We are turning back the clock with a vintage-inspired papercraft today. Whether you need a last-minute Valentine’s Day card, or just looking for a timeless throwback, this retro viewfinder greeting card has you covered!
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As someone who grew up in the 90’s I feel like these viewfinder toys are reminiscent of that particular time in history. After a quick Google search, though, I found out that this particular toy was actually first introduced at the New York World’s Fair in 1939! I had no idea that they dated back that far. Now I wonder if my grandmother might have played with one as a child.
Watch a short video of me putting this project together on Instagram.
Retro Viewfinder Greeting Card
Materials
- Cardstock
- Precision Craft Glue or a Glue Stick
- Foam Tape
- Bone Folder optional
- A Cutting Machine or X-ACTO knife
- My Free Template
Instructions
- Use your cutting machine or X-ACTO knife, along with my template, to cut out all of the pieces of this retro viewfinder greeting card.Note: If you are using the SVG files that includes the score lines, don’t forget to set them as such in Cricut Design Space and attach them to their shapes before sending them through your cutting machine. I used a lime green color to mark the score lines, so hopefully that helps! If you’re having trouble with the score lines, check out this video.
- Start by attaching the large black and white pieces to the interior of the card.Then, flip the card over and attach the decorative blue panels to the front/back of the card.Next, attach the black viewfinder piece to the front of the card, lining up the portions with the hole. There is also a little black circle that you can layer on the end of the viewfinder handle with some foam tape if you’d like.
- Layer the dark red outline of the viewfinder on top of the lighter red backing piece. Then, attach the three layers of each lens sections together with foam tape and attach them to the front as well.Note: As you may notice, I messed up here and actually attached the black baking at this stage. I did have to remove it and attach it to the card first, as shown in the previous step.Layer the film reel together, as well as the little banner pieces. Use a white pen/marker to add a message to your film reel, if you would like.
- Take the remaining three, black circles and attach them together with foam tape in between the layers. Then, place the whole thing into the circular hole on the front of the card.Add some glue to the top circle, and attach it to the center of the film reel.Add a couple layers of foam tape to the back of the viewfinder—making sure to avoid the areas where the reel needs to spin. Attach the whole thing to the front.Write a little message on the banner, place it just below the viewfinder, and your card is complete!
Notes
View the full-size photo tutorial below.
Supplies
- Cardstock
- Precision Craft Glue or a Glue Stick
- Foam Tape
- Bone Folder (optional)
- A Cutting Machine or X-ACTO knife
- My Free Template
How to Make It
1. Use your cutting machine or X-ACTO knife, along with my template, to cut out all of the pieces of this retro viewfinder greeting card.
Note: If you are using the SVG files that includes the score lines, don’t forget to set them as such in Cricut Design Space and attach them to their shapes before sending them through your cutting machine. I used a lime green color to mark the score lines, so hopefully that helps! If you’re having trouble with the score lines, check out this video.
2. Start by attaching the large black and white pieces to the interior of the card.
Then, flip the card over and attach the decorative blue panels to the front/back of the card.
Next, attach the black viewfinder piece to the front of the card, lining up the portions with the hole. There is also a little black circle that you can layer on the end of the viewfinder handle with some foam tape if you’d like.
3. Layer the dark red outline of the viewfinder on top of the lighter red backing piece. Then, attach the three layers of each lens sections together with foam tape and attach them to the front as well.
Note: As you may have noticed, I messed up here and actually attached the black baking at this stage. I did have to remove it and attach it to the card first, as shown in the previous step.
Layer the film reel together, as well as the little banner pieces. Use a white pen/marker to add a message to your film reel, if you would like.
4. Take the remaining three, black circles and attach them together with foam tape in between the layers. Then, place the whole thing into the circular hole on the front of the card.
Add some glue to the top circle, and attach it to the center of the film reel.
Add a couple layers of foam tape to the back of the viewfinder—making sure to avoid the areas where the reel needs to spin. Attach the whole thing to the front.
Write a little message on the banner, place it just below the viewfinder, and your card is complete!
As you can tell, I made this card in celebration of Valentine’s Day, but you really could customize it for any occasion! It would be fun for a birthday, anniversary, graduation—you name it! And the fact that you can spin the reel and reveal a little message just adds to the possibilities.
I use Adobe Illustrator for all my designs, and a Cricut Maker to bring my creations to life. For tips on creating fun paper cuts like this one, see the FAQ section on my website. Also, be sure to check out the other fun freebies available on my blog!
Enjoy making this retro viewfinder greeting card for someone you’re thinking of! I’m excited to see your results, so be sure to share them with me by either tagging me on Instagram or by sharing your work in my Facebook Group.
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Mandee is a professional graphic designer, amateur bird watcher, and rollercoaster enthusiast. She is a wife to hardworking high school teacher and mommy to three adorable little humans. She fell in love with graphic design when she started working on a comedy website with a guy she met her freshman year of college. Design wasn’t the only thing she fell in love with, and they were married a year and a half later. She created Designs By Miss Mandee to be a place where she could merge her passion for design with her lifelong love of crafting. 4 Comments on Retro Viewfinder Greeting Card – Valentine’s Day Cut Files
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Victoria
February 13, 2024 at 2:12 pm (3 months ago)🤩😍💜 memorable, thank you for you cretivity
Mandee
February 15, 2024 at 8:59 am (3 months ago)You are very welcome, Victoria! ☺️
Janneth
February 21, 2024 at 2:57 am (3 months ago)Hi is there a video tuttorial?
Mandee
February 22, 2024 at 10:22 am (3 months ago)I don’t have a full-length video tutorial for this project, but I do have a short assembly video on Instagram if that would be more useful to you than the photo tutorial. 🙂