Make a Dreamy Summer Cottage our of Paper

Looking for a challenging handmade card project that’s worth the work? Check out this stunning Summer Cottage that’s super fun to make.

Today’s stunning project is from our Associate Designer, Diana, who said, “This project is near and dear to me for two reasons… I got to build my dream cottage and I created it using all sorts of dies in creative ways! If you follow my work on Instagram you know I love die-cutting and creating scene cards!” We love the magic she brings to each of her papercrafting projects, and this cottage is definitely a dream. Follow along as she walks us through the steps to create this fantastic card, and pin it for later!

Let’s start with the base. I chose an A2 card base in landscape format. The color you choose for your card base will be your cottage color in the end.

THE WINDOWS: Cut the 5307-01D Arch Trellis Die twice, snipping off both the feet and the arched top, leaving just the panes. Ahere the panes to some vellum to give them a window impression. Both the fence and canopy will cover the cut areas in the final project. 

THE DOOR: Cut the base from the 5813-01D Farmers Market Stand Die, then cut the door window using the door window from the 5422-01D Shed Die. Back the window with vellum also. To frame the door, use the door frame, also from 5422-01D. For the door handle, I used a random leaf die I had laying upon my desk but the gate handle would work perfectly here too! 

THE CANOPY: Cut this in coordinating colors using the 5813-01D Farmers Market Stand Die then adhere using foam dots over the door and window tops slightly, to offer some perspective. 

THE FENCE: Cut the gate 3x from 5166D Gate & Arbor Die and the Arbor 2x. Snip the curved part of the arbor off so you are left with posts that have a decorative top. Trim the four posts to anchor your gate and continued sections of fence to the left and right of your gate. (You can substitute these steps by using the 5152-01D Picket Fence Die or the 5152-02D Knob Top Fence Die) Add your gate hinges and handle. Adhere your fence/gate using foam dots as well. 

THE MAIL BASKET: Cut the basket from the 5616D Classic Bicycle Die then add the tiny envelopes from the 5813-02D Farmers Market Spring Accessories Die. Lastly, add a bow to your basket using the tiny bow from the same die set. 

THE PLANTS: Now to embellish your cottage! Cut various flower pots using the 5147-20D Spring Garden Starter Dies. Fill them with the foliage and florals of your choice. Here I chose various sets including: 5813-02D Farmers Market Spring Accessories, 5422-04D Small Flowers #4, 5417-20D Spring Garden Starter Dies. 

For my hanging plant I cut the planter & hanger from 5813-02D Farmers Market Spring Accessories then added the smallest blooms from 5147-20D. The Hydrangea pot was created by cutting two small hearts from cardstock for a base, gluing them together off-set, to mimic the bulbous nature of Hydrangea blooms. Next I added the super tiny floral buds from 5716-01D Poinsettia Outline Die (but you could use any tiny bud die), shaped them with a ball stylus then adhered to the little hearts. I used both a blue and slightly periwinkle shade on the tiny blooms to mimic a true Hydrangea color. Lastly, I topped off the canopy with a couple of strands of Ivy from 5162-03D Small Ivy Die.

Special Note: To add a little something extra, I created a moss look on my pots using two shades of green Copic markers, dotting the colors on over each other to muddle the colors. Do this in random, jagged patterns. To finish the look off, I dabbed tiny dots with the fine tip of a white gel pen. You can create this on any color of pot! 

I hope you’ve enjoyed this project and that you’ll give a go at creating your own special girly getaway!