimension.

6. Layering the Background

To create a tactile background, I die-cut:

• A stitched rectangle from the yellow felt in the kit.

• A smaller stitched rectangle from blue cardstock.

  
  
  

  
  
  

I adhered the felt to a top-folding card base with liquid glue, then layered the blue cardstock on top.

For extra texture, I trimmed a piece of net-like ribbon from the kit, roughing up the edges for a weathered look. I adhered it at an angle behind the porthole before securing the frame with liquid adhesive.

7. Adding the Sentiment & Final Touches

• The “SEA You Soon” sentiment was stamped and die-cut into a stitched banner, then adhered with foam tape in the upper left corner of the porthole.

• I added the seagull die-cut from the ephemera pack to the right side of the porthole for a playful touch.

• Finally, I adhered the faux seashell in the bottom left corner with liquid glue. The shell had a flat back, making it easy to secure to the card.

Final Thoughts

I love how this card captures the essence of the coast—from the felt texture mimicking sand, to the net-like ribbon, to the realistic seashell embellishment. The porthole effect adds depth, while the sunset background brings warmth and vibrancy. This card was a joy to make, and I hope it inspires you to experiment with mixed media elements in your own projects!

If you’re loving these coastal vibes, be sure to check out the Love From Lizi “To The Beach” kit—it’s packed with beautifully curated supplies perfect for seaside-themed projects!

What’s your favorite way to add texture to your handmade cards? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your ideas!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy crafting, and SEA you soon!

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