How to Make Cute a Ornament Gift Tag
October 8, 2025
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Discover the Magic of Fall Cardmaking with Spellbinders’ Autumn Archives Collection
The crisp air of autumn brings with it a special kind of creative energy—one that beckons us to capture the season’s warmth in handmade cards. Kelly Bangs’ stunning Autumn Archives Collection from Spellbinders offers everything you need to transform simple cardstock into memorable keepsakes that celebrate the cozy beauty of fall.
This thoughtfully curated collection captures the essence of sweater weather and golden moments with family. From delicate falling leaves to elegant sentiments, each product in the Autumn Archives Collection tells a story of gratitude, warmth, and the simple joys that make autumn so special.
The Autumn Archives Collection
Kelly Bangs has created something truly magical with the Autumn Archives Collection—a comprehensive suite of cardmaking supplies that work beautifully together or as standalone pieces. The collection embodies everything we love about fall: the changing colors of leaves, the comfort of cozy gatherings, and the timeless tradition of expressing gratitude.
What makes this collection special:
- Cohesive Design Philosophy: Every piece works harmoniously together, making it easy to create coordinated projects
- Versatile Applications: From greeting cards to scrapbook layouts and home décor
- Quality Craftsmanship: Thin metal etched dies that deliver precise cuts every time
- Seasonal Relevance: Perfect for Thanksgiving cards, autumn birthdays, and fall celebrations
The collection includes five die sets that we’ll be using for our cards today. Each set brings it’s own unique charm to your cardmaking toolkit:
Falling Leaves Etched Dies (S4-1484) – Create realistic autumn foliage with four different leaf designs and two acorn styles. These 13 thin metal cutting dies let you build entire woodland scenes or add delicate accents to any project.
Documenting Labels Etched Dies (S4-1485) – Add meaningful touches with 17 dies that create various label and tag shapes. Some even include nested word dies for “Fall,” “Cozy,” “Noted,” “Leaves,” “Autumn,” and “Seasons.”
Autumn Alpha Etched Dies (S4-1487) – Express yourself with this complete 26-piece uppercase alphabet in a charming western-style font that brings personality to any sentiment.
Changing Trees Etched Dies (S4-1488) – Craft beautiful forest scenes with nine dies that create three different tree designs in varying sizes. Perfect for creating depth and dimension in your cards.
Autumn Sentiments BetterPress Plate & Die Set (BP-322) – Add professional letterpress-style sentiments with three scripted phrases: “sending autumn cheer,” “grateful for you,” and “gather & give thanks.”
Three Cardmaking Ideas Using the Autumn Archives Collection
Ready to dive into some autumn cardmaking magic? These three project ideas showcase different combinations from the collection, giving you inspiration for cards that truly capture the spirit of the season.
Autumn Archives Falling Leaves & Autumn Sentiments Card
Start your autumn cardmaking journey with this elegant combination that pairs delicate foliage with heartfelt sentiments.
Step-by-step instructions:
Begin by selecting your cardstock colors. If you struggle with step, you can do like I do and use the DIY Color Deck for inspiration. Think rich reds, forest green, warm golden yellow for matting, and bright orange. Cut a white card base to 4.25″ x 5.5″ when folded. (Go to How To Make A Card Base for help). Blend the autumn colors you’ve selected randomly onto an A2 piece of fern cardstock. Then fasten the panel to your card base. Next, die-cut two rectangles from an A2 size piece of alabaster cardstock so that they create about a 1/4″ frame in between. Attach the alabaster “frame” to the cardfront so that the blended panel “peeks” out through the frame.
Use the Falling Leaves dies to cut three leaves in different autumn colors. The beauty of this set lies in its variety—you’ll get oak leaves, maple leaves, three-point leaves, and poplar leaves, each with its own character. Cut the coordinating stems from truffle cardstock.
Create your sentiment using the BetterPress system. The “gather & give thanks” sentiment works beautifully for this card. Following the BetterPress instructions, press your sentiment onto fern cardstock using mulberry ink for an elegant, professional finish. Use the coordinating die to cut closely to the sentiment.
Arrange your leaves in a simple row across your card front, making sure that you leave room for the sentiment. Once you’re happy with your arrangement, fasten them to the card front with liquid glue.
Add your pressed sentiment as the focal point, positioning it directly below the leaves helps the sentiment stand out beautifully.
Materials needed:
Autumn Archives Autumn Alpha, Falling Leaves, & Documenting Labels Card
This project combines three elements from the collection to create a more complex, layered design that’s perfect for special autumn occasions.
Step-by-step instructions:
Create your card base using rich black cardstock, cut to A2 size (4 1/4z’ x 5 1/”) when folded. Create a unique autumn background by cutting random strips of pomagranate, carrot, terra cotta, and fawn. Then tape them together on the back side and swipe your Antique Linen and Black Soot ink pads vertically over the panel made of strips.
Add texture and authenticity by trimming the panel to 3 3/4″ x 5″ with a deckle trimmer. This technique gives your card a vintage, archived feel that perfectly matches the collection’s theme.
Start by die-cutting the tag documenting label from fawn cardstock. The collection includes several label shapes, so you could choose any one that appeals to your design sense to cut “FALL” from. Die cut the acorn and blend it a little with the ink on your brown blending brush. The combination of these elements will serve as your main focal element.
Using the Autumn Alpha dies, spell out a word that captures the season, such as “AUTUMN,” “GRATEFUL,” or “BLESSED,” which work beautifully. Or, to make a card like mine, you will use “HELLO”. Cut these letters from classic white cardstock and arrange them across the top of your strip background, adjusting spacing until it looks balanced.
Arrange the elements on your label focal point, creating a natural, organic flow that guides the eye around your card.
Layer elements thoughtfully, creating depth and visual interest that makes your card truly special. I kept it simple and tied the tag with burlap twine and popped it up with foam strips.
Materials needed:
Autumn Archives Changing Trees & DIY 2026 Calendar Card
Transform your cardmaking into a practical gift with this innovative project that combines the beauty of the Changing Trees dies with calendar functionality.
Step-by-step instructions:
Begin with a sturdy card base that can support the calendar elements—choose a heavyweight cardstock and ink blend a background for your trees in a autumn tones like warm yellows, oranges, and soft sage green. And, you can make it look like the sun is going down like my card by adding some deep blues and purples at the top. Consider creating a subtle ground line with deep green to anchor your forest scene
Use the DIY 2026 Calendar BetterPress plates to create a small calendar for your chosen month. The beauty of this system is its flexibility—you can feature any month that holds special meaning for the recipient. Press your calendar using rich black ink for readability and elegance.
Create a woodland scene using the Changing Trees dies. Cut multiple trees in different sizes and shades of brown and deep green. Blend shimmer inks in autumn colors on the leaves to add interest, arranging them to create depth. The set includes three different tree styles, so mix and match for a natural forest appearance.
Position your trees on the background so that they will appear nicely behind the calendar element in a way that doesn’t overwhelm the functional aspect of your card.
If you have access to an easel die, create a simple stand so your recipient can display this functional art piece on their desk or shelf throughout the featured month.
Materials needed:
Create Lasting Autumn Memories
The Autumn Archives Collection by Kelly Bangs offers endless possibilities for capturing the warmth and beauty of fall in your cardmaking. Each piece in the collection works beautifully on its own, but the real magic happens when you combine elements to create something uniquely yours.
Remember, the most meaningful cards are those made with intention and care. Take time to consider who will receive your creation and what autumn memories you want to evoke. Maybe it’s the comfort of a family gathering, the simple pleasure of walking through fallen leaves, or the quiet gratitude that comes with the changing seasons.
As you work with these beautiful tools, let the therapeutic nature of crafting work its own magic. There’s something special about the rhythm of die-cutting, the satisfaction of perfect placement, and the joy of seeing your vision come to life on paper.
The Autumn Archives Collection invites you to slow down, embrace the season’s pace, and create something beautiful with your hands. Whether you’re making cards for Thanksgiving, autumn birthdays, or simply because the season inspires you, these tools will help you craft keepsakes that celebrate the very best of fall.
So gather your supplies, brew a cup of something warm, and let Kelly Bangs’ thoughtful designs guide you through a season of creative expression. Your autumn cardmaking adventures await!
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ABOUT AUTHOR
Teri Duncan
Teri has over 30 years of experience as a cardmaker. Her work has appeared in Spellbinders Paper Arts’ blog as well as with some of their products and on Altenew’s blog. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, stained glass, and teaching. She and her husband live in Crystal River, Florida with their three dogs and a cat.
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