recycle old greeting cards into beautiful tags and embellishments

 not exactly a novel idea, however, 

still a fun and easy project!

the thing I like about making tags from 

vintage greeting cards

are the wonderful details, 

such as the embossed textures and colorful illustrations.

it's pretty hard to go wrong~ when you start with a beautiful old card...you will end up with something beautiful!

 of course, tags can be cut by hand, 

but there are so many great punches available,

 it's even quicker and easier 

to punch out a set! 

since all the tags are cut from the same card,
 they're all slightly different, yet
already perfectly
 coordinated for a project,
 such as a scrapbook

I punch the string holes using

 a plain circle hole punch, however you 
can use a little star or heart or..or...

Also, sometimes I will stamp 

"to" and "from" 

on the backsides; it adds a nice
finishing touch.

some tags in this set have shaved felt embellishment 

line up your punch carefully to catch some pretty text ~
top middle: "Wish"  bottom right "Just for You"

this pretty set, from a 1940s card, has wonderful
embossing, reminds me of barkcloth curtains 

I choose to recycle cards that have damage ~ like scrapbook glue
makes me feel better about cutting them up! 
I also, prefer to rip the card along the natural fold lines to make more manageable pieces to work with. 

No matter which shape
 you choose to punch-out,

the results are charming!

for example, these little "flower bees"with their fancy embossing and golden details, 
can be used in art projects
 or added to plain confetti for
a special nostalgic touch.

when you flip the punch over you
can see to line up the design however you like.

the punch designs available 

are seemingly endless...
so, "bee" creative! 
sorry, had to say it haha

And thennnnnn..... JUST when you think you have punched all that is punchable...

PUNCH MORE! 
grab an even smaller design... 
in this case a swirl... 
and in every case use a regular hole punch 
to gather up as many coordinating dots you can!

Don't forget to check~out
VINTAGERECYCLINGSTUDIO 

https://www.bonanza.com/booths/vintagerecycling

1950s Christmas Tags & Seals - Peck Inc. Minn

These precious package decorations were available 1951 from PECK INC.
"package decorations" included 
tags, seals and folders (small cards), and gift enclosure cards

flocked string gift folder

these "Novelty Strung Gift Folders" were 

designed to be gift tags, stand for decoration,

or hang for tree ornaments. 

They measure about 4" and have 

"to and from" on the reverse side.

flocked string gift folder

flocked seals, like these below,

medium flocked seal

 were packaged in cellophane envelopes

medium flocked girl

smalls measure approx 1" to 1 1/2",

 medium 2" to 2 1/2" 

and large seals approx 2 1/2" to 3 1/2"

small red flocked snowman seal

Santa riding candy cane -small, red flocking

small bell seal, red flocking

small red flocked candy cane seal

small poinsettia flocked seal

similar poinsettia and bell designs in Large size -red flocked

medium snowman gummed seal with red & white flocking

medium seals, with red and white flocking details:  came 10 of one design to cellophane envelope.

large versions of candy cane, Santa and snowman designs

"Do Not Open" Seals , red flocked detail

"Novelty Seals" red flocking

This page below shows an assorted

 selection of matching seals, 

you can see the large design

 adjacent to the small design.

all beautifully flocked, these could be ordered with 6 of the small and 2 of the large in one design packaged in cellophane envelope

this wonderful "Deluxe Double Poinsettia Seal" approx. 3 1/2" x 4" has heavy flocking and came in cellophane packages of 4

these novelty gift cards came in five designs each. Designs featured flocking and space to write on the front.  no.650 (on your left) included: Santa figure (shown), candy cane, bell, poinsettia and Santa head.  Design 650A (right) included: Candle (shown), bells, poinsettia, stocking and Santa

flocked GIFT ENCLOSURE CARDS came with envelopes

small GIFT TAGS, flocked with holes for strings

Large GIFT TAGS approx 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", punched with holes for strings which were included, unattached. These were available 8 tags of one design in a cellophane package

DIE CUT GIFT FOLDERS so adorable! with red flocking details, these little cards came with little envelopes in cellophane packs of 6 of one design

insides have graphics & text

sweet die cut NOVELTY STRING TAGS these came 4 Only of 1 Design,Strung in Pairs

inside

 

1951 advertisement for VELVETY assorted pack "50 Piece Christmas Gift Dressing Assortment"all designs were printed, die cut, and flocked. Retail price 25 cents

1951 ad for "QUALITY" a 65 piece assortment which came packaged in a "reusable plastic gift box" . All designs printed, die cut, and flocked.

Happy gift wrapping!


source:  1951 Peck Incorporated Salesman catalog
 "Flocked Seals -Tags - Folders : Package Decorations All New Designs"

http://www.etsy.com/shop/vintagerecycling