In Search of Good Junk - A love for Notions

There's something enticing about a little group of buttons all lined up in a row on a printed card, or the graphics and texture of an old fabric measuring tape, or a line of wooden spools wound with colorful thread.   Who doesn't love a jar filled with old buttons, snaps, pins and the like.  And a bonus, that they are usually relatively cheap and easy to find.   Notions are so versatile and fun to use, I thought you might enjoy a bit of card making mixed with a love of notions.  Get out your sewing machine for some quick and easy cards using old notions, printed sentiments and some simple stitching.   
Here are a few ideas to get you started - 

Vintage packaging is so good, and old snap fastener cards are a favorite!   It doesn't even matter that the bottom part of it has been cut off.  In fact that leaves a nice place for your sentiment to go!

 I have no idea where I found a hot pink garter and not even sure it qualifies as a notion, but it makes for a cute thank you card.

I love these straight pins!  They come pinned to a paper strip on a roll.  Just tear a strip off and combine with piece of fabric and ribbon.

Use the smallest bits of fabric along with a corner of some snap packaging....stitch around some of the elements for interest.

A hook and eye adhered to bits of frayed fabric.

You can't really tell by the picture, but there is one button missing on the card...hence the sentiment, "missing you"

Envelope details - adhere a piece of fabric behind the hole on the flap which allows the envelope to be pinned closed.  Add ribbon and mini tag.

A needle and some darning thread...

 The "closure" card...for the person that needs some closure in their life.

 Love an old measuring tape.....it could be used to represent the number of years for a birthday or anniversary.

I wanted the envelopes to match the theme of the cards so I added a fabric flap.  I started with a regular envelopes.  They were a bit too white so I brushed them with walnut ink.  I wanted the orientation of the envelope to change so I sealed the flap that was closing the long end.  Then I stitched down one of the short ends of the envelope.  This also allows for you to change the size of the envelope to fit your card.   I made a new flap for the envelope out of wool fabric.     

I trimmed the front of the envelope 1/2" shorter than the back of the envelope and stitched the wool flap to the inside of the back only.

So many possibilities and everything I had on hand!  Here's a challenge...Try just using what you have on hand and create something fun.  We refer to this as - "within arms reach"....no going to the store, just what you have hanging around.  Show us what you come up with.

Good Luck!