A Little Spooky A Little Sassy: An October Birthday Card

There’s something I really enjoy about making birthday cards for people born in October. You can take all those familiar Halloween colors—purple, orange, black, and a little bit of sparkle—and turn them into something that feels festive without making the card entirely about Halloween. That was exactly the direction I took with this card featuring the Bagged & Bothered Stamp Set from Unity Stamp Company. The slightly grumpy cat, bold colors, and cheeky sentiment gave me the perfect starting point for an October birthday card that feels fun, playful, and just a little bit sassy.

A Little Spooky A Little Sassy: An October Birthday Card Design

When I was putting this card together, my biggest design goal was creating a strong focal point without making the card feel visually chaotic. The Whiskers & Witchery Paper Pack immediately gave me the purple Halloween-inspired background I wanted, but I knew I needed some quieter areas around the stamped image. That's why I used the patterned paper as a border rather than covering the entire card with it. The orange matting and ink-blended background then create a visual bridge between the purple pattern and the colored image. This is one of my favorite ways to work with busy pattern paper: let it provide the personality, then use solid layers to give the eye a place to rest.

The coloring was another place where I intentionally built the image in layers. I started with Ohuhu Honolulu alcohol markers to establish the main colors of the cat and treat bag, then used Ohuhu Halawa Series colored pencils to add additional shading and definition. I love this combination because the markers can quickly establish smooth areas of color, while colored pencils give me more control when I want to emphasize shadows or small details. You don't have to use both mediums, though. If you only have colored pencils, you can build the entire image gradually with pencil. If alcohol markers are your preferred medium, simply concentrate darker marker colors in the shadow areas to create dimension.

Why the Orange Background Makes the Card Work

One of the teaching moments I took away from this project is just how much a background can influence a focal image. The Distress Inks in Spiced Marmalade, Carved Pumpkin, and Crackling Campfire give the center of the card a warm glow that makes the purple elements and green eyes of the cat stand out. Rather than trying to blend a perfectly uniform background, I wanted some variation in the orange. That slight change in intensity keeps the background interesting while still allowing the stamped image to remain the star. If you're working from your stash, don't worry about matching these exact colors. Look at the dominant color in your patterned paper and choose a contrasting ink color for your focal area. That simple bit of contrast can make a big difference.

I also couldn't resist adding a few small details with a white gel pen. These little highlights are easy to overlook, but they're one of those finishing touches that can make colored images feel more polished. My advice is to use them selectively. A few well-placed highlights can draw attention to the eyes, add shine, and break up larger areas of color without overwhelming the image. And if you don't have a white gel pen, you can simply leave those details out—the card will still work beautifully.

Making the Idea Work With Your Stash

What I particularly like about this October birthday card is that the design concept is much more important than the exact supplies. You could recreate the same approach with almost any character stamp, a coordinating piece of pattern paper, and a few inks from your stash. Try choosing one dominant color from your patterned paper, one contrasting color for the focal area, and one or two neutral colors to help everything breathe. You can also change the mood completely by swapping the Halloween-inspired paper for florals, plaids, or another seasonal pattern. The same layout and coloring principles still apply. For me, that's where the real value of a cardmaking project comes in—not simply copying one finished card, but taking the idea and making it your own.

This A Little Spooky A Little Sassy: An October Birthday Card project was a good reminder that an October birthday card doesn't have to choose between spooky and celebratory. With a playful stamped image, intentional color choices, layered coloring, and a little patterned paper, you can create a handmade birthday card that feels perfectly suited to the recipient. So if you have an October birthday coming up, take a look through your stash and see what you already have that could give your next birthday card a little spooky personality. You might be surprised by how easily a few familiar supplies can come together into something completely new!

Thanks for dropping by today I hope that you found a little spark of creative inspiration with my project today. Wondering what I used in this project? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails in the Materials Used section, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible.

Supplies Used

Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.

Happy Crafting,

Rick Adkins

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