I'm pulling an old WFMW tip out of the archives to post today. I originally posted this last summer.
Most people have a place that is important to them--maybe a hometown, or the place they attended college, or a favorite vacation spot, etc. If you go to Ebay and do a search on "vintage postcards", plus the name of the location you have in mind, you might be surprised to see how large the selection is (and how cheap they are!). The vintage postcards often have a beautiful look--they're perfect for framing.
For example, when my brother and his wife moved back to the midwest from Philadelphia this past spring, as a housewarming gift I bought some vintage Philly postcards and framed them...voila! A very personal gift (and inexpensive too, but don't tell my brother!). Here's the finished project:
We lived in downtown Chicago early in our marriage, and I've begun a collection of vintage postcards showing various Chicago landmarks. When I have enough of them collected, I plan to frame them in matching frames and hang them in a large group.
Wow. That is a wonderful idea. I am going to eBay RIGHT NOW. (Yeah....I should be in bed. Oh well.)
Posted by: diatribal | Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 11:02 PM
Great idea! Here we have a lot of vintage hawaii postcards. I'll think about this post next time we need to come up with a gift :)
Posted by: Liza | Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 11:16 PM
Shannon--I love your idea! I immediately went to eBay and started looking for postcards of places that I knew were sentimental to my friends. Now all I need is a special occasion to give them on!
Posted by: Jordan (MamaBlogga) | Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 11:17 PM
Here's something I found in the first few minutes of searching eBay: add the word 'linen' into your search string to get older, authentic vintage postcards. (Sorry, but for some reason '1990' doesn't strike me as vintage.)
Posted by: Jordan (MamaBlogga) | Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 11:20 PM
Yea Chicago!! Woo hoo. I loves me some WFMW. Ok. Slap happy. Going to sleep now.
Posted by: Elaine | Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 11:21 PM
They look beautiful. Classy, even.
Posted by: veronica | Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 11:28 PM
Thank you, Shannon.
Posted by: Smockity Frocks | Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 11:30 PM
Love that collection!! Great idea:)
Posted by: The Preacher's Wife | Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 11:30 PM
Thanks so much for hosting WFMW! I so enjoy all the tips.
I just love your vintage postcard decor. What an excellant idea. Thanks!
Posted by: April @ For His Glory and My Good | Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 11:33 PM
Great idea! You always come up with such great ones and for us new bloggers I'm glad you're doing re-runs from time to time.
Posted by: Sincerely Anna | Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 11:37 PM
We did something similar in a bathroom at our old house. They were so cool. I wish we could have found somewhere where they fit in the new house.
Totally off the topic, but the yellow links are impossible for me to read without highlighting them with the mouse. If it makes a difference, I'm using Firefox.
Posted by: Mike | Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 11:42 PM
I love this idea! I never would have thought of it!
Posted by: Lynnae | Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 11:49 PM
That is a fun and very personal way to have a little more art at home. Love it.
Posted by: Joyful Days | Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 11:52 PM
nice idea! This is my first time linking. I just enjoyed an easy night of cleaning with this new strategy!
Posted by: Halfmoon Girl | Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 11:58 PM
That's a great idea! My walls are looking a little bare and need some dressing up. I think I'll head on over to ebay!
Posted by: Chelsea | Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 01:17 AM
Great choice in frames. Love the whole look!
Posted by: Lana G! | Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 07:02 AM
That's a great idea. Hey, a good anniversary gift for my parents would be a collage of post cards from where they grew up, and various places they lived when first married. Hmmm...
:) Cara
Posted by: Cara | Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 07:06 AM
Another great idea. I love art that has context in my life. blessings
Posted by: ellen b | Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 07:45 AM
Great idea, Shannon. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Mama Russell | Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 09:12 AM
Thanks for hosting this! What a clever bunch we all are! :)
Posted by: AZ Mama | Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 10:02 AM
I'm doing this for my husband with his old maps - thanks for the tip!
Posted by: Andrea | Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 10:29 AM
Thanks for hosting this every week!
Posted by: Amy Jane | Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 10:34 AM
What a really beautiful idea! My brother-in-law did this once with a really neat calendar he'd received. Rather than throw it out, he trimmed off the photos and had them framed for a really cool display.
Posted by: Grace | Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 12:29 PM
I've done this as well. I spent a year in college abroad, so I collected fun postcards while travelling through Europe. We now have them framed throughout the house, and it makes for fun art, as well as interesting conversations pieces.
Posted by: Stephanie Scott | Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 01:44 PM
what a great idea...these days I don't go anywhere but wish i thought of this years ago when i was traveling the world! Great blog!
Posted by: Jodi | Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 02:13 PM
Oh I used this idea when decorating my boys' rooms. Only I used train postcards.
Posted by: Michelle | Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 02:27 PM
Great idea... now we're all gonna go to eBay and buy them out! This is so fun- thanks for hosting.
Posted by: ABC | Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 02:52 PM
Wonderful tips, as always!
Posted by: Baleboosteh | Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 02:53 PM
ok I did it all wrong the first time but here is my link...
http://happyhousequilts.blogspot.com/2007/06/wfmw-baking-soda.html and my wfmw is about baking soda and cleaning burned on pots. Please forgive me.
Posted by: Jodi | Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 03:08 PM
First timer here...love all the suggestions!
Blessings-Andie
Posted by: andie | Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 03:08 PM
I'm in!!
Posted by: :: Suzanne :: | Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 04:23 PM
Good tip!
Posted by: Sheila | Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 04:52 PM
Great tip!!
Blessings~
Karen
Posted by: Karen from the Korner | Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 08:03 PM
OK, I just had to comment and tell you what a super idea this is! We just recently moved to a new state after living in Idaho for 35+ years. I did a quick search for the vintage postcards on ebay and found a set! It will make a fantastic surprise gift for our upcoming 16th anniversary! Thank you for a fantastic idea!
Posted by: Angela | Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 08:55 PM
I just posted a WFM Wednesday on my blog for the first time. Hope I did it correctly!
Donna
Posted by: Donna | Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 10:09 PM
What a great idea!! I did go on Ebay and this is a great idea!! I am glad you decided to use this old WFMW. :) I have not participated in the WFMW yet but I hopefully I will have a good idea to share soon.
Thanks again.
Posted by: MorningSong | Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 01:22 PM
Just found your blog. Fun idea!
Posted by: Tammy | Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 08:47 PM
I love it! This is what I've been looking for! My sil turns 30 TOMORROW and recently moved to MEXICO! I'd love to get her some postcards of her hometown! THANKS!
Posted by: oh amanda | Saturday, June 23, 2007 at 05:13 PM
I've finally thought of a WFMW! I've been perusing them for weeks now trying to come up with something that I do that I could share with others and I finally thought of something!
Posted by: Callista | Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 04:31 PM
mine link is about giveaways in july.. sorry I didn't post it correctly. :)
Posted by: tiffany | Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 04:49 PM
or even spell my correctly.. one of those wednesdays... NAP TIME!!
Posted by: tiffany | Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 04:50 PM