Burgers And Smiles! A 3D Food Cart Project to Love

You know that feeling when you want to make something totally unique? Not just a card—something that turns heads, sparks conversation, and makes people say, “Wait, you made that?” That was exactly where I found myself when I sat down to play with the Food Cart Die Set and Hamburger Die Set from Pixi Dust Designs.

I’ve always loved stretching the idea of what a “card” can be. Yes, A2 cards will forever have my heart—but every once in a while, I crave a project that lets me go a little bigger, a little bolder, and a whole lot cuter. This 3D hamburger food cart? It checks all those boxes.

Burgers And Smiles:

The Inspiration Behind the Cart

Let me tell you—this all started with a conversation about state fairs. I was reminiscing with my husband about those tiny food carts at summer and fall carnivals—the ones that smell like funnel cake from 300 feet away and hand you burgers wrapped in wax paper. It’s such a specific kind of happy memory. So, I thought... why not turn that feeling into paper?

That memory became the heart of this project—a cheerful little food cart filled with fries, burgers, and a drink, all made from cardstock scraps and a whole lot of joy.

Crafting from the Stash

If you’ve been card making for a while, you probably have a drawer (or five) full of cardstock scraps. This is the kind of project that lets you dig into all of it.

I used a mix of Mushroom cardstock scraps for the base structure of the cart, and cut all the large elements like the base, sides, and top from that. I love Mushroom because it gives off that warm, neutral food truck vibe without overpowering the decorative pieces.

For the awning and smaller accents, I reached for some Neenah Ultra Thick Cardstock to give it sturdiness, and then pulled out some gingham patterned cardstock I had tucked away to add a retro diner feel. It was the perfect touch of nostalgia.

Pro Tip: This project is fantastic for using up leftover patterned paper. Since the pieces are small, even your tiniest offcuts can find a home here!

All About the Details

The Food Cart Die Set includes so many sweet little extras—stitched panels, sign holders, even dimensional shaping options that really bring the cart to life. I used the stitched dies to cut out decorative panels in gingham and layered them onto the cart to give it personality.

But the real stars of this project? That would be the food. The Hamburger Die Set includes everything you need to make a full fast-food combo—large and small versions of burgers, fries, and a drink. I made the large pieces to sit on the top of the cart and used the smaller ones to “stock” the inside.

I even added a tiny cash register inside the cart for fun. Little touches like that really elevate the design and make it feel finished.

A Sign That Says It All

One of my favorite parts of the build was the sign. I cut it from red, white, and gingham cardstock scraps, layering them so the letters popped in that classic diner-style way. I added the mini burger, drink, and fries to the top of the sign like an old-school drive-in display. It gave the whole piece that polished, over-the-top charm I was going for.

Pro Tip: Use liquid glue for assembling detailed or dimensional projects like this. It gives you that extra bit of time to shift things around and make sure your placement is just right.

Why This Project Works

What I love most about this project is that it blends fun and function. Yes, it’s adorable—but it’s also sturdy enough to be used as home decor, or even as a giftable box if you want to pop in a gift card or small treat.

And if you’re someone who’s been feeling stuck in the usual card format, this is a great way to explore a new style of papercraft without needing new supplies. The dies do most of the work for you, and it’s the perfect weekend project to lose yourself in.

Ready to Make Your Own?

Whether you’re a long-time card maker looking to try something new, or just someone who loves all things miniature and adorable, I can’t recommend this die combo enough. The Food Cart Die Set and Hamburger Die Set from Pixi Dust Designs make it easy to build a showstopper that will leave everyone smiling.

And if you’d like a little help getting started, I have a full how-to assembly video available that walks you through putting the food cart together step-by-step. You can find that [HERE].

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope this project sparks your imagination and gives you permission to craft outside the (burger) box.

Until next time,

Thanks for dropping by today I hope that you found a little spark of creative inspiration with my project today. Wondering what I used in this project? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails in the Materials Used section, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible.

Materials Used:

Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.

Happy Stampin'

Rick Adkins

Affiliate Disclaimer:

Just a friendly reminder, as part of my commitment to transparency, please note that some of the links provided maybe affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support is truly appreciated!

Additionally, I kindly ask that you always accept the tracking cookie for the affiliate websites. Rest assured, this will not in any way expose your computer to viruses or compromise your information. It's simply necessary for the company to attribute the sale to the affiliate, ensuring creators like myself receive their rightful commissions.

Your trust and support enable me to continue sharing creativity through my email lists, blog, and YouTube channel. Thank you for being a valued part of our crafting community!