Hozuki Lanterns and Maple Leaves: Autumn Planner Stickers

Hello, I'm omochi, a hand-carved stamp artist in Japan.

Stamping directly into a planner can feel a little nerve-racking. When I want the freedom to move things around first, I reach for rounded, full-adhesive sticky notes. For this page I chose two signs of the turning season: warm hozuki lanterns and maple leaves.

1

Layer ink from light to dark

Cover the whole stamp with your lightest colour first. Then gently tap a darker shade onto just part of the design. Let the two colours overlap slightly instead of making a hard line; that soft overlap creates a natural gradient.

2

Stamp onto the sticky note

Press the stamp straight down onto the sticky note. Reds and oranges are lovely for the lanterns; yellow-green and gold can make the leaves feel as though the season is slowly changing.

3

Cut around each shape

Let the ink dry, then cut around each motif. A slim white border is easier to cut than the exact outline and gives the finished sticker a gentle, handmade look.

4

Arrange before you stick

Move the pieces around your planner page like a little puzzle. Once the balance feels right, press them into place. Because they began as sticky notes, they are easier to reposition than a design stamped directly onto the page.

One stamped impression and a little cutting can turn a blank page into a small place to notice the season. It is also a forgiving way to enjoy stamps if stamping directly into a favourite planner makes you nervous.

Only purchase links that offer international shipping are listed here. Availability can vary by colour and destination, so please check the shop page before ordering.

• Iromoyou Warabe ink pads (25 × 25 mm)29 colours; a small, easy size for trying one colour at a time.Amazon Japan →
• Iromoyou ink pads (63 × 40 mm)34 traditional Japanese colours; international availability differs by colour.Amazon Japan →

More notes on inks and international availability are in the Tools & Care guide.