Color of Winter

"The color of springtime is

in the flowers; the color of winter

is in the imagination."

- Terri Guillemets -

These gift card envelopes were made

based on a design first shared in 2012.

This time I went the extra step for you

and made 4 ready-to-print designs.

Plaid background - made by layering

stripes in 2 shades of slate gray:

Gift card envelope - how to make:

After cutting out, fold using the edge of your gift card, credit card, ruler, etc. as a guide. Glue with glue stick - read below for how I do it:

Place a piece of cardboard from a cereal box (about the size of a gift card) inside the envelope before you glue (so you don't glue the inside of the envelope together, and so it's not too tight to get a gift card inside when finished).

Here are the free graphics

& sources used in my artwork:

*Tuck Ephemera*

3 girls with flowers

Frances Brundage created

beautiful artwork, including 3 girls

holding "Christmas Roses" under an

umbrella on a snowy day.

*The Old Design Shop*

Grungy paper

Snowy village

Loved the cozy feeling

of this moonlit village scene.

*F.P.T.F.Y.*

Distressed wood background

*Shadowhouse Creations*

 "Beneath the Surface" texture

This texture overlay

helped soften the plaid.

*Canva*

Free design elements:

round frames

"Merry Christmas"

Thank you for stopping by!

Snowy Pine & Berries

These lined and plain printable

graphics are a good size for

writing a note, or maybe a family

recipe. I like displaying this size

on vintage clipboards.

This printable sheet of 4

graphics would be a great size

for teacher notes or labels.

These tags were made using a small

section of the original image. When

layering I like to keep something

simple. Here it's the color palette.

...

He knew at last that he had been a fool,
To think of breaking the forest rule,
And choosing a dress himself to please,
Because he envied the other trees.

But it couldn't be helped, it was now too late,
He must make up his mind to a leafless fate!

So he let himself sink in a slumber deep,
But he moaned and he tossed in his troubled sleep,
Till the morning touched him with joyful beam,
And he woke to find it was all a dream.

For there in his evergreen dress he stood,
A pointed fir in the midst of the wood!

His branches were sweet with the balsam smell,
His needles were green when the white snow fell.
And always contented and happy was he,
The very best kind of a Christmas tree."

- Henry Van Dyke -

Here are the free graphics

& sources used in my artwork:

*The Graphics Fairy*
Snowy pine & berry postcard
 
*Lilac & Lavender*

"Antiqued" lined paper

Postage stamps and cursive

Thank you for stopping by!

Snowy Christmas Memories

"Like snowflakes, my

Christmas memories

gather & dance...

each beautiful, unique,

and too soon gone."

 Deborah Whipp

Some of my favorite childhood winter-time memories were made in the snow. Waking up to, "Honey, you can sleep in - it's a snow day," was the best! Going sledding, getting in snowball fights, coming in half frozen to hang (throw) snowy/wet clothes next to the stove (so we could go out and do it all over again!). And of course, hot cocoa with mini marshmallows (thanks Mom!). It never quite seemed to snow on Christmas, though. At least, not the deep, Christmas card kind. Except... one year.

It was Christmas morning, before presents, and I was already giddy. I remember jump-sitting on the couch, then reaching out to touch the cold window behind it. Looking out through our screened-in porch, I could just make out the backyard beyond. All I could see at first were shades of blue, from the early light. I kept watching... and then all at once I could tell everything was covered in a thick blanket! My little heart was surely beating fast, what with the extra excitement! There was a fire in the fireplace, and our Christmas tree was beautiful as ever. So thankful for that tiny spark of a memory that brings it all back to life!

This year, I'll still wish & hope for that kind of snow. For myself, my husband, and my own kids - excuse me, teens. But truly, I really just hope we're all healthy and warm, and content in our home, and I hope that for you as well. 2020 has been a rough year - one for unique, if not "ideal" memories. So, yes, I would always love to have that kind of snow again on Christmas. But more than that I want to make the most of what we've been given. I want to make the kind of Christmas memories that last.

Here are the free graphics
& sources used in my artwork:

*The Old Design Shop*
Snow-covered country church

*The Graphics Fairy*
 Angel on a cloud

I used Fotor to do my editing.

The snowflake element was free
on that site. I just added

a shadow effect to make it

stand out. Script font for

'Merry Christmas' is Arizonia. 


Thanks for stopping by, and
Merry Christmas!

Old letter to Dad

Hi Dad-

I guess I only write when I want something don't I. Well here is what it is this time. I know you can't go to the State game Saturday only I wish you could. We haven't gone to a game to-gether for a long time. But since you can't come this week I have a leave starting at 1900 Friday to 1200 Monday and if State has a game then I'd like to go if you could. I don't know weather they play at Columbus or not.

Colleen said she was talking to you Monday about wheather or not Cook could take her to the Game. She has never seen a Game like that and I'd like to take her if I could. I also wish you and I could go to one game any way. I'm awful always asking favors of you and Mother. Maybe I'll be able to make it up to you someday.

To-day the Betas play the Sigma Chi's a game of football to-night. We beat 'em 19-0. It was a pretty good game. It reminded me of the games I played with Lancaster. I only hope I'll get a chance to play at State someday. When this war is over I'm going to take George in one hand and his & my clothes in the other and go to State, get George back in training, and put him in Brown's back field. Good idea, huh? We'll have a -?- combination, only I'm going to play Guard. It's more fun. I was playing opposite a guy that was selected on The All City Team at Dayton it's about the same as C.O.L. All league team. But he wasn't so good cause I was knocking him all over his own back field. These guys up here don't like for me to play on the other team cause I don't let them complete their plays. And I knock 'em down and step on 'em (braggin')

Well that's enough of that. Exams start next Wednesday and we get off at 7:00 Friday nite. I don't have anything to worry about I don't think. -?- would be surprised if he saw what I've been doing in trig. And don't you worry either cause I'm pretty sure of myself and besides I been studying pretty good.

Some of the guys are going thru hell week and will be initiated the 29. I'll be initiated in December some time.

These guys are starting to smoke pipes cause they can't buy cigarettes.

Oh yea. I'm beginning to catch on to The game of bridge the other night I was down at the union and some guy talked me into playing. After playing a few hands I told him and the 2 girls that I had never played before except that once you, Mother, George, and I played. I told them I was playing on what I remembered from that and the knowledge I had of rum & poker & Pedro.

Well I guess I better hang up the sheep skin for to-night.
I'll see you Sat.

Love, Dick


I love old handwriting and letters. This one was only $1, and the author drew me in with the first line - turns out, what he wanted was to spend time with Dad. Unfortunately, there wasn't a date or a last name for further investigation, but there's still plenty to give us a snapshot of this young man's life. I gathered this was written in war-time, by a college student talking about Ohio State football. He also might've been a football player from Lancaster, Ohio. I'm from the Lancaster area as well, but the letter was found in a different town, which was a nice surprise!

If I wasn't sure what word was written,

I marked it -?- I welcome any guesses or

further information. Just wanted to share!


You may use these scanned images

in your art, either digitally or in printed form.

Just please don't sell them 'as is' - thank you!

Sleigh Bell Polka

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle all the way!
Oh what fun it is to ride
in a one-horse open sleigh!

~ James L. Pierpont ~

Was looking through my stash

of sheet music, and came across

this gem, in a collection of c.1940's

polkas. Enjoy original and

black & white versions.

Thanks for stopping by!

Those Who Bring Sunshine...

"Those who bring sunshine
into the lives of others cannot
keep it from themselves."

~ James M. Barrie ~

I made these tags to price late summer & fall items
in my booth. It's nice to have a few different sizes...
Enjoy!

Here are the free graphics
& sources used in my artwork:

*Internet Archive*
Silver-leaved sunflower

*TuckDB*
Scalloped border

*Lilac & Lavender*
Fabric texture


Thanks for stopping by!

Pitcher & Simple Country Bouquet

I love enamelware pitchers. Add
a simple country bouquet, and you
have a real thing of beauty.

I'm patiently waiting for the perfect pitcher, so I can
have a bouquet like this on my kitchen table. Until then,
 milk glass vases and mason jars will do just fine.

Here are the free graphics
& sources used in my artwork:

*Antique Images*
Enamelware pitcher

*Flickr: perpetualplum*
Umbel illustration, 1917

*Shadowhouse Creations*
Softly aged sepia texture

*Lilac & Lavender*
Berry Seed Co. ephemera

Thanks for stopping by!

Queen Anne's Lace

"The great lesson is
that the sacred is in the ordinary,
that it is to be found in one's
daily life..."

~ Abraham Maslow ~

Printable sets of large and small tags, featuring
my favorite wildflower. Click here to read
a little more about the Berry Seed Company.

Printable Queen Anne's lace stationery (8.5 x 11").

I love Queen Anne's lace. At first glance, it looks simple... but
when you really look, you notice all the beautiful, intricate patterns.
I wonder how anyone could call it a weed. It's welcome in all my flower
beds, and makes itself at home right next to irises, daylilies, and roses.
I don't think I'll ever tire of seeing it bobbing in the breeze...
whether it's along a country road, or outside my kitchen window.

Here are the free graphics
& sources used in my artwork:

*Antique Images*
Queen Anne's lace

*Old Design Shop*
Aged paper texture

*Vintage Feedsacks*
Label ~ "lace" pattern

*TuckDB*
Scalloped border

*The Sum of All Crafts*
Delicate rectangular label

*Lilac & Lavender*
Berry Seed Co. ephemera
 

"The whole world is a series of miracles,
but we're so used to them
we call them ordinary things."

~ Hans Christian Anderson ~


Thank you for stopping by!

Gifts of Spring

"The arms of May are flower filled
With blossoms April showers spilled.
Bright, rainbow-colored gifts of spring
Arrived at her awakening."

~ Nora M. Bozeman ~

Here are the free graphics
& sources used in my artwork:

*The Graphics Fairy*
French lace label
Vintage French roses
French chocolate advert
Back of an old photograph

*TuckDB*
Pink roses
Light pink phlox
Basket of daffodils

*The Old Design Shop*
French receipt
White & yellow daisies

*Vintage Holiday Crafts*
White cosmos

*Little Birdie Blessings*
Forget-me-nots

*Free Vintage Digital Stamps*
Polka dot scrapbook paper

*Digital Two for Tuesday*
Endpaper pattern

*Boston Public Library*
Chocolate trade card

The daffodils and crabapple trees are
blooming... it's good to see vivid greens
and bright blossoms again.
Love this time of year!

Thanks for stopping by!

A Song in Spring

O little buds all bourgeoning with Spring,
You hold my winter in forgetfulness;
Without my window, lilac branches swing,
Within my gate I hear a robin sing...
O little laughing blooms that lift and bless!

Printable sheet of 6 tags ~ spring blossoms and branches.

Printable sheet of lilac, lined 4"x5" note papers.

Printable sheet of 10 tags ~ spring blossoms and lace.

So blow the breezes in a soft caress,
Blowing my dreams upon a swallow's wing;
O little merry buds, in dappled dress,
You fill my heart with very wantonness...
O little buds all bourgeoning with Spring!

~ Jessie B. Rittenhouse ~



Here are the free graphics
& sources used in my artwork:

*Tuck DB*
Lilac postcard
Lilac bunch & ribbon
Forget-me-nots
Red hawthorn branch

*UFDC*
Starburst pattern endpaper

*Vintage Images*
Cherry or apple blossoms

*Old Design Shop*
Aged paper texture

Thank you for stopping by...
I appreciate your visit!

Those Who Wish to Sing

Those who wish to sing
always find a song.

~ Swedish Proverb ~

              How Birds Learn to Sing

                       How do birds first learn to sing?

                       From the whistling wind so fleet,

                       From the waving of the wheat,

                       From the rustling of the leaves,

                       From the raindrop on the eaves,

                       From the children's laughter sweet,

                       From the splash when brooklets meet.

                       Little birds begin their trill

                       As they gayly float at will

                       In the gladness of the sky,

                       When the clouds are white and high;

                       In the beauty of the day

                       Speeding on their sunny way,

                       Light of heart and fleet of wing...

                       That's how birds first learn to sing.

                   ~ Mary Mapes Dodge

Facebook cover photo

*New York Public Library*
Song thrush
Robin
Nightingale

The sheet music is from my
personal collection, circa 1940's.

Thank you for stopping by!

My Heart is Yours

Love in your heart
wasn't put there to stay.
Love isn't love
'til you give it away.

~ Oscar Hammerstein ~

 

This is a sweet c. 1910's postcard from my collection.

Here's a printable sheet of tags ~ enjoy!

Happy Valentine's day!
Thank you for stopping by!

Under the Winter Snow

"Every gardener knows
that under the cloak of winter
lies a miracle... a seed waiting
to sprout, a bulb opening
to the light, a bud straining
to unfurl. And the anticipation
nurtures our dream."

~ Barbara Winkler ~

 

I've made 3 printable sheets of pastel rose tags. They're similar,
with subtle differences. I know you'll put them to good use ~ enjoy!

*The Anthenaeum*
Still Life of Roses by Emile Vernon, 1902

*Vintage Feedsacks*
Perfume label

*The Vintage Moth*
Hand-penned letter


Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snow
Lies the seed that with the sun's love
In the spring becomes the rose

   ~ Amanda McBroom ~


Thank you for stopping by!

A Sentimental Journey

"Winter, a lingering season,
is a time to gather golden moments,
embark upon a sentimental journey,
and enjoy every idle hour."

~ John Boswell ~

 

This is a c. 1902 postcard that I altered from black & white
to sepia tone and pastels. I just love her expression.  Below
is a printable sheet of tags or bookmarks for you ~ enjoy!

"By recollecting the pleasures
I have had formerly, I renew them,
I enjoy them a second time,
while I laugh at the remembrance
of troubles now passed, and which
I no longer feel."

~ Giacomo Casanova ~


Where would a sentimental journey
lead you today?

Thank you for stopping by!

Dreaming of a Pink Christmas...

 "Blessed is the season
which engages the whole world
in a conspiracy of love!"

~ Hamilton Wright Mabie ~

Here's a list of free graphics &
sources used in my artwork:

*TuckDB*
White clematis
Pink phlox
Scalloped border

*The Graphics Fairy*
Pink rose "La France"
Back of old photograph
Torn paper texture

*The Vintage Moth*
Antique ledger

*Free Vintage Digital Stamps*
Polka dot scrapbook paper

*Lost & Taken*
Book cover texture
Grungy wallpaper texture

*Antique Images*
Handwritten journal page

*Just Something I Made*
Handwritten letter, 1908

*Aquastock on DeviantART*
Gold glitter stock photo

*Lucky Palm*
Angel with pink wings

*Vintage Feedsacks*
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Calligraphy frame

*Vintage Images*
Light pink roses
 

Thank you so much for stopping by!
Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

Our Jack O'Lantern...

"It's cold and we are sleepy,
the air is cold and still.
Our jack o'lantern grins at us
Upon the window sill..."

~ Unknown Author ~

My 9 year old daughter created this original artwork!
I transformed her sketch into digital images to share...
so from both of us ~ please enjoy!

 Above, printable bookmarks or tags in brown and orange hues.
They look great printed on cream-colored card stock.

Below, printable bookmarks or tags for kids
(or kids at heart!) to color... this was my daughter's idea.

 Below, an 8.5" x 11" printable sheet of journal or note cards in 2 sizes.
I love the texture and shading on this jack o'lantern.

Here are the free graphics
& sources used in these images:

*The Graphics Fairy*
Torn paper texture

*Shadowhouse Creations*
Softly aged sepia texture

Thank you for stopping by!

September's Flower

"Now violet and rose have had their day,
I'll pluck the soberer asters with good grace
And call September nothing but September."

~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox ~

I used a black ink pen to outline most of the petals and leaves...
it was fun "working" on them this afternoon.

Here are the free graphics
& sources used in my artwork:

*TuckDB*
Asters and foliage

*Graphics Fairy*
Handwritten poem


Thank you for stopping by!