How to Make a Die-Cut Autumn Scene Card | Spellbinders

How to Make a Die-Cut Autumn Scene Card | Spellbinders

Written by: Yana Smakula

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Published on

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Time to read 13 min

Build a colorful autumn scene with a paper-pieced raccoon dressed for the season, a leafy tree, and a tub filled with freshly picked apples. This detailed cardmaking tutorial explains how to organize and assemble small die-cut pieces, dress a character with layered fall clothing, and arrange the finished elements into a balanced seasonal scene.

The Harvest Style Etched Dies and Harvest Days Etched Dies coordinate with characters and outdoor elements from the earlier Summer Camp Collection. This makes it possible to update the original characters for fall with dungarees, scarves, hats, pumpkins, apples, hay bales, and other seasonal accessories. The project is finished with a stamped autumn greeting and a small amount of foam adhesive for dimension.

Hello, crafty friends! It’s Lisa Tilson here with you today on the blog to share a card featuring Allison Frazier’s Fall Adventures Collection. I’ll be showing you step by step how to create this sweet autumn scene using the Harvest Style Etched Dies.

The Fall Adventures Collection builds on Allison’s previously released Summer Camp Collection. There are three new fall-themed sets, and I use all of them on today’s card. The Harvest Style Etched Dies include clothes that can be used to dress any of the six previously released characters. The Harvest Days Etched Dies include the accessories needed to bring a fall scene to life, including hay bales, pumpkins, corn, and apples. The All About Fall Clear Stamp Set completes the collection with seasonal sentiments.

Project Snapshot

Project Details An A2 autumn scene card featuring a paper-pieced raccoon dressed in dungarees, a scarf, and a hat, accompanied by a leafy tree and a dimensional tub of apples
Skill Level Intermediate
Approximate Time 1 Hour
Project Type Dimensional die-cut scene card
Techniques Die cutting, paper piecing, layered character assembly, scene building, sentiment stamping, and dimensional adhesion
Occasion Autumn greetings, fall birthdays, friendship, and seasonal occasions
Finished Size A2 - 4.25 x 5.5 inches
Featured Products Harvest Style Etched Dies, Harvest Days Etched Dies, All About Fall Clear Stamp Set, and coordinating products from the Summer Camp Collection

What You’ll Need

Spellbinders Products

Other Supplies

  • Double-sided adhesive tape
  • VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink

Prepare the Platinum SIX Die-Cutting Sandwich

Use the Platinum SIX Die Cutting Machine for all the die cutting in this tutorial. Build the die-cutting sandwich from bottom to top in the following order:

  • Plate A - Platform Base
  • Plate B - Platform Top
  • Plate C - Cutting Plate
  • Cardstock with the die positioned cutting-side down
  • Plate C - Cutting Plate

In the preparation photos, the dies are placed cutting-side up so the individual designs can be seen clearly. When you are ready to cut, turn each die over so its cutting edge rests directly against the cardstock. Secure the dies with Best Ever Craft Tape before passing the sandwich through the machine.

Die Cut the Raccoon and Autumn Scene

Step 1 - Die Cut the Raccoon

Use the Trailside Trio Etched Dies to cut the raccoon pieces from the following ColorWheel Cardstock colors:

  • Cut the body, arms, tail, head, and ears from Fog.
  • Cut the rectangular eye backing and three small ovals from Raven.
  • Cut the cheeks, tail stripes, inner ears, and central face or mouth piece from Anchor.
  • Cut the inner ears and central face or mouth piece again from Classic White.
  • Cut the six eye options from Classic White.

The inner-ear dies and the central face die are cut twice - once from white and once from gray. You will not need every resulting piece for this card, but the extras can be saved for another character.

Lisa’s Tip: Place the dies and cut pieces inside a Craft Stax Medium Tray for safekeeping. Group the pieces by die set as you work so they are easier to identify when it is time to assemble the scene.

Turn the dies cutting-side down, secure them with Best Ever Craft Tape, and run them through the Platinum SIX Machine.

Step 2 - Die Cut the Fall Clothes

Use the Camp Days Etched Dies to cut the bow from Blush ColorWheel Cardstock.

Next, use the Harvest Style Etched Dies to cut the raccoon’s fall outfit:

  • Cut the scarf from Classic White.
  • Cut the shirt, sleeves, trouser turn-ups, dungaree straps, and pocket from Tutu.
  • Cut the dungarees from Wild Berry.
  • Cut the hat from Fawn.
  • Cut the hat brim from Acorn.
  • Cut the shirt collar, cuffs, trim, and buckle from Blush.
  • Cut additional trim and buckle pieces from Tuscan.

Step 3 - Die Cut the Apples, Tub, and Leaves

Use the Harvest Days Etched Dies to prepare the apple-picking accessories:

  • Cut the wooden tub from Truffle ColorWheel Cardstock.
  • Cut the three tub trims from Acorn ColorWheel Cardstock.
  • Cut three sets of leaves from Rainforest, Poppy, and Tuscan ColorWheel Cardstock.
  • Cut the apples from Poppy ColorWheel Cardstock.
  • Cut the apple stem and leaf pieces from Fern ColorWheel Cardstock.

The finished scene uses four apples. Cut enough apple and stem pieces to assemble four complete fruits.

Step 4 - Die Cut the Tree

Use the Trails End Etched Dies to cut the tree canopy from Rainforest ColorWheel Cardstock and the trunk from Truffle ColorWheel Cardstock.

Once the die cutting is complete, keep the dies organized by set in the lid of the Craft Stax Medium Tray. Place the corresponding die cuts into separate sections in the bottom tray.

This organization method saves time when assembling a project with many small elements and makes it easier to return each die to the correct package afterward.

How to Assemble the Paper-Pieced Raccoon

Step 5 - Create the Eyes and Face

Apply small dabs of Bearly Art Glue to the back of the raccoon’s head around the eye openings. Adhere the Raven rectangular piece over the openings. This creates a dark backing for the eyes.

Turn the head over and apply small dots of glue to the lower sections of the eye area. Insert two white eye pieces.

Pay attention to the pupil placement. One selected eye looks toward the upper right, while the other looks toward the upper left. Choosing complementary eye directions gives the raccoon an animated expression.

Adhere the two Anchor cardstock cheek pieces to the face. The outside edges of the cheeks align with the outer edges of the head.

Add the Classic White mouth piece beneath the cheeks.

Adhere the Raven nose to the white mouth area.

Next, attach the Anchor inner-ear pieces to the Fog ears. Use the embossed guidelines on the light gray pieces to position them. The ears may appear unusual while lying flat, but they will look correct once they are angled behind the head.

Apply liquid glue along the lower edges of the ears and place the assembled head on top. Before the adhesive sets, adjust the ears until they appear symmetrical.

Step 6 - Assemble the Tail

Attach the four Anchor cardstock stripes to the Fog tail, following the spacing shown in the project photo. Set the head and tail aside while assembling the clothing and body.

How to Dress the Raccoon for Fall

Step 7 - Assemble the Dungarees

Attach the center pocket, trouser turn-ups, and shoulder straps to the Wild Berry dungarees.

Step 8 - Assemble the Sleeves and Arms

Adhere the two Blush cuffs to the lower edges of the Tutu shirt sleeves.

Attach the completed sleeves to the Fog raccoon arms.

Step 9 - Attach the Shirt and Dungarees

Adhere the Tutu shirt to the Fog body.

A shirt collar or alternate neckline could be added at this point. For this card, those pieces are omitted because the white scarf will cover the neckline.

Position the dungarees over the shirt and body. Align the bottom of the dungarees just above the raccoon’s feet. The straps will extend above the top of the body temporarily, but they will be covered when the head and scarf are added.

Step 10 - Add the Arms and Head

Apply small dabs of liquid glue to the top of each arm. Place the body over the arms, adjusting the position before the adhesive dries.

Position the assembled head over the body and use Best Ever Craft Tape to hold it temporarily in place.

Turn the raccoon over and secure the head with double-sided adhesive tape.

You can also use liquid glue first and reinforce the join with tape on the back. The attachment area is relatively small, so the hidden tape provides additional strength.

Step 11 - Add the Scarf and Tail

Tuck the Classic White scarf beneath the raccoon’s chin and adhere it in place.

Apply liquid glue to the lower portion of the striped tail. Position the raccoon over the tail so it extends naturally from behind the body.

Step 12 - Assemble and Attach the Hat

Adhere the Blush trim to the Fawn hat. Apply glue to the top of the Acorn brim, above the embossed guideline, and place the hat over it.

Attach the Blush bow to the hat trim, then add the small bow center.

Apply liquid glue to the top of the raccoon’s head and add the completed hat slightly above the eyes. The ears should remain visible on both sides.

Assemble the Autumn Accessories

Step 13 - Assemble the Wooden Tub

Attach the three Acorn trim pieces to the Truffle tub. Use the die-cut edges and embossed details to guide their placement.

Step 14 - Assemble the Apples

Apply liquid glue to the circular area of each Fern stem and leaf die cut. Place a Poppy apple over the glued section. Repeat until you have four complete apples.

Step 15 - Assemble the Tree

Attach the Truffle trunk behind the Rainforest tree canopy.

Step 16 - Fill the Tub with Apples

Apply small dabs of glue to the backs of three apples and insert them into the top of the tub. The tub includes a small cut line that allows the apples to slot inside.

If needed, reinforce the apples from the back with a small piece of double-sided tape.

Stamp the Autumn Greeting

Step 17 - Plan the Sentiment Placement

Place an A2 panel of Breeze ColorWheel Cardstock, measuring 4.25 x 5.5 inches, inside the MISTI.

Temporarily arrange the tree, raccoon, and apple tub over the panel. This allows you to check the available space before committing to the sentiment placement.

Select the “Autumn Greetings” sentiment from the All About Fall Clear Stamp Set and position it in the upper-right area of the Breeze panel. Close the MISTI door to pick up the stamp.

Step 18 - Stamp the Sentiment

Ink the sentiment evenly with VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink.

Close the MISTI lid and press lightly over the sentiment with your fingers. Open the lid and check the impression. If necessary, re-ink and stamp again while the panel remains in the same position.

Assemble the Autumn Scene Card

Step 19 - Attach the Tree

Adhere the assembled tree to the left side of the Breeze panel with liquid glue. Positioning the largest background element first establishes the layout for the remaining pieces.

Step 20 - Add the Raccoon

Use liquid glue to attach the dressed raccoon in front of the tree.

Step 21 - Add Dimension to the Apple Tub

Apply a double layer of 1mm White Foam Adhesive Squares to the back of the tub. The double layer raises the tub above the flat tree and raccoon, helping it appear closer to the viewer.

Remove the foam-square backings and position the tub to the right of the raccoon.

Step 22 - Add the Final Apple and Leaves

Adhere the fourth apple to the front or top of the tub. Arrange and glue the six colorful leaves around the base of the scene.

Distribute the leaves between the raccoon, tree, and tub to connect the individual elements and create movement across the card.

Step 23 - Finish the Card

Add one Pink Color Essentials Gem to the center of the bow on the raccoon’s hat.

Create a top-folding A2 card base from Classic White ColorWheel Cardstock measuring 11 x 4.25 inches. Score and fold the cardstock at 5.5 inches.

Adhere the completed Breeze panel to the front of the white card base.

Tips for the Best Results

  • Organize the die cuts by set: Use separate tray sections for the character, clothing, accessories, and background pieces.
  • Keep the dies with their pieces: This makes it easier to identify unfamiliar shapes and return each die to its correct package.
  • Use craft tape while cutting: Secure small dies to the cardstock so they do not move inside the die-cutting sandwich.
  • Apply liquid glue sparingly: Small dots of glue give you enough time to adjust the paper-pieced layers without creating adhesive seepage.
  • Follow the embossed guides: Many pieces include alignment marks that indicate where another layer should be placed.
  • Check the eyes before gluing: Select eye pieces with complementary pupil positions to create the desired expression.
  • Reinforce narrow connections: Add double-sided tape behind the head and body connection for extra strength.
  • Plan the complete scene before stamping: Temporarily position the die cuts on the panel so the sentiment does not compete with or become covered by the images.
  • Use selective dimension: Keep the background pieces flat and raise only the foreground tub to create depth without excessive bulk.

Ways to Customize This Autumn Scene Card

  • Use another character from the Summer Camp Collection instead of the raccoon.
  • Change the raccoon’s clothing colors to coordinate with a favorite fall palette.
  • Add a shirt collar or alternate neckline when the scarf is not being used.
  • Fill the tub with pumpkins, corn, or other accessories from the Harvest Days set.
  • Create a fuller tree by adding die-cut apples or extra leaves to the canopy.
  • Use yellow, orange, red, and brown leaves for a more traditional autumn color palette.
  • Replace the greeting with another sentiment from the All About Fall Clear Stamp Set.
  • Create a fall birthday, thank-you, friendship, or Thanksgiving card by changing the sentiment.
  • Use a blended or ink-splattered background instead of a solid Breeze cardstock panel.
  • Add more gems or small white gel pen highlights to the apples and character details.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you organize small die-cut pieces?

Group the pieces by die set, character, or assembly step inside shallow trays. Keeping the dies near their corresponding cardstock pieces also helps identify unfamiliar shapes and makes cleanup easier.

How do you assemble detailed paper-pieced characters?

Begin with the largest foundation pieces and work toward the smallest details. Use embossed guidelines and outer edges to align the layers, and apply small amounts of liquid glue so you have time to adjust each piece.

Why are some of the face pieces cut in more than one color?

Cutting certain facial elements from more than one color gives you options when building the character. You may not need every piece for one raccoon, but the extras can be saved for future characters.

How do you keep a die-cut character’s head securely attached?

Attach the head with liquid glue and reinforce the narrow connection from the back with double-sided adhesive tape. The tape will remain hidden once the character is added to the card.

When should the sentiment be stamped on a scene card?

Temporarily arrange the die-cut elements first, then stamp the sentiment before permanently assembling the scene. This helps you choose an open area and allows you to repeat the impression if necessary.

More Cardmaking Tutorials from Spellbinders:

Create More Seasonal Scenes with Coordinating Die Sets

This autumn card shows how coordinating die sets can extend the life of an existing character collection. The raccoon from the Summer Camp Collection takes on a completely different personality when dressed in a scarf, dungarees, and a fall hat, while the tree, apples, tub, and colorful leaves establish the seasonal setting.

Try mixing the Fall Adventures clothing and accessories with the other characters in your collection. Change the outfit, sentiment, background colors, and harvest elements to create fall birthday cards, Thanksgiving greetings, friendship cards, or seasonal notes.

You’ve reached the end of today’s card, and I hope you enjoyed seeing this sweet autumn scene evolve. There are so many ways to mix and match the different sets from Allison’s collections, and I hope you enjoy playing with them!

Thank you so much for joining me here on the Spellbinders blog today. I hope you have a wonderful day!

About the Designer

Lisa Tilson is a cardmaker who enjoys creating colorful, detailed projects with die cutting, stamping, and layered scene-building techniques. Follow Lisa on her blog, Instagram, and Facebook for more handmade card inspiration.

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