Create a Stunning Brick Wall Background Card for Autumn Fun

Imagine crisp leaves underfoot and the scent of pumpkin spice. Now, create this stunning brick wall background card that adds texture and depth.

If you’re excited about autumn textures, see my blog post, 5 Autumn Card Backgrounds, for ideas and mix-and-match techniques. It features five backgrounds to add flair to your cards. Use these techniques to boost your card-making skills and personalise autumn projects.

Learn an easy brick wall technique that makes pumpkins stand out, without complex mixed media. This project suits anyone who wants card dimensions with simple steps. I’ll show you how to create a textured brick wall background. It pairs well with die cuts and warm shades.

You’ll finish with a layered card that’s simple to create. I’ll also share tips for embossing, gilding wax, and paint splatters to complete your autumn scene.

Backgrounds can look flat, and autumn elements can blend into the background. A brick wall background adds texture and fixes this.

Here’s what this card helps with:

• Your background looks flat and lifeless without extra effort.
• You want more texture without complicated, time-consuming steps.
• You need a strong base for autumn colours and die-cuts to really stand out.
• You’re looking for new ways to use your embossing folders.
• You want to experiment with mixed media while keeping the process simple.

This background provides a versatile foundation. Focus on applying layer by layer, accentuating, and arranging the autumn images.

Here’s what you’ll need. I list my materials and some beginner-friendly swaps so you can make a textured background with what you have.

• No die-cut machine? Use hand-cut shapes or printed images for pumpkins and leaves. Trace templates on sturdy paper for uniform shapes. Use sharp scissors for clean edges—practice helps! Find templates online or draw your own simple shapes.
• Swap embossing folders for stencils, texture paste, or scored lines. Tape the stencil, apply paste, and remove to reveal the pattern. Let it dry. Score lines with a ruler and stylus to mimic bricks. These hands-on methods add texture; no special tools required.
• Metallic wax can be replaced with lightly dry-brushed paint or coloured pencils.
• Foam tape is optional—layering paper pieces can also create dimension.

These materials will help you create a textured brick wall background card. Simple swaps make it easy for beginners to achieve great results.

Let’s get started. I’ll walk you through each step, from embossing the bricks to blending inks, adding gilding wax, and arranging your autumn die-cuts.

The tutorial is easy to follow. Take your time and watch your autumn scene develop.

Emboss a grey panel (10 x 14.3 cm) for your brick wall. Adjust the size as needed to fit your card. Leave a 2.2–2.5 cm unembossed strip at the bottom to ground your scene and highlight autumn elements.

Place the panel in an embossing folder, keeping the bottom strip flat, then run it through your die-cut machine to create the brick wall texture.

Tip: Keep the panel slightly off-centre in the folder if you want that flat strip at the bottom. It makes your autumn elements pop and keeps your design balanced.

Let’s bring your brick wall background card to life with subtle shading. Use a small blending brush to apply Walnut Stain along the edges of the grey panel. This adds warmth and depth. Your wall will have a natural, autumn-ready look.

To add dimension, use Black Soot on a blending brush. Shade under each brick. As you blend, think about what autumn memory your palette evokes. Maybe add a hint of Stormy Sky ink to suggest that mood.

Tip: Blend lightly and build up colour gradually. It’s easier to add more depth than to fix over-dark areas.

Now it’s time to make the background a bit more interesting.

Add colour and shimmer with gilding wax. I used Graphite Night and Rose Quartz, but any warm-toned wax or metallic ink works. Use a small amount for a subtle effect.

Lightly rub Graphite Night over the raised bricks with your finger. Variation is good—real bricks aren’t all the same. Then, add a little Rose Quartz to highlight for a soft, warm glow.

Now we are going to get started with acrylic paint.

Mix black acrylic paint with a little water. Mask areas where you don’t want paint splatters. I did this for the lower section using Post-its. Dip your brush and tap the handle on the panel to create subtle speckles.

Arrange colored pumpkins and leaves over the background. Trim white edges, but keep small borders for delicate stems.

Lightly rub Graphite Night wax along the edges of your die-cuts. Add a touch of Rose Quartz to the highlights. This connects the die-cuts to the background and adds shimmer. Arrange the green pumpkin slightly off-center. Layer the orange, white, and red pumpkins around it. Add leaves behind and around each pumpkin, using foam tape for different heights. Scatter a few leaves at the edges for a balanced look.

To finish your brick wall background card, add a cheerful greeting. I chose “Hey there Pumpkin” from the Autumn Fall Greetings set by Polkadoodles. This sentiment fits the warm autumn colors and pumpkin die-cuts. Choosing the right greeting is crucial for setting the mood. Try at least three sentiments on scrap paper first. Find the one that sparks the biggest smile. Experiment with classic, funny, or heartfelt options until one feels right.

Print your digital stamp at a size that fits your card. Carefully cut around the edges, following the letters for a playful, hand-cut look. Follow the curves slightly to make soft, flowing edges. Attach the sentiment with thick foam tape to lift it above the scene. Place it near the top of the wall so it stands out but doesn’t cover the pumpkins and leaves.

Tip: Thoughtfully position your greeting to tie the whole autumn design together and give your brick wall background card a polished, layered finish.

With your background and autumn elements finished, mount everything onto your card base. I used Kraft because it matches the autumn colours, but any colour works.

My card base is 10.5 cm by 14.8 cm. Use a ready-made base or make your own from kraft paper. Cut to 21 cm by 14.8 cm, score at 10.5 cm, and fold. Use a bone folder, your nail, or a ruler for a crisp fold.

Attach your autumn scene featuring layered pumpkins, leaves, and a greeting. Your brick wall background card is ready to share or send.

Here are a few tips to help your brick wall background card stand out. Use these as reminders as you work:

• Less is more with gilding wax – a subtle layer really brings the bricks to life.
• Mix ink shades – combining two tones creates a natural stone look with extra depth.
• Distress the edges – a little rubbing adds texture and warmth.
• Play with heights – using different foam tape thicknesses creates a fun, layered effect.

Keep these tips in mind as you make your card. They’ll help you remember the key steps without having to revisit the full tutorial.

A neutral, textured background like a brick wall makes autumn colours really pop. The warm, rustic feel of the bricks gives your card a cosy base that beautifully highlights pumpkins, leaves, and other fall die-cuts.

The subtle depth from embossing and gilding wax helps your autumn elements stand out while keeping the scene realistic and layered. Using a brick wall background instantly gives your card a professional, handcrafted look without needing complicated techniques.

You might have questions about making a brick wall background card, especially if you want it to look textured and layered. Here are some common questions and clear answers to help you feel confident.

Use a combination of shadows, subtle highlights, and a touch of gilding wax. Blend inks carefully into the brick crevices, and gently rub wax onto the raised areas to add depth and dimension.

Try warm, natural tones like:

• Walnut Stain
• Vintage Photo
• Black Soot
• Antique Linen

Yes, you can! Use a stencil with texture paste, score lines by hand, or create your own patterned background. It won’t be exactly the same, but it still gives a beautiful textured effect.

Add some lift and dimension with foam tape, layer pieces slightly, and add subtle shadows around the edges. Highlighting with gilding wax can also help them pop.

Now it’s your turn to try a brick wall background card. I’d love to see how you bring autumn colours and textures to life with embossing, gilding wax, and die-cuts.

For more autumn card ideas and ways to layer, blend, and highlight your elements, check out these posts:

• Pumpkin Patch Layered Card – A cosy card full of autumn pumpkins and layers
• Autumn Leaves Textured Card – Learn to make leaves pop with embossing and ink.
• Gilded Fall Scene Card – Try gilding wax for subtle shimmer on your autumn scene.
• Cosy Harvest Card Ideas – Fun combinations of textures and die-cuts for warm fall vibes

Follow along on my newsletter or social media to share your cards and see what others are creating.

Affiliate Links: The products mentioned in this post are affiliate links. If you decide to purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help keep my blog running, so I truly appreciate your support!

Distress ink Antique linen

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Distress ink Black Sooth

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Distress ink Vintage Photo

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Distress ink Walntut Stain

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Autumn Fall greetings, sentiment printable stamp

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Brick Wall Embossing folder from Aveccreative

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