I’ve always admired old window frames at antiques 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 couldn’t wait to bring it home and make some window pane decor.
At first I thought I would use it to display vintage postcards…but that all changed when I found an Etsy shop that sold some GORGEOUS circa-1918 unused flower seed packets. Note- even though this blog post is from 2014, the same Etsy shop STILL has some of these seed packets available as of March 2019.
Aren’t they stunning? I knew they were meant to become Flower Art when paired up with my old window frame. So, I bought six different seed packets and went to work on upcycling them into window pane decor for some Spring decorating. This post contains affiliate links for your crafting convenience.
Creating Flower Art on an Old Window Frame
I didn’t want to affix the packets to the old window frame 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 black photo 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!
Before working on the display, I wiped down the old window frame, preserving as much of the chippy paint as possible, and used a little Windex on the glass. Let me tell you- it was filthy!
And 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.
Either way, the old window frame was as clean as it was going to get and I could get to work on my idea for window pane decor with the vintage seed packets!
Now, I suppose I could have measured everything here, but eh, I didn’t have the patience! So, this part came together quickly. I centered each packet on the pane as best I could, and then used photo corners on opposite ends to hold it in place.
After that, I simply added the remaining two photo 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.
Window Pane Decor and Flower Art
And then, voilà! Window pane decor that showcases Spring flowers with my vintage seed packets. Perfect for Spring decorating and the quickest Flower Art that you can imagine!
Isn’t that just charming? I can’t wait to build around it to welcome Spring into our home.
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 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! 🙂