Vintage Ephemera: Old Trade Cards

So there I was, salivating all over the vintage ephemera over on Winterthur Digital Collections and pinning like a crazy woman when "it" happened!

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This is that moment when panic grips you, literally cutting off your air supply because you've just realize that all the images you so carefully selected to pin are bringing up a "page not found" error when clicked. *insert the sound bite to any scary movie theme here*

Winterthur trade cards page 5

"That sinking "oh shit" feeling slowly settles over you like nausea because you know you have to go back, page by page to find EVERY image all over again and figure out how to link them properly. You do this because unlike others, you're a conscientious pinner and like any reputable pinner, you care about others being able to get back to the original source. . . right?

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You go back to the source and find the URL info posted (in fine print) directly above the image. Great! This will be easy, time consuming, but easy . . . that is until you realize AFTER you've relinked everything that you still haven't learned your lesson about testing the first one before you move on to all the others.

Winterthur trade cards page 4

Yep! You guessed it. That was an exercise in futility because the new link still resulted in the same "page not found" error which is why I created this post. I can post and pin the images from here and keep the integrity of the original source.

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All that being said, feel free to grab the images by clicking and downloading them directly from Winterthur. This way I don't deprive you of the opportunity to see what other tasty morsels this site may have to offer you. Enjoy!

Note: The images posted here have the background edited out along with some size modifications otherwise the images themselves remain unaltered.

10 Uses for a Kraft Envelope

Many of the kraft envelopes I've seen are not all that exciting or particularly inspirational to look at other than the fact that they are brown which, I suppose, automatically lends an antique usefulness to them. Sometimes we just need a little help with uses to really get the imagination spinning in the right direction so the question becomes, once you have these nifty little treasures, what do you DO with them?

1. Sachets - fill with a little potpourri to make a scented drawer sachet
2. Wedding Favor - fill with 2 tbs bath salts for a unique wedding favor
3. Money Holder - need I say more?
4. Buttons - a great way keep your buttons organized unless you're a button junkie in which case you'll probably need something larger
5. Scrap holder - if you're anything like me you hoard even the smallest bits of paper because you never know when they might come in handy on another project

We'll get to the other 5 uses in a moment. Here are a few digital, printable kraft envelopes I designed that have a little color to them. Not saying the plain envelopes are boring per se, I do like the look but maybe something with a little more pizazz is in order, eh? 

printable digital kraft envelopes in the boutique

Wanna see what these beauties look like from the front? Fortune smiles on you today because with a single wave of my magic wand, I can instantly transport you to Le Charmed Life on Etsy where you can get more detailed views of these magnificent creations. Now for the final 5 uses.

1. Journal Pocket - add interactive elements to your journal
2. Letters - why not send your sweetheart off with a little love note tucked into one of these, oooh, that sparks a few ideas
3. Trinkets - keeps track of charms and trinkets and other small embellishments
4. Seed Packet - why not give your favorite gardner the gift of seeds packaged in a unique way
5. Envelope Journal - create a little envelope journal

I've noticed that when I push myself to come up with uses for things, the most dynamic and exciting ones start coming after you've listed the most obvious uses. Can you think of some others? I would love to hear about them. Enjoy!

Pretty Printable Envelopes

My grandmother collected small boxes and trinkets throughout her years. One of the things I noticed during my short time living with her and my grandfather is that she liked to tuck little notes into the boxes for my grandfather to discover later.

instant download printable envelopes and folio cards

You might be surprised at the positive effect this simple act can have on the mind and spirit. You could even leave little messages as reminders to yourself about your value to the world. Everyone matters even though we often tell ourselves we don't.

a possible look for the inside of your envelope

This is my roll out of a new line of printable envelopes and cards I am calling the folio collection. With Mother's Day coming up these would be a unique way to tell mom how much you appreciate her. Visit Le Charmed Life for more views and details.