Are we having fun yet? I don't know about you, but I sure am!! It feels like I've been collecting and hoarding vintage goodies for so long without having time to really play with them. This week's series has given me the excuse to take the time to really dig into them!
Today I have some projects that feature vintage paper goods. I have a pretty large stash of things to keep me entertained...old magazines, books, sewing patterns, notepads, vintage stationery, and children's books. I keep my eyes out for these things whenever I stop in the thrift stores, garage sales, antique stores, or auctions. It's surprising what you can find...and many times at great prices!
My first card today features an adorable image from a children's art book. I LOVE this silhouette image...this look is SO popular right now and I was thrilled to find a vintage book that had several images like this! That's the fun part about shopping for vintage goodies...the thrill of flipping through a book to find treasures like these!
I also used some old pattern tissue to create a handmade flower. I love the way these turn out...and they are SO easy! I used the Beautiful Blooms II #2 dies in all three sizes. I ran them all through my Cuttlebug at once, cutting through several layers of tissue. I then stacked them all, spritzed them with a bit of Bubblegum Glimmer Mist, then dried them with my heat gun, fluffing the petals with my fingertips as it dried. They almost look like fresh-picked cabbage roses!
Next, I dug into my stash of old magazines. These are filled with neat ads and illustrations. Some of them are great just for the entertainment value! I came across one that I just had to scan and share with you...OMGoodness...something about this just doesn't seem like a good idea....
Anyway :-) ...while the pages of these old magazines are fun and interesting, they can sometimes be challenging to use in your papercrafting. Sometimes using the ad in its entirety can be a bit intimidating. So how about breaking them down and using bits and pieces to make unique embellishments? I used the circle from my new Papertrey Limitless Layers die set to create some chipboard buttons which feature just bits and pieces of the artwork from these old magazines. Now they will be easy to incorporate into my projects!
The idea of diecutting the images started me thinking of them in a whole new way! Here is a card I created using the santa button...I was going for a 50's holiday vibe. This image came from a December issue of Parent's Magazine, dated 1948. This was an ad for Roadmaster bikes...the bicycle button above was cut from the same ad.
When you're flipping through old magazines, also keep an eye out for article titles and headings to use as sentiments on your cards. The sentiment for this card was the title of an article from the same issue of Parents' Magazine.
I layered my chipboard button over some new Girls' Paperie and Basic Grey paper, a chipboard snowflake, vintage button and mica flakes. Isn't it funny how these old pieces fit just perfectly with my favorite NEW paper goodies? I just love it...it's like the best of both worlds!
Well, I hope you've been having as much fun this week as I have! I hope to return on Monday with Day 4 of my Vintage Findings series. I'm toying with the idea of making it a weekly feature...what do you think of that? I thought it might be fun to have Vintage Findings Fridays or something...tell me your thoughts!
See you Monday!
P.S. Did you see that Paper Crafts has a new call for submissions? They're looking for projects for the upcoming June/July 2011 issue. All of the details can be found HERE! Check it out!
Gorgeous projects! So unique! LOVE THEM! I think "Vintage Findings Fridays" is an AWESOME idea . . .
Posted by: Theresa | October 22, 2010 at 03:17 PM
I just love the way you've been using vintage items I your paper crafting this week. Such fun stuff! I think it would be awesome to see you have a weekly vintage post.
Thanks so much for all the inspiration. I can't wait to check out some flea markets and thrift stores for some great vintage finds as well as dig into the stash that I already have!
Posted by: Brenda Weaver | October 22, 2010 at 03:18 PM
I adore your work...I am a new faithful follower; thank you so much for the inspiration...xoxo
Posted by: gisele | October 22, 2010 at 03:59 PM
I am totally loving this vintage series. Yes please, keep it going!!! I especially like the way you cut the circles and featured special bits and pieces. Brilliant, I say!
Posted by: Tracy J | October 22, 2010 at 04:00 PM
I would totally support "Vintage Findings Fridays" from you! Please, please, please!!
Posted by: itsterry | October 22, 2010 at 04:23 PM
Yes, Yes, yes, please make it a weekly feature. As I said the other day, you are the vintage queen, Betsy. I always enjoy your style and talent. Thanks.
Posted by: Angie Hall | October 22, 2010 at 04:45 PM
I would love to see "Vintage Findings" to be made a regular feature. I love vintage ephemera and your cards are just gorgeous!
Posted by: Jessica Canham | October 22, 2010 at 05:28 PM
Vintage-y stuff is my fave! I have been enjoying your series so much and would love for you to make it a weekly feature. So much fun! Thanks for the ideas and inspiration!
Posted by: Cresta Woodruff | October 22, 2010 at 05:55 PM
Oh I would love to see you do a weekly post with your vintage goodies! I'm really enjoying your posts and love seeing a bit of your creative process!
Posted by: Tami M. | October 22, 2010 at 06:57 PM
these are just darling, betsy! i would love to see a weekly series:) happy weekend!
Posted by: lynn | October 22, 2010 at 07:05 PM
Love your projects and love the idea of Vintage Friday Findings. Can't wait to see what else you make. Your vintage chipboard buttons are fabulous!
Posted by: Linda E | October 22, 2010 at 07:43 PM
love all of these creative "vintage" ideas. Yes, a weekly post would be wonderful.
Those tissues flowers........ love.
You are so creative, thank you for sharing your gift.
Posted by: deb | October 22, 2010 at 07:47 PM
Oh please make it a weekly feature!!! Love love love the inspiration and the fun you bring to it!
Thanks Betsy!
-Kristin B.
Posted by: Kristin Burge | October 22, 2010 at 08:54 PM
Oh genious Betsy! I Love all of your vintage ideas! These cards are just wonderful!
Posted by: Lindsay | October 22, 2010 at 10:46 PM
Yes to the weekly Vintage goodies....love to see what you do with them. That tissue flower is soooo pretty....gonna give that a go soon. Cheers!
Posted by: Linda L | October 22, 2010 at 11:03 PM
I would be here every week for sure to check it out. This card is just wonderful.
Posted by: Beth W | October 23, 2010 at 01:13 AM
Fantastic! Amazing! I love it!
Posted by: Kathy Martin | October 23, 2010 at 07:05 AM
SUPER IDEA!!!! Can't wait!!!! I can NEVER get enough VINTAGE!!! :)
Posted by: Becky Green | October 23, 2010 at 07:18 AM
A Vintage Findings feature would be awesome! And you would be the perfect creative editor for that!! How fun! Bring it on!!
Posted by: Julia Diane | October 23, 2010 at 07:35 AM
This is perfect, Betsy! I cannot keep away from vintage! :) it would be totally wonderful to have a weekly series ... would make me doubly excited (I am already happy-mad) when I see your updates in my inbox!!!! :)
Viola
Posted by: Viola Mahr | October 23, 2010 at 07:44 AM
I love to find vintage findings. Your ideas are great. I would love to see you continue blogging about how to use vintage findings. I am always on the lookout for these findings at yard sales and thrift stores. Thank you for sharing your love of vintage and papercrafts with us, your readers.
God bless!
Posted by: Peggy Allen | October 23, 2010 at 08:22 AM
You're amazing! Thanks for inspiring with your unique projects :)
Posted by: Lili Worley | October 23, 2010 at 08:26 AM
Wow- I just love your creativity! Your chipboard buttons are the most adorable thing ever, and this "series" of yours is really making me want to hit some antique stores and flea markets! Love these projects!
Posted by: Kay Demonbren | October 23, 2010 at 08:58 AM
I would love a vintage friday feature!
Posted by: Karel Hamilton | October 23, 2010 at 09:08 AM
How wonderful!! I love what you have done!! Really pretty, full of vintage style and softness.
Posted by: Carolyn Gargus | October 23, 2010 at 09:09 AM