A Relaxed and Colorful Retirement Card Design
Retirement card design projects are especially fun when they capture the feeling of slowing down and enjoying life. Lately I’ve been craving sunshine, warm breezes, and a quiet beach chair — so this card naturally leaned in that direction. Who wouldn’t love to receive a bright, beachy retirement card as they begin a brand-new chapter?
To start I reached for the Beach Boardwalk Designer Paper, which is a sneak peek from the upcoming January–April 2026 Mini Catalog. The colors
immediately set the tone. I trimmed several patterns to work with the layout and selectively cut the palm tree print to highlight a view I really liked — reminds me of when I lived in Hawaii! That little bit of editing makes all the difference.
Letting the Sentiment Shine
For the greeting I chose the “Happy Retirement” sentiment from the Sunrise Sailing stamp set. I heat-embossed it in white on black cardstock, which ties in nicely with the black mats and helps the words stand out. Then I cut it out using one of the rectangles from the Textured Notes Dies. The clean shape keeps everything polished while still feeling relaxed.
To finish things off I added a few Strawberry Slush Pearls from the 2025–2027 In Color Flat Pearls pack. They add just enough sparkle without distracting from the paper.
Using a Sketch for Easy Inspiration
Once everything came together I realized this retirement card design was a great example of how helpful a sketch can be — especially if you’re easing back into stamping. To the right I’m sharing the sketch I used along with a link, so you can try it yourself. Sketches are such a great way to get creative momentum going again.
This retirement card design feels cheerful, warm, and full of possibility — just like retirement should be!
If your retiring friend loves to travel, a mini album and travel journal makes a thoughtful companion for their next adventure.
2 Responses
This is a great retirement card! Love the prints and patterns with your fun palms. Glad to see you at FMS!
Thanks so much, Jen!