How to Make a Vintage Style Card

How to Make a Card in a Vintage Style

It’s no secret!  Anyone who knows my style is aware that I am in love with anything that is vintage.  I love antique stores and estate sales…not for furniture and things, but for old, odd bits and pieces, ancient yellowing letters and beat-up, crumbling books.  Those to me are treasures.

So, it isn’t a far stretch that the “vintage look” comes out in my creations.  There are several ways to achieve a vintage look in any piece of art!  You can use paint, inks, sand paper, found objects, old photos, lay paper out in the sun to fade, dye things with coffee or tea…and many more.

Today, I wanted to share with you a quick and easy vintage style card!  What makes this card to be considered “vintage”?   At first glace, one might say, “Well, duh, Theresa!  The photo!”  However, there is so much more that makes this a vintage style card.

Take a closer look.  Yes, the photo is definitely a vintage photo.  You can tell from the background of the photo and the subject.  The little girl, who is actually one of my ancestors, is wearing clothing from a different period and her hairstyle is also another indicator.  Do you see all the details?

The other elements that make this a vintage style card are:

• the paper background choice.  Using browns and tans contribute to the feel.
• the printed paper came from an old, crumbling book.  That paper is also torn, which adds to the feel that it’s older.
• the face of the card is sprayed with Walnut Ink by Tsukineko.  Tsukineko Walnut Ink comes in granules that you can mix with water or in a liquid form.  It comes in colors, but by using the brown I can help make things look a little older.  You can also think out your walnut ink if you want a lighter color….but do that in a separate small spray bottle so that you don’t dilute your whole stash!
• the alphabet ribbon has been rubbed with Vintage Photo  Ranger Distress Ink .
• the buttons came from an old button box I found at an estate sale
• the final little detail comes in the T-pin that is tucked in under the top right corner of the photo.  There is something about T-pins that just seem old fashioned to me.

I hope you are inspired to experiment with different ways to create a vintage piece of your own.  Share with us the techniques you use.  I know I’ll be waiting to hear!

Artfully yours….Theresa