2023: Harry Potter – Forbidden Forest – Weasley Car and Pickett
Flying Cars & Forest Whispers: Our Final Steps Through the Forbidden Forest
Our final spread from the Forbidden Forest Experience brings together two fan-favorite magical moments—one loud and legendary, the other subtle and enchanting. On these pages, the mischievous charm of the Weasley’s bewitched Ford Anglia meets the quiet magic of Pickett the Bowtruckle from Fantastic Beasts. Though vastly different in personality and purpose, both evoke the wild wonder that makes the wizarding world so beloved.
The background paper for this spread comes from my aunt’s stash—vintage cardstock likely dating back to the 1990s. It felt only fitting to pair something a bit nostalgic with these magical creatures. I chose a bright blue for the left-hand page, to echo the distinctive color of the Weasley car, and a leafy green for the right-hand page, as a nod to Pickett’s forest home.
Tucked deep among the twisting paths of the Forbidden Forest, the iconic Ford Anglia appears just as it did after Ron and Harry’s infamous crash—rusted, overgrown, and wildly out of place. The moment you spot it through the trees, it’s as if time has stood still since that chaotic arrival at Hogwarts. Vines wrap around the doors, the headlights still glow faintly, and you can almost hear the engine sputter as it speeds off into the night. It’s a perfect blend of nostalgia and magical mayhem.
For the Weasley car layout, I tracked down a digital image in Cricut Design Space that resembled the Anglia and customized the colors to match. The matting and accents were all crafted in Design Space and cut with my Cricut Maker. One of my favorite details: I printed a miniature Ron Weasley, carefully trimmed off the head, and positioned it inside the car window—so it looks like he’s still behind the wheel, mid-panic. The border on this page features a wavy strip salvaged from a project over two decades ago, paired with a torn edge to add a bit of wildness to the layout.
The right-hand page shifts us into the quieter magic of the forest. Here, we meet Pickett, the cautious Bowtruckle most often found peeking from Newt Scamander’s coat pocket. In the experience, he’s perched on a tree branch, nearly invisible—just as a Bowtruckle prefers. He may not leap or roar, but spotting him is a reward for those who know to look closely. The stillness of the scene, paired with soft lighting and woodland sounds, gives it a beautifully serene feeling.
For this layout, I purchased a Pickett image from Etsy and made him large enough to be noticed—especially since in the actual photo (top right), he’s barely visible among the bark and leaves, along with several of his Bowtruckle companions. The bottom photo shows one of the interactive stations where guests can duel with light-up wands—red and blue bolts shoot between opponents until a victor is chosen. I added a double torn edge border here as well, helping to ground the scene and draw a visual connection between the pages.
Together, this spread is a celebration of magical contrasts: the bold entrance of an enchanted car and the quiet curiosity of a forest-dwelling creature. It reminds me that the wizarding world thrives not only in the big spells and daring escapes—but also in the details, the quiet glances, and the things hiding in plain sight.
Want to see how this mischief was managed? Grab your wand and click the video below to watch the magic unfold.
Categories: 2023, Harry Potter
MASCrapping 