There’s something truly magical about fall. The crisp air, the vibrant colors, and the sense of warmth that blankets everything—it’s a season that invites creativity. As card makers, this is the perfect time to let those rich, autumnal hues inspire our designs. One technique that I’ve fallen in love with for capturing the essence of this season is the Bokeh effect. If you’ve been following along with my recent posts, you’ll know that I’ve been exploring different ways to bring this dreamy, out-of-focus background to life on cards. Today, I’m excited to share my second approach to the Bokeh technique (See that blog post here), which pairs beautifully with a cozy fall-themed "Hello" card.
Easy Fall Hello Card:
The Magic of Bokeh with a Textured Twist
For this card, I wanted to take the Bokeh effect a step further by adding some texture to the background. The result? A beautifully embossed Bokeh panel that not only has that soft, blurred effect but also a tactile element that makes the design feel even more luxurious.
The background panel is the star of this card. I started by cutting the panel down to 4" x 5 1/4" and running it through my die-cutting machine with a fall-themed embossing folder from my stash. This step adds a layer of dimension that really makes the Bokeh effect pop, creating a perfect backdrop for the other elements of the card.
To give the background an extra touch of contrast, I mounted it onto a slightly larger piece of Chocolate Bar Cardstock from Lawn Fawn. The rich brown of the cardstock complements the warm tones of the Bokeh background and ties the whole design together.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking to add depth to your Bokeh backgrounds, try experimenting with different embossing folders. The texture can vary from subtle to bold, depending on the folder you use, so play around until you find the perfect match for your design.
Creating the Fall Scene
One of my favorite things about card making is how a few simple elements can come together to tell a story. For this card, I wanted to create a cozy fall scene that would make anyone smile when they opened it. To do this, I turned to some watercolor panels that I had previously prepared using distress ink reinkers on Canson XL Watercolor Paper. These panels became the foundation for all the die-cut elements in the card.
I started with the Picket Fence Die from Sunny Studio, which I cut from a brown watercolor background. Next, I used the A2 Tall Grass Die from Picket Fence Studios to cut some tall grass from a yellow watercolor panel. Finally, the Pumpkin Parade Dies from Penny Black were used to cut out the pumpkins and leaves from various colored watercolor panels.
Once all the pieces were cut, it was time to assemble the scene. I adhered the fence die-cut to the bottom of the Bokeh background panel, followed by the tall grass. The pumpkins were placed front and center, with their green stems and scattered leaves adding a pop of color to the scene. The end result is a charming fall tableau that captures the spirit of the season.
Pro Tip: When working with die cuts, don’t be afraid to layer them to create depth. Overlapping elements, like placing the grass in front of the fence, can give your scene a more natural, three-dimensional look.
Adding the Finishing Touches
No card is complete without a sentiment, and for this design, I wanted something simple yet bold. I die-cut the word "Hello" using the Bold Basic Alphabet Upper Case Dies from Scrapbook.com, using the same Chocolate Bar Cardstock to keep everything cohesive. Each letter was adhered to the top of the card with small pieces of 1mm foam tape, giving the sentiment a bit of lift and ensuring it stood out against the background.
To finish off the card, I added a few extra leaves around the sentiment, tying the whole design together. The contrast between the soft Bokeh background, the textured elements, and the bold sentiment makes this card a real standout.
Pro Tip: When working with small die-cut letters, foam tape can be a lifesaver for adding dimension without the bulk. Just make sure to cut the tape into tiny pieces that fit behind each letter—this will give your sentiment a professional, polished look.
Conclusion: A Warm Hello for Fall
Creating this card was a joy, and I love how it captures the warmth and coziness of fall. The combination of the Bokeh technique with embossed texture and layering die cuts creates a card that feels both rich and inviting. Whether you’re sending it to a friend or adding it to your own collection, this "Hello" card is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face.
If you’re inspired to try out this technique, I’d love to see what you create! Feel free to share your own Bokeh-inspired cards in the comments or tag me on social media. And if you’re curious about the first Bokeh technique I shared, be sure to check out the previous post on the blog.
Happy crafting, and here’s to capturing the beauty of fall in your next card-making project!
Wondering what I used in this project? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails in the Materials Used section, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible.
Materials Used:
Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.
Happy Stampin'
Rick Adkins
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