Card-making is a wonderful way to add a personal touch to your messages, and nothing beats the feeling of crafting a beautiful design from scratch. Today, I’m excited to share a project that I created using the new dies released by Cottage Cutz for Black Friday. This vintage-inspired, shabby chic card combines elegance with a charming handmade feel. Let’s walk through how I crafted this unique piece using the Cottage Cutz Vintage Mailbox die and a few other essentials.

Materials and Preparation

Before diving into the crafting process, let’s first gather all the materials needed for this card. You will need:

• A4 black cardstock (for the card base)
• Shabby chic patterned papers (for the card mats)
• Cottage Cutz Vintage Mailbox die (part of a Black Friday bundle)
• Cottage Cutz Hello Sunshine sentiment die
• Black ink (for edging)
• White, black, and patterned papers (for die-cutting)
• Gold pen (to highlight details)
• Gold stickles (for accents)
• Adhesives, cutting tools, and any additional embellishments

Creating the Card Base

To start, I made a top-folding A4 card by cutting and folding the black cardstock. Black cardstock offers a strong, bold base for vintage and shabby chic designs, and it contrasts beautifully with the soft, pastel patterns used later in the project.

Next, I selected some shabby chic patterned papers for the card mats. These papers typically feature distressed or faded patterns in soft tones, which perfectly complement the vintage theme. I cut them to size and used black ink to distress the edges. This step helps to give the mats a cohesive look, adding definition while enhancing the rustic feel of the card.

Crafting the Vintage Mailbox

The centerpiece of this card is the beautiful Cottage Cutz Vintage Mailbox die. This die is part of a special Black Friday bundle, which made it the perfect feature for this seasonal project.

I used a combination of black, white, and patterned papers to cut out the various elements of the mailbox. Each layer of paper brings texture and depth to the design. To make certain details stand out, I added accents using a gold pen. The word “Post” on the mailbox, the intricate dove, and the delicate leaves were all highlighted with gold to give them a luxurious, vintage feel.

In addition, I applied gold stickles around the edges of the black base, adding a subtle shimmer that enhances the card’s elegance. The flowers, cut as part of the die, also received a touch of stickles at their centers, giving them a slight sparkle that complements the gold accents.

Adding the Sentiment

No card is complete without a thoughtful sentiment. For this project, I chose the word “Hello” from the Cottage Cutz Hello Sunshine sentiment die. This die, like the Vintage Mailbox, is also part of the new releases for Black Friday.

The “Hello” sentiment fits perfectly with the welcoming, nostalgic theme of the card. Its clean lines and simple elegance contrast with the more detailed mailbox, creating balance in the design. Once die-cut, I adhered the sentiment near the top of the card, ensuring it was prominently displayed without overwhelming the main feature.

Final Touches

With all the elements assembled, it’s time to take a step back and admire the finished piece. The black base, combined with the distressed mats and gold accents, brings the vintage aesthetic to life. The carefully highlighted details of the mailbox, along with the sparkling stickles, add depth and interest to the card.

For crafters who enjoy exploring different styles, this project offers a wonderful opportunity to experiment with the shabby chic and vintage looks. Although I don’t often craft in this style, I love how this card turned out and how it embodies the timeless charm of classic, handmade designs.

Conclusion

This Cottage Cutz Vintage Mailbox card is a delightful blend of old-world elegance and modern crafting techniques. The combination of black cardstock, shabby chic papers, and gold accents brings a vintage feel to the project, making it perfect for any occasion where you want to send a heartfelt message with a personal touch. Whether you’re new to card-making or a seasoned crafter, experimenting with dies like those from Cottage Cutz can open up endless creative possibilities.

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