After seeing a cobweb card on Pinterest, I couldn’t resist attempting to make one. A Valentine card for Dave came to mind. My first thought was to use some recycled old cards to create a unique fishing-themed cobweb card. Then, I thought it would be neat to use one of our wedding pictures from almost 50 years ago.
It took a little bit to find our wedding pictures. I chose one of us in front of the church where we were married. After scanning the picture, I used Canva’s AI to create a Victorian garden as a background.
Victorian Cobweb Cards
In the 19th century, cobweb cards were a popular feature of European Valentine’s traditions. The cobweb technique, also known as the beehive, birdcage, or flower cage, yielded delicate and detailed paper tokens that admirers would send to their loved ones.
When a string is pulled upward, the paper expands and separates, revealing something hidden beneath it.
Victorian Cobweb Card
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Supplies needed:
- Photo or Old cards
- Sharp scissors
- Tacky Glue
- Thread or string
- a Bead, button, or charm
Directions:
First, select a picture or card to use as the hidden picture base. Make sure it is on sturdy cardstock. If the card is not sturdy enough, you can glue it to a heavier cardstock base.
Make the Cobweb next. Select a thin paper, like printer paper, for the cobweb. You can use plain white paper. However, I chose to print a cupid with a bow and arrow, which I found on Canva. I moved the cupid to the right so that the thread would go through the arrowhead. I also changed the font for the Valentine greeting.
Use a pencil to draw a circle around the design on the paper. Then, cut out the round, making sure it is large enough to cover the central image on your card.
Then, fold the paper circle in half, then in half again. You can stop here or fold it once more for tighter slits.
Cut a line following the curve about an eighth of an inch from the edge with the folds toward the center. Stop before cutting all the way through the center fold.
Turn the paper around and cut from the center to the edge with the folds, stopping short of the edges. Repeat those two steps all the way to the top.
Attach a String or Thread to the Cobweb
Choose a string or thread to use to lift the cobweb. I used gold metallic thread to thread onto a needle and knotted the end. Then, I inserted the needle through the back and pulled it through the center front of the round.
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Hobby Lobby has a pack of Fairy Tale keys, which is perfect for this project. You can find a similar set of keys ◄ here on Amazon.
Lastly, I tied the smallest key in the pack to the gold thread. By lifting the thread with the key, the image underneath is revealed through the cobweb.
Cut Base and Embossed Background
I cut a 6-inch square from white cardstock as the base for this card. Then, I cut a 5.5-inch square from red cardstock and embossed a floral design on it. (I used a Vevor Cutting and Embossing Machine for this.)
Glue the Base, Embossed Cardstock, Picture, and Attach the Cobweb
Glue the embossed cardstock in the center of the white base. Apply glue to only the outer edges of the cobweb and position the cobweb in place over the image.
You can place something heavy on top of the glued cobweb. Two heavy books on either side of the center thread and key will keep the key out of the way. I recommend Tacky Glue. It sets up very quickly.
You can stop here. Or, you can decorate the card with other cutouts, ribbons, buttons, images, or other decorative items.
Create your own one-of-a-kind, mesmerizing Victorian cobweb card! Save this for your next craft night!
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