10 Simple Autumn Greeting Card Designs with Big Impact

Crisp mornings, golden leaves, and cozy moments, it’s official: autumn is here! And what better way to celebrate the season than by creating autumn greeting cards filled with warmth and handmade love?

If you're looking for easy but eye-catching fall card ideas, you're in the right place. These beginner-friendly designs feature beautiful seasonal themes like leaves, cozy textures, and gratitude card messages and the best part? They’re simple enough to try even if you’re just getting started.

Fall brings its own kind of magic: rich colors, heartfelt appreciation, and a sense of slowing down. It’s also the perfect opportunity to create handmade cards that:

• Use autumn greeting card messages and gratitude Thanksgiving messages
• Require minimal supplies and tools
• Deliver high-impact results with low-stress techniques

Let’s dive into these beginner-friendly ideas that look professional, but are surprisingly simple.

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1. Leafy Wreath with a Sentiment Center

Use your favorite leaf stamps from the Autumn Whispers Stamp Set and form a wreath by stamping them in a circle. You can go monochromatic like the card above or use multiple colors, like orange, rust, and olive green for dimension. Stamp your sentiment right in the center. Try something thoughtful or a quote from your favorite author.

Pro tip: Use the Stampwheel 1.0 or Stampwheel 2.0 for that perfect and effortless wreath! Don’t have these tools yet? Lightly sketch a circle with a pencil as your guide before stamping.

2. Die-Cut Wreath of Autumn Leaves

Grab the Crispy Leaves Die Set, cut out a few different leaves using colored cardstock. Arrange them into a wreath on your card front and pop a sentiment in the middle using the One-Go: Solid Sentiment Strips 3 Gratitude Edition Press Plate. This design is ideal for a gratitude Thanksgiving message that feels festive and personal.

3. Falling Leaves Card with Ink Splatters

Stamp different-sized leaves cascading from the top to the bottom like falling leaves. Use warm autumn colors and finish the card with subtle black ink splatters. Add a “thank you” sentiment at the bottom to ground the design.

4. Emboss Resist + Autumn Ink Blending

Stamp and heat-emboss leaf images around the outer edges of your card panel. Then blend yellow and orange inks all over the panel. The leaves will "resist" the ink, revealing a beautiful background! Stamp a sentiment in the center and you’re good to go. 

Find more gratitude card messages here.

5. Ink-Blended Die-Cut Leaves with Bold Sentiment

Die cut leaves in various shapes and sizes (again, Crispy Leaves Die Set is perfect here), and ink blend them in ombré tones, think pink fading into orange or red into gold. Arrange them on the card and add a large die-cut sentiment right in the center.

6. 3D Embossed Cozy Sweater + Sentiment Strips

Use the Cozy Sweater 3D Embossing Folder on white cardstock. Add a few sentiment strips—heat-embossed on bright colored cardstock and pop them up with foam tape. This is clean, simple, and packed with cozy vibes, just like fall!

7. Ink-Blended Sweater Circles with Sparkle

Emboss a full panel with the Cozy Sweater 3D Embossing Folder, then lightly ink blend over some of the raised textures. Die cut the panel using Nesting Circle Dies, mount it to a white card base, add a sentiment strip and sequins, and done!

This design looks advanced but is beginner-approved! Also, if you want to take it to the next level, you can use simple watercolor wash to add colors to the 3D embossed panel.

8. Metallic Ink + Shimmery Leaves

Use metallic pigment inks to stamp various leaf images directly on your card panel. Add gemstones, and finish with a simple sentiment strip or die-cut sentiment. This is a gorgeous design that shines—literally!

9. Sweater-Shaped Die-Cut Card

This one’s adorable and fun! Emboss a piece of cardstock with the Cozy Sweater 3D Embossing Folder, ink blend in a soft sweater tone (brown, mustard, or teal), and then cut it into the shape of a sweater using your scissors or a sweater-shaped die.

Add a sentiment like "Warm Wishes,” the ultimate message of thanks and gratitude.

10. Leaf Row with Vellum Sentiment

Stamp and die cut the same leaf (such as a maple or oak) in various fall-colored inks. Arrange them in a row horizontally across the card. Heat-emboss your sentiment on vellum and adhere it over the row of leaves. This one’s all about color, balance, and elegance.

Need ideas for your autumn greeting card messages? Here are a few heartfelt phrases that pair beautifully with these designs:

• Thank you for making this season brighter.
  
• Wishing you peace, warmth, and joy.
  
• Grateful for you—today and always.
  
• Autumn leaves and heartfelt thanks.
  
• Your kindness is the color in my fall.
  

If you’re just starting your cardmaking journey or looking for new seasonal inspiration, these autumn greeting cards are a beautiful way to express warmth, thankfulness, and love.

With just a few crafting supplies and a heart full of gratitude, you can make fall cards that leave a lasting impression on both the giver and the receiver.

If you need more autumn card ideas, tips, and tricks, visit us In the Craft Room.