I’ve always admired antique window frames at vintage shops and architectural salvage stores. I didn’t pull the trigger for a while, though, because they were often too big or too expensive. When I finally found the right old window frame for me, I wondered if I could use it to display my collection of vintage seed packets.
Why vintage seed packets? Because each pane of glass was smaller than that of typical old windows. Still quite a bit larger than a seed packet, but it seemed worth trying nonetheless!
I did, however, need to try and clean up the old window before doing anything else, though. Because it was FILTHY!
Either way, I was ready to create some fun decor for Spring with my antique window and collection of old seed packets!
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Displaying the Vintage Seed Packets
First and foremost, allow me to introduce you to my collection of vintage flower seed packets. Aren’t they gorgeous? Like little art canvases, really.
I knew they were meant to become Flower Art when paired up with my antique window frame. I bought six different vintage flower seed packets on Etsy and was VERY excited to display them in the old window.
Speaking of which, I turned my attention back to it and meticulously cleaned the glass and chippy paint as best I could.
I had to chuckle to myself at the paint job, particularly on what would have been the exterior side- globby and drippy, with paint smudges on the glass. Perhaps it was last painted by an exhausted farmer who just didn’t give a darn about painting his windows? Or maybe a it was painted by a young child that didn’t really know what he was doing?
Either way, it was fun to daydream about.
Anyway, back to my project. I didn’t want to affix the flower seed packets to the antique window directly and ruin the backs with glue. My mind drifted back to my mother’s old scrap book (that her mother had put together) and the photo mounting corners that held all the photos in place.
When I’d ask who was in each photo, my mom would gently pull the photo from the corners and check the back for information…
At the time, I couldn’t find them in stores! So I went on Etsy and purchased a pack of vintage photo corners and hoped they would still work. In the years since this blog post was published, I am pleased to find that they are now sold online here!
Next, I centered each vintage seed packet on the pane as best I could, and then used photo corners on opposite ends to hold it in place.
I suppose I could have measured everything here, but eh, I didn’t have the patience! So, this part came together quickly.
Vintage Seed Packets in an Antique Window Frame
After that, I simply added the remaining two photo mounting corners to the other corners and that was it! Each little seed packet was attached to the old window frame without in a secure but non-permanent fashion.
And then, voilà! My antique window frame perfectly displayed my collection of vintage flower seed packets! Gorgeous and garden-inspired, just in time for Spring.
Isn’t that just charming? I can’t wait to build around it to welcome Spring into our home.
And in the years since I first created this window pane project, I’ve re-repurposed the same window a few other times. It’s been used as a quilt display…
AND I used it to display some botanical prints in this rendition of “Thrift the Look”.
Isn’t that fantastic? If none of the projects are permanent, I can reuse the old window as many times as I have ideas! I’ve even re-displayed the vintage seed packets in a different way, too.
Perfect for Spring decor, eh? Speaking of decorating for Spring, please check out this comprehensive collection of upcycling ideas for Spring home decor! You will find all kinds of inspiration here…
Craft on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
Sarah I love this. I was wondering how you got the seed packets to stick. Now I know! 🙂
Ta-da!!! 😉
What creativity! Just love this.
I thought you might, Sheila!!
I love this! So pretty and springy. I would love to find some old windows, but their either hard to come by or too expensive for me )-; Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Linda!
visiting from Inspired Me linky….I am not good at this as you are, but it’d be great if I could find those kinds of seed packets in a fabric! They’d be great appliques!
Cheri
http://www.fabricandmemories.blogspot.com
Gosh, I really like that. Makes me want to do one. Would love to get seed packets like those. Thanks for sharing this great idea with us.
Thanks, Gwen! Check on Etsy for old seed packets- that’s where I bought mine.
I think this is very creative and love the vintage look
Thank you so much!
Cute idea! Thanks for sharing with the Thursday Blog Hop! Please stop by to enter the very special giveaway on http://www.over50feeling40.com
Thank you!
Cute idea! Hopefully it encourages springe to come!!!
YES!!! Let’s hope so! 🙂
I need to make this for my MIL, she would love it!
This would be so so precious in a little garden (: Great idea! Visiting from http://www.andieconn.com/lazy-proof-day-5-habits-build/ and would love a visit back.
Your display is so pretty and perfect for spring.
Thank you, Heather!
That’s a cute idea! Thanks so much for linking this up at Best of the Weekend!
Very pretty! Thanks for linking up with us at the Home Matters Linky Party this week! #homemattersparty
Sarah, this is so ME!!! Would you please share this project at Five Star Frugal this week? Pretty Please…Mimi xxx
http://atrayofbliss.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/five-star-frugal-linkup-7.html
Yes, it is just adorable. I love those vintage seed packets. Thank you so much for sharing your creativity with us at Merry Monday! We always look forward to your projects!
Love the vintage seed packets; what a great way to display them! And those photo corners add even more vintage charm. Love it! Thanks so much for sharing at Inspire Me Wednesday. Featuring you in this week’s issue.
Thank you so much!!!
I love your creative craft. Thank you very much for joining in the celebration of #purebloglove, we enjoy having you each week. I hope to see you on Thursday at 8PM, EST through Sunday night. ~Cydnee
I love this!
Love it! The photo corners are a very nice added detail.
Thank you, Linda!
I love those vintage seed packets. Perfect spring decor. Pinning and sharing. Thanks for sharing this at Totally Terrific Tuesday last week!
I love old windows and those seed packets are too cute! Thank you for sharing on Show Me Saturday!
I love old window panes and love what you with it! So creative! Thanks so much for sharing on Making Memories Mondays! 🙂
Cathy
I have a window just like this that I have been trying to decide how to dress up. I love your idea,such a great idea for spring! Thank you for sharing with Idea Box link party!
Oh my, I just love this display!
Takes you back in time and makes you wonder: who might have bought lobelia seeds back then 🙂 A gardener, a gatekeeper, a busy housewife?
Awesome project 🙂
xx
Mila
milaslittlethings.com
I love vintage seed packets! I’ve applied a couple to old blue ball jars for storing some garden seeds. Cute idea to add them to an old window. The photo corners gives it an extra vintage feel. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
This is such a fun idea, vintage windows are so popular these days for decor I see them everywhere. I really love how unique your projects are. Came here from Winthrop Chronicles Link Party 🙂
Thank you so much, Sam!
LOVE this ! One of my projects for next summer is building a potting bench – wouldn’t something like this be fantastic above it ???
Pinning !
Thanks for sharing !
Absolutely, Suzan!! It would be gorgeous!
Besides my love of old windows, I really appreciate that you took the time to find vintage seed packs and photo holders — I bet it was a great Spring display!
Thanks, Cynthia! I loved it so much that my Spring display lasted well into summer. 😀
I love this Sarah! Visiting from Funky Junk!
Thank you, Kathy!! And have a great weekend, hopefully filled with a little bit of junkin’. 😉
what a fresh idea for those beautiful old windows! I have a stack from an old barn and I was just going to sell them and now I may play with a couple. thanks a bunch
Thank you so much!
Ok what am I missing here? How do the photo corners stick to the pane???
Hopefully you saw my response on Facebook! 🙂