Create a Layered Fall Thank You Card | Cardmaking with CutCardStock

Fall is the perfect time to bring warm colors, rich textures, and a little dimension to your handmade cards! Today, I’m sharing how I created this layered fall thank you card using colorful cardstock, dry embossing, and layered die cuts. I’m Rick Adkins, and I love showing you how simple design choices can turn a handful of paper scraps into a polished handmade card.

For this project, I combined a cute turkey, a pumpkin, and a few colorful flowers to create a festive fall design. The secret is using cardstock in coordinating autumn colors and adding texture to the background. These techniques are easy to adapt to other seasonal cards, too!

Choose a Warm Fall Cardstock Color Palette

The cardstock colors set the tone for this fall thank you card. I chose warm reds, oranges, deep brown, kraft, and white to create contrast while keeping the design cohesive.

Here are the CutCardStock papers I used:

• DCS Tartan Red Cardstock adds a rich red accent.
• DCS Natural Twine Kraft Cardstock provides a warm, natural background.
• DCS Wedding Cake White creates a crisp white shadow for the sentiment.
• Pop Tone Orange Fizz Cardstock brings bright autumn color to the turkey, pumpkin, and flowers.
• Pop Tone Hot Fudge Cardstock adds depth and contrast.
• Cougar White 110 lbs Cardstock creates a sturdy card base.

I like combining a neutral cardstock with a few stronger colors. The kraft cardstock keeps the design grounded, while the orange and red make the focal point stand out. The dark brown oval also frames the turkey without overwhelming the rest of the card.

Step 1: Create the Card Base

Start with Cougar White 110 lbs Cardstock. Cut a piece to 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, then score it at 4 1/4″. Fold along the score line to create a standard A2 card base measuring 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″.

The heavier cardstock provides a sturdy foundation for the layered elements. This is especially helpful when your design includes several die-cut pieces and foam adhesive.

Step 2: Add Texture to the Background

Cut DCS Natural Twine Kraft Cardstock to 4″ x 5 1/4″. This will be the main card front.

Next, cut four strips of cardstock, each measuring 1″ x 4″. Use one strip each of DCS Tartan Red Cardstock, DCS Natural Twine Kraft Cardstock, Pop Tone Orange Fizz Cardstock, and Pop Tone Hot Fudge Cardstock.

Run each strip through your die-cutting machine with a fall-themed embossing folder. The embossed pattern adds texture without requiring extra embellishments.

Arrange the strips across the kraft panel to create horizontal bands of color. This simple color-blocking technique gives the background visual interest and makes the focal point stand out.

Creative tip: Try embossing each color with the same pattern. Repeating the texture helps different cardstock colors feel like parts of one coordinated design.

Step 3: Die Cut and Assemble the Turkey

To make the die-cutting process easier, apply 4 Inch Double Sided Adhesive Roll to the back of cardstock scraps before cutting your shapes. This creates adhesive-backed pieces that are easier to assemble.

Use the layering dies from the Turkey Time Die Set to cut the turkey pieces from your selected cardstock colors. Mix the kraft, white, orange, red, and brown pieces to create contrast between the body, feathers, and other details.

Layer the pieces together to assemble the turkey. Take your time aligning the edges so the different colors remain visible.

Next, cut a pumpkin from Pop Tone Orange Fizz Cardstock using the pumpkin die from the Fox Die Set. Cut its top from DCS Natural Twine Kraft Cardstock and assemble the pieces.

For the flowers, cut two small flowers from Pop Tone Hot Fudge and DCS Tartan Red Cardstock. Cut one larger flower from Pop Tone Orange Fizz Cardstock. Then cut matching centers from the same three colors and layer the pieces together.

These small accents help balance the larger turkey and make the card feel complete.

Step 4: Build the Oval Focal Point

Use the Nested Stitched Flat Ovals Die Set to cut a large oval from Pop Tone Hot Fudge Cardstock. Then cut the next size oval from DCS Natural Twine Kraft Cardstock using the Nested Flat Ovals Die Set.

Layer the two ovals together. The dark brown border frames the kraft center and gives the turkey a defined space on the card.

For the sentiment, cut the shadow layer from DCS Wedding Cake White and the word layer from DCS Natural Twine Kraft Cardstock using the Thank You 3 Die Set. Layer the sentiment pieces together to create a dimensional greeting.

Step 5: Assemble and Add the Finishing Touches

Attach the embossed cardstock strips to the 4″ x 5 1/4″ kraft panel. Trim any excess cardstock along the edges to keep the background neat.

Add thin foam adhesive to the back of the layered oval and attach it to the card front. Use more thin foam adhesive to attach the turkey to the oval. This creates dimension and helps the focal point stand out from the textured background.

Tuck the pumpkin and one small flower beside the turkey. Arrange the remaining flowers on the opposite side to balance the composition.

Once you’re happy with the placement, attach the completed card front to the Cougar White card base.

Finish the design with white gel pen highlights on the turkey. Add Stardust Stickles to the flower centers for a little sparkle, then place a few Icy White Rhinestones around the sentiment.

These final details add shine and definition without distracting from the warm fall colors.

Create More Fall Cards with Layered Die Cuts

One of my favorite things about this design is how easily you can adapt the layout. Change the focal image, switch the cardstock colors, or use a different sentiment to create a card for another occasion.

You can also use the same approach with supplies you already own. Start with a neutral background, add a few embossed color strips, and build a focal point with layered die cuts. You don’t need a complicated design to create a card with plenty of personality.

The key is to let each layer serve a purpose. The embossed strips add texture, the oval frames the focal point, and the foam adhesive creates dimension. When these elements work together, even a simple handmade card can feel thoughtfully designed.

Share Your Fall Cardmaking Ideas!

I hope this layered fall thank you card inspires you to experiment with cardstock colors, dry embossing, and dimensional die cuts. CutCardStock offers plenty of colors to help you create seasonal combinations that fit your style.

Which cardstock colors would you choose for your own fall thank you card? Leave a comment and share your ideas! I’d love to hear how you use embossing and layered die cuts in your cardmaking projects.