Hello, crafty friends! Mirisha here, stopping by to share a bright and breezy summer-themed project that brings a splash of sunshine right to your craft table! Today, I’m creating a fun ocean background using Distress Oxides and masking paper—no stencils needed! This is a great way to let your creativity flow while still keeping things simple and playful.

Supplies | Scrapbook.com: Scrapbook.com Beach Vacation Die Set, Scrapbook.com Mosaic Cover Plate Die, Summer Shellebration Stamp & Die Set, Blending Brushes; Ranger Distress Oxide Ink in Mustard Seed, Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean & Tea Dye; Lawn Fawn: Jet Black Ink; Concord & 9th Cardstock in Sunflower, Parsley Nutmeg, Black, Dragonfruit, Gold; Spellbinders: Waffle Flower Crafts: Oval Additional Nesting Dies, Nesting Circles Dies; Spellbinders: Masking Sheets; Other: Neenah Solar White cardstock, Bearly Arts glue, MISTI stamping platform

No stencils? No problem! One of the reasons I love using masking paper with Distress Oxide blending is the complete creative freedom it offers. You’re not limited by a set design or shape—you can tear, cut, and shift your masks to create waves, curves, or any abstract pattern your imagination dreams up.

It’s a technique that’s both relaxing and playful, letting you build your background layer by layer with ease. The Oxides blend so beautifully over the masked areas, and the soft edges left behind add a natural, organic touch that’s perfect for ocean-inspired scenes.

One of my favorite ways to elevate a card background is by using a cover plate die for instant texture and interest. For this project, I used the Mosaic cover plate die from Scrapbook.com to create a beautiful, subtle pattern on my card base. It added just the right amount of detail without overwhelming the design. I then layered my framed ocean scene on top, letting the textured background peek through for a polished and dimensional finish.

When working with detailed die cuts, such as palm trees and chairs, layering and color placement can elevate your scene. For this card, I used contrasting cardstock for the tree trunks and palm leaves to create a natural dimension. The lounge chair was cut in bold, summery shades and carefully layered to make it pop against the background.

Tip: Use a fine-tip glue pen for precision when adhering thin elements like the chair legs or palm trunks. You can also slightly curl or lift the palm leaves with your fingers or a shaping tool to add extra movement and depth. These little details make a big impact and help bring your beach scene to life!

For visual step-by-step instructions, feel free to check out my video tutorial below! Click the ‘watch on YouTube’ button to open the video in a new tab so that you can leave a comment, hit the thumbs up button, and subscribe to the SCT Magazine YouTube channel!

Thanks so much for stopping by, friends! I hope this project inspires you to create ocean scenes—just in time for summer crafting! All you need are your favorite Oxide inks, masking paper, and a little imagination. Let me know if you give it a try—I’d love to see your creations! Until next time, keep crafting, stay inspired, and let your creativity make waves!

Sending you sunshine and hugs!

Find more of Mirisha’s creations here: Blog | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook