I’ll be honest with you—this blog post and video tutorial are late. They should have been up last Thursday, but with Stampalooza prep in full swing, I’ve been running in twelve directions at once. Still, I didn’t want to let another week slip by without sharing some crafty inspiration, so today I’ve got two cards featuring the Amber Autumn Bundle. We’ll explore two underused tools—blending brushes and water painters—and see how they can take your cards from simple to stunning.
Whether you’ve had these tools sitting in your drawer untouched, or you’re just curious how they work, this is your sign to pull them out and give them a try.
Watch the Full Tutorial
Card One: Blending Brush Backgrounds with Autumn Leaves
For our first project, we’re creating a bold, colorful background with three classic fall shades:
- Cajun Craze
- Crushed Curry
- Old Olive
Using circular motions with the blending brushes, I layered the colors on a piece of Basic White (5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ (14.8 cm x 10.5 cm)). Pro tip: always start your brush on scrap paper so you don’t end up with harsh ink blobs on your project.
Once I had the colors blended, I used the large leaf die from the Amber Autumn bundle to cut a dramatic focal piece. A sentiment from the set, a few die-cut oak leaves, and some linen thread finished it off perfectly.
Measurements
- Card Base – Cajun Craze cardstock 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ scored at 4 1/4″ (21 cm x 14.8 cm scored at 10.5 cm)
- Basic White cardstock 1 piece at 5 1/4″ x 4″ (14.3 cm x 10 cm ) for the inside; 1 piece at 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ (14.8 cm x 10.5 cm) for blending & die cutting plus a scrap for the sentiment (label from the Jolly Holly Bundle)
- Old Olive cardstock scraps for the label and oak leaf die cuts
- Crushed Curry scrap for the oak leaf die cuts
This card is proof that blending brushes aren’t scary—they’re actually one of the easiest ways to get that soft, glowing, “professional” look.
Card Two: Watercolor Pumpkins with Water Painters
For the second project, we turned to the Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper and stamped a beautiful harvest image in StazOn ink. StazOn is key here—it won’t bleed when you add water.
Then came the fun part: coloring with water painters and a few drops of ink refills. I used Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, and Crumb Cake to bring the pumpkins, corn, and husks to life.
The trick? Vary your water-to-ink ratio. More ink gives darker shadows, more water gives soft washes. The end result looks artistic, but I promise—if I can do it, so can you.
After die cutting the finished piece, I layered it on Old Olive with a strip of Designer Series Paper and a simple “Grateful for You” sentiment. A few pearls and a twine bow finished it off.
Measurements
- Card base Basic Beige cardstock 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ scored at 4 1/4″ (21 cm x 14.8 cm scored at 10.5 cm) plus a scrap for the sentiment
- Basic White cardstock 5 1/4″ x 4″ (14.3 cm x 10 cm) for the inside
- Old Olive cardstock 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ (9 cm x 9 cm) for the largest round Stylish Shapes die
- Fluid 100 Watercolor paper4″ x 4″ (10 cm x 10 cm)
- Gathering Together DSP 1 design at 1 1/2″ x 4 3/4″ (4 cm x 12.3 cm); Design 2 at 1″ x 4″ (2.5 cm x 10 cm)
This card is my favorite of the two—it feels like fall in card form.
Why Try These Tools?
Both blending brushes and water painters can feel intimidating, but once you start, you’ll realize:
- There’s no “perfect” way—your version will be uniquely yours.
- These tools stretch your ink pads and refills, giving you more value.
- You can achieve looks that patterned paper simply can’t replicate.
If yours are still in the package, I challenge you to dust them off and play. Crafting isn’t about perfection—it’s about having fun, trying new things, and surprising yourself.
Your Turn to Create
Now it’s your turn. Grab your blending brushes, water painters, and the Amber Autumn Bundle, and see what kind of fall magic you can create.
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Thanks so much for stopping by today. I’d love to hear what you think—drop me a comment and let me know which card was your favorite, or if you’ve finally given those tools a try.
Until next time—stay crafty!