Hubs and I traveled to the east side of Michigan this weekend (we live on the west) and spent some time with my parents - whom I haven't really seen since the holidays. While we were there, I cleaned out a closet in my old bedroom - finding all kinds of things to donate, keep, throw away, and laugh at!
I also came across this box. Have any idea what could be inside it?
It was filled with... postcards! You see, my Grandmother got me started collecting postcards at a young age. She would send me a postcard wherever she went, and collect art postcards for me to keep. I hadn't forgotten about these postcards by any means, but I hadn't thought about them for a long time. You know, out of sight out of mind?
My Grandmother passed away when I was 14, shortly after my parents, brother and I moved from the UK to the US. She sent me and collected for me postcards up until she died, but with less frequency as she and I both got older.
Looking through all of these postcards brings back such lovely memories of her, and of my time growing up in England as well. Care to look into the postcard box with me?
There are photo postcards from places in England my Grandma visited...
And some beautiful art cards that tell stories...
Check out the year! I was 2 when this was mailed.
I love these postcards - they are classic tourist. Classic English tourist at that. So much fun!
There's an entire set of Beatrix Potter illustrated cards...
I've always liked the Victoria and Muskie postcard. My Grandma always called me her "pet" as you can see here...
Classic Winnie the Pooh illustrations...
More illustrations. Both my Mum and I have always loved the Flower Fairies (right).
And these fairytale postcards are lovely, too.
Some of her postcards talked about her trips, some had just a sentence or two asking how I was doing, and some were just blank or said "for your collection" on them.
I brought the postcard box back home with me - and am determining its future. My initial thought is that I need some kind of archival album for them - some are already fading and yellowing. Anyone have any recommendations?
And then, since some of them are just too pretty to be shut up in a book, I am trying to decide what else I can do with them? Nothing that will cause any damage to them, or permanently cover up either side of course. I am thinking maybe matting and framing some of them?
Any ideas?
14 comments:
i love postcards! and what a wonderful collection from grandma. seriously. so cool! {and i'm voting for framing a few}
What wonderful memories for you!!
I love the idea of framing a few! If you get them customed framed, you can actually request that they use glass on the back of the frame so you can still read the cards!
Or if you want to put them in a book for safe keeping, you can color photocopy the back of each card, and display the "back" next to the actual card in the book.
What a lovely collection and remembrance of your Grandma. I collected postcards, too, but can't think where they are - perhaps in the attic. I think making some kind of framed piece would be great. It will be something you can view and enjoy daily. Perhaps for the remainder just a photo album with plastic sleeves so you can see the front and back.
What a great keepsake to have from your Grandma! There is a product called Archival Mist. It makes all paper acid free which will save it from yellowing and such. I think that will work great to keep the quality of your cards down the road.
http://www.archivalusa.com/cam1.html
The nursery rhyme/fairy/winnie the pooh ones would be cute IN THE FUTURE to use in a baby's room. ;-)
Some of the others you should definitely frame and put up somewhere in your place.
How lucky you are to have such a priceless treasure. I have one birthday card from my grandmother and it's one of my greatest treasures. Please let us know how you decide to display them.
I think framing them is a great idea. What a lovely keepsake!
What an adorable blog you have, I happened over here via Dollar Store crafts and I'm having a lovely time reading and being inspired!
I think these postcards are a marvelous treasure to have, I would vote for framing some and even rotating the collection - i.e., Beatrix Potter for Easter/springtime, the vacation spots for the summer, etc.
Those are wonderful! I would definitely frame them. :)
Stopping by from PEAR :)
What a lovely collection! I'd be matting and framing a few of my favorites if I were you.
So Special! Okay this is my random thought about what to do with them so that they are preserved and you can look at them without pulling out a book. Find or build a room screen that has glass panels in it. Place the postcards between the glass panels for display. I would also scan all your favorites so that the images can be used in card making... since I know you love doing that. :)
Oh Joanne! These are SO lovely! I especially like the Beatrice Potter series...and how adorable that your grandmother called you "Pet". What wonderful memories!
Hmmm...ideas...I think framing a few would be nice!
Ooops, I meant Beatrix Potter! :))
I just saw this idea for a postcards scrapbook in Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts on page 23. You are able to see both sides because you cut a rectangle in the page and put a border frame on both sides. I think they were mounted on one side with clear photo holders. Sorry I can't explain it very well--hopefully you can find the book and look it up.
Sue! (I hope you see this because blogger doesn't have an e-mail for you so I can't respond to your comment directly) Thank you SO MUCH for this idea! I OWN the Martha encyclopedia and never even thought to look there! I should have known - Martha knows best! :) Thanks for the tip!
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