Bon Voyage Suitcase Card
Send good wishes for someone about to start a new journey or adventure by creating a vintage suitcase card! In this tutorial you will learn how to create this card using my free PDF pattern or SVG cut file. This would also make a fun invitation for a travel-themed celebration!
Hello Crafty Friends! Earlier this summer a dear friend of mine went on a bit of a whirlwind trip to about a dozen different countries in a short amount of time. While it was for work, she was still able to do a little sightseeing and experience the different places she visited. Before she left I sent her this Bon Voyage card to wish her safe travels and a happy trip. Today I’m excited to share the tutorial for making this suitcase card with you.
These cards are so much to make, especially choosing all of the cute travel stamps to decorate them with. You may recognize the cards – they are a spin on my popular paper purse card. These cards are easy to make and extremely customizable – you can switch up the colors of the papers and decorate them with travel stamps from any location!
These suitcase cards would also be the perfect invitations for a travel-themed party, wedding shower or good-bye party. Simply add the party details inside and customize the travel stamps on the outside to make it one of a kind! Below you can see a sample party invitation I made. I used the fonts Pacifico and Citrus Gothic on the inside of the invitation.
How to Make a Bon Voyage Card
Supplies Needed
- Free pattern and SVG cut file – Grab the free files by filling out the purple form at the end of this post.
- Cardstock – 3 colors: suitcase, handle/latch, and suitcase straps.
- Velcro Brand Fasteners size 3/8″ or 5/8″
- Adhesive: I used 1/4″ Double-Sided Tape, Craft Glue Stick and Zig Glue Pen
- Travel stamps – you can purchase stickers or find graphics for these online that you can print on your home computer. I have linked to the graphics I used under Step 8.
- Cutting with a Machine
- Cutting by Hand
- Paper trimmer and/or scissors
- Scoring board
How to Assemble the Suitcase Card
Using the SVG Cut File
I you use the SVG cut file, start by downloading the file from my Resource Library and saving it to your desktop. Upload it into Cricut Design Space. You will need to add the words “Bon Voyage”, or any words you’d like, to the cut file.
To do this easily, ungroup the file and move the blue latch piece on top of the suitcase flap. Type your words and size them to fit the area. I used a font I found online called Pacifico. Make sure after you type your words you weld them together, so the cursive words connect and are not cut out individually.
Step One: Cut out the pieces.
Cut out all of the pieces using the free printable template or use a cutting machine and the SVG cut file. I used my Cricut Explore to cut out all of the card pieces and a scissors to cut out my travel stamps (more info on the travel stamps in Step 8).
Step Two: Score the suitcase and fold.
Score the large suitcase piece at 4.5″ from the handle edge (or 2.75″ from the bottom edge). I used a scoring board and stylus.
Step Three: Attach the suitcase straps, latch and handle.
Adhere the suitcase straps to the sides of both suitcase pieces. I used Scor-Tape, which I love using for paper projects because it is so strong. It is not removable though which means you can not reposition it.
Next, adhere the luggage handle and latch to the top flap of the suitcase.
Step Four: Connect the two suitcase pieces along the handle.
Attach the suitcase flap to the large suitcase piece along the top of the handle. After it is attached, fold it up along the top line so it opens. Now you’ll have a card that opens up!
Step Five: Attach the corner pieces to the suitcase.
Start by folding each corner piece in half and then adhere them to the card using a glue stick.
Step Six: Add a closure to the card.
Place the soft side of a Velcro brand fastener to the back of the small suitcase piece where the latch juts out. Stick the rough side of the Velcro dot to the soft side and then close the card. This will attach the rough side in the perfect spot. *Update* – I have started using smaller Velcro Dots, 3/8″ instead of the 5/8″ pictured below.
Step Seven: Decorate the front of the suitcase with words, travel stamps and anything else you want!
The fun part! I added the words “Bon Voyage” to the top of each suitcase card. You could hand-write this if using the PDF pattern.
Decorate the suitcase cards with travel stamps. You may be able to find travel stamp stickers at your local craft store or you can print and cut them out as I did. Below are links to the stamps I used from Freepik.com. They can be used for free for personal use. Print them at a smaller percentage to make them small enough for the card. I printed mine between 10% and 50% depending on the image.
- Monument Stamps by Freepik
- International Business Stamps by Freepik
- Landmarks Stamp Collection Vintage by Freepik
- Round Retro Stamps with Landmarks by Freepik
- Retro City Stamps by Freepik
You can also decorate the back of the card with more travel stamps, or leave it blank. I chose to leave my green suitcase card blank in back because the paper was so beautiful and textured.
The suitcase cards are complete!
I love the vintage look of these suitcase cards. My favorite part of this project was finally using the piece of green-studded scrapbook paper that I have actually had since high school! Crazy, I know, but I bought it and never had a good use for it until now. After crafting these up, I really wish I was going on vacation!
If you enjoy making this card, try these other cards that use the same basic pattern as these suitcase cards.
Get the Free Bon Voyage Suitcase Card Files!
Fill out the purple form below with your first name and email address! The free file will be sent straight to your inbox! If you have already filled out the form below, don’t worry – you won’t be added to my list twice! This freebie is for personal use only. I hope you enjoy crafting something special. Please let me know if you have any questions :)
