How to Make a Cute Autumn Squirrel Card with Fall Adventures Dies
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Time to read 5 min
Create a charming autumn card featuring an adorable squirrel dressed in overalls and surrounded by pumpkins, apples, hay bales, colorful leaves, and harvest-themed accents. In this step-by-step tutorial, you'll learn how to assemble layered character dies, create dimensional autumn accessories, stamp a coordinating sentiment, and build a cheerful fall scene full of seasonal details.
This project is perfect for cardmakers who enjoy character-based die-cut scenes and interactive collections that mix and match. The Fall Adventures Collection coordinates beautifully with the Summer Camp Collection, allowing you to create endless seasonal combinations using your existing dies.
Hello there, Michelle Short here to share a step-by-step tutorial with you using the new Allison Frazier Fall Adventures Collection. This collection works to add fall accessories to Trailside Trio and Woodland Trio, but also works with all the Summer Camp Collection too! I love when you can mix and match different sets together.
Today I'm using the adorable squirrel from Woodland Trio, combining coral tones with traditional autumn colors for a sweet harvest-inspired scene.
Project Snapshot
| Project Details | An autumn-themed card featuring a squirrel in overalls, harvest accessories, pumpkins, apples, hay bales, and layered die-cut foliage. |
| Skill Level | Intermediate |
| Approximate Time | 60–90 Minutes |
| Project Type | Dimensional Autumn Scene Card |
| Techniques | Die Cutting, Character Assembly, Layering, Stamping, Dimensional Adhesion |
| Occasion | Autumn Greetings, Friendship, Thinking of You |
| Finished Size | A2 Card (4.25" × 5.5") |
| Featured Products | Woodland Trio Etched Dies, Harvest Style Etched Dies, Harvest Days Etched Dies, All About Fall Clear Stamp Set |
What You'll Need
Spellbinders Products
- Woodland Trio Etched Dies
- Harvest Style Etched Dies
- Harvest Days Etched Dies
- Camp Days Etched Dies
- All About Fall Clear Stamp Set
- Terra Cotta ColorWheel Cardstock
- Alabaster ColorWheel Cardstock
- Raven ColorWheel Cardstock
- Classic White ColorWheel Cardstock
- Bellini ColorWheel Cardstock
- Coral ColorWheel Cardstock
- Carrot ColorWheel Cardstock
- Poppy ColorWheel Cardstock
- Rainforest ColorWheel Cardstock
- Fawn ColorWheel Cardstock
- Wild Berry ColorWheel Cardstock
- Saffron ColorWheel Cardstock
- Beeswax ColorWheel Cardstock
- Chiffon ColorWheel Cardstock
- Peach Blush Color Essentials Gems
- Platinum SIX Die Cutting Machine
- Handy Craft Tool Set
- Best Ever Craft Tape
- White Foam Squares Mix – 1mm
- Mini MISTI
- Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue
Other Supplies
- Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink
How to Make an Autumn Squirrel Card
Step 1 – Die-cut the Character and Accessories
Die-cut the squirrel pieces from Woodland Trio Etched Dies.
- Body, face, tail base, ear base, and arms from Terra Cotta Cardstock
- Head, tail detail, and ear detail from Alabaster Cardstock
- Eyes and nose from Raven Cardstock
- Eye highlight layer from Classic White Cardstock
Die-cut the overalls from Harvest Style Etched Dies using Bellini Cardstock.
Die-cut the bow from Camp Days Etched Dies using Bellini Cardstock.
Die-cut the autumn accessories from Harvest Days Etched Dies:
- Pitchfork handle from Coral Cardstock
- Pitchfork top from Matte Metallic Silver Cardstock
- Pumpkins from Carrot Cardstock
- Apples from Poppy Cardstock
- Pumpkin and apple stems from Rainforest Cardstock
- Hay bales from Fawn Cardstock
- Maple leaves from Wild Berry Cardstock
- Additional leaves from Wild Berry, Saffron, and Beeswax Cardstock
Secure dies using Best Ever Craft Tape and run them through the Platinum SIX Die Cutting Machine.
Designer Tip: Holding dies in place with low-tack tape helps prevent shifting and allows you to reuse the tape multiple times.
Step 2 – Assemble the Squirrel
Turn the head over and apply glue around the eye openings.
Attach the white eye layer to the back.
Insert and adhere the black eye pieces.
Attach the face layer to the head.
Adhere the nose using the etched placement guides.
Assemble the ears.
Attach the head to the ears.
Layer the tail pieces together.
Attach the overalls to the body.
Add the trouser cuffs and pocket.
Attach the straps.
Attach the head to the body.
Attach the arms behind the body.
Adhere the tail behind the body.
Secure the tail on the back with Best Ever Craft Tape.
Assemble the bow and attach it to the squirrel's head.
Step 3 – Stamp the Sentiment
Create an A2 card base from Chiffon ColorWheel Cardstock and place it into the Mini MISTI.
Position the squirrel as a guide and stamp the "sending autumn cheer" sentiment from the All About Fall Clear Stamp Set.
Ink the sentiment using Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink.
Stamp the sentiment onto the card front.
Designer Tip: If needed, re-stamp the sentiment without moving the cardstock to achieve a darker impression.
Step 4 – Assemble the Harvest Accessories
Assemble the pitchfork by attaching the silver top to the handle.
Attach apple stems to the apples.
Attach pumpkin stems to the pumpkins.
Step 5 – Assemble the Card
Adhere the hay bales to the card base.
Add the large pumpkins.
Apply foam squares to the large apple and small pumpkin.
Attach the dimensional elements to the scene.
Add foam adhesive behind the squirrel, using a double layer behind the head.
Adhere the squirrel to the card front.
Attach the pitchfork to the squirrel's hand.
Add the small apple.
Arrange the leaves behind the pumpkins and apples.
Finish with Peach Blush Color Essentials Gems.
Tips for Better Autumn Scene Cards
- Use dimensional adhesive to create depth between foreground and background elements.
- Mix warm autumn colors with softer shades for a fresh seasonal palette.
- Use etched placement guides to ensure accurate assembly.
- Secure delicate layered pieces such as tails from the back while the glue dries.
- Cluster embellishments around focal points to draw attention to the scene.
Ways to Customize This Project
- Replace the squirrel with another Woodland Trio character.
- Use different clothing combinations from Harvest Style Etched Dies.
- Create a pumpkin patch scene with additional harvest accessories.
- Add a different sentiment for birthdays or thank-you cards.
- Create a larger autumn farm scene using Summer Camp products.
- Experiment with alternative ColorWheel cardstock combinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Fall Adventures dies with earlier Allison Frazier collections?
Yes. The Fall Adventures Collection was designed to coordinate with Woodland Trio, Trailside Trio, and Summer Camp Collection products.
Why use foam adhesive on some elements?
Foam adhesive helps create depth and separates key focal elements from the background scene.
What adhesive works best for intricate die cuts?
A precision liquid glue allows detailed placement while minimizing excess adhesive.
How do I keep layered die-cut characters secure?
Use liquid adhesive for assembly and reinforce narrow connection points from the back if needed.
More Autumn Card Ideas from Spellbinders
Conclusion
The Fall Adventures Collection makes it easy to transform your favorite woodland characters into charming autumn friends. From overalls and bows to pumpkins, apples, and hay bales, the coordinating dies provide endless opportunities to build seasonal scenes filled with personality and warmth.
Mixing and matching these dies with Woodland Trio, Trailside Trio, and the Summer Camp Collection opens up countless creative possibilities for autumn cardmaking.
About the Designer
Michelle Short
Michelle Short enjoys creating detailed die-cut cards that combine layering, color, and interactive elements. Her projects often showcase creative ways to mix collections together while keeping the designs approachable and fun to recreate.
Thank you so much for stopping by the blog today, and happy autumn crafting!
