Saturday, January 28, 2012

Valentine Memories; Winner, Winner . . .

First things first:

We have a giveaway winner.

Congratulations to Linda of Itsy Bits and Pieces.

Linda will receive one of my Giggles and Grins handmade ephemera journals.

Thanks to all who visited and entered my first-ever giveaway. Your visits and comments make my day.




When my husband was helping me put the Christmas decorations away, a very old, flat box in the attic caught his eye. He opened it and discovered the collection of greeting cards I had received as a child. I don't think he'd ever seen them. Even I hadn't opened the box for decades.

Birthday cards, Christmas cards, get-well cards. There's even one specifically wishing a quick recovery from my tonsillectomy. Apparently, in those days, having one's tonsils out was so common, it made sense to have cards specifically for that.

And valentines. Do I ever have vintage valentines! 


Seeing the "Baby's First Valentine" card made me realize that everything in the box was 50 to 60 years old. Oops. Guess my age is no longer a secret.


Many of the cards had eyelets to create moving parts. Those were always so much fun. The boy and girl dancing in the photo above rock back and forth in keeping with the card's "hep" dance theme.


The fuzzy ones, like this kitten card are among my favorites now.


But, I have to admit, I remember loving the space-themed ones when I was a kid. You can see a couple of them in the above photo. I was fascinated with Sputnik and smitten with anything related to the stars and the night sky (thank you Dad for enriching my life with your study of the heavens).





These are just a sampling of the valentines in the box. I must have kept every one from our grade school exchanges--up until I was nine or ten years old. Then the collection seems to end. Someday, I'll probably find a way to display some of my favorites.

That forgotten box was a terrific trip down memory lane--to a time when life was simpler, the pace slower, personal correspondence more valued. And, receiving mail from the postman made every child giggle with excitement.


Make it a great day!

13 comments:

  1. I am so excited to have won your giveaway, Ann!! Thank you SO much! What a wonderful collection of valentines...takes me back to childhood!

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  2. Just last Sunday I found a bag full of cards my parents had saved for me. I also found some valentine cards! I love all of the wonderful graphics on your vintage cards. I do believe that the red pony, and the black and white dog valentines are my favorites! I enjoyed seeing all of your cards, thanks for sharing.

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  3. What a treasure! You have so many sweet valentines ~ it's hard to pick favorites :) I love the images and cute sayings... Thanks for sharing :) So glad you liked my gift tags ~ Megan @ Lilac & Lavender (I'm a new follower here too!)

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  4. Wow - those cards are fabulous!! Bet you're glad you kept them now.

    xox

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  5. Congratulations to Linda, the winner of the giveaway.
    What a great collection of the old valentines. Brings back happy memories, doesn't it.

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  6. What a great collection of vintage Valentines! If was fun to scroll through these beauties. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. Very special memories. The girl with the stoll and black purse is just too cute. I have a few of the fuzzy ones too. Actually passing them out in school--picking the right person for the valentine was so special.
    Thanks for the memories.
    Ann

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  8. A wonderful gift for this big winner.

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  9. I wish I still had some of my old Valentines - love them!! What a great treasure!!

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  10. Oh my goodness, you are SO lucky to have all of these cards from your childhood! I have some, but I wish I had them all, especially the ones from school. I bet that box doesn't go back up into the attic, but stays down so that you can enjoy these any time!
    Happy REDnesday,
    Carol

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  11. Amazing collection of vintage Valentines!! And the best part is they are actually YOURS!! I love them! Happy Rednesday! =) Deanna

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  12. Wow~what a treasure trove you found in your attic. What a wonderful collection of memories! Visting through Rednesday.

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  13. Ann,
    I hope you'll come share these vintage valentines this evening at the Knick of Time Tuesday Vintage Style Party. They are adorable!

    Blessings,
    Angie @ Knick of Time

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