Piles of Vintage Paper Goods? Make Wall Art
Hi everyone–I hope you had a great weekend! I spent Friday morning with my sweet friend, Nancy–shopping at an estate sale and one church sale before landing in Starbucks for coffee and a long chat. We don’t get to see each other as often as we like since she went back to work full time, so it was wonderful to see her. Saturday my sweet husband chauffeured me from sale to sale all around Schenectady. I’ll be revealing those cheap vintage finds with you on Wednesday, so be sure to come on back 🙂 Today I’ve got a work-in-progress that I thought you might all be interested in: wall art created with an assortment of vintage paper goods.
If you’re a vintage lover, and especially if you’re a vintage seller like me, then I’m guessing you have quite a collection of paper goods sitting somewhere. Or is it piled somewhere? What you see above represents a mere fraction of my stash–letters with “vintage” handwriting, bingo cards, atlas maps, dictionary and music paper, antique illustrations, and more. Someday I may take a photo of my paper collection. For now, I’ll keep it simple and pretend that this is all I own (lol).
Much of my supply comes from antique and vintage books that have suffered from years and years of use and abuse; they no longer have value in and of themselves. I typically do not like to rip up a perfectly good book for crafting. Fortunately, I find plenty of books in bad shape, like the music book and atlas that I pulled these two specimens from.
Not too long ago I bought a small box of old letters and greeting cards. It provided me with a new supply of handwritten letters and stamped and postmarked envelopes that should last a good long while.
Old dictionaries often have full color pages illustrating insects (as you see here), flags of the world, fish, various plants, and the like. I cut them out using tiny, sharp scissors as they make wonderful additions to art assemblages.
This art assemblage from an old 1990’s Victoria magazine served as inspiration for today’s project, or should I say the start of today’s project. I haven’t quite finished it yet.
The only way to “begin” an art assemblage like this is to simply dive in. I selected a few pieces from the assortment I had pulled together and layered them onto the board I picked out. (I had a thrifted frame on hand that used this board as its backing. When the project is complete, I’ll finish it off with that same frame.) After I took this picture, I walked away from the whole thing for about a week.
When I came back to it with fresh eyes, I began exchanging some of my initial choices for new ones, like this page from a children’s book of nursery rhymes that replaced the vintage map. In fact, this illustration led me to the idea of adopting an overall garden theme.
I added this cut-out from a reproduction Burpee seed catalog, placing it near the music page featuring a favorite hymn of mine, “In the Garden,” which I used in place of the title-less music I had previously selected. (I’ll trim around the butterfly eventually.)
I had already laid out this page from an old gardening book before I even decided on my garden theme. Such a sweet illustration.
I added another page from the same book, this one about birds and bird houses. It’s tucked underneath the hymn, and, appropriately, I left the words “the birds hush their singing” visible.
I think it’s coming together quite nicely. Perhaps a bit more color? A snippet of ribbon or lace? I thoroughly enjoyed working with all of these vintage paper goods and am anxious to try out some more assemblages, but smaller-sized next time (this one is 24″ x 24″). I’ll also be sure to let you have a look at the final product, which will hopefully be soon. If you attempt one of your own, I’d love to see it!
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Diana, that’s turning out very nicely! I see lots of similar projects for next year’s craft fair!
Wow, you really get around on the weekends lol Sales around here are really spread out far and wide, mostly slim pickins in my immediate area sigh. However, I DID get a great estate sale score recently I’ll be sharing soon. I’ve always loved vintage ephemera and used to be an avid scrapbooker. Your art assemblage is gorgeous, can’t wait to see the finished product! xo Kathleen
It’s beautiful so far diana! This is exactly the kind of thing I hope people will want to do with the ephemera packs in putting together to well in my booth!
Tania
Beautiful…Just seeing the old hymn makes me tear up…My singing group always includes “In The Garden”…we donate our time to singing in nursing homes, special church services and lots of other venues…that song always touches people. Oh my…I have the feeling if your paper collection and mine got together the heavens would burst! I am 72 and have been collecting since I was eight because of a dear grandma that would pass her postcards to me as she received them from her family back in Germany and Brussels…..I have never quit collecting…thank heavens all three of my daughters in law love this too and encourage me! Carry on and be well~ Kathleen
You did very well and I really enjoyed seeing how you put them together. The illustrations of old just can’t be outdone! Thanks.
Such an interesting idea!
What a great idea!
How inspiring, Diana! Now I want to cut and paste, too! I’d need to spend a week rounding up all my paper goods which are sadly very disorganized. Actually, that might be kind of fun, just to see what I actually have. Something to think about making time for. Your posts always inspire me so much!
How fun Diana, and such great pieces of art. I have a few old magazines (30’s) I should peruse and use for some fun.
Grins and thanks for the ideas, Sandi
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing at To Grandmas House We Go!
As it happens I was at the scrap book store today buying vintage looking paper for craft room wall art. Yours are absolutely beautiful and authentic and of course Much less pricey. Beautiful job.
Diana, I love vintage paper goods! Your creation is coming together so nicely. I also love your inspiration photo. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
You have so many interesting vintage paper goods that you will be able to make very interesting wall art. I pick up vintage papers of all types on my junking trips never knowing what I’m going to do with it. Thank you so much for sharing at the Snickerdoodle Create~Bake~Make link party!