Look what my mother-in-law gave me! I was sitting on her floor over Christmas doing my Christmas journal and chatting away about the old children's book I was using and she said "Oh, I know what you would like!" and got up from her chair. She came back with a box of cards she had found in the charity shop, completely intact, even down to the paper strip around the envelopes. We have no idea how old they are or which company made them, but they do say made in USA.
How sweet is that? I'm sure they must be as old as I am, I definitely remember getting cards like that when I was really quite little. Most of the cards are in good enough condition to send, except for a padded satin one where the glue has stained through the paper, and a baby on a 3D plastic swan (!) where the swan is a little crushed.
This scan isn't perfect, the blue background is actually scalloped as well, and the 'hello' pops right up from the top. I think I will definitely send some of these as cards, because they are so charming. I can think of several people who would be thrilled to bits to get one. And although I'm sharing two get well cards in my four, there are all sorts really: 6 birthdays, 3 get wells, 1 glad-to-hear-you're-well-again, a welcome baby, a sympathy, a just-to-say-hi and an anniversary.
I would love to hear if you have any ideas for how else to use them. I know I would enjoy just having them, but I would rather either share the love and send them on, or else give them new life by using them in a crafty way. I can see using some of them if I was scrapping childhood photos of me, as they are so very much of the time. I tend to be quite literal with ephemera, so all inspiration is welcome!
I will leave you with the words of these nice doggies:
Wish I knew some "special words"---
Some special little way
To let you know how VERY MUCH
You are in my thoughts each day!
with best and warmest GOOD WISHES
to you!
Thanks for stopping by!
Kel x
Those are darling! I love old cards, especially Christmas and Valentines. My husband has some old cards that his aunt sent him when he was a boy - almost 50 years ago! I think they'd be great framed behind museum grade glass to keep them from fading any more.
Posted by: Malena | January 24, 2011 at 02:20 AM
They are beautiful and evoked so many memories for me.
I think they would be perfect for scrapping some of your younger life.
A selection framed would be nice to.
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Lynne V | January 24, 2011 at 07:05 AM
Oh what a find! They are utterly delightful. Not sure I could bear to send them though.
xx
Posted by: Eleanor | January 24, 2011 at 07:45 AM
Oh my - I have some cards very similar from when I was a little girl (Yikes that means they are almost 50 years old too!!!!)
Posted by: Scrapdolly | January 24, 2011 at 04:46 PM
Beautiful cards, I think I would struggle to give them away x
Posted by: Debbie Roberts | January 24, 2011 at 06:26 PM
Melissa Phillips uses loads of vintage check out her blog here, she has a lovely calendar book scroll to Jan 11th
http://lilybeanpaperie.typepad.com/lilybeans_paperie/page/2/
Posted by: lindadragonfly | January 24, 2011 at 07:36 PM
oh those are lovely, can't wait to see what you do with them
C
xx
Posted by: claireliz | January 25, 2011 at 09:46 PM