Vintage Postcards of Budapest Hungary.

It has been a busy time of the year and I have one more late Christmas gathering today.  I always get a few postcards from my sister for Christmas so I am sharing a few cards of 

Budapest Hungary

Embroidered Christmas Gift Bag for Postcards.A family gift.

Since I do sewing, quilting and discuss postcards on this blog I thought I would combine the two.  I started out with a piece of muslin and just started embroidering the Christmas stockings and twigs.

Then I measured the postcards to make sure they slipped in.  I am not adding any drawstring like I usually do for most of my bags.  I makes a nice gift bag since my family always expects a few postcards from me.  Yes I can hear them now "I know why I am getting this gift, it did not sell on eBay."  Well they do get other presents.

I bought some crystals which I ironed onto the fabric to give it a little bling.  Not perfect sewing but fun projects for me.

Shopping Finds I have the Christmas Spirit

First the Christmas card is from my sister, and on the left Is my favorite purchase.  Baker's Twine.  I  have never worked with it before but have many uses for the string.  I am going to use it for small drawstring bags,  Gift Tags tied to presents.  And all sorts of things.

I bought the jelly roll from a friend in sewing class.  The Fat Quarters and Charm Squares came from Missouri Star Quilt Company. 

A bag I bought at a Christmas Craft Fair for $2.00. 

I got a huge bag of Hot-Fix Crystals.  Pictured here is Meridian Blue which changes colors.  They are Sworoski Crystals and usually a heat tool is needed.  I attached them to Fabric with a hot iron and also used tacky glue for delicate work.  Now to finish up with wrapping Christmas Presents using these items.

Won't you make an appointment with me? Big Hat lady

I wonder what kind of appointment?

A Bowl of Ornaments - Wordless Wednesday Postcard ornament

Is it a Stradivarius? Advertising Postcard from WURLITZER

Mr. Dealer, (1929)
     We have just received 500 Violins of exceptionally rare quality and beauty at an extremely low price.  We are offering them to our dealers at $5.00 each; they are worth more and are the greatest values we've ever been able to offer.  Order a sample today.  See this fine value and then place your quantity order.  We will send sample on approval.

Description Bright red, smooth finish Stradivarius model violin, highly flamed maple back sides and neck, beautiful scroll.  Pine grade spruce top; neat.  Ebonized hardwood trimmings.  A great Value Don't miss out.  Price each $5.00.
WURLITZER, Cincinnati, Ohio

Inherited Postcards - Are they good enough to sell?

I am sitting here now going through some of my boxes of postcards.  It is harder to find unique postcards to sell online.  There are so many already available on eBay.  Well let us say they are listed on eBay.  I do find that there are still unusual not too common postcards that get bids.  An auction format usually works when you do not know the value of the card.  Here is a link to a good article on tips of collecting and selling postcards.  Maybe you inherited a box and they are sitting on a shelf in your home.

Here is a Link for tips on selling postcards. Click here

Well it is back to listing.  My seller ID is papel1.

Lazy Fall Day

Not a whole lot to report.  I have been rather neglectful in writing every few days.  Here it is Sat morning and I am ready to curl up an go back to sleep.  I have a cat that likes to sleep on the top of a shelf he jumped down and woke me up at 5:45 AM.  I put her out and fed the other cats but just gave the dog a chew stick.  She whimpered so at 7 I fed her and then at 7:30 I walked her.  Beautiful weather in the 70's.  I am loving sewing on linen and draw string bags are still a favorite thing to sew.  I even embroider on them.  Here is a side shot of the bag.  Have a great weekend.

The Holiday Boutiques are starting.

Not a whole to report.  I bought my usual bag of Halloween candy and as usual no one showed up.  The much needed rain waited til 8 PM last night so most trick or treaters in town beat the storm.  It is boutique time for the holidays.  Right now my niece is manning a booth at a Craft show along with her Mother, and tomorrow my nephew will watch it.  Here is a sample of what they are selling.

Made by niece.  It is so cute

We gave a wood burning tool and my nephew made this nice table top.

SALE 12 assorted Postcards my choice, Free shipping USA 25 lots available

10 day sale on eBay

I will choose 12 good condition postcards with free shipping and only $3.99 (USA)  

Fall Has Arrived Wordless Wednesday

Jewelry pieces for recycling lovely art deco ready for your projects. CRAFTS

Need some jewelry pieces for your craft, creative projects.  I have some listed on eBay.  I got a giant jar of many pieces, this is just a few.  Check out my listing on eBay

Flea Market Finds and an Estate Sale too! A great day today.

Vignettes Displaying Collectibles and Ephemera

I have several vintage suitcases on a wooden file cabinet and it is great for displaying my collectibles, postcards, sewing projects and ephemera. And I use the suitcases for my vintage and new fabric.  And if I really need it for a trip I just empty the suitcase.

Novelty Postcards, Stick a pin!

Novelty postcards were popular in the early 1900's.  The leg on this postcard is fabric with stuffing in it so you could actually stick a pin it it.

Pinecrest (Once Strawberry Lake) Resort Area Above Sonora California

Pinecrest California is a popular resort area today and also back in the 1940's 1950's and 60's.  It was first called Lake Strawberry as the Real Photo Postcards here refer to the popular lake.  It is now known as Lake Pinecrest, 

 Many Boy Scouts used this lake as a jumping point to a Boy Scout camp.  They either took a boat across the lake and hiked to the camp or hiked around the lake and up the canyons, steep trail to the lake. 

 The whole area is often just referred to as "Pinecrest."

My husband is one who went to to this camp and he wanted to show it to me.  The hike around the lake was easy and you saw many summer cabins.  When you got to the end of the lake you climbed along the Stanislaus River up along a steep edge til we got to the camp.  Not much left of the camp and I certainly did not look forward to the "ledge" going back down.

Valentine Birthday Anniversary Love Card 1800s Stand Up Card E Springfield PA | eBay

Valentine Birthday Anniversary Love Card 1800s Stand Up Card E Springfield PA | eBay

Summers in Yellowstone National Park

I spent many summers as a child in Yellowstone National Park.  Our favorite campground was at Madison Junction so my Dad could go in many directions to fish.  You were only allowed to stay 14 days  in the campground so we would pack up the car and take a break in Helena or go fishing outside of the park.  Then we would return and stay another 14 days.  As a kid I did get kind of bored.  Our favorite place for a break was the town of West Yellowstone.  We would go shopping for the camping supplies.  Used an 3 burner Coleman stove for our meals.  We would visit friends at a trailer park and I would drool over the little trailer they owned.  Now I have my own.  My Dad was a teacher so we could do this most summers. Our car was loaded with tents and all our supplies.

Having a park pass we just drove on the far right, showed our pass through the window and easily came in and out of the park at the west entrance.  We usually took sponge baths in our tent but once we used the showers inside the West Yellowstone Train station pictured below.  The tourist shops were so much fun to visit in this town.

Link on how to soak off those postage stamps off backing paper.

Click here for information.

Postcard from Milton Kansas to Galesburg Illinois 1906 An American Greeting Postcard

MESSAGE ON BACK

Dear Cousin - We are all well hope you are the same.  Allen went to Wichita last night and Glenn and I stayed alone and don't you think we are brave. Your cousin Nettie

Cousins name is Maude R of Galesburg Illinois.  

Waving the American Flag at Wawona Big Tree Grove, Yosemite National Park

Troops coming through the big tree at Wawona, Yosemite National Park.  Note the 2 ladies on the base of the tree  waving an American Flag.1920 Postmark.  I have seen many postcards showing the drive through tree in Yosemite, but not this view of what look like troops on horseback. I wish it was in better condition.

Now that I look at this postcard I wonder if those ladies are really standing on the tree.

A hot Saturday so working on repairing Ephemera

It is 100 in Central California and not unusual for July.  I would like to think August will be better but it will probably be the same.  So I have been working on some maps and Vintage valentines.  I usually do not repair but once in awhile a dab of glue is all you need.

Halloween Trick or Treat Paper Candy Bag Witch on broom moon Orange

Halloween Trick or Treat Paper Candy Bag Witch on broom moon Orange

Halloween is not too far off.  A highly collectible item.

Christmas Card with Fringe Double Sided with Message Christmas in July Vintage | eBay

Christmas Card with Fringe Double Sided with Message Christmas in July Vintage | eBay

Vintage 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympic Games Sports Souvenir Patch | eBay

Vintage 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympic Games Sports Souvenir Patch | eBay

Letter content from Navy envelope "code suggestions: Pacific ocean

Mailed to Mrs. Roy Stouder of Goshen Indiana.  Letter passed by Navy Censor.
Interesting enclosures - long letter to his wife about finances,  attending picture shows and general news.  The INTERESTING enclosure is a list of Code that Roy will use to tell his wife where he is located.  He even gave some example sentences such as.......Cigarettes are sure scarce here, sometimes Id almost walk 500 miles for one (meaning we are about 500 mi north of the Philippines.
Here are some of the words that if he uses them in his letter
Chevron - Russia
Cat - Hawaiian Islands
Court House - Central China

Wordless Wednesday, Stamping Quietly oops it is Tuesday Oh well

How to Make a Greeting Card for that special Occasion

How to Make a Greeting Card
An overview on various ways greeting cards are created. Making a greeting card, allows you to personalise it your way. Let's explore some of the many ways to achieve this.

Creating cards can be very pleasurable and relaxing.  The main material for making greeting card is paper or card. There are many types of paper to choose from but the most important thing to remember is that the card needs to be able to stand up alone. Opting for a thick card will achieve this easily. Now onto decorating, there are various types of paints, ink, accessories to attach; writing styles, drawings, markers, feathers, even using crayons or felt tip pens can give a great effect.  Your imagination is the only barrier when is comes to creating great cards.  Plus the card will always be unique because of your personal style, and the sentiment you want to convey.

Many decorate cards by using their home computer. Again you will need a thick card / paper for structure, however make sure your printer can take the card’s thickness. Each printer specifies the maximum thickness of paper or card it will take. Check this first before attempting to print, this way you will avoid the getting paper jammed. When using a computer the paper variation stretches even further, different papers give different results, so experiment. To personalize it more by using your own photographs this can create a great special touch, plus with a printer you can print everything with ease.

If you have the skill or want to try something new, using calligraphy pens can add a special touch to any card.  It takes a special talent to produce quality work using a calligraphy pen, but for beginners stick to short sentences or single words e.g.: the recipient’s name.  Such a card would convey thoughtfulness and care to the recipient. Use the right tools, calligraphy pen sets are easy to obtain from any local art or stationary store.

Get the children involved in creating cards, they will love it.  A simple piece of standard paper and a crayon can produce a great simple master piece. Push the boundaries and introduce finger paints, scrap paper, buttons, wool, magazine cut-outs, craft foams pieces, glitter, glue the list is endless. However more accessories fuel’s the imagination of the child.

Last but no means least the choice of cards produced by the large amount of card companies.  Card companies offer convenience, saving the buyer time, effort, resources and money.  They cater for all occasions, all members of the family, friends, colleagues and more. All is needed from the buyer is to choose which one to purchase, which is a job within itself.

With all the options available there is no excuse for missing that special occasion again. Which ever method you choose to take, the single most important fact is that you like the card, and the recipient will like it to.

Happy Making.
Author:
J. Walker is a designer, work at home mom and web entrepreneur. If this article interests you, visit her website here: www.JWGreetings.co.uk or here: Best2KeepItSimple.com

Fashions of the 1880's to 1895. Cabinet Card

This is quite fashion statement from the late 1800's.  Big hat, puffy sleeves and it looks like she has a fur piece around her neck.  Many cabinet cards used wicker furniture in their photos.  Here this chair is helping her balance herself as she waits for her picture to be taken.  Available on ebay

Postal History Collectibles covers, Interesting Postmarks

DOUBLE RINGED POSTMARK WITH TARGET CANCELATION

Package receipt card from Mariposa County Calif to Darrah a DPO Post Office.

Hornitos Cal postmark, not very clear Mariposa County