Have you ever stumbled upon a crafting supply you completely forgot about? Rediscovering these hidden gems can inspire fresh, creative projects.
This card was made for the Rediscovery Hop on Instagram, an event encouraging crafters to use supplies they haven’t touched in months or years. Featuring an autumn theme and a playful squirrel stamp, This card combines warm fall colours with easy ink blending techniques making it a perfect project for the season.
In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through the steps of creating this handmade autumn card step-by-step. You’ll learn techniques such as ink blending and use squirrel stamps to achieve a fun, seasonal look for your squirrel card collection.
If you’re searching for fall card ideas or want to try new card-making techniques, this guide has you covered.
- Materials Needed for this Handmade Autumn Card
- Step 1: Prepare Your Card Base and Background
- Step 2: Stamp and Colour Your Squirrels and Other Elements
- Step 3: Die-cut and Position Your Tree
- Step 4: Assemble the Squirrels and Mushrooms
- Step 5: Add the Final Sentiments and Accents
- More handmade autumn card ideas
- Products with affiliate links
- Products without affiliate links
- ActionNL Products
- Twin markers (alcohol markers) from decotimecrafts set of 4
- Twin Markers (alcohol markers) from Decotimecrafts set of 60
- Twin Markers (alcohol markers) from Decotimecrafts set of 12
- Tacky Glue
- Craft and Design Hobby Scissor
- The Other Products
- Rectangle die with double stitched edge from Card and Deco
Materials Needed for this Handmade Autumn Card
Are you ready to start crafting? Below is a list of materials you’ll need to create a handmade autumn card featuring squirrels and ink blending. Each item has been carefully selected to help you build a warm, inviting autumn scene, but feel free to explore similar supplies that match your style.
| Materials and Tools | Description | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Squirrels Clear Stamp Set (Marianne Design) | Rediscovering this squirrel stamp was the highlight of the project—a fun reminder of how “forgotten” supplies can inspire new ideas! | Any other autumn animals or seasonal stamps in your collection |
| Tree Die (Scrapfever) | The tree die adds structure to the background, creating a cosy scene for the squirrels | You can use any water-based inks in earthy or vibrant tones tocapture the season |
| Distress Inks | Mowed Lawn (for grass) Mustard Seed (for a warm glow) Picked Raspberry (for the autumn sky): | You can use any water-based inks in earthy or vibrant tones to capture the season |
| Blending Brushes (StudioLightNL) | Blending brushes help achieve a seamless blend of colours, adding depth to the background. | Makeup sponges work well too |
| Alcohol Markers (DecoTime Crafts): | These markers bring the stamped images to life, creating a smooth blended look. | If you prefer, water-based markers or coloured pencils can also add autumn-inspired hues. |
| White Gelly Roll Pen: | This pen adds tiny highlights, especially on the mushrooms, providing contrast. | If you don’t have a gel pen, use a small brush and white paint instead. |
| Sentiment Sticker (“Lovely Day”): | A simple sentiment sticker completes the card with a warm touch. | You can also use any Greeting stickers or sentiment stamps to create a custom sentiment. |
| Double-Stitched Rectangle Die (Card Deco): | This die adds a clean, decorative border to the card panel. | If you don’t have one, a simple rectangle die or neatly trimmed edges will work just as well. |
| Glue | to secure all elements | You can also use double sided tape |
| Die-Cutting Machine | You can also use double-sided tape | this is optional |
| Paper Trimmer | for die-cutting the tree and rectangle | You can use a scissor or craft knife for this. |
What supplies have you rediscovered lately? One of the best parts of crafting is finding “forgotten” materials in your stash and giving them a fresh use. What’s one supply you haven’t used in months?
With your materials ready, let’s start bringing this autumn-inspired squirrel card to life!
Step-by-Step Tutorial
Rediscovering supplies can feel like finding a forgotten treasure! This handmade autumn card celebrates that thrill using the squirrel stamp set from Marianne Design and techniques like ink blending to showcase vibrant seasonal colours. Below are the steps to guide you through creating a playful woodland scene with autumn tones.
Step 1: Prepare Your Card Base and Background
Let’s start with the card base and background, the foundation for your autumn scene.
Card Base Setup
Take a blank card base measuring 10.5 cm x 14.3 cm This standard size frames the scene, but feel free to experiment with different sizes to personalize it.
Background Ink Blending
For an autumnal gradient, use Distress Inks in Mowed Lawn, Mustard Seed, and Picked Raspberry. Using a blending brush, apply Picked Raspberry at the top, blending into Mustard Seed, and finish with Mowed Lawn at the bottom.
Pro Tip: Use circular motions and layer the inks for a smoother transition. Add extra layers to achieve the depth and vibrancy you desire.
With your gradient background complete, you can bring the stamped characters to life in the next step.
Step 2: Stamp and Colour Your Squirrels and Other Elements
With your background ready, we can bring the stamps to life and create a cute scene for our squirrel card.
Stamping
Take the squirrel stamp set and stamp the squirrels, mushrooms, leaves, and pinecones on DCP paper using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. This paper is ideal for alcohol markers, ensuring smooth colour blending.
Tip: Using a stamping platform helps you apply even pressure, ensuring you don’t miss any details.
Colouring the Stamped Elements
Colour each image in warm, autumnal tones using the suggestions below to make your autumn scene pop. Use alcohol markers or similar options. Here are some suggested colour combinations to make your autumn scene pop:
- Squirrels: Rose Beige (97), Barn Red (245), and Burnt Sienna for their fur, with Pale Cream (142) and Salmon Pink (25) for their belly.
- Tree Stump: Natural Oak (91), Burnt Sienna (95), and Rose Beige (97).
- Mushrooms: Cardinal (244), English Red (249), Burgundy (247) for the cap, and Pale Cream (142) with Sand (107) for the stems.
- Leaves: Lemon Yellow (35), Yellow (34), and French Vermillion (22).
- Pine Needles and Pinecones: Grass Green (47), Forest Green (50), Dark Green (51) for needles, Natural Oak (95), Burnt Sienna (95), and Rose Beige (97) for pinecones.
Alternative Colouring Options: If you don’t have alcohol markers, use water-based markers or coloured pencils in similar shades.
With your characters and details ready, let’s move on to die-cutting the tree to complete the scene.
Step 3: Die-cut and Position Your Tree
Now that your squirrels and autumn elements are ready, we’ll create the tree backdrop.
Die-Cutting the Tree
Use a tree die to cut the tree shape from brown paper. This bare tree adds a rustic vibe to your card.
Placing the Die-Cut on the Background
Adhere the tree to your blended background, positioning it slightly off-centre for balance. For added depth, consider using foam tape to raise the tree of the card, creating dimension.
With your tree in place, it’s time to arrange your squirrels and mushrooms to complete the scene.
Step 4: Assemble the Squirrels and Mushrooms
Now that your tree and background for our handmade autumn card are set, let’s add the final touches to bring your autumn scene to life.
Arranging the Scene
Position the coloured squirrels around the tree to make the card feel lively and playful. Place the mushrooms and leaves on the tree for a grounded look.
Gluing Everything Down
Use glue to attach each element securely, ensuring everything fits within the card base borders. Step back to view your card from different angles to see if the scene feels balanced.
Next, we’ll add the finishing touches with a sentiment and some accents to complete your card.
Step 5: Add the Final Sentiments and Accents
With the main elements in place, let’s add a sentiment and small details to complete the scene on your card.
Choosing and Placing the Sentiment
Take the “Lovely Day” sentiment sticker and place it towards the top or centre of the card for emphasis. This simple phrase adds warmth to your squirrel greeting card.
Finishing Touches
Add any extra leaves or highlights to tie the scene together. Finally, mount the panel onto a matching 10.5 cm x 14.3 cm card base to finish.
Your handmade autumn card is complete! By rediscovering some of your unused supplies and combining them with ink-blending techniques, you’ve created a fun, seasonal design perfect for any autumn.
Let’s Get Creative Together
Rediscovering old crafting supplies feels inspiring—like catching up with an old friend. Whether experimenting with ink blending or giving new life to a stamp you haven’t used in ages, each technique and tool holds its own creative potential. Grab your favourite fall colours and create your squirrel-themed card!
More handmade autumn card ideas
Make a Cute Autumn Shaker Card with a Thankful Squirrel Card Design
Another Squirrel card with autumn vibes. This time with a shaker window.
Autumn Gnome Card Tutorial: Crafting An Enchanting Scene
A handmade autumn card with a cute gnome and squirrel.
I hope this tutorial enhances your creativity. Enjoy crafting and exploring new techniques!
Products used for this cute handmade autum card
Affiliate Disclosure: This section includes affiliate links to products I used to create this autumn card. When you buy through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Each product was chosen to enhance the card-making process and support your creativity.
Products with affiliate links
Twin Markers (alcohol markers) from Decotimecrafts
Distress ink Picked Raspberry from Ranger
Distress Ink Mustard Seed from Ranger
Distress Ink Mowed Lawn from Ranger
Blending brushes from StudiolightNL
Products without affiliate links
Here I will list al the products with links and without links. I try where I card.
ActionNL Products
There are products I bought at ActionNL that you can only buy in the store. But Action does show the products on their website and you can mark them as a favorite. These are the products.
Twin markers (alcohol markers) from decotimecrafts set of 4
Twin Markers (alcohol markers) from Decotimecrafts set of 60
Twin Markers (alcohol markers) from Decotimecrafts set of 12
Tacky Glue
Craft and Design Hobby Scissor
The Other Products
Rectangle die with double stitched edge from Card and Deco
- Squirrel clear stamp set Marianne Design (can’t find a link to the product).
- Sticker sentiment from an old sticker sheet of Decotimecrafts (which doesn’t exist anymore)
- Tree die from Scrapfever (not available at the moment)
I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:
- A Place To Start: Anything goes + using pink
- Unicorn Challenge Blog: Autumn and/or Halloween
- Fab ‘n’ Funky Challenges: Autumn and Halloween
- The Paper Funday Challenges: Anything goes + colours of Autumn
- The Sisterhood of Crafters: Fall/leaves
- Krafty Chicks Challenge: All occasions
- Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge …: Anything goes
- We Love Stamping: Autumn
- Crafty Animals: Anything goes + must use an animal