Mount Rainier: The Perfect Vintage Postcard

I have a weakness for messages written on postcards. I can't resist picking them up and seeing what the person had to say. When the postcard is pretty, I imagine turning the image into a pillow.

Since I am new to Washington, I was immediately drawn to this beautiful image of Mount Rainier. I haven't had a chance to drive over to this grand national park (but Dan has hiked on it), but I admire it from afar whenever she shows herself.

Did you know that people refer to Mt. Rainier as they would the moon? They describe whether or not it is clear enough for the mountain to be "out." The distance and clouds can keep her (the mountain is also referred to as feminine) from being visible for days. 

What really sold me on this particular card sent in 1937 was the statement:

"I found some new views of Rainier and Alaska, nice to see some new ones for a change. This scene is taken at Paradise Lodge same as most of the Rainier cards are."

It tickles me that back in 1937 they were tired of the same old images that always appeared on the local postcards. Some guy named Brown found this new card and had to send it along to his old friend. Little did he know that we'd be taking about it 79 years later. 

He goes on to say:

"Sure would like to make a trip up there over the 4th as I get 3 days off but I'm short on cash right now. hope to get up there this year tho. The trip isn't bad but the dollar to get in the park makes it just too much if you only go up once during the year."

He would think it was outrageous that I paid $2 for his musings. But I will protect this little piece of Washington history, Brown, don't you worry.

You've Got Mail: Wooden Botanical Postcards

I wanted to write a special thank you note to a friend, so I went to my stationary basket and pulled out these gorgeous wooden postcards.  That's right.  Wooden postcards.  Have you ever seen any? They are handmade from two pieces of 1/200th (.005) thick Birch veneer.  They are smooth and light and have a wonderful feel to them.  They are the standard postcard size and I believe that they can be mailed with a postcard stamp - I'll find out for sure this afternoon!

Aren't they beautiful?  They each feature a different botanical stamp of an illustration by artist Dana Harter.  I tried to find an online link for you to order some for yourself (I bought mine in a gift shop in northern Michigan) but the only information I could find is: Dana Harter P.O. Box 266 White Pine, MI 49971

I write on these wooden postcards with a fine tip permanent ink Sharpie so that my heartfelt message will last as long as the wood will! 

Vintage Postcard: Lake Lucerne

Isn't this charming?  I think I have a new place to add to my "places to visit" list: Lake Luzerne, New York.  The scenery looks beautiful.  I bought this vintage postcard at an antique show and knew immediately that I wanted to scan it and print it onto fabric so that it could make it into an accent pillow for my living room.  I know, it's not what springs to mind for most collectors, but it is what makes sense to me.
I'll be honest, I immediately thought this postcard was for "Lake Lucerne" in Switzerland (one of my favorite places).  I thought that the "z" might be the German spelling.  Nope, my mom knew that it was New York, but encouraged me to get it anyway because the colors were so perfect.

I'm on a sewing binge right now and if I stay focused, I can make and post a picture of this pillow right away.  When it is finished, I will add a picture of it to this blog post, so please check back.

Tah-dah!  Doesn't it look cute?! Anne (6/25/12)

Vintage Postcard Pillow

I'm working on a project that I can use to liven up the living room this Winter, once the holiday decorations are all put away.  January can be so quiet and gray - I thought that this scene would add an air of mystery and elegance.  And when finished it should be about 6 x 9 inches - the perfect size to put on my lap and rest my book on when I'm reading. 

I found this lovely vintage postcard at an antique store and I am going to print it on a special fabric sheet (8.5 x 11) by June Tailor and sew it into a small accent pillow for a chair.

If I turns out as well as I think it will, I'll add it to my Etsy store in late January.  What do you think?