As the leaves begin to change and the crisp air rolls in, fall becomes one of the most inspiring seasons for cardmaking. The rich colors, cozy textures, and warm sentiments make it the perfect time to share handmade cards with the people you love. In this week’s live, I featured the Loveliest Tree Bundle, an online exclusive that gives a heartfelt nod to Stampin’ Up!’s longest-running stamp set, Lovely as a Tree. With a touch of nostalgia and a whole lot of fall color, this bundle is perfect for creating masculine cards, seasonal greetings, and simple designs that pack a big punch.
Let’s walk through the three cards we created together and the fun techniques you can try at home.
Card One: A Multicolored Tree with the Thumping Technique
Our first card was a “Congratulations” card featuring a fall tree with stunning depth of color. For this look, I used the thumping technique—something you can only achieve with Stampin’ Write Markers (which, by the way, are retiring soon!).
Here’s how it works:
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Ink the stamp with your lightest color first (I used Lemon Lolly).
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Grab your darker markers (Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, and Pecan Pie).
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Gently “thump” the side of your marker onto the stamp, layering in random bits of color.
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Huff on the stamp to remoisten the ink, then stamp it down.
Every impression turns out a little different, just like real fall foliage. I layered the tree on warm Pumpkin Pie and Cherry Cobbler cardstock, then finished it off with a simple “Congratulations” sentiment and a bow of linen thread tied to the trunk. Quick, easy, and full of wow factor.
Card Two: A Masculine Sympathy Card with Designer Paper Strips
For the second card, I wanted to showcase how the Loveliest Tree works beautifully with patterned paper. Using the Weekend Adventure Designer Series Paper, I cut three strips in plaid, pinstripe, and tree patterns, then roughed up the edges to reveal a bit of that white core. These pieces add texture and a masculine feel to the design.
I paired them with a Cajun Craze card base and a stamped “Sending Heartfelt Sympathy” sentiment in Memento Black ink. The focal point is a die-cut tree—trunk in Basic Black, foliage in patterned paper—adhered with a little liquid glue. A few black Matte Dots finished it off. This is a thoughtful card with just the right balance of warmth and simplicity.
Card Three: Clean & Simple Thank You
Sometimes, the best cards are the simplest. For this project, I went back to basics with a Basic Black card base, a piece of plaid designer paper, and a stamped “Thank You” sentiment. To finish, I tied a bow from the Baker’s Twine Essentials Pack in black and tucked it under the greeting with a glue dot.
This is the kind of design you can replicate quickly for mass-producing thank-you cards—or switch up the paper and sentiment for a whole new look. It’s proof that you don’t need a lot of layers or embellishments to make a card meaningful.
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Why I Love the Loveliest Tree Bundle
This set isn’t just versatile—it’s nostalgic. If you’ve been crafting a while, you may remember Lovely as a Tree, the longest-running stamp set in Stampin’ Up!’s history. The Loveliest Tree Bundle feels like a tribute to that classic, but with modern styling and coordinating dies to make cardmaking even easier.
It’s perfect for fall projects, but you’ll find yourself reaching for it year-round. From spring blossoms to summer greens, snowy winter scenes to cozy fall foliage, this tree can do it all.
Try It for Yourself
If you’d like to recreate these cards, you’ll want to grab the Loveliest Tree Bundle, some fall-colored markers and cardstock, and a pack of Weekend Adventure DSP. Don’t forget to snag those Stampin’ Write Markers before they retire—they’re essential for techniques like thumping!
I’d love to know:
👉 Which of these three cards is your favorite?
👉 Have you ever tried the thumping technique before?
Drop me a comment below, and be sure to pin or save this post for later inspiration. Until next time—happy stamping, and may your fall be as colorful as your craft table!
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