Airstream Trailer Card

Now that I know she's received it, I am able to post this recent creation =)

I have a long time pen pal friend that has an Airstream trailer. She is surely chomping at the bit to get out there camping in it again this year. What better inspiration for a birthday card for her !

We've been internet pen pals for a dozen years or so now. If memory serves, we "met" through a website regarding Mustang cars ? We both share a love of that classic car. Of course over the years there have been many other things to write about and share photos of. I am so glad we are still internet friends ! Happy Birthday, friend !!!

I'm sorry, but I do not have a template for this project. I created it like most of my projects: making a quick sketch then transfer the idea to card stock, draw, cut and assemble as I go. I looked at a photo of her trailer for guidance. I suppose I ought to learn how to make templates and instruction sheets available for download one of these days. . . .

The trailer is made from Metallic Silver card stock from Stampin' Up! I didn't think about taking measurements before I sent it, but I guess it is about 4 x 6 or so in size.

The fold is along the top. I folded a piece of card stock in half, sketched on the shape then cut out both pieces at the same time with a sharp pair of scissors.

The windows were hand cut using a hobby/craft knife then lined with clear plastic. Open it up and lay flat to cut out the windows on the front only. Line the opening with double stick tape (Sticky Strip from Stampin' Up!), cover with clear plastic (Window Sheets from Stampin' Up!) trimmed to just cover the openings and tape.

I added real fabric inside, hand stitched and gathered to simulate curtains. Lay another line of heavy duty double stick tape down on top of the plastic, just outside the opening edge of the windows. Apply the gathered fabric and smoosh well so it will stick in place. Be sure that all of the double stick tape is covered with the fabric, otherwise when you close your card the front will still to the back.

The details were hand drawn with a pencil . The pencil works well on the metallic card stock, however if you need to erase (like I did!), there will be marks left on the card stock.

The wheels, tires and reflectors were created with various punches from Stampin' Up!.  I used Basic Black, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie and Metallic Silver card stocks.

The tank up front was hand drawn and cut out of a scrap of Very Vanilla card stock from Stampin' Up!

This is my first attempt at making a card to resemble and Airstream. If I had more patience, I think it would be neat to cut separate pieces of the Metallic card stock then piece it together to make real seams rather than draw them with a pencil. I'd then go back in with an embossing ink pen and silver embossing powder to make the rivets. Adding an opening door on the opposite side would really be fun !

Thanks for looking =)