A rusty classic and torn paper edges — collage storytelling at its finest. By Nancy Nickel · The Nickel Nook · Design Team Project
There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about a weathered old car — peeling paint, a little rust, a whole life lived. Nancy Nickel of The Nickel Nook captured that spirit perfectly in her first index card project using the Cute Grunge digital paper collection.
“I printed out the car paper, and tore the car out. I like the soft torn edge for collage.”
That simple decision — tearing rather than cutting — sets the mood for the whole piece. The rough, organic edge of the paper car integrates beautifully into the layered background, giving it the feel of a found object rather than a crafted element.
Nancy covered a standard index card with a background paper from the collection, then used ink and the Coral Whisper stencil to suggest the movement and energy of the car. Inked edges ground the composition, while a foam stamp adds that extra layer of texture so central to the grunge aesthetic.
The finishing touch? The “FREE SPIRIT” sentiment that comes bundled with the collection — block-stamped in bold, it anchors the whole piece with just the right amount of attitude.
How Nancy made it
- Print & tear — Printed the car paper from the Cute Grunge collection, then tore the car out by hand for soft, collage-ready edges.
- Add movement — Used ink and the Coral Whisper stencil to create a sense of motion and energy around the car.
- Ink the edges — Inked around the card’s border to frame the composition and deepen the grunge feel.
- Stamp & finish — Added texture with a foam stamp, then finished with the “Free Spirit” sentiment from the collection.
You can find the digital papers here
Now don’t forget to check Nancy’s video here:
