“Autumn light dances on every pumpkin and leaf, inviting us into a world of crisp evenings and cozy creativity.”
–CardPalettes.com
Welcome to our companion guide for October Whimsy, a collection inspired by soft and rustic fall colors. These five playful autumn palettes are designed for clean and simple cardmaking. As leaves turn and daylight fades, this seasonal set brings together cheerful pumpkins, soft teals, and lavender highlights.
In this article, you’ll find detailed color stories, Stampin’ Up!® ink matches with alternatives, and practical design tips to help you use each palette with confidence.
Here’s what’s ahead: three featured palettes with rich color narratives, focal-to-neutral pairings, and matching ink suggestions to spark your creativity. You’ll also meet two bonus palettes for added inspiration, plus resources to support further exploration. Let’s begin with the first palette and see how these October cardmaking colors come to life.
Porchlight Shadows: Soft and Rustic Fall Colors with Gentle Glow
Porchlight Shadows captures the quiet mood of an autumn evening just as daylight fades and shadows stretch across the steps. Inspired by painted pumpkins and weathered stone, this trio reflects soft and rustic fall colors at their best. Bewitching Teal adds focus and structure, while Twilight Pewter and Moonlit Lilac bring balance and contrast. The result is a calm, refined palette for seasonal cardmaking. It’s especially suited for tone-on-tone designs, porch scenes, or clean layouts that echo the stillness of early evening.
Color Spotlight
- Bewitching Teal (focal): A moody mid-tone teal with gray-blue undertones. In crafting lines, it’s often called “slate teal,” “dusty turquoise,” or “weathered blue.” Use it as the main anchor color—it stands out beautifully for stamped images, solid panels, or focal die-cuts, especially when paired with neutrals or pale lilacs.
- Twilight Pewter: A soft graphite gray with purple undertones. Sometimes found under names like “slate,” “dusk,” or “charcoal mauve,” this hue brings quiet depth. Use it for shadow effects, ink blending, or card bases that need a moody but gentle foundation.
- Moonlit Lilac: A pale violet-gray that feels misty and romantic. In many lines, it appears as “gray lilac,” “heather,” or “lavender fog.” This color works well for soft backgrounds, sentiment panels, or secondary layers when you want to add softness without losing contrast.
Color Theory Insight
This palette follows a neutral scheme (where colors are naturally muted, like browns, grays, and tans) that fits the quiet atmosphere of soft and rustic fall colors. The trio echoes the look of weathered porch steps, dried leaves, and moonlit shadows—subtle yet full of depth. Use Bewitching Teal for your focal images, Twilight Pewter for grounding elements, and Moonlit Lilac to soften stamped shapes or layer behind sentiments.
Stampin’ Up!® Ink Matches for Porchlight Shadows
| Palette Color | Stampin’Up Ink Match | Alternative Options |
|---|---|---|
| Bewitching Teal (focal) | Lost Lagoon | Just Jade |
| Twilight Pewter | Basic Gray | Pebbled Path |
| Moonlit Lilac | Highland Heather | Purple Posy |
Perfect For
Use this palette for sympathy cards, encouragement messages, and gentle transitions from winter to fall. Bewitching Teal (Lost Lagoon) adds a moody depth, while Twilight Pewter (Basic Gray) keeps everything grounded. Moonlit Lilac (Highland Heather) brings in just enough softness for gentle sentiments and layered die cuts. Together, they create a calm and reflective mood ideal for thoughtful cardmaking
Pumpkin Bloom: Harvest Charm with Muted Florals
This palette draws its warmth and elegance from a rustic fall scene filled with heirloom gourds and soft floral clusters. Harvest Gourd, the focal color, mirrors the deep orange of the speckled pumpkin resting on aged wood. Thistle Bloom introduces soft lilac tones from the nearby flowers, offering a gentle contrast. Sage Husk reflects the faded green of dried stems and leaves, adding balance to the arrangement. These colors bring together the charm of the harvest season with floral textures, making this a lovely choice for cozy, polished autumn cards.
Color Spotlight
- Harvest Gourd (focal): This rich orange matches the surface of the round pumpkin nestled against the wood. Often labeled “harvest orange” or “burnt tangerine” in craft supplies, it has more golden depth than a bright Halloween orange. It feels bold but grounded. Use it as your primary focal shade, perfect for sentiment die-cuts or standout stamped images.
- Thistle Bloom: A soft lilac tone drawn from the cushiony petals surrounding the pumpkins. Commonly seen as “light amethyst” or “pastel violet,” this color is cooler and lighter than a typical lavender. It provides a gentle lift without overpowering. Ideal for layered florals or accent mats that need subtle contrast.
- Sage Husk: A muted olive green seen in the dried stems and weathered leaves tucked around the blooms. Often labeled “old moss” or “earthy sage,” this shade is dustier and warmer than classic green. It settles the palette and ties the elements to nature. Use it for backgrounds, grounding layers, or foliage-themed accents.
Color Theory Insight
This palette’s triadic structure (where three colors are evenly spaced, forming a triangle on the wheel) brings playful energy with natural balance. The golden orange, soft violet, and dusty green echo a harvest table scattered with garden blooms, faded herbs, and fresh-picked gourds. Use Harvest Gourd as the bold focal, Thistle Bloom to add gentle lift in florals or die-cuts, and Sage Husk to ground the layout with earthy, neutral strength.
Stampin’ Up!® Ink Matches for Pumpkin Bloom
| Palette Color | Stampin’Up Ink Match | Alternative Options |
|---|---|---|
| Harvest Gourd (focal) | Crushed Curry | Pumpkin Pie |
| Thistle Bloom | Purple Posy | Highland Heather |
| Sage Husk | Old Olive | Soft Succulent |
Perfect For
Use this palette for Thanksgiving table cards, floral-themed fall birthdays, or warm thinking-of-you notes. Harvest Gourd (Crushed Curry) creates eye-catching focal points, while Thistle Bloom (Purple Posy) adds a soft, elegant contrast. Sage Husk (Old Olive) works well for grounding layers, leafy die-cuts, or stamped accents that echo nature’s texture.
Cozy Tabletop: Warm Neutrals and Homespun Texture
This palette captures the warmth of a cozy autumn table setting. Plaid Pumpkin reflects the rustic charm of handmade décor, echoed in the stitched texture of the fabric pumpkins. Eucalyptus Fog softens the scene with gentle, dusty green tones that resemble faded leaves tucked near the plates. Creamed Gourd adds a warm, pale neutral inspired by miniature gourds and striped linens. These three shades create a relaxed, welcoming feel that works well for cards with a homespun or heartfelt message.
Color Spotlight
- Plaid Pumpkin (focal): A rich, coppery orange drawn from the soft plaid pumpkin in the center of the image. Similar to Stampin’ Up! Cajun Craze or Cinnamon Cider, this shade leans warm with subtle brown undertones. It is deeper than a typical pumpkin orange, adding rustic charm and depth. Use it for strong focal elements, such as sentiments, large florals, or fall-themed die cuts.
- Eucalyptus Fog: A muted sage green pulled from the soft leaves resting beneath the gourds. It closely resembles colors like Soft Succulent or muted versions of Sage Shadow, but it carries a more silvery finish. This green helps balance warmer tones and has a calming effect. Use it for layered backgrounds, leafy accents, or stamped greenery.
- Creamed Gourd: A pale, creamy neutral seen in the striped cloth and small gourds. Also called buttermilk, light ivory, or soft parchment in craft lines, this shade is warmer than true vanilla but less yellow than most creams. It serves as a soft base for building layers without adding weight. Ideal for card bases, soft sentiment panels, or blending background textures.
Color Theory Insight
This palette uses a muted complementary contrast (where two colors sit directly across from each other on the wheel) between orange and green, softened by a neutral cream. The warm Plaid Pumpkin stands out against the calming influence of Eucalyptus Fog, while Creamed Gourd provides a gentle foundation. Use orange as your focal ink, green as a balancing support, and cream for card bases or subtle stamped details.
Stampin’ Up!® Ink Matches for Cozy Tabletop
| Palette Color | Stampin’Up Ink Match | Alternative Options |
|---|---|---|
| Plaid Pumpkin (focal) | Cinnamon Cider | Cajun Craze |
| Eucalyptus Fog | Soft Succulent | Mint Macaron |
| Creamed Gourd | Basic Beige | Sahara Sand |
Perfect For
Cozy Tabletop works well for warm, comforting designs that highlight gatherings and gratitude. Use it for fall-themed cards, thank-you notes, or cozy table-setting scenes. This palette also pairs nicely with stitched elements, plaid backgrounds, and nature-inspired accents like leaves, gourds, and branches.
Bonus Color Palettes to Try This Season
These extra palettes add a spark of imagination to the week’s collection. They’re lively and bold, but still rooted in seasonal warmth—perfect for cardmakers who enjoy a pop of color with purpose.
Carnival Gleam: Bold Spark with Autumn Gold
This palette channels the mood of late-night light shows and festive textures. Mask Magenta adds confident energy, while the two yellow layers add cheer and warmth. The combination forms a split-complementary layout, creating tension without clashing. Use it when you want to energize a simple card base or surprise with unexpected flair. It’s ideal for bold sentiment stamping, graphic shapes, or birthday cards that keep fall in mind without feeling muted.
Stampin’ Up!® Ink Matches for Carnival Gleam
| Palette Color | Stampin’Up Ink Match | Alternative Options |
|---|---|---|
| Mask Magenta (focal) | Lovely Lipstick | Rococo Rose |
| Gilded Glow | Crushed Curry | Bumble Bee |
| Starlight Gold | Pineapple Punch | Lemon Lolly |
For a lighter take on fall color that still pops, head next to Playful Patch.
Playful Patch: Cheerful Contrast with a Rustic Twist
This high-contrast trio brings pumpkin spice energy to playful layouts. The palette builds on a modified triadic structure, combining orange, green, and purple with enough contrast for layering. Use it when you want cards to feel seasonal but lighthearted. Try it with stitched dies, critter stamps, or patterned papers that hint at fall without going full harvest.
Stampin’ Up!® Ink Matches for Playful Patch
| Palette Color | Stampin’Up Ink Match | Alternative Options |
|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin Pop (focal) | Pumpkin Pie | Mango Melody |
| Garden Sprout | Garden Green | Granny Apple Green |
| Spider Plum | Rich Razzleberry | Gorgeous Grape |
Want to see fall colors in action? Check out the related inspiration ideas below for playful ways to bring this palette to life.
Related Inspiration
Need more inspiration for warm and inviting fall designs? The following resource offers creative ideas that complement the glowing hues in Carnival Gleam and Playful Patch:
- Color Formulas: Split Complementary Color Schemes (YouTube): A helpful external tutorial that explains split-complementary color use—plus a visual guide to the 60-30-10 rule often applied in fall palette balance.
Why These Soft and Rustic Fall Colors Work: A Color Theory Recap
This collection showcases how carefully selected relationships—triadic, complementary, and neutral—can express the mood of soft and rustic fall colors. Porchlight Shadows leans into a neutral structure with subtle depth and softness. Pumpkin Bloom draws on a balanced triadic scheme to bring energy without chaos, and Cozy Tabletop pairs complementary hues with cream to create warmth and stability.
Across all three palettes, the strongest color plays a clear role in leading the eye. Each palette supports that focal with gentler tones—muted greens, soft lilacs, dusty oranges—that echo fall’s textures without overwhelming the design. Together, they offer just enough variation to feel fresh, while remaining quiet and cardmaker-friendly.
Try placing the boldest ink as your main stamped element, then choose a softer tone to layer or ground your scene. These palettes are easy to adjust for clean and simple layouts or more decorative cards. Whether you’re stamping pumpkins, florals, or cozy scenes, this trio of palettes brings fall to life in a soft and personal way.
Let the Colors Carry You Into Fall
“Autumn is the season that teaches us that change can be beautiful.”
–Unknown
Our October Whimsy collection celebrates that truth with palettes full of warmth, charm, and a little surprise. From golden squash tones to playful patchwork hues, these color combinations are made to spark fresh seasonal ideas. Whether you’re crafting thank-you notes, cozy sentiments, or just enjoying the shift in light, these palettes offer plenty of inspiration.
Each trio is rooted in strong design principles that help your projects feel intentional without being stiff. Analogous blends create comfort. Unexpected contrast brings energy. The included ink matches make it easy to get started with what you already own. We can’t wait to see how October Whimsy inspires your next seasonal cards. Send us a note. We always enjoy seeing what you make.
This article takes a closer look at how each of this week’s soft and rustic fall colors was selected and how they function in clean, seasonal cardmaking. You’ll find ink suggestions, design notes, and tips for using each palette with confidence.
Explore the full story behind these October autumn palettes in our Sunday post.
How These Soft and Rustic Fall Colors Palettes Came Together
This week’s collection of soft and rustic fall colors draws from porchlight evenings, playful pumpkins, and lavender shadows. These textures helped shape a cozy yet charming palette series with rich focal tones and grounded accents. Each trio captures a unique autumn mood—from morning mist to golden celebration.
October’s Full Creative Journey
- October 6: Autumn Cardmaking Color Ideas: 5 Calm Seasonal Palettes — soft, misty hues reflecting early autumn’s quiet beginnings
- October 13: Woodland Card Color Ideas: Rustic Hues for Fall Cards — earthy, reflective tones inspired by forest stillness
- October 20: Warm Fall Ink Combinations to Use in Autumn Card Designs — cozy golden shades and mellow warmth for classic autumn cards
As we wrap up October, we invite you to revisit the month’s color story. Each collection offers a unique autumn perspective, from calm seasonal palettes to bold, cheerful finishes.
Match These Colors with Catherine Pooler Inks
We’ve created swatch images featuring Catherine Pooler ink matches for many of our palettes, including this week’s collection. These visual references are great for planning fall cards or trying new color combinations.
View our Catherine Pooler swatches on Pinterest.