Are you ready to craft a card that’s as bold, dynamic, and full of personality as Lightning McQueen himself? This Disney Cars-inspired birthday card was designed to bring speed, style, and smiles to any celebration! Whether you’re a card maker, a Disney fan, or both, this project is sure to spark your creativity and make a lasting impression!
🏁 Buckle Up! This Disney Cars-Inspired Birthday Card is Built for Speed & Style!
For this card, I wanted to channel the high-energy vibe of the Cars universe—complete with vibrant colors, checkered flags, and, of course, Lightning McQueen as the star of the show!
This project is the perfect mix of Stampin’ Up! supplies, Cricut magic, and creative layering techniques that bring the racing world to life in paper form. Ready to hit the track? Let’s GO! 🏎️💨
📜 Pit Stop for Supplies: What You’ll Need to Build This High-Octane Card!
🚗 The Base & Background Layers:
✔ Stampin’ Up! Real Red 8-1/2” x 11” Cardstock (4.75” x 6.75”)
✔ Stampin’ Up! Daffodil Delight 8-1/2” x 11” Cardstock (5” x 7” card base)
🚗Inks
✔ Stampin’ Up! Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin’ Pad (for inking edges)
✔ Stampin’ Up! Real Red Classic Stampin’ Pad (for inking edges)
🛞 Texture & Patterns:
✔ Stampin’ Up! Basic Black 8-1/2”x11” Cardstock OR CTMH 12x12 Black Cardstock
✔ Stampin’ Up! Brushed Silver Specialty Paper
✔ Stampin’ Up! Metal Plate 3D Embossing Folder
✔ Stampin’ Up! Modern Herringbone 3D Embossing Folder
✨ Titles, Embellishments & Final Touches:
✔ Stampin’ Up! Deckled Circle Dies (for the centerpiece)
✔ Stampin’ Up! Industrial Trinkets (for race-ready metallic accents!)
🏆 SVG Elements & Custom Details:
✔ Lightning McQueen SVG (from Cricut Design Space®️, cut with Cricut Maker 3®️)
✔ Piston Cup SVG (cut from Stampin’ Up! Daffodil Delight Cardstock)
✔ Checkered Flag Stamped Background (CTMH’s Let’s Party Scrapbook Stamp & Thin Cuts with CTMH Intense Black Ink OR Stampin’ Up! Jet Black Stazon Pad)
✔ Mickey Mouse Silhouette (cut in black cardstock and positioned between the two racing flags)
✔ Custom “Happy Birthday” Title (designed & cut in Cricut Design Space®️)
✔ “Champion” Banner (cut in black cardstock for the Piston Cup)
✔ Paper Trimmer, Glue, Foam Tape, Adhesive, Stampin’ Up! Take Your Pick Tool
🏁 NOW LET’S GET CRAFTING! 🏁
🔥 Start Your Engines: Designing the Card Like a Pro
Before I even start cutting paper, I love using Cricut Design Space®️ to visualize the finish line!
Design Space lets me tweak measurements, layouts, and colors before making a single cut—because when you’re working with a high-energy theme like Disney Cars, every detail matters!
For this card, I wanted a bold, dynamic look to reflect Lightning McQueen’s speed and personality.
Here’s how I made it happen:
1. Create the Base Layers:
I started with a pre-made CTMH 5x7 card for convenience, then layered it up for added flair:
• Card Mat 1: Stampin’ Up! Daffodil Delight Cardstock (5” x 7”). I Ink up the edges of the cardstock by using Stampin' Up Classic Daffodil Delight Stampin' Pad. Set aside to dry.
• Card Mat 2: Real Red cardstock (4.75” x 6.75”). Ink up the edges of the cardstock by using Stampin' Up! Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad. Set aside to dry.
2. Add Texture & Patterns:
Capture the Industrial Vibe of a Race Track:
• For the Metal Plate: Emboss a 4” x 5.5” piece of Brushed Silver Specialty Paper using the Metal Plate 3D Embossing Folder. This technique creates a sleek, metallic finish that mimics real industrial textures.
💡 Pro Tip: For an extra bold look, lightly swipe a black ink pad over the raised embossed areas to enhance the texture and depth!
• For the Tire: Use CTMH Black Cardstock or Stampin’ Up! Basic Black 8-1/2” x 11” Cardstock, then emboss it with the Modern Herringbone 3D Embossing Folder. This pattern replicates the rugged texture of tire treads, adding depth and drama to the design.
💡 Pro Tip: Want even more realism? Lightly sand the embossed areas for a subtle distressed effect that mimics real tire wear!
3. Feature Lightning McQueen & Friends:
• I created Lightning McQueen and the Piston Cup using licensed Disney SVG files from Design Space®️, which I cut with my Cricut Maker 3®️. This allowed for precise details and a polished, professional look.
• The Piston Cup was cut from Stampin’ Up! Daffodil Delight 8-1/2”x11” Cardstock to create a bold, eye-catching pop of yellow.
💡 Pro Tip: To add extra dimension, ink the edges of the Piston Cup pieces with a slightly darker yellow shade before assembling! This helps create realistic shading and makes the trophy stand out even more.
4. The Checkered Flag Moment:
• The Real Red Cardstock mat was stamped with a checkered pattern using CTMH’s Let’s Party Scrapbook Stamp & Thin Cuts set and CTMH Intense Black Ink. This classic racing pattern brings the high-energy vibe of the track to life!
💡 Pro Tip: If you don’t have CTMH Intense Black Ink, you can substitute it with Jet Black StazOn Pad from Stampin’ Up! for a crisp, bold impression that won’t smudge!
• A white circle (cut with Stampin’ Up! Deckled Circle Dies) served as the perfect centerpiece for Lightning McQueen and the racing flags, making him the star of the card.
• To drive home the Disney-inspired theme, I cut a Mickey Mouse silhouette from black cardstock and positioned it between the two racing flags at the top. This subtle but fun detail ties in the magic of Disney while keeping the race-day excitement alive!
💡 Pro Tip: Want to enhance the focal point? Try lightly inking the edges of the white circle with Daffodil Delight or Smoky Slate ink to create extra depth and dimension!
5. Add Bold Titles & Embellishments
• I designed and cut a bold “Happy Birthday” title in Design Space®️ using my Cricut. After applying foam tape to the back, I placed it at the top of the card, making it a true showstopper!
💡 Pro Tip: Want to make your title pop even more? Try cutting an offset layer in white or silver to create a shadow effect!
• I cut the word “Champion” from black cardstock and adhered it to a banner beneath the Piston Cup for added emphasis. To give it that extra trophy-worthy shine, I placed an Industrial Trinket at the center of the cup—a small detail that makes a big impact!
• With all my elements ready, I adhered everything onto the CTMH 5”x7” pre-made card base, ensuring the layers, textures, and dimensions flowed together seamlessly.
• Finally, I gave the card its race-day polish by adding Industrial-Style Trinkets, completing the high-octane, Cars-inspired look!
💡 Pro Tip: If you love a metallic finish, try adding Brushed Silver or Gold Foil behind the banner to create an extra championship glow!
🏁 The Perfect Card for Disney Fans!
⚡ “Ka-chow! 🚗✨ This card was an absolute blast to create, and I hope it fuels your next crafting adventure!” Whether you’re making a Cars-inspired card or adding a little Disney magic to your projects, don’t forget to hit the gas on creativity!
💬 Who would YOU surprise with this high-octane design? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear!
🔗 “Want more Disney crafting inspiration? Buckle up—I’ve got you covered!”
🏰 ✨ Check out my Disney-themed scrapbook layouts for even more magic!.
🏎️ Share Your Creations – Let’s See Your High-Octane Designs!
Did you craft your own Cars-inspired birthday card or put your own creative spin on this design? 🚗💨 I’d LOVE to see how you made it your own!
🎨 UPLOAD your project to the Members Gallery and let’s inspire fellow Disney-loving crafters!
📸 TAG me on social media so I can cheer you on—let’s turn the crafting highway into a fast-paced road of creativity!
🏆 Bonus Challenge: Add a fun custom racing number to your design! What number would YOU put on Lightning McQueen’s side? Share your idea below!
🔥 Final Thoughts: Full-Throttle Crafting & Disney Magic!
There’s something truly special about crafting handmade Disney cards—it’s like sprinkling a little extra magic and nostalgia into every project! Whether you’re a fan of Lightning McQueen, Mater, or all things Disney Cars, this card is a one-way ticket to creativity with Stampin’ Up! & Cricut!
✔ Bold colors? Check!
✔ Dynamic layers? You got it!
✔ That perfect Disney touch? Absolutely!
🏁 This card is a WINNER in every way! 🏆 So grab your supplies, fire up your Cricut or stamps, and start creating a handmade masterpiece that’s guaranteed to steal the show!
🚗 This Card is Built for Speed—But You? You Built the Magic! 💨✨
🎨 April – This Chick Loves Paper
Want to create your own Cars-inspired masterpiece?
Grab the supplies I used and start crafting today!
📸 All photos and projects are subject to copyright ThisChickLovesPaper.com
Images @ Stampin’ Up!©️
Images @ Close To My Heart©️
🚨 DISCLAIMER: This project uses licensed Disney SVG files for personal crafting purposes. These designs are not for commercial sale or reproduction and are shared here solely for inspiration and educational purposes.
The content in this blog is the sole responsibility of April Raine - This Chick Loves Paper as a Stampin’ Up!® Independent Demonstrator. The use of and content of classes, services, or products offered is not endorsed by Stampin’ Up!®.
🏁 Rev Up Your Creativity with this High-Octane Disney Cars-Inspired Birthday Card! 🚗✨🔥Inspired by the beloved Disney•Pixar classic, this handmade card is packed with bold colors, dynamic layers, and just the right amount of racing magic. Whether you’re crafting for a Lightning McQueen fan or bringing some Disney excitement to your projects, this step-by-step guide from This Chick Loves Paper will take you across the finish line! 🏁🔥
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