A Gentle Touch of Texture

One of the secrets I’ve discovered over years of stamping is that texture transforms a simple card into something extra special. And here’s the good news—you don’t need a hundred tools or advanced skills to make it happen.

Today, I’m sharing how the soft embossing technique can take your beginner card from flat to fabulous. Paired with the Amber Autumn bundle and a touch of color from watercolor pencils, the result is a card that feels warm, seasonal, and heartfelt.

The greeting, “Blessed to have you in my life,” makes this card perfect for sending to a dear friend, a supportive sister, or even that neighbor who always shows up with a smile. It’s a little way to say:  I’m grateful for you.

Why Embossing Elevates Simple Cards

Have you ever looked at your card and thought, “It needs just a little something?” Embossing is your solution.

Embossing folders are magical. You run a piece of cardstock through your die-cutting machine, and out comes a panel with raised detail. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it makes your card look like you spent way more time than you did.

In this design, I used a new folder with a leafy pattern — Gathering Leaves by Stampin’ Up! It ties in beautifully with the autumn theme, adding subtle dimension behind the pumpkin focal point without overwhelming it.

Soft Coloring with Watercolor Pencils

The pumpkins and gourds from the Amber Autumn set are charming on their own, but a little color brings them to life. Watercolor pencils are my go-to when I want a soft, painterly look without fussing with multiple inks.

Here’s how to get that look:

1. Stamp your image in black or a dark neutral ink.

2. Lightly color areas with your watercolor pencils I used Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, and Old Olive.

3. Blend gently with a blender pen for softness.

Pro tip: Don’t overthink shading! Just add a little extra pencil on the edges or base of your pumpkin, then let the blender pen do the work. The result is perfectly imperfect, just like autumn itself.

Putting It All Together: A Simple Layout

Here’s the beauty of this card: the layout is so simple that anyone—from a beginner to a seasoned stamper—can create it.

Step-by-step layers:

1. Start with an Old Olive card base.

2. Add a layer of Crumb Cake to frame your design.

3. Emboss an Old Olive panel with the leafy folder and adhere it.

4. Add a contrasting strip of patterned paper. I used a soft green check.

5. Adhere your colored pumpkin cluster with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

6. Stamp and layer the sentiment “Blessed to have you in my life” on a simple rectangle and place it across your focal point.

And there you have it—a warm, textured card that feels polished but not complicated.

Why This Card Matters

We’ve all been there—wanting to reach out to someone but not quite knowing what to say. That’s where handmade cards shine.

This design is perfect for occasions like:

• Thanksgiving: Tuck it into a hostess gift or bring it along to dinner.

• Encouragement: Brighten someone’s week with a note of gratitude.

• Friendship: Remind a dear friend or family member how much they mean to you.

When your loved one opens this card and reads, “Blessed to have you in my life,” they’ll not only see the beauty of the card but feel the thought and care you put into making it.

Create Your Own Amber Autumn Cards

If you’ve been waiting for the right project to try embossing, this is it! The Amber Autumn bundle makes it easy, and the embossing folder adds that wow factor without extra effort.

Grab the class kit absolutely FREE with ANY $50 order in my Online Store now through September 30.

You’ll get everything you need to create seasonal cards that carry warmth, gratitude, and beauty—perfect for this time of year.

So tell me, friend: who would you send a “Blessed to have you in my life” card to? I’d love to hear in the comments below.

Because sometimes the smallest gesture, like sending a handmade card, can make the biggest difference. 🍂

Here’s what I used to create this card. Click any picture for details.