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The Unexpected Beauty of Pansies for Autumn Cards | Perfect Pairings with Jaycee

by Jaycee Gaspar - 2 minute read

Last Updated: September 28, 2025

While many people associate autumn with the rich colors of leaves and traditional florals like chrysanthemums or dahlias, there's another flower that holds a special, often overlooked, meaning for the season: the pansy.


Hi there, everyone, it's Jaycee. Welcome back to another 'Perfect Pairing' with me.

autumn themed card

Finding Autumn Tones in Unexpected Colors

autumn themed card

For this unique approach to an autumn card, think beyond the typical red, orange, and yellow palette. Instead, consider a jewel-toned palette inspired by gemstones like amethyst, jade, and gold. This creates a sophisticated, cohesive look that captures the rich, warm hues of fall while still being unexpected.


By using colors like a cooler yellow-green for the background, a deep purple for the pansy petals, and a contrasting green for the leaves, you can create a stunning and dramatic effect. Adding a touch of metallic gold splatter can mimic the veining found in polished stones, tying the whole theme together.


The Altenew Build-A-Garden: Fanciful Pansies set is perfect for this type of project. Its detailed stamps, stencils, and coordinating dies make it easy to create beautiful, layered floral elements.


So, the next time you're crafting an autumn card, consider using pansies to add a touch of thoughtfulness and remembrance. It's a simple change that can make your card's message all the more meaningful.

Tips for Creating Your Own Jewel-Toned Pansy Card

autumn themed card
  • Go for tone-on-tone. Create a subtle, textured background by using a press plate with an ink from the same color family as your cardstock.
  • Ink-up your outlines. Instead of black, use a dark, complementary color for your outline stamps. It adds a softer, more integrated look.
  • Layer with stencils. Use layering stencils to build color and dimension quickly and easily on your stamped images.
  • Add subtle shine. A little gold watercolor splatter or some metallic sequins can add a touch of elegance and tie in with the jewel-tone theme.

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Jaycee Gaspar
Jaycee Gaspar

Jaycee is an Altenew Certified Educator and paper crafting content creator. He is inspired by all things floral and botanical illustration. He loves sharing his creative approach to methodical floral cards so that everyone can enjoy the art of floral cards.

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