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Emma Mitchell

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January 16, 2011 By silverpebble 65 Comments

Vintage seed label giveaway

I nipped to the garden centre the other day to buy some coal. I was in a hurry so didn’t have time to browse but whilst at the checkout I glanced over my shoulder and saw that something had replaced the cut price Christmas decorations: racks and racks of seeds ready for Spring. It was lovely to see them but almost better than the prospect of Spring was the look of the seed racks. They’re like enormous colourful mosaics. Sometimes I just stand and look at the seed section in garden centres. I suspect this makes me rather strange but I think they’re beautiful.

A month or two ago I vaguely remembered some vintage French seed labels being used by Poshyarns to make a beautiful framed mosaic. I had a sudden attack of the wanties and bagged myself a couple of packets online, then rustled up a string of colourful little flags.

They’re easy to make:

Spray mount two labels back to back to make each flag
Use little pegs to attach them to raffia
Hang up
Smile

These vintage seed labels are from a website called Burgundy Brocante and are featured in the Emporium pages of February’s Country Living magazine. They date from the 1920s and the images are just lovely.

Jane from Burgundy Brocante has very kindly given me two extra sets of these beautiful little labels for two more projects. If you leave a comment on this post I’ll pop you in the hat and draw the two winners in a week’s time. I’ll be including raffia and tiny pegs in the parcels in case you have an urge for bright little flags. Good luck!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gunnels blog says

    January 16, 2011 at 6:24 pm

    These are so beautiful!!!

    Reply
  2. Lynn says

    January 16, 2011 at 6:34 pm

    Glorious! They're making me smile, too!! Thanks… xo

    Reply
  3. Jacquie says

    January 16, 2011 at 6:42 pm

    What a clever idea Emma, it looks gorgeous . Please entre me in your giveaway. I'll add a link too, hope thats ok .
    Jacquie x

    Reply
  4. Magic Bean says

    January 16, 2011 at 6:49 pm

    Hooray for Spring. I spent a bit of my afternoon scattering hollyhock seeds about my garden hoping that they'll do their business before the birds eat them… Love the bunting. ax

    Reply
  5. Julie Rutter says

    January 16, 2011 at 7:02 pm

    What a lovely idea. I LOVE seed packets – I can flick through catalogues and stare at racks for hours. Juliex

    Reply
  6. Gina says

    January 16, 2011 at 7:11 pm

    Oooo!… I rather liked those when I spied them in Country Living so yes please, I'd love to be included. I love the rows of seed packets too… my favourites are the Italian ones, Franchi.

    Reply
  7. Helen Philipps says

    January 16, 2011 at 7:12 pm

    These are adorable, Emma. I've always loved seed packets, especially old ones! Please put me in the draw! Helen x

    Reply
  8. Madelief says

    January 16, 2011 at 7:15 pm

    Hi Emma,

    Oh I love these labels!!!! I will definetely check them out :-)!

    Have a wonderful new week!

    Lieve groet, Madelief

    Reply
  9. marigold jam says

    January 16, 2011 at 7:26 pm

    How lovely – quite in keeping with my new green lifestyle eh?!!

    Jane

    Reply
  10. Magic Cochin says

    January 16, 2011 at 7:46 pm

    I can never resist seed packets – and these are so pretty!

    Celia
    x

    Reply
  11. Dragonfly says

    January 16, 2011 at 7:49 pm

    OH, they look lovely!

    I've been browsing through the seed catalogues that have been dropping through my letterbox all week… planning and dreaming of spring…

    I think I'd quite like a string like this in my conservatory to replace my Christmas ones.

    Reply
  12. elliemook says

    January 16, 2011 at 8:03 pm

    Oh, how adorable. Your little banner is so pretty

    Reply
  13. Sarah - Red Gingham says

    January 16, 2011 at 8:08 pm

    Oh they are so beautiful! I'd love to win such a prize. My littlest one adores flowers and these would look wonderful in her room.

    Reply
  14. Moogsmum says

    January 16, 2011 at 8:25 pm

    Ooh want want want! What a fabulous idea and such a lovely promise of all those summery flowers to come.

    xxx

    Reply
  15. pebbledash says

    January 16, 2011 at 8:32 pm

    Looks lovely Emma, so cheerful, please count me in! I love looking at all the seed packets too….surely we're not all a bit odd?!

    Reply
  16. Scented Sweetpeas says

    January 16, 2011 at 8:35 pm

    oohh what a cute idea, please count me in. I also love nosing at mainly flower seed packets and marvel and natures talent whilst also picking up photography ideas 🙂

    Reply
  17. Fiona says

    January 16, 2011 at 8:49 pm

    They are lovely. Please enter me in.

    Reply
  18. jen fox says

    January 16, 2011 at 8:58 pm

    these are beautiful,they evoke lovely memories but also they mnake me look forward to the spring and summer , thank you

    Reply
  19. French Knots says

    January 16, 2011 at 8:59 pm

    What a lovely idea! Now I have the wanties too! Please put my name in the hat.xx

    Reply
  20. Lyn says

    January 16, 2011 at 9:06 pm

    what a very clever and simple idea! I would love to be put in the hat, so to speak!
    love
    Lyn
    xxx

    Reply
  21. Angel Jem says

    January 16, 2011 at 9:23 pm

    Those hollyhocks are gorgeous!

    Reply
  22. vintagerockchick says

    January 16, 2011 at 9:27 pm

    Ooh how lovely, please enter me – I've not got around to reading my Feb issue of CL yet – thanks for the pointer! Incidentally, I loved the look of your catalogue card on the previous post, and I followed the link, but I can't seem to make it work – am I being a bit dense??

    Reply
  23. gill says

    January 16, 2011 at 9:30 pm

    These are gorgeous!
    Count me in please!

    Reply
  24. Menopausal musing says

    January 16, 2011 at 9:40 pm

    What lovely things. Just lovely, but don't enter me as I did well just before Christmas, so spread the love around. :O)))))))

    Reply
  25. greenrabbitdesigns says

    January 16, 2011 at 9:43 pm

    They are so pretty, please count me in I would love to win them!
    Thanks,
    Vivienne x

    Reply
  26. Belinda @ Wild Acre says

    January 16, 2011 at 10:06 pm

    Gorgeous – sometime I will have a lovely shed and these would be a fab finishing touch!!

    Reply
  27. Bobo Bun says

    January 16, 2011 at 10:21 pm

    I have to say yes please count me in Emma as I've been after these for an age. When I saw them in C.Living I told M – while pointing – I'd like these please for Mother's Day. I'm good at subtle hints.

    Love what you've done with yours.
    X

    Reply
  28. home made gorgeous says

    January 16, 2011 at 10:22 pm

    Hi Emma ooh, yes please I would love to enter these are beautiful! Sarah x

    Reply
  29. Lannb28 says

    January 16, 2011 at 10:50 pm

    A beautiful bit of sunshine on a grey day.

    Reply
  30. mrspao says

    January 16, 2011 at 10:59 pm

    Oh yes, please! I'd love to win them. They would look lovely in my office. I think they are ever so joyful.

    Reply
  31. Tara says

    January 16, 2011 at 11:21 pm

    That garland is so pretty. You've made your own Splash of Colour. And looking at seed packets? That doesn't make you strange at all. I'm having a giveaway too. Pop on over!

    Reply
  32. quinn says

    January 17, 2011 at 12:33 am

    So pretty!!! They remind me of favorite books of my childhood – although I'm not quite THAT vintage 🙂

    Reply
  33. Thimbleanna says

    January 17, 2011 at 3:06 am

    Those are super CUTE Emma!

    Reply
  34. Naturally Carol says

    January 17, 2011 at 4:57 am

    Me! Me! Choose me, Ms Silverpebble…I'll do my homework and clean the blackboard!
    The are wonderful and I love what you have done with them. I already have the little pegs and some string…

    Reply
  35. Su says

    January 17, 2011 at 6:31 am

    They're lovely – please put my name in the hat! So pretty.

    Reply
  36. ohabbyreally says

    January 17, 2011 at 9:20 am

    These are gorgeous! What a great idea! x

    Reply
  37. Planet Penny says

    January 17, 2011 at 9:30 am

    I loved them in Country Living and I love them here! Please put me in the hat too!

    Reply
  38. driftwood says

    January 17, 2011 at 9:36 am

    oooh lovely – like a floating garden xxx

    Reply
  39. mandy says

    January 17, 2011 at 10:04 am

    Yes please, fingers crossed x

    Reply
  40. sylviesgarden says

    January 17, 2011 at 10:30 am

    They are gorgeous!
    x

    Reply
  41. Cottage Garden says

    January 17, 2011 at 10:51 am

    Oh you are inspired Emma. A wonderful idea! I saw them in Country Living, must check out the BB website. Count me in please!

    Jeanne
    x

    Reply
  42. Catherine says

    January 17, 2011 at 6:15 pm

    they are quite gorgeoous – I have bagged my self two packetsstraight away, can't wait to see if I am lucky in your draw!

    C x

    Reply
  43. The Vintage Gardener says

    January 17, 2011 at 7:19 pm

    Hi
    Please count me in too! I have been using these seed packet labels in my vintage collages and other crafty things I make for a little while now, but hadn't thought of this idea. I think I shall be trying it soon.
    Gill

    Reply
  44. Donna ~ Love.Hope.Craft says

    January 17, 2011 at 8:47 pm

    How lovely and pretty :0)
    Please pop me into your draw, I'd love some of these.
    If you pop over to my blog, you can enter my draw if you want a book :0)
    kindest regards,
    Donna

    Reply
  45. Itchin' Stitchin' says

    January 18, 2011 at 2:42 am

    Very cute!!! What a way to welcome spring!

    Reply
  46. harmony and rosie says

    January 18, 2011 at 9:24 am

    What an absolutely gorgeous idea, so colourful and please pop me into the hat xx

    Reply
  47. Eileen says

    January 18, 2011 at 4:55 pm

    so bright and cheerful on this cold snowy day.

    Reply
  48. Peeriemoot says

    January 18, 2011 at 8:16 pm

    Oh they're lovely 🙂 – where did you get the tiny pegs? I have some silver ones for hanging Christmas cards up but have never seen non-Christmassy ones!

    Reply
  49. jus says

    January 18, 2011 at 8:45 pm

    Ooooh Miss, me, me please Miss, choose me… oddly i am having to stongly resist the urge to stretch my left hand into the air as high as it'll go and wiggle in my seat whilst I'm writing this. Amazing that all it has taken to transport me back to school are some brightly coloured, beautiful seed packets!
    Meet you behind the bike sheds later, x

    Reply
  50. Curlew Country says

    January 18, 2011 at 10:31 pm

    Such a simple idea to add some much needed cheer to these grey January days. Inspired!

    I would love to be entered, thank you!
    Stephx

    Reply
  51. Felicity says

    January 19, 2011 at 12:40 am

    oh i love them, please count me in!

    Reply
  52. susan says

    January 19, 2011 at 5:16 am

    Such a clever idea – I would love to have them decorate my home.

    Reply
  53. Paula says

    January 19, 2011 at 9:13 am

    Those seed packets are so beautiful and that's a very clever idea to have them on display 🙂

    Reply
  54. The Coffee Lady says

    January 19, 2011 at 11:26 am

    Yes, yes, very pretty. You are too energetic.

    Reply
  55. Jannette says

    January 19, 2011 at 8:43 pm

    They're lovely.. I should be *doing* something, really, but sitting on the sofa, drinking coffee and looking at your inspired floating colours will have to do, for now. (I *will* dig out my box of half-used seed packets from last year, though. Tomorrow.)

    Reply
  56. Floss says

    January 19, 2011 at 9:19 pm

    Oh yes, please! They really are fantastic and I've never actually seen them in France…

    Reply
  57. two bones and a bagle says

    January 19, 2011 at 10:58 pm

    Would you please put my name into the hat too – the seed packets are lovely – I saw seeds in the supermarket last week and it made me all smiley too.

    Reply
  58. summerfete says

    January 20, 2011 at 2:02 pm

    Sowing seeds is my fav thing!!
    Would love these to remind me spring is on its way!!

    Reply
  59. Antonia S-H says

    January 21, 2011 at 12:56 pm

    What beautiful seed packets! I'm hungry for colour in this grey January and would love to make seed packet bunting.

    Reply
  60. Madelief says

    January 21, 2011 at 4:09 pm

    I just realised it was a giveaway…so silly of me!!!

    Lieve groet, Madelief

    Reply
  61. Colette says

    January 21, 2011 at 10:09 pm

    Oh how lovely, count me in please.

    Reply
  62. Aisyah Helga says

    January 22, 2011 at 12:53 am

    Oooh..just lovely! I'd love to win those!

    Reply
  63. pip edmiston says

    January 23, 2011 at 10:50 am

    What a simply gorgeous idea! They look amazing! Please count me in 🙂

    || pip ||

    Reply
  64. Lace hearts says

    January 23, 2011 at 11:55 am

    Hi Emma. I'd love to join in. What a fabulous idea, and I love the website link. They look so pretty hanging up. x

    Reply
  65. Sue Pickwell says

    March 2, 2011 at 2:38 pm

    Would love to win these…Thanks for the chnace
    sue.pickwell at telus.net

    Reply

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