Falling for Autumn: A Tim Holtz Inspired Mixed Media Card

Happy September, crafty friends! 🍁This year is flying by, and while it still feels like summer here in Texas, the calendar says fall, which means it’s the perfect time to pull out those warm autumn colors. And what better way to celebrate than with this month’s Lindy’s Gang Challenge mood board for the September FB Challenge?

I couldn’t resist diving into the rich, earthy tones of fall to create a design team inspiration card featuring some of my favorite Tim Holtz stamps.

Creating the Background

To start, I reached for Autumn Leaves Magicals, which really are the perfect combo for seasonal projects. I sprinkled a little powder onto my palette, activated it with water, and brushed the color randomly onto watercolor cardstock. After drying with my heat tool, I added another layer for depth. To finish the background, I splattered a watered-down version of the same colors for added texture and movement.

Adding Focal Elements

While the background dried, I stamped the Tim Holtz Autumn Blueprint image onto a piece of old book paper and heat embossed it with clear powder. To give it a more organic look, I used water to soften the edges before tearing away the extra paper. The result? A beautifully distressed leaf focal point.

Before attaching the leaf, I added some shimmer and shine by heat embossing the Tim Holtz Stuff to Say sentiment in Lindy’s Cleopatra’s Copper. I adore the two-tone metallic finish—it catches the light so beautifully.

Finishing Touches

To pull everything together, I added a few final details:

A stitched border with my sewing machine for that handmade, rustic feel.
A hand-drawn frame around the card to echo the sketchy blueprint style.
A bold, white embossed sentiment from Tim Holtz Note Quotes for contrast.

Final Thoughts

This card was such a joy to create and truly captures the warm, moody vibes of fall. I hope it inspires you to play along with us this month at the Lindy’s Gang Facebook Challenge—I can’t wait to see what you create!

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting! 💛

Want to find the supplies I used? I have listed them below. (Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you.) Thank you for your support!

Lindy’s Gang – Autumn Leaves Embossing Powder Shop at: Lindys	WOW! Embossing – Clear Shop at: WOW US \| TP	Tsukineko – VersaFine Clair – Nocturn Shop at: CS \| AZ \| TP	Strathmore – Watercolor Paper Pad Shop at: SC \| Lindys \| AZ	Lindy’s Gang – Magicals Autumn Leaves Shimmer Shop at: Lindys
Hero Arts – Wagner – HT400 Precision Heat Tool Shop at: AZ