I often wonder why I love to collect and am so attracted to vintage items. In my family I am the "keeper" of family things. I don't mind that much, I like items that have a history or story behind them. I wonder why I have this trait so instilled in me, as my siblings don't share the attraction to vintage.
I think it can be explained with one family album that I am the "keeper" of. My paternal grandmother Ethel (picture on header of blog and the inspiration for my blog name) created a photo album when my dad and his brother were born in 1937. They were twins and that only adds to the charm of her album. She kept everything. I think I get it from Ethel or as I referred to her, Grammy.
This is the album. Even the cover is darling.
Grammy saved cards that she received when the twins were born. She kept the original envelopes on almost every card as well.
I love that she captioned items, so I knew this cab stub was for the trip to the hospital.
The twins were called Bob and Dick. Evidently someone thought The Little Rangers would be a good nickname for them.
Grammy saved the labels from the baby food jars she used as well as other items that she must have fed them. Bacon?
I think the liver soup is a mark of the time.
The charm of having twins was evident in these cards. Evidently they got matching cards quite often. Grammy also added a note what the gift was.
A label from an enamelware item. I wish THAT would have been saved in the album!
One for Bob. One for Dick. Vintage valentine cards that came with lollipops.
Again, two cards that were the same.
Handwritten notes that accompanied gift. Hope you like my ma's cookies!
A growth chart sent out by Pyrex Nursing Bottles. Original envelope with stamp still attached.
At one point in his childhood my dad swallowed a small key. That made it into the album!
You may remember I like to collect vintage napkins. This is where I get it! First birthday napkin. Horoscope from that day also included.
Second birthday napkin.
3rd birthday napkin.
4th birthday napkin is pretty plain. But look...EASTER GRASS! Remember who love vintage Easter grass?
This card threw me off as the album only goes till their 4th birthday. Then I realized twins...4 plus 4 equals 8. This was one thrifty person!
Napkins and invites from a friend's party.
I think this album is ample proof of the hereditary factor with loving vintage items. Grammy definitely passed it onto me. No complaints, but I think the connection is plain as day.
I had no choice. It was in my genes. I am not thrilled with my hereditary flat feet or the need for glasses. I will take the love of vintage any day tho...thank you Grammy!
Happy day!
I'm the only one in my family that is the lover of anything vintage too.Not sure where I get mine from though.What a great thing to inherit from your Grammy.That's so wonderful that you have that special album and other things from Ethel "Grammy". Thanks for sharing the story and the album...The connection is plain as day!
P.S you look great in glasses with that great head of curls!
Posted by: Doreen | June 21, 2012 at 06:14 AM
What a special scrapbook. The cover is just fantastic. Indeed a family treasure. It definitely runs in your genes.
Posted by: Kim Kenward | June 21, 2012 at 08:25 AM
Terrific album. I'm amazed she kept it up for 4 years with 4 year old twin boys running around the house!
Remember when bacon and liver were health foods?
Happy, sunny day
Posted by: janet | June 21, 2012 at 08:34 AM
WOW!! Your grandmother was ahead of her time as far as modern scrapbooking goes. What a treasure! I bet she'd be thrilled to know that scrapbook is still around and admired!
Posted by: Diane | June 21, 2012 at 09:28 AM
As soon as I saw the Easter grass, I was convinced - there is a gene! That scrapbook is such a treasure. I love that she saved the everyday things along with the treasures. (Even the liver soup label! Can you imagine anything worse?)
Posted by: barbara | June 21, 2012 at 09:46 AM
oh my goodness! i would DIE if i found an album like that! and to have one that belonged to someone in my family would be even better! i love it!
i'm the only vintage lover in my family, really. i did just find out my great uncle has had an antique booth for YEARS and sells stuff to cracker barrell so we're setting up a date so he can give me tips! i'm so excited!
Posted by: rae | June 21, 2012 at 09:53 AM
I too am the keeper of "things". That scrapbook is simply amazing. Ethel was thoughtful to have kept every little thing. I love it all. Except Liver Soup. Ick.
Posted by: Shara | June 21, 2012 at 10:03 AM
This book is amazing! I love that she saved things from so many aspects of their lives -- right down to the baby food labels and the key that 'reappeared' (hilarious). You are most definitely Ethel's granddaughter. :-)
PS I whole heartedly agree with Shara about liver soup. Can't imagine anything much worse that that...
Posted by: Into Vintage | June 21, 2012 at 10:18 AM
When I saw the colors and the graphics and the little "comments" I knew for sure it is in your genes! Your Grammy must have been a very special woman and I bet that she would love that you use her name!
Posted by: Annette | June 21, 2012 at 10:27 AM
Amazing you have this scrap book and even more amazing when I am reminded I had one very much like it and now I'm wondering where the heck it is. I'm going to go look. Nan
Posted by: Nan | June 21, 2012 at 10:28 AM
I am in awe of that album! I cannot think of a more precious heirloom than those sweet glimpses into the lives of two little boys. Every little detail is a treasure. I posted a pic of the cute patriotic doll I got from you on Etsy. I absolutely love it and will treasure it! =D
Posted by: shirley hatfield | June 21, 2012 at 11:38 AM
Oh my goodness, I can relate. My paternal grandmother was the same, kept scrapbooks and everything else!!!! No one else in my family is like that. My mother threw everything away. Only 1 of my 5 children shows any interest at all in collecting or vintage. She will go to estate sales with me and occasionally finds something that she likes.
They think I'm strange and I wonder why they don't feel like I do. lol1
Posted by: Antiques GaloreGal | June 21, 2012 at 11:41 AM
I, too, am the keeper of the archives, although I have no clue how that came to be. Your provenance is crystal clear!!
Posted by: Kathy | June 21, 2012 at 11:45 AM
Wow, what an awesome piece of family history to have!!! I love that your grandmother saved everything!! I wonder what that liver soup tasted like?? Uck!!
Hugs,
Lynn
Posted by: Lynn | June 21, 2012 at 11:51 AM
I know I say this to you often but this is truly amazing. So many questions and gaps can be filled in just in the pages of this book. The entire era of growth in mere pictures. Written in her own beautiful handwriting. I kept a napkin of each of my kiddos birthday too. I am the sole keeper in a long line of pitchers..smiles..Renee
Posted by: Renee | June 21, 2012 at 02:09 PM
This was so much fun to see the album and the napkins! Yep in your genes!
Posted by: Linda @ A La Carte | June 21, 2012 at 08:06 PM
What's that old saying? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree? What an amazing piece of family history.
Sheryl
Posted by: Sheryl Remy | June 22, 2012 at 06:57 AM
Yep, the pack rat gene is eveident. I have it too from my grandmother. The problem is I think I have to save complete strangers stuff forever too!
Blessings!
Linda
Posted by: Lina | June 22, 2012 at 07:26 AM
OMG I love Grammy Ethel too!! I've gotten a few eye rolls in my day for saving/scrapbooking "good stuff" Someday when I'm dead I hope someone will look at my treasures with the same appreciation as all the folks did with you today! Thanks for sharing!!
Posted by: thriftmaven | June 22, 2012 at 06:22 PM
What a wonderful treasure!! And it certainly went to the best person, someone who loves to collect vintage anything!!
chris
Posted by: chris mckinley | June 22, 2012 at 07:30 PM
The best part of that amazing scrapbook is that it was kept and passed on to the perfect person to cherish it. Every page reminded me of something you would have kept. Definetly got your grammy's genes! My grandma saved, my mom threw away, glad I got the "save" gene!
Posted by: Marci | June 23, 2012 at 05:22 PM
How wonderful that you still have this family treasure ! There is nothing better . I just love the few family items that my parents managed to save. .... but I would have been over the moon to get a scrapbook like yours.... it's adorable ! And informative .... Liver soup !? Who knew !?
Posted by: Lisa W. | June 23, 2012 at 10:40 PM
Oh and she saved a bit of Easter grass ... that is too cute. Yep - that Easter grass gene came right to you !
Posted by: Lisa W. | June 23, 2012 at 10:47 PM
Wonderful scrapbook! Liver soup? That doesn't sound very appetizing!
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | June 25, 2012 at 07:03 AM
This is just wonderful! How awesome that you have it! Love the napkins! P.S. My customer/friend Jane bought an Uncle Sam from your etsy shop!!!
Posted by: Elizabeth | June 29, 2012 at 03:03 PM