Katrina's Kreative Heart: fall cards

Showing posts with label fall cards. Show all posts

July 13, 2026

3 Easy Handmade Fall Cards with the Simply Leaves Bundle (Plus a Stunning Emboss Resist Technique!)

Fall is one of my favorite seasons to create handmade cards. The warm colors, cozy textures, and beautiful leaves make it so easy to create cards that feel heartfelt without being complicated.

If you're anything like me, you're looking for projects that are beautiful but still fit into a busy schedule. This week's cards do exactly that! I created three simple fall-inspired cards using the Simply Leaves Bundle from the July Online Exclusives, and each one offers something a little different—from quick and easy to a technique that looks far more difficult than it really is.

The best part? You don't have to be an experienced card maker to recreate any of these.

Card #1: Add Texture with Two-Tone Cardstock

Sometimes the simplest techniques create the biggest impact.

For the first card, I paired Pumpkin Pie Two-Tone Cardstock with a leafy embossing folder, then lightly sanded the raised areas to reveal the lighter core underneath. It's an incredibly easy way to add instant texture and depth.

A few layered leaves, a linen thread bow (because you know I love my linen thread!), and a simple sentiment finish the card beautifully.

Beginner Tip:
If you don't own a sanding block, borrow a small piece of sandpaper from your husband's toolbox! Any fine grit works perfectly.

Card #2: Let Designer Paper Do the Heavy Lifting

Not every beautiful card needs lots of layers.

This cheerful "Thinking of You Often" card features the gorgeous new gingham Designer Series Paper from the 2026–2028 In Colors collection. The bold pattern becomes the star of the show while a cluster of simple punched leaves adds just enough interest.

This layout is perfect when:

You need a quick card.
You want to showcase beautiful Designer Series Paper.
You're building up your confidence with layering.

Sometimes less really is more.

Card #3: Try the Emboss Resist Technique

If you've never tried the Emboss Resist Technique, this is the perfect project to start with.

It may look fancy, but the steps are surprisingly simple:

Blend several ink colors onto Basic White cardstock.
Stamp your leaf images with Versamark Ink.
Cover with Clear Embossing Powder and heat set.
Roll a dark ink (Early Espresso) over the entire background with a brayer.
Wipe the embossed leaves clean and watch those gorgeous fall colors come to life.

This technique creates dramatic backgrounds that look like you spent hours making them—even though the process is actually quite relaxing.

It's one of those classic techniques I learned years ago, and I find myself coming back to it every fall because it never disappoints.

Simple Cards Can Still Wow

One thing I hope you take away from this week's projects is that beautiful cards don't have to be complicated.

Whether you're embossing, sanding cardstock, or simply layering pretty paper with a few punched leaves, each small detail adds up to something special.

Handmade cards aren't about perfection—they're about sharing kindness, encouragement, and a little piece of your heart with someone else.

And honestly? That's what makes this hobby so rewarding.

I'd love to know—which card was your favorite this week?

Was it the textured embossed card, the bright gingham design, or the colorful Emboss Resist background?

Leave a comment below and let me know! If you'd like the complete measurements and step-by-step tutorial, be sure you're on my email list so you never miss a week's inspiration. As always, happy stamping!

Product List

Simply Leaves Bundle (English) [168165] $45.00	Simply Leaves Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [168158] $25.00	Simple Leaf Punch [168164] $25.00	Pumpkin Pie 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [105117] $14.00
Pumpkin Pie 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Two Tone Cardstock [166695] $10.00	Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [120953] $14.00	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [166780] $14.00	Cajun Craze 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119684] $14.00
Golden Glow 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [167685] $14.00	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119686] $14.00	2026–2028 In Color™ Gingham Gallery 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [168218] $12.50	Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad [147116] $11.00
Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [147114] $9.00	Lemon Lolly Classic Stampin' Pad [161666] $9.00	Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad [147111] $9.00	Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad [147083] $9.00
Petal Pink Classic Stampin' Pad [147108] $9.00	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [147094] $11.00	Linen Thread [104199] $5.00	Earthy Matte Dots [167213] $9.00
Stylish Shapes Dies [159183] $30.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.25	Mini Glue Dots [103683] $7.25

Add All to Cart

September 7, 2017

Colorful Seasons for Fall

Good morning and Happy Thursday! It really is beginning to look a lot like Fall around here so I thought today I would share with you a quick and very easy card with you that uses very few of your stamping resources, yet packs a whole lot of PUNCH!

Supplies:

Stamps:

Colorful Seasons

Paper:

Whisper White

Ink:

Pumpkin Pie

Cajun Craze

Chocolate Chip

Tools/Embellishments:

Clear Wink of Stella

Jute Twine

Seasonal Layers Thinlits

Stampin' Sponges

Glue Dots

Fast Fuse

Post-It Notes for mask

Directions:

Begin with a half sheet of Whisper White Cardstock folded in half (8 .5" x 5.5") and mask off the left side of the front panel of the card base protecting the back of the cardbase and the right front leaving an area of approximately 2" of white space (this really isn't important, leave open what you think will look good for your taste). Once masks are in place, using a piece of Stampin' Sponge, swirl on Pumpkin Pie ink, begin swirling color onto the mask working your way onto the cardbase, this will prevent the color from being applied to heavy handed (it's far easier to add color than it is to take it away), then using the same technique, add Cajun Craze followed by a little of the Chocolate Chip. Go easy on the Chocolate Chip, you just want a little to accent the piece. Go ahead and add a little more Pumpkin Pie and remove the mask.

Using the left over Whisper White, stamp 3 solid leaves using the "Rock n Roll" technique. To do this, pick up Pumpkin Pie ink with the solid stamp, then carefully "roll" the edges of the stamp over the Cajun Craze ink and stamp onto the cardstock. Do this for a total of 3 leaves. Then, using the leaf image with veins, stamp over the leaves with the Chocolate Chip. Die cut the leaves with the Big Shot and coat with Clear Wink of Stella. Apply to card front with Fast Fuse, tie a bow with the Jute Twine and add to card over leaf stems with a glue dot.

I hope you enjoy this card and give it a try for yourself. It's quick and it's simple and it really packs some wow! To purchase the products used in this card, just use the links below. Thank you for taking the time to hang out with me for a few.

Happy Stamping!

Product List

Colorful Seasons Photopolymer Stamp Set

[143726]

$27.00

Colorful Seasons Photopolymer Bundle

[145348]

$54.00

Seasonal Layers Thinlits Dies

[143751]

$33.00

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[100730]

$9.00

Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad

[126945]

$6.50

Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad

[126965]

$6.50

Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad

[126979]

$6.50

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush

[141897]

$8.00

Jute Twine

[144625]

$5.50

Stamping Sponges

[141337]

$3.50

Glue Dots

[103683]

$5.25

Fast Fuse Adhesive

[129026]

$10.00

August 19, 2017

Painted Harvest - A Sneak Peak into the 2017 Holiday Catalog

Hi there and happy Saturday! I have to tell you, I am so in love with this 2017 Holiday catalog! Once again, the Stampin' Up! designers have gone and done it again! They have out done themselves; just when you think it's impossible they pull it off! And this Painted Harvest stamp set and Painted Autumn Designer Series paper is just the tip of the iceberg. If you would like to see a sampling and you missed my Facebook live, then head on over and check it out...so much awesomeness to see over there on that video and while you're there, please take a second to like my page. I would really appreciate it a great deal.

Anyway, here is today's card I made using the Painted Harvest stamp set. This is just an awesome set with a really pretty watercolor effect when you do the layering 2-step stamping.

Instructions:

Begin with a standard card base 8.5" x 5.5" of Very Vanilla scored and folded at 4.25". Cut a piece of the DSP 2" x 5.5" and adhere to the left side of the card front. Stamp the first layer of the sunflower in Peekaboo Peach ink and the second more detailed stamp in Tangerine Tango. Cut this layer with the largest square in the Stitched Shapes Framelits collection. Layer this onto a piece of Early Espresso cut with the 2nd largest scalloped square in the Layering Squares Framelits collection and adhere to the card front. Stamp the sentiment onto a scrap piece of Tangerine Tango with Early Espresso ink and cut this out with the 2nd to the smallest oval in the Stitched Shapes Framelits collection and adhere it to the bottom right of the card front using Stampin' Dimensionals.

I hope you enjoyed today's card and it gets you thinking about what you can do with this set when you can get your hands on it. The holiday catalog items will be available for customers beginning September 1st. Please let me know your thoughts on the card in the comments below and don't forget, if you earned any coupons in July, you need to use them up this month and if you place an order, be sure to use the August hostess code found on the right hand side of the screen. And, we also have a really awesome deal on Paper Pumpkin this month, it you have never tried it, now is the time, if you sign up before September 10th, you will receive the September kit for 50% off! I guess that covers it for now. Have a great weekend!
And I wish you all Happy Stamping!