When the weather finally cools down in Santa Clarita, and the constant threat of wildfires encouraged by unrelenting heat and high winds becomes a faint nightmare, I welcome the subtle changes that Fall brings. Leaves that turn golden, then orange, the woody scent of chimney smoke, and homemade soups and stews (actually using my oven again). I put away my Shabby Chic cotton sheets and smother my bed with soft flannel ones, savor my first Starbucks Peppermint Mocha, and of course, anticipate Thanksgiving.

This year’s cards were influenced by my personal memories of the dreamier side of Fall. The perfect pumpkins, hardy sunflowers, old blue pickup trucks, the romance of postcards, and the fresh colors Fall brings. I downloaded digital designs from Etsy to print my own cardstock, and I found combining prints with soft blues, greens, pinks and browns creatively satisfying.

I am infatuated with junk journals right now so the digitals I selected were designed for that purpose, but I made them work for Thanksgiving cards. Most of my creations end up being more like folios anyway rather than two-dimensional. They could definitely function as keepsakes that hold seasonal memories and photos.

I hope you are inspired to create your own perfect Fall. Enjoy.